Alani looked back to see the black-robed figure who had come to the tavern to seek shelter from the rain earlier. The scent of rainwater still seemed to linger on his heavy cloak, carrying a hint of chill.
“You’re heading out to vanquish the Demon King?” Xia Lun’s voice was calm and flat. “Count me in.”
When he had dealt with this guy last night, Xia Lun had deliberately lowered his voice, so his tone now was naturally different. That was why Alani didn’t recognize him this time. Alani felt relieved by this and stopped associating Xia Lun with the man from the previous night.
Alani looked the black-robed figure up and down, unable to hide his disappointment. The other man’s frame appeared slender beneath the voluminous robe—neither the sturdy build of a warrior nor the distinctive aura of a mage. In short, he didn’t look like anything formidable.
“Hey, buddy, if you want to team up with me, at least let me see what you look like, right? If there’s no basic trust, I’m not interested in someone who hides their face,” Alani said to Xia Lun.
Xia Lun nodded slowly and pulled back his hood.
The surrounding air suddenly fell into a hush. The noisy tavern seemed struck by a spell of silence, and everyone inside turned to stare.
Alani frowned in confusion. The face before him was indeed strikingly handsome—deep, dark eyes like a silent night—but mere looks couldn’t possibly warrant this kind of reaction, could they?
He hadn’t been in Oley City long, so he didn’t recognize Xia Lun. But everyone else in Oley City remembered Xia Lun well… which was precisely why Xia Lun wore the hood.
“Is that Mr. Xia Lun?” gasped the freckled young maid by the bar, her tray trembling slightly in her hands.
“It really is Mr. Xia Lun! When did he come back?”
“Xia Lun? Who’s that?” asked an adventurer from elsewhere in the tavern.
“He’s the great hero who saved the entire city!” the maid straightened her back, her voice brimming with pride. “Back when the evil god descended, we all saw him fighting that monster in the sky!”
Alani’s gaze toward Xia Lun faltered with surprise. “The Dawnwing Captain?”
Even he had heard of Xia Lun’s name. Among adventurers, it was a name that soared above the rest.
Xia Lun inclined his head slightly and repeated his original question: “You’re heading out to vanquish the Demon King?”
“Uh… yes.” Alani tensed up involuntarily, clenching his fists. But then, as if remembering something, he found some confidence and loosened his grip.
He’s just got a bigger reputation and started adventuring earlier than me, Alani thought. I won’t necessarily be worse than him in the future.
A flicker of excitement stirred within Alani. If someone of this caliber could join forces with him, their chances against the Demon King would undoubtedly increase.
“Mr. Xia Lun, the Demon King is leading the demon race to invade humanity. As a member of the human race, I think it’s only right that we step up and defend our homeland,” Alani declared, positioning himself on moral high ground from the start. “I’m sure you feel the same way, right?”
Xia Lun paused for a moment, then nodded slowly. “Indeed.”
“But the Demon King is clearly no ordinary foe to contend with. We need to unite with one heart if we are to triumph…”
Alani studied Xia Lun’s expression and noticed that the other man seemed even younger than himself. That rankled him.
What gives this guy the right? he wondered. To have such renown at such a young age?
“So, what do you think, Mr. Xia Lun?” Alani asked, forcing a fake smile onto his face.
Yes, he thought. He would make good use of this man—leverage his fame to gather people, defeat the Demon King, and then stand even higher himself.
“I agree with your view,” Xia Lun said, unaware of what Alani was truly thinking. “But to defeat the Demon King, numbers won’t help. What we need is powerful high-end combat strength.”
“Of—of course. After all, they say the Demon King can destroy an entire city with a single large-scale spell. Anyone without real strength would just be dead weight!” Alani naturally didn’t want others stealing the glory either.
“Mm.” Xia Lun responded merely with a faint grunt. “Let me know when it’s time to set out.”
He left quietly.
What a cold fish… Alani muttered inwardly, watching him go. Still, that aloofness matched his image of a legendary master.
But in truth, Xia Lun was simply in a bad mood and didn’t feel like saying more.
Xia Lun left the tavern. The wooden door closed behind him, cutting him off from the noise inside.
He had thought that after last night’s warning, this guy might tone it down. But instead, it seemed to have provoked him into this scheme.
Xia Lun certainly didn’t want his duel with Aina to be disturbed by anyone else. That was why he planned to join this man’s group for now and bide his time.
If he absolutely couldn’t stop the man from going to his death… then there was nothing Xia Lun could do about it.
The torrential rain had just stopped. The air was filled with the fresh scent of earth and grass, and a coolness seeped into his lungs, lifting Xia Lun’s spirits slightly.
