Illusory Realm

Second: City, just one of thousands of towns in the New World. It's a large town, a hub for industry and commerce. Like the Knight City, other towns also have many ordinary humans, survivors of the Old World. Among them are artisans, cooks, and merchants, making a living in this New World through their own abilities. As long as they stay within the city, they are guaranteed safety. Of course, those with an adventurous spirit and no special means of livelihood choose to become "Demon Hunters," a profession that relies on hunting monsters and demons in the wild. While this profession offers the chance to become rich overnight, many more perish in the desolate wilderness.

Those who control the towns are humans called "Guardian," like the Seventy-Two and the Feather Knight. They can be said to stand at the top of the pyramid in the human system of the New World.

However, even among Guardian, some are not doing so well. Li Wei gleaned some useful information at a place resembling a restaurant.

In the market, there is a stall selling longswords, and the stall owner there is a Guardian.

If you want to find out about the situation in Shadow Street, finding a Reincarnator is the best option.

After leaving the restaurant, Li Wei inquired along the way and arrived at the trading market in Zhushi City.

Upon arriving here, Li Wei was reminded of the Free Market in Shadow Street from years ago, where a dazzling array of goods were sold, including weapons, food, and all sorts of tools. Naturally, there were also rare items like magic crystals.

Li Wei had also examined the fire-type energy he had obtained from the magic crystal within his body, but unfortunately, due to the change of body, that powerful fire-type ability had vanished.

However, Li Wei was confident. With the special physique of the "Heavenly Fox Clan," he would definitely return to his peak condition once again.

The Guardian's stall was easy to find, not because the person who provided Li Wei with the information described it clearly, but because of its unique aura.

Li Wei discovered that although his body was thin and his strength and speed were not outstanding, his powerful perception was even more acute than during his peak years. He could discern the true nature of others in a crowd with just a glance.

Therefore, Li Wei spotted the stall at a glance.

Old Zhan idly chewed on a piece of dried cured meat, lazily basking in the hard-won sunshine. Although he was seen as a lofty "Guardian" by the world, Old Zhan knew that he was no different from ordinary people.

After all, he was just a newbie who had just gone through an "initial trial." He had heard from the elders of Shadow Street that the only way to become stronger was to experience all sorts of missions. Unfortunately, at that time, Shadow Street closed down without warning.

Old Zhan didn't know the specific reason, but about a year ago, all the reincarnators were suddenly and forcibly teleported out of Shadow Street, and then the passage to Shadow Street was closed.

Naturally, the mandatory missions every seven days disappeared. Without missions, he naturally couldn't become stronger.

Fortunately, the Yellow Paper was preserved. In the real world, killing monsters will also earn some points, but for Old Zhan, who is only at the "mouth" level, sending him out to kill monsters is tantamount to suicide.

So, being naturally timid and afraid of death, he barely survived by relying on his family's sword-making skills. Of course, he did think about consuming magic crystals and becoming a respected "demon hunter," but after witnessing several demons tear a team of demon hunters to shreds, his fear of death led him to decisively abandon the idea.

I just sold an iron sword and got a dozen or so gold coins, which should be enough for Old Zhan to live on for a few days.

Suddenly, he saw a person wearing a black cloak walking towards him.

Having already learned to read people's expressions, Old Zhan immediately realized that this was a big, easy target.

As for how he figured it out, it's simple. The person approaching was thin. Although his face was covered by a cloak, his exposed arms and chin were clean, without scars or signs of aging. To be able to live so comfortably in this New World —judging from this alone, the person must have a powerful background.

In Old Zhan' eyes, such a person is naturally a fat sheep.

"Want to buy a sword? Take your time. I can't guarantee anything else, but in Knight City, you definitely won't find any other place that sells swords like this," Old Zhan said in a deep voice, adopting the air of a connoisseur.

He had used this trick to fool many people before, and it always worked.

The person in front of him was naturally Li Wei.

Having confirmed that the middle-aged man before him was indeed his target, Li Wei was somewhat disappointed. Judging from the man's aura, he was still at the level of a reincarnator, or, in modern terms, Guardian. In short, at this level, he was no different from an ordinary person.

Without saying a word, Li Wei reached out and picked up a long sword to examine it.

Seeing this, Old Zhan across from him quickly said, "You have a good eye. This sword took me three days and three nights to forge, using a full fifty catties of pig iron, hammering it day and night to remove all impurities. So, young friend, do you still find it acceptable?"

Little friend?

Li Wei was taken aback. This form of address seemed to have only been used by the Daoist. Suddenly, Li Wei felt a pang of longing for that guy, wondering what he was doing now.

Of course, there are also more important people: Zheng Yutong, Nina, and Xue Yan. How are they doing?

