Sword Card Master a.s.sociation.

Lu Ming was testing new abilities.

Although the phenomenal swordplay almost overturned half of the Swordsman a.s.sociation and caused an uproar, it did not cause any interference for Lu Ming.

Swoos.h.!.+

Swoos.h.!.+

Beams of sword gleams flashed.

He had to admit that the swordplay of Lunar Shadow was indeed very decent.

The first sword, Lightning Slash.

The second sword, becoming one with the sword.

The third sword, Lunar Shadow Sword.

Each sword was more powerful and of higher quality than the other!

Shus.h.!.+

Lu Ming slashed with his Original Card. The Original Card quickly pa.s.sed through his field of vision, leaving many afterimages that were exactly the same.

These were sword shadows.

It was a very powerful single attacking ability!

After slas.h.i.+ng one sword, there would be six overlapping afterimages. This was like the trailing smear effect in special effects movies that repeated the initial attack!

That feeling…

It was like playing The King of Fighters[1] because it was similar to the blue trailing smear of light that appeared when one used powerful moves.

Ding!

There was a crisp and clear sound.

Data flashed on the testing machine: peak six-star!

That was right!

There was no need to rely on cards!

As an advanced five-star Sword Card Master, under normal circ.u.mstances, Lu Ming already had the combat abilities to fight a peak six-star!

In that case…

Although he could not be compared to Salted Crispy Duck[2] that pervert, he was still able to fight ordinary peak six-stars!

Finally, Lu Ming was pleased.

“What happened afterward?”

Xiao-Xiaojian suddenly asked.

“What do you mean by afterward?”

Lu Ming felt ridiculous.

“The second move,” Xiao-Xiaojian exclaimed. “Each of the opponent's moves can easily reach peak six-star. You used the Lunar Shadow Sword and became one with the sword releasing all your inner strength… and you were barely able to compare to them. What comes next? What about the second move? Don't tell me you are only going to fight for that one second?”

Lu Ming was silent.

After a long while…

He shoved Xiao-Xiaojian back into the card bag. Served it right for being so talkative!

Xiao-Xiaojian: (〃'▽'〃).

In the afternoon.

Li Haoran reported to Lu Ming as usual.

“There is still no news regarding the a.s.sa.s.sins.

“Xiao Yuntian has been investigating for us as well, but there is no progress so far. I have told him to work on the Card Creators…

“In a few days, there should be some progress.”

Li Haoran went on to say.

“Okay.”

Lu Ming nodded slightly. “Be more vigilant.”

“Yes.”

Li Haoran understood his master's words.

“The a.s.sociation's funds are working properly.

“Although the decline is somewhat fast, as you said, when the money from the Swordsman a.s.sociation arrives, it should be able to make up for it. However…

“Will anyone really buy it?”

Li Haoran felt somewhat worried.

“Let's leave it to fate.”

Lu Ming was very calm.

He had already labeled the phenomenal swordplay as very difficult.

So…

If they could not master it…

They could not blame him for it.

The second sword of the Lunar Shadow legacy, becoming one with the sword was a more terrifying ability than the third sword. It could even be seen as the core of Lunar Shadow legacy!

If it circulated…

It might spell trouble.

Forget it.

He would leave it to fate.

Although becoming one with the sword was the basic requirement of seven-star, before reaching seven-star, there were already people who could master it.

For example…

His elder sister.

At the thought of this…

Lu Ming's heart stirred slightly.

He contacted Lu Yan, intending to give her the Lunar Shadow Sword and a place for the cultivation area.

“How did you get this?”

Lu Yan was very curious.

“I received it two days ago.”

Lu Ming gave her a summary of what had happened at the Swordsman a.s.sociation recently.

“Not bad.”

Lu Yan was very pleased. It turned out that her younger brother did not lose himself in cultivation. He still remained pure-hearted. She was glad of that. As for the swordplay and a place in it…

“The swordplay is indeed very good, it is a pity is it only at five-star level. I have no use for it.

“As for the place in the Swordsman sacred cultivation place…”

Lu Yan smiled. “You can keep it.”

“Huh?”

Lu Ming scratched his head. “I heard that you applied for it in the past.”

“Yes.”

Lu Yan nodded. “In the past, I wanted to understand and learn in a sacred place and hence I asked my master to apply a few times on my behalf. It was a pity that back then the conservatives were in charge and we were rejected. Then I went to challenge Swordsmen who had just left the sacred place and defeated them, learning what I wanted to master in the process.”

