As a successful businessman who had started from nothing, Qin Guan was familiar with trading. If he'd brought products from his gallery there, not only would he have sold nothing, but his reputation would also have been affected. Selling snacks was the best choice for a fair.
Americans loved soft cotton candy, hot dogs, candy apples and fried food. These snacks were also popular among kids.
That was not enough for Qin Guan though. If he just sold those snacks at the fair, he would be just like the other pedlars. In order to become the king of sales and get an award from Columbia, he needed to explore new ways.
He had to sell Chinese food.
A white minibus from Xu's restaurant pulled up to Qin Guan's stand, revealing its true nature. The ingredients were sealed in different boxes, but their secret weapon was actually the large iron-plate cart.
Qin Guan lit up the small gas stove, which was the favorite tool of Chinese pedlars. Buns made by cooks from Tianjin were already in the steamer, and smooth, elastic noodles were boiling in the pot.
When the ticket office at the entrance opened, visitors began to pour in.
Adults had to pay one dollar, but kids could enter for free. The reasonable price encouraged the residents of the area and the students to visit the fair. Qin Guan put on an apron with the picture of a puppy and welcomed the customers.
He poured peanut oil from a mineral water bottle onto the burning iron plate. Pedlars considered this better than an oil can, because it saved oil and was way easier to handle.
Qin Guan started breaking eggs one by one with his other hand and spreading them onto the iron plate. He used a small spatula to flip them quickly. The sound and smell, as well as Qin Guan's elegant movements, attracted people's attention.
Sweet Guangdong sausage, grapes, soy sauce… He served a portion of fried noodles fast. It only cost six dollars, which was an extra reason for Americans to buy it.
"One portion!" the first customer ordered, pointing to the boiling noodles inside the pot.
"No problem. One minute!"
Qin Guan put the noodles in a lunch box with the spatula. The box was nearly full. The customer took the noodles and chopsticks with trembling hands. He suddenly realized that everyone around him was looking at him.
He stuffed some noodles into his mouth and then buried his face into the box with sparkling eyes, paying no attention to the surrounding noise.
Everyone was anxious. It was terrible to watch others eat when one was hungry. Some impatient people shouted at him, "Hey, bro! Stop eating and tell us how it tastes!"
"Yes, you are really selfish!"
Annoyed, the man roared at them, "Can't you f*cking see?"
At his words, everyone lined up before the stand as fast as they could. Qin Guan was up to his neck in work, while Cong Nianwei was busy collecting the money. The couple's stand was selling food like crazy.
Meanwhile, Xu Xiaoxiao, who was affected deeply by his life in Chinatown, served as a waiter and PR assistant. The three of them cooperated well. In half a day, all their food had been sold out. There were only two pieces of ginger left in a box.
Qin Guan was so tired that he couldn't even lift his arms up. The number of portions he had served had pushed him to his limit. He was not a pedlar working at the night market anymore.
It was hard to transition from a rich life to the life of a commoner!
The money made up for it though. He had earned about 1,000 dollars in one day.
Night fell. As all the stand owners began cleaning up, Qin Guan's stand won the Best Sales Award. The prize was equal to the stand's total income that day. This meant that Qin Guan's team got paid double.
Qin Guan felt as if a delicious pie had fallen down from Heaven for him to eat. The dollar bills swept his tiredness away. He was really excited.


Qin Guan was reborn and sent back to his final semester in High School 18 years ago. Getting a second chance at life, he works hard to turn things around and eventually become a Prince Charming. What will his life be like the second time around? What will he have to go through? How will he succeed in turning from a loser into a Prince Charming? Read this story carefully and find out!

Jumping from one roof to another, William made his way towards Hephaestus familia.

After a while the front gate of the hephaestus familia came into his vision.

"HEY STOP--"

William ignored the cries of the guards as he directly jumped over the closed gate.

Not minding the weird gazes that member's of the hephaestus familia were giving him, following his memory William made his way towards a magnificent blacksmith workhouse.

*Knock*Knock*

William harshly knocked on the door with his fist.

"WHO THE hel--oh it's you",Tsubaki said as she opened the door and looked at William standing outside.

"Why are you here so early", Tsubaki questioned, clearly remembering that there were still some days before the decided date.

"I was wondering if you could finish the sword earlier, I won't mind paying more valis for it", William said.

"Hmm Well come in first", Tsubaki scratches her head as she invites William inside.

"Pardon my intrusion",William dosen't stand on ceremony and quickly enters the room.

But William stop moving as soon as he saw the person sitting calmly on the sofa while drinking tea.

"Goddess Hephaestus", William respectfully greets the great Goddess of smithing. 

"It's fine you don't have to be so formal", Hephaestus said as she look at William.

"It's only natural to respect a god", William said like it was a matter-of-fact.

'Of course the crazy ones aren't included.....", William silently thought in his mind as he remembered Freya.

"You were right Tsubaki, he is indeed quite interesting.....", Hephaestus said with a smile on her face as she looked at Tsubaki.

William wasn't surprised that Hephaestus knew who he is as Tsubaki had probably told her about him before.

"Sit down will ya there's no need to stand on ceremony", Tsubaki said with a carefree smile on her face as she gave a rough slap on William's shoulder.

Ignoring his hurting shoulder, William looked at Goddess Hephaestus, Seeing her nod he finally sat down on the nearby chair.

"About the sword, I hope you can complete it as soon as possible, in fact by today if you can...", William said as soon as he sat down unwilling to waste even a second.

"You are really impatient aren't you..", Tsubaki continued while patting her chest" Well Lucky you as I have already completed it, wait here I'll be right back."

William's eyes shone with a blue glint for a while as he saw Tsubaki go inside a nearby room.

Turning his head, William fixed his gaze in Goddess Hephaestus who was just about to drink from her cup.

Seeing William looking at her, Goddess Hephaestus think that he might have something to say to her and so she also look at him, awaiting his words.

"...."

A weird silence permitted over the room as instead of saying anything, William just kept intently staring at Goddess Hephaestus.

With her hand still holding the tea cup, The corners of Goddess Hephaestus's mouth started twitching as she started thinking if William was playing some kind of game with her that she was unaware of.

As the situation continued for some more time, Goddess Hephaestus finally couldn't take it anymore and asked William," Is there something wrong?".

"Please don't mind me and continue enjoying your tea", William said with a deadpan face, but he still didn't stop staring at Hephaestus.

Goddess Hephaestus frowned a little as she thought that William perhaps also wanted some tea? Why else would her kept staring at her?.

It wasn't like she was beautiful....

Hephaestus touched her eyepatch as her thoughts reached this point, Shaking her head slightly with a wry smile she silently thought 'Why would anyone think of  someone as ugly as her to be beautiful?'.

William who was still looking at Hephaestus obviously didn't know what she was thinking. As all of his thoughts were occupied by something else at the moment.

He was thinking is he could use Goddess Hephaestus to take care of Freya...

Although Hephaestus familia isn't as powerful as the Freya familia, it is by no means weak.

And they also control around 70% of the weapon sales in the dungeon city of Orario, Which in itself make them a power to not mess around with.

This is why William was thinking of ways to rope Hephaestus in.....but no matter how much he thought, he couldn't come up with any scenario in which Hephaestus will agree to help him.

He might be the captain of the Soma familia, but that is nothing in her eyes.... forget about the lvl5 Tsubaki even a lvl4 from her familia can completely annihilate the current Soma familia.

As for William himself who is a lvl3...

hehe.

Although a lvl3 is by no means weak...there will definitely be tens of the lying around in the Hephaestus familia.

Just as William was getting a headache, Tsubaki who left earlier returned carrying a wooden box in her hands.

*Thumb*

Tsubaki placed the wooden box on top of the table in front of William, As she gestured at him to open it up and look inside.

William didn't stand on ceremony and quickly opened the lid covering the box.

Even Goddess Hephaestus leaned forward and looked at what was inside the box.

A grey coloured sword with blood red lines present all over it was sitting calmly in the box.

*Grip*

Holding the sword's grip tightly, William pulled it out if the box.

A light but powerful feeling came from the sword as William held it.

Although it didn't felt as unbreakable as desperate....it was nonetheless a powerful sword definitely leagues above that shitty cheap iron sword.
(Cheap iron sword: TRAITOR!!)

"You have gotten better once again Tsubaki", Hephaestus commented with a smile as she looked at the grey and red coloured sword.

"Hehehe", Tsubaki smiled proudly when she heard Goddess Hephaestus praise her.

