Xueyu Tianchi, a mountain-peak villa.
On the flat ground outside the bamboo forest to the right of the Natural Residence, lay a massive spirit boat. The Flood Dragon Boat was too precious, so Lin Zhao dared not place it inside Tianchi. Most of the Xueyu cavalry were rough, and if they accidentally damaged the Flood Dragon Boat, which had a slim chance of being repaired, Lin Zhao would have suffered even greater losses.
Lin Xingchu landed gracefully. As she waved her sleeves, strands of water energy dissipated, and the long river in the sky slowly returned to the Washing Sword River. Borrowing a river's water to transport a Flood Dragon Boat to Xueyu Tianchi seemed incredibly effortless.
"Aunt!"
Lin Zhao rushed back to the storage room of the Natural Residence and brought out a jar of peach blossom wine, presenting it with both hands. "Thank you for your hard work, Aunt. Here's a jar of wine for you!"
"Oh~~~"
Lin Xingchu narrowed her eyes and gladly accepted the jar of peach blossom wine. While peach blossom wine brewed by peach blossom demons was already a treasure in the human martial world, it was not as rare in the eyes of the Washing Sword River God. After all, Lin Xingchu was the foremost deity of the human race. She had met most of the mountain lords and river gods on the human land. The gifts from those deities, which one would be inferior to peach blossom wine? However, because this jar of wine was a gift from Lin Zhao, it was exceptionally special. Taking it back to her mansion and drinking some on festivals would naturally add some flavor to her otherwise monotonous days.
Lin Xingchu transformed into a stream of golden water energy and headed south.
Lin Zhao took a deep breath. The major events in the south were finally settled. At this very moment, a notification chime echoed in his ear. Finally, the Battle of Luoyan Mountain had come to an end, and the plot compensation had arrived. The system was still considerate; his efforts had not been in vain.
"Ding!"
System prompt: Congratulations on completing the plot of "Battle of Luoyan Mountain"! You have received plot compensation rewards: Level +3, Charm +5, Gold Coins +18000, Reputation +8000, and an additional reward: [Lingering Sunset] (Earth-grade)!
...
Three rays of light descended consecutively. Lin Zhao was now level 108.
"Lingering Sunset?"
He squinted, unsure of what this reward was. With a "clatter," the reward item dropped into his inventory. As Lin Zhao opened his inventory and checked the first available slot, he saw a golden lingering sunset. It was a long sword that flowed with the luster of a setting sun, its design exquisite and its aura majestic. Taking it out and holding it in his hand, a powerful and boundless aura surged into his body. There was no doubt; it was far superior to the Thunderclap Sword.
He flicked his hand, and the attributes of Lingering Sunset appeared before him.
[Lingering Sunset] (Earth-grade)
Attack: 1250-1750
Strength: +128
Stamina: +125
Agility: +122
Effect: Lifesteal +16%
Effect: Sword Skill Damage Increased by 25%
Effect: Damage Amplification, +35% damage dealt
Effect: Armor Penetration, ignores 40% of target's defense
Effect: Deals 50% splash damage to targets within 7 yards
Effect: Lingering Sunset Sword Intent, 25% chance on attack to imbue target with a trace of Lingering Sunset Sword Intent, dealing 1500% of attack damage over 7 seconds.
Additional: Increases user's attack power by 33%
Additional: Increases user's defense by 33%
Lore: In ancient times, a divine craftsman lived in seclusion in the deep mountains. He obtained celestial meteorite and forged a divine weapon using the spiritual energy of the lingering sunset. On the day this Lingering Sunset was forged, the sky was blood-red with the setting sun, which only dissipated at midnight. Legend has it that whoever possesses the Lingering Sunset Sword can command all heroes.
Requires Strength: 1500
Requires Level: 105
...
The attack power is very strong!
Lin Zhao frowned and opened the national server's weapon rankings. In the sword category, the previous top-ranked item was still a 100-level Flowing Gold artifact. It was unavoidable; there were too few Earth-grade bosses within the territories of the eight major state cities. Even powerful players and guilds were like skilled cooks without rice. Lin Zhao's Lingering Sunset immediately secured the first spot on the weapon rankings upon its appearance, truly a divine weapon.
"Clang~~~"
With a slight sound, Lingering Sunset replaced the Thunderclap Sword. Immediately, his strength surged, giving him a feeling of being on the verge of breaking through. This made Lin Zhao feel a bit awkward. Players currently lacked a true realm. Even the strongest players were merely "lower five realms" before bosses. He wondered when the player realm system would be opened, at which point perhaps true diversity would flourish.
Looking at his attribute panel again, his combat power had soared and was now extraordinary.
[White Robe] (Sword Master)
Level: 108
Attack: 3660-5000 (+310%)
Defense: 3600 (+320%)
Health: 47100
Critical Hit: 20%
Lifesteal: 56%
Damage Reduction: 29%
Damage Amplification: 150%
Intelligence: 99
Charm: 67
Reputation: 81780
Combat Power: 12150
...
Combat power exceeded 12000. His true attack power reached a terrifying 15006-20500 points. With 150% damage amplification, each sword strike dealt 2.5 times the damage. This attack power could be described as truly cutting to the bone and striking the heart. Holding Lingering Sunset, he felt as though he was about to reach the summit. It was a pity that this damage was still too weak for demons. He needed to continue his efforts and forge ahead!
"Sir."
Beside him, Zhui Zhi said, "People from the Mo family ancestral home have arrived."
"Oh, please invite them in!"
"Alright."
Inside the Natural Residence, Dong Cang brewed tea. Three people had arrived from the Military family ancestral home: Xu Zhan, a twelfth-realm Sword Immortal, and his two direct disciples, both eleventh-realm masters of mechanics and formations, renowned masters of the Mo school.
