[Act I: Leaving the Village — No One to See Me Off]
Early in the morning, before dawn,
Lin Bufan carries a sword on his back.
It was not his original, worn-out iron sword, but rather the Xuan Iron Shattered Moon, which the system had rewarded him with.
System alert: The main thread is open, Jianghu Chapter — First Paragraph.
System map activated: 100 miles ahead, Sunset Town has encountered a large wave of beasts.
Kill a Beast King: Reward: Technique ×1
[Hidden Quest: Complete the "Establishment of Authority" in Sunset Town.]
Lin Bufan organized his bag and pushed the door open to leave.
However, he saw Luo Qingdao standing in front of the door.
She was carrying only a small bag, and a delicate bell hung from her waist.
"If you're leaving, I'm leaving too."
Don't try to ditch me."
Lin Bu Fan smiled faintly and nodded.
"Together then."
They walked out of the village entrance, side by side.
Greenstone Village was silent.
No one came to see them off.
No one dared to do so.
Because Xuan Jiufen was still watching them coldly from the hill outside the village.
Luo Qingdao glanced at Xuan Jiufen uneasily. However, Lin Bu Fan spoke faintly:
"Just go. Don't look back."
"With me here, no one can stop you."
The next moment, Lin Bu Fan drew his sword—
A blade qi split through the heavy oppression in front of him.
Xuan Jiubuan's eyebrows jumped, but he didn't move.
As soon as the teenager stepped out of the village, a pop-up from the system flashed wildly behind him:
[Twist of Fate — Triggered.]
[Formally entering the 'Jianghu Line'].
Act II: The Newcomers: The Boys of the Night
It's dusk.
The two have traveled to a chaotic forest when they suddenly encounter an attack by a beast.
"These are not ordinary demonic beasts. This is a precursor to a beast tide."
Lin Bufan's gaze hardened. Just as he was about to draw his sword, a figure descended from the sky.
"Don't move."
"Leave these small monsters to me to warm up."
That was a teenager who looked to be fifteen or sixteen years old with silver hair and a shattered jade mask.
He wore a loose Taoist robe and had three black bells wrapped around his waist.
He stood on a tree and smiled wanly before leaping down.
His fingertips flicked.
The bells shook, and the dozen or so surrounding demonic beasts exploded into oblivion!
Luo Qingdao's pupils contracted. "Is this bell the 'Spirit Sound Sect' technique?"
"Didn't the Spirit Sound Sect die out a long time ago?"
The teenager turned his head and blinked at her when he heard this.
"That sect was exterminated by someone else. I don't recognize it."
"My name is Su Wumian."
"If you want to make it to Sunset Town alive, you can follow me."
But remember, I don't like noisy people."
Lin Bufan locked eyes with him for a moment.
Without asking any more questions, he faintly replied:
"I don't like people who talk nonsense."
Su Wu Mian froze, the corners of his mouth lifting.
"Interesting."
[Act 3 — Three Men in a Team — Traveling to Sunset Town]
At night, a small campfire burned in the mountain forest.
Su Wu Mian sat on a high spot and looked at the stars. Lin Bu Fan polished his sword. Luo Qing Dance closed her eyes and regulated her breathing.
The three of them were speechless, yet they had a wonderful tacit understanding.
[Ding! The plot automatically advances.
Activate the "Jianghu Trio" temporary team.
Initial bonding value: Luo Light Dance (30) and Su Wu Mian (5).
Su Wu-Mian's hidden identity is the last heir of the Spirit Sound Sect.
Su Wu-Mian's hidden identity is the last heir of the Spirit Sound Sect and the trigger for the revenge plot.
[Side quest to be determined: Assist Su Wu Mian in his revenge, or stop him from going mad.]
Lin Bufan's mind moved.
He knew that the Jianghu was deeper than he thought.
But he had already set foot on this path.
There was no turning back.