"How is it? Do you like it?", Tsubaki asked while rubbing her nose.

"It is amazing", William said with genuine appreciation.

Although not as powerful as desperate, The sword fit so perfectly in his hand that he couldn't help but marvel at Tsubaki's skill.

"What is its name?", William asked remembering that blacksmiths in Danmachi gave names to their weapons.

Tsubaki's eyes shone as she said.

First world is Danmachi.


I wholeheartedly suggest my readers to use the scrolling mode in case they are reading in a phone to get a better experience.

Also some reviews say that you should skip first 9 chapters or skim through them but I say otherwise.
Although the first 9 chapters are hard to read on the other hand they are also the reason as to why you will feel much better later on.(If you skip them then you will not feel the same as the ones who read them)

So don't skip the first 9 chapters, they aren't that long anyway.

[Some people are saying that they don't like the foolish MC and stuff and we'll that because they haven't reached chapter 10 if they did then they wouldn't be writing those comments]


[Support me on patreon if you can!!.]

https://www.patreon.com/user?u=17611174

[note- I don't owe Danmachi or any other novel which I will include later on]

Once Class One Hall's members plunged into the abyss under Netherworld's lead and shattered to pieces, Punishment Mount and the Iron Chain Bridge regained their peace. 
Class One Hall's survivors had left dejectedly. 
The members of other organizations who had been watching by the side looked at each other at a loss. Even though Class One Hall had left behind the snake tendons, no one dared to step on the bridge that had caused countless powerful players to perish. 
Class One Hall had come prepared, and they even brought with them a powerful fighting force, but even they were easily destroyed. In a short time available to them, they could not think of a better plan to cross Iron Chain Bridge!
As time passed, the quest time grew shorter, and the people who stayed on the mountain across Punishment Mount left one after another. 
However, there were still a handful of people who stayed in the area. 
After all, it was almost the emperor's birthday, and it would not harm them if they stayed around. Hence, they decided to wait for the person from Punishment Mount to return. 
They, too, wanted to see just how the mysterious player who caused countless players to fall into the chasm and made even Class One Hall return in failure and dejectedness looked like. They wanted to know just who he was!
However, unfortunately for them, they never managed to see Happy. 
When the emperor's birthday was over, the system notified them that all bounties were rendered null. All brocade boxes in the hands of players belonged to them from that moment onwards, but Happy still did cross the bridge. 
One hour, two hours, and half a day passed, but he did not take any action!
The players who were waiting on the mountain found themselves unable to stand around for much longer. They started to wonder whether there were other paths to descend from Punishment Mount or whether the person was overly cautious and was unwilling to take the risk the cross over when he saw that there were still people on the other side. 
Even though the brocade box now belonged to him and was akin to his personal belonging, so the possibility of it dropping was very low, there was still a chance that it would drop. With that being the case, it was only normal that a person would choose to act carefully. 
"If we are not fated to meet, then so be it."
The few players remaining in the area were slightly disappointed, but soon, most of them left. 
However, they did not know that Happy had not opened the brocade box. 
*****
There were two different types of brocade boxes delivered to Beijing. One of them was the overt tribute, and the other the hidden tribute. 
The value of overt and hidden tributes was the same, but the meaning behind them was different. 
The overt tributes were great items sent from various sects and clans to the imperial court, and even normal players could check the brocade boxes and learn what was inside them. 
However, the hidden tributes were gifts delivered to the eighth prince from different sects and distinguished clans!
In the quest, the overt tributes were not just snatched by the players and bandits. Sects that were against each other had fought against their enemies to snatch the tributes, but practically none of them ended up with what they wanted. 
Most of the brocade boxes in the hands of the handful of players were hidden tributes!
Some of them had gold notes in them, and some of them had jewels that were worth one million taels of silver crumbs. The players would have to depend on their luck for whether they could get high-tier martial art manuals, miraculous medicine, equipment and weapons from famous craftsmen, or other practical treasures. The percentage of the brocade boxes containing such items was higher than fifty percent, so it was not that bad. 
Happy remembered that even though every single player who received the brocade boxes after the emperor's birthday ended as winners, some of them were just temporary winners. 
The players who obtained gold notes and jewels could develop rather quickly for a short period of time, but most of them only had a few months to shine. 
However, those who obtained high-tier martial art manuals usually received relatively rare martial arts, and their abilities increased by a large margin. It was the same for those who received miraculous medicine. The medicinal pills created by famous physicians would increase their attributes by a small margin or increase their abilities greatly for some time. The equipment and weapons created by famous craftsmen were also rarely seen supreme grade items. Normal masterpieces such as Green Jade Shrouded in Heavenly Silks could never hope to compare to them in terms of attributes. 
A few months later, quite a number of people would show their might. 
In the beginning, there were plenty of people who hastily opened the brocade boxes at the very first moment. 
Only three people waited three days after the quest ended before they opened their brocade boxes. There was also one person who opened the brocade box half a month later. 
The value of the items those three people obtained were the greatest!
Their treasures ranked at the top of the Masterpiece Ranking Board that would appear later. It was only a year after they appeared that they gradually slid down from the top ranks. 
Hence, when Happy received the notification from the system that he could open the brocade box at any moment to receive the treasures inside, he was in great conflict in his heart. So much so that he did not open the brocade box even after half a day had passed!
Should he open it right away or should he imitate those three people and open the brocade box after a while?
Happy could not come to a decision. 
He did not know if he could be like the three people from his past life if he delayed the opening of the box. After all, now that he had bad blood with Class One Hall, he could no longer keep a low-profile. Hence, he had to quickly strengthen himself so that he could handle the enemies that would surely come at him in endless streams. 
As of right then, he still did not possess the strength to go up against a giant organization. His cultivation could not make up for the disadvantage of having to face multiple people by himself. He also did not have the ability to defend himself completely. 
In silence, Happy placed his hand on the brocade box and tapped it at an irregular interval. There was a frown on his face as he was unable to come to a decision. 
He sat there for half a day!
When night fell, bright moonlight shone on Happy's body. It also illuminated the mountain across from him. Wailings and the howls of wolves could be heard from over there. The five heavy chains swayed as well, which created a rather noisy, but peaceful scene. 
Happy opened his eyes and decided to put the brocade box into his Universe Bag. When he stood up at the cliff, his heroic bearing and fluttering blue robes made it seem like he had come to a decision. With the round moon high in the sky shining on him, he jumped and landed on the iron chains as lightly as an immortal.
*****
In Beijing, there was a stall set up by an old and blind fortune teller. A few hours earlier, a person wearing a black cape had paid him for his services. 
The blind old man was named Iron-mouthed Divine Break, and he had a very resounding reputation in Beijing. He claimed to be the seventeenth successor of Ghost, and all those who paid him for his divination services found that the results were very accurate. 
His divinations allowed him to predict when a player would be the luckiest on that day. 
When a player went out to fight monsters or carried out quests at that time, their rewards would be much greater than at any other time!
And the blind old man had a specialty in being able to help wandering martial artists avoid trouble and solve their problems!
All those who wanted to learn of their enemy's or a certain player's location could pay a certain "divination fee" for that knowledge. 
However, the blind old man could only tell the player's location from ten minutes ago based on his divination techniques. And he could only figure out the general location, not the exact coordinates in the game. 
The divination fee for a person's location were more expensive as well. Every single time, a player would have to pay more than one thousand taels of silver crumbs. 
Even so, Iron-mouthed Divine Breaker was visited by many players!
Right when they logged in, some of the players who believed in this sort of stuff would offer their money to learn when their luck would be the best, or they would ask him about the important but hidden news. 
The person wearing the black cloak had been in front of the stall since noon. 
Once in a while, he would hand over a bag of silver crumbs and a note to the fortune teller. Once the blind old man took it, he would touch it with his hands and begin counting. 
In a while, practically all the players in Dengfeng City learned that there was one rich player who did not treat his money as anything important. He just kept on handing it over to Iron-mouthed Divine Breaker, but no one knew just what sort of important news he wanted to know. 


When he returned to the World of Martial Arts, the game was filled with blood and battles! Chen Kaixin had chased after the footsteps of the one emperor, two empresses, three princes, seven dukes, and thirteen aces for three years, but during the eve of the Sword Among Us tournament in Mount Hua, he was ambushed by evil bastards, and was killed so much that his level dropped to that of a newbie. He completely lost the chance to join the ranks of the powerful players in the game! In great disappointment, Kaixin quit the game and got drunk so that he could forget his sadness, but during that stormy night, Chen Kaixin found that he had actually dreamed for a total of three years, because when he woke up again, he woke up to three years ago, when he was still a student. 

