Chapter Four: The Threat of Karosius

Zhang Xiao pocketed the gold coins and smiled, “How did you earn these coins?” The man stared at him blankly and replied, “By robbing people.” Robbery? Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiao realized the man had misunderstood his question, so he patiently explained, “I meant, what other ways are there to earn coins besides robbery?”

“Doing tasks, selling furs, working for the guild—all those earn coins,” the man replied honestly, though he found the question rather foolish. Zhang Xiao nodded and continued, “Where is the nearest town?”

The man quickly pointed east. “Thirty li ahead. Just follow the abandoned road and you’ll get there.”

Zhang Xiao nodded in satisfaction, sheathed his greatsword, and asked one last question, “We’ve never met before. Why did you try to kill me the moment you saw me?”

At this, the man's nervousness faded. “I was once killed by a Chinese person. So when I saw you were of the same race, I wanted… to take revenge.”

A Chinese person? Zhang Xiao was briefly stunned. He suddenly recalled that before the world changed, there were many Chinese students studying in America. They probably weren’t having an easy time now. The foreign nationals in China couldn’t return home after the upheaval, nor could they join any sects; though bloodline wasn’t a strict requirement, no sect would ever accept a foreigner. To quote those old monsters in the sects, “Those not of our race surely have ulterior motives.”

Seeing Zhang Xiao ask no more questions, the man got to his feet. “Can I leave now?” Zhang Xiao turned and smiled, nodding. The man finally let out a long sigh of relief, forcing a smile onto his face. But in that instant, Zhang Xiao swiftly tapped his brow.

With a muffled sound, the man collapsed to the ground, still wearing a smile, yet without a single wound on his body. In truth, however, Zhang Xiao had shattered his brain to pulp.

Staring at the corpse, Zhang Xiao frowned and fell into deep thought. It seemed that currency was already in use here. There must be no shortage of so-called guild experts. As for the location of the Imperial Seal, Zhang Xiao had no idea.

Thinking of the Imperial Seal nearly made his head explode. America was vast, and after the world’s transformation, even larger. Searching for a jade seal with no clues was like fishing for a needle in the ocean. He was no god—how could he possibly find it? Yet the damnable quest urged him on relentlessly, like the lash of death itself. With no other choice, Zhang Xiao set off for the town, though it was actually a city.

Magnificent skyscrapers still soared over the city, unchanged except for the addition of a massive wall on its perimeter.

Zhang Xiao sat in a restaurant, absentmindedly eating his steak, but his spiritual sense was sweeping outward, gathering all sorts of information.

“Did you hear? The Wolfhead Mercenary Group was wiped out by a single Chinese man.”

“Yeah, and even more shocking, their leader, Wolfhead, was completely killed.”

“What do you mean, completely killed? Can’t people revive?”

“It’s true. They found Wolfhead’s corpse outside, but he never revived. The elders at the guild say his soul was shattered.”

All around, people gossiped about the Wolfhead Mercenaries, and though they spoke quietly, nothing could escape Zhang Xiao’s spiritual sense. Realizing he wouldn’t learn anything useful, Zhang Xiao was about to withdraw his senses when, suddenly, a powerful aura appeared nearby and collided with his own.

Zhang Xiao’s expression changed as he hurried to retract his spiritual sense, but it was too late. The other party’s spirit was unimaginably strong—certainly not something people of this era should possess. Only an old monster at the Void Profundity level or higher could have such power.

The collision sent Zhang Xiao’s mind reeling. If not for his avatar sitting cross-legged in his sea of consciousness, suppressing the turmoil with Buddhist chants, he might have been gravely injured. He quickly realized he shouldn’t have scanned the city and made to leave, but a withered hand suddenly gripped his shoulder.

Turning around, Zhang Xiao saw an elderly man with snow-white hair standing behind him. His pupils contracted—the energy within the old man was as vast and terrifying as an ocean. Zhang Xiao had no doubt this man could kill him with a mere flick of his finger. Seeing no way out, he obediently remained seated.

The old man smiled and sat down across from him. “Greetings, Eastern friend. Allow me to introduce myself: I am Kalrosius, president of the Tenth District branch of the Mage Guild.”

Zhang Xiao quickly responded, “Hello, Senior Kalrosius. My name is Zhang Xiao. It’s a pleasure to meet you. May I ask why you stopped me?”

The best way to deal with an old monster was with courtesy, Zhang Xiao thought. He’d surmised before that these ancient beings would not act rashly, but politeness was always safest.

