Chapter 104: Not Pretending Anymore, I Am Invincible, Do As You Please

Chapter 104: No More Pretending, I'm Invincible, Do as You Please

The City of No Return.

"Ten years have passed, yet in the Canglan Realm, it has only been a single day."

A fine drizzle pattered down, landing on the city walls, leaving only scattered spots that quickly evaporated.

The earth was scorching, like a furnace, carrying a hint of oppressive heat.

Over these past few years, Qi Yuan had been guarding the City of No Return, ensuring no demonic fiends entered its bounds, while occasionally sneaking out to "hunt for prey" and "seek thrills," slaying those fiends.

His level had reached a terrifying height.

"In a while, once I'm sure no fiends are breaching the city, I'll need to go offline for a bit."

Qi Yuan had hardly gone offline at all recently.

After all, one day in the real world equaled ten years in the game world.

If he stepped out for a meal, the City of No Return would likely become a nest for demonic fiends.

All his previous efforts in guarding it would be wasted.

Of course, though this game's anti-addiction measures couldn't compare to Wangyue Continent, one couldn't live in the game forever, right?

"Senior."

Just then, a voice called out.

Qi Yuan looked over and saw two familiar figures rushing toward him.

The newcomers were none other than Liu Wentai and Liu Wenmei, whom he had met once before.

The two arrived at the foot of the City of No Return, panting heavily, their clothes thick with dust.

They seemed to have come in great haste.

"It's you two. Still alive, huh," Qi Yuan said.

Liu Wentai was momentarily speechless, but he pressed on: "Senior, something terrible has happened. A few years ago, we drove Mi Sang away, and the Yuzhou region enjoyed a brief peace.

But now, Mi Sang is gone, and Wu Tong has arrived.

Wu Tong is a demon controller even more terrifying than Mi Sang—a pinnacle existence among the nation-guardians. The fiends he commands far surpass those of Mi Sang!"

Qi Yuan's eyes lit up at this: "After eating grass for so many years, finally some meat comes along!"

Seeing Qi Yuan's indifference, Liu Wentai quickly added: "We've received news in Galan City that this time, Wu Tong plans to strike the City of No Return first. Once he takes it, he'll move on to the other cities!"

"Thank you both for traveling so far to bring me this good news." If this had been a few years ago, Qi Yuan wouldn't have wanted his enemies to be too strong.

But now, he was afraid they'd be too weak.

"Senior, we're not joking!" Liu Wenmei grew anxious at Qi Yuan's calm demeanor, as if he were still making light of things.

Liu Wentai also said: "Wu Tong is coming with overwhelming force. Please, Senior, relocate to Galan City and join us in facing the enemy!"

Liu Wentai truly admired Qi Yuan.

Even Dong Long, the garrison commander of Galan City, had praised Qi Yuan more than once.

After all, they all believed that Qi Yuan, guarding the City of No Return alone, wouldn't last long.

Yet Qi Yuan had persisted and was still alive and well.

Of course, that might have been because Galan City had defeated Mi Sang, easing the pressure on the Yuzhou region.

But now, with Wu Tong's arrival, the situation in Yuzhou was about to change drastically.

The City of No Return would be the first to bear the brunt, becoming the chicken Wu Tong would slaughter to warn the monkeys.

Qi Yuan looked at the two and said helplessly: "NPCs are NPCs. After all these years, the lines haven't changed."

Last time these two NPCs came, they tried to persuade him to leave.

Now, with the same spiel, they were at it again. Truly dedicated.

Liu Wentai and Liu Wenmei were completely stunned. Qi Yuan's words were beyond their understanding.

"Senior..." Liu Wenmei tried to persuade him again.

Qi Yuan waved his hand: "Even if this world is destroyed, I won't die, because... I am a player!

You two should head back now..."

As Qi Yuan spoke, he suddenly paused.

"Looks like you can't go back anymore."