Lu Ming was dumbstruck.

Lu Yan said gently, “Are you going to the sacred Swordsmen place very soon?”

“Yes.”

Lu Ming had made up his mind.

“Oh…”

Lu Yan smiled. “Don't worry and go for it. When the time comes, I will send you a gift.”

“Huh?”

Lu Ming was doubtful.

A gift?

“You will understand when the time comes.”

Lu Ming hung up.

Lu Ming was between laughter and tears.

Well…

His sister refused everything he gave her but wanted to give him a gift, it was…

There was a long way to go before he could catch up with his sister…

Right then.

“Master~

“It's time to eat.”

Xiaobai knocked on the door.

“Yes.”

Lu Ming looked up, saw the food that Xiaobai prepared and his eyes lit up. In addition to the vegetables that she had just fried, there was Liangpi, a dish he had not eaten in a long time.

“Let me tell you this ahead of time.”

Xiaobai looked serious. “You are not allowed to slurp them!”

“Okay, okay, okay.”

Lu Ming was between laughter and tears.

Was he the kind of person that slurped?

He did not have special abilities of conjuring horses[3], he naturally did not slurp his food. What had happened previously was an accident.

“Dig in.”

He stroked the girl's head.

“Alright.”

Xiaobai ate her food happily with her master.

“Silly girl.”

Lu Ming smiled.

He ate a mouthful of liangpi.

Well, it had been ages since he had eaten some.

He had to admit that having some liangpi on a hot summer day was the most wonderful experience.

At that moment, his wristband communication device vibrated.

Lu Ming took a glance out of curiosity and slurped his liangpi.

Xiaobai was silent.

“Master!”

Xiaobai widened her eyes in anger.

That was annoying!

He had just promised not to slurp them!!!

“I am taking it away!”

Xiaobai puffed her face in anger, bringing the liangpi away.

Lu Ming did not come back to his senses for a long while. The liangpi did not matter anymore. The message on the communication device was too shocking!

“Lu Ming.

“I will come and have fun with you, okay? ღ( ́・ᴗ・`)ღ.

“—Gao Tianlang.”

Lu Ming's hands trembled slightly.

Heart shape…

What the c.r.a.p!!!

Was this person who had a sister complex possessed?!

Have fun…

How would they have fun?!

He could pretend not to see it or if he didn't, decide on how to reply to the message.

He had to calm down!

Lu Ming came to his senses very quickly. Gao Tianlang, the scoundrel, might have come up with this plan to disgust him in order to stop him from contacting Xiaoqing!!!

Hehe.

It was ridiculous!

Did he think that he could stop him from being close to Miss Xiaoqing by doing that? How naive.

As for whether this was Miss Xiaoqing…

He pondered deeply, but felt that it was impossible. Given Gao Tianlang who had a sister complex, he must have taken his sister's communication device with him!

She would not have had the chance to use it!

Besides, Miss Xiaoqing was still in her cultivation retreat.

Hence, Lu Ming replied: “Brother Gao indeed knows how to have fun. I will be waiting for you. ღ( ́・ᴗ・`) Heart shape.”

Shus.h.!.+

The other party turned silent.

Gao Xiaoqing stared at the reply on the communication device, taking a long time to come to her senses.

She was a little dazed.

She was in her cultivation retreat but it was boring to stay in the black house for long. Besides, her brother had her communication device with him and hence she had thought of using her brother's communication device secretly at the last minute.

However, she had just sent the message when she realized that something was not right. She was about to add that she was Xiaoqing when she received Lu Ming's reply…

She had no idea how to reply to Lu Ming's message.

At this very moment…

There was a familiar voice outside.

“Xiaoqing.

“I'm back.”

Gao Tianlang walked in with food.

Gao Xiaoqing hurried to delete the chat records in a fl.u.s.ter and returned to her seat. She pretended as if she had just finished her cultivation and stared happily at the food.

“Wow, there is beef today.”

However, she noticed that there was a trace of worry in her brother's eyes.

At that very moment…

Lu Ming looked satisfactorily at the communication device. Gao Tianlang must have been so angry that he was lost for words.

Hehe.

To think that he used that trick!

He is too inexperienced!

Snort! Snort!

After the meal, Lu Ming focused his attention on cultivation.

