Chapter Eighteen: This Is Called a Scheme
“Ding! Evolution choice successful, please wait while evolution is in progress.”
A few seconds later, the heavenly voice of the system rang out once more.
“Ding! Congratulations, Host, on achieving a perfect evolution.”
“Damn! Hit the jackpot again, another perfect evolution!”
Qin Chuan was filled with excitement and quickly checked his status panel.
[Host]: Qin Chuan
[Type]: Black Iron Sword
[Rank]: Tier Two Superior (Sharpness +10%)
[Quality]: Rare (All attributes +5%)
[Level]: 11
[Attributes]
Sharpness: 153 + 68.85 (45%)
Toughness: 136 + 27.2 (20%)
Speed: 136 + 27.2 (20%)
Evolution Points: 3630/51200
Experience: 80200/204800
Rage: 10/100
“Both rank and quality evolved together again—so this is what perfect evolution truly means!”
“It seems the higher the probability of quality improvement, the greater the chance of perfect evolution!”
“No wonder raising quality is so difficult, especially with all attribute bonuses!”
Qin Chuan couldn’t help but let out a sigh of amazement, gaining new insights at the same time.
“Wonderful, that was truly satisfying.”
With a contented glance, Qin Chuan looked at the Sleepy Worm, only to discover drool pooling all over the floor—the little fellow was using the Spirit Iron Stone as a pillow, lost in a sweet dream.
“Good grief, little lazybones, time to get up!”
“Mmm, smells so good.”
“Wake up!”
“Bang bang bang!”
Qin Chuan drove the Black Iron Sword to pound the ground.
“Ah?! Where am I? Who am I?”
The Sleepy Worm opened his bleary, adorable eyes and saw a black sword shimmering with purple light before him.
“Huh? Big Brother, is that you? You... you evolved?”
“Yes, that’s right. Let’s go.”
“Okay, Big Brother.”
The Sleepy Worm cast a longing look at the now-empty treasury, grabbed the lone Spirit Iron Stone in its mouth, and scurried off with Qin Chuan on its back.
Shortly after the sword and the worm departed, two figures appeared in the valley—a man in white and a woman in purple.
The woman in purple was strikingly beautiful, her figure exquisitely curvaceous, her face alluring and enchanting. In her hand, she held a long sword studded with dazzling gems. The man in white had a fair, clean face, his sharp eyes brimming with a sinister coldness, and he carried a folding fan.
“My lady, we’re too late. The Spirit Iron Mine’s been looted.”
The woman in purple frowned ever so slightly, her tone tinged with anger. “Who would dare be so bold as to steal our Ziling Manor’s Spirit Iron Stones?”
“There are no clear clues, but aside from Blackwind Cliff, few would dare cross us.”
“Blackwind Cliff has been our rival for years. Losing a few spirit stones isn’t much, but this insult is hard to swallow.”
“I’ll spread word to all our outposts—let’s show Blackwind Cliff a thing or two.”
“There’s no rush. Our main purpose this trip is to find a suitable sword blank for Sixth Sister, preferably something below Tier Three, something she can easily wield and refine.”
“But the manor already has many divine weapons. Why go to such lengths to look for a sword blank? Besides, the Deer Plains is such a remote place; it’s unlikely to produce a peerless sword blank.”
The woman in purple gently brushed a lock of hair aside, the corners of her lips curving in a subtle, enchanting smile that made even the man in white’s heart flutter.
“Bai Yuan, you have a point. But high-grade weapons are hard to control and easily attract unwanted attention.”
“Besides, Sixth Sister is mischievous by nature, always stirring up trouble. Without a suitable spirit weapon, she might not be able to protect herself if danger arises.”
“We happened to pass by this place, so we might as well take a look around. The scenery’s lovely, and it’s better than being bored in the manor.”
“Very well. Since my lady is interested, I shall accompany you.”
...
At this moment, Qin Chuan was lying contentedly atop a mountain, pondering where he might find more origin and experience points.
Leveling up and evolving had become so difficult; simply killing spirit creatures wasn’t nearly enough to grow stronger.
“Little brother, do you know of any big opportunities nearby?”
The Sleepy Worm was happily fiddling with the Spirit Iron Stone, sleepiness forgotten. Upon hearing Qin Chuan’s question, excitement sparkled in his cute eyes.
“Big Brother, you want a big opportunity? Let me think.”
“Take your time. I’ll lie here and rest a bit.”
Rare moments of leisure like this were precious to Qin Chuan—he intended to enjoy them to the fullest.
After pondering for a while, the Sleepy Worm replied, “Big Brother, there’s a place farther away called Wind Spirit Valley. I’ve heard it’s rich in rare treasures. Before I met you, I was planning to take a look after a good nap.”
“Rare treasures from heaven and earth?”
Qin Chuan’s heart leapt with joy. If such a place existed, wouldn’t that be wonderful?
The Sleepy Worm spoke with some trepidation. “But Big Brother, it’s very dangerous there, with many high-level spirit creatures. More importantly, the core area’s already sealed off—even the outer spirit creatures don’t dare enter.”
“Damn! So it’s already been claimed? That’s a headache.”
“Probably, Big Brother. Should we still go?”