Lin Li was right. Such careless thrusting would definitely lead to trouble…
Just when Stephen was putting all his attention on turning the iron wire in his hands, there was suddenly an eccentric magical wave that radiated from the metal box. The magical wave was as unusual as one could possibly imagine it to be. There were no signs to tell the source of the magical wave. It was as if the magical wave had appeared out of nowhere.
Furthermore, that magical wave changed very quickly. At the beginning, it was nothing but a trace of magic. Immediately after, it was amplified and changed into a surging tide of magic. It was like a huge wave, and was rushing towards Stephen at top speed! 
"F*ck!" Stephen exclaimed. Being a high-ranking Archmage who had good and accurate control over the flow of mana, Stephen could sense the danger when the magical wave rushed towards him. 
However, danger came too quickly. A high-ranking Archmage like Stephen could not keep up with the changes happening at the speed of light. It was faster than the speed at which mana usually flowed at. At that instant, Stephen only managed to cast a Water Shield before getting engulfed by numerous beams of light…
Lin Li witnessed everything very clearly. The beams of light were actually numerous magic arrows. Among the offensive spells, the impact of magic arrows was not the weakest, but it was one of the weaker spells. It couldn't be helped. This was a very simple and shabby spell that did not require any elemental sequencing. One just had to let the magic out for the spell to take effect.
This was the only spell a mage apprentice could instantaneously cast. However, it was not frequently employed by them as it was really weak.
That was no exaggeration. There was a mage who did the calculations very long ago. If one were to use a magic arrow against a Four-element Shield, it would require him to cast it 100 times for cracks to appear in the shield. As for shields that were stronger than the Four-element Shield… It would be almost impossible. 
However, there were millions of magic arrows that shot out. Collectively, they looked like a meteor shower. Quantitative change led to qualitative change. That overwhelming volley of magic arrows broke Stephen's Water Shield instantaneously! 
That was a fatal crisis. No Archmage could survive in such a situation. Unless he had his own Magical Domain after he reached the Legendary-realm, he would not be able to make use of the laws of magic to alter the direction of the mana within the magic arrows.
However, everything would have an exception…
Although Stephen was not in the Legendary-realm, he survived the attack of the million magic arrows miraculously…
Stephen plucked out his necklace at the instant when the magic arrows broke the Water Shield.
Lin Li could not believe how that action allowed Stephen to create several layers of Elemental Shields instantaneously. He counted seven layers of the shield, and saw that the shields stacked on top of each other, creating an impregnable magic wall. Lin Li assumed that the wall would also be able to resist a Legendary-level powerhouse for quite a while.
It was this magic wall that saved Stephen…
However, even if the Elemental Shield had seven layers, it did not have the ability to protect Stephen entirely. In fact, Stephen looked totally different when that meteor shower ended. 
He looked as if he was just trampled by 100 elephants. There were big and small wounds that looked especially terrifying in critical regions. If some had hit a little more to the side, Stephen's small life would have ended.
Stephen breathed heavily and struggled to drink a bottle of Recovery Potion. He looked more resolved after that, but the bloodstains on his face and tattered long black robe made him really wretched.
"This… What happened?" Hutton exclaimed worriedly after seeing Stephen's miserable state.
"Geresco did not say anything when he passed the box to me. Other than wanting me to wait for you guys here to retrieve the things, I'm not aware of other matters," Tutankhamun said as he waved his hands indifferently. 
"Are you saying that you don't know?" Stephen snapped in rage. "This box has been with you for 1300 years. How could you not know anything?"
Stephen's rage was justified. He'd nearly died from those magic arrows that rained on him. If it were not for his quick reflexes to cast seven layers of the Elemental Shield, he would not have been able to stand there alive anymore.
"You should ask Geresco…" Tutankhamun still sounded unaffected. However, Lin Li knew that if Stephen still continued to make a fuss, he would be in trouble. Tutankhamun was a descendant of the Dragon of Destruction. Being one of the invincible black dragons of the world, how could his honor be challenged by a mere Archmage?
To be honest, Lin Li would not mind if Tutankhamun intended to punish Stephen…
But, now is not the time…
There was no time to waste now. The mana depletion would only last for a maximum of five minutes. If they were to miss the chance, there would only be another unlucky fella…
"I shall try it, then…" Lin Li said as he stood from the table.
"You?" Stephen questioned disdainfully.
First-hand experience gave Stephen the clearest understanding of how impactful the magic force within the metal box was. That blanket of magic arrows had the ability to pierce through the Four-element Shields. Despite employing the Dark Blade's strongest magical equipment, the Element Sigh Necklace, it could only act as a temporary defense mechanism. Only a Legendary-level individual could balance the force of the attack.
As for that President Felic… He still needs another century to do that…
"Yeah," Lin Li replied, and did not care about Stephen's disdainful gaze. He took his time to search his pocket.
Shortly after, Lin Li fished out a dark metal rod. 
Lin Li had not used this rod that had been coated with deep mithril ever since he defeated Cromwell in the battle in Jarrosus. Magical enchantment required a huge amount of magical crystals, and Lin Li only took interest in magical enchantment at least at Master-level. He would need to use dozens of level-15 magical crystals and drain half of his energy for the enchantment. Furthermore, there was no need for Lin Li to employ any enchantment spells now. Andoine once advised him against heavy reliance on magical equipment. He was afraid that the illusion of strength would lead Lin Li astray, and he'd lose the opportunities to improve.
However, Lin Li did not intend to use mere magical enchantment this time…
The dull gold rod was not least eye-catching. It only emitted faint magical waves in Lin Li's hands like a low-level magic scroll or some lousy magical equipment. At this time, not only Stephen, even Hutton who knew the abilities of President Felic started to become confused…
Hutton could recognize the gold rod as specialized equipment used by magical enchanters. However, he could not fathom the intention behind President Felic bringing it out. Did he think the magic arrows weren't powerful enough? Did he want to make the magic arrows more deadly with magical enchantment? 
"I still thought you would have a good idea…" Stephen commented. He could not suppress his sense of disdain for Lin Li. "I say, President Felic, are you intending to use that metal rod to open the box?"
"Hush…" Lin Li whispered, not affected by the meager insult. He did not even lift his eyelids when he turned to look at Stephen. "Mage Stephen, don't you want to change into a new set of clothes? Or do you think it is nicer to expose your whole buttocks to the world?" Lin Li asked sincerely.
"…" Stephen's expression changed. He touched his behind subconsciously and realized his skin had gotten exposed from the attack. Although it was only a palm-sized hole in his robe, and nothing as exaggerated as what Lin Li said, this had become his most embarrassing moment in his entire life which he had been living in utmost comfort and luxury. 
As the young leader of the Dark Blade, and the top Archmage in the Breezy Plains, it was an extreme insult to be pointed out for his exposed bottom in public. Stephen's palish face turned green, and his veins surfaced on his tightly clenched fist. If not for Tutankhamun and Hutton, he would have launched an attack. 
Lin Li did not even look at Stephen. He held on to that mithril-coated gold rod and placed it on the metal box gently.
What followed was a brilliant glow of light…
The air in the wooden house became stale. It was as though Stephen, Hutton, and Tutankhamun—two humans and one black dragon—were trapped by a mysterious force. They could not help but rub their eyes.
The metal box was gone…!
"F*ck…" Hutton cussed as he held his head.
"This can't be! This can't be!" Stephen shrieked. It sounded as though he was being strangled. "This is an illusion. Illusion!"
Tutankhamun was the calmest among the three. After casting a quick glance at the space where the metal crate disappeared, he put his gaze on the gold rod. 
Although the gold rod still had the same dullness, there was an additional foggy layer of halo around the tip of the rod. If one had not looked at it carefully, he would have thought that it was just a reflection of the light earlier on.
However, Tutankhamun was no average man. Having lived for countless years, that black dragon had in-depth knowledge about magic as compared to most mages in Anril. How could he not know that the halo was left behind by Geresco's metal crate? 
That was the essence of magic…
Only an enchanter's gold rod could extract the purest source of mana.
However, even Tutankhamun would not have thought that a young mage would open the box with such a technique.
In fact, Geresco actually wrote down the way to open the box when he passed the metal crate to him. It was Tutankhamun who decided to use the box to test the three young mages. Stephen's failure was within his expectations. How could a metal crate that was made from elemental metal be opened by a normal lock-picking technique? 
The elemental iron was also known as a living magical metal. It had very incredible mana that grew with time. As though it had an ability to meditate, the iron could grow in strength every second. There were also elemental iron mineral veins that had been around for a thousand years that were as powerful as an Archmage.
However, that was not the most eccentric part of elemental iron. The reason that made elemental iron known as magical metal was its innate ability to cast spells. The presence of external factors could trigger the iron to cast spells independently, and the way it cast them would be determined by the way it had been forged. During the Dark Age, there were many High Elven Smithing Masters that could forge many weapons with different magical attributes just by using a piece of elemental iron.
Initially, the method that Geresco left behind was to destroy the Magic Suppression spell that was cast on the metal crate. Then, one had to solve three quizzes that required entry-level Inscription knowledge to unlock the metal box to retrieve the Book of Eternity.
Unfortunately, Geresco could not have expected somebody to use such a violent method to open the crate after 1300 years.
The use of a gold rod to directly disassociate the elemental iron was a very unreasonable technique. However, Tutankhamun had to admit that it was a very effective way. 
Of course, one had to be a Master-level enchanter and own a powerful gold rod to be able to succeed. Otherwise, such a forceful method would only trigger the elemental iron and get himself submerged in raining magic arrows… 
"Hold on…" Tutankhamun commented. He suddenly realized that the young man placed his gold rod during the time of depletion of the elemental iron. This meant that he would never have been harmed even if he'd failed to disassociate the elements. Hence, Stephen had merely become cannon fodder by taking lead so enthusiastically!
Damn, this fella is sly…


