Apricot blossoms swayed, and a figure emerged from the apricot trees.
Clad in an apricot-yellow long skirt, holding a cloth-wrapped box, her delicate face etched with sorrow, she knelt directly down, trembling all over, and said, "I dare not... dare not spy. This humble woman did not mean to disturb the Sword Immortal's view..."
"Hmph!"
Lin Wanhua glanced at her and asked, "Do you know Lin Zhao?"
"I know..."
The woman replied softly, "He is my young master."
"Is that so?"
Lin Wanhua said indifferently, "Why don't you come out and acknowledge him?"
"Because... because..."
The apricot maiden sobbed, not daring to speak.
Lin Wanhua narrowed her beautiful eyes and observed that within a radius of tens of meters around the apricot tree where the apricot maiden stood, the spiritual energy was abundant and stable, forming a perfect large circle. She then chuckled, "You've been boxed in, haven't you? Afraid of implicating Lin Zhao?"
"I..."
The apricot maiden pursed her red lips, on the verge of tears.
"Never mind."
Lin Wanhua frowned, "The karma between you and Lin Zhao is not something for me to untangle easily. However, since you regard Lin Zhao as your master, it wouldn't be right for me to do nothing. Since we have met here, it must be destiny. I shall bestow upon you a sword dao mark for protection."
Saying this, Lin Wanhua raised her hand and pointed. Without regard for the maiden's consent, a flash of sword light shot into the apricot maiden's brow, forming a crimson rune. Faint ripples of light swirled around, guarding the maiden's body. Should she be attacked, this mark would naturally protect her. As for the mark's power... it wasn't too strong, but it wasn't weak either. A blessing bestowed by Lin Wanhua's strength could not be broken by anyone below the Fifth Realm.
"Thank you, Sword Immortal..."
The apricot maiden didn't understand, but she knew the power of this mark and repeatedly kowtowed, "Thank you, Sword Immortal..."
"I'm leaving."
Lin Wanhua summoned a wisp of sword light and soared into the sky. Looking down at the apricot maiden, she smiled slightly, "Do you like Lin Zhao?"
"I... I..."
The apricot maiden stammered, trembling all over.
Lin Wanhua's lips curved upward, and she said with a smile, "Dismiss that thought. You are not worthy of him, and there are plenty of others who like him..."
"Yes!"
The apricot maiden repeatedly kowtowed, "Thank you for your reminder, Sword Immortal. This humble woman will remember her place... Please rest assured, Sword Immortal!"
"I'm leaving."
Lin Wanhua rode her sword away, returning to Fusu Great Wall, a rainbow of light illuminating the northern sky.
In the wind, she narrowed her beautiful eyes, gazing at the horizon. Her mood for drinking returned. She picked up a new pot of wine and was about to open it. But then she thought, no, Lin Zhao hadn't given her much. She should conserve it, at least until he visits Fusu Great Wall again.
With that thought, she tucked the wine pot into her storage bag, even patting the bag at her waist with a sweet smile.
...
Snowy Domain Heavenly Pond, the command tent.
Lin Zhao sat steadily in the command tent. A bell rang in his ear. Here it comes, the reward he had been eagerly awaiting had arrived.
"Ding!"
System prompt: Congratulations on completing the [Defend Snowy Domain Heavenly Pond] quest. You have received quest compensation rewards: Level +3, Charm +5, Gold Coins +12000, Prestige +6000, and an additional reward: [Ascension Divine Ring] (Earth-tier)!
...
Three consecutive golden showers of light descended from the sky, instantly increasing his level by 3. In addition, there were 5 Charm points, and the Gold Coins and Prestige rewards far exceeded previous ones. He even received an extremely rare Earth-tier ring. This level of reward was far beyond what he had received before, and it was reasonable. This was the reward for repelling two Thirteenth Realm great demons. It would have been unreasonable for the reward not to be generous. Although Lin Zhao hadn't done much himself, the entire plan was largely his devising. Lin Xingchu and Lin Wanhua's reinforcements to the Snowy Domain Heavenly Pond naturally came for him as well. To receive so many rewards was, in retrospect, entirely reasonable.
The next moment, he opened his inventory to check the attributes of the Ascension Divine Ring. After a quick glance, he was stunned. He knew the attributes would be strong, but he never expected them to be this strong.
[Ascension Divine Ring] (Earth-tier)
Strength: +125
Vitality: +122
Agility: +120
Effect: Critical Hit +8%
Effect: Lifesteal +16%
Effect: Increased Damage, +20% damage dealt
Effect: Clarity, +30% chance to dodge all control skills
Effect: Power of Ascension, increases user's base attack by 1200
Effect: Predation, 25% chance to trigger a 500% attack damage on hit
Trait: Growable
Lore: The Ascension Divine Ring, the ring formed from the condensed essence and malevolent aura of Lu Hai, a legendary Thirteenth Realm great demon, defeated by the combined might of the human Fifth Realm cultivators Lin Xingchu, Lin Wanhua, and Zhi at the Snowy Domain Heavenly Pond. It is said that he shed blood and sacrificed himself for this ring. The Ascension Divine Ring possesses immensely powerful strength, and once worn, it bestows infinite possibilities.
Bonus: Increases user's attack power by 32%
Bonus: Increases user's defense by 31%
Required Level: 90
...
This was definitely a peak ring, all because of the three words "Growable"!
Moreover, even at its current Earth-tier level, the Ascension Divine Ring was already extraordinary, with maxed-out Critical Hit and Lifesteal attributes, plus a 20% damage increase. The most exaggerated was undoubtedly the "Power of Ascension" effect, which increased the user's base attack by 1200. What did this mean?
