Silver bones had become a rarity in recent years, making them highly sought after treasures for collectors. It was rumored that when ground into powder, silver bones could serve as a key ingredient in certain medicinal concoctions.
Lin Luoluo took a deep breath, her emotions stirring as she put the booklet into her storage space.
"Is she planning to attend the auction for the skeleton?" Ye Fan commented, sensing her determination. Auction houses were usually guarded by powerful warriors, and it wasn't out of the question that a Martial Master could be present at such an event. If a Martial Master appeared, Lin Luoluo might not be able to handle the situation—unless she sacrificed her vital essence to obtain a temporary surge in power.
With her hand tightening on the hilt of the Soul-Slaying Sword, Lin Luoluo activated the Inferno Soul Slash.
Boom!
A searing white flame burst forth, engulfing the man's body and reducing it to charred remains in seconds. Without a second glance, Lin Luoluo disappeared into the shadows.
In the following days, Spey City increased its security dramatically. Within the city, there was a large slave camp filled with captives—most of them from the Tianba Empire, though a few were from other nations.
The Dilong Empire, the dominant power in this region of the continent, often created conflicts between neighboring countries. Many small nations had been destroyed by these engineered disputes. In recent years, the Tianba Empire had grown stronger, which the Dilong Empire saw as a looming threat. The Dilong people, who had long seen themselves as superior, were determined not to allow the Tianba Empire to surpass them. This led to escalating tensions, with more and more common folk from the Tianba Empire being captured and turned into slaves by the Dilong forces.
Inside a small house, Lin Luoluo sat, sketching a map with pen and paper. The map outlined a route to the slave camp. Her current goal was to liberate the slaves in that camp. But before that, she needed to retrieve the sword sheath and attend the auction to reclaim the silver skeleton.
The thought of her tribe's remains being auctioned off, without even peace in death, filled her with sadness. But that sorrow quickly gave way to a surge of anger and killing intent.
After reviewing her map and plans one last time, Lin Luoluo packed everything away.
"The sword sheath should be ready," she muttered, glancing at her Soul-Slaying Sword. The intense killing aura it emitted had already shattered the previous sheath.
Leaving the house, she made her way to the blacksmith's shop. The street was relatively quiet, and she encountered few people as she walked, her face concealed beneath a wide-brimmed hat and a veil.
"Is it finished?" she asked upon entering the blacksmith's shop. A few warriors browsing the weapons glanced at her, but Lin Luoluo ignored them, her gaze fixed on the blacksmith lounging in a chair, overseeing his workers.
"Oh, it's you!" The blacksmith recognized her immediately upon hearing her cold voice. Even with her face obscured by the veil, he remembered her well. Lin Luoluo was simply too unique to forget.
"It's ready. I just finished it this morning—it was exhausting!" he said with a smile, standing up and retrieving the sword sheath from the back.
As he brought it forward, Lin Luoluo's eyes flickered in surprise.
The sheath was a deep crimson, adorned with intricate carvings of the otherworldly flower patterns she had seen on her sword.
"I designed the carvings to match those on your sword," the blacksmith explained, still smiling. "I hope it's not too out of place…"
"It's perfect," Lin Luoluo replied quietly, accepting the sheath. The craftsmanship exceeded her expectations. It was heavier than a standard sheath, but it suited her taste perfectly.
Sliding the Soul-Slaying Sword into the sheath, she noted how well the weapon fit. It was flawless.
"Not bad at all," Ye Fan remarked, sounding pleased.
Lin Luoluo handed over the remainder of the payment without hesitation.
"Thank you," the blacksmith said with satisfaction as he accepted the gold. However, his curiosity got the better of him, and he couldn't help but ask, "If you don't mind me asking, who crafted that sword?"
He had been a blacksmith for decades, yet he had never seen a weapon as exquisite as hers. The craftsmanship was unparalleled, and the blade's sharpness was beyond anything he'd ever encountered.
"I don't know," Lin Luoluo replied, shaking her head.
"What a pity…" the blacksmith murmured, disappointed. If he had known the creator, he would have loved to visit and pay his respects. Still, he was honored to have crafted the sheath.
With the sheath in hand, Lin Luoluo left the shop.
"Was that sword yours?" One of the warriors browsing the shop asked the blacksmith as they gathered around.
"No," the blacksmith replied with a sigh. He was just as curious about the weapon's origins as they were.
"When did she ask you to make the sheath?" A burly man dressed in fine armor approached the counter, his tone commanding.
"Commander Wang?" the blacksmith blurted out in surprise. The man before him was Wang, the commander of Spey City's guards and a ninth-tier warrior—someone not to be trifled with.
"Four days ago," the blacksmith answered respectfully, wary of Commander Wang's reputation for ruthlessness.
"Tell me everything you know," the commander ordered, his tone leaving no room for hesitation.
"Yes, sir," the blacksmith replied. Though reluctant, he didn't dare withhold any information, fearing he might be executed for disobedience.
"I can't stay here any longer," Lin Luoluo muttered to herself upon returning to her room.
Carrying the Soul-Slaying Sword had attracted too much attention. Yet, she couldn't afford to part with the weapon—it gave her a sense of security. Though she was exceptionally talented, she still couldn't compete with warriors who had spent decades honing their strength.