Beside the fluorescent fields of the demi-human town, a log cabin that looked somewhat aged stood quietly.
A not-very-tall fence surrounded the outside of the cabin. At this moment, several figures were stealthily lurking in the shadows behind the fence, craning their necks and cautiously peeking at the situation inside the small courtyard.
In the clean little courtyard, Yano was sitting cross-legged, eyes closed, his breathing long and steady. His sturdy chest rose and fell slightly with each breath, and an indescribable aura of tranquility seemed to linger around him.
Behind the fence, one of the shadows, noticeably smaller in stature, lowered her voice and spoke with confusion, "That's strange, what's he doing sitting there motionless? Meditating? But I've never seen any warrior train like that."
A slightly more robust figure next to her hesitated for a moment before replying uncertainly, "I heard Karn mention that he seems to be taking the Knight Trial and the Shadow Trial soon. He's probably preparing for the trials right now."
"A knight taking the Shadow Trial? I hope he doesn't get played for a fool by those guys who are good at hiding and trickery," the petite figure snickered.
"Shh—keep your voice down!"
"He seems to be waking up, let's get out of here."
The three figures nimbly withdrew from behind the fence and quickly disappeared into the shadows at the street corner.
After accidentally learning from their Auntie Nilly that Yano was also going to participate in the upcoming "Shadow Trial," they felt both surprised and curious.
According to Stone Descendant tradition, the Shadow Trial was an important occasion for the younger generation to demonstrate courage, wisdom, and affinity with shadow creatures. It was usually quite different from the path of knighthood, which emphasized frontal charges and honorable duels.
Out of curiosity about this "outsider" competitor, and fueled by a touch of youthful competitiveness, they had decided to come and investigate.
Leon admitted that Yano's strength was indeed formidable. If he passed the Knight Trial, the three of them combined wouldn't be enough for Yano to beat up.
But the rules of the Shadow Trial were completely different.
In the trial, finding and successfully contracting a shadow creature suitable for oneself did not rely on brute strength alone.
A participant who only knew how to swing his fists would likely be led astray by other, more cunning competitors who were more familiar with the trial's rules before even catching a glimpse of a shadow creature, and might even be the first to be eliminated.
After confirming that Yano seemed to be merely engaged in some kind of knightly physical coordination training they didn't quite understand, they were finally able to relax and leave with lightened hearts.
Walking on the town's gradually bustling streets, Mask said, "Elara, we're at least friends with Uncle Yano, wouldn't it be better to use the front door next time?"
"Hmph, what do you know? Uncle Yano and I are competitors now, and so are we. Starting tomorrow, until the trial officially ends, don't come looking for me, you two."
Mask scratched his head, somewhat puzzled. "Why? Wouldn't training together be more motivating?"
Elara lifted her chin. "From now on, I, Elara, am going to secretly undergo hellish training, and then amaze everyone. Maybe... just maybe, I can become the first female Grand Duke in Stone Descendant history!"
Mask honestly reminded her, "But you just said it out loud, so it's not exactly secret anymore, is it?"
Elara's face flushed, and she shot him a reproachful glare. "None of your business. Anyway... just don't disturb me, got it?"
With that, she quickened her pace, leaving her two companions behind.
Leon watched Elara's retreating back, smiled helplessly, and said to Mask, "Forget it, let her be. We need to prepare well too. This trial doesn't look like it'll be easy..."
The trio's conversation and footsteps gradually blended into the morning bustle of the small town, eventually disappearing at the end of the winding street.
In the courtyard, Yano opened his eyes, feeling an unprecedented lightness and clarity in his body. He stood up, stretched, and then threw a punch into the air.
"Whoosh—!"
The punch was fierce, actually creating a sound of splitting air.
This sound wasn't like the dull wind noise of an ordinary punch, but more like two invisible sharp swords cutting through the air.
Yano himself was stunned, looking at his fist in disbelief.
He could feel a different kind of aura swirling around his knuckles compared to before, making each punch carry a peculiar sense of penetration.
"Huh? This... this worked?" he muttered to himself, his face a mixture of confusion and pleasant surprise.
He picked up the mysterious book titled *Sword Scripture* and flipped to the chapter on the second realm, "Sword Hum." He read it carefully.
The book stated clearly: To reach this realm, one must use fist intent to stir the qi and blood within the body, mimicking the wondrous vibration of a sword, so that when the fist strikes, it carries wind, and within the wind, there is the sound of a sword blade cleaving the air... Without five or more years of diligent practice through heat and cold, it is difficult to even glimpse the threshold.
