The level 110 Earth-grade armor possessed simple yet brutal stats. Both the 1000 points of base attack power from the Fiery Qilin's might and the 8000-point increase in resilience were enough to elevate this armor to extraordinary status. After donning it with a "clink," the fiery red armor transformed into snow white under the skin dyeing, and wisps of profound and majestic aura surrounded it. Lin Zhao's combat power surged by nearly 2000 points, a truly terrifying prospect.
【White Robe】(Sword Master)
Level: 113
Attack: 4680-6040 (+324%)
Defense: 4400 (+334%)
HP: 54500
Crit: 20%
Lifesteal: 56%
Damage Reduction: 32%
Damage Increase: 170%
Wits: 99
Charm: 71
Reputation: 91780
Combat Power: 14225
...
There wasn't much to say about this stat panel. If nothing unexpected happened, he was likely the number one player in the country. Although the elites of major guilds were currently supported by large groups, such as Su Xinghe, Yi Shi Cang Liang, Xian Bai, and others, who received priority in experience, equipment, and skills within their guilds, these individuals would have a low chance of winning if Lin Zhao fought them one-on-one. Lin Zhao's advantages weren't just limited to equipment and skills; his edge in Flying Swords and the Sword Cultivation Lake was something other players couldn't match.
"Phew~~~"
He exhaled. Today's mission was successfully completed. He had forcibly killed a Song Miao of the Eleventh Realm, resolving a grave, imminent threat to Snow Domain Heavenly Pool. It was time for a good rest.
Checking the time, it was past eleven o'clock. He logged off and went to have a late-night snack with everyone.
...
As Lin Zhao drifted into slumber, the world outside his dream continued as usual.
Fusang Great Wall.
In the dead of night, the cold wind howled.
A woman as fair as snow sat atop the city wall, holding a pot of cheap wine worth 10g. After taking a sip, her cheeks flushed slightly, but her sword intent seemed to grow even stronger. In that instant, her state of mind seemed to achieve a new discovery. A sword charm, which had repeatedly eluded her, finally took shape around her Sword Heart. Lin Wanhua's path of the sword was thus further perfected.
She couldn't help but smile, raising her wine pot to the bright moon.
Not long after, a figure descended gracefully, standing not far from Lin Wanhua. He was a young man in a gray-white long robe, carrying a long sword on his back. He possessed an extremely refined appearance, exuding an air of scholarly elegance.
The newcomer was named Jing Chu, a sword cultivator of the Thirteenth Realm from the Confucian Academy, and the only Thirteenth Realm sword cultivator in his lineage.
"Miss Lin."
Jing Chu cupped his fists and smiled, "Long time no see."
Lin Wanhua frowned and said, "You should just call me Lin Wanhua. I don't particularly like you calling me 'Miss Lin'."
"Ah?"
Jing Chu was slightly taken aback, a little confused. He simply smiled faintly, "Alright, I'll call you Lin Wanhua from now on."
Lin Wanhua smiled. In her heart, only Lin Zhao was qualified to call her "Miss Lin," and she liked that address. If anyone else used it, she felt as though the words "Miss Lin" were being desecrated. Even if the person was a prodigy like Jing Chu, it was still unacceptable.
"Jing Chu, what brings you away from the Confucian Academy again?"
Lin Wanhua asked, "Are you still going to the East Sea to see that person?"
"Mm."
Jing Chu felt a bit awkward and chuckled, "Although I am a Thirteenth Realm sword cultivator, I haven't achieved much in the way of the sword. My swordsmanship can't be considered particularly high. Being able to spar with that person is already me doing my part."
"Are you being too modest?"
Lin Wanhua smiled faintly, "When it comes to fighting, you are almost invincible among the younger generation of the Confucian Academy. Among the older generation, aside from those few Sages, I doubt many could defeat you."
"Scholars prefer to reason and avoid confrontation if possible."
Jing Chu smiled, "I passed by Fusang Great Wall on my way to the East Sea, so I decided to visit you and deliver a message."
"The same message?"
"Mm!"
Jing Chu nodded emphatically and smiled, "Before the great shift in the world occurs, do not break through to the next realm. The Confucian side requests that Lin Wanhua of Fusang Great Wall remain in the Twelfth Realm. Even in the direst of circumstances, you must not break through."
Lin Wanhua's delicate eyebrows furrowed, "What do you mean? Even if someone tries to kill Lin Wanhua, I'm not allowed to advance to the Thirteenth Realm to protect myself?"
"Yes."
Jing Chu nodded, "That is the intention of the Old Master. For the sake of the world, the life of one Lin Wanhua is indeed less significant than a Fourteenth Realm human sword cultivator who appears out of nowhere, isn't it?"
"Hmph!"
Lin Wanhua was slightly indignant, "Lin Zhao could die at any moment in Snow Domain Heavenly Pool. If it's for Lin Zhao's sake, I can't break through either? Are you asking me to watch Lin Zhao be killed with my own eyes?"
"You won't have to."
Jing Chu smiled, "Lin Zhao will not die in the short term. If his life were truly threatened, let alone him being my junior fellow disciple (though not of the same master), the one from the Ancestral Court of the Military School would likely descend personally and strike again."
"So..."
Lin Wanhua frowned, "Lin Wanhua and Su Qingjiu can both die, is that right?"
"Correct."
Jing Chu said apologetically, "Even I, Jing Chu, can die. For the survival of humanity, what does it matter if we die? Lin Zhao dared to be the first in the world back then, willing to die to draw the demon race into the fray. What right do we, the so-called Upper Five Realms, have to fear death?"