Kalrosius stroked his beard and smiled. “You are very strong, far surpassing others. I imagine that even in the East, there aren’t many with your level of power.”

Zhang Xiao was startled. How did this old monster know he was a foreigner? Or was he just fishing for information? For a moment, Zhang Xiao couldn’t guess his intentions. Kalrosius saw through his thoughts and continued with a smile, “I am a level 10 spatial mage. Not long ago, I sensed a violent spatial disturbance in the Dark Forest to the north—I knew something had been transported here. Coupled with the energy within your body, which is identical to that of those mysterious Eastern experts, it was easy to deduce your origins.”

Hearing this, Zhang Xiao finally relaxed a little, though Kalrosius’ strength still left him shocked. According to Karina, every profession was divided into thirteen levels, with vast chasms between each. Level 10 was equivalent to the Tribulation Crossing stage. He didn’t know exactly how strong the head of the Sect at Void Profundity was, but surely not much different.

“My cultivation is indeed strong for the East, but there are many stronger than I,” Zhang Xiao replied, smiling. “I was accidentally transported here by a teleportation array.”

He didn’t dare tell the truth, nor did he know what Kalrosius truly wanted. Still, he hadn’t lied—there were indeed many stronger than him, though most were old monsters who had emerged after the world changed.

“Has the East become so powerful now? Young friend, don’t try to fool me,” Kalrosius said, his gaze suddenly sharp. Zhang Xiao’s mind grew hazy and sluggish, and he was about to speak when, all at once, the Heavenly Bell within him rang out with a clear note, instantly waking him up.

His expression unchanged, Zhang Xiao inwardly rejoiced. He hadn’t expected the other to use a mind-controlling spell on him. If not for the Heavenly Bell, a ninth-grade magical artifact, his secrets would have poured out uncontrollably.

Kalrosius’ expression flickered, but he quickly resumed smiling. “Ha ha ha! I didn’t expect you to possess a divine artifact for protection.” He showed no sign of apology at having tried to bewitch Zhang Xiao, instead laughing heartily.

Zhang Xiao could only remain silent. After all, when faced with such overwhelming power, resistance was futile. This was not China, but as the saying went, without strength, there can be no equality.

Despite his anger, Zhang Xiao could only say, “Senior, you didn’t stop me just to ask about Eastern customs, did you?”

Kalrosius laughed. “Well, as it happens, I do have a matter that requires someone of Eastern blood, but I’ve had no luck finding a suitable candidate. Today, I discovered your exceptional strength—just what I need. I hope you’ll help me, and I promise you’ll be well rewarded afterward.”

Zhang Xiao’s expression did not change as he continued eating his steak, pondering how to escape this predicament. A direct refusal was impossible, but if he agreed, whatever schemes the old monster had in mind could delay his own quest. If he failed, he’d incur heavenly punishment and be ruined.

As Zhang Xiao weighed his options, Kalrosius ordered a steak as well and dined with him, showing no sign of impatience. It seemed he was determined not to let Zhang Xiao go.

Seeing this, Zhang Xiao said helplessly, “With your abilities, Senior, is there anything you can’t do yourself? How could a nobody like me possibly help, and what if I mess things up?”

Though Zhang Xiao’s tone was tactful, Kalrosius’ expression suddenly darkened. “If you fail, you need not exist anymore. If you can wipe out a mercenary leader, I can wipe out a genius cultivator.”

Faced with such blatant threats, Zhang Xiao’s mind suddenly cleared. The anxiety that had gripped him faded as he calmly calculated his options. A smile spread across his face. “Then I refuse.”

“What! You refuse?” Kalrosius stared at him in disbelief. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll kill you? With just a flick of my finger, you’d vanish from this world, you know!”

Zhang Xiao, seeing Kalrosius’ reaction, relaxed even further and sipped his wine. “As long as I don’t accept your quest, you can’t touch me. That’s the rule.”

At first, Zhang Xiao had truly been frightened, thinking his previous reasoning was all wrong and that these old monsters could act as they pleased. But Kalrosius’ words had jolted him awake—“If you fail!” That made it clear: if he accepted the quest and failed, he would be punished at Kalrosius’ discretion. But if he didn’t accept, nothing could go wrong. Kalrosius would have no grounds to harm him. As for the earlier clash of spiritual senses, that was simply a counterattack for Zhang Xiao’s own reckless probing. And the mind-control spell, though insidious, caused no real harm.

Thus, Zhang Xiao concluded that as long as he didn’t retaliate or attack the guild, these old monsters had no right to act against him.