Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios

Qing Ming City.

In the shop.

“Didn't you notice it previously?”

Lu Ming's voice was low.

“No.”

Zhang Wei shook his head. “The aura was too faint. If I didn't take a closer look, it is impossible to detect. Besides, they told me that there was a heating failure and hence I didn't think too much about it.”

He used a detector to do testing along the way and he realized to his shock that apart from the downtown, the entire city seemed to be engulfed by this aura!

The aura originated from the city's heating system!

The system that should transmit heat was constantly dissipating cold.

“Let me check.”

Zhang Wei's face turned pale.

It was still alright for the cultivators!

However, if the aura entered the body of ordinary people, going unnoticed, the consequences would be dire. What were the people from the heating system doing?

Therefore, he tried to contact his friend working at the heating system…

No one picked up the phone.

He changed to someone else!

No one picked up the phone as well.

He changed to another person.

No one picked up the phone yet again.

Zhang Wei called all the internal numbers. However, no one among the dozens of staff working in the big heating system building answered his call!

d.a.m.n it!

Zhang Wei's expression changed drastically.

Over there…

Something might have happened!

“I'm sorry.”

Zhang Wei left in a hurry.

When he led the police officers to the heating system, he realized to his horror that the original heating system had many strange and mysterious cracks…

Click!

The small fissures were cracking!

The huge office building was split into two, but it did not collapse. There seemed to be a strange force that was supporting the whole building!

Everyone looked grim.

This place…

“Seal it! Ask for reinforcements.”

Zhang Wei's expression was very solemn.

Looking at this strange scene, there might be something here!

However…

The reinforcements had yet to arrive.

There was a slight chill in the building.

There was a loud shrill sound.

All the police vomited blood.

Bang!

A huge shadow emerged from underneath the building, surrounding the building like a huge python, hovering non-stop.

Its power was shocking!

Everyone's pupils constricted greatly.

Spirit body!

There was another spirit body!

Furthermore…

The spirit body was much more terrifying than the previous spirit bodies!

Five-star?

Six-star?

G.o.d knew!

Pfft!

Zhang Wei focused his gaze.

d.a.m.n it, why were there so many spirit bodies?

At this very moment…

As the huge python shrieked…

The entire Qing Ming City shook.

The cultivators who came to Qing Ming City for various reasons were thrilled. No one expected to be in for such a good show!

“Haha!”

“I have waited to see this day!”

“I didn't manage to see the koi last time or join the cultivators to send the bar spirit away from the field. But I have made it for the python spirit this time! I must subdue this spirit body!”

“You? On what basis?”

“Just because my name is Xu Xuan (in the Chinese folk legend, Legend of the White Snake, Xu Xuan was the protagonist who fell in love with Bai Suzhen, a 1000-year-old white snake spirit that transformed into a woman) !”

“Get lost! My name is Xu Xian (the male protagonist of the Legend of the White Snake was also named Xu Xian)!”

“Well, I have some knowledge of spirit bodies. Although spirit bodies are without gender, the python that formed from the spirit body seems to be a male…”

“So what if it's male? It doesn't make any difference.”

“W-well, please carry on…”

This was only within Qing Ming City.

Very soon…

The news that the spirit body had reappeared spread to the other cities and cultivators from other cities rushed over, making Qing Ming City the main focus once again.

“How many spirit bodies were there in Qing Ming City previously?”

“Hurry!”

“Be sure to arrive early!”

Right then…

Many people had come to Qing Ming City.

What happened with the koi happened once again!

In Chong Yang City.

Somewhere.

Li Haoran decided to set off after receiving the latest news.

He was stuck at the stage of the birth of the card spirit for a very long time. The guidelines said that if one was sincere, one would get one's wishes. He had been trying very long but to no avail…

Was he not as talented?

That was possible!

Therefore…

Even he was tempted when he heard that there was a spirit body.

“I have to catch this spirit body!

No matter how many stars it is!

No matter how powerful it is!”

Li Haoran looked serious.

“Come, I will bring you there.”

The teenager in black stretched. “It is very chaotic and dangerous in Qing Ming City. I know some people there. It is better if we go there secretly.”

“You know people there?”

Li Haoran was surprised.

“Of course!”

The teenager in black sneered. “If not, how would I have been able to come back safely after beating Zhang Yang up? But then again, are you sure you really don't want to beat Zhang Yang?”

“No need!”

Li Haoran looked grumpy.

This was crazy!

This guy thought of beating people up the entire time!

“This is my only successful mission,” the teenager in black muttered.

“Let's go. I have something else to do during my trip to Qing Ming City.”

“What is it?”

“Go and you'll know.”

At this very moment…

At the police office.

Zhang Wei looked solemn.

“What's the situation?”

He looked to the police officers in charge of the investigation.

“The people responsible for the heating system have all died.”

The investigators sighed.

Dead…

Zhang Wei's mood suddenly felt heavy.

There were good and evil spirit bodies.

Good spirit bodies like the koi would try not to hurt others, under certain circ.u.mstances, they might even save people! The python seemed to be an evil spirit body!

It started killing since it awakened!

