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Arc 10: Chapter 3

  The strange man offered a polite bow, cupping his fist and offering a warm smile, although both Lao Ping and Jiang Song were a little on edge regardless.

  The man almost seemed too perfect in his approach, his clothes too tidy and his general countenance giving them pause. It might’ve just been their imagination, but as they shared a gnce, it was clear to see that neither one quite trusted this Fang Zheng.

  “Greetings, gentlemen. I had heard you were seeking some talents for a particur mission.”

  “That’s right,” Lao Ping nodded, gesturing for him to come a little closer, “However, we’re only looking for those capable enough to stand against a fearsome foe, or to assist us in doing so. What exactly do you bring to the table?”

  “I wield a set of ancient skills, which can produce near-permanent pnar constructs through a process of… refinement. This particur archetype has the capability to also resolve certain difficult wounds, such as those caused by foreign energy conflicting with your own.”

  That prompted them to share a look again. It wasn’t too big a secret that Lao Ping had been afflicted with a terrible curse by that demon, especially with his missing arm being difficult to hide, but to know and immediately cim that he could resolve both the energy and the missing limb… It was certainly difficult to turn him down.

  “Where did you get such a skill? I haven’t heard of anything simir to this at only the third realm.”

  “My skills come from a legacy of an esteemed Great Love Immortal Venerable. I had found his teachings and received his inheritance, and it is my duty to ensure his vision comes about.”

  He spoke with so much passion that it was difficult to disregard him, although at the same time, it almost felt too intense, too perfect. Furthermore, the name that he cited, ‘Great Love Immortal Venerable’… didn’t feel normal in the slightest. There were certain eccentrics out there, who would call themselves all kinds of bizarre things, but it still felt abnormally unusual.

  Thus, they couldn’t help but frown, which the man clearly picked up on.

  “I see you distrust my legacy. In that case, would you prefer that I showcase my capabilities to you? As my first act upon joining your group, I can solve your injury, and provide you with a new arm. As was written in the Legend of… ah, never mind, that tale is a local one, you wouldn’t have heard of it.”

  “Indeed. Tell us, then, how would your skill resolve my affliction? My friend, Jiang Song, is an expert healer, so he will be able to confirm if your methods are real.”

  “With all due respect, my methods aren’t strictly healing. They are quite unique.”

  “Then show me.”

  While he ensured that his companion watched, he presented the stump that remained of his arm to this strange man. He was not going to allow him to do any more damage, and considering that their realms weren’t far apart, he was sure that he could ward him off even on his own. If not, Jiang Song would naturally assist, and the Codex would be able to resolve most tent issues.

  Until then, he watched carefully to see what the man did.

  He approached quite simply, frowning a little as his spiritual perception inspected the injury. The energy was unusual, that much was obvious to anyone, but he seemed to collect himself quickly and began to use some particur skill. The air around his outstretched hand seemed to shift and change, his aura spreading through it, as though the world itself was becoming his territory.

  It reached what remained of his arm, and seemed to seep in. Although he could barely control what remained of that limb as is, it felt as though that little remnant of control he had was ripped away, as if his limb was becoming someone else’s. It didn’t st long, or else he would’ve suspected this man of a demonic cultivator seeking to possess him – instead, all of that control seemed to focus on the lingering crimson that crackled inside of him.

  Rather than dominating the crimson, or attempting to purge it, it was as though he was seeing someone cultivate, taking energy from the world and making it his own. It was almost bizarre to see such a thing occur, and yet it undeniably managed to slowly dominate the energy.

  It fought back, crackling and wriggling like a serpent, but in time, it was slowly subdued and turned to naught but raw pnar energy for the man to bring out of his body.

  “You’ve made an enemy of a powerful opponent, by the looks of it. Such a killer move…”

  “What?”

  “Excuse me, still getting used to the more common terms. Where I’m from, we had slightly different words and phrases to describe much of the same…” Fang Zheng coughed, “Regardless, your affliction has been resolved. However, your arm has been damaged significantly. I don’t believe anything of a low grade will be able to recover it, but I do have an alternative here as well.”

  “You mentioned something about permanent pnar constructs?”

  “Near-permanent. I can’t work miracles at such a realm. Nevertheless, I can create a construct that will act, feel and function as an arm. It will be more powerful than your old limb, and it will even grow with your energy. It’s excellent.”