Lin Li accidentally enters another world while playing with his smurf mage account just after he maxes out all kinds of crafting skills, bringing with him various top-grade materials. Although his character is practically powerless, what he gains in return is unprecedented magical talent! Can he survive by himself after being thrown into another world?

Death's recount began from the moment we had parted ways at the Kuri. That day the green, pink and blue aurora borealis illuminated the sky at night.

He had been strolling along the soft sand and pebble stone pathways. And had stepped onto the Butsudan Hall's wide veranda, relishing the typical placid floral scent from the wooden floorboards.

The loud argument between War and me had made his eyes rolling. So he went to dispel our spat behind the building.

A short while later. He had returned to the veranda by the time Pesti and I had left the Central Courtyard area.

The sight of a stranger standing before the building's entrance made him pause with a frown. The man was well-to-do in a formal navy-blue business suit and wide brim hat called a Fedora. It had been a while since he had seen someone from the outside granted entry into Gat Shiem.

He approached the man and saw Shuso standing next to him.

"Shuso introduced me to Abraham Reiner, who had travelled from a place called Hell's Labyrinth to entrust an artifact he and his men had discovered there."

I gulped nervously when Death mentioned that another man had stepped onto the veranda to stand next to Abraham.

This man wore a dark uniform of a military officer. A black veil with an inner layer, shielded his eyes from view. However, the X-patterned scar, on the side of his neck near his collarbone, was visible beneath the veil's material.

Death was given something of an eccentric dismissal order from Shuso. He politely took his leave, crossed the Central Courtyard, walked past the long Temizuya water basin and entered the moonstone Archive Tower.

He greeted passing monks in blue samue or kimonos with cordial bows as he followed a fudge scented trail down shimmering stone corridors to the cataloging room.

Inside the room, he passed between rows of glass cabinets (shelves stocked with objects of various shapes and colors), travelling a spiral path to the circular center where his obsidian alter and tools for alchemy laid was laid out on the surface in readiness for his work.

His thoughts of the strange men were pushed aside with an intention of talking to War about it later.

Sometime had passed when the droopy-eyes monk named Adams-san had entered to supervise his work. He was running through his checklist of the shelved objects locked away in the cabinets.

I knew that Death and Adams-san were close because of their archive responsibilities, but I would never have imagined the relationship that they had formed. Instead of supervision, Adams-san had disrupted Death's work to make out with him.

Death sighed, confessing to their affair that began by accident due to a mishap with an artifact. They had been dating for a while.

"The number of times we made love in that place makes me feel ashamed. I couldn't stop. I was addicted to him." He lowered his head. "I'm sure this ghost form is Buddha's punishment for me."

He looked to his ghostly hands held out before him.

"Have you forgotten everything Bulldog taught us? People punish people. We punish ourselves. Buddha offers a way to enlightenment." I firmly reassured him, prompting him to carry on.

Death continued.

Fortunately, they had finished with their nookie and was doing some actual work at the obsidian alter by the time Shuso had entered the room. 

He led in Abraham and the black veil man who was holding an iron box patterned with several wardings and protection symbols from the Sacred Word.

"I was told that the box contained an object called a Denbora Tsazcuth."

Abraham knew of the name because it had those words wrapped around the object when they had accidentally discovered it. Several his men had suffered ailments or lost their lives to the object whilst they were trying to contain it in the box.

He had further described the tsazcuth object as a glowing white ice cube that had no feeling upon touch and no other markers to the senses aside from its visual aspect according to some reports. It was an object that existed, but didn't as soon as you took your eyes off it.

Shuso had Death open the box and use his empathy power to identify the magic belonging to the object.

"I was a fingertip away from touching that thing when I recoiled my hand."

The pain he had felt from being close to the magical ice cube was beyond excruciating. It had left him screaming with a madness as he felt his timeline reeling backwards in his head. The transition of emotions and sensations to his body moved at a rapid pace.

"I was being picked and pulled apart within seconds. Feeling everything. The tearing, bleeding, splintering... You can't imagine how painful that was." Death's voice trembled.

Shuso had closed the iron box and moved Death away from it with apologies.

When Death had regained his composure, he told the men that he suspected the power contained was the fabled Power of Null. A demigod power that was rumored to negate any barrier, warp time and matter into a single destructive force. It was used as a reason to pass-off people's substance abuse, mental disorders and obsessive-compulsive natures not explainable through factual science and known theories.

"I get it. You had stumbled upon the Power of Null. Why would that make you feel bad?"

I felt frustrated and panicky at the time it was taking for Death to get through his story. At the same time, I was aware that he had to say things at his pace. So, I released a few breaths to relax and continued listening.

"We took that thing into the Magenta Vault. Shuso and the men had left once they saw the iron box stowed on a shelf in the vault."

Adams-san and Death had been left alone to lock up the vault as usual.

Death mumbled about how they had made love in front of the vault's entrance before locking up its reinforced iron double doors. He was sent on ahead to the cataloging room to freshen up. Adams-san had remained to lock the way to the Magenta Vault as per usual procedure.

Death felt all his guilt, shame and the after effects from the tsazcuth festering within himself. He wandered out of the Archive Tower seeking air and headed down a path that would take him back to Sangha Hall.

"I felt at peace when I saw you and Pestilence watching the sky with innocent eyes." His ghostly lips twitched with a smile, which faded to a desolate expression.

"You had no idea you were staring at warning colors of a magical disturbance." Death explained about sensing the strong power that was neutralizing Gat Shiem's protective barriers.

His fear made him sprint back to the Central Courtyard where he saw strange lights flickering in the distance near the Torii. 

He raced for it and stopped for breath just short of the archway's steps. There he saw Adams-san with the iron box that they had taken to the Magenta Vault earlier.

The lid of the box was open to release some Power of Null out into the dark open space between the posts.

He opened his mouth to call out to Adams-san then closed it when he saw a countless number of red sashes rushing through the gate, realizing that they were connected to the waists of black-clad warriors.

He retreated to the Archive Tower, sprinting as fast as he could for the warning bell at the tower's side entrance. The attacks started before he was able to sound out the bell.

Adams-san waiting for him at the tower's entrance with Abraham and a troop of black-clad warriors flanking their rear.

Death was dragged by the hair, by two of the warriors, to the Central Courtyard before the worship hall's entrance. He caught sight of the Butsudan being desecrated when he was pinned down to the ground by a pair of boots on his back.

Some power caused his strength to weaken and his body remain to the ground to witness the surrounding devastation. His heart was breaking with pain. Body aching from a torrent of emotions running through him. 

The panic and pain he felt from the innocent animals affected him the most. He acutely suffered their infliction, constantly, throughout every part of his being. It was unbearable. He was begging and pleading for them to stop.

