Chapter 685 Moth Fire Dance
In the forest where new members were being tested, time slowly passed by, and before they knew it, noon had come and gone. This brought about a moment of rest.
Behind the small hill, Lolan Hill and Su Ye sat in a small pavilion, with two bamboo tube meals on the table.
“How fragrant~” Lolan Hill opened the lid, seeing the steaming fragrant glutinous rice and partridge meat appear before her eyes.
[Perfumed Bamboo Glutinous Rice] (Black Iron Grade, Excellent): Made by cooking mountain orchid rice (Black Iron Grade) with partridge meat, it can replenish nutrition and some mana (Essence Power).
“This was specially prepared by the restaurants in the faction’s market. The rice is grown in terraced paddy fields on the eastern side of the faction grounds, making it a specialty of our faction,” Su Ye explained, then continued, “After this initiation ceremony, newly advanced outer disciples will receive ten pounds each month, while inner disciples have other provisions, which counts as part of the faction’s benefits.”
The two finished their lunch and took a short rest afterward.
“Jialan, are you tired? Would you like to take a break this afternoon? I’ll find another disciple to conduct the test,” although Lolan Hill appeared relaxed, she considered that if they tested for too long, fatigue could lead to mistakes. Su Ye suggested this.
Lolan Hill shook her head, “Actually, I’m not tired. Moreover, I’ve seen many different cultivation methods, feeling quite enriched.”
This morning, among the new disciples she encountered, there were not only common combat methods combining extraordinary abilities and martial arts, but also those like Yu Lingyu who fought alongside other beasts, used mechanical creations to assist them, and utilized special stealth techniques. There were even those who transformed into half-dragon forms.
These were still elite disciples at Sequence 4. In a few years, when they reach Sequence 6, the techniques they can use will become even more diverse, able to transform into giant dragons or birds, turn into fish or fierce beasts, manipulate dragon veins to summon winds and pray for rain, nurture hundreds of beasts, and create mechanical war chariots and ships.
“Alright, then it’s up to you again this afternoon, Little Jialan. But it won’t be as easy as this morning, because some particularly outstanding newcomers will arrive. They, like you, hold recommendation tokens from their uncles, and their strength is quite remarkable.”
“I understand,” Lolan Hill nodded. At this moment, a familiar clear bird call came.
A light yellow bird flew over, its appearance resembling a greatly enlarged oriole. It was none other than the fire-crested Dai Ju that Lolan Hill raised.
As it flew through the forest and saw the white-robed maiden in the pavilion, it happily chirped several times before flying over, landing in the maiden’s arms. Lolan Hill then pressed on its back to prevent it from moving around.
“Are you hungry? Why did you come here?” Lolan Hill stroked Dai Ju’s feathers, softly asking.
This little creature didn’t answer but flexibly turned its head, looking around and examining Su Ye before chirping again.
“Is this one raised by Jialan? How cute,” Su Ye looked at the round Dai Ju, wanting to touch its head.
Seeing this, Lolan Hill didn’t stop her but instead took the bird, allowing Su Ye to pet it.
“Yes, it likes to cause trouble all the time,” she pressed Dai Ju’s head with her finger, feeling the fluffy feathers were smooth.
Su Ye stretched out his hand, but Dai Ju wasn’t pleased, quickly pecking several times before turning its head, as if showing disdain.
“Hehe, it seems to look down on me,” Su Ye blinked his eyes, looking curious.
“This guy always bullies the weak and fears the strong,” Lolan Hill tapped Dai Ju’s head and hugged it again.
“It seems heavier than before. Do you want to go on a diet?” she asked.
[Chirp Chirp] (No)
Though it couldn’t speak, Lolan Hill understood its general meaning from its chirps.
“You don’t have a choice. If you don’t advance quickly, you’ll become a big chicken leg,” the girl teased the bird mischievously.
Hearing this, Dai Ju struggled in the girl’s hands, trying to escape.
“Okay, okay, I won’t make you into a big chicken leg, hehe,” Lolan Hill comforted the round bird, letting it fly away on its own.
Watching the scene between the bird and the white-robed maiden, Su Ye felt a warm sensation, secretly thinking perhaps Jialan had some kind of affinity talent.
—
In the afternoon, in the woods on the mountainside.
One by one, the new members climbed onto the white stone platform for testing. The situation was similar to the morning, but there were fewer people.
“Shi Nu, passed.” After Su Ye announced, he recorded the newcomer’s name and looked at the bottom of the paper scroll. A name was surrounded by a bright red circle.
“Qu Xinyuan, ascend the stage.”
Upon hearing Su Ye’s call, a young man dressed in dark black brocade stepped forward from the rear. His attire seemed that of a scholar, but the dark black brocade embroidered with silver bamboo was overly luxurious, unlike a regular scholar.
“Greetings, Senior Sister,” he bowed, then slowly drew his sword from behind him.
The sword was about three feet long, seemingly made of wood. As he drew it, intricate green patterns spread from the hilt to the blade. The sword’s glow became increasingly intense until it emitted a strange, fluorescent green light.
Yet, he still stood below the stage, not immediately ascending.
Lolan Hill looked thoughtfully at the young man behind him, hearing a buzzing sound.
“Ahh—”
“There are bugs,” some of the newcomers screamed in panic in the forest. Then, a group of moths with green flames, each as long as a finger, with black patterns on their white wings, flew through the forest, gathering behind the young man.
These moths, with their wings flapping, released glowing dust, igniting green flames.
[Moth of Green Fire]
Status: Healthy (Hit Detection)
Sequence: Necromancer Sequence 2 · Green Fire Moth (Excellent Black Iron Grade)
Talent:
Moth Fire [Excellent]: The powder on its wings can burn, emitting a special flame. (This flame has a slight damage bonus against soul bodies.)
Ability:
[Moth Fire Dance] (Excellent): When individuals gather in large numbers, they enhance each other’s strength. (Each ability gains a slight boost.)
Skill:
[Ghostly Flame Impact Lv. 3] (Common): Carries its own flame to impact enemies, with average effects. (Affected by talents and abilities, originally Lv. 1 → Lv. 3)
About a hundred of these green fire moths flew, illuminating the forest shade, and the young man surrounded by them was covered in green light, his fair face glowing green.
“Please bear with me.”
He shouted lowly, holding the long sword and stepping swiftly onto the stone stage. His steps were peculiar; despite walking, no sound could be heard, as if he were a ghost.
As the young man moved around Lolan Hill in his peculiar steps, the green fire moths transformed into stars following him.
Lolan Hill stood still, holding a white wooden sword in her hand, pointing it toward the earth, sensing the movements of the young man nearby.
Suddenly, he exerted force, the eerie green sword stabbing at Lolan Hill, changing its trajectory several times, attacking unexpectedly.
Lolan Hill responded, her figure turning to avoid the attack, and she swung her sword towards him.
On the white stone platform under the forest shade, the green and pure white figures interwove. The two wooden swords clashed, passing through each other, piercing into the opponent’s body.
The green turned ethereal, the white solidified, and the arena fell into a silence akin to frozen time.
(End of Chapter)
