Still unaware of the bloodbath that had broken out in Fenghua County, Hong Wei, who had once again gathered ten free draws, decided it was time to use them.
[Congratulations, the host has pulled a Rare-ranked character: Blade Disciple, Lin Zhao.]
[Congratulations, the host has pulled a Common-ranked character…]
[Congratulations, the host has pulled…]
[Congratulations…]
[…]
[The characters have been placed inside the Gacha Room. You can pull them out at any time.]
No Epic-rank characters this time? Hong Wei frowned slightly as he stared at the results. There were two Rare characters, which by normal standards was a good outcome. But still, he couldn't help but feel disappointed.
I want quality, not just quantity, he thought, letting out a small sigh.
Even so, he didn't dwell on it too much. He had already resolved to take things step by step and progress steadily.
So, after glancing through the results one more time, Hong Wei went about his day as usual. Once he had completed his martial arts training in the afternoon, he finally made his way to the outskirts of the town, where Lu Fan was already waiting for him.
Following the same routine as before, he sent the eight Common and Uncommon characters away with Lu Fan. And with that done, only the two Rare characters remained by his side.
He stood still for a moment, quietly studying them both. And after a short pause, he gave one of them a mission and sent him off, leaving just one figure before him now, Blade Disciple, Lin Zhao.
To his surprise, Lin Zhao wasn't a cultivator at all, but a martial artist.
A martial artist, and yet a Rare-ranked character? Hong Wei blinked. That's possible too?
For a moment, he stood there, deep in thought. But before he could ponder further, Shan Mei's voice echoed beside him.
"Master, even though he is a martial artist, I estimate that his current strength could already rival mine."
To that extent?! Hong Wei's eyes widened in shock. Martial arts… can really reach that level?
His gaze toward Lin Zhao immediately changed, as if he were staring at a priceless treasure.
Hong Wei had long felt the problem of lacking a proper instructor in martial arts. Shan Mei at the end of the day was a cultivator, after all. So now, with a martial artist whose strength was comparable to someone at the Foundation Establishment realm, wouldn't his progress from here on out only get smoother?
His eyes gleamed as he nodded, and then said with firm determination:
"Lin Zhao, from now on, you'll stay here in this town, and assist me personally in my martial arts training!"
"It is my honor, my lord," Lin Zhao responded with clear excitement in his voice.
Hong Wei gave him a few more instructions before sending him over to join Lu Fan's side.
As he watched him walk away, a smile slowly crept onto Hong Wei's lips.
He couldn't help but feel that even with lower-ranked characters, if he looked hard enough… he could always uncover hidden treasures.
And just as that thought lingered in his mind, and he was finally planning to head back to his house, a loud voice suddenly rang out from the distance.
"My lord!"
Shen Feiyu? He's back already?
While the question flickered through his thoughts, Shen Feiyu quickly approached and knelt before him. "I have finally returned, my lord!"
"At ease," Hong Wei said, before he asked, "So, how was your trip out?"
Considering how short the time was since Shen Feiyu left and returned, Hong Wei didn't expect much. He simply wanted to know where the investigation should be focused moving forward… just some clues would've been enough.
But, it seemed he had underestimated him.
That thought surfaced in Hong Wei's mind as Shen Feiyu began speaking.
Shen Feiyu, understanding that the important things should be said first, went straight to the point. He started with Red Dog Gang, and described everything from the moment he began investigating it, until the moment he finally got his hands on the map.
And as Hong Wei listened, he couldn't help but be amazed by the experience Shen Feiyu had gone through.
First going undercover, then fighting a gang all alone to obtain a treasure map, and afterward fleeing while witnessing a clash between cultivators far stronger than himself.
It seems the outside world… is really too exciting? Hong Wei thought to himself, feeling a strange sense of anticipation, but also caution.
However, his expression soon turned grim when he heard the final piece of information Shen Feiyu shared
A demonic cultivator wreaking havoc in one of the Xia Dynasty's counties, slaughtering countless innocents without restraint.
Were they really this unbridled? Unhinged by anyone?
And what was it that he wanted from that arrogant youth cultivator who escaped?
Hong Wei wondered, as he started to realize just how dangerous the cultivation world outside truly was.
In the end, he could only shake his head.
Hong Wei knew his own limits. He didn't have the power to carry the burdens of the entire cultivation world on his shoulders.
Taking care of his mother, and managing the characters he pulled, those were the only things he could think about right now.
Maybe… if something happened right in front of him, and if he had the ability, he would interfere. But that was his limit.
His hands can't extend farther than that.
And so, with that thought, he took a deep breath and changed the subject.
"Okay, let's go to my house and see this map you've brought for now," Hong Wei finally said, feeling like this wasn't the right place to have the next conversation.
Most importantly, he was already starting to feel excitement rising within him… at the prospect that he might be able to start cultivating soon enough!