Chapter 3: The Sword from Beyond

Mels returned to the inn late at night. Sol was clearly sound asleep by then, completely unaware of Mels' return. Once inside the room, Mels kept thinking about Sha Luo, wondering how much truth there was in what she had told him. However, with only that little to go on, it was impossible to make a judgment. Before he knew it, Mels drifted into a deep sleep, his doubts unresolved.

Over the next few days, Mels and Sol would split up each day to search the city for any trace of Rek and the others. But after seven days, the two still had no leads. It was obvious that Rek and the others had missed the agreed meeting time without showing up.

As time passed, Mels and Sol grew more anxious by the day. They couldn't help but worry that something might have happened to Rek and the others. However, they also understood that given the current situation, all they could do was wait. So, starting from the eighth day, Mels and Sol just left a bunch of secret signals in various corners of Sekban, no longer going out daily to search for their companions.

"Boss, it's been ten days already. According to our original agreement, Big Stupid Ox and the others should have met up with us here three days ago. Why haven't we seen any sign of them yet?"

Sol knew full well that Mels couldn't answer his question, but he still voiced the worry in his heart.

"I'm not sure either. Maybe they got delayed on the way. After all, this is a remote border area, and it's normal for small mishaps to happen during a long journey. Don't worry, Rek and Akafir are no weaklings, and Bagina is sharp as a tack. I'm sure nothing could trouble them." Mels said, smiling at Sol.

Although Mels' smile reassured Sol quite a bit, Mels' own anxiety was perhaps something only he himself could understand.

"Move aside, move aside, let me through!" Suddenly, a loud shout rang out from the inn's entrance. Following the voice, Mels and Sol both stood up to look. They saw Kaslo, cloaked and carrying a young man on his back, striding in through the door.

"Ah! It's you!" After confirming Kaslo's appearance, Sol's jaw dropped in surprise.

Hearing Sol's voice, Kaslo only glanced up, then immediately set down the young man he was carrying and turned to flee out the door. But by then, Mels had already moved to block the doorway, cutting off Kaslo's escape.

"Hehe, don't be in such a hurry to leave. My brother still wants to have a good chat with you." Mels said with a playful grin, looking at Kaslo.

"Brothers, what a fortunate meeting. I never expected you to be staying at this inn. Ah, last time I didn't properly thank you two. Today I should invite you for a few drinks, but unfortunately, I have urgent matters to attend to. I'm afraid I'll have to excuse myself." Kaslo, ever the seasoned lone thief, instantly put on a friendly smile.

"Cut the crap, stop playing dumb. What about the fee for saving you last time? If you don't hand it over, don't even think about leaving this inn!" Sol still remembered how Kaslo had tricked him before and snapped.

Watching Sol's approaching figure, Kaslo instinctively gathered his Qi. However, before he could even prepare to strike, Mels' voice cut in coldly from behind him: "You'd better not think about doing anything disrespectful to my brother, or this could end very badly for you!"

Startled that Mels could so keenly sense the Qi he had gathered, Kaslo shuddered. He understood that trying to escape from Mels using force would be the stupidest move.

"Hehe, big brother, what are you talking about? I really don't understand." Kaslo's smile was already somewhat stiff. "That's for the best, otherwise... hehe." Mels still smiled as he looked at Kaslo, but the fighting spirit he gave off sent a chill down the latter's spine.

"Boss... it's... you... so good..." Suddenly, just as Mels and Sol had all their attention focused on Kaslo, the young man Kaslo had thrown on the ground let out a groan.

Following the sound, Mels' gaze fell upon the young man on the floor. The sight made his face pale with shock: "Akafir!"

It turned out the young man lying on the ground was actually Akafir, only now he had long since fallen unconscious and could no longer speak.

"Talk! What did you do to him?" Seeing that Sol had already helped Akafir up, Mels quickly drew his longsword, pointing the tip at Kaslo and shouting.

Clearly, Mels had linked Akafir's unconscious state with Kaslo, convinced that Kaslo was the enemy who had harmed Akafir!