"I don't fear death."
Lin Wanhua pursed her red lips, "I'm just afraid I won't be able to see the person I wish to see again."
Jing Chu flicked his sleeve and repeatedly shook his head, chuckling. "I never expected the dignified Lin Wanhua to be troubled by love. Are you not afraid this emotion will become your inner demon, an obstacle to your pursuit of the Great Dao?"
"It won't."
Lin Wanhua shook her head, "His existence will only make my swordsmanship more potent and make me want to live more."
"Alright, alright..."
Jing Chu pinched his nose and chuckled, "I originally came to visit an old acquaintance and deliver a message from the Confucian Academy, but instead, I had to listen to a love story that I didn't want to hear."
"People like you..."
Lin Wanhua laughed, "You value the Great Dao above all else. In my eyes, you're not even as enlightened or as vibrant as your two deceased junior brothers, Wen Liang and Gu Zixi. Those two lived more thoroughly and more spectacularly than you."
"Is that so?"
Jing Chu smiled faintly, "I think so too. Wen Liang and Zixi were both my good junior brothers. As their elder brother, it was my fault for not taking care of them properly back then. That's why I want to seek a higher Great Dao, possess stronger swordsmanship and sword intent, and when the opportunity arises in the future, kill more Upper Five Realm demons to avenge my two junior brothers. With that said, do you think my life as Jing Chu is sufficiently profound and spectacular?"
"Let's see if you can kill any great demons first."
Lin Wanhua said, "Go on then, I need to continue refining my sword."
"Farewell."
Jing Chu ascended like a roc, his sword light streaking straight towards his destination, his robes fluttering in the wind, an image of the immortal swordsman.
...
To the east, as dawn broke, a ray of golden sunlight fell upon Lin Wanhua's beautiful face. She squinted for a moment before turning to look south. There, a troop of human cavalry clad in deep blue armor was charging forward, escorting over 50,000 ragged barbarians. These barbarians had fierce eyes and ferocious expressions, having repeatedly dealt heavy blows to human armies and plundered human cities on the southern battlefield. It wasn't until Chen Xi led the Cang Nan cavalry on an expedition that a whole barbarian tribe was pacified.
"They're here again..."
Lin Wanhua sighed. This time, it wasn't the "sheep leading" ceremony from Furong Prefecture, but a "sheep leading" ceremony from Yun Prefecture. Escorted by 3,000 Cang Nan cavalrymen northward, none of the heads of these sheep were citizens of the Great Shang; they were all barbarian captives. It was likely Chen Xi's idea. She was unwilling to send Great Shang citizens to their deaths, but barbarian captives were another matter.
"Open the gate!"
In the distance, Liu Xilong, who was in charge of guarding the city gate, crossed his arms and gave the order to open it. He then flew forward and said, "City Lord, Chen Xi is escorting fifty thousand barbarian captives. Do we need to notify Snow Domain Heavenly Pool this time?"
He narrowed his eyes and smiled, "Barbarians have always been mortal enemies of our human race. My brother Lin Zhao is known for his clear-cut love and hate. He shouldn't risk his life to save these fifty thousand barbarians."
"Mm."
Lin Wanhua nodded, "However, it's still best to send a Flying Fish Dispatch to Snow Domain Heavenly Pool regarding the route and estimated arrival time of this 'sheep leading' army. At least let Lin Zhao know these people are coming. Whether he acts is up to him. We are merely passing on information."
"Alright!"
Liu Xilong chuckled, "I'll have someone send the Flying Fish Dispatch right away!"
...
Early morning.
Lin Zhao woke up early and accompanied Shen Xingchen to water flowers in the garden. Then, he took Chen Xue to the basement for half an hour of armored combat training. After showering, breakfast was ready. He ate, then logged in, and another busy day began.
"Swish!"
His character appeared inside the Natural Residence. Shortly after logging in, Xue Zhi arrived on her sword and handed him a Flying Fish Dispatch note. She said, "The demon race is once again demanding a 'sheep leading' ceremony from the Great Shang Dynasty. This time, the ceremony is from Heavenly Mechanism City, consisting of fifty thousand people, all captives of the defeated barbarians from the south. They are expected to arrive at Guyu Pass in about three days."
"Barbarians..."
Lin Zhao frowned and asked, "Are they bad?"
"Extremely bad."
Xue Zhi smiled, "These barbarians live in the southern jungles. They don't farm and only know how to hunt. When autumn arrives, they migrate north in large numbers, attacking human border towns, slaughtering civilians outside the cities, and plundering grain, livestock, and people. In extreme hunger, these barbarians even eat people. It is said that a few years ago, one hundred thousand barbarians migrated north, and in less than a month, they had eaten all the civilians in a prefectural city. After that, they attacked the next city. It was precisely because of this that the Great Shang court was enraged and dispatched Chen Xi to lead the Cang Nan cavalry on an expedition, breaking through the barbarian tribes and capturing many of them."
"I understand."
Lin Zhao looked in the direction of the eastern Guyu Pass, his mind already made up. He smiled and said, "For the next few days, use the Giant Que Umbrella Grand Formation to conceal everything in Snow Domain Heavenly Pool. When the demon race makes their move, we will also make ours."
"Ah?"
Xue Zhi's delicate mouth parted in surprise. "Are we going to save those barbarians who slaughter civilians as well?"
"Just follow my orders and don't ask for specifics. This will make me feel like my plan has lost its mysteriousness, and it won't be as interesting."
"..."
Xue Zhi chuckled and nodded, "Your subordinate obeys. I won't ask. You can plan with confidence, sir!"