36 Core Formation Stage

…

…

Gradually, the Qi surrounding Xuan stabilized, and…

<Congratulations! You have reached the Core Formation stage.>

'Mm… not bad,' Xuan mused, opening his eyes. 'Since I consumed Ninth-Order Beast Cores to form my Dantian, naturally, my Qi capacity will be Tier 9.'

<Trial: Core Formation — Quest Complete!>

'The Credits and Core Condensing Pills are useful, but the latter two… er, I'll just sell them, I suppose.'

Right after these notifications disappeared, a new stats screen popped up in front of Xuan:

Name: Xuan (Zero)

Age: 22

Alignment: Chaotic Neutral

Qi Capacity: 90,000/90,000

———

Cultivation: Core Formation (1st Layer)

Forging: None

Array Making: None

Alchemy: Heaven-Grade Alchemist

Beast Taming: None

———

Legacy: Zero's Heir (Blood Demon Asura Godking)

Bloodline: None

Physique: Chaos Devouring Body | Divine Dragon Body (Lv. 1)

———

Strength: 31,050

Defense: 25,750

Soul Strength: 16,476,388,178

Soul Defense: 16,472,887,289

———

Sword Intent: Lv. 1 (2,300/10,000)

Seeing this long list of information displayed before him, he let out a deep breath and closed up his System.

Then, he glanced in front of him, and blinked at the sight.

'… Why is there an enormous crowd staring at me?'

After some thought, however, Xuan realized.

'Ah… right. This is why I did not want that Wyvern to break the cave like this when leaving, but… I digress. Too late now for regret. I will just have to make do with the situation.'

Slowly, he stood up from the floor, dusting off his clothes and facing the crowd. Before he could speak, however, city lord Yun Liao rushed forward first.

"This junior, allow me to express my gratitude for your actions in saving my city," he said, bowing down solemnly in front of Xuan. "May I ask for your honorable name?"

"…"

Xuan blinked. This was not an advancement he'd been expecting. To an outsider's perspective, the scene must have seemed very strange—an Origin Monarch who looked to be in his forties was bowing down in respect to a Core Formation stage cultivator in his twenties at best. However, if one knew the context, this all made sense—after all, Xuan had just—although inadvertently—saved Cloud Catcher City, whether he liked it or not.

"Xuan," he replied after some thought. "Just call me Xuan."

"I see… so it is young master Xuan," Yun Liao muttered before making a polite greeting gesture with his hands. "Would you care to accompany me back to my humble manor? I would like to thank you formally with a gift, and hope you will not refuse this Yun's invitation…"

Xuan pondered for a moment, then decided there was nothing to lose.

"Alright. I will be in City Lord Yun Liao's care, then."

"Hold on," Elder Pao suddenly interrupted—yet again—with a stern look on his face. "City Lord, you don't mean to say you are offering the wish prize to that boy? What blasphemy! My Stealing Heart Sect came here to assist you in your troubles, and yet you don't give anything to us?"

"What have you done, really, Elder Pao?" Yun Liao challenged in return, no longer scared of him now that the threat of the Golden Wyvern was gone. "You were prepared to run away the instant things turned too dire, and did you think I would not notice your disciples ogling the young women in my city? Not to mention wanting to capture my city's savior and using him as a hostage for your own personal gain… and now you are demanding rewards for that?"

His words seemed to strike a nerve with Elder Pao, who narrowed his eyes and gritted his teeth in anger.

"I am already saving your face here by not outright disqualifying you and your sect from receiving any rewards, Pao Shi—don't take it too far."

No longer even using honorifics, Yun Liao was clearly showing Elder Pao that this was his bottom line.

"Tch… good, good. My Stealing Heart Sect will remember this, City Lord Yun Liao," Elder Pao sneered, turning on his heel and preparing to fly away. "In two weeks' time, I'll pay you another visit. I hope you and this city you're so proud of will be ready then."

With that, he left with his disciples in tow, and everybody raised middle fingers and screamed curses as they left. Clearly, no one liked that sect, and for good reason.

Yun Liao gave a sigh before turning back to Xuan and bowing apologetically.

"My sincerest apologies, young master Xuan. I have made you see something unsightly."

