Synopsis and Starting Chapter Chapter 2 Master Zhao
Chapter 3 The Blue Angel
Chapter 4 Magic
Chapter 5 On The Road
Chapter 6 A Harsh Lesson
Chapter 7 The Black Pill
Chapter 8 A Taste Of Magic
Chapter 9 Master Firehear
Chapter 10 Windsong
Chapter 11 Stages Of Magic
Chapter 12 The Wind Realm
Chapter 13 Opening A Realm
Chapter 14 A Breath Of Wind
Chapter 15 Drunken Masters
Chapter 16 The Valley
Chapter 17 An Unexpected Arrival
Chapter 18 Preparing For Battle
Chapter 19 The True Face Of Magic
Chapter 20 Aftermath
Chapter 21 Disguises
Chapter 22 Memories Of Murder
Chapter 23 A Difficult Choice
Chapter 24 Master Zhao’S Treasures
Chapter 25 The Journey Ahead
Chapter 26 Redwater
Chapter 27 Dinner With Enemies
Chapter 28 Unlikely Companions
Chapter 29 Stormleaf'S Gif
Chapter 30 Power Overwhelming
Chapter 31 Lord Jiang
Chapter 32 The Price Of Power
Chapter 33 The Estate
Chapter 34 Training With Lord Jiang
Chapter 35 Continued Training
Chapter 36 Body Refinemen
Chapter 37 Feast Of Treasures
Chapter 38 Faster, Higher, Stronger
Chapter 39 The Starmetal Sword
Chapter 40 The Magistrate
Chapter 41 Duel
Chapter 42 Revelations
Chapter 43 Breaking The Seals
Chapter 44 Newfound Power
Chapter 45 Lord Jiang'S Gifts
Chapter 46 Saying Goodbye
Chapter 47 Leaving Silvermere
Chapter 48 Ambush
Chapter 49 Wounds Of Battle
Chapter 50 The Bandit Fortress
Chapter 51 Senecio
Chapter 52 Looting Treasures
Chapter 53 Words Of Chaos
Chapter 54 The Old Man And The Trickster
Chapter 55 Panurge’S Punishmen
Chapter 56 Windblade
Chapter 57 A Way To Escape
Chapter 58 Prison Break
Chapter 59 The Prisoners
Chapter 60 A Clear Path
Chapter 61 A Change Of Plans
Chapter 62 Assaulting The Prison
Chapter 63 Resistance
Chapter 64 Facing The Archmage
Chapter 65 Birds And Dragons
Chapter 66 Leaving The Stronghold
Chapter 67 The Edge Of The Empire
Chapter 68 The Story So Far
Chapter 69 The Border City
Chapter 70 Darkfire
Chapter 71 A Small Figh
Chapter 72 Tournamen
Chapter 73 The Shadowblood Novice
Chapter 74 The Gray-Robed Lady
Chapter 75 Governor Eddarin
Chapter 76 Leaving The City
Chapter 77 Darkfire'S Ordeal
Chapter 78 A New Arrival
Chapter 79 Judgmen
Chapter 80 New Techniques
Chapter 81 The Arenas Of Hillfor
Chapter 82 The Victor'S Spoils
Chapter 83 An Unexpected Invitation
Chapter 84 Lunch With The Governor
Chapter 85 Amaya
Chapter 86 Searching For Answers
Chapter 87 Stoneheart'S Army
Chapter 88 Stonehear
Chapter 89 Zehava
Chapter 90 Unexpected News
Chapter 91 Darkfire’S Decision
Chapter 92 Before The Tournamen
Chapter 93 The Tournament Begins
Chapter 94 The Tournament Continues
Chapter 95 Defeated
Chapter 96 Snowcloud
Chapter 97 The Valley
Chapter 98 Oathbound
Chapter 99 Urgent Matters
Chapter 100 Running
Chapter 101 Questions
Chapter 102 Answers
Chapter 103 First Steps
Chapter 104 Crystals
Chapter 105 Blindsided
Chapter 106 Fighting Blind
Chapter 107 Shadowsigh
Chapter 108 Exposed
Chapter 109 The Bracele
Chapter 110 The Deserters' Fortress
Chapter 111 Fighting Dirty
Chapter 112 Assault On The Fortress
Chapter 113 Blood Magic
Chapter 114 A Debt Repaid
