Umbrella? Ren Yuanhao did recall the old woman giving him a tattered umbrella. But what could the weapon mentioned by the system miss possibly have to do with an umbrella?
At this moment, towering dragon cypresses flanked the road outside the city. The moon had begun its westward descent, casting sparse, slanting moonlight. About a kilometer further out, farmlands stretched in crisscrossing patterns, giving a sense of vastness and openness that lifted his spirits.
"Alright, this spot is good. Few people, and plenty of space to move."
"You certainly know how to pick a place."
Ren Yuanhao chuckled, then approached the trunk with a hint of apprehension. Upon opening it, he could still detect a faint scent of jasmine.
He took out the broken umbrella. Under the moonlight, it appeared even more aged, its surface creased. The moment the framework expanded, it emitted a sound akin to an old door creaking open – stiff, grating, the accumulated weight of years preserved within this 'antique'.
The umbrella's ribs were thicker than those of a normal umbrella, and the umbrella itself was much longer than a typical imitation ancient oil-paper umbrella. In terms of portability, the experience of this umbrella was undeniably poor.
Ren Yuanhao pondered repeatedly, yet for the life of him, he couldn't find any clue about the umbrella's secret despite observing it closely.
"Alas, if I could still offer overdrafts, I'd truly like to overdraft a brain-boosting pill for you."
The system miss sighed repeatedly, likely wondering why she had ended up with a ten-life virgin who was often mentally absent.
"No, I still owe you 500 points, don't I? If you overdraft again, reaching the mountain will be an even more distant prospect."
The system miss likely didn't want to beat around the bush in this environment and replied promptly:
"Could you please check the umbrella handle? See if there's a rotatable mechanism on it?"
Ren Yuanhao followed the system miss's instructions and looked closely. Indeed, near the seemingly plain and even ancient-looking handle, he found a rotatable mechanism!
"I never expected it to hide such a secret. This is truly unexpected. That old woman treated me so well; I must properly thank her next time I see her."
He twisted the handle. After about seven rotations, a slender Tang dao was suddenly drawn out by him.
Under the slanting moonlight, the blade was like the snow-capped ridge of a mountain range – white and chillingly cold. Before his skin even neared the edge, he felt the sharpness pierce through his skin. Flicking the blade produced a resonant hum, lingering and clear, revealing the incredible density and fineness of the blade's material. The blade was unmarked by any characters and had a perfectly balanced weight; a fraction more or less would have felt amiss. It was as if it were custom-made for Ren Yuanhao.
"A good blade!"
"You just say it's a good blade, but do you know why it's so good?"
Ren Yuanhao smiled mischievously and scratched his head, saying, "I truly don't know. Miss, please enlighten me."
"Enlighten? No need. Experience it yourself. He's here."
As soon as the words left her mouth, the man in the fox mask, wielding a Miao dao, stepped on the layered branches and swept forward as if riding waves! His white robes fluttered, and judging by his build alone, he was clearly a handsome young man.
It was a pity that such a fine physique belonged to a man of extreme depth and cunning.
"Hmm? It seems you were waiting for me here on purpose?"
The Miao dao in the man's hand was different from the previous one. If the previous weapon was already an excellent blade, this one was even better. The sound of the blade cutting through the air was enough to tell.
"Waiting for you? My apologies, not at all. I just felt too stifled staying in the city, so I came out for a stroll. Who knew your nose was so keen that you actually found me here."
Ren Yuanhao slung the Tang dao over his shoulder. The cold sharpness reflected the moonlight, like a lion's fangs baring a ferocious, solitary gleam.
The masked man let out a wild laugh, "You brought such a blade, are you not planning to fight me for another three hundred rounds?"
"Precisely my intention. This young master will make an example of you, a guy who dares not show his true face!"
The moment his words fell, Ren Yuanhao drew his long dao upwards diagonally. A fierce wind erupted, pressing down the surrounding plants and straw like quivering weeds. The blade tore through the space, landing precisely on the vital point of the masked man's chest!
"Xie Yue Chu Sheng?"
The masked man raised his blade to block, staggering backward. He barely managed to steady himself using the uneven branches!
"Where did you learn the 'Tian Chi Dao Fa'!"
Ren Yuanhao, having repelled his opponent with one move, was greatly emboldened. He brushed his nose and said, "How does it feel to be repelled by your own blade technique? Pretty good, huh?"
"Good? Do you know it took me three days just to learn this single move, 'Xie Yue Chu Sheng'? I refuse to believe you could learn all the moves in such a short time! The stronger you get, the more intense my urge to kill you becomes," the masked man vibrated his long dao and said slowly, "Let me ask you, where is that unclaimed ability core?"
"Whether I've learned it all or not, you can find out by trying! Besides, if it takes you three days to learn a move, it doesn't mean everyone needs three days!" Ren Yuanhao spread his hands, then pointed to his stomach, shamelessly saying, "You want the ability core? Here, it's inside me. Want it? Come and beg me."
"Hmph, sharp-tongued fellow. I'll see how much True Qi you have left after swallowing the ability core!"
The masked man was convinced that Ren Yuanhao's True Qi was nearly depleted, and that the more talkative someone was, the more they were covering their guilt.
After all, bluffing was the weakest yet most effective tactic.
He flicked his long sleeves, stepping on the straw and unleashing his abilities. In a mere third of a breath, he closed the distance to Ren Yuanhao, his blade aimed directly at Ren Yuanhao's heart, showing no mercy!
"Holy cow!"
Ren Yuanhao had almost forgotten that the opponent possessed at least four major abilities. His own instantaneous movement, Liu Yu's invisibility, the assassin's mirror technique, and pupil techniques – if these abilities could be mastered, his strength would likely be unimaginably formidable.
At least, given Ren Yuanhao's current state and strength, it was beyond comprehension.
As Ren Yuanhao retreated rapidly, he raised his long dao, precisely blocking the opponent's swiftly stabbing blade. The moment the two blades met, the masked man suddenly struck the hilt of his blade with his hand. The blade, using Ren Yuanhao's long dao as a cylindrical axis, curved directly behind him. By the time he reacted, he felt a prickle on his back!
Furthermore, his body was retreating due to inertia, and the opponent's move had come too suddenly, leaving no opportunity to dodge.
As the blade's gleam was about to cleave his back, Ren Yuanhao's mind suddenly cleared. Inspired, he bent his body backward, executing 'Ye Huo Liao Yuan' from the Tian Chi Dao Fa!
The blade's gleam slashed out horizontally, with formidable momentum. The two blades collided again, emitting a brilliant cold light!