Trials

Dragon Knight Warrior Academy, back mountain.

"Bang!" "Boom!" "Crash!"... Two red figures flashed and clashed through the forest, scorching waves of heat spreading wildly in every direction from the point where they fought.

The two combatants were Yao Lao and Xiao Yan.

"Kid, feel this move!" Yao Lao called, his figure flickering as he darted through the air. Like an endless flame, he left no trace, appearing behind Xiao Yan in a bizarre manner.

Bang! The hilt of his sword pressed against Xiao Yan's neck.

Knowing he had lost, Xiao Yan gave a wry smile, lowered the Heavy Ruler in his hand, and raised both hands above his head. "Yao Lao, when do you think I'll be able to beat you?"

"If I were easily defeated by a youngster like you, then these three hundred years of hard cultivation would be a joke!" Yao Lao tapped Xiao Yan on the head.

"Besides, you forced me to use the power of the world despite being only a seventh-level Warrior. In terms of strength, you're already no weaker than an ordinary ninth-level Warrior." After reprimanding Xiao Yan, Yao Lao's expression grew serious.

Because of the damage to his dantian, Yao Lao's Dou Qi reserves and strength were only slightly greater than those of an ordinary eighth-level Warrior, nowhere near a ninth-level Warrior's. The reason outsiders still regarded him as a ninth-level Warrior was his formidable combat ability. He had mastered techniques like Heavy as Light, and, most importantly, he had also comprehended the power of the world.

Xiao Yan had forced Yao Lao to use the power of the world during their fight. His strength already surpassed Yao Lao's when Yao Lao used the Heavy as Light technique, making Xiao Yan the equal of a ninth-level Warrior.

"Only half a year, and you've already mastered Heavy as Light. Yan, I've never seen anyone as talented as you in my life. Even the legendary founding emperors of the three great empires—the gods themselves—were probably no more extraordinary than this."

"Heh... I was just lucky. Just lucky." Xiao Yan rubbed his nose, a little embarrassed.

"You rascal. Every time I praise you, you say it was luck!" Yao Lao shook his head fondly.

"Now that you've mastered Heavy as Light, I can't teach you how to cultivate the power of the world. You'll have to rely on yourself from here on. Go out and explore."

"A hothouse can't grow strong people!"

It was common knowledge that the Coiling Dragon Material Plane had three major dungeons, ranked from easiest to hardest: the easy dungeon, the Magical Beast Mountain Range; the hard dungeon, the Church of Light; and the infernal dungeon, the Plane Prison.

Now, because of Yao Lao, the Church of Light had most likely become Xiao Yan's enemy. And the Magical Beast Mountain Range on the Azeron Continent happened to lie within the Church of Light's sphere of influence.

"To get to the Magical Beast Mountain Range, I'd have to enter the Church of Light's territory. That..." Xiao Yan studied the map, his brows furrowing deeply.

"My relationship with Yao Lao is common knowledge in Dragon Knight Warrior Academy. Given the Church of Light's vast influence, they must have heard about it long ago. And with how domineering they are, going to the Magical Beast Mountain Range would be like walking into a trap!"

"After all, the only reason the Church of Light hasn't attacked Yao Lao and Dragon Knight Warrior Academy is the deterrence of the Zhongyuan Empire. Even so, Yao Lao hasn't left Starfire City in nearly twenty years, just to guard against the Church of Light making a sneak attack."

"For my own safety, I'd better stay within the Zhongyuan Empire's territory."

As Xiao Yan considered his options, his gaze finally settled on an area near the border between the Roland Empire and the Zhongyuan Empire.

Sunset Forest, the Azeron Continent's second-largest gathering place for magical beasts, after the Magical Beast Mountain Range!

Night.

A figure dressed in black moved like the god of death through the darkness. Without making a sound, he melted into the night and gradually vanished into the distance.

"That kid..." Yao Lao sighed softly from atop a pavilion.

Meanwhile, once he was far from Dragon Knight Warrior Academy, Xiao Yan quickened his pace. Even rugged mountain trails were as easy as level ground beneath his feet; he could cover a hundred li in an hour.

In just a few days, Xiao Yan reached the vicinity of Sunset Forest. There were more adventurers on the road now, too.

"Hm?" Xiao Yan's gaze fell on someone in the crowd.

The person wore the standard robe of the Imperial Capital Magic Academy in the Roland Empire. Beside her were four companions—three men and one woman. The other girl was dressed as a mage, too, in the uniform of a different magic academy.

The three men were all dressed as Warriors. One was especially tall and wore gleaming armor, with a spear slung over his back. Another, somewhat shorter and slimmer, had a long saber at his waist. The last was a fat man with a huge spiked club on his shoulder.

"Nina?" The girl in the standard Ernst robe was Nina, whom Lynn's true self had met once before.

Xiao Yan recognized her at a glance.

"I think Leiluo and Gates mentioned that Nina recently broke through to become a fifth-level Mage, making her an advanced Mage. Under the Imperial Capital Magic Academy's rules, she can apply to go out on a field assignment."

"A seventeen-year-old fifth-level Mage. Nina's talent might not be any worse than my true self's."

Xiao Yan marveled inwardly, but had no intention of going over to make her acquaintance. A seventeen-year-old fifth-level Mage was certainly impressive, but what if I pull out my twelve-year-old self, a seventh-level dual magic-and-martial cultivator? How would you respond then?

"Friend, are you heading to Sunset Forest, too?" A voice suddenly called out.

Xiao Yan turned to look. One of Nina's companions, the young man in armor, was approaching with a smile.

"Let's get acquainted. I'm Caesar, from Roland Warrior Academy," the young man said warmly.

"Chu Zihang, from Kassel Warrior Academy." Xiao Yan had a sudden inspiration. When you were away from home, you could choose your own identity.

The golden-haired young man's expression froze when he heard Xiao Yan's introduction.

Kassel Warrior Academy? Was there such an academy in the Roland Empire? Could it be from the Zhongyuan Empire?

Caesar was filled with questions, but he kept his composure and nodded knowingly. "So Brother Chu Zihang is a genius from Kassel Academy."

"I see you're heading toward Sunset Forest, too. I've put together a team, and we're planning to scout the outskirts of the forest. Why don't you come with us, Brother Chu Zihang?"

"No, thanks. I'm more used to traveling alone." Xiao Yan rejected Caesar's invitation without hesitation, then quickly left.

Xiao Yan had shown him such little courtesy that Caesar's smile stiffened, and his expression turned stormy.

... Watching Caesar return alone, the young fat man carrying the spiked club teased, "Looks like he didn't accept your invitation, boss."

"I was going to make his acquaintance, but that guy was too arrogant. He not only looked down on me, but even humiliated me." Caesar could only give a wry smile at the fat man's teasing.

After listening to them, Nina frowned. "I only thought he seemed unusual, and that he looked quite young. I was going to kindly invite him to join us and help him out, while getting to know him. Since he doesn't appreciate it, forget it!"