He really felt like going to the Swordsman a.s.sociation's fallen Swordsmen ancient burial ground to take a look. Although given the abilities of Xiao-Xiaojian, he did not pin much hope on ancient Swordsmen…

Xiao-Xiaojian was speechless.

“Lu Ming!

“Don't be too much of a bully!”

Xiao-Xiaojian was furious. “I could not adapt to this different time. If we were in ancient times, I would reduce you to ashes!”

“Really?”

Lu Ming squinted his eyes.

“Of course,” Xiao-Xiaojian said proudly.

“Which means…”

Lu Ming smiled. “If we go to the ancient fallen Swordsmen burial ground, will you be of great help?”

Xiao-Xiaojian felt suffocated.

d.a.m.n it. It turns out that he was banking on me to help him!

“I-is that possible?”

Xiao-Xiaojian felt guilty.

“Don't tell me you are unsure.”

Lu Ming smiled. “If you prove to be useless again, I will definitely send you to Xiaobai for more experiments.”

Xiao-Xiaojian looked defeated. It had been fooled!

At night.

Whoos.h.!.+

Whoos.h.!.+

There was the sound of a pen.

Lu Ming kept drawing with his Card Creating Pen.

He had reached the crucial moment of his study of the Sunlight Card. The activation of the ancient Swordsmen burial ground would arrive very soon. He had to hurry to create it!

It might be another powerful weapon!

This was what he thought.

Lu Ming was busy creating cards for the next two days.

By his side, a small figure was quietly drawing lines on a card as well. She would stare at Lu Ming's profile occasionally before getting back to her work again.

“Are you sleepy?”

Lu Ming asked gently.

“I am not sleepy yet,” Xiaobai said in a very serious manner.

Her master would go on an adventure very soon. She must help her master create more cards.

“Okay.”

Lu Ming smiled faintly.

After a long while…

When he was done with the card that he was working on, he noticed that the small figure kept dozing off… Her small head kept swaying about…

“This girl…”

Lu Ming laughed involuntarily.

She was young and energetic, but she would fall asleep easily.

He checked the time.

It was not early anymore.

He stretched and carried Xiaobai into bed.

It was late at night.

Time pa.s.sed quietly.

Right then…

Somewhere.

In the snowstorm, beams of sword gleams landed.

A graceful figure cut through the air, killing countless beasts. The seemingly powerful beasts were no match for her.

Swoos.h.!.+

Swoos.h.!.+

Terrifying Sword Auras traversed heaven and earth.

She gathered the scales, blood and limbs of the beasts, forming a huge array.

After a long while… more sword gleams surged.

A terrifying aura shot into the sky!

It rocked the whole world.

At this very moment, a group of powerful Swordsmen were looking at the communication devices in their hands.

They were waiting.

They were waiting for this moment to arrive…

After a long while…

They saw a glow at the depths of the legacy sites, and their communication devices vibrated at the same time. On the top right hand corner, there was finally a bar that showed the signal…

“There is a signal!!!”

“There is an internet connection!”

The Swordsmen were elated.

Everyone said that Lu Yan was the mobile signal tower…

She certainly was!

According to rumors…

In order to enable her happy and inappropriate master to catch up with her dramas anytime, Lu Yan once ventured into countless ancient powerful legacy sites…

To understand all the communication methods related to signals.

It was to the extent that…

She even learned Communication Engineering, Spatial Architecture, and Information Penetration by herself. She applied all modern engineering techniques to the beasts and all kinds of precious herbs and stones.

Lu Yan was able to source suitable materials in any legacy site and design and construct a base station.

Well…

At least, this was what the rumor said.

Initially, they were skeptical, but now it seemed like…

It was true!

This time, they specially hired Lu Yan to construct a base station in the ancient fallen Swordsmen burial ground. It was indeed the right choice! She had succeeded in one day!!!

Snort! Snort!

They heard that previously the foolish conservatives sought help from Lu Yan five times and she did not agree to it!

What a group of idiots!

“It's been tough for you!”

They looked at Lu Yan who had just come out from the legacy site.

They were very grateful.

The ancient fallen Swordsmen burial ground was a very special place. No one had been to it. Heaven knew what would appear there. Therefore, they needed an internet connection! The Swordsman a.s.sociation had always taken the elitist route. Recently, because of the phenomenal swordplay scandal, they exterminated many pests in the a.s.sociation…

It would be too painful for them to bear if another large batch of disciples died again.

As such…

They wanted to have an internet connection so that if the disciples encountered any danger, it would be easier to send reinforcements.