In other words, Lin Zhao's current base attack power, before any attribute bonuses, was 1672-2707. Once this "Power of Ascension" effect was added, his base attack power would become 2872-3907. The base attack power increased by a full 1200-1200. What kind of increase was this? The Thunderclap Sword's attack power was only 750-1000. With this ring, it was like Lin Zhao wielding two Thunderclap Swords, and then some. The increase in attack attributes was unimaginable!
Furthermore, this ring could grow. After Earth-tier, it could grow into Heaven-tier, Ghost Divine Artifact, Immortal Artifact, and so on. At that time, the bonus would no longer be a simple 1200-1200, but even more terrifying! In conclusion, this ring... might be the best equipment in the Huaxia region, or even the entire server, without exception!
After all, equipment with the "signature" of a Thirteenth Realm great demon like Lu Hai was truly rare.
Lin Zhao was filled with longing. Damn it, in the future, it wouldn't just be Lu Hai, but also Fu Sheng, Yu Zhi, and other great demons. If possible, even the Demon Ancestor, Devil Emperor, and Ghost Emperor's signatures. Who would ever have too many celebrity signatures?
"Clink!"
The next moment, the ring was equipped. Lin Zhao's fingers trembled as a surge of immense power flowed from his finger into his body, as if he were about to break through a realm. His attributes and combat power began to soar.
[White Robe] (Swordsman)
Level: 93
Attack: 2912-3947 (+266%)
Defense: 2490 (+278%)
Health: 39950
Critical Hit: 20%
Lifesteal: 52%
Damage Reduction: 25%
Increased Damage: 85%
Intelligence: 99
Charm: 42
Prestige: 43780
Combat Power: 8050
...
These attributes were beyond words, incredibly strong. He could defeat anything except the ultimate bosses.
Lin Zhao's face was beaming with satisfaction. But thinking of the Snowy Domain Heavenly Pond, he became worried again. He frowned, stood up, and walked to the sand table, looking troubled.
"My Lord, what's wrong?"
Zhi asked from the side.
"Alas..."
Lin Zhao frowned, "The Snowy Domain Heavenly Pond is remote and inconvenient to travel to. Moreover, there is the Washing Sword River in between, making it difficult for us to transport supplies or do anything. Zhi, do you think it's possible... to build a teleportation array in the Snowy Domain Heavenly Pond that can connect with major towns like Shanhai Pass and Tianji City?"
"Ah?"
Zhi's small mouth parted, and she murmured, "It's probably not easy. Building a teleportation array requires too many resources, and it requires people from the Mohist Ancestral Hall. Currently, there are not many teleportation arrays within the territory of the Great Shang Dynasty. They are all built with the help of people from the Mohist Ancestral Hall. Our Snowy Domain Heavenly Pond... is simply too poor to support a teleportation array."
Lin Zhao's brows were tightly furrowed, "You say, is it possible to ask Commander Han Yetang of Shanhai Pass for help, and have the Great Shang Dynasty provide people and resources to build a teleportation array in the Snowy Domain Heavenly Pond?"
"This, we'll have to ask Han Yetang to know."
Zhi replied, "And I think that although Han Yetang is a commander, a teleportation array involves too many things. Even Han Yetang cannot decide. We need to find a higher-ranking official of the Great Shang Dynasty to confirm it."
"It's alright, I'll go and see."
Lin Zhao stood up.
"My Lord, do you not need me to accompany you?"
"No."
Lin Zhao smiled and shook his head, "Your current mission is to guard the Snowy Domain Heavenly Pond with the Juque Sword. Furthermore, Fu Sheng and Lu Hai have both fled. The demon race will not make any moves in the short term."
"Mmm."
"By the way, hand me that dragon claw formed from Lu Hai's severed arm. It might be useful if I bring it along."
"Yes!"
...
Thus, Lin Zhao returned to Tianji City and teleported directly to Shanhai Pass. He then announced his name and requested an audience with Han Yetang.
It was deep into the night.
Han Yetang put down the chicken leg in her hand, "Ah? To build a teleportation array in the Snowy Domain Heavenly Pond?!"
"Is it very difficult?" Lin Zhao asked cautiously.
"It's not very difficult, it's extremely difficult."
Han Yetang said speechlessly, "Do you know how much it costs to build a long-distance teleportation array? Just spirit stones, rune stones, and gold coins alone will cost a fortune. Add to that the expenses for hiring Mohist artisans, and even the simplest teleportation array will cost at least five hundred gold coins. Within the Great Shang Dynasty, only county towns, capitals, and the six major passes are qualified to have teleportation arrays. This already consumes a great deal of national strength."
She knitted her brows, "Building a teleportation array in the Snowy Domain Heavenly Pond... I truly cannot make that decision. This matter first requires the Emperor's approval, and then it must go through the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Works, and other layers of approval before construction can begin. I am just a small commander... I really cannot help you with this..."
"But building a teleportation array in the Snowy Domain Heavenly Pond would be of great help in curbing the southern advance of the four northern tribes."
"The Snowy Domain Heavenly Pond is too far, and it might be difficult to defend," Han Yetang said. "If a few Fifth Realm demons come, our costly array might turn into smoke."
"How could that be?"
Lin Zhao took out a massive dragon claw from his inventory and placed it on the table, "The Snowy Domain Heavenly Pond is not that fragile."
"Hmm?"
Han Yetang exclaimed, "What is this?"
"The arm of a Thirteenth Realm great demon, Lu Hai! His true form is a Flood Dragon!"
"Ah?!"
Han Yetang suddenly stood up and said, "Let's go to Lanxi City in Yanzhou."
"Go to Lanxi City for what?"
"To see Grand Tutor Li Chunyang. We'll get past him first!"