Heroine, don't turn back, I'm just a farmer.

I want to see just how good this so-called Emperor's Way of Mind really is.

At this time, the night was at its darkest, and the faint moonlight shone through the cracks in the broken wooden planks into the blacksmith's shop, creating a mottled and dappled effect, giving it an indescribable sense of tranquility.

Lu Guo looked at the two yin-yang fish sculptures that had been put together in his hand.

You have obtained the Mysterious Pearl.

[To be combined with special techniques, please forge and unlock its essence in the furnace fire.]

Are you here?

Lu Guo glanced around the blacksmith shop.

That doesn't seem quite right.

He held the Mysterious Pearl in his hands and examined it for a long time: "No matter what it is or how valuable it is, the fact that it needs to be melted to unlock its essence shows that it is no ordinary thing."

Where should I go to find a suitable furnace?

and many more.

Didn't the adventure mention that Li Jiuluan was also looking for this thing?

In the game's background, after obtaining the power of the Mysterious Female, she soared into the sky. This is definitely not as simple as just internal energy. Presumably, she has the corresponding mental cultivation method or technique to unlock the Mysterious Female.

It seems I still need to go and meet that princess of the Southern Tang Dynasty.

Having considered this, Lu Guo stuffed the egg-sized metal sculpture into his pocket.

"It's time to go..."

After checking the blacksmith shop and finding nothing amiss, he was about to leave.

A sudden burst of noise appeared outside the blacksmith's shop.

"Shelp this area up! Shelve it up!"

Just then, the sound of horses neighing came from outside.

With a clatter of hooves, the three riders darted into the courtyard where the blacksmith's shop was located like a whirlwind. The lead rider pulled on the reins, and the strong horse reared up and neighed. Then, it put its front hooves on the ground and stopped leisurely at the door, forming a line.

With the rhythm of the horses' neighing, the alley was already ablaze with firelight, and a group of men wielding knives and sticks and holding torches stood in close formation, forming an encirclement.

The tranquil courtyard and alley were no longer peaceful; a chilling murderous intent gradually permeated the air.

Lu Guo walked out of the blacksmith shop with his arms crossed, and when he looked up, he was surprised to find that the blacksmith was riding on the horse.

"It's you?!"

"Yes, it's me!"

No, you are not yourself at all.

"What the hell are you talking about? I am who I am."

The blacksmith yanked the reins hard, and as he rode, a murderous aura emanated from his brows, making it clear that he was not someone to be trifled with.

"Where is what you're looking for?"

"What is it?"

Peng Lianhu snorted coldly and said, "You appeared in my shop late at night, weren't you looking for something? It's no wonder that all these years of setting up this scheme have worked every time."

"I see."

No wonder Peng Lianhu was so easy to fool; you local gangsters are too cunning.

"So, you did this on purpose?" Lu Guo looked at him, then at the others. "The journey of the martial world is long and winding, like a slow and steady stream. I am Lu Guo. May I ask your guidance?"

"Brother, you don't look like someone just passing by. I am Liu Canyang from the Flower Sect."

"That's what the young man on horseback on the left said."

"My name is Zhu Jiuzhen, the Master of Danyang."

The Taoist priest on another horse also clasped his hands in greeting and introduced himself.

"The Yellow River winds nine times and the sands stretch for ten thousand miles; Peng Lianhu is a man of unwavering loyalty."

Peng Lianhu also cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

With so many people surrounding him, he didn't think the thief could escape. It seemed that the other party had come for the Mysterious Pearl. He wondered if the thief had discovered the secret of this thing.

"..."

These people were quite polite; they even introduced themselves. Is this what they call the rules of the underworld?

Liu Canyang of the Flower School?

Isn't the Flower Sect a member of the Demonic Sect? This Liu Canyang is the one who is related to Li Jiuluan.

It seems these people are all from the Demonic Sect.

"Brother, you've come for that thing?" Danyangzi smiled slightly. "Since it's a long-term relationship, it's better to resolve conflicts than to create them. If you know the secret, why don't you name your price and tell me the secret?"

Lu Guo: "Is this really true?"

"Really?" Danyangzi readily agreed.

"Alright! As long as you can pay, give me 9,999 taels of silver, and I'll tell you the secret right away."

"..."

Everyone present was speechless.

If I had that much money, why would I need to be involved in the underworld?

"You dare to mock me?" Peng Lianhu's face darkened, and he held his knife horizontally in his hand.

As soon as he finished speaking, a white light flashed, as fast as lightning. He spurred his horse and thrust his long sword directly at Lu Guo.

Suddenly, a mournful neighing was heard, and he and two other horses collapsed to the ground instantly. The other two people on the horses had no choice but to get out of the way.

The moment Lu Guo leaped up, he seized the opportunity to strike with his sword. As he retreated, the energy blade unleashed by the [Bright Crane Style] had already severed the opponent's three horses at the knees.

He moved like the wind, his sword strikes were fierce and domineering. With a single move, he displayed the demeanor of a master. Although he was surrounded by three enemies, he was completely fearless.

"This is a tricky idea, let's all work together."

The other two didn't hesitate either, letting out a shout and each making their move.

"Good timing."

Lu Guo roared back, the [Azure Dragon in Sleeve] blade on his wrist slashing through the air, its cold light gleaming, as it collided head-on with dozens of arrows coming straight at him.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"this one?"

The three looked at each other in bewilderment.

This kid seems to be a master. How can he be so naive as to think that so many of us would fight him one-on-one?

A rare silence fell outside the blacksmith's shop. When that kid killed three horses with one stroke, the momentum was truly terrifying. Fortunately, their agreed-upon slogan, "Attack together," meant firing arrows. The arrows were specially made, and anyone whose true energy hadn't condensed into protective qi would be affected.

"Look, this kid was shot to death by dozens of arrows; his body was completely unrecognizable."

"So, that's it?"

Peng Lianhu was also somewhat surprised. It was another person who came looking for the Mysterious Pearl, but another person who found it but had no way of knowing its secret.

"Pah, all sorts of people come out and mingle in the underworld."

After saying that, he stepped forward and tried to take the Xuanpin Pearl out of Lu Guo's arms.

"You haven't left yet?"

As they were talking, another person came out of the blacksmith's shop.

Under the illumination of numerous torches, those present saw the face and almost instinctively looked at the corpse on the ground riddled with arrows.

The body was gone, as if it had vanished into thin air.

"You, you, you..."

Clearly, this scene made Peng Lianhu less calm.

Everyone else's attention was also drawn to Lu Guo, who had reappeared, especially his face, which was exactly the same as before, and his attire, which made everyone's hearts tremble and their souls tremble.

The corpses on the ground were gone, but the arrows were still there.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, yet another identical one appeared.

How could someone survive being hit by dozens of Pulse-Breaking Arrows?

"impossible!"

Peng Lianhu took two more steps back.

The thought that he had drunk with this person sent chills down his spine.

The other two also tensed up. Liu Canyang was the first to react, "This person is dead. Who are you?"

"I am who I am."

At that very moment, Lu Guo moved. The Azure Dragon in His Sleeve was drawn, its tip wreathed in a shimmering aura, and with a hiss, it pointed straight at his throat!

Without saying a word, he immediately attacked him.