Chapter 115 Exchanging Knowledge
Chapter 116 Goldhaven
Chapter 117 Lord Sevaril
Chapter 118 The Formula
Chapter 119 Ingredients
Chapter 120 The Golden Hall
Chapter 121 Troublesome Treasures
Chapter 122 The Power Of Lies
Chapter 123 Truth Be Told
Chapter 124 Picking Treasures
Chapter 125 Windfall
Chapter 126 Rapid Training
Chapter 127 Leaving Goldhaven
Chapter 128 Injuries
Chapter 129 Smooth Travels
Chapter 130 A Familiar Face
Chapter 131 Stoneheart'S Misfortune
Chapter 132 Preparing For Battle
Chapter 133 Bloodlus
Chapter 134 Control
Chapter 135 Trus
Chapter 136 Forced March
Chapter 137 Contac
Chapter 138 Danger Illustrated
Chapter 139 Titan
Chapter 140 The Dragon
Chapter 141 The Tempering
Chapter 142 Destruction Realm
Chapter 143 The Tempering, Take Two
Chapter 144 Tempered
Chapter 145 Weakness
Chapter 146 At The Castle
Chapter 147 The Dragon'S Proposal
Chapter 148 A Decision
Chapter 149 The Eve Of Battle
Chapter 150 Bai
Chapter 151 Fighting An Army
Chapter 152 Novices
Chapter 153 Hunting The Survivors
Chapter 154 Riverbend
Chapter 155 The Next Mission
Chapter 156 Leaving The Castle
Chapter 157 Hiding The Evidence
Chapter 158 Eidaran Ruins
Chapter 159 Parting Ways
Chapter 160 Into The Ruins
Chapter 161 A Long Wai
Chapter 162 Enemies
Chapter 163 Fear
Chapter 164 Spirit Crystals
Chapter 165 About Dragons
Chapter 166 Journey To The Dragon Lands
Chapter 167 Chasing Dragons
Chapter 168 Dumber Than Rocks
Chapter 169 Unexpected News
Chapter 170 The Dragon'S Lair
Chapter 171 The Enemy Appears
Chapter 172 Plan Of Attack
Chapter 173 The Eve Of Battle
Chapter 174 To Fight A Dragon 1
Chapter 175 To Fight A Dragon 2
Chapter 176 To Fight A Dragon 3
Chapter 177 To Fight A Dragon 4
Chapter 178 The Best Way To Kill A Dragon...
Chapter 179 Dragon'S Blood
Chapter 180 Blood Crisis
Chapter 181 Blood Battle
Chapter 182 Leaving The Blood Pool
Chapter 183 Escape Plan
Chapter 184 Dragon'S Fligh
Chapter 185 Dragon'S Ruin
Chapter 186 The Way Back
Chapter 187 Unexpected Allies
Chapter 188 Iron Mountain Adepts
Chapter 189 A New Plan
Chapter 190 The Road To Uvar
Chapter 191 Setting The Trap
Chapter 192 Facing A Master
Chapter 193 Hunter
Chapter 194 The Way Back
Chapter 195 The Edge Of Victory
Chapter 196 A Final Deception
Chapter 197 The Iron Mountain Camp
Chapter 198 Toward The Valley
Chapter 199 The Valley'S Gate
Chapter 200 The Patriarch'S Palace
Chapter 201 Barrier
Chapter 202 The Patriarch
Chapter 203 The Patriarch'S Summons
Chapter 204 A New Path
Chapter 205 A Long Journey
Chapter 206 Into The Valley
Chapter 207 Alder'S Farm
Chapter 208 An Invitation
Chapter 209 Houses Of The Ninth Valley
Chapter 210 A Change For The Worse
Chapter 211 Unreasonable Demands
Chapter 212 A Small Demonstration
Chapter 213 Show Of Power
Chapter 214 Bad Teacher
Chapter 215 The Thousand Cuts
Chapter 216 Training Days
Chapter 217 The Road Ahead
Chapter 218 Hidden Estate
Chapter 219 A New Approach
Chapter 220 Insigh
Chapter 221 Recovery
Chapter 222 Reunion
Chapter 223 Snowcloud'S Potions
Chapter 224 Snowcloud'S Departure
Chapter 225 Return To The House Of Swords
Chapter 226 To The House Of Flames