  “So you cim. What is the downside?”

  “You’ll need to be channelling your energy to it, as you would with your limbs. Therefore, the pnar energy you’d have to spare otherwise would need to be used to maintain the construct. As I said, I cannot work miracles just yet.”

  The man was presenting himself the same as before, but it was difficult to see him in the same light now that his capability was proven to at least some extent.

  “Is it just a skill of yours?”

  “Indeed. There is no significant material cost, if that is what you’re asking about, I just require some pnar shards to aid me in this process.”

  “I have four in total, I can offer you two at most – if you’re telling the truth. Otherwise, we will restrain and execute you on the spot for stealing from us.”

  “You are needlessly worried. I can do with one pnar shard, I just require enough pnar energy that isn’t already controlled by another,” Fang Zheng said, reaching out to accept the shard that was given.

  Gripping it firmly in one hand, he took a step back and held his hand in front of his chest, palm facing up. His unique pnar energy surged up, and quickly formed into a vortex that grew more and more vivid as it was flooded with power. Looking closely at it, Lao Ping felt as though he was seeing concepts spiral around before colliding in the middle, contributing towards something unknown, but that would be preposterous.

  The degree of comprehension required to wield concepts would put this man at the level of grasping a Dao, which was certainly not possible for someone of such a low realm.

  The vortex slowly thickened, and the vague form of something became seen within it, one shape that Lao Ping couldn’t quite recognise, even though he knew that he should expect something akin to arm. It felt as odd to look upon that vortex as it was to peer into the Codex that Jiang Song used, so perhaps it was some Heart of Dao…

  As the shape slowly became clearer, Fang Zheng opened his other hand and revealed a fistful of dust that he let fall to the floor, the pnar shard being consumed entirely. He quickly started to look more and more exhausted, his energy clearly draining rapidly, but just as his arms started to tremble, the vortex finally stopped, colpsing into itself to finally give that shape within proper form.

  It was indeed an arm, but far from a human one. Dark red scales covered the entirety of it, aside from the shoulder area, where there was something resembling a mouth, a circur wriggling opening that seemed all too eager to devour something.

  Hardly what Lao Ping was imagining, and yet he couldn’t deny that the cwed appearance of it certainly exuded strength. If it was as powerful as it looked, it could grant him a powerful advantage in combat, and if it could be concealed, perhaps it could even work to catch that woman off-guard and take her down.

  “This is a rank three construct – the Reptilian Arm. It should have five times the strength of your other arm, although I wouldn’t recommend carrying anything too heavy. The rest of your body may not be able to handle the stress,” Fang Zheng introduced it, grasping it with both hands, careful not to touch too closely to the mouth-like end, “The process of attaching it is simple enough, I think you can guess what it’s like.”

  “…” Lao Ping did indeed have a guess, and it felt rather dangerous… but if it was all true, then he would be losing out if he didn’t attempt it.

  “Jiang Song?”

  “I… can perceive no inherent threat from that thing,” the wielder of the Codex frowned, “It doesn’t appear to be especially permanent at the moment, but it isn’t supposed to be considering his description.”

  “Indeed. This will require your energy to remain in existence. Otherwise, that pnar shard will be completely wasted,” Fang Zheng said, stepping forward and holding out the so-called arm.

  With that in mind, it was hard to hesitate any longer. He had made his choice already, and he wasn’t a fool that would squander his investment. Accepting the strange thing, he gulped and brought the mouth-like opening to the remnant of his shoulder.

  “Report.”

  “Currently, our forces are holding on at the river that runs from God’s Grave Temple. The Exarch’s forces are struggling to cross it so far, but the concentration of its domain is growing. If it continues…”

  “That foolish thing will eventually cause the whole river to dry up. Scorched earth tactics, quite literally…” Long Shiyi sighed as she leaned back, resting against the back of her chair, “I didn’t expect anything else. Are we able to hold them back if the river is gone?”

  “… We-”

  “Don’t be like Xue Yaling, and just tell me. I already have my suspicions, anyway.”

  “We… aren’t likely to be able to hold the line for longer than a few hours. The Exarch’s forces are more organised, stronger, and seem almost unconcerned for their own lives…”

  “Having a sigil branded onto you like that can certainly motivate people. If I’d known… no, I would never succumb to that level. Just because he- no, it fell like that, doesn’t mean I should follow,” Long Shiyi sighed, “The Exarch hasn’t appeared at the battlefield personally, has it?”