Qi Yuan's gaze pierced through the desert, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

Because a powerful army of demonic fiends was advancing toward him.

"You've always wondered why I dare to guard a city alone?

Today, I'll show you.

I'll give you NPCs a little taste of a player's power!"

"It's been uncomfortable being underestimated all the time."

"Go back and tell your garrison commander: if I so wish,

For ten thousand miles, every fiend will be wiped out!"

Hearing Qi Yuan's voice, Liu Wentai and Liu Wenmei's minds went blank for a moment.

They didn't know what Qi Yuan was about to do.

And what did he mean by all this?

They watched as Qi Yuan leaped down from the city wall.

His voice, slightly crisp, drifted over.

"I... don't need teammates."

"Xiao Jia... is enough."

Comrades in arms!

In that moment, Qi Yuan no longer hid his strength.

On the vast desert, blood-red fireflies covered Qi Yuan's body.

The flowing red enveloped him, and his form began to rise, growing to a height of ten zhang.

A giant of ten zhang, clad entirely in blood-red armor, his head also encased, leaving only a pair of cold, merciless eyes exposed.

On his shoulders, barbed blood-red crystals gleamed with an eerie, mysterious light.

The massive blood-red armored giant wielded a huge blood-red broken sword. Every step he took caused the ground to tremble like an earthquake.

Liu Wentai and Liu Wenmei stared wide-eyed, fixated on Qi Yuan.

In their eyes, there was nothing but shock—pure, overwhelming shock.

What was this?

A terrifying behemoth, bursting with explosive power, stood before them.

They had a premonition that with a gentle push from this horrific blood-armored giant, the towering city of Wugui would come crashing down.

Liu Wentai and his sister could not comprehend what they were seeing.

Yet they could feel that the man before them was utterly invincible.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

In the vast desert, dust flew into the air.

The demon horde finally bared its fangs.

Before the army arrived, a shrill voice pierced the sky.

"I am Tiesuo, great general under Commander Wutong, and warden of Wugui City. Surrender at once, and I will spare your life!"

Within the demon horde, Tiesuo lay on a cloud chariot, his expression languid, his voice shrill.

He used telepathy, so his voice reached Wugui City before the demon army.

By now, he thought, the warden of Wugui City must be trembling on the city walls.

He rose and looked toward Wugui City.

In an instant, his gaze met an extremely cold pair of eyes.

Those eyes were entirely blood-red, filled with endless slaughter.

Arrogance, greed, lust...

Tiesuo was stunned for a moment, but when he saw the owner of those eyes, he was not just stunned for a moment—he was utterly stupefied.

A blood-armored giant, ten zhang tall, wielded a massive broken sword.

His entire body was encased in blood-red armor, not resembling a human at all.

His eyes wide, he moved his lips with difficulty: "Demon?"

The massive demon horde he commanded was enormous in size.

But compared to that terrifying blood-red armored giant, they were like chicks just hatched from eggs.

The blood-red armored giant's gaze fell upon the demon horde, and his eyes were completely consumed by greed.

An ice-cold voice rang out.

"I am invincible!"

"Watch closely—this is the foundation of my defense of Wugui City!"

Overwhelming Power!

Deathly Radiance!

Heaven-Splitting Sword Art!

The massive blood-red armored giant suddenly leaped into the air.

The entire desert floor let out a heavy groan.

A colossal broken sword descended from the sky.

Sword aura stretched thirty li!

Rumble!

Thousands of demons were struck by this sword.

Rip!

Boom.

The earth shook, and yellow sand filled the sky. Thousands of demons were torn to shreds in an instant.

Over a dozen demon lords at the Guardian level didn't even let out a roar; they were annihilated by a single sword.

Thousands of demons perished by one sword.

For a full dozen seconds, the yellow sand still churned.

On the city wall, Liu Wenmei and Liu Wentai were blinded by the sand, but they still sensed the terror and power of that sword.