Chapter 227 A New Teacher
Chapter 228 Forms
Chapter 229 Form And Function
Chapter 230 Brightblade'S Vow
Chapter 231 The House Of Shadows
Chapter 232 A Step Into Shadow
Chapter 233 Shadow And Swords
Chapter 234 The House Of Seals
Chapter 235 A Small Bit Of Talen
Chapter 236 A New Teacher
Chapter 237 Reunion
Chapter 238 An Agreemen
Chapter 239 A Palace Of One'S Own
Chapter 240 Brightblade'S Background
Chapter 241 A Final Night Of Res
Chapter 242 The First Day Of Training
Chapter 243 Effor
Chapter 244 Destruction Essence
Chapter 245 A Brief Respite
Chapter 246 Shields
Chapter 247 Ambush
Chapter 248 After The Battle
Chapter 249 Questions Of Power
Chapter 250 Questionable Plans
Chapter 251 A Fruitless Search
Chapter 252 Facing The Elders
Chapter 253 Offending An Elder
Chapter 254 Brightblade'S Challenge
Chapter 255 The Dueling Grounds
Chapter 256 The Duel
Chapter 257 A Fight To The Death
Chapter 258 Aftermath
Chapter 259 The Matriarch'S Plans
Chapter 260 Treasures
Chapter 261 An Heir'S Estate
Chapter 262 Gifts
Chapter 263 Festivities
Chapter 264 Effor
Chapter 265 Brightblade'S Fortress
Chapter 266 A Small Wager
Chapter 267 Brightblade'S Orders
Chapter 268 Leaving The Valley
Chapter 269 Essence Remnants
Chapter 270 An Obstacle
Chapter 271 More Than Remnants
Chapter 272 Demons
Chapter 273 A Short Goodbye
Chapter 274 On The Road
Chapter 275 Hunter
Chapter 276 Amydon
Chapter 277 The Fall Of Amydon
Chapter 278 A Quiet Place
Chapter 279 A New Foundation
Chapter 280 The Final Stretch
Chapter 281 A Break
Chapter 282 The Caves Of Amydon
Chapter 283 The Hidden City
Chapter 284 Karanos
Chapter 285 The Mines
Chapter 286 Trash And Treasure
Chapter 287 A Step Into Shadow
Chapter 288 Darkness
Chapter 289 The Shadow Realm
Chapter 290 Amid The Ruins
Chapter 291 Shards Of Living Shadow
Chapter 292 A Fitting Weapon
Chapter 293 A Small Bribe
Chapter 294 To Leave A Dying World
Chapter 295 Homecoming
Chapter 296 Hidden Treasure
Chapter 297 Waiting For A Sign
Chapter 298 Departure
Chapter 299 Into The Ligh
Chapter 300 Redhill
Chapter 301 Pursui
Chapter 302 Training Ground
Chapter 303 Hunters
Chapter 304 Recruits
Chapter 305 Pills
Chapter 306 Thieves And Robbers
Chapter 307 Facing A Hunter
Chapter 308 Into The Battlefield
Chapter 309 Suffering
Chapter 310 A Knight Of The Imperium
Chapter 311 A Choice
Chapter 312 Searching The Battlefield
Chapter 313 The Fores
Chapter 314 Studying The Forms
Chapter 315 Preparation
Chapter 316 The Road To Esran
Chapter 317 The City Of Esran
Chapter 318 A Steward'S Aid
Chapter 319 Leaving The Borderlands
Chapter 320 The Border
Chapter 321 Into The Imperium
Chapter 322 Advice
Chapter 323 The Fate Of Refugees
Chapter 324 A City Of Tents
Chapter 325 The Wolfsblood Company
Chapter 326 Arrival
Chapter 327 A New Deal
Chapter 328 Imperial Politics
Chapter 329 Battle Approaches
Chapter 330 A Taste Of Battle
Chapter 331 The Spoils Of Battle
Chapter 332 Lord Kadun
Chapter 333 To The Mines
Chapter 334 What Lurks Below
Chapter 335 Into Darkness
Chapter 336 Diggers
Chapter 337 Battle
Chapter 338 Three Monsters