Evil.

Vicious.

The main point was…

The python occupied the entire area where the heating system was located. No one, including the police officers were able to get close to it.

“What did the higher-ups say?” Someone asked.

“Reinforcements are on the way.”

Zhang Wei sighed. “Although this python is a five-star, I don't think a normal five-star cultivator will be able to take it down. We might need a six-star cultivator!”

They had already requested for reinforcements.

But when would it arrive?

G.o.d knew.

After all, those six-star cultivators had their own things to handle…

Furthermore…

Right now, this was not simply a problem with the reinforcements. Instead, many external cultivators had disregarded the blockade to sneak into the building to subdue the python!

“They're crazy! They are blinded by greed…

What happened with the koi and the bar spirit at the field must have led them to the false impression that it would be easy to handle the python… All of them came breaking into the building…

And they never came back,” The investigator said in horror.

He watched as a group of people rushed in and were swallowed by the python…

It was extremely frightening!

Sigh.

Zhang Wei sighed.

He had already done all he could to protect those people, but since they insisted on doing themselves in…

What else could he do?!

Did they really think that every spirit body was as mild-tempered as the koi?

As for the five-star bar spirit and six-star spirit bodies that were killed instantly by Lu Ming…

What a joke!

How powerful was Lu Ming?

After so many incidents, Zhang Wei was also very clear of one thing. From the demolition of the old city to the emergence of the mysterious Swordsman, he was the only person who knew everything inside out.

All the talk about two-star and three-star…

One would be dead if one believed in them.

“What is the situation over there?” Zhang Wei asked.

“We can't stop them. More and more cultivators are coming here…”

The investigators smiled bitterly.

“Let them suffer some hards.h.i.+ps.”

Zhang Wei thought before saying. “Evacuate the residents nearby and they can do whatever they want. I would like to see what they are capable of!”

“Yes!”

The police officer went to make the arrangements.

“Wait a minute.”

Zhang Wei paused briefly. “Show them the energy level evaluation of the python… Those who are weaker should not court their death…”

“Understood.”

The police officer nodded.

After all…

Zhang Wei could not bear to see them courting death.

However…

Although the police officer published the data, the cultivators did not appreciate it.

“What do you mean by recommending five-star or six-star to go?”

“Haha.”

“I guess they want it all for themselves!”

“Certainly!”

“I didn't make it for the koi last time. I must take it down this time.”

“Hurry, the police officers in Qing Ming City are too weak. By the time reinforcements get there, I reckon we will have no chance of getting it!”

Countless cultivators dashed toward the area where the python was.

Zhang Wei was expressionless.

Forget it.

He should let these people die!

At this very moment…

All the a.s.sociations received the data sent by the police officers.

There were too many incidents this year and they had grown tired of it. There were so many spirit bodies that they were no longer surprised.

“Let them suffer some hards.h.i.+ps.”

“Protect the local residents…”

“Oh, by the way, send out the fine notice of the cemetery incident last time! It is fine if they want to catch the spirit body, but if they dare to mess around, they will be blacklisted!”

“Understood.”

Downtown area.

At the shop.

Lu Ming and Xiaobai remained very low-key. Ever since he knew that the spirit body had appeared, Lu Ming had been very indifferent about it.

Oh.

It turned out that it was a spirit body. He thought that it was a catastrophe…

Naturally, he had to leave it to the officials to handle this incident. They could not do anything if they went there. It was better to cultivate quietly and safely at home.

“Boss, do you have an Energy Card?”

One cultivator from other cities hurried inside.

“Yes, how many stars?”

Lu Ming smiled faintly.

“Three-star.”

“Oh, thirty thousand yuan per card.”

“Boss… isn't this over charging…”

The cultivator looked to be in a difficult position.

“Special price for special times.”

Lu Ming smiled and looked at him.

“Give me two cards.”

The cultivator hesitated for a long time before he gritted his teeth and looked at Lu Ming with curiosity in his eyes. “Aren't you scared?”

He found it odd.

The people in Qing Ming City were amazing.

He was a three-star peak now!

The boss was merely a two-star Card Creator. Why was he fearless?

Furthermore…

It was a five-star spirit body!

A python!

The people at Qing Ming City seemed to be very indifferent. From the a.s.sociation all the way to the residents, no one cared, everyone was watching a good show…

“We are used to it.”

Lu Ming smiled faintly.

What a child. If he knew what had happened in Qing Ming City those past few months he would not be surprised anymore.

“Are you here to investigate?” Lu Ming asked.

“Well, how do you know?”

The cultivator was surprised.

“You're too weak.”

Lu Ming took a glance.

A three-star peak would become cannon fodder in the fight against the spirit body.

The cultivator was speechless.

He was merely a two-star Card Creator. It might not be good to say that others were too weak…

However…

Forget it. He would not take issue with people like him.

“People from Qing Ming City are very powerful!”

He pursed his lips and turned to leave. When he looked back, he saw a four-star cultivator walking toward him. Although he could not tell his energy level, as long as he was a four-star…

He must not provoke him!

