Chapter 4: Dragon’s Wrath
After the dinner, Lei and the rest didn’t seem to have any thoughts on going home…
“*Cough* Well, it’s getting late so you guys should probably head back...”
“Ehh? Come on brother Lucas! Your place is so fun! And you also bought a lot of things that I don’t know! Let’s play more!” Su-er coquettishly pulled my arm.
After everything that happened, Su-er’s attitude had completely flipped over and is now acting like a spoiled little sister.
Looking at the others’ expression, it seems that this is how she usually acts towards people she’s close with. It’s just that she held other people weaker than her with disdain which is completely natural from someone who grew up in a powerful family.
Only those who had experience or indifference like Lei and Xiuying would be different. Or well, maybe those who were reincarnated as well...but that shouldn’t be real...right?
Ehh, if these guys were to bring the things I gave them back home and there’s a reincarnated person there, then wouldn’t he/she know that I’m from another world?
But if there really were a reincarnated fellow, then he/she shouldn’t say anything and would only contact me privately right? Maybe he/she would know where the [World Key] is…
In any case, nothing bad will probably happen...probably…
“Su-er is right. It’s a nice change of pace to relax and not cultivate for a day like this...Also, you mentioned other [Game Consoles] before...” Lei’s eyes seemed to lit up upon mentioning the word [Game].
...By chance...I didn’t just create a game otaku in a xianxia world...right?
“Then it’s settled, tonight, we’ll sleep over!” Lan decided.
Wait wait wait wait! How is this settled!? This isn’t your house!?
“...”
Eh? Xiuying sis, why are you walking to the gaming room already as if this is your house!?
“Well then, master, I’ll be washing the dishes and prepare the beds.”
Mei!? Eh? Aren’t you going to listen to what I’ll say first before leaving!?
What is this!? Why do I feel like this isn’t my house!!!???
Sighing, I followed them to the gaming room as well. Anyway, I bought 4 controllers for Wii, WiiU, PS3, PS4, and XBOX so I’ve been looking for other people to play with.
Let’s start with a fighting game for now...emm, Wii isn’t good. I’m afraid these guys would throw the controller on the screen...well, I did use their money to buy that but still…
I settled with PS4 for now and inserted TEKKEN 6 as I explained the mechanics.
[MATCH START!]
The battle started. The ones playing first is me and Lei so I can explain how the game works.
“Ah! Duck! Duck!” Lan shouted.
“Stupid brother Lei! Why didn’t you dodge to the side!?” Su-er scolded.
“Wh-wha-!? Wait! No!” Lei panicked.
“Go! Go! Uppercut! AH!?”
“Punch him! Punch him! Kick!!!”
““...”” Only me and Xiuying were pretty quiet about it. Rather, it was even a bit awkward.
These guys are...pretty hyped…
The result of the first match was of course, me winning.
Lei wasn’t discouraged, rather, he looked at his controller with glittering eyes!...I’ve really done it now didn’t I?...
“Me next! Me next!” Lan raised his hand and jumped excitedly.
“No! I want to play too!” Su-er also hopped around.
“Well, calm down. First, how about Lei and Su-er play? Then later, whoever loses will switch?”
At my suggestion, the trio’s eyes gleamed.
“Brother Lei, it seems that our match is closer than I thought!” Lan snorted arrogantly.
“Hei hei, you think you can win against me!? You don’t have what it takes!” Su-er snickered evilly.
“Then, I shall wait at the results!” Lei just smiled like some kind of last boss.
...What is this? What’s with this xianxia competition-like vibe??? Why does it feel as if your honor and dignity are at stake here!?
Suddenly, a hand grabbed on the hem of my clothes. Looking over, it was Xiuying.
“...Other game.”
“...” I looked back to the other three but they were already busy fighting and shouting. I sighed for the nth time and bought another TV screen and set it to the side so we can play another game.
“What kind of game do you want to play? Single player or do you want to play with others?”