Xuan, however, waved it off as if it were nothing and continued. "Think nothing of it."

"Shall we head back to the city? We can continue our talk in my manor—I will have food prepared right away."

After some thought, Xuan nodded. "Lead the w-"

"Aghhh, it's you!"

Suddenly, from the crowd of cultivators came flying forward an arrow. Xuan dodged it with impressive reaction times, but it still did surprise him a bit.

"Who…?"

Following the arrow came a white-haired girl with ferocious eyes that belonged to the wild, holding a bow in her hands and a quiver of arrows slung over her back. With great indignation, she pointed at Xuan, and blurted out a sentence that could very well have ended Xuan's career back on Earth.

"You damned pervert! That was my first time, and you just took it like that, then left me in that state without a word!"

… There was no doubt about it. This was the huntress Xuan had saved before, and the 'first time' she was referring to was probably the kiss he used to make her swallow the healing pill. Not knowing the context, however, the crowd's eyes turned to the size of gemstones as they heard the girl's emotion-filled words, and slowly, the City Lord turned to Xuan.

"Er… young master Xuan, what is the meaning of this…?"

"Ahem… now, now. Don't go around saying things that will cause misunderstandings," Xuan calmly replied, walking closer to the huntress. "If I didn't do what I did, you'd already be dead."

"I don't care! You should've just let me die. That way, I'd be able to… wait, that's not the point. You're a man, aren't you? Take responsibility for your actions."

"… And how, exactly, do you propose I do that? You want me to take care of you for the rest of your life because I stole your first kiss to push a pill down your throat and save you? Need I remind you that you are the one who owes me a favor?"

At this explanation, the crowd relaxed a bit. The huntress, however, seemed as unfazed as ever.

"I don't need you to take care of me," she replied. "I just want you to teach me how to fight. As for what you get in return… it'll be my service, day and night, around the clock. I'm not perfect by any means, but I'm confident in my physical capabilities. I can last as long as you want me to. In other words—I'm good at what I do."

"…"

Now this was a response Xuan hadn't been expecting. But… her choice of words was still somewhat… no, that wasn't the point. Instead, he pondered about her proposal. Should he accept? The huntress was a capable fighter for sure, and if Xuan had to be honest, as he was right now, he'd need someone to take risks for him.

'Hm… eh, why not. Despite how her personality is, she's actually fiercely loyal. I can at least tell that much. As weak as I am right now, I may end up needing sacrificial pawns if I get into any danger…'

Sure, he'd teach her some stuff here and there, but for the most part, he was just keeping her around as a disposable meat shield. He'd always been a lone wolf in his past life and would stick to it, but he wasn't that bad at manipulation either.

"… You have an interesting tendency to say things that can easily be misunderstood," he pointed out with a chuckle. "But I accept. Come find me tomorrow morning. Open Sky Alchemist Guild. Go around and ask if you don't know where that is. If I don't see you there by the time I wake up tomorrow, I'll take that as you've changed your mind."

"Hmph… and if you don't show up?"

"Then you can go around town and spread as many rumors about me as you'd like."

"Deal."

Xuan smiled, turning away from her. "Now then, city lord. Lead the way."

"H-Hm? Oh, yes—right away. Follow me."

On the side, the beautiful icy woman named Lady Shuang looked like she wanted to say something, but upon seeing the city lord lead Xuan away, she sighed and gave up on the thought for now. It was, after all, Yun Liao's turf. If he wanted to speak to Xuan as well, as urgent as Lady Shuang felt, she had no choice but to wait if she wanted to maintain a decent relationship with Cloud Catcher City. It was basic manners.

*****

- Several Minutes Later, City Lord's Mansion -

"Here we are."

Yun Liao pushed open the doors to reveal a grand dining room with seats and dining utensils for two, the chairs across from one another at polar opposites of the large rectangular table. On its surface were several dishes already laid out, spreading a wonderful aroma in the air that Xuan could rate 'not bad' even when comparing it to his wife Huo Fei's cooking. A shame this was just normal food and not the cooking of an Immortal Chef.

"Please, take a seat," Yun Liao invited, pulling out the chair for Xuan and letting him sit down before walking over to his own.