Thinking of his past experiences, Bai sighed. Meanwhile, Old Zhan, who was opposite him, thought that Li Wei was loyal to Jianzhou Ganzhong, so he hurriedly picked up a purple longsword and started promoting it.

"If you don't like that one, young friend, why not take a look at this one? Look at the patterns on this sword; it's made of genuine thousand-layered steel. And look at the blade. It's been forged using my family's ancestral Shatterfire Method. It's incredibly tough, and it can cut through iron like mud, needless to say. Even its shape suits your image perfectly. I, Old Zhan, haven't even opened my shop yet today. If you just nod, young friend, for just 3 level-two magic crystals, this sword is yours!"

As he spoke, Old Zhan was practically spitting out saliva, but Li Wei remained unmoved.

"Three level-one magic crystals?" Li Wei chuckled as he repeated the question. His still somewhat immature voice sent a chill down Old Zhan's spine.

A sense of unease welled up in his heart.

"Old Zhan, I want to ask you a question first!" Li Wei shook the long sword in his hand, and a sword rang out.

Although Li Wei had lost all his true energy and his skills had vanished without a trace, the things imprinted on his soul and memory could not be erased. Just like the "Upper Clear Sword Marrow," it gave Li Wei a much higher level of understanding of swordsmanship than ordinary experts.

Therefore, with a sword in hand, one is as if the sword were alive.

When Old Zhan saw Li Wei's sword-wielding posture, his expression changed, and he became cautious.

"Please feel free to ask me anything, young friend!"

"What's your number?" With a push, the sword tip pierced Old Zhan's clothes.

Chew!

Old Zhan's head suddenly felt bigger. He could now see Li Wei's face under the cloak. It was hard to imagine that such a seemingly weak and helpless boy could exude such a powerful sword intent.

Old Zhan wasn't lying about one thing: he truly inherited his family's sword-making skills. Having spent so much time with these weapons, he naturally picked up some things about "swords" and heard many legends passed down from his ancestors.

It is said that any master swordsman, after spending many years with his sword, will find that the sword becomes sentient. When the master wields the sword to fight, it will exude a terrifying aura, which is the sword intent.

However, this is something that only exists in legends; how could a young man possess such a thing?

And why would they ask that question?

The serial number—that's something only reincarnators know. Could it be that the other person does too?

Thinking about this, Old Zhan immediately understood what was going on. He wasn't a fool; on the contrary, Old Zhan was very smart.

"Kuang Jin, that's my number. Don't get agitated, my friend. If you have any other questions, I'll answer them truthfully. Just spare my life. Oh, and if you find this sword easy to use, take it too. I don't want a single penny!"

Smart person!

Li Wei, too lazy to waste words, whispered, "Wait for me at the street corner a few minutes from now. I only have a few questions for you!"

Having said that, he turned and left, carrying the purple longsword.

Even after being reborn, Li Wei's combat strength had reached level 1. He wasn't afraid of any tricks the opponent might use against a mere level 1, especially since he still had magic cards in his possession.

Especially since the other party is so afraid of death, they would definitely not dare not come after I revealed that killing intent.

Sure enough, Old Zhan then came over, trembling. If you just walk a little further in from this street corner, you'll find yourself in a deserted place where no one will notice what you do.

This Old Zhan, clearly knew more than Liang Jun and his group. He even explained the sudden change that occurred in Shadow Street a year ago when Li Wei asked him.

"The passages to Shadow Street are closed?" Li Wei was clearly surprised; he could freely enter and exit Shadow Street.

Hearing this, Li Wei had a feeling that the changes in Shadow Street were related to him.

Could it be because of the Black Paper?

Regarding the Illusion Realm, what Old Zhan said was similar to what Liang Jun said, except that what Old Zhan said was easier to understand.

"Although I've never been to that Illusion Realm, I've heard many friends mention it. The top of the Doom Tree is just the entrance. That Illusion Realm is similar to the old mission world, but much more dangerous." After saying this, Old Zhan secretly glanced at Li Wei, his heart filled with unease.

Li Wei nodded. He basically knew everything he wanted to know. Now he just needed to figure out how to improve his combat strength and find Zheng Yutong and the others.

Thinking of this, Li Wei took out a magic crystal he had left in the Copper Pot and handed it to Old Zhan. Then he turned and left without looking back, but a sentence reached Old Zhan's ears.

"Your sword is indeed excellent, but it's not worth three magic crystals. Consider this payment for the sword!"

The words had barely left his mouth when he disappeared into the alley.

After finding a place similar to an inn, Xiao Li Wei paid another magic crystal to rent a room. Now that he knew what had happened over the past year, and since he had no news of Zheng Yutong and the others for the time being, he might as well calm down and improve his combat strength.

What they cultivated was naturally the Penglai Basic Immortal Art.

With this plan in mind, Li Wei summoned the Black Paper, opened the special passage, and stepped inside.

ECHO is currently off.