Chapter 339 The Blood Ruin
Chapter 340 A Warm Welcome
Chapter 341 Studying Strategy
Chapter 342 Weapons And Training
Chapter 343 A New Tool
Chapter 344 Unwelcome Company
Chapter 345 Provocation
Chapter 346 Down Below
Chapter 347 A Small Disturbance
Chapter 348 A Lord'S Mercy
Chapter 349 Prison
Chapter 350 Prison Break
Chapter 351 Breaching The Defenses
Chapter 352 Defending The Gate
Chapter 353 A Knight'S Power
Chapter 354 Lord Rannoc
Chapter 355 Outrage
Chapter 356 The Strength Of Lords
Chapter 357 An Offer
Chapter 358 Revelations
Chapter 359 The Desolation
Chapter 360 Rannoc'S Orders
Chapter 361 Citizenship
Chapter 362 Sleepless Nights
Chapter 363 A Foundation
Chapter 364 The Road Back
Chapter 365 A Deb
Chapter 366 Settling Debts
Chapter 367 Broken Company
Chapter 368 An Exchange
Chapter 369 Preparations
Chapter 370 Breakthrough
Chapter 371 Delivery
Chapter 372 A New Journey
Chapter 373 An Unwelcome Invitation
Chapter 374 Challenge
Chapter 375 A Duel
Chapter 376 Facing A Knight, Again
Chapter 377 Words Of Warning
Chapter 378 What Lurks In The Bligh
Chapter 379 A Quiet Departure
Chapter 380 The Road To Sacrifice
Chapter 381 A Storm Of Blood
Chapter 382 Behind The Walls
Chapter 383 A Sea Of Shadow
Chapter 384 Reaver'S End
Chapter 385 Newcomers
Chapter 386 A New Plan
Chapter 387 An Old Friend
Chapter 388 An Imperial Knigh
Chapter 389 The Knight'S Apprentice
Chapter 390 Knight'S Watch
Chapter 391 Comprehension
Chapter 392 Master Of Shadow
Chapter 393 Finding Enemies
Chapter 394 The Missing Piece
Chapter 395 Reunion
Chapter 396 Decisions
Chapter 397 The Wolfsblood Army
Chapter 398 Enlightenmen
Chapter 399 An Unwelcome Gues
Chapter 400 The Oath
Chapter 401 An Invitation
Chapter 402 The Dangers Ahead
Chapter 403 Into The Desolation
Chapter 404 Suppression
Chapter 405 Confrontation
Chapter 406 Arrival
Chapter 407 The Archon'S Summons
Chapter 408 The Master'S Bloodline
Chapter 409 Bloodlines
Chapter 410 The Ruiner'S Temple
Chapter 411 Assassin
Chapter 412 The Citadel
Chapter 413 Fruits Of A Poisonous Tree
Chapter 414 The Strength Of Bloodlines
Chapter 415 A Path Forward
Chapter 416 - A Simple Task
Chapter 417 - Breakthrough
Chapter 418 - Final Preparations
Chapter 419 - Into Harm'S Way (1)
Categories Genre: Action, All, Fantasy, Ongoing, Xianxia, Xuanhuan Status: Ongoing ______
Total Chapters in book: 419
Estimated words: 787321 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 3937(@200wpm)___ 3149(@250wpm)___ 2624(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 787321 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 3937(@200wpm)___ 3149(@250wpm)___ 2624(@300wpm)
______
LIST OF LAST 10 CHAPTERS:
Page No. 419 Page No. 418 Page No. 417 Page No. 416 Page No. 415 Page No. 414 Page No. 413 Page No. 412 Page No. 411 Page No. 410 Page No. 409 Chapter 307 Facing A Hunter
Chapter 307 Facing A Hunter
As they approached the two figures in the distance, Arran looked at their targets with an increasing feeling of unease. Even if the two men looked no different from the ones they had faced, he had a bad feeling about these two.