There was another reason, the most important one—map a.n.a.lysis!

For several years, they only managed to develop 76% of this legacy site using their Sword Auras!

As for the rest…

There was no way to reach it.

To fully develop the area and for it to be a fixed legacy site for Swordsmen, they had to understand it completely!

So, they started the present operation.

They hoped that the Swordsmen could complete the remaining 24%!

With an internet connection, when the Swordsmen delved into the depths of the legacy site, they could explore its undeveloped parts and hence be able to fully develop it!

Of course, in technical terms, this was filling up the map.

As such, they had to build a base station in this small world where the ancient fallen Swordsmen burial ground had been discovered by chance. Therefore, they sought Lu Yan's help.

Ding—

The scanning equipment scanned Lu Yan.

Well…

There was no unusual aura.

This was a necessary step. No one could leave with anything inside the legacy site, Lu Yan was no exception.

Lu Yan was in the same state as when she began the mission.

She came empty-handed.

She left empty-handed.

“It has been hard for you.”

The Swordsmen expressed their grat.i.tude once again.

“That's okay.”

Lu Yan's expression was indifferent.

It was an easy feat to build the base station.

After a long while…

She left in a breeze.

The Swordsmen watched her as she left, before they rested their gaze back to the legacy site.

“Can we still develop it?”

“Not anymore.”

“All of us are seven-star, we can't enter. We can only use our Sword Auras to go as deep as possible from the outside… It is too deep inside. We can't reach it at all.”

The Swordsmen felt regretful.

The initial development of the legacy site had been smooth. They covered half of the legacy site in one month. However, as they delved deeper into the legacy site, it felt like a waste of effort…

The spirit was willing but the flesh was weak.

“How's the stability of the legacy site?”

“There is no problem. It is very stable. It would not be a problem as long as no seven-star is allowed inside! Lu Yan had fought a few times inside and we could not feel any impact.”

“Very good. Is the name list ready?”

“Yes, all of them are outstanding peak six-star disciples. Few of them are advanced six-star. There is Lu Ming as well.”

“Lu Ming?”

“Lu Yan's brother.”

“Why is he here?”

“Because of what just happened.”

“Alright.”

The Swordsmen were silent.

Lu Ming…

The person who mastered the phenomenal swordplay!

The a.s.sociation had seen the sword. They were reluctant to admit that it provided Lu Ming with peak six-star power but that was all.

Many of the Swordsmen were almost peak six-stars!

Oo…

Perhaps this was why Lu Yan had agreed to come?

That was possible.

If that was the case, so be it. The environment of the ancient Swordsmen legacy site was harsh and one still had to explore the map… It was not only a test of one's combat capability. It was also a test of one's navigation skills!

And Lu Ming had none of those.

He was an advanced five-star. It was too much of a stretch for him. They did not need to worry.

Hence…

The Swordsmen glanced at each other and no longer had any problems.

“The signal is connected.”

“It seems like we can activate this before the agreed time.”

One senior Swordsman was filled with emotions. “Notify all the qualified disciples tomorrow morning. Three days later, meet here to enter the ancient fallen Swordsmen burial ground!”

“Understood.”

The Swordsmen looked serious.

The next day.

Sword Card Master a.s.sociation.

Lu Ming who just woke up received a notification from the Swordsman a.s.sociation—Go to the Swordsman a.s.sociation three days later and be prepared to enter the ancient fallen Swordsmen burial ground!

“It's coming!”

Lu Ming's heart skipped a beat.

No ordinary man could enter it!

This was a small ancient world. Unless they destroyed it immediately, the seven-star big shots had no chance of entering. Like the vice president had said…

No one had entered it before.

This meant that…

Ever since the ancient Swordsmen pa.s.sed away, it had been hidden from the world by the snow!

What was inside it?

He was looking forward to finding out.

However…

At this moment.

He suddenly received Wu Hongfei's message—”I just realized what Ma Sha is.”

“Huh?”

Lu Ming sent a message to Wu Hongfei. There was no reply.

Lu Ming frowned.

What was Wu Hongfei up to?!

[1] A series of fighting games by j.a.panese video game hardware and software company SNK.

[2] Yan Suya sounds like salted crispy duck in Chinese.

[3] This was taking a dig at the Chinese television series remake of Battle Through the Heavens. In the original novel, the characters used their abilities to conjure wings to travel around, however in the remake, the characters were seen traveling on horses.