"Now watch what your part of the plan has brought about," Adams-san coldly said to Death. 

He forced him to watch and feel the pain of his monk family decapitated and slain by the red sash warriors.

The acrid taste of spilled blood made him regurgitate bile to the ground.

"Remember. It was you who allowed this to happen when your hand reached out for the Power of Null," Adams-san cruelly whispered into Death's aching ears.

"You should have heeded warning when you let me in between your legs." The dastardly monk landed the killing blow to Death's pride.

Death had lapsed into unconsciousness at that moment.

I've decided to continue updating this story on Tapread.com. This story has moved there http://www.tapread.com/book/detail/96

He had to slow them down. Whatever it took. More iron. Everywhere. If he projected it far enough, it would find something to latch onto. More. Farther. Nothing else mattered. This guy next to him was going to fall to his death if he didn't do this. Right now. 

The box shifted and shook, then began to slow. Gradually. But it didn't stop, even as Hector kept envisioning and adding to the gigantic network of iron spikes and hooks and spears and nets that must have been surrounding the box by now. 

The bumpiness came and went as the descent continued for quite a while. Robert Sheridan tried to speak, but with the grinding and groaning of metal in all directions, Hector couldn't hear him--nor did he try to, until finally, after what felt like an hour, the box came to a stop. 

Hector allowed himself to stop concentrating on his iron and relax somewhat. 

'Hector,' came Garovel's voice through the pitch darkness. The reaper sounded rather annoyed. 

'W-what?' 

'Oh, did you finally hear me? I've been trying to talk to you for a while, you know.' 

He, in fact, did not know that, but Mr. Sheridan interrupted before Hector could answer. 

"Thanks for saving my bacon there, son." A rustling noise was also coming from his direction, as the man was perhaps trying to stand up. Then a small lamp flicked on in the palm of Mr. Sheridan's glove. 

At last, Hector could see again. He started annihilating some of his iron so that they could get a look outside. The meager lamplight didn't extend very far, though. 

'Hector, I can sense Zeff and Axiolis down here, along with a few other people.' 

That was a surprise. 'You mean they fell down the hole after us?' 

'No, I think there were more holes than just ours. From what I was able to tell, things got pretty crazy up there.' 

'Where's Zeff?' 

The reaper detached himself from Hector's arm and pointed in the direction opposite to the one that Hector had been looking. 'About two hundred meters that way. Seems like they're already headed toward us. I suggest we go meet them halfway.' 

'No argument here.' Hector made a doorway in the box. 

"H-hey, uh, son," said Mr. Sheridan, causing Hector to pause and look back. "Would you mind helping me carry some of this?" He eyed the many, many gun parts strewn all over the box's floor. 

Oh right. Hector supposed all that stuff was pretty damn valuable. Not to mention, the big gun that they had been building was still there, too. 

Hector stepped out of the box and motioned for the man to follow. When they were both clear, Hector annihilated all of the haphazard iron that he had created earlier while also remaking the box. Then he materialized an iron track for it and grew the box slowly along it. 

"Hey, that's pretty convenient," said Mr. Sheridan as they started walking. "You interested in a job?" 

Hector was hardly listening, however, as he had a more pressing question for Garovel. 'Where are the worms?' 

'All over the place.' 

Not what he wanted to hear. 'Should we be running?' 

'Not as of yet. Fortunately for us, the worms seem to be going after the train.' 

'Oh, so the train got away?' 

'Yeah. It started moving a while ago, and now I can't sense it anymore. All these worms must still be able to, though.' 

At that news, Hector allowed himself to relax a little more. 

"--chances are, huh?" 

Hector realized that Mr. Sheridan had still been talking. "Sorry, what did you say?" 

"I asked what you thought our chances are," the man said, less jovial than before. "Of getting out of this alive, I mean. You've got one of them reaper phantoms, right? And they can sense stuff, right?" 

"Uh..." 

'He doesn't seem like he'll panic,' said Garovel. 'Just answer him honestly.' 

"Well, ah," said Hector, "we're safe for now." 

"That so?" 

"But there are still worms everywhere." 

"Figures." The man frowned and smacked his lips together. "Guess I have to ask you to look after me for a bit longer, then. Sorry for the trouble." 

Impulsively, Hector almost said that it was no trouble, but he stopped himself. Because, well... honestly? It was. It really was. And Mr. Sheridan would probably know he was just saying that to be polite or whatever. 

Hector didn't actually mind, of course. This was the kinda shit he lived for. But it was definitely trouble. In fact, that was kinda the point. 

But then again, maybe he should've said it anyway, even if it was just to be polite. Being polite was a good thing, after all, wasn't it? 

Shit, he was putting way too much thought into this. 

And perhaps Mr. Sheridan had grown uncomfortable by Hector's deliberating silence, because then the man said, "I promise I'll make this up to you." 

Crap, he was being rude, wasn't he? He hadn't been talking nearly enough. Thinking back, he'd kinda been ignoring or otherwise not responding to a lot of the things that this guy had been saying so far. Sure, he'd been preoccupied with bigger concerns, but still... 

And now he really didn't know what to say. How was he supposed to respond to a promise like that? Just say "cool"? No, that would be stupid. He didn't give a shit if this guy ever paid him back or not. That wasn't important at all. So maybe he should just say "okay"? Eh, it was more neutral, but not much better, really... 

Argh, why was this so difficult? Where'd all the worms go? Wasn't there at least one who wanted to come fight him, right now? He wouldn't mind. 

A faint, red-orange light caught his attention. With only the tiny lamp in Mr. Sheridan's hand, they'd been walking through an all-encompassing wall of darkness up to now, so he had to wonder where this new light was coming from. It seemed to be emanating from around a corner. 

'Is that Zeff and the others?' he asked Garovel. 

'No, they're still a ways away. I think that's probably just lava.' 

Hector's brow lowered from behind his misty helm. 'JUST lava?' 

'You've never seen lava before?' 

'Not up close, no. Not sure I want to, either.' 

Sure enough, when they were close enough, a rocky corner revealed itself to their lamplight, and they peeked around it to find a rushing river of lava in their way. It burned so intensely bright and was such a harsh contrast to the darkness everywhere else that Hector couldn't look directly at it without his eyes beginning to hurt. 

'Hmm,' hummed Garovel. 'We'll wait for Zeff here.' 

'You sure? I could build a bridge over it, no problem.' 

'Big problem, actually. Heat convection is a bitch, Hector. And you still haven't mastered temperature manipulation with your iron yet, have you?' 

'Ah...' 

'You're free to give it a go, if you want,' said Garovel, 'but let's not gamble with this poor guy's life, eh? Because even with how advanced that suit he's wearing is, I highly doubt it will protect him from the heat rising off that lava over there.' 

Hector's mind went to his studies. He'd been meaning to work on temperature manipulation, and Asad and Zeff had even told him to do so on his own as homework, but he'd been neglecting it in favor of practicing other things--other, purportedly more difficult and, in theory, more valuable things. 

But now he felt like he'd been slacking. 

So while they waited for Zeff to show up, Hector took the opportunity to get in some extra practice. 

-+-+-+-+- 

Zeff was in no mood for any of this, right now. It was all he could do to keep himself from lashing out at any of these people tagging along with him and Axiolis. A handful of Hun'Kui militiamen, along with Diego Redwater, Manuel Delaguna, and one of the non-servant Garza girls whose face he recognized but name escaped him. 

He knew they didn't deserve his ire. He knew that. But he was so frustrated that he could hardly think straight. 

Because he'd allowed himself to get separated from his children again. Again. 

It just kept happening. In spite of his best efforts, it just kept happening. 

After everything... what would Mariana think? She would chastise him, surely. That woman never held back her criticism. And she'd be right, too. 

First his parents. Then his cousins. Aunts and uncles. Grandparents and great grandparents. Then Gema. Then Mariana. Then Francisco. Then Emiliana. 

And now, even Marcos and Ramira. 

It just kept happening. 

He couldn't stop it. No matter what he did. 

What a fool and a failure he was. In every way that mattered. A terrible excuse for a father and a husband. 

Perhaps this was just meaningless. This struggle. Endless. Fruitless. Doomed to be repeated as he inevitably proved too weak or too stupid in the future, as well. What if this path just kept going and never got any better, regardless of his every effort? Even regardless of how he tried to change or improve? 

Was this what going mad felt like? 

He wondered if that wouldn't be for the best. If he went mad, would that not make things easier? He could just let go. Stop caring so much. 

