Chapter Sixty-Six: Let's Venture into the Underground City

Light, frost, flame, thunder...

All the world knows that different elements are different energies, yet few realize that, in truth, there is only one energy in existence—pure energy.

The endless transformations that GSD taught Xie Jing begin with this method: the light within his body turns to frost, freezing all it touches, then to flame, roaring and scorching, all nothing more than energy shifting its attributes.

Yet attributes possess affinity. When you cultivate a single element over time, you come to understand its qualities and powers intimately, and may even craft unique skills born from that affinity.

For Xie Jing, nothing is more fitting than light.

He stood upon the earth, holding his breath, focusing his mind. Light radiated from the short sword in his hand. He leapt high and slashed down onto the ground. The soil cracked apart, a formidable force surged from the blade into the earth, sending clumps of dirt flying skyward.

“Mountain-Splitting Earth-Shattering Slash!”

A dazzling pillar of light shot upward, indomitable, sweeping out in all directions.

Suddenly, a blade of light ignited behind him—a shining sword followed his movements, silently attached to his back.

Then, beside the brightest sword, twelve more appeared, quietly, as he faced a wild boar monster. With each attack, three or four swords slipped out behind him, piercing the creature’s body from different angles.

Guided by his own mental power, the swords suspended the battered monster in midair. Twelve blades circled it, attacking in a storm, leaving it helpless.

Xie Jing grasped the brightest sword, its blade enormous, and with a forceful throw, unleashed a beam of light several times greater than the Mountain-Splitting Earth-Shattering Slash.

The ground fractured, light soared to the clouds. Beneath the beam, Xie Jing, barely noticeable, watched as the wild boar monster was reduced to ash, then withdrew his sword.

GSD approached, his aged form stooped and limping.

“You can head to the dungeon now,” GSD said, then turned away. “You’ve trained with me for over ten days. There is nothing more I can teach you. Real combat is the best way to master energy!”

As the mentor to all ghost swordsmen, GSD had entrusted everything to Xie Jing—the skills of the four great ghost swordsmen, and most importantly, the use of energy and the mind.

Xie Jing bowed slightly to GSD, returning the short sword to the scabbard strapped to the elder’s back.

“A blade strikes flesh, but the heart cleaves the soul! Remember—use your heart to cut!”

The last words drifted to Xie Jing’s ears from afar until the old figure vanished from sight.

---

For thirteen days, Xie Jing trained daily under GSD’s guidance. The task requiring a hundred billion gold coins was long completed, leaving only the main quest of rebuilding Arad.

But Xie Jing was in no hurry. He had become enthralled by the art of swordplay.

Each move revealed the use of energy, imbued with extraordinary imagination, and greatly enhanced his own strength.

Xie Jing found it wondrous.

Before, even with immense light energy, he truly didn’t know how to wield it—like a child in a fight, flailing wildly, ending with a flashy move.

Now, Xie Jing could freeze monsters instantly, conjure seas of fire...

This map was clearly designed to help him grow stronger!

So he mused.

Yet the only way to improve was through relentless daily practice.

Dungeon! Yes!

Xie Jing glanced at the icon indicating his level, recalling GSD’s words.

The dungeon was indeed a worthy destination.

There, monsters varied, their attacks diverse. Some even carried so-called divine genes. For most players, it was merely a question of whether their equipment was strong enough to clear it, but to Xie Jing, it was the perfect place to hone himself.

Which dungeon to choose, though?

He pondered. The highest-level dungeon now must be the twenty-person Anton raid, but Xie Jing wasn’t sure he could handle Anton.

After all, the power of the apostles was world-shattering.

He could first try a weaker instance.

That settled it. For ordinary maps, the highest level now was the Power Station!

Xie Jing didn’t rush. He first returned to Seria’s inn.

Night had fallen. Behind the bar, Seria greeted him with a warm smile.

After more than ten days together, Seria was now quite familiar with Xie Jing.

---

At first, Seria had felt a vague sense of unease toward Xie Jing, suspecting he was from another world. But over these days, Xie Jing had chased away the notorious playboy Karkun for her several times, and caused no trouble. Seria now trusted him completely.

“Miss Seria, today I’ve prepared another fine bottle of elven wine. Might you have time to join me in my room for a drink and a chat about life?”

“No, get lost!” Seria replied bluntly, though her tone lacked any real annoyance, her smile bright.

Xie Jing had been inviting her for a drink these days, but Seria had never detected any lascivious intent in his eyes—mostly, he was joking.

Once again, a vine wrapped around Xie Jing, and with a swoosh, transported him to his usual room.

Inside, Hongniang sat upright, neither eating nor drinking, just staring blankly.

When she saw Xie Jing return, she reacted at last, jumping to her feet.

“Master! You’re back!”

Hongniang followed Xie Jing everywhere, but fearing she might tire, he had her stay at the inn.

This time, Xie Jing intended to bring Hongniang along to hunt monsters.

He activated the teleportation potion. The familiar game map appeared on the screen, selected Power Station, and confirmed use of the potion.

A teleport array spun beneath their feet, then turned into white light, appearing at the Power Station.

Unlike the game world, here Xie Jing saw only a ruined wasteland, the air thick with the scent of burning.

Hongniang floated behind Xie Jing, speaking: “Master, I sense many strange life forms inside. It seems they are trapped within!”

From what Xie Jing knew, this place had once been an energy center supplying power to the Sky Realm, sizable in scale. After Anton’s arrival, monsters took over, providing energy for Anton’s activities.

Xie Jing looked at the blackened entrance, broken equipment sparking with erratic currents, and the constant, mysterious roars.

In the game, the Energy Center was an ordinary map, easy to clear, its environment nothing special. Players relied on their gear, blitzed through, and moved on.

But the real Energy Center was filled only with faint glimmers from unknown sources, the crackling of electricity, darkness, and the howls of monsters.

Light burst from Xie Jing’s hand, like a miniature sun. It held no power, serving only to illuminate.