At my question, Xiuying looked over at the other three who were loudly playing, then looked back at me.
“...Single player...”
Single player huh...hmm...what did I buy...ah, should I let her try Resident Evil 4?
...Fumu, this may be interesting…a cold beauty in a xianxia world, playing a zombie genre video game.Heh.
I used Wii and inserted the disk…
“...This is?”
“Em, the scenario is, the world is overrun with zombies. Uhm, an undead, or walking dead...anyway, you need to save the daughter of the presi-...err, emperor, and retrieve her back.” Was it something like that? It’s been a long time since I played this so I forgot but it should be around the same thing right? At least I know it involves rescuing a girl.
“...”
“...Let’s just play it.”
The game started and I also instructed her how to use the controls.
...After 5 minutes…
“Alright, just walk through this corridor...” I spoke slowly and quietly to suit the atmosphere.
“Hii-!?” Suddenly, a zombie appeared on the side which startled Xiuying.
“Ah! Look out! Quick! Shoot it! Shoot it!”
“U-uuu...” So many zombies suddenly started to swarm around her and I swear I can see her tearing up now...
“Here, I’ll help you aim! Just shoot!”
“U-un!”
Before I knew it, we were already stuck together and I was even holding her hand closely…
“You guys seemed to be enjoying yourselves.” Lei had a weird smug smile as he looked at us.
“Uhh...”
“L-Lucas! T-there’s more coming!” I was distracted for a second and Xiuying hurriedly called me. Her tone was totally different from her usual cold voice.
“Eh? Ah, right...” Feeling helpless, I could only finish the game first before thinking of anything else...
…
“Phew...it seems we’re safe for now...” Xiuying sighed. Her sigh was as if she just finished facing her worst enemy and just got out of a life and death match or something.
“Right...”
Xiuying sighed while still in my embrace. It seems she still doesn’t realize how close we are to each other...oh, she blushed! She finally noticed!
Without a word, she quickly leapt away from me and looked at the pile of games that were stacked on the side as if nothing had happened.
Though, I was still able to see her ears flushing bright red.
Actually, I think my face is also red...after all, that was the first time in a long while which I had been close with a girl...and even held hands...uuu…
Suddenly, I felt three pairs of eyes staring at me from the side.
I don’t even need to turn to know that Lei, Lan, and Su-er are staring at me like some interesting animal in a zoo…
I coughed and busied myself by also looking at other games…
After a few hours, I finally told everyone.
“Let’s just continue some other time...there is still something I need to find urgently.”
“Hm? Something you need to find?”
“What is it, brother Lucas?”
Lei and Lan asked.
“Hmm..how to explain...it’s a key...I don’t really know what it looks like but it’s definitely a weird key...”
That sounded better in my head…
“A weird key...” Su-er looked towards Xiuying and hesitated.
“...Is it this?” Sure enough, Xiuying took something from her neck.
“Hm?”
Surprised, I looked over at the key that was tied on Xiuying’s neck.
It was a gold colored key with a red gem on the middle of it’s holder and magnificent engravings all throughout the body.
...It’s certainly suspicious…
“...Can I touch it?”
“...” She didn’t say anything but held it out to me.
I stretched my hand and the impossible came…
Name
World Key
Rank
SSS
Requirements
N/A
Able to create [World Gates] to let the user pass through any public worlds he/she had visited before.
“...................!!!!!!?????”
Forget El being so surprised that it turned her speechless beyond belief, even I was shaken from what I just saw!
3 days! 3 days and I actually found it already!!!???
This...is it really this easy!?
“...So this is really the key you were looking for?”
“Yes...please tell me. What do I need to do for you to give it to me? As I see it, this key should be of no value to you...”
“...That’s right. I only picked it up when I was picking herbs before...It has engravings I have never seen before so I took it to study it. I didn’t know what it is meant to open.”
“I see...well, that really is the key I’ve been looking for. Please tell me if you have any requests. I will certainly fulfill it no matter what it takes!”
