Chapter Thirty-Eight: Return

Crackle...

Li Ju opened his eyes to find himself sitting beside a blazing campfire, surrounded by shadowy woods.

"Such powerful strength..."

He moved his body within the replica, feeling the wild energy surging inside him, and couldn't help but show a satisfied expression.

Compared to his frail body in reality, this replica physique—worthy of being called invincible among internal martial artists—was far more pleasing.

"This should be where I left off last time. It seems the time of this replica continues directly from my previous session."

He glanced around and recognized the scenery.

Just as Li Ju was about to rise and leave, a panel suddenly appeared before his eyes.

"Clear objectives:
1. Kill the Master of Famen Temple, Chan Master Ruyi (0/1)
2. Kill the Demon Sect Leader, Duan Qianren (0/1)
3. Kill the Martial Alliance Leader, Hai Yuanyi (0/1)
4. ??? (Unlocked after completing the first three objectives)

Time limit: 365 days

Task rewards: ??? (Viewable after all tasks are completed)"

"Hiss, these first three tasks..."

Li Ju couldn't help but gasp as he saw the objectives.

Chan Master Ruyi of Famen Temple, Duan Qianren the Demon Sect Leader, and Hai Yuanyi the Martial Alliance Leader—these three were the only experts of the Minor Trinity Realm in the current Flying Sword Chronicles world!

They stood at the absolute pinnacle of the entire Flying Sword Chronicles martial world!

Although in the replica, Li Ju possessed invincible internal martial prowess, even at his peak, he could barely match someone like Zhuge Huang, who was just a half-step into the Minor Trinity Realm, and was in fact somewhat inferior.

The gap between a Minor Trinity expert and an internal martial artist was immense. If he truly faced one, there would be no outcome other than being beaten to death!

"Within a year, to kill three Minor Trinity Realm masters..."

Li Ju felt a headache just thinking about it.

"And these are only the first three tasks. There might be an even more difficult fourth task after them..."

His headache intensified.

Sighing, Li Ju shook his head.

"First, I need to find a foothold in the martial world. Completing the tasks will require careful planning."

He looked at the burning campfire before him, feeling no desire to sleep, so he extinguished it and continued on his journey.

At dawn, Li Ju stood at the gate of a city. Compared to the capital of Shimen County, this city was much smaller—even less than Yangyuan County—and he lowered the straw hat on his head.

The martial world of the Flying Sword Chronicles replica was ruled by a country called Chen, whose territory was small, merely the size of a single province in Dayong. Chen was divided into six counties, and the city before him was the county seat of Shui County in the Left County, one of Chen's six.

"Entrance fee..."

As Li Ju stepped through the city gate, a guard tried to shout at him for not paying the fee. Li Ju shot him a cold glance, the murderous intent in his eyes silencing the soldier instantly.

Unlike the powerful Dayong in the real world, the Chen dynasty within the Flying Sword Chronicles was weak, unable to contend with the major martial sects within its borders. As a result, Chen's officials and soldiers feared martial experts and dared not provoke them lightly.

"Short on silver..."

Inside the city, Li Ju watched the bustling crowds and felt the emptiness of his pockets, a sense of embarrassment washing over him.

He regretted not swiping some treasures when he left the Demon Sect's inner prison.

"I need to find a way to make some money."

With this in mind, Li Ju observed the shifty-eyed street rats. When they slipped into a dim alley, he followed immediately.

"Not enough money."

Li Ju emerged from the alley, weighing the purse in his hand and finding it insufficient for his needs.

He thought for a moment, then headed straight for a rather luxurious casino in town.

"Help! Murder!"

Minutes later, a flood of panicked people rushed out of the casino.

After everyone had fled, Li Ju strode out carrying a large sack.

"This should be enough."

He was quite satisfied as he weighed the sack slung over his shoulder.

At least a thousand taels of silver.

Such quick-money methods were something he wouldn't dare attempt in the real world. The waters ran too deep there; he was merely a small fry, always wary of offending powerful figures and would never target a casino with a formidable backing.

But in the replica, his strength was second only to those three Minor Trinity experts, making him a top-tier martial master. As long as he didn't provoke those three, he could roam the martial world as he pleased.

In reality, I tiptoe; in the replica, I strike with vigor.

"Who dares commit murder in broad daylight!"

At that moment, a young man wielding a long blade burst from the crowd, slashing at Li Ju's head.

Bang!

The young man stared in confusion at his shattered blade.

"To think a small county town has an external martial expert—remarkable," Li Ju commented, ignoring the blow and appraising the young man.

Bang!

Unbelieving, the youth drew another blade from his waist and chopped at Li Ju's chest, only for the blade to shatter once more.

"Enough, stop swinging. You can't kill me."

Li Ju watched as the young man tried to draw yet another blade, and reached out to grasp the youth's head, lifting him to eye level.

"Gulp..."

Only after being hoisted up did the young man realize the imposing presence of this two-meter-tall musclebound giant. The shock of his blades failing to break the man's skin made him swallow nervously as he looked at Li Ju.

"Senior..."

The youth forced a smile uglier than a cry, his voice trembling.

For the first time, he regretted his reckless charge without understanding his opponent.

"Tell me, has anything major happened in the martial world lately?"

Li Ju still knew little about the world of Flying Sword Chronicles, and needed to gather more information.

Though his methods for doing so might not be the most friendly.