"This treatment is quite good," Xuan mused, looking around at the luxurious manor.

"Think nothing of it. Compared to what young master Xuan did for this city, this treatment feels lacking in my opinion, but it is the best I can do."

"Enough flattery," Xuan replied, not impressed in the least. "You said you invited me here to give me a gift, but… in reality, your true goal was to ask me some questions, right?"

"Ahaha…" Yun Liao laughed awkwardly, having been seen through with tremendous ease. "… Yes. Young master Xuan is quite perceptive."

"I have some experience is all," Xuan answered, leaning back in his chair and folding his arms. "But let's see the gift first. If it's satisfactory, I may consider answering your questions."

"Very well." Yun Liao straightened his clothes, preparing for the trade offer, and stared Xuan intently in the eyes. "As a reward for saving this city from the threat of the Golden Wyvern, you can request any one favor from me. As long as it is within my capabilities, I will fulfill it, no matter what."

'Oh… the any one wish reward of the public event?' Xuan thought in his head. 'Hm… I didn't expect this reward to fall into my hands, but… it's not like I'm going to say no. My wish—to have my old strength back—is not something he can accomplish, but if it's just any favor I can ask him…'

"I'm aware that every City Lord is in possession of a powerful secret art that relates to that city's ancestral founder. Cloud Catcher City also has one, I presume?"

At this, Yun Liao smiled. "I had guessed you would ask something along the lines of that. Yes, Cloud Catcher City has a secret art as well, and if used correctly, can be quite powerful. It is an Origin-Grade technique, after all. Would you like to learn it?"

Xuan gave a nod. "Before that, though, I'd like to hear what it is and what it does."

"Hm… about that. It'd be easier if I just demonstrate."

Saying this, Yun Liao stood up from his chair, pausing for a moment, before turning to look at Xuan.

"Now, try to hit me."

Xuan arched an eyebrow at this, but for testing purposes, didn't refuse. Retrieving Black Mamba from his inventory with a mere thought, he suddenly threw the sword at Yun Liao, aiming straight for the heart. Unexpectedly enough, however, the blade phased straight through the city lord's body as if he wasn't there at all, and cut straight into a painting on the wall behind him.

"… I see," Xuan muttered, walking over to the wall and retrieving his sword before materializing it again. "A powerful technique indeed."

Yun Liao gave a nod in agreement. "Yes. However, be mindful that it can only be used against physical attacks, not Soul techniques or Weapon Intent. What's more, just using it for one second will consume a lot of Qi, and at your current level… I'm afraid you'll only be able use it for two seconds in a day—maximum. After that, your Qi reserves will be completely depleted, and you'll need rest. Are you certain you still want to learn it?"

Xuan nodded. Qi was not a problem for him, since he could simply absorb World Qi from around him with his Chaos Devouring Body—not to mention Assimilating Qi, which could eat other cultivator's Soul techniques to replenish his own reserves.

Yun Liao, seeing his response, smiled. "Good. Young master Xuan is truly a decisive person, not backing down even in the face of hardship."

"I already said, enough flattery."

"Y-Yes, of course." Clearing his throat, Yun Liao took out a scroll from the Space Ring he wore everywhere, and handed it to Xuan. "This scroll contains the details of the technique. Learning it won't be easy—once you read it, you'll know why."

Xuan nodded. "Alright. Oh, and—sorry about the painting."

"Ahaha… don't worry about it…"

With that, Xuan left the manor without a glance backwards, having not even touched the food the city lord had offered, lest they contained some kind of truth serum. It was only after he was gone that Yun Liao realized—he'd forgotten to ask the questions he'd been planning on asking all along.

"Shit…!" He slammed the table in front of him, but ultimately sighed and sat back down in his chair. "… Well, perhaps it's a good thing I don't find out what his origins are. Wouldn't want him to come silencing me, after all…"

Xuan had controlled and manipulated the tide of the conversation so well that Yun Liao subconsciously went along with everything he said—so much so that he didn't even realize he'd been played like a fool until after the fact. But after some thought, Yun Liao shook his head in disappointment.

At the end of the day, Cloud Catcher City was saved, and the hero who accomplished that received the reward he deserved.

'All's well that ends well, I suppose.'

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