Xiuying was quiet for a moment, then opened her mouth. Never would I thought that the two words that would come out of her mouth would be so shocking that it nearly gave me a heart attack!
“...Marry me.”
…
…
…
Eh?
Hah!?
WHAT!!!???
“*Cough*, umm, was it ‘Carry me’? Is it that? Sorry, for a moment there I thought I mishear you say-”
“Marry me.”
……………………………………….I-it really was those words……………..
WHAT DO I DO!?
WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO!!!???
On the side, looking at my unfocused expression, Lei gave a wry smile and explained.
“It’s like this. Though the Bai clan is a powerful clan. It’s only considered so in the secular world. In truth, the sects are the true powers in this continent as there are more than a hundred cultivators of the Immortal Realm in these sects. A few days ago, a group of people from the Roaring Dragons sect came to this city and saw Xiuying. Instantly, their leader, Zhao Tian walked into the Bai clan residence and offered a marriage proposal to Xiuying.”
“Hmph, though that Zhao Tian is at the peak of the Martial General at that time and was about to become an immortal, his character was so terrible! Even after he proposed to sis Xiuying, he also came to me! And he didn’t even hide it!” Su-er pouted.
“But weren’t you pretty excited tha-”
“That was then! Now I know that he’s so much incomparable to brother Lucas!” Su-er said, cutting Lan’s words.
You have received a D rank quest: [Stop the Marriage]!
Bai Xiuying’s family is being pressured into marrying Zhao Tian, an inner disciple of the Roaring Dragons sect, because of her beauty. While Xiuying does not want to be married to him, using his background to pressure her Bai clan, she had been forced to accept the marriage.
Stolen story; please report.
Help Bai Xiuying get out of her marriage with Zhao Tian
Reward: Marry Bai Xiuying, World Key
Do you accept?
Yes
No
“What the #%$*@!!!???”
I ignore the two bicker at each other and El’s cursing as I haven’t recovered from the shock yet.
It wasn’t from the shock of Xiuying’s sudden marriage proposal or the absurd reward from the quest...rather, it was the fact that I had run into another xianxia cliche!
And it was the marriage cliche!
There are a few different marriage cliches that I’ve seen so far.
Usually, the heroine breaks her marriage which was agreed by their grandparents towards the trash main character. The main character then explodes with power afterwards due to some lucky encounter. Then eventually, the girl joins the harem or is forgotten by the main character.
In some cases. Some prodigy from a very good family steals the main character’s lover/childhood friend by using his power and background. The main character then vows to kill the antagonist and suddenly becomes powerful because of some or so reasons…
Looking at it, I’m close to the latter am I?
But the only difference is...I already have the strength to defeat the antagonist…
“Umm...can I just beat up this guy? We don’t really have to be married...right?”
“...If you beat him, then we’re married.”
“No, like I said…”
“...Then if you die, I’ll become a widow...”
“Uuuu...”
...Why is it that I feel like I have never won an argument against a girl???
...Let’s beat that guy first, then settle this marriage thing later...maybe she’ll change her mind…
“...Fine...where can I see him?”
You have accepted the D rank quest [Stop the Marriage]!
Xiuying displayed a rare sweet smile but I only saw it as though I had fallen in her trap...
“...They’re currently staying as guests in the Bai clan residence.”
“Then, let’s go...” I nodded and was about to prepare to leave when Su-er spoke.
“...By the way, brother Lucas...I’ve been wandering...do you have any other clothes? I mean, what you’re wearing is a bit...”
Hearing her say that, I looked down and remembered that I am still wearing my [Beginner’s Clothes]...
“...I forgot, I really don’t have any other clothes...”
“Then let’s go drop by [Golden Heaven] first!”
[Golden Heaven]...that should be a name of a shop right? Just from the name, I can already feel that it’s a shop for rich people…
After going out of the [World Home], I followed the four into a shop with a golden exterior...I wonder if that’s real gold plated?