Could he choose that? Could he choose to go insane? Because he wanted to. In this moment, he couldn't imagine a more appealing idea. 

Except. 

That other thought was still there. The one that wouldn't stop bothering him no matter what. That one that kept telling him it wasn't about him anymore. It didn't matter what he wanted. It didn't matter what would make him happy or sad or anything else. 

And choosing to go mad, if such a thing were even possible, would be exactly that. Selfish. It wouldn't solve anything. It wouldn't make up for anything. And it certainly wouldn't help his children. 

So, no. 

There was no easy way out. Not now. Not ever. 

He'd known that all along, really. It was no great epiphany. 

Mariana would have been disgusted with him if she knew that he had even been humoring such thoughts. 

God, he missed her. 

Zeff tried to steady his thoughts, knowing he shouldn't allow himself to get too distracted. Axiolis was here to warn him of any incoming danger, of course, but even so, it never hurt to be vigilant. And besides, there were few things more terrifying than being lost in the deep darkness of the Undercrust. Any of these people following him were liable to start panicking if he didn't fulfill his role as the apparent leader. 

Even Diego, potentially. 

It wasn't likely, sure, but Zeff had known even more brazenly confident men than him who had broken down in similar circumstances. There was perhaps no clearer example than in Lyste, some twenty years prior, during what would later be known in that country as the Great Right Turn. 

It had been a quiet war for public opinion, until the very end, when all hell broke loose. They had faced overwhelming odds for five days straight, fighting such famous names as the Bloodeye, the Man of Crows, the Raider, the Liar, the Silver Devil, and even the Mad Demon himself. 

That was the battle in which Field Marshal Kent and many other Vanguardians lost their minds and began attacking their own allies, including one another. 

It was also the battle in which Field Marshal Lamont earned the name Iceheart, for killing Kent, his closest friend, in addition to every other broken traitor. 

Zeff might not have believed that story if he hadn't been there to witness it with his own eyes, if he hadn't gotten to know Kent a little beforehand and seen the man acting seemingly normal up until then... and if Kent hadn't been mere seconds away from killing him and Axiolis both. 

It was doubtless to Zeff's mind that in those few short days of fighting, the entirety of Lyste would have been consumed by Abolish were it not for Lamont. The man's reputation had suffered from it, as he'd previously been more widely known as the Judge of Intar, but having been there himself, Zeff could never truly fault the man for what he had done. 

And now it was strange, because as much as he hated the Vanguard, there were still those within it whose strength, both of body and of mind, he aspired to. 

In a way, though, that made him even angrier. At the Vanguard and himself. 

'Zeff,' came Axoilis' echoing voice. 'We're almost there.' 

As they walked, the increasing incandescence all around their small party was a welcome change, even though the magma from which it came was less so. He could finally make out the rough silhouette of the cavernous passage that they were using, as well as various branching paths along the way. 

When the young Lord Goffe came into view, Zeff stopped. The boy was apparently practicing his materialization over a broad river of magma. And not doing very well, it seemed, as parts of his iron bridge were already white hot and beginning to bend downward. 

What a ridiculous sight. With everything he'd seen the boy do, this should have been child's play by now. Had he not been doing as Zeff and Asad had instructed? 

How irritating. Zeff really did not need anything else to be annoyed by, right now. 

Much as he would've liked to scold the boy and maybe smack him until he started doing it correctly, this wasn't the time or place for that. 

Zeff flicked his wrist and set about the task of cooling the molten river safely. If he simply materialized an iceberg on top of it, the extreme temperature difference would cause the ice to explode and probably kill someone--if not everyone. A suitable application of soul-strengthening, however, prevented that problem, and then Zeff was able to quickly blacken and settle the magma flow as his continual supply of ice melted harmlessly over it. 

He noticed the Hun'Kui behind him take a few steps back, perhaps able to feel an uncomfortable gust of cooler air wash over them. He knew he had to be mindful of their presence, too. If he put too much oomph into his ice and turned this place into a little winter wonderland, the Hun'Kui would almost certainly freeze to death within seconds. 

It required a strange and delicate balance, this little entourage. Ice was as deadly to the Hun'Kui as magma was to the non-servants from the surface. 

Garovel was the first to venture over the calmed river and strike up a conversation. 'Glad to see you all in one piece.' 

'Likewise,' said Ax. 'So where to next? Time is short, and every direction but southwest will likely lead us into a fight with more worms.' 

Diego stepped forward. "If that's the case, then what's there to think about? Southwest it is." 

His reaper, Yangéra, floated by his side. 'The train went northeast,' she said. 

"Oh." 

'There's also the concern of WHY southwest is so empty,' said Garovel. 'Call me suspicious, but it seems a little too good to be true.' 

'Perhaps, but do you see any other options?' said Ax. 'Because I am struggling to.' 

'Unfortunately, no, I don't.' 

'The longer we stand here, the more likely the worms will notice us,' added Yangéra. 'I suggest we at least START going southwest, for now.' 

'Agreed,' said Ax. 

'I, as well,' said Lorios, the reaper to Manuel Delaguna. 

'Guess I do, too,' said Garovel. 

The group began walking again, Axiolis and Garovel leading the way. Zeff noticed the large iron box that Hector was having follow them, and when asked, the boy stiltedly explained that it contained valuable firearms. 

Hector opened the top of it, allowing his companion, Mr. Sheridan access while they were moving. Diego, Manuel, and a couple of the Hun'Kui gave it a look as well, and it wasn't long before Hector was dragging half the party along in his iron box while they toiled away with guns. 

Yet another ridiculous sight. Had the boy become a pack mule, now? 

Zeff adjusted his pace in order to walk next to Hector. "You should be practicing your temperature manipulation," he said, still trying to keep a lid on his annoyance level. 

"Ah, oh yeah," said Hector. And then he started doing exactly that. While still pulling the others along, the boy began making spheres appear and disappear repeatedly in front of himself. 

Somehow, that was even more irritating. 

Zeff could hear a few of the others chatting, including the reapers, but he wasn't done with Hector. An important question had occurred to him. "Do you still have the Shard that Asad gave you?" 

Hector threw Zeff a look, paused from his practice, and reached through the misty armor's gap in the armpit to whip out the Shard. He held it out for Zeff, but the Rainlord didn't take it. 

"As long as it is safe," said Zeff. 

Hector said nothing, only recoiled his hand. 

And maybe this wasn't the appropriate time, but Zeff still felt compelled to ask, "Can you contact her now?" 

The young lord's expression was unreadable beneath his helmet. "I'll try." Hector closed his eyes and fell silent again. 

Zeff waited. Impatiently, perhaps, but he waited. 

When Hector opened his eyes again, he said, "S-sorry, it's... it's still not working." 

"Why?" growled Zeff, more at the universe than at Hector specifically. 

Hector didn't seem to interpret it that way, though. "I don't know..." 

It probably wasn't the boy's fault. Zeff knew that. Hector had no reason to lie that Zeff could think of. 

Unless Emiliana was telling him not to say anything, of course. That was certainly possible. And it wasn't difficult to imagine what her reason would be. 

The Black Scourge. That bastard. What did he want with her? If he was hurting her in any way... it didn't matter how powerful he was. Zeff would find a way to kill him. 

If all of that was true, however, then Hector would be at fault. For listening to Emiliana over Zeff. For thinking that Zeff wouldn't do what was best for his own child. 

That was what was bothering him. That possibility. 

But it was only that, he knew. A possibility. And an unlikely one. The boy was probably telling the truth. Probably. 

Probably... 

He scowled and heightened his pace in order to put some distance between Hector and himself.

Death is coming. And he wants to help.

The world of Eleg may seem like a normal enough place at first blush, but wade deeper into it, and soon the dark, the deadly, and the mad will begin to reveal themselves.

But don't worry.

They usually have a sense of humor.

