After leaving the Jinzhou Theater, Lucian asked,
"Alright, where to next?"
Chixia giggled. "Let's go to Yuanwu's Martial Arts School!"
"Yuanwu's Martial Arts School? I think I've heard of it before."
Chixia tugged Lucian toward Jinzhou's residential district.
"Yep! It's a school Yuanwu opened in the neighborhood. His name alone is the school's biggest attraction."
Lucian teased, "A residential district? Is he planning to 'punch the nursing home to the south and kick the kindergarten to the north'?"
Chixia burst out laughing. "What?! No! Besides sparring, the school is also a place for Jinzhou residents to stay fit."
"Yuanwu runs it as a local business, teaching basic traditional martial arts for self-defense and physical training."
Lucian suddenly understood.
However, as the two walked toward the residential area, Lucian faintly sensed someone's gaze on him.
But when he turned around, there was nothing.
"Was it just my imagination?"
The two (and one Echo) arrived at the entrance of Yuanwu's Martial Arts School.
They found a blue-haired man squatting on the ground, feeding dried fish to a gray cat.
"Xiao Mi, brought you some fish today…"
Hearing the noise, Yuanwu turned around, removed his white top hat, and offered a polite smile with a slight nod.
Admittedly, sporting such vibrant hair at his age was quite bold.
"So it's Patroller Chixia… and this is…"
Noticing Chixia's arm linked with the young man's, Yuanwu chuckled. "Ah~ I recognize you. You're Lucian, right?"
Lucian nodded slightly. "Indeed."
Yuanwu nodded—he hadn't mistaken him. He'd seen Lucian's photo in the Jinzhou Daily before.
Rumors said this Lucian was an incredibly powerful Resonator. Maybe there'd be a chance to spar later…
"Patroller Chixia, Mr. Lucian, what brings you here today?"
[Option 1: Kick open the school's door and declare, 'Today, I'm here to challenge this dojo!' Reward: 'Umbra Eclipse' +1 Level]
[Option 2: Push Chixia forward and declare, 'Public Security Bureau' crime sweep begins today!' Reward: 3,000 Points]
[Option 3: Take Xiao Mi away. Reward: Talent 'Cat Lover']
Lucian suddenly lowered his head and snickered. Chixia gave him a weird look.
"Yuanwu, you've broken the law. You know that, right?"
"I've always been a law-abiding citizen of Jinzhou. What law did I break?"
Lucian scoffed. "You violated the Wildlife Protection Act! Hand over Xiao Mi and pay a fine of 3,000 Shell Credits!"
Yuanwu was baffled. After living in Jinzhou for so many years, he'd never heard of any Wildlife Protection Act.
Chixia covered her mouth and whispered in Lucian's ear, "Lucian, I don't think Jinzhou has that law…"
Lucian immediately declared, "See?! Even Chixia says the law exists!"
Lucian pushed Chixia forward and announced, "The Public Security Bureau crime sweep begins today!"
[Ding! Obtained 3,000 Points!]
Chixia snapped out of it and touched Lucian's forehead. "No fever… so why's he acting up again?"
Abby stroked her chin, suddenly enlightened. "I get it!"
Chixia glanced at her, puzzled. "Get what?"
Abby declared confidently, "Lucian must have intermittent psychosis!"
Chixia: "…" Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn N0veI.Fiɾe.net
Abby's expression turned sorrowful.
"Ah, to suffer from such an illness at such a young age… Lucian is so pitiful!"
Lucian smacked Abby on the back of her head, exasperated.
"You guys completely missed my subtext! What I meant was—"
He kicked the school's door open. "Today, I'm here to challenge this dojo!"
[Ding! Reward obtained: 'Umbra Eclipse' +1 Level.]
The entire residential district heard Lucian's voice and turned to look.
Residents whispered among themselves.
"Yeah, yeah! The officially recognized hero of Jinzhou!"
"Think he can beat Yuanwu?"
"No idea, wouldn't dare guess!"
"But y'know, past challengers always bought medicine from Shifang Pharmacy first."
"Wonder how strong Lucian really is. If he's that powerful, maybe he can win against Yuanwu!"
Hearing this, Yuanwu grew excited, cracking his knuckles eagerly.
"I see… I've actually been looking forward to sparring with you for a while now…"
But before he could finish, a familiar voice spoke up behind him.
"Before that… how about a match with me first?"
Lucian's gaze shifted past Yuanwu—Rover stood there, the Emerald of Genesis resting on her shoulder, her entire aura dark and oppressive.
Cold sweat broke out on Lucian's back.
He forced a grin and waved awkwardly. "H-Hey… Rover… what a coincidence… haha… weren't you sleeping?"
Rover stepped closer, each step heavy with menace.
"What a coincidence indeed. If not for the Rover's Speaker you gifted me, I'd still be asleep…"
Lucian internally screamed.
The speaker was a traitor!
Chixia spread her arms protectively in front of Lucian, her expression stern.
"Rover! Today's my date with Lucian. Don't interfere!"
Lucian's soul nearly left his body. Since when was Chixia this bold?!
Rover's lips trembled with rage before twisting into an eerie smile.
"…A date? Heh… hehehe…"
Just then, a voice echoed in Chixia's mind.
[Lucian is using 'Transformation Magic' on you. Accept?]
In an instant, Chixia transformed into a red-furred cat.
Rover's eyes widened in alarm—she lunged forward with the Emerald of Genesis.
But Lucian was faster.
The Sentinel Jué soared into the sky, snatching up Xiao Mi and Chixia-the-cat along the way.
A bystander gasped. "The Sentinel was right beside us this whole time?!"
"Oh no… I stole my girlfriend's black stockings yesterday… surely Lord Sentinel didn't notice…?"
The surrounding residents shot him looks.
Left behind, Abby stared blankly at the vanishing Sentinel.
"You just left me here to face Rover's wrath?!"
The next second, Rover yanked Abby's ahoge. "A—BBY—!"
Abby panickedly deflected blame. "L-Lucian told me not to say anything!!"
Nearby, Yuanwu took a sip from his thermos and smiled.
"Ah, youth… so full of energy."
He looked down—and froze.
[Ding! Obtained talent 'Cat Lover']
[Cat Lover: All animals' affinity toward you increases by 100%!]
At the peak of a Mountain near Shade Ridge, a gentle breeze carried the fragrance of flowers.
Lucian and Chixia lay side by side in the flower field, their eyes fixed on the slowly setting sun.
Xiao Mi nestled comfortably in Chixia's arms, dozing off with soft purrs, as if the entire world had fallen into tranquility.
Suddenly, Chixia turned to face Lucian, her eyes shimmering with sincerity.
"I wish I could stay with you… forever."
The golden sunlight painted her cheeks a rosy hue, like a ripe apple.
Lucian gazed at her silently, emotions surging in his chest. Without a word, he reached out, gently cupping her warm, blushing face, feeling the rhythm of her heartbeat beneath his fingertips.
Then, unable to hold back any longer, he leaned in and kissed her tender lips.
Verina, who had come to tend to the flowers, stumbled upon the scene from the bushes.
Her eyes widened at the sight of the two sharing a passionate kiss under the sunset.
But she didn't interrupt—instead, she quietly pulled out her terminal and immortalized the moment forever…