“Of course! Why not? Fortune favors the bold! Let’s go check it out first, then look for an opening to strike!”
The prospect of another big score immediately energized the Sleepy Worm, especially since he hadn’t profited much last time.
“Alright, Big Brother. I’ll carry you there.”
With renewed vigor, the Sleepy Worm strapped the Black Iron Sword to his back and darted off toward Wind Spirit Valley.
After traveling for half a day, the sword and the worm arrived at a mountain forest. The Sleepy Worm immediately grew cautious.
“What’s wrong, little brother?”
“Big Brother, to get to Wind Spirit Valley, we have to cross this forest and pass through the corridor beyond. But this is the territory of the Savage Spirit Bears—those guys are all vicious brutes.”
“Savage Spirit Bears?”
Qin Chuan remembered the mutated Savage Spirit Bear he’d encountered upon first arriving at the Deer Plains.
“Could this be the background that bear mentioned?”
Qin Chuan was overjoyed. “You should’ve told me sooner, little brother! If there are any more overlords on the way, take me to them.”
“Huh?”
The Sleepy Worm was dumbfounded. Most spirit creatures avoided overlords like the plague, but Qin Chuan seemed to seek them out. This completely upended his worldview.
“Big Brother, are you serious?”
“Of course! Do I look like I’m joking? Don’t worry, with me here, we’ll walk right in, heads held high!”
Qin Chuan spoke with absolute confidence and authority.
Remembering how Qin Chuan had easily dealt with the monstrous Spirit Iron Axe overlord, the Sleepy Worm’s confidence soared.
“Alright, Big Brother.”
“The king told me to patrol the mountains, so here I am, wandering through the spirit realm...”
Qin Chuan deliberately sang, wanting the Savage Spirit Bear to know he’d arrived.
The Sleepy Worm felt his scalp tingle with dread, but dared not protest—speaking up could get him killed.
“Who dares make such a racket here? Tired of living?”
A furious voice thundered out.
“Ding! Savage Spirit Bear detected—Tier Two, Superior Quality, Level 12.”
A Savage Spirit Bear blocked the path, glaring fiercely. Disappointed, he smacked his lips. “So it’s just a little bug and a broken iron sword? No challenge at all.”
Qin Chuan had deliberately dimmed the black iron sword’s purple glow, making it look like a battered old blade.
The Sleepy Worm put on his best diplomatic tone, pleading, “Brother Bear, we mean no harm in passing through. Would you be so kind as to let us go?”
“Tsk tsk, little bug, haven’t you heard the name of this forest? It’s called the Forbidden Woods—entry without exit. No one has ever left alive. But since you’re polite, I’ll let you off easy. Just smash yourself to death—I’m too lazy to bother.”
The Savage Spirit Bear stood upright, arms folded, fixing the sword and worm with a sideways glance while tapping one foot smugly on the ground.
“Enough showing off—are you done? I challenge you to a duel!”
Qin Chuan finally spoke, having watched the bear’s display with amusement.
“What? You want to duel me? Look at that puny body—I could smash you with one slap!”
The Savage Spirit Bear hadn’t intended to fight, but Qin Chuan’s words infuriated him.
“Buzz!”
Qin Chuan drove the black iron sword a step forward. “You big dumb bear, I’ll have you calling me daddy in three strikes!”
“What? Are you broken in the core, you useless sword? Such arrogance!”
“Watch me tear you apart—this is suicide!”
Unable to hold back, the Savage Spirit Bear charged, swinging a massive paw.
“Such a temper—let’s see how I deal with you.”
Qin Chuan didn’t dodge. Instead, he delivered a direct sword strike.
“Clang!”
“Ah! Mother, that hurts!”
The bear’s paw split open from the force of the blow, pain shooting through him.
“That was strike one—for your butt!”
With a deft maneuver, Qin Chuan flashed behind the bear and smacked his backside with the sword.
“Whack!”
“Ah!”
The Savage Spirit Bear leapt up, clutching his reddened rear, feeling as if it no longer belonged to him.
Qin Chuan didn’t rush; instead, he smiled and said, “Third strike—I’ll let you choose where it lands.”
Terrified, the bear hastily extended a paw. “No, please don’t hit me! I’ll call you daddy, just let me go!”
“Alright, call me daddy and I’ll let you go.”
“Daddy.”
“Good, you may leave now.”
“Really?”
“Of course.”
The bear looked at Qin Chuan suspiciously, but to his surprise, was really allowed to leave. Without a backward glance, he bolted away.
“Big Brother, why did you let him go? He’s definitely going to call for help!”
The Sleepy Worm was anxious seeing the bear escape.
“It’s all part of the plan.”
A look of utter confusion filled the Sleepy Worm’s big eyes. “Plan? What’s that?”
“Never mind, you wouldn’t understand. Let’s keep moving.”
“Alright, Big Brother.”
Though he didn’t quite get it, the Sleepy Worm trusted Qin Chuan’s confidence and no longer worried.
“The king told me to patrol the mountains, so here I am, wandering through the spirit realm...”
Unable to resist, the Sleepy Worm muttered, risking his life, “Big Brother, can you please stop singing?”
“Heh, that’s out of the question. The king told me to patrol the mountains...”
“......”