Star Immortal World
After leaving the city, Rain travelled to a nearby town where he purchased a horse and a sword. His next stop was a bookstore, where he bought a map and asked the owner how long it would take to reach the capital by horse. The shopkeeper replied that, barring any trouble and without extended stops in other cities along the way, the journey would take at least five days.
To be cautious, Rain stocked up on supplies for both him and his horse for a six-day journey. He decided against selling the Devil Tiger's skin here, reasoning that a small town might not offer a satisfying price. Additionally, given the town's proximity to the city where he lived, news of the Devil Tiger's skin being sold could cause a commotion and potentially reveal his identity.
With his supplies packed and his plan in place, Rain mounted his horse and departed the town, setting out on his journey toward the capital.
By dawn the next day, he was clearing the site where he'd slept beside the official road, camping in the wilderness. As his horse finished its meal, Rain climbed onto its back, only to sense an improvement in the Spring Rain Sword Art. He understood why—since creating the soul chip in his soul space, the chips in both his main body and soul space were connected, sharing information every minute.
He waited a few minutes on horseback, letting the connection stabilize until he felt he'd fully mastered the technique. Then, he swiftly jumped down and began practicing the sword moves. As he performed each step, his consciousness slipped into the technique's rhythm, losing all sense of time. Minutes later, he stopped, surprised by the intensity of focus he had experienced.
The chip displayed a record of his thoughts from the trance-like state, revealing insights into the technique's flow and intricacies. Reviewing the information, Rain realized he'd experienced a sudden enlightenment. Eager to assess the improvements, Rain opened his personal panel:
Personal Panel:
- Name: Rain (Yun Ting)
- Realm: True Energy
- Physical: 1.82 (20)
- Agility: 1.6 (20)
- Genetic Energy: 1.87 (20)
- Techniques:
- Poison Claw 1st Chapter (D) (9/9) (familiar) – 2.2%
- Life Vine Shield (D) – 100 (Start)
- Spring Rain Sword Art (E) – Master
- Mysteries:
- Poison Stone – 0.12%
- Sap of Devil Trap – 0.001%
- Dark Iron – 0.0006%
- Rain Stone – 1.3%
He noticed the percentage for Spring Rain Sword Art had disappeared, confirming his complete mastery of it, though it remained an E-rank technique. He practiced the sword art once more but couldn't identify any further improvements on his own. Reflecting on his journey ahead, Rain decided he would stop at various towns and cities along the way to the capital, searching for additional sword arts. By studying and potentially merging them with Spring Rain Sword Art, he hoped to elevate its rank and power. Mounting his horse, Rain began riding, observing the passing scenery as his understanding of the Rain Stone mystery increased by 0.01% each minute. Rain anticipated that his progress with the Rain Stone would gradually slow over time. He suspected that mastering the Spring Rain Sword Art had given him a sudden increase in understanding, as it held subtle fragments of the spring rain rule—an inherent connection to the rain rule itself. This mastery likely triggered the fragments, accelerating his comprehension temporarily.
As hours passed and the sun began to set, Rain checked his map at a fork in the road. The path to the right led directly to the capital, while the left led to a nearby town, about an hour's ride away. Opting for the town, hoping to discover a new sword technique there, he guided his horse at a steady trot, mindful of the morning's travel and the horse's need for rest.
After an hour, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Rain arrived on the outskirts of the town, where farmland flanked both sides of the road, and more people began to appear along the way. Another half hour brought him to the town center. He stopped at a shop to inquire about nearby inns and received the names of three located near this street. Selecting the one that appeared most inviting, he dismounted and approached its entrance.
As he stepped inside, a young boy hurried over to greet him.
"Welcome to Fu Family Inn," the boy said with a smile.
"Yes, thank you. Please take my horse, let him rest, and make sure he's fed," Rain replied, handing the boy a bronze coin.
With that, Rain gathered his luggage from the horse and entered the inn. Behind the receptionist's desk stood a young girl who looked up as he approached.
"Good evening, sir. How may I assist you?" she asked.
"I'd like a room for the night," Rain responded.
"That will be 50 bronze coins," she replied.
Rain handed over a silver coin and took a quick glance around. Unlike other inns he'd visited, where tables for meals occupied the reception area, this one was open and minimalistic, with plants and sparse furnishings creating a calm, uncluttered atmosphere.