Lin Zhao served tea and respectfully said, "Senior Xu Zhan, after the Battle of Luoyan Mountain, the spirit stone mine has been heavily guarded by our Xueyu Tianchi. There will be no issues for a long time. As per our agreement, the Mo school will dispatch cultivators to mine the spirit stones. After the coins are successfully minted, will it be fifty-fifty?"
"Agreed."
Xu Zhan nodded.
One of his direct disciples stepped forward and produced two stone carved discs, a type of Mo school artifact, on which the terms of the agreement were already etched. He smiled slightly and said, "Please, Lord Lin Zhao, press your thumbprint on both contract books."
He took out a box containing ink paste, which was a brilliant, unknown substance. However, Lin Zhao trusted the Mo family ancestral home and extended his thumb, covering it with ink paste. He then pressed his thumbprint on both discs. Instantly, two radiant thumbprints seeped into the discs. Following that, Xu Zhan also stood up and pressed his thumbprint on the two stone discs. For a moment, the sky faintly rumbled with thunderous phenomena.
"..."
Lin Zhao and Zhui Zhi looked into the distance with puzzled expressions.
Xu Zhan chuckled, "No need to be confused. This is the Mo school's oath-making ceremony, a phenomenon witnessed by heaven and earth."
"Understood."
Lin Zhao took one of the stone discs and smiled. "Senior Xu Zhan, would you like to stay for dinner? Since Xueyu Tianchi and the Mo family ancestral home have begun cooperating, I, Lin Zhao, will naturally fulfill my duties as a host. This meal is on me."
"Oh?"
Xu Zhan couldn't help but chuckle. "Your sincerity is rare. Then let's have a drink before I return to prepare for the spirit stone mine excavation."
"Thank you!"
Not long after, Dong Cang and Tong Yu, along with Wang Yue, began preparing vegetables for the dinner. Lin Zhao made two fishing rods and invited Xu Zhan to fish by the lotus pond. Since Xu Zhan had Xu Qingyi, became a father, and entered middle age, his greatest interest, apart from mechanics, formations, and sword forging, was fishing. Thus, he joined Lin Zhao in baiting the hook and fishing, chatting happily.
In the evening, the fish they caught were enough to make a pot of fish soup. The banquet soon began.
To entertain this distinguished elder of the Mo school, Lin Zhao invited Mu Ya, Xiang Ji, Xu Sheng, as well as Su Shanjun and Old Sword Immortal Han, who were all heavy drinkers, up the mountain. A large group of people clinked glasses, attempting to use toasting to persuade Xu Zhan, one of the Mo school's key figures, to agree to another matter. Lin Zhao even called the gatekeeper, Tang Guangjun, up the mountain.
Tang Guangjun suppressed his overwhelming joy and finally sat at the table.
Upon being seated, he saw the distinguished Mo family expert, Xu Zhan.
Xu Zhan was also surprised. Wasn't this the little scoundrel who questioned the Mo family ancestral home in a sword duel years ago, almost causing him to lose face? Why was he at Xueyu Tianchi, and serving as Lin Zhao's subordinate? For a moment, Xu Zhan felt bewildered. Had all the scoundrels in the world gathered together?
As he pondered, Xu Zhan and his two disciples became drunk on the inferior watered-down wine, ten grams per pot. The large group chatted and discussed extensively at the table, from ancient times to the present, as if they were all fifteen-realm powerhouses, not even respecting Saints like the Supreme Sage, the Dao Ancestor, the Buddha Ancestor, the Military Ancestor, or the Grand Master.
"Senior Xu Zhan!"
Lin Zhao stood up and poured a large cup of wine. "Junior, I offer you another toast!"
Xu Zhan nodded. The more he drank, the more likable this young man seemed. He was truly respectful towards him. He recalled that when this young man slew the thirteenth-realm great demon Bai Lan with his sword, who could resist that aura? "I have a sword that can slay true dragons!" He was truly the most audacious in the world!
"Senior."
Lin Zhao sat down and smiled. "I've heard that your skills in mechanics and formations are second to none in the Mo family ancestral home, and even the Grand Master himself has to admire them. Is that true?"
"Eh~~~"
Xu Zhan waved his hands repeatedly and chuckled. "My senior brother, the sect leader, understands all the ways of Mo school arts; we must not speak carelessly. But when it comes to crafting and setting up formations, he is indeed a bit lacking. Otherwise, the construction of the two Flood Dragon Boats commissioned by the Great Shang Dynasty would not have been under my charge."
"Is that so!"
Lin Zhao exclaimed in shock. "There's a Flood Dragon Boat outside the bamboo forest of my Natural Residence. It has a few minor scratches. Senior, would you be willing to take a look and lend a hand to repair it?"
"What difficulty is there in that?"
Xu Zhan laughed heartily.
"Master, Master!"
The two direct disciples were anxious. What was wrong with their master today? He was enjoying himself so much that he was getting carried away. Could these words be spoken carelessly?
"Alright, let's go out and take a look!"
Lin Zhao stood up with a smile. Su Shanjun, Han Buyu, Tang Guangjun, and others also chimed in. Instantly, a group of people came out to the bamboo forest and stood before the Flood Dragon Boat, which was blackened by fire. The bow of the Flood Dragon Boat had almost disappeared, having been smashed by the Wolf Tooth Hammer, a immortal artifact from the demon ancestral mountain, leaving parts scattered everywhere. The stern also bore several sword marks from Wind Spring strikes, some of which had damaged the inscribed patterns and power components within the hull.
"..."
Xu Zhan looked at the Flood Dragon Boat, and all the alcohol fumes instantly dissipated. He turned and squinted at Lin Zhao, "You call this a minor scratch?"