---------------

Also available to read for free at thezombieknight.blogspot.com

Put down the new energy and new metals? Lu Dongbin relaxed his eyebrows and made eye contact with the other three people. The small team gathered closer again and stood up straight with their body touching one another. His slightly nervous heart recovered again.
"Qin Fen, you are very strong." Lu Dongbin waved his hand gently. The martial artists around him spread out slowly to the sides and gave space to the four immortals. They nervously looked at the four strong martial dao artists who were taking the lead.
Han Zhongli was a fatty. His body size was somewhat similar to the martial dao master of Neo Sumo on Earth. Even the skin color was similar to him, but his appearance was completely different. They were obviously not brothers.
Fatty Han Zhongli who had a big meaty belly shook the tungsten steel cattail leaf fan in his hand and slowly spoke with a voice that sounded a bit clumsy, "None of us can be your opponent if we fight individually, but don't you ever forget that this is not a one-on-one arena. This is a natural cemetery. We are not gambling but fighting for the new energy and new metals that may be related to the future, so..."
Gezhi... gezhi... chi...
White gas spurted out from the back of Jungle Ranger's airframe. The armor was drawn to both sides. It was the first time Qin Fen revealed his true appearance in front of these martial artists.
"So young?"
"And he is not ugly?"
"Is he really that cruel?"
A series of exclamations and whispers spread among the Elysium martial artists. The rumored cold-blooded murderer was sinister in appearance in everyone's impression. Qin Fen's appearance was really hard to connect with the rumored imagination.
The sound of the opening of the Jungle Ranger's cabin destroyed Han Zhongli's speech. Qin Fen walked calmly out of Jungle Ranger and looked at the four powerhouses who were very influential in Saturn's martial artists' world. Qin Fen gently moved his fingers of both hands. His hand curled up into fists for a while and relaxed the next moment. He then held them into fists again.
After repeating this many times, Qin Fen's eyesight stopped at the iron box, which had banging sounds coming from it. There was a faint wild roar inside which gave him an incomprehensible sense of familiarity, as if it had a smell he used to know.
However, the iron box was too tightly closed. He could not smell anything, he could only judge based on the roar and the temperament that came out of it.
Insect warrior? Qin Fen looked at Lu Dongbin's cautious eyes. He then frowned and went deep into thought. The feeling of power released by the powerhouse inside is really like an insect warrior. Is Elysium still associated with the founding society? This is really unexpected but it was also somewhat expected. Isn't it possible for a force that can control the Golden Triangle drug trafficking to be related to the crazy organization founding society?
"The thing inside..." Qin Fen glanced slowly at the faces of the four of Eight Immortals, "Is it an insect warrior?"
The scene had once again fallen into silence and most of the Elysium martial artist had a blank expression. What is an insect warrior? What is Qin Fen talking about?
Lu Dongbin's face turned a bit gloomy. A powerful martial artist could remain calm even if serious things happened in front of him, not anything could make him change his expression. It was really hard for anyone to guarantee that he would have no reaction at all, especially when the biggest secret was mentioned so casually it was as if it was a matter that everyone surely knew. 
He Xiangu looked at Qin Fen with doubts. It can be said that insect warriors were a very secretive existence. Although the military headquarters had two conflicts with the insect warriors in rumor, it seemed to be classified as top secret. Qin Fen is young, the pin on the shoulder only states the rank of lieutenant colonel, how could he know this?
"Sure enough." Qin Fen was not happy at all even when he guessed it correctly. He tutted, "Don't you want to release it?"
Lu Dongbin and the other three frowned at the same time and looked doubtfully at Qin Fen. They wondered what this sentence meant. Does he know that insect warriors were very violent? It was brought here for emergency need, they did not really want to put it on the battlefield.
Qin Fen put his hands behind his back. He stepped freely on the rotten leaves and grass and walked on the battlefield which was a mess. Nearly hundreds of Elysium martial artists stepped back at the same time. Their eyes revealed fearful alert and nearly hundreds of the muzzles aimed at Qin Fen. No one ever considered if Qin Fen, who was the martial dao grandmaster and would not even be hurt by a rocket or even a missile, could be hurt by this little thing at this moment.
"I mean." Qin Fen was relaxed. He stopped his footstep as if he was going for a walk. He glanced at Lu Dongbin, He Xiangu, Han Zhongli, and Tie Guaili. He raised his right hand, moved his index finger horizontally in the air, and said, "If you guys must fight for new energy and new metals. Then, you guys should do it together. As the martial artist said, this is not a life-or-death arena, we don't have to fight one-on-one. You guys can do it together. "
Do it together... do it together? Do it together!
All the Elysium martial artists were stunned for a moment. Even the insect warrior who was restless in the iron box suddenly became quiet. Lu Dongbin looked, surprised, at He Xiangu to prove that he did not mishear Qin Fen. He found that the other three immortals of Elysium also looked questioningly at him.
Do it together! Lu Dongbin had never heard such arrogant words, especially from such a young martial artist. That made him think that he was daydreaming.
Such a tone is still too arrogant even if Qin Fen killed Chen Ni with one technique! Does he think that he is only facing a bunch of little gangsters with little strength or martial artists who had just learned martial arts? Those in front of him are four seventeen-star powerhouses who were good in actual combat; who had experienced many battles and lots of life and death on the battlefield! They were powerhouses who were given the immortal title in Elysium!
This couldn't be said as arrogant anymore, it could even be simply said that he was getting himself killed! Even an eighteen-star martial artist would disappear from the world in an instant if the four seventeen-star strong martial dao artists initiated the level four biochemical beast system together, ate the Berserker Pill and Armor Pill, and exerted the destructive power to the maximum on a person.
"Do it together?" Du Peng looked at Qin Fen's back and suddenly remembered the aura of power he saw when Qin Fen individually fought the heroes in the Recruit Tournament.
At this moment, Du Peng suddenly felt that Qin Fen's aura of power was expanding rapidly and endlessly toward the sky. The aura of power which was already great and unrivaled at the moment was rushing out from his body.
"One versus a group?"
"Captain Zhanpeng? I seem to have hallucinations. Big Bro Zhan's younger brother seems to be inflated in a sudden..."
"You are not dazzled." The Jungle Ranger who was at the forefront had a voice that always sounded graceful, "Qin Fen's aura of power is expanding rapidly. I never thought that he would have reached this point. No wonder he could kill Chen Ni without even leaving the mobile armor. The Ground Aura Shield! The martial dao had merged with the aura shield and martial arts technique to this point! It is amazingly powerful."
"The Ground Aura Shield? Big Bro Zhanpeng, you say that Big Bro Zhan's younger brother already entered the Ground Aura Shield?"
"Yes, the Ground Aura Shield." The Jungle Ranger who did not move for a while nodded for the first time, "Attention! Qin Fen had entered the Ground Aura Shield. The hunting operation this time became more interesting."
"Yes!" The people who were whispering became quiet again.
"I say, just let him out together." Qin Fen put his hands behind his back and stared at the iron box that started to shake again. His posture was abnormally calm, and his eyes looked attractive under a glimmer of light but it also faintly gave people a very great pressure at the same time.
"Qin Fen!"
Lu Dongbin roared. He had just opened his mouth to talk but saw Qin Fen suddenly raise his hand with his five fingers spread open. A grand aura of power suddenly swept the whole scene!
That was not the martial dao aura shield but pure vigor of a powerhouse! The four of Eight Immortals looked a bit pale. Although they had not really fought against each other, the aura of power circle which was formed by the four had been reduced to a smaller circle in just a flash by the surging aura of power when Qin Fen raised his hand.
Qin Fen was suspected of an assault in the collision of aura of power this time, furthermore, it was an active attack. The four immortals knew at the same time that they might not be able to win Qin Fen even everyone fought together.
Once the concept was formed, Lu Dongbin found that the faces of the other three companions paled. Such information was really unexpected. Anyone among them was an Elysium master who swept over Saturn easily and was one of the Eight Immortals! Facing an upcoming youngster who had risen in a few years, they were reduced to the circumstance where they were not likely to be his opponent even fought together. They would only laugh at his daydreaming if someone told them this way in the past.
However, this had now become a fact. The young man who killed Zuo Dongting in a battle half a year ago and suddenly disappeared after startling every major force was back again. He was even stronger than before.
The four quickly exchanged a look. Lu Dongbin saw that the other three companions made the same decision to release the one who was locked in the iron box all the time.
Lu Dongbin's eyes showed a little hesitation. He closed his eyes and breathed. His chest violently fluctuated twice as he looked at Qin Fen. He found that the young man's expression was always calm and there was no tension at all. He was just waiting for Lu Dongbin to open the 'Pandora's box'.
Lu Dongbin's palm slowly touched the iron box that everyone jokingly called "Pandora's Box." He still looked at Qin Fen, puzzled. Why is this young man so mighty? Is there no guarantee for the four of Eight Immortals to win against him without being hurt or killed?
"The damn Emperor of Inferno." Lu Dongbin cursed badly in his heart. If the Emperor of Inferno did not kill the Eight Immortals one after another, the Eight Immortals Formation would have still existed. They would then not have to be afraid of Qin Fen who was just the fledgling super powerhouse.
The 'Pandora's box' slowly opened, and rays of sunlight shone into the dark iron box. A chill of death squirted out from the box, as if a demon was released from hell at this moment. The sound of roaring that was unlike humans was the first to rush out of the metal iron cabinet.
The Elysium martial artists held their breath and went to see the powerhouse that everyone had been guessing about. The Elysium martial artists were stunned at the same time as the shadow gradually stood up. There was an endless cold current crawling beneath their skin as they watch the body stand up arrogantly, and goosebumps spread instantly all over everyone's body.
Lan Caihe! It is one of the martial artists among Eight Immortals who had died! It is actually Eight Immortals Lan Caihe, who had already been declared dead long ago, inside the box!