The young girl returned 50 bronze coins and explained, "Sir, your meal will be served in your room after sunset tonight and again tomorrow morning." Just then, a young man appeared, and she added, "You can let him know when you'd like bathwater. He'll be stationed in the corridor near your room and can show you the way."
Rain nodded and followed the young man up the stairs. While they ascended, he asked, "Brother, may I ask you something?"
Without turning, the young man replied, "Yes."
"Do you know where I could learn sword arts in this town?" Rain inquired.
"There are two places: the Cloud Sword Training Center and Iron Sword Escort," he answered.
Rain murmured the names thoughtfully. "And which direction are these places from the inn?"
"Iron Sword Escort is along the road from here, and the Cloud Sword Training Center is to the west," the young man replied as they reached the room. He unlocked the door, allowing Rain to enter.
Before closing it, Rain asked, "Is there any martial family in town known for their sword techniques?"
"Martial families don't usually teach outsiders their techniques," the young man replied. "But I heard the Mie family practices a sword art."
"Thank you. Could you bring my bathwater now?"
"Hot or cold?" the young man asked.
"Just slightly cold," Rain answered, closing the door. Placing his luggage aside, he sat on the bed, waiting for the bathwater and contemplating how to obtain a sword technique. Time was tight, and given the culture of this world, even offering money wouldn't guarantee a sale; they guarded their techniques closely. Besides, he didn't have much wealth—just 10 gold, 47 silver, and 87 bronze coins.
He considered the levels of martial techniques in this world: basic, low, medium, top, and superior. Basic techniques could be bought with enough gold, typically at a minimum of 1 gold coin, but from low level and up, they were treated as valuable secrets by their owners. This left him with limited options. Stealing was one approach, though finding the location of these techniques could take months. His other option was to confront the leaders of these forces directly, perhaps forcing them to reveal the technique. With his recent breakthrough and unique martial arts approach, he doubted any of the three local forces had anyone of comparable strength.
A knock at the door had broken his thoughts earlier, and now, hours later, Rain sat by the window, immersed in his thoughts. Each minute, his comprehension of the Rain Stone increased, now reaching 1.856%, though he noted the progression had slowed since morning. As he gazed outside, he noticed the silent street, with a crescent moon partially hidden by clouds and the stars dim tonight. Taking a cloth to cover his face, he slipped out the window onto the quiet street below.
Following the directions to Iron Sword Escort, he soon arrived and circled the outer wall, studying the compound. From his vantage point, he saw a three-story building at the center. He found a deserted alley along the perimeter wall and scaled it, quietly observing the building, trying to pinpoint the room that might belong to the owner of the Iron Sword technique.Descending silently from the wall into the grounds, Rain moved cautiously, surveying the area and focusing on the building's structure to locate the owner's quarters. He noticed a faint light coming from a window at the back of the building on the first floor, so he climbed up effortlessly and, staying out of sight, peered into the room. Inside, to the left of the window, a table held an open book, and a beautiful young woman sat reading intently. Rain realized he needed to act quickly to prevent her from raising an alarm that could bring unwanted trouble.
Waiting for an opening, he observed the girl turn her head to the right. Seizing the moment, Rain slipped into the room without a sound, moving so quietly that she remained unaware. Positioning himself behind her, he gently placed a hand over her mouth, preventing her from calling out. The girl immediately struggled, but Rain could tell her martial arts skills were limited, only at the beginning stages of the Gathering Strength realm—a realm too low to resist his superior strength.Her resistance was futile.
Rain leaned in close. "I'm removing my hand from your mouth. If you shout, you die." He slowly withdrew his hand, and the girl, wide-eyed and terrified, turned to face him, tears slipping down her cheeks.
"Where is the room of the owner of Iron Sword Escort?" he demanded.
The girl stammered, "M-my father... Please, if you're going to kill someone, kill me, but spare my father."
Rain looked at her with a mixture of surprise and frustration. Noticing her lips parting as if to scream, he swiftly clamped his hand over her mouth again. "I don't intend to kill your father. I only need to speak with him. But if you scream, your entire family will be in danger." To reinforce his warning, he let a small, controlled pulse of true energy emerge from his free hand.
The girl's eyes widened in understanding. Only a warrior who had reached the Strength Realm could manifest true energy like this. When he finally removed his hand from her mouth, she gave a hesitant nod, then reluctantly directed him to her father's quarters. Rain thanked her silently and, with a quick strike, knocked her unconscious to avoid any further risk. Quietly, he slipped from the room and continued his mission.