Andrew was somewhat doubtful. Was this drunkard actually drunk? Where would a material plane get so many divine artifacts? Even if there were that many, how could he have obtained them?
"Boy, you don't believe me?" The drunkard turned around with a smile, not at all surprised by Andrew's reaction.
Although the man seemed very amiable, Andrew dared not show the slightest disrespect. He hardly knew him. If the man proved temperamental and killed him, wouldn't that be an unjust death!
Andrew replied respectfully, "Of course I believe you, senior. But my strength is meager. Even if I saw a divine artifact, I wouldn't be able to recognize it."
"A cautious little fellow. Caution is good, caution is good!"
The drunkard saw through Andrew's thoughts at a glance, but he was not angry. On the contrary, he rather admired his attitude.
"Since this secret chamber was built, no outsider has ever entered except for an old friend of mine. You're lucky, I suppose. This old man has taken a liking to you, so I'll let you choose a weapon. Go on." With that, the drunkard leaned against the wall and took a great gulp of wine.
He doesn't look very old, yet he calls himself an old man. His actual age must be considerable, Andrew thought. With that thought, he approached a rack more than five meters tall. A Saint-level expert had told him to choose; even if he wanted to refuse, he would not dare. Besides, he had never intended to refuse!
For a Saint-level expert to collect so many weapons, even if they aren't divine artifacts, they must be extremely precious. Otherwise, how could they have caught a Saint-level expert's eye?
Andrew was no fool. How could he let such a good opportunity slip by?
However, choosing a weapon was not something to do carelessly. Even with a Saint-level expert watching nearby, Andrew had no intention of finishing quickly. Instead, he examined them carefully, one by one.
"A fine temperament, and great talent too. Reaching my level someday won't be a problem!" The drunkard drank his wine, watching Andrew through narrowed eyes.
After passing three large racks and trying over a dozen weapons, Andrew was still dissatisfied. He had to admit that the drunkard's collection was truly comprehensive: daggers, greatswords, heavy swords, flexible swords, ring-pommel sabers, long sabers, throwing knives, massive hammers, long spears, short spears... almost every weapon was different.
As he approached the fourth rack, Andrew's heart suddenly gave a leap. He looked up and saw an entirely black weapon lying quietly at the very top...
Andrew jumped lightly and took the weapon down. Holding it in his hands, he examined it closely. The more he looked, the more he liked it, and he even could not resist giving it a couple of swings.
What a fine saber. A straight blade, two fingers wide, sharpened on one side, with a blood groove, a slightly thick spine, and an angular tip. About 1.2 meters long overall. Just right for me.
Andrew examined it very carefully. Looking at the keen edge, he could not resist touching it with his thumb.
"Hiss, how sharp!"
The instant he touched it, a one-centimeter line of blood appeared on Andrew's thumb. Then azure light flashed over his thumb, and the cut quickly healed.
"Senior, I'll take this saber!" Andrew called out happily.
The drunkard straightened slightly and raised his eyelids. "Boy, don't regret it. Let me tell you, there really are several divine artifacts in this chamber! And the one you've chosen is merely a Saint Warrior's weapon. To others, it would be quite good, but here, there are plenty better than it. So I think you should take another good look!"
"No need, senior!" Andrew shook his head firmly. "When I choose a weapon, I don't look at how powerful it is, but whether it suits me. If it suits me, what does it matter if it isn't a divine artifact? I believe that someday I will stand at the pinnacle. When that time comes, what divine artifact could compare to it!"
The drunkard burst into laughter at that. After laughing, he said nothing, turned, and left the secret chamber. Andrew said nothing either, following silently behind him.
"You've chosen your weapon. Why haven't you left?" The drunkard lay back down in the chair to one side and muttered at Andrew.
Andrew froze briefly. Until then, he had still been wondering whether the man had some ulterior purpose.
Looks like I was overthinking it. I'm only an eighth-level warrior, while he's at least Saint-level. What could he possibly want from me? Andrew mocked himself.
"Thank you for the gift of this saber, senior. I'll take my leave!" Standing beside him, Andrew bowed solemnly to the drunkard.
"Go on." The drunkard waved a hand.
Just as Andrew was about to step out the door, the drunkard suddenly said, "Boy, remember what you said today!"
Andrew stopped and nodded solemnly.
"Oh, right. What's your saber called? I'd very much like to know the name of a legendary weapon that will surpass divine artifacts!" The drunkard's voice rang out again.
Andrew stopped again. Facing the setting sun, he gazed at the black saber in his hand.