It was still early. The streets had quickly become bustling with activity as people busy making a living hurried past, heedless of puddles underfoot. They splashed through muddy water, staining hems with dirt.
Xia Lun silently put his hood back on to conceal his face.
The last time he had walked down this street, his companions and Aina had been with him.
Now he was alone, and it made him feel a bit lonely.
Footsteps hurried up from behind him. Someone was closing in fast.
Xia Lun turned around in surprise. Alani came running up, panting.
“Something else?” Xia Lun frowned slightly, asking. Why did this guy chase after me?
“You told me to come find you when we set out…” Alani grumbled through gritted teeth. “But you didn’t tell me where you live.”
Xia Lun: …
Well, he could occasionally be a bit absent-minded. Moke had teased him about that before.
Xia Lun coughed awkwardly and told Alani the address of his inn. The other man shot him an odd look before leaving.
Vanquishing the Demon King… In truth, the Adventurers’ Guild had issued such a mission ages ago, but back then the Demon King hadn’t even revealed himself. It was just a vague, unreal notion.
If Xia Lun and his group succeeded, that mission would be completed on its own, bringing them more than just fame.
Xia Lun wound his way through streets, eventually ducking into a secluded alley and entering a small shop.
“Having a shop in such an out-of-the-way spot isn’t great for business,” Xia Lun said with resignation.
“Isn’t that perfect?” Ankula smiled from behind the counter. “It keeps life quiet… And with a few regular customers, it runs fine. This shop actually isn’t losing money.”
for mindless slaughter, this isn't for you.] My name is Ye Shu, and I'm a transmigrator. It seems I'm supposed to be the protagonist, but that feels pretty unlikely. This world has been invaded by a system. The antagonists on the other side have suddenly become pure, flawless saints. The female leads have been force-fed the so-called "original plot," making them think they've been reborn. Now, everyone thinks I'm scum. Including the old lady in my ring. And here I am, in the Monster Beast Mountain Range, braising pork. To put my situation in perspective— It's as if, the moment Xiao Yan stepped into the Monster Beast Mountain Range, the Soul Emperor already knew he would become the Flame Emperor, and Yao Lao had been turned to the enemy's side. I have nothing right now. Oh wait, that's not true. I do have a white-haired loli child-bride who's the Heavenly Dao, and her only skill is acting cute. So, tell me guys... what are my chances of making it to the end?
y came from. The chests contained supplies, currency, class-change scrolls, skills, talents… and even godhood! The laws of the world were completely rewritten. This became a world where everyone gambled with their fate! Some people, despite having nothing, opened a divine artifact and rose to the top, eventually ruling the world. Others went bankrupt, opened nothing but worthless junk, and leaped from skyscrapers in despair. Lin Ye arrived in this world from another reality, utterly bewildered. “What is going on? Why is everyone a gambling addict?!” “Opening chests? No way. I refuse to gamble. I’ll start with myself!” Until— On his first chest, he obtained a Mythic Talent: Void Incarnation! He could become completely intangible, pass through all things, and reduce everything to nothingness! … On his fiftieth chest, he obtained a Mythic Weapon: Blade of Karma! With a single slash, karma shattered, twisting the universe and overturning the myriad phenomena of creation! … On his ninety-ninth chest, he obtained a Mythic Divine Treasure: Primordial Purple Energy! It could split open the heavens and earth, create all things, and evolve countless worlds with a single thought! Lin Ye: “Now that I think about it… shouldn’t someone have told me that every chest is guaranteed to contain something Mythic?!”
lities. One day, Qi Yuan was buying groceries when he unfortunately came face-to-face with a monster. Just when he thought he was going to die on the spot, he suddenly heard the monster's thoughts... "This aura, he's definitely not an ordinary master!" "So terrifying, so terrifying." "A fight with my back against the wall, I can't take it anymore." Qi Yuan: Ah, no one told me that my awakened ability isn't telepathy, but rather the stronger my enemies imagine me to be, the stronger I truly become. PS: Zhou Hai in the first chapter is not the protagonist.
ions, keeping it grounded and realistic】 After quitting his job, office worker Su Yang accidentally binds with the "Enjoy Life System." As the name suggests, simply by indulging in life's pleasures, he can earn random rewards from the system—no need to spend money on beautiful women or grovel before anyone. Just enjoy, and the money follows, making it all about effortless fun. The system comes with a scanning feature, allowing him to establish a favorability bond with women rated 85 points or above. Every 20-point increase in favorability unlocks additional rewards. After suffering through over twenty years of hardship, Su Yang trembles with excitement, his dull eyes suddenly gleaming with newfound hope. "Enjoy life? How hard could that be?"