How could such a mighty sword exist in this world?

One sword unleashed, and thousands of demons were wiped out!

Among them were even over a dozen Guardian-level demons.

Such terrifying strength...

Liu Wentai and Liu Wenmei were shaken to their core, and shame flashed through them.

They had worried about Qi Yuan earlier, like a firefly worrying that the sun might be burned by a candle flame.

On the battlefield of Yuzhou, the warden of Wugui City was undeniably invincible.

One sword slew thousands of demons.

Perhaps he alone could sweep through Jialan City.

Qi Yuan had finally reached level ninety.

In terms of strength, he was roughly at the mid-stage of the Divine Infant.

A prompt also reached Qi Yuan's ears.

[You have reached level 90 and gained an opportunity to comprehend the Origin. Use it now?]

He had finally obtained another chance to comprehend the Origin.

But now was not the time to use it.

He flew over and landed on the battlefield shattered by that sword.

He looked at the broken treasure cloud chariot, a hint of surprise on his face.

It could withstand one of his swords—that was a good item.

Beside it, Tiesuo lay severely wounded, unable to move. He stared at the terrifying monster before him, his eyes filled with fear and regret: "You've killed the demons... don't kill me. I am a Guardian; I am willing to surrender!"

In response, Qi Yuan's broken sword flashed.

Thus, the thousands of remnants, Wutong's vanguard, were all annihilated by Qi Yuan.

The blood-red armor dissolved into red fluorescent light, and Qi Yuan returned to his previous handsome appearance.

He emerged from the swirling yellow sand and landed beside Liu Wentai and Liu Wenmei, a helpless smile in his eyes: "Now do you understand why I didn't go to Jialan City?"

Liu Wentai and Liu Wenmei were silent, staring at Qi Yuan. Their emotions were a mix of excitement and a trace of fear.

That terrifying blood-red giant was still deeply etched in their memories.

"I usually can't be bothered to explain, especially to NPCs, but you two kept chattering endlessly, like canaries—except your voices aren't as pleasant, and you're annoying."

Of course, even if these two hadn't come, Qi Yuan would have slain the demons with one sword.

"So, thank you for your concern. Now leave." Qi Yuan issued his dismissal.

Liu Wentai and Liu Wenmei exchanged a glance, both seeing the unmitigated shock written in each other's eyes.

The pair bowed deeply and solemnly to Qi Yuan before departing at lightning speed.

Yet at that moment, Qi Yuan's voice drifted through the air once more.

"Do not let the youngsters believe, only for the elders to doubt again."

"You are not fiendish aberrations, and I have no fondness for fishing in such waters."

Having spoken his mind, Qi Yuan wasted no time and entered the city, seeking out a secluded spot.

"Comprehending the Source..."

Once again, he sought to fathom the ultimate source.

Following Qi Yuan’s soft murmur.

The vision before his eyes shifted anew.

The yellow sands vanished entirely, replaced by a swirling, hazy mist.

Seated atop the crest of Mount Jiupan, Qi Yuan suddenly widened his eyes.

For he discovered that the Gate of Myriad Manifestations was right there upon Mount Jiupan!

The last time he had come to Mount Jiupan, the Gate of Myriad Manifestations still hovered in the distant vault of heaven.

This time, it stood remarkably a mere few hundred yards away from him.

So very close, almost within reach.

Yet Qi Yuan could not touch it at all.

He cast a glance toward the place where the canary's little nest used to be; it was now completely empty, with nothing left behind.

Qi Yuan turned his gaze back to the Gate of Myriad Manifestations.

[You have comprehended the Gate of Myriad Manifestations, Aberrant Ability +10.]

[You have comprehended the Gate of Myriad Manifestations, Coughing Ability +10.]

[You have comprehended the Gate of Myriad Manifestations, Clothes-Ripping Ability +10.]

Being so close, Qi Yuan's comprehension was vastly more intense than before.