Then, I was made to wear a bunch of different clothes and outfits by Su-er...Basically, I was made to play dress up by this enthusiastic little girl…
I came out of the shop with a set of brand new clothes fit for a noble man.
I had a white inner robe and a black outer robe with silver and gold linings. A sash of red and white strapped on my waist.
Lan found an armory and bought an amazing looking gold shoulder guard and placed it on my right shoulder. Actually it looked more like an accessory than a shoulder guard…
He also got me a pair of black metal boots with red linings. Lei even wanted to get me a hair accessories and earrings but I refused since I didn’t want to have one…
After all was done, our strange group of five walked towards the Bai clan residence.
Why did I say strange? Well…
I looked back at Su-er who was hugging a huge stuffed bear as she walks, Lan, listening to a music while nodding repeatedly with his headset which clearly stood out in terms of technology and accessory, Lei, who was busy playing pokemon with his 3DS while walking, and as for Xiuying…
As she walked, a soft melody seemed to play from her body. Together with her cool demeanor, all of those who saw her stopped in their tracks to look at her.
“Is that young miss Xiuying?”
“What is that sound?...This...it seems to come out of her!?”
“Did young miss Xiuying grasp a new technique? Her every steps were as if a zither is playing!”
“A genius! The Bai clan has produced a never before seen genius!”
“The melody aura Bai Xiuying!”
And so on...of course, they don’t know that she’s only hiding the speakers I gave her earlier in her clothes and played a music while walking...is this why she didn’t want a headset but a speaker!?
...This girl is certainly outrageous…
Oh, and let’s not forget me. Of course I’m also subjected to the people’s glances. Why? Well, for a while now, I’ve been feeling uncomfortable and embarrassed from being looked at with weird looks but I didn’t want to show it on my face, which had unknowingly created a strange expression…
Those that saw me and knew my identity as an Immortal Realm cultivator did not see me as a weird person, but a person with unfathomable presence! My face being so tense and awkward gave everyone the feel of being unable to see through me and thought how mysterious I was!
Hearing all their conversations only made me even more awkward! I did my best to ignore El’s laughter in my head...
Like this, our strange group of five finally arrived in the Bai clan residence…
“Ying-er, you’re finally back! I’ve been waiting for-...who is this?”
Suddenly, a handsome man came out of the gates together with a group of henchmen-looking mobs.
“You must be this Zhou Tian guy right?” I asked halfheartedly.
Let’s get this over with…
“Hmph! So you’re the rumored Immortal Realm cultivator that suddenly popped up from nowhere. Hmph, merely a peak Martial Lord.”
...Oi, you’re just a low Martial Lord, how come I’m the one being labeled as ‘merely’!? Is that it? Is he one of those geniuses whose battle power can leap through realms?
“I am Zhou Tian, an inner disciple of the Roaring Dragons sect! My grandpa is one of the elders of the sect! If you know what’s good for you, scram!”
...Spoke too soon...this guy just has a powerful grandpa...I know people like him are usually arrogant according to xianxia stereotypes but isn’t this too much?
But an elder grandfather huh...is this the legendary xianxia sect conspiracy? According to template, his grandpa would be someone who’s trying to overthrow the leadership of the sect or something. Maybe the right hand man of someone even more powerful.
The grandson then meets the MC, in this case, me, then utterly defeats him, in this case, I doubt it will happen, but let’s say he does defeat me.
The MC then vows to kill him and save the beauty, growing stronger for some reason, then makes connections with the good elders and helps them stop the antagonist’ elder grandfather from conspiring!
Eh? Wait, then if I follow this route, won’t I become stronger for some reason? Ah, but Xiuying would be in trouble then...
And if I kill this guy, his father or grandpa will come for me, then if I kill him, another stronger one pops up. And so on and so forth...
...Ehh, this is too troublesome...
...Since when can I casually talk about killing?
...And why am I always comparing this new real life to Earth’s chinese novels?