But he had only practiced for a day, how could he already have achieved Sword Hum?
The Sword Scripture had four realms in total.
It emphasized transforming the fist into a sword and wielding the sword as if it were a fist. It was a mortal martial art born from battlefield slaughter. It trained the external fist techniques and sword forms, and internally tempered the five viscera and six bowels. After mastering all four realms, one would become a top-tier internal energy expert, wielding the sword as if by instinct, reaching a state of returning to simplicity.
It was a martial art that highly valued practicality and was also the most suitable for knights.
"So fast... Could it be I practiced it wrong?" Yano's heart immediately grew uneasy.
He quickly put the book down and began carefully examining his body.
He pressed here, touched there, feeling for any discomfort.
At that moment, the little slime resting in his chest suddenly stirred and opened its eyes.
Chen Yu asked, puzzled, "What are you doing?"
"Boss, you're awake?"
Yano snapped back to reality and hurriedly explained his problem.
Hmm...
Chen Yu thought it was highly likely that there was nothing wrong with Yano, but rather that the author who compiled the Sword Scripture never imagined that a knight from another world would practice the martial arts he wrote.
This was equivalent to a martial arts prodigy who had only practiced foundational internal energy techniques, nearly becoming a master, suddenly turning to study the Sword Scripture.
Of course, he'd advance by leaps and bounds.
"Calm down, calm down. This is perfectly normal," Chen Yu said.
Only then did Yano breathe a sigh of relief, unable to suppress his excitement. "I've never come into contact with such mysterious knowledge before. It's different from the power granted by trials and combat skills. It's more like... more like the kind of knowledge even that perpetually drunk old sot Hans from Ironboot Town, who can barely hold a sword steady, could master."
"And this power is so magical, so harmonious, easier to grasp..."
Yano tried hard to describe everything he was experiencing with his own understanding. After his excitement faded, he said regretfully, "What a shame. If I had more time, I'm confident I could practice up to the fourth realm. By then, my agility wouldn't be much worse than those assassins, and I'd have a much better chance of passing the trial."
Chen Yu patted him with a gel hand. "Don't worry, the auxiliary cultivation pills are already on their way."
"But there are gargoyles lurking around Gore. I feel that little slime might not be able to get in. You'll have to go get them yourself."
"Pills? Are they similar to those magic potions alchemists concoct that can temporarily boost energy or enhance concentration?" Yano scratched his head, curious.
"More or less," Chen Yu thought.
"Auntie should be able to help me."
After saying that, Yano stood up, straightened his clothes, and went out.
But as he reached the doorway, his movements became hesitant. He first craned his neck to peer left and right down the street, then pulled out a gray cloth from who knows where, trying to cover most of his face with it.
Yano whispered quietly, "I don't know who spread the word about me stripping people's clothes in the Gray Mist Lake Dungeon. Now the whole town knows there's a new perverted Stone Descendant."
"Dammit, don't let me find that guy."
Chen Yu was instantly amused.
"Isn't that great? You became a big celebrity as soon as you arrived here."
Yano looked embarrassed. "Boss, please don't tease me."
He adjusted the face cloth, making sure it was covering enough, then took a deep breath and stepped onto the street.
However, his disguise seemed completely futile.
He had only taken a few steps when a cave-dwelling shopkeeper sweeping the steps in front of his store looked up, waved at him friendly, and greeted him:
"Good morning, Clothes Plunderer. May the darkness make way for you today. Have a pleasant day."
Yano: "..."
Alright, this disguise was utterly useless. He'd still been recognized.
He stopped, nodded at the enthusiastic cave-dwelling shopkeeper, and mumbled a response, "Morn... morning."
Then he quickened his pace and fled the scene.
However, the awkwardness had only just begun.
As morning arrived, more and more town residents and Stone Scion Nobles walked the streets, and people greeted him warmly.
"Isn't this our Mr. Yano? Good morning."
"Lord Yano, lovely weather today. Hope you find some new clothes that fit well and look respectable."
"Need a tailor recommendation, 'Clothes Plunderer' sir? Haha, just kidding."
Yano could only brace himself and nod in response all the way.
Finally, after enduring until he was almost out of the busiest district and could breathe a sigh of relief, someone suddenly tapped him lightly on the shoulder from behind.
Yano turned to look. He glanced around but didn't see anyone. Just as he was puzzled, he instinctively looked down and realized Auntie Nilly was already standing in front of him, though he hadn't noticed at first because she was a bit short.