"It's called the Godslaying Saber!"
"Godslaying Saber. Quite a boast, but it is indeed a fine saber. Take this scabbard!" The drunkard chuckled and tossed out a black scabbard.
Without even looking, Andrew extended the Godslaying Saber behind him, and the scabbard slid over its blade.
After Andrew had gone far away, the drunkard ruffled his tangled hair, a smile spreading across his face.
"An interesting boy. I'm looking forward to seeing whether you really can slay gods."
Having obtained a weapon he loved, Andrew was in an excellent mood. When he returned home, Janice and the others were waiting for him. There was one more person at the table than usual: Ling'er.
"Ling'er, you finally deigned to come home!" Andrew was delighted to see his younger sister and teased her. Over the past six months and more, the number of times Ling'er had come home could be counted on one hand.
Ling'er snorted. "Weren't you the one who said you wanted to develop my independence? Now you're blaming me for not coming home!"
"All right, I was wrong. Everyone's happy you came back today. Let's not talk about that." Andrew immediately begged for mercy.
Of their family of six, everyone except Howard was finally together today. They enjoyed a cheerful dinner, during which Ling'er also talked about Divine Grace Academy. What surprised Andrew most was that in just six months, Ling'er had already become a third-level mage.
Ling'er's talent exceeds my expectations. Someone with a pure soul truly does have extraordinary qualities, Andrew thought to himself.
Happy times were always brief. The next day, Ling'er returned to the academy. After seeing her off, Andrew also decided to leave for a while. He felt he had achieved his goal during these six months of secluded training at Divine Grace Academy.
My battle-qi has broken through too. Next, it's time to fight!
After becoming an eighth-level warrior, Andrew understood that raising his level of comprehension could no longer wait. To become Saint-level, he first had to comprehend "force," then touch upon the Laws through "force." Only then could he attain Saint-level.
Perhaps I could comprehend it through secluded training as well, but that would be too slow. I can't wait!
Andrew knew very clearly what he wanted and where his stage lay, so he would never stop pursuing strength.
Quietly, Andrew left Janice a letter, then headed west alone. He truly did not want to face Janice's sorrowful gaze, so he could only resort to this.
Leaving aside what Janice thought, Andrew soon left the imperial capital and reached the docks to the west. This time, his destination was the Mountain Range of Magical Beasts, renowned throughout the Yulan Continent.
The Mountain Range of Magical Beasts, the foremost mountain range on the Yulan Continent, runs north to south across the entire continent. Sixty percent of all the magical beasts on the Yulan Continent live within it!
Before setting off, Andrew recalled the records about the Mountain Range of Magical Beasts, his heart surging. Having spent six months immersed in Divine Grace Academy's library, he had focused particularly on magical beasts. Naturally, he had also learned a great deal about their largest gathering place, the Mountain Range of Magical Beasts.
The Yulan Empire's imperial capital lay east of the Mountain Range of Magical Beasts, with the Yulan River between them. The Yulan River was extremely wide, especially near the imperial capital, where its banks were more than a dozen li apart.
People bustled back and forth at the docks west of the imperial capital, and boats came and went. Soon, Andrew boarded a passenger boat several dozen meters long. It was made of extremely sturdy ironthread wood, and its hull was very solid. The sailors operating it were highly experienced as well, and soon the boat pulled away from the dock.
"Friend, where are you headed?" Andrew stood at the bow, feeling the breeze, when a young man beside him came over and tried to strike up a conversation.
Andrew turned his head, glanced at him, then turned back without speaking. The young man was only in his early twenties, but his face was deathly pale, his eyes sunken, and his skin loose. His body was badly damaged. In all likelihood, he was given to wine and women. Andrew disdained to pay attention to such a person.
"Friend, didn't you hear me talking to you?" The young man grew angry, stepped forward, and shoved Andrew.
Thud!
Under his shove, Andrew remained as steady as a mountain, while the young man toppled backward and landed hard on the deck.
"Hahaha, what a spectacular face-plant!" Quite a few passengers on deck laughed, two of them especially loudly.
"Did you just lay hands on me?" Andrew slowly left the railing and walked over to the young man.
"N-no!" Clutching his shoulder, the young man scrambled backward. "I only wanted to say hello. I wasn't trying to attack you."
Andrew sneered coldly. "I'll let it go this time. If you dare reach out again, I'll throw you into the river to feed the fish!"
The young man nodded frantically, staggered to his feet, and hurried back into the cabin.
Soon, the deck grew quiet again. This time, however, no one else tried to talk to Andrew.