...And why am I talking so long in my head? From how they see it, am I just staring blankly somewhere?
No no no, this is just my inner monologue, it has a completely different time frame right?
…………………..
“Oi, I said beat it! Or better yet, how about you follow me!? If you do, you’ll have money and women!” Zhou Tian shouted again.
Why does this guy keep shouting? Alright, I guess I’m considerably pissed. Let’s let him decide his own fate.
“I’m still deciding whether I should kill you, cripple you, or just beat you half-dead. Do you have a special preference?”
Zhou Tian’s face instantly turned ugly as he glared at me.
“Brat, kill me if you dare! My grandfather’s a peak Martial King!”
“Oh, option A is it. That’s fine I guess.”
Whatever must be done, should be done.
I need to get back home, and to do so, I need the [World Key]. I can probably just snatch it away from Xiuying and leave just like that but...that isn’t who I am...then again, I’m also not one to kill someone for my own gains…
“Lucas, taking someone’s life is not a sin. I don’t know how it’s like in your world, but in this world, the winner is the king, and the loser is the thief.”
As if knowing my hesitation, El’s voice resounded in my head.
“...But still, where’s the justice in that? Does a man who rape and is powerful, is considered a king? Is a man, who spent his life helping others, but is weak, just considered a thief?”
“You can argue all you want. But at the end of the day, the strong wins. And for everyone’s safety, they’d rather respect and revere a killer than go against him. This is how the world works.”
“There’s a saying in my world. It is not the strong that wins. It’s the winner who is strong.”
“...Doesn’t that sound like an encouragement to use underhanded means?”
“...”
...Come to think of it, she has a point...
“Lucas, don’t delude yourself. You said earlier that a man who has spent his life helping others should not be considered a thief. But you need to remember. Only the strong can choose to help. If you’re weak, how can you possibly help?”
“...But killing...”
“Like I said, only the strong can choose to help. And only the strong can choose to spare someone’s life. Lucas, are you strong enough to spare his life?”
I get what she’s trying to say...if I let him go, there will only be endless troubles ahead. Not to mention that more people will be hurt...But...
...I clenched my fist and decided.
“You’re right...”
“...Then what are you still waiting for? Kill him!”
...I started walking over to Zhou Tian.
Seeing as I was closing in on him with a determined expression, his face paled and took a step back but he still refused to back down.
Apparently, he’s still confident I wouldn’t dare kill him.
“Y-you! My Roaring Dragons sect will kill your entire family if you kill me!”
I paused, then a new emotion erupted from within me.
“Bastard, I was going to let you off...I was going to...I didn’t want to kill at all but...”
It was true, I was about to spare his life. That’s what I decided.
I wanted to be someone strong enough to spare everyone I face...but now…
“But now...you actually dare to bring my family into this! Just for that threat alone...You’re dead.”
I know his threats weren’t exactly feasible as my family are in another world but...just hearing his threat about killing my family is enough for me to want him dead.
“STOP!” An old man suddenly screamed from above just as I was about to end this trash’s life.
His cultivation is that of a peak Martial King, a whole rank above me...he must be this trash’s grandfather.
“Grandfather!”
“Not good! It’s Elder Zhou Tianfeng!” Lei grimaced seeing the old man.
“...Lucas, it’s fine, you can forget our agreement. I’ll give you the key...just leave, okay?” Xiuying took off the key and stretched her hand towards me.
I ignored Xiuying’s concerns and only stared at this old man.
Before, I thought I wouldn’t stand a chance at all against this guy but now...I can feel it...the strength I need...It’s calling for me…
“Brat! If you dare make another move, see how I cut you into pieces!” Zhou Tianfeng glared.
*Thump*
All I need is to say it...
“Haha, old man...have you heard the saying, there’s a road to heaven yet you choose to go to hell when there’s no way?” I can feel my mind fading...my mouth moved on its own as if someone else took over...
*Thump* *Thump*
...Say it...