Where fragments used to drop a single point at a time, they now plummeted by ten points in one go.

"Not good, it's too hot, absolutely scorching."

Qi Yuan looked down at himself.

He discovered that his entire body was now a vivid, blood-red hue, churning and boiling incessantly.

With every breath, he felt as though his corporeal form was being parched, evaporating continuously.

"Could it be because I am too close to the Gate of Myriad Manifestations?" Qi Yuan hastily rolled himself down the mountainside.

And right at that moment, a colossal fragment cascaded down.

[You have comprehended the Gate of Myriad Manifestations, Path of the Human Fiend +99999.]

???

Qi Yuan was completely dumbfounded.

A single strike for nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine damage?

What on earth was this, the Path of the Human Fiend?

As he absorbed this influx of information, a look of profound shock flashed across Qi Yuan’s eyes.

"Is this an entirely new cultivation system?"

"No, wait, isn't this precisely the cultivation system of the Liufeng Realm?"

"I, a mere player, have actually learned the cultivation method of an NPC?"

"A complete compendium of the entire system, this truly is..."

Qi Yuan was somewhat dazed.

By this time, he had already fled halfway down the mountain.

That boiling sensation of imminent evaporation, the feeling of merging into one with the Gate of Myriad Manifestations, finally dissipated a fraction.

He cast aside his previous bewilderment.

"I shall just sit right here."

Qi Yuan transformed into a massive droplet of blood, continuing his contemplation of the Gate of Myriad Manifestations.

Just then, a joyful and buoyant voice drifted over.

"A blood droplet?"

Qi Yuan looked toward the source of the voice and beheld a young maiden clad in a golden gown.

The maiden's eyes were wide, her clear, autumn-water eyes brimming with pleasant surprise and delight. Her fair, delicate face resembled peach blossoms in the third lunar month, and her cherry-like lips were parted ever so slightly, radiating an aura of innocent wonder.

Upon her golden gown, shadows danced and light rippled in a dazzling display, making the maiden look as though she had just stepped out of a fairy tale.

"Are you... the Canary?" Qi Yuan reflected that during his contemplations, he did seem to know a canary.

If this little beauty wasn’t the Canary, who else could she be?

"Hmph, this young lady knew that the moment this wretched gate appeared, you would show up too!" Standing not far away, the Canary looked at Qi Yuan and took no further steps forward.

"How long have I been gone?" Qi Yuan looked at the Canary.

He surmised that it must have been quite a long time.

Did the old Canary even weigh a single pound?

Now she probably weighed around ninety pounds, didn't she?

"Forty-seven years and three months!" The Canary stood with her hands on her hips, looking exceedingly vexed.

"I have actually been gone for so long." Qi Yuan understood in an instant.

The duration of his absence had nothing to do with the time elapsed within the game, but was instead tied to the appearance of the Gate of Myriad Manifestations.

"Hmph, you left without saying goodbye, so this young lady had already stricken your name from my list of friends.

But since this young lady put on beautiful makeup today and is in a rather splendid mood, I suppose I can begrudgingly accept you as a friend again."

As the Canary spoke, she twirled her gown before Qi Yuan, saying with immense pride, "This young lady has taken human form, am I beautiful?"

Though so many years had passed, the Canary remained as enamored with beauty as ever.

"Yes, a peerless beauty... of the mortal realm," Qi Yuan remarked casually.

He was not particularly adept at praising people, nor was he skilled at hurling insults.

"Perfunctory!" The Canary pouted her little lips, and then, as a thought struck her, she suddenly exclaimed, "No way, no way, could there actually be anyone left on our Mount Jiupan who cannot take human form?"

Gratitude to God Has No Tears for the thousand-coin bounty; gratitude to Book Friend 20230602215157205, Siren of the Sea, Book Friend 150504212758410, Book Friend 20171117210122376, and Book Friend 20210212100652287 for their generous donations!

(End of Chapter)