No matter what the vocation advantage or some other combat auxiliary vocations, one must remember one thing—the levels would take priority over the vocation. This was especially so for a four-star!

“Senior!”

The cultivator sounded very respectful.

“Yes.”

The person nodded slightly.

Oh.

A three-star guy…

He paid no attention to him and walked to stand in front of Lu Ming, saying respectfully, “Master.”

Click!

The cultivator was stunned.

M-master?

What the h.e.l.l was this?

Why would a four-star cultivator call a two-Star Card Creator master?

In fact…

Lu Ming was confused as well.

He looked with suspicious eyes at Li Haoran who made a sudden appearance. “Who is your master?”

Was this a joke?!

When did he take Li Haoran as his disciple?

“Well… I talked to Senior Xiaoyan.”

Li Haoran looked embarra.s.sed. “We chatted regarding the card spirit. I know that Xiaoyan has a newborn card spirit after coming here to learn from you…”

Lu Ming was dumbstruck.

Senior Xiaoyan?

What kind of seniority was this?

Wait a minute.

Salted Crispy Chicken had a newly-born card spirit?

c.r.a.p!

He looked at the a.s.sociation's forum. As expected, in the comments left under the guidelines—Hahaha. Master did not lie to me. Senior sister was right!

I made it!

I can finally proceed to stage four!

Yeah!

Lu Ming looked bewildered.

Therefore, Xiaobai and Xiaoyan were both successful?

Why?

Could it be that…

It really worked to nag at the Original Card?

As long as one was sincere, it would definitely happen?

“Please take me in as your disciple!”

Li Haoran looked serious.

It was true.

This time he was serious.

Since he had decided to become a Sword Card Master and to take the same path as Lu Ming, he did not mind that he was Lu Ming's disciple. Furthermore, he had indeed spoken to Xiaoyan…

It was then… that he finally knew.

Initially, he had been stuck for a very long time, wondering how to condense the card spirit. He even became doubtful of its authenticity, but that was when he realized that someone had succeeded!

The first to succeed was Xiaobai.

The second to succeed was Xiaoyan.

Both of them were Lu Ming's disciples!

Since that was the case, what reason was there to hesitate?!

Therefore…

He was here.

He was decisive!

The trip was not only for the python spirit body, but it was also to get a master for himself!

He was certain that the Sword Card Master had a real legacy.

Tempering of the body and card, card spirit…

Did normal vocations require so much to build the foundation?

No!

But a Sword Card Master would need it!

Not only did he need to fulfill the requirements, but every requirement was also very strict!

Why?

This must be due to the vocation itself!

He was certain that the Sword Card Master definitely could do more than being able to create sword-related cards at a high speed!

Every step that Lu Ming took was far more ambitious and far-reaching than he had imagined! Although right now he could not tell the connections between all of them…

He used to have doubts…

He used to be skeptical…

However, the card spirit was born. What else was impossible?!

If Lu Ming was the pioneer, then he would be…

He would be the vanguard!

Li Haoran looked serious.

Perhaps…

That was what he was really after!

“Master! Please accept my bow!”

Li Haoran served him tea.

Not too far in the distance.

The cultivator who did not go far was weak in his knees. Oh, it turned out that the four-star cultivator was not his disciple. He was seeking to be his disciple…

Could this person be the legendary big shot who lived in isolation in the city?

Goodness! Qing Ming City was terrifying!

In fact…

He had no idea that Lu Ming was dumbstruck as well.

This guy… was he out of his mind?

Perhaps talented people were very imaginative?

Lu Ming did not over-think like Li Haoran. Instead, he simply looked at the pros and cons of the situation. Li Haoran wanted to learn from him to condense the card spirit…

However…

Even if he was willing, Lu Ming was unable to help him with this!

To h.e.l.l with it!

He had no idea why Salted Crispy Chicken had a card spirit?

Furthermore…

Xiaobai was adorable and although Xiaoyan was a man, he was just as adorable… As for Li Haoran? How dare he ask to be his disciple?!

“Oh, you are right.”

Li Haoran shouted coldly toward the door. “Come on in!”

At the doorstep.

A teenager in black hesitated to come in. He pa.s.sed a parcel to Lu Ming unwillingly. “These are the resources that we acc.u.mulated over the years…

This will be the fee to be your disciple.”

Shus.h.!.+

The parcel was opened.

There was a row of four-star Energy Cards inside!

“Please accept them,” Li Haoran said in a deep voice.

Lu Ming was speechless.

He was surprised.

He did not know that he could earn money from taking in a disciple.

And right then.

He had yet to come back to his senses.

Suddenly…

Bam!

There was a deafening sound.

Everyone looked toward the door.

The cultivator who just left but was still in the vicinity knelt down on the floor. “Elder, I am sorry for offending you. Please forgive me…”

He was a free cultivator and he had seen many cases where bloodshed was triggered as a result of a stare or a comment!

One's dignity might be important, but one's life was more important!

Cras.h.!.+

He kowtowed, begging for mercy. He made a respectful bow before leaving.

Lu Ming was dumbstruck.

What was that?!

Why were all of them being so dramatic?!