Both were dressed as recruits, with cloth veils wrapped around their faces to obscure their identity. Yet while there was nothing outwardly unusual about the two, to Arran's eyes, was something about them that didn't seem right.
Or rather, about one of the two. Because while one was no different from the other recruits Arran had seen, the other moved in a way that caught his eye. There was something unusual about the man — something he didn't like.
But then, he suddenly saw it.
"Stop!" he said, putting his hand on Negin's shoulder to hold her back. "That's no recruit!"
He now realized that the supposed recruit's movements held a hidden strength no recruit should possess. And while that was enough to alarm him, he also saw something different.
Somehow, the way the man hid his strength reminded Arran of Shadow Essence, as if his very movements somehow concealed his body.
Yet neither Arran's Sense nor his sword's detected any hint of Shadow Essence within the man. Rather, it was like the man had somehow taken an aspect of Shadow, and used it without magic.
To others, the concealment would have been perfect. But Arran had spent numerous years in the Shadow Realm, and he recognized it almost immediately — though still not quick enough, it seemed.
Because even as he came to a halt, with Negin looking at him in confusion, the man disguised as a recruit glanced their way. And as he saw Arran and Negin stop in their tracks, the man halted as well.
Then, he turned and began to head toward them, with his companion following several paces behind.
"Stand back," Arran said to Negin, speaking in a low voice. "This one is dangerous."
She shot him a puzzled glance, and in an unconvinced tone, she began, "How can you—"
"Do it!" Arran sharply interrupted her. With a fight ahead, he could afford no distraction, least of all from a curious recruit.
And he was certain that the man intended to fight him. The sudden stop in his approach had raised the man's interest, and Arran guessed that he would be wondering if his disguise had been seen through.
But there was no time for speculation. As the man approached him, Arran drew his sword, preparing himself for battle.
Against this enemy, he would not hold back or try to hide his strength — anyone whose very movements could hold an aspect of Shadow was a threat that could not be underestimated.
The disguised man drew his sword as well, and at a distance of about a hundred paces, he suddenly burst into a sprint, surging forward with inhuman speed.
There would be no words, then. Just battle.
The man's first attack was a devastating one, a powerful overhead strike intended to end the fight in a single blow. And with his strength, it was a blow that few enemies could have withstood. Even if they managed to block it in time, it would do them little good.
But Arran was no ordinary fighter. The crushing blow caused him to stagger backward, but he was strong enough to withstand his enemy's attack.
If his opponent was surprised, he showed no sign of it. Without pausing, the man unleashed a flurry of attacks at Arran, his sword moving with deadly precision as it flashed forward.
Arran only barely managed to block and parry the attacks, and he clenched his jaw as he was forced backward. In the man's attacks, he recognized hints of insight — and more than one.
After a few moments, his opponent took a step back as well, some hesitation in his movements. It appeared the man hadn't expected an enemy who could resist his attacks, and faced with someone as strong as Arran, he seemed to be having some doubts.
Yet for Arran, the man's brief moment of hesitation was an opening, and one he would not let go to waste.
Unlike his opponent, he did not hesitate. He struck instantly, throwing all his power into a single blow and imbuing it with his true insight into severing. The result was a devastating attack — an unstoppable avalanche of deadly force.
His foe moved to block the attack, but it was no use. Arran's sword could cut even starmetal, and it tore through his opponent's blade as if it wasn't even there. An instant later, the man's body was cleaved in two with equal ease.