"Qin Fen had once been abandoned and broken until, one day, he picked up a liquid metal ball that turned his life upside down.
This is the interplanetary era where Classical and Modern Wushu are competing. Classical Wushu enables followers to grow as powerful as dragons and elephants, whereas Modern Wushu enables followers to freeze monsters or even extinguish erupting volcanoes.
Qin Fen steps onto the stage of both Classical and Modern Wushu while belonging to neither. With the exquisite combination of both Classical Wushu and modern technology, he will pave a way to become a legend.
He is one of a kind, a favored son of heaven." -KyleChow_
"He is a youth, a gentleman, and a scholar cultivating in the Dragon Elephant Prajna Art. He has the strength of ten dragons and ten elephants, producing clouds with a turn of a hand and rain with the other. This is a story about the clash of passions between neo martial arts and paleo martial arts. This is a story about transcending the apex, about forcefully slaughtering one's way into the legends. This is a story about fading into nirvana, about the prideful of heaven!
In this world, cultivating the paleo martial art known as the Dragon Elephant Prajna Art to the pinnacle allows one to possess the enormous strength of ten dragons and ten elephants! In this world, the Nitrogen Freezing Magic can freeze even a volcano on the verge of eruption! In this world, the Magma Art can instantly melt and vaporize a glacier!
This is a heavy undertaking by Skyscrapper back in 2009! This is a story of affection, of love. This is a story never lacking in friendship. This story, overflowing with heated blood, is certain to cause your own passion to surge!
This is a radiant era where hot-blood, friendship, love, and heroes converge, shine, and interweave upon each other.
Click and fall in love with this legend." -Strivon (Translation of original synopsis)


After 3 hours of hellish training from Garp, Xin rest for a while and stand up while his legs are still shaking he know that Hina and Ain is waiting for him at the school gate.

Suddenly Garp said,"Get a proper rest we going to continue this again TOMORROW!"

Garp walk while laugh like a maniac,"Bwahahahaha…"

Xin suddenly feel that his day will become more miserable

After walking back to school Xin start to comprehend in what he experience.He understand that he needs to be aware and flexible in handling some dangerous attack if necessary, but he still need to learn more.

When he was about to enter the gate he see Ain and Hina into the distance so he waves his hand and call them.

Seeing Xin already finished his training Ain and Hina come to Xin and start walking back to there dorm.

While they are walking Xin keep talking about her experience during his training,he said how to develop natural instinct,flexibility and some other aspect you need to become strong.

Ain and Hina listening to Xin they can add it to their knowledge and apply it to there every day training.

Hina can't help but to deprest,"You know guys i eat a devil fruit and i don't even know how to develop its power"

Ain and Xin already know it so they can't help but be sad to there friend.

Xin suddenly said,"If I remember there is a guide book "manga" in my previous hometown "laboratory" about how to develop devil friut"

Xin continued,"If you want to develop your devil fruit i can help you"

Hina become happy in what he heard and said,"Can you teach me how to develop my devil fruit?"

Xin ask,"If I remember you said that the name of your devil fruit is Ori Ori no Mi/Bind-Bind Fruit right?"

Hina face become depressed again,"Yes it was a trash devil fruit it can only use to bind that's all"

Xin though,'If I remember in original series of One Piece,Hina can only use one move and it was Awase Baori ("Lined Kimono Feather Cage") a fence-like cage of bars that come out of her arms, Hina closes the cage and binds anyone that is caught inside and that's all he never develop another skill besside "Awase Baori"

Xin said don't worry,"I will help you …. The first thing you need to learn first if you want to develop your devil fruit is to know their effect and characteristic"

Hina nod,"The characteristic is metal and the effect is to bind, I already know that what kind of training should I do ….. to make my devil fruit more powerful?"

Xin smile and said,"After knowing the effect and characteristic of your devil fruit you can easily develop some skills"

He stares Hina and smile,"Do you know what the most suitable use of your devil fruit"

Seeing Xin smile at her,Hian face becomes red,"I know its to bind"

Xin nood,"Yes it to bind you know that your devil fruit is not good for attacking but to bind so you need to develop a skill that can restrict your opponent"

Hina pout said,"But I can't thing a way to develop skills using my devil fruit"

Ain and Xin smile at her they know that Hina is a muscle brain so they not surprised by what she said

Xin said,"Don't worry, I will help you develop some skills"

Then he takes a notebook in his bag and start writing

After a half hour he finish list some of his idea and create some unique skills for Hina

Then he gave it to her,Seeing Xin is already finish Hina take and read it 

Ain is curious so she see what XIn right on it

...…..

Binding Iron Chain (Tessa no ketsugō) 
Create iron chain under your feet to erupt from the earth and binding the target.

Binding Iron Chain Swarm (Tetsu no kusari no sokubaku)
Create multiple iron chain under your feet to erupt from the earth and binding the target.

Binding Iron Black Box (Burakkubokkusu)
Create a black box to restrict the enemy inside

Binding Iron thorn (Tetsu no toge)
Iron thorn causes five black iron roots to erupt from the earth and entangle the target.

Binding Iron Maiden (Aian Meiden)
Create an iron casket with human shape to confine the enemy inside.

Alaudi's Handcuffs (Araudi no Tejo)
Iron handcuffs can multiply in number through the will of the user. The handcuffs multiply quickly, giving the enemy almost no time to react.When the handcuffs multiply, it is capable of changing shape to match the opponent's body. After the opponent is completely restrained, with a pull of the chains, the weapon is capable of crushing them to death.

Self Binding Armor v Part (Jiko ketsugo ama v patsu)
Create armor in  any part of user body and use to defend

Self Binding Armor v Whole (Jiko ketsugo ama v zentai)
Create full armor to user body it can protect user for any damage she recessive.

Self Binding Giant Iron knuckle (Jiko ketsugo Jaiantoaian-Nakkuru)
Create a giant Iron gloves to bind your own fist to forearm making a giant knuckle,It can use to defend and attack the enemy.

...….

After Hina seeing this he can't help but ask,"Xin this skill set is powerful but how can i make this?My ability can only metal bars from my hand"

Xin smile and said,"Before you can use all of that skill you need to master Metalbending"

Hina,"how can i do that"

Ain laugh and said,"I understand now,Hina your devil fruit can make metal bars and if you use it to other they will become solid iron but if you touch it you can mold it to any different shape you want"

Xin nodded,"That's right you can mold your own metal bars to any kind of shape you made by making it to different shapes you can use the skill that i make…"

"But you can only make binding weapon no other than that"

Hina puzzle look at him,"Why?"

Xin answers,"Its because the property of your devil fruit can only bind and restrict so you need to be creative in molding your ability"

Hina said,"Then why do you wright skill full body armor and giant knuckles?"

Xin smiled and said,"It was because your metal bars contain hardening property so you can use it as armor and blunt weapon"

Hina nod,"Ok i understand now after i got home i will start to practice my devil fruit while i'm absorbing reiatsu in the air"

The quest to find hope, dream and true love


Accompany Xin to find an answer to his question and find the path to become a god



2 chapters / days

Cover not mine I will make cover later

Grammar sometimes sucks but bear with it.


Like vote to support me thx guys.

http://bit.ly/XinXin10

https://www.p@treon.com/user?u=26285974

iron box and stand

iron man and thanos

Jack and the box

Rebirth: How A Loser Became A Prince Charming

[Transmigration]

Sword Among Us

Another World’s Versatile Crafting Master

Seriphyn Knight Chronicles

The Zombie Knight Saga

The Favored Son of Heaven

The Multiverse Conqueror

People search iron box and stand also like: