Zhao Linchuan walked along Nuoding City's somewhat noisy streets, his gaze sweeping over the rows of shops and passersby. Yet his eyes seemed unfocused, never settling on anything in particular.
He had sent a sliver of his mind inward, studying the system panel visible only to him.
[God-Level Choice System] [Items Held: Green Goblin Summoning Card*2 (Special Priest Edition), Customizable-Part Ten-Thousand-Year Self-Adaptive Soul Bone*1, Customizable-Part Thousand-Year...] [Gold Soul Coins: 17400] [System Points: 218000]
He had scraped together these assets over the past few months in Holy Soul Village by triggering some inconsequential side quests and missions involving minor characters.
They weren't entirely useless, but all together they probably still weren't worth as much as the "Sword God Experience Card" he'd earned today by completing a quest for Yu Xiaogang.
As expected, if I want the truly good stuff, I'll have to get involved in the key events of the original story...
He mused to himself as he kept walking, his mind already racing through the possibilities for his next target.
First things first: that hundred-thousand-year-old Rogue Rabbit... How can I "run into" her naturally?
Still mulling it over, he headed toward the general store where he planned to buy bedding.
Just as he passed a street corner, where the crowds had thinned somewhat, the system's notification rang out in his mind without warning.
[Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao, the greatest early-game protector and support for the Child of Destiny (Fake), Tang San, has developed murderous intent toward you.]
[Choice Quest triggered:]
[Choice One: Butcher him!]
[Reward: Jiangtian Battle Armor (Includes: "Demon Armor: I'm the thickest crab!" voice pack) * System Points*50000]
[Choice Two: Kill him!]
[Reward: Tears of Remidios (Description: The compassionate tears of Remidios, Lord of Omnipotence. They contain the supreme authority over life and Samsara, capable of reviving the dead and returning souls to the departed.) System Points*50000.]
Zhao Linchuan's steps faltered almost imperceptibly. Then he resumed his normal pace, his thoughts racing.
Jiangtian Battle Armor?
He knew all about it. In his previous life, he'd had a friend who'd suffered from polio since childhood and had also been paralyzed in an accident. Only a few fingers on his entire body could move, yet he'd managed to climb to the top of the Kai rankings through sheer, heaven-defying "talent."
He'd been nicknamed "the paragon of perseverance despite physical disability."
But Zhao Linchuan was a perfectly normal person, with all four limbs intact and nimble fingers. If he chose this thing... wouldn't he be laughed at for the rest of his life?
He didn't want people making fun of him later, asking, "Did you pick the armor because you're bad with your hands?"
Besides, that description, "the thickest crab," gave off a distinctly brainless vibe.
I choose two. He silently made his choice, without the slightest hesitation.
[Choice confirmed. Quest objective: Kill Tang Hao. Reward will be issued upon completion.]
The moment he made his choice, a chill crept silently up his spine.
It wasn't his imagination. It was the genuine murderous intent of a Titled Douluo locking onto him. Though the other man was doing his utmost to suppress it, Zhao Linchuan's senses were sharp, and he'd been expecting it, so he could still feel it clearly.
His expression remained unchanged. Then, as though he'd remembered something, he naturally veered away from the route to the general store.
He turned toward the sparsely traveled west gate of Nuoding City, his pace unhurried, as if he'd simply had the sudden urge to go for a stroll outside the city.
The benefits brought by his Martial Soul were now unmistakable.
Subtly nourished by his "Glimmer" Martial Soul, his physical condition far exceeded that of an ordinary six-year-old. He'd walked briskly for over an hour, crossing half of Nuoding City to reach the outskirts, yet he wasn't even breathing hard.
Soul Power flowed steadily within him, and warmth and strength filled every limb.
About ten li outside the city, in a secluded clearing in the woods.
Zhao Linchuan stopped.
The surroundings were unnaturally quiet.
Afternoon sunlight fell in dappled patches through the sparse branches, but the usual chirping of insects and birds had vanished without a trace. Even the wind seemed to have stopped, and an invisible pressure hung in the air.
"Just because I know your son has a second Martial Soul," Zhao Linchuan suddenly said, his voice especially clear in the silent woods, "you, Clear Sky Douluo, are going to come all this way to crush a child who's only just awakened his Martial Soul?"
No one answered. His words only echoed faintly among the trees.
Zhao Linchuan narrowed his eyes, his Soul Power quietly circulating around him as he heightened his guard.
He waited a moment, then shrugged and turned as if to leave. "Since the Clear Sky Douluo can't be bothered to show himself, this junior will head back to the academy for dinner."
"I hear they're serving meat in the cafeteria today..."
Before he could finish—
A streak of black light seemed to tear through space, landing soundlessly a dozen meters in front of Zhao Linchuan.
The newcomer wore a black cloak covered in stains and holes. The pungent stench of cheap liquor poured off him, and his hair and beard were matted together, concealing most of his face.
But the eyes visible through the tangled hair were as cold and sharp as sword points. Devoid of all emotion, they stared at Zhao Linchuan as though he were a corpse on the verge of cooling.
He merely stood there, yet the faint, oppressive weight radiating naturally from him made the lush Blue Silver Grass on the ground all around them bow down.
"I'm curious." Tang Hao's voice was hoarse and dry, as if he hadn't spoken properly in a long time. "How did you find me, and how did you recognize who I was? Tell me what you're relying on. Perhaps... I'll consider sparing your life."
Zhao Linchuan met his suffocating gaze, yet a faintly amused smile appeared on his face.
"Oh? Would the Clear Sky Douluo really let me go?"
"Of course." Tang Hao waved his hand indifferently. "As long as you stay by my son's side from now on and serve him well."
"Is that so? But what if I told you..." Zhao Linchuan drew out the words, his gaze growing sharper. "That I'm with Spirit Hall? Clear Sky—Douluo."
As he spoke the final word, his right hand, hidden in his sleeve, suddenly clenched.
The [Sword God Solderos Experience Card] shattered silently in his palm.
"So you really are a Spirit Hall scum." A cold glint burst from Tang Hao's eyes. All pretense fell away in an instant, leaving nothing but naked murderous intent.
He raised his right hand and curled his fingers into a claw. A terrifying suction force burst from his palm, drawing the fallen leaves and broken stones all around him toward it. "In that case, die."
"Such a waste of Innate Full Soul Power... Still, you have every right to be proud."
"You're the one who's going to die!" Before the words had even left his mouth, silver light suddenly erupted from Zhao Linchuan, soaring to the heavens and illuminating the earth!
It wasn't the light of Soul Power, but Sword Intent—pure, piercing Sword Intent that could cut through everything!
The ground beneath his feet shattered inch by inch. His body bent like a bow drawn to its limit, and, with the fingers of his right hand together like a sword, he made a simple upward slash.
No grand spectacle. No dazzling display.
Only a disdainful, low murmur: "Divine Sword Art—Formless Slash!"
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