As they neared the capital, more travelers began to appear, signaling their approach to the Great Yan Dynasty. This dynasty, a subordinate state under the Sacred Demon Sect, regularly offered tributes to sustain the sect's needs. Once a powerful and prestigious realm, the Great Yan Dynasty was home to numerous formidable warriors and talented individuals. However, like many other vassal states, its influence waned as sects rose to prominence. Seeking protection, many dynasties, including the Great Yan, allied themselves with powerful sects, benefiting from the arrangement, particularly in recruitment.
Along the way, Lin Fan learned more about his companions, Zang Tianhao and the others. They were students from the Heavenly Mansion Academy, on an expedition to hunt fierce beasts, all of which possessed innate powers. While humans could not match these creatures in raw strength, their capacity for learning and the emergence of exceptionally gifted individuals leveled the playing field. The Heavenly Mansion Academy, the only such institution in the Great Yan Dynasty, hosted both prodigies and ordinary students but was still no match for the powerful sects. Founded by unaffiliated strongmen seeking to align with the Great Yan Dynasty, the academy, despite its lesser resources, was not to be underestimated.
"Senior, we've reached the capital of the Great Yan Dynasty. Would you join us at the Heavenly Mansion Academy? I'm sure our teachers would love to meet someone of your caliber," Zang Tianhao said, hopeful of recruiting Lin Fan into their academy.
"Perhaps in the future. For now, I must decline. Thank you all for your assistance. I, Lin Fan, am deeply grateful," Lin Fan replied, preparing to part ways.
"Senior Lin, we are the ones who owe you thanks. Without your help, we might not have made it back alive," Zang Tianhao responded gratefully.
Lin Fan then retrieved a sword he had previously refined, "I apologize for breaking your Floating Weed Sword. Please accept this mid-grade longsword as compensation."
Han Mengmeng, reluctant to see the senior leave, was both surprised and delighted by the gift. "Thank you, Senior," she said, receiving the sword with a bright smile.
"Such a valuable weapon, how can you accept it?" Zang Tianhao scolded, aware of the significance of a mid-grade weapon.
"But Senior is offering it to me. To refuse would be disrespectful," Han Mengmeng retorted, holding the sword dearly.
"No need to worry; it's just a mid-grade item, nothing too precious," Lin Fan reassured with a smile.
He had already dismantled the remnants of Qü Xianggé's superior Tiger Gate Blade into three mid-grade swords, one of which he now gifted.
"Thank you, Senior Lin," Zang Tianhao expressed his gratitude.
Lin Fan, noting the hour, bid them farewell and headed eastward into the city, curious to explore the capital of the Great Yan Dynasty.
The bustling city exuded vitality, and Lin Fan couldn't help but admire its grandeur.
As Lin Fan's figure disappeared into the distance, Zang Tianhao and the others sighed with a mix of emotions.
"I wonder when we'll meet him again," Zang Tianhao mused, already missing the presence of Lin Fan's righteous aura.
"Senior Han, you're so lucky to have received a mid-grade sword from Senior Lin. What will you name it?" the others asked, eyeing the sword enviously.
Han Mengmeng cradled the sword, beaming with pride, "I want to be as righteous as Senior Lin. I'll name it the Righteous Sword."
Meanwhile, back in the Sunset Forest...
Qü Xianggé and his men lay unconscious on the ground. A falcon circled overhead, as if inspecting whether the prey was truly dead.
"Nngh..."
Qü Xianggé stirred, groaning as he awoke. His eyes widened in disbelief as he took in his surroundings, realizing he was still in the same place. As he spoke, his voice... It was sharp, soft—this couldn't be his voice!
Touching his face, he found it smooth where it had once been rugged. His fingers trembled as they reached his throat, now lacking the distinctive Adam's apple.
Gone... It's gone. What's happening?
Cold sweat drenched Qü Xianggé as fear gripped him. His hand trembled as it moved lower, a terrible suspicion growing in his mind. With a shaking hand, he pulled at his pants and looked down, only to find—nothing.
He gasped, blood draining from his face as he collapsed to his knees, coughing up blood in shock.
It's gone... It's all gone. How is this possible?
...
"Have you seen a man in black pass through?"
The panicked Qü Xianggé snapped at the question, "Get lost!"
A cold hum followed.
Qü Xianggé's body jerked, and he spat out another mouthful of blood, paling further.
Before him stood a figure clad in black, hovering in the air, face obscured but emanating a palpable danger.
"Senior, I..."
The black-clad figure let out a curious sound, and Qü Xianggé's body floated uncontrollably towards him.
"Spare me, Senior!" Qü Xianggé pleaded, despairing at the situation. Why did every encounter seem worse than the last? He was a fourth-stage innate warrior, yet now he was at the mercy of another.
"A Yin-Yang Abomination, a Yin-Yang Abomination unseen for ten thousand years, and I've found it for my sect. Ha-ha!" the black-clad figure exclaimed, a gale of wind whipping up around them, trees bowing under the force as he exuded overwhelming joy.
"Senior, please..." Qü Xianggé whimpered, utterly terrified. What was this Yin-Yang Abomination? Why couldn't he catch a break?
"The luck of finding such a unique body is unparalleled. Come with me. As for the rest, they can turn to ash," the figure muttered, seemingly lost in thought.
Just as he prepared to finish off the others, the figure hesitated, stunned.
"One..."
"Two..."
"Eight..."
"Twenty-four..."
"This can't be... Twenty-four Yin-Yang Abominations, how is this possible?" the figure trembled with excitement, unable to contain himself despite his usual composure.
"Ha-ha, fortune truly smiles upon me... All of you, come with me!"
"Please, Senior, spare me!" Qü Xianggé sobbed, tears streaming down his face. From escaping one monster only to be caught by another, why was his fate so cruel?