  “No. At its current realm, it would break through without much effort… or, uh, so think most of our strategists.”

  “You think so too. I do too. There’s no point in pretending that it’s weaker than it is, or that we’re stronger than we are. We just need to figure out a way to stop them… the Dancer’s Abode.”

  “W-What of it?”

  “It’s in the path. There’s a good chance that once the river is crossed, they will use that weaker position to breach further in and approach our primary camp. What is Yan Taijun’s stance?”

  “Ah, that reminds me, we had gotten a letter from her. Here, Master Long,” her subordinate bowed and took out a rolled-up sheet, which was sealed with wax that showcased the symbol of the Dancer’s Abode.

  Long Shiyi accepted it, sniffing it before frowning.

  “I can’t smell cum on her letter this time. Concerning,” she opened it up and quickly looked over the words, “… West?”

  “West?”

  “Leave. I need to think about this in silence,” the dragon ordered her subordinate out, staring at the letter while waiting to be left alone.

  Then, raising a barrier around her tent – grimacing at how thin her energy looked compared to her prime – she re-read the letter again.

  “West. Xue Yaling heads west with that Bianca, Yan Taijun heads west with her whorehouse, and even my loggers are heading west. What are they doing…” she gnced in the direction of the Phoenix Sect – although all she saw was the side of her tent – before frowning, “And Huang Su is rumoured to have left for the west as well, accompanying…”

  She sighed and rubbed her forehead, feeling inexplicable pain originating from her head.

  “I swear, this world has gone crazy since the golden age. Back then, the Western Continent had the Master of Yi City, and we had our sects. Then, it all fell apart, and I’ve been declining ever since. What happened back then…”

  Long Shiyi looked up, wanting to reminisce further, but she knew it was not the time. As the leader of a group as big as hers, it was folly to sit around and waste her time. She couldn’t cultivate, not when her energy was practically leaking away and deteriorating with every moment, so she could only do one thing, which was to step outside and do something productive.

  “Master Long Shiyi, shouldn’t you be-”

  “Don’t treat me like I am infirm, I’ve still got long to live,” the dragon waved a concerned subordinate away, “Is everyone preparing well? How are our supplies?”

  “We’ve still got plenty from our prior trading,” one replied, “But people are concerned about trading with us given the war, especially on any long-term arrangements…”

  “As if they don’t know they should be exploiting our weakness to make more profitable trades. Pathetic,” Long Shiyi shook her head, “In that case, we’ll need a show of force. Find me some group of thieves or bandits that haven’t been caught yet, I’ll obliterate them, that should win us back some favour for a short while.”

  While that one – she had difficulty keeping track of names these days, after seeing so many human men and women die while she barely changed – went away, another came closer and bowed to her.

  “Master Long Shiyi-”

  “Get our scouts to investigate just what the fuck is going on in the west. I need to know if Huang Su is actually over there, and what is going on with all of the other factions. Also, if you come across the loggers, find out what they’re doing.”

  “Yes, Master!”

  ‘I must admit, I miss it… The quiet days, when I was just living on my own, doing as I wish. I’d fuck a different woman every day, and I had left behind so many kids that… ahem, probably not the most responsible thing for me to have been doing. Either way, that’s long gone now.’

  She couldn’t be allowed to falter for too long, not now, with the enemy at their doorstep. It was vital for a leader to be strong.

  In the distance, beyond the river that parted the two territories, the Exarch stood still, watching over its domain. The cloth that made up most of its body wavered in the wind, but it held the shape of a humanoid figure no matter how strong the gusts of wind were.

  It felt as though the cloth could be torn with every motion, as though it was a million years old, and yet it held on no matter what.

  “As expected, the God’s Grave Temple has flooded the river with energy. To negate it, I will need two months.”

  “My lord, shouldn’t we be able to-”

  “Jun Jie, this war must go a certain way. We cannot deviate in order to ensure my ascension. The conflict must go on for long enough – the river is excuse enough.”

  “I’m sorry, my lord… Ah, yes, I had wished to ask if any more traces of my archetype have been spotted.”

  “In the west, around the Thieving Land. You’re permitted a month.”

  “Yes, my lord!”

  “Go.”

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