Nilly stood with her hands on her hips, looking up at him lazily. "Not being able to look down isn't a good habit. Danger doesn't only come from afar;
it could also come from the shadows beneath you."
She looked Yano up and down in his "sneaky" getup.
"Junior, what are you doing, all masked up and skulking around?"
"Could it be that you're actually a high-level spy sent by the vampire clan, disguised as a Stone Descendant, and now you're finally about to make your move, planning to steal some secret treasure from our Stone Fortress?"
"Auntie, that's not funny at all..."
Yano told her about his plan to leave Gore to pick up supplies.
Nilly raised an eyebrow, her gaze thoughtful as she glanced at the little slime perched on Yano's shoulder, blinking its innocent little eyes.
She spread her hands, wearing an expression that said, "What am I going to do with you?"
"Sigh, who asked your auntie to be born with such a kind and helpful heart? You focus on preparing for the trial. I'll go get that thing for you. Guaranteed to take less than half a day."
After saying that, she even patted her chest, trying to appear reliable enough.
But Chen Yu suspected this girl actually just wanted to sneak a peek at what he had sent for Yano.
Hearing this, Yano instinctively looked toward Chen Yu on his shoulder, seeking his opinion with his eyes.
Chen Yu wobbled his gel body up and down, indicating agreement.
Then, he told Nilly the general location of the Bat Slime and the detailed information about the agreed-upon handover markers.
"Alright, got the location. A piece of cake. Wait for my good news."
Nilly gave a brisk wave of her hand, her figure swaying lightly, and instantly melted into the shadows of the buildings beside the street, disappearing without a trace.
After watching her leave, Yano rubbed his stomach and said to the slime on his shoulder, "Boss, I haven't had breakfast yet. What do you want to eat? I'll buy it for you."
Mentioning food instantly piqued Chen Yu's interest.
"Of course, I want to eat local specialties. Anything delicious is fine."
Hearing this, Yano instinctively felt his money pouch.
Good thing he had brought enough coins before leaving, otherwise he really wouldn't be able to afford feeding his boss.
He looked up to get his bearings and said, "There seems to be a cave-dwelling style restaurant in a quiet alley next to the wooden cabin... You might be interested."
"Let's try it," Chen Yu said eagerly.
Having decided, Yano strode off, retracing his steps. He found the restaurant that looked quite clean and walked in with Chen Yu, full of anticipation.
Not long after sitting down, Yano stared at the bloody raw meat and vegetable salad placed before him and the strange blue soup with insects floating in it. His face completely stiffened.
"Bos... Boss, maybe you should eat first."
Chen Yu asked, "Yano, are you trying to poison me?"
"No, absolutely not. Let me taste it for you first."
His fingers stiffly picked up a spoon and stirred the soup's surface, disturbing the insects floating there with unseeing eyes. His already scant appetite vanished instantly.
Just as he was considering how to persuade his boss to change restaurants, the cave-dwelling chef brought out another plate of hot, freshly baked black bread.
Then he said happily, "Sir, you are the first Stone Descendant to step into our restaurant. I specially sprinkled plenty of delicious insects on top of the soup. I hope you like it."
Yano forced a smile. "Actually, you didn't have to be so enthusiastic."
The cave-dwelling chef thought he was being modest and continued excitedly, "How could I not? To entertain our distinguished guest, I even added several extra smoked black blind worms inside the bread..."
"Haha... You're too kind," Yano said, his words tinged with a hint of gritted teeth.
"Please, don't stand on ceremony," the cave-dwelling chef hurriedly waved his hands and then stood to the side.
"Aren't you leaving?" Yano was planning to dump everything once he left.
"No, no need. You're the only guest this morning. I'll just stand here and attend to you."
After saying that, he remained standing obediently, his eyes filled with expectation and a desire for praise for his culinary skills.
"..."
Yano finally understood why this restaurant was so remote.
After dawdling for a long time and reluctantly eating a few bites of the bread of unknown composition, Nilly suddenly returned.
"Huh?"
Passing by the restaurant and seeing Yano inside, she swaggered in, pulled out the chair opposite him, and sat down.
"Junior, so your taste is this unique?"
Seeing Nilly, Yano felt as if he had seen a lifesaver. He hurriedly pulled her outside, shouting about having important business, tossed down a silver coin, and made a run for it.
"Stop, stop."
Back at the wooden cabin, Nilly threw the bag of pills into Yano's arms.
"Here's what you wanted. Just a few glowing glass balls. Nothing special about them, huh."