"Whoa, wait, boss, I don't know this person! I didn't do anything to him either! Ah, why am I so unlucky, always running into strange things. At noon today, while I was wandering outside the city, I suddenly found him lying in a corner by the city wall. At first, I thought he was just a starving commoner and didn't pay him much attention.

Later, I noticed the many jewels embedded in the longsword he carried, and my light-fingered habit kicked in again. Who knew that as soon as I got close to him, this seemingly dead man suddenly sprang to life, pointed his sword at me, and demanded I give him food. Knowing I was no match for him, I had to obey and hand over my rations. But as soon as he put it in his mouth, he started choking.

I could have just walked away, but I didn't want him to die like that, so out of kindness I brought him back to the city. Who knew I'd run into you here. This really has nothing to do with me!" Kaslo loudly protested his innocence to Mels.

Looking into Kaslo's eyes, Mels knew he wasn't lying this time. But Mels still couldn't bring himself to fully trust this Kaslo who was always full of it.

After thinking for a moment, Mels lowered his sword and said coldly, "You stand right here. We'll wait until Akafir wakes up, and I'll find out exactly what happened between you two. Remember this: if you try to run, we'll see if you can outrun my sword!" After saying this, Mels finally walked over to Sol's side to check on Akafir's condition.

"Boss, Akafir is fine. He's just too hungry and exhausted. Probably because he starved for too long and then suddenly ate dry, hard food, his body couldn't take it, which is why he choked and passed out. I think he should wake up soon." Sol said.

"Mhm, then help him into the room." Mels nodded, somewhat relieved, and said to Sol.

"Boss, I think we should find another place to stay." After hearing Mels' words, Sol shot a discreet glance around.

Following Sol's gaze, Mels noticed that everyone around them—whether merchants or the inn's staff—was looking at them with suspicion and fear.

Clearly, Mels' earlier act of holding a sword and everything he did to Kaslo had made everyone wary of them. If they continued staying here, they'd likely get hauled in by the city guard for questioning.

"That's fine too. Akafir is weak now and needs better food. Let's move to a bigger inn." Mels nodded to Sol. Then, he carried Akafir on his back and, escorting Kaslo, walked out of the inn.

"Boss, where are we going now?" Sol, having settled the bill and hurriedly caught up, asked Mels.

"Let's go to Sha Luo's place. It's the biggest inn in the city. I'm sure the environment is good." Mels answered without hesitation.

"Sha Luo? Who's Sha Luo?" Sol, unaware of Mels' encounter with Sha Luo, asked curiously and with surprise.

"That girl we met when we first got here. Anyway, right now we need to settle Akafir. We can talk about other things later." Only then did Mels realize he had misspoken and quickly changed the subject.

Although Sol didn't fully understand what Mels was talking about, he knew Mels at least had a clear destination in mind, so he didn't ask further. Instead, he walked beside Kaslo, constantly asking him about the hiding place of the treasure.

In no time, Mels led them to the entrance of Guanghe Garden. It was noon, so Guanghe Garden was naturally bustling with business, its doors crowded with customers.

Mels had originally thought it would take some effort to find Sha Luo, but to his surprise, as soon as he stepped into the shop, the elderly, white-haired manager hurried over and whispered to Mels, "Are you perhaps Young Master Mels?"

"That is indeed me. I've come today hoping to speak with your young lady." Mels said politely to the old manager.

"Please follow me." After confirming Mels' identity, the old manager immediately led the group of several people to the inner hall. After resting for a while in an elegant small building, Sha Luo appeared before Mels, dressed in a light blue gauze dress with light makeup. Seeing Sha Luo today, Mels and the others couldn't help but brighten up, momentarily forgetting to bow and greet her. Instead, Sha Luo smiled slightly and spoke first: "Young master, what brings you here so suddenly today?"

"Oh, my brother isn't feeling well. I was worried the small inn we were at wouldn't be good for his recovery, so I thought of coming to stay here. I wonder if you have any vacant rooms?" Hearing Sha Luo's melodious voice, Mels perked up and spoke.

"I see. That's just a small matter. I'll arrange a VIP room right away so your friend can rest properly." Sha Luo said with a smile.

"Then I'll trouble you, miss." Mels thought happily.

"Young master, please follow Xiu Ante to the VIP room to get settled. When night falls, I will host a welcoming dinner for you." Sha Luo said, then gave some instructions to the old manager. Soon after, the old manager led Mels and the others to an elegant small building in the backyard.

Under Mels' careful care and Sol's healing with natural magic, a few hours later, Akafir had come to and was able to move again, confirming that Kaslo indeed hadn't harmed him.

"Akafir, since you weren't hurt by anyone, how did you end up like this? Did you run out of money to buy food?" Sol asked curiously.

"No, when I left the masters, they gave me a bag of gold coins. I've been using that money to buy food all along." Akafir replied to Sol's question while drinking porridge.

"If you had money and weren't hurt, and the city was right in front of you, why did you starve to the point of fainting outside the city?" Even Kaslo, who hadn't left yet, felt surprised and couldn't help but ask.

"Actually, I wanted to go into the city to buy food too, but these past few days were the time we agreed to meet, right? Brother Mels once said: meet at Sekban Fortress City. Since we were meeting at Sekban, I waited outside Sekban's city gate, believing you would definitely come find me!" Akafir stated matter-of-factly.

Hearing Akafir's explanation, everyone finally understood what had happened!

It turned out the innocent and naive Akafir, worried he might miss Mels, had been waiting outside the city all along. Even when starving to the point of fainting, he didn't dare to easily enter the city to buy food.

"Boss, I really can't figure it out. How could they let this Silly Boy come all the way here alone?" Sol asked.

"Akafir, let me ask you, where are Rek and Bagina? Weren't they supposed to come with you?" Mels didn't respond to Sol but turned to continue asking Akafir about the other two.

"This is what happened. The masters discovered new information about the mysterious man, so they ordered Brother Rek to handle some matters. According to the masters' intentions, Brother Rek won't be coming for now. And after Miss Bagina returned to the Magic Family, her elders forbade her from leaving, so I had to come alone." Akafir honestly told Mels everything.

After hearing Akafir's words, Mels understood in his heart. Bagina was, after all, a young lady from a noble house. It made sense that the Seven Immortals of Myriad Changes and the Magic Family wouldn't allow her to go on a sea adventure with them. And Rek's departure must have been for a very important mission. It seemed that now, only the three of them could set sail to search for clues about the mysterious man.

"Actually, that might be for the best. At least Rek and Bagina are in safe environments. Sol, if you don't want to go with me, you can stay here. Going to sea is too dangerous." Mels said after some thought.

"Boss, what kind of talk is that? I believe if Big Stupid Ox didn't have urgent business, he would definitely have come. No matter what, I'm going with you."

At such a critical moment, Sol would never back down. This was also why Mels trusted him so much.

"Brother Sol, you guessed right. Brother Rek explained very carefully to me when he left. He told me to tell you that he definitely isn't staying away out of fear for his life, but because what the masters discovered might affect the survival of the continent. So he had to go investigate and let the masters decide what countermeasures to take. Also, he told me to protect Brother Mels well." Akafir blinked and said to Mels and Sol.

At Akafir's words, Mels and Sol felt a surge of emotion, knowing their brother was no oath-breaker, and their previously weighed-down spirits gradually eased.

"Fellows, are you planning to set sail to find the Immortal Island?" Suddenly, Kaslo, who had been listening quietly nearby, asked.

"Hmm? You know about the Immortal Island?" Mels sensed something in Kaslo's tone and asked with interest.

"Of course! I have a nose for any treasure, you know. You must be aware of the legend that our continent was created by celestial deities. While constructing this continent, the immortals also fashioned two other lands for themselves and the demons. The three lands are separated by different barriers, and to enter the realms of immortals or demons, you need a key to break through the seals!

My family has been treasure hunters since my grandfather's generation. My father spent his entire life obtaining a map that could lead to the Immortal Island. His lifelong wish was to see what the Immortal Island looked like, but unfortunately, he died. After his death, I took up his quest and set out to sea three times in search of the Immortal Island, but each time, problems with the ship prevented me from succeeding. If you truly intend to go to the Immortal Island, I can bring you the map, but on one condition: you must take me with you!" Kaslo suddenly spoke to Mels with a serious expression.

After hearing Kaslo's words, Mels and Sol exchanged glances. Although they had long planned to head to the Federation and had already found the high-speed Wind Ship, and even possessed the map given by the mysterious man, they knew nothing about the various perils at sea. Now, hearing that Kaslo had ventured out to sea multiple times, Mels couldn't help but feel tempted.

After thinking it over briefly, Mels turned to Kaslo and said, "Where we're headed might not be the Immortal Island you mentioned, and the journey will likely be very dangerous. Since this is our first time sailing alone, we lack extensive seafaring experience. Although I'd like to take you with us, after careful thought, doing so would do neither of us any good. So..."

Before Mels could finish, Kaslo interjected, "I'm not afraid of danger. If I had a good ship, I'd probably have set sail long ago to pursue my dream. I know you're knights of the Dragon Knights Regiment, so you must have access to the best sailing vessels. That's why I truly hope to sail with you.

Moreover, I've sailed alone three times and have the seafaring experience you lack. Even if your destination isn't the Immortal Island, it doesn't matter—I just want to see the scenery on the other side of the ocean. Boss, please take me with you. I'm sure you'll need me."

"Boss, he actually seems like a decent guy, and we do need experienced sailors. With Rek and the others not coming, we have extra space anyway. Why not let him join?" Sol seemed to have taken a liking to Kaslo and spoke up for him.

In truth, Mels had also wanted Kaslo to join. His earlier words were merely to test Kaslo's determination and gauge Sol's reaction to his inclusion. Now that Sol had agreed first, Mels naturally went along with it, ready to grant Kaslo's request.

"If that's the case, I don't have a problem with it either. Once Akafir recovers, the four of us will..." Before Mels could finish, the door suddenly opened, and Sha Luo stood at the entrance holding some linens. "I want to go with you too." Before Mels and the others could react, Sha Luo suddenly spoke up.

Actually, Mels had already known she was standing outside the door, but he didn't think their conversation contained any crucial secrets, so he didn't expose her eavesdropping. Instead, he wanted to use this opportunity to see how Sha Luo would react. However, he never expected this delicate-looking girl to propose joining them on their journey.

"Miss Sha Luo, do you know what you're saying?" Mels turned to face her, surprised, and sought confirmation again.

"Brother Mels, I said I want to go on this sea adventure with you." Sha Luo earnestly repeated her decision.

"Miss Sha Luo, I don't know why you want to sail with us, but I must tell you, it's impossible. The sea holds not only unknown dangers but also potential enemies. To put it bluntly, even we aren't confident we'll return alive, let alone someone like you who doesn't know martial arts.

Honestly, if we took you along, you'd just be dead weight. That would be the worst choice for both you and us!" Mels looked at Sha Luo sternly, refusing firmly.

"Brother Mels, you're really underestimating me. Come with me." With that, Sha Luo set down the linens she had brought for Mels and the others and turned to walk outside.

Mels glanced back at Akafir, confirming he had fallen asleep due to exhaustion, then followed Sha Luo out of the room with Sol and Kaslo.

Following Sha Luo, Mels and the others crossed the central courtyard of Guanghe Garden and arrived beside a quiet small building in the rear garden. Sha Luo opened the door first, beckoned to Mels and the others, then disappeared inside. Following her, Mels and the others entered the building and were astonished to find a trapdoor in the floor, wide enough for three people to walk side by side, with Sha Luo waiting at its entrance.

"Miss Sha Luo, what is this place...?" Mels scanned the surroundings and asked Sha Luo with confusion.

"This is where I usually practice martial arts. If you doubt my strength, I challenge you!" Sha Luo said calmly to Mels.

Hearing her words, Mels was greatly surprised. Just as he was about to say something, Sha Luo raised her hand to stop him, then led the way down the secret passage.

"Boss, another young lady who doesn't know her limits. From the looks of it, she's only learned a few flashy moves at most, yet she dares to challenge you to a one-on-one fight. She's simply out of her league." Upon hearing Sha Luo's words, Sol showed an expression of disdain.