Arran sighed in relief as the man's torn body collapsed to the ground. The fight had been brief but vicious, and his opponent's skill had shocked him. He'd seen people whose styles held traces of insight before, but never this many.
But before he could give it any more thought, he heard Negin's voice.
"I killed him," she said, her voice trembling with shock.
When Arran looked over, he saw that she was standing next to the real recruit's body, a look of shock on her face and a blood-covered sword in her hands.
"Well done," Arran said. His attention had been fully focused on his own battle, and even if he'd wanted to, he couldn't have protected Negin. But from the look of it, she'd done a good enough job of that herself.
"But…" Negin stared at the dead man in front of her, eyes wide in disbelief. "He's dead."
"A severed head will do that," Arran said flatly. "Now take a look at this one."
He moved to his defeated opponent's body — the part that held the head, at least — and removed the man's veil, revealing his face.
He was a plain-looking man with dark hair who looked to be in his late twenties, thoug, even in death, his face held an agelessness that suggested his real age was well beyond that.
As soon as she saw Arran's dead opponent, Negin's shocked expression turned to pale-faced astonishment. "That's…" she said, though she didn't finish the sentence.
"Someone you know?" Arran asked.
"He's one of the teachers at my college," she said in a stunned tone. "He's a Ranger." She turned her eyes to Arran, then repeated, "You killed a Ranger."
Arran nodded thoughtfully. He'd wondered for some time how strong real Hunters were, and it seemed he now had an answer — though one that was less than encouraging.
Although he had defeated his opponent, the man had been a real threat. He'd been slightly weaker than Arran himself, perhaps, but not much. And against two such enemies — or more — Arran knew he'd face serious difficulty.
"Will anyone notice he's gone?" he asked. He'd had a taste of the Hunters' abilities, and he had no interest in meeting any more of them. Not while he was searching the battlefield.
Negin shook her head. "He's not supposed to be here. He isn't with any of the groups. I don't know why he—"
She stopped mid-sentence, and her shocked expression turned to one of outrage. "That treacherous bastard!" she cried out, her voice now trembling with anger rather than shock.
Arran gave her a puzzled glance. "What is it?"
"That bastard!" she repeated. "He came here to help that one!" She glanced at the recruit she'd killed, both hate and disgust in her eyes.
At this, Arran couldn't help but feel some amusement. "I take it that receiving outside help is frowned upon?"
She shot him an angry glare. "That's different!" she said. "I didn't plan on meeting you. And this bastard—" she kicked the recruit's dead body "—didn't need any help in the first place. He's as pure-blooded as any Darian, with all the support he ever needed to grow strong."
"Not strong enough to defeat you," Arran said. "Seems to me that he needed help more than you did."
"That's…" Negin's voice trailed off as she looked at Arran in surprise. Then, a hint of joy flashed across her face. "I defeated him, didn't I?"
"You're the one who still has a head," Arran replied. "So I'd say that makes you the winner. But you can celebrate another time. Let's search these two before we bury them."
As expected, the two dead Hunters had plenty of pills — easily twice as much as Arran and Negin had managed to gather. The dead Ranger had several other pills than the ones that granted resistance to magic, as well, which Negin excitedly explained should help with Body Refinement.
Arran let the girl take half the pills. While he took several to study later, he didn't have much other use for them — he certainly wouldn't take any of the Hunters' pills until he was completely sure of how they worked and what they did.
After they had buried their enemies, Arran glanced at the wasteland ahead, then turned to Negin.
"We have all the pills we need now," he said. "So let's waste no more time, and head straight for the battlefield."
Negin nodded, the excitement of defeating an enemy still clear in her eyes. "With this many pills," she said, "we will definitely find weapons for both of us."
Total Chapters in book: 419
Estimated words: 787321 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 3937(@200wpm)___ 3149(@250wpm)___ 2624(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 787321 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 3937(@200wpm)___ 3149(@250wpm)___ 2624(@300wpm)
______