“Hah! Are you saying I chose hell by fighting you!? You’re still a hundred years too early to make threats, boy!” Zhou Tianfeng started to charge.
*Thump* *Thump* *Thump*
...The skill...
“Exactly. And it’s time to meet the devil! Or in this case, the dragon!”
[Dragon’s Wrath]!
*ROOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRR!!!!*
The rage inside me seemed to turn into black mist. Covering my body...engulfing it...turning into a huge dragon that surrounds me as it roars in rage.
Everyone who saw it felt intense fear and submission. Everyone who heard it felt as if death was whispering in their ears. And everyone who felt it...
“W-what is-!?”
*BOOM!!!* Zhou Tian’s body exploded into a blood mist.
...Dies!
“Tian-er!” Zhou Tianfeng screamed. However, there was no way someone would answer his calls.
The jet black dragon mist roared once again and merged with my body.
All the rage...the power...I’ve received it all!
Something like a peak Martial King...is just an ant! Just trash!!!
Driven in rage, I charged towards the old man and unleashed a powerful palm strike. One which I had learned from El a bit earlier.
[Implosion Palm]!
The palm landed on his chest, yet it only managed to heavily injure him inside, he was still not dead.
That’s unforgivable.
Only the strong can choose to spare...and I choose...to kill you!
Therefore, you cannot live!
My hands formed into a chop and willed the water in the atmosphere to become a blade on my left hand while the light turned into a light sword on my right hand.
I slashed forward and attempted to block it with his sword but as the two blades of mine were simply made from manipulated water and light, it easily passed through and wounded him!
“Bastard! [Thousand Wind Blades]!”
Multiple wind blades came at me from all around. Well, it might look like wind blades but it was actually sword qi from his sword slashing in different directions!
But I didn’t retreat to block, with my small understanding in space, I bent a small area to divert a part of the sword qi and redirect it back to Zhao Tianfeng!
“W-what!?”
“Time to die!”
My voice sounded hoarse and unfamiliar but I ignored it.
Since the [Implosion Palm] didn’t work and even the water and light blades didn’t. It’s time to test other moves.
While I was making my way to this town, I’ve asked El a couple of questions on the other uses of spirit power.
It’s time to put them to the test!
I grabbed his head with my hands and directly poured spirit power in his brain.
“Do you like this one? I call it Mind Blown! Ahahahaha!”
“Y-you-!”
The old man’s eyes suddenly dimmed before he could finish what he was saying.
“I what? Haha, old man, you’re certainly getting old! Now, it’s time to devour you!”
Along with a crazy laughter, my head was covered with the black mist and turned into a huge dragon head which gobbled up the old man.
You have devoured Zhao Tianfeng!
All Stats: +50!
Cultivation rank up!
Spirit: +140
Proficiency: +5%
Fame: -50000
You have leveled up!
You have leveled up!
You have leveled up!
You have leveled up!
You have leveled up!
You have leveled up!
You have leveled up!
Wanderer Class level up!
You have completed the D rank quest: [Stop the Marriage]!
Reward: Consult Bai Xiuying
Blue windows appeared in front of me but I wasn’t able to focus on them as my consciousness began to slip away.
I can feel the black mist fading away, yet my vision starts to blacken.
Bit by bit…
Until there was nothing but black…
----------------------------------------
Status
Name
Lucas
Level
8
Race
Human - Dragon
Gender
Male
Class
Wanderer
2
Stamina
1180
Mana
1190
Qi
1568940
Spirit
240
Cultivation
Low Martial King
STR
80
INT
78
SPD
79
DEX
77
VIT
76
LUK
69
Water
48
Light
48
Space
3
Fame
23000
Rage
0
Sealed
Elena Shenxue
Skills
Concoct
1.04%
Dragon’s Wrath
5.02%
Elemental Manipulation
Passive
Star Convergence
Passive
Spirit Formation
0.01%
Implosion Palm
0.01%