However, Mels had a strange feeling. Logically, given his current skill level, no matter how well an opponent concealed their strength, he should be able to sense something.

Yet, ever since his first meeting with Sha Luo, he had never detected any signs of Qi from her. Could it be that Sha Luo was truly just a foolish girl, as Sol said, or...?

Mels' curiosity was replaced by caution. He knew far too little about Sha Luo, this girl he had just met, and it was precisely this ignorance that made him sense a potential threat.

Without a word, Mels followed Sha Luo's footsteps into the underground chamber. Seeing Mels' serious expression, Sol could only shrug helplessly and follow him into the passage.

Kaslo was the only one who remained behind. At that moment, his eyes were drawn to a few inconspicuous calligraphy scrolls hanging on the surrounding walls: "The Qi of heaven and earth originates from humans; the spiritual Qi of humans originates from heaven. When heaven and humans oppose each other, all things cease; when humans and heaven harmonize, nothing can stand against them."

After softly reciting the words on the scrolls, Kaslo's expression gradually turned grave. He murmured to himself, "Could that girl really be a descendant of 'that person'? If so, the boss might be in trouble!"

By now, Mels and Sol had followed Sha Luo dozens of meters underground. Although the lighting here was somewhat dim, the air was exceptionally fresh, without the usual stale feeling of basements. It was clear that the person who designed this underground chamber was no ordinary individual—even the ventilation system here was something rarely seen in the outside world.

After descending slowly for another two or three minutes, they arrived before a massive underground door. Just from the dull sound it made as Sha Luo pushed it open, Mels knew it must be forged from cast iron.

Following Sha Luo inside, they were astonished to find a huge circular training ground about a hundred meters in diameter. Countless swords were arranged around the perimeter, and on the inner wall opposite the entrance, four large golden characters were inscribed vertically: Celestial Sword Sect!

Looking at the four characters before them, Mels and Sol could no longer laugh or dare to underestimate Sha Luo.

For thousands of years, a martial arts myth had circulated across the continent: the Celestial Sword Sect. Unlike other organizations, each generation of the Celestial Sword Sect had only one successor, who would often appear suddenly on the continent, challenge various masters, and then vanish just as abruptly.

In known duels, apart from the most recent Celestial Sword successor who lost to Duke Bolt by a half-move margin, there had been no record of any Celestial Sword Sect successor ever being defeated in a duel. Thus, whenever martial artists on the continent spoke of the Celestial Sword Sect, they did so with a tone of both reverence and fear.

Xiu Lante had once told Mels the details of the duel between the Celestial Sword successor and Duke Bolt. According to Xiu Lante, it was difficult to say who truly won or lost at the time. However, since the Celestial Sword successor considered not defeating Bolt as a failure, it was rumored that he lost by a half-move. If a winner had to be declared, it could at most be called a draw.

"Brother Mels, I am the thirteenth-generation successor of the Celestial Sword Sect. However, because I am a woman, I cannot cultivate our sect's highest mental technique, the 'Celestial Heart Scripture.' But you must not underestimate me because of this. My master once told me that on this continent, there are at most a hundred people who could be my match. So, you must face me seriously!" Sha Luo walked to the center of the training ground and said solemnly.

"Miss Sha Luo, I now believe your identity. Can we call off this duel?" Mels actually didn't want to fight Sha Luo.

Although Mels was also eager to experience the strength of the Celestial Sword Sect, wielding weapons against a girl was not his intention. That's why he deliberately adopted a humble stance to avoid the fight.

However, Sha Luo gently shook her head and said in a very serious tone, "Brother Mels, I believe you know that each generation of the Celestial Sword Sect successor challenges the great masters of the continent. Therefore, even if we avoid this duel today, I will inevitably challenge you in the future. So, before our strength gap widens, I wish to formally challenge you in the name of my sect's honor!"

Hearing Sha Luo's tone and seeing her resolute stance, Mels pondered for a moment, then calmly walked to the center of the training ground. No matter how much Mels wanted to avoid the fight now, he absolutely could not back down—because Sha Luo had issued him a proper challenge, invoking the supreme dignity of a martial artist!