Sword Rain

"Ah, this is..." Guiyin's expression shifted as he sensed the lingering magic in the air.

Ophelia and the others had not noticed Allen's actions, but he, keenly attuned, immediately perceived the intricate symbols drawn in the air by Allen's black magic pen. The unique technique, one imbued with the caster's will and intent, and the obscure, enigmatic strokes—these swiftly evoked a long-buried memory within him.

"Young man, if you refuse to fathom your own destiny, then why have you ventured into the depths of the Ghost Market?" Guiyin gestured for his ghostly servant to remain calm, then raised his gaze to look at Allen. Though the young man's eyes were gone, in that fleeting moment, Allen felt as if a pair of sharp, wise eyes had scrutinized him, leaving no secret hidden.

"The Divine Realm of the ancient races, Master Guiyin, can you enlighten me about the true nature of our human race's lost Divine Realm?" Allen hesitated slightly, speaking as he fixed his gaze on Guiyin, who was said to know all.

For reasons he could not fully explain, Allen had always felt a deep connection between himself and the so-called forgotten Divine Realm of the ancient human races. The more he delved into the essence of magic, the stronger this feeling became. The ancient runes inherited from Ovicius, along with a series of familiar archaic characters, often intertwined in his mind without his even realizing it.

The Divine Realm of the ancient races?

Guiyin, draped in black robes, fell silent for a long while. At last, he took from within his cloak a worn, ancient tome. "Young man, this world is far vaster than we imagine. Here is the Chart of Divine Realms. Take it with you."

"How many contribution points?" Ophelia asked, pulling out her crystal card. While Karl and the others were unaware of Allen's origins, she knew full well, and was prepared to buy the tome for him.

Guiyin's offerings were never ordinary!

Guiyin's reputation in the wasteland was renowned, and everything he provided was of the highest quality. Legends of the Divine Realms of various races had long circulated throughout the vast wilderness. It was said that occupying one of these Divine Realms would grant one the status of a guardian deity of that race, and merely gazing upon it would grant one insight into the supreme and transcendent laws. A chart documenting the Divine Realms of various races was an invaluable treasure beyond measure.

"Not a single contribution point is required. I have but one condition," Guiyin replied calmly, his gaze turning slowly to Allen as he continued, "Young man, when you break through to the Divine Domain, I ask that you do me a favor."

Break through to the Divine Domain?

Guiyin's words were like a thunderclap, leaving everyone stunned. For an ordinary person to reach the level of Grand Swordmaster or Archmage was already an incredible feat, and only a handful ever reached the Holy Domain. To ascend to the Divine Domain was beyond the imagination of most! No one expected that the famed Guiyin would place such high regard on Allen, a mere magic apprentice!

"Very well," Allen responded decisively, taking the Chart of Divine Realms from Guiyin's hands before Karl and the others could fully react.

Guiyin's gesture seemed laden with hidden meaning. Normally, treasures obtained so easily would make others pause, unsure whether to accept. Yet, Allen did not hesitate. In the face of absolute power, all schemes were nothing but paper tigers. Once he broke through to the Divine Domain and became a Divine Lich King, no matter what Guiyin's intentions were, he would not fear them.

Having completed their objective, the group was eager to leave the oppressive, shadowy Ghost Market behind. After bowing respectfully to Guiyin, they quickly departed. Just as before, Allen quietly trailed at the back, but now, Karl and the other knights regarded him with less arrogance and indifference, and more with a subtle, growing respect.

The Angelic Warriors of the Divine Court were famed throughout the world, and for those in the outer ranks below the Holy Domain, what mattered most was not their strength, but their potential for growth. A cleric like Allen, who even the elusive Guiyin held in high regard, would undoubtedly make a name for himself on the Bright Summit. It would not be long before he became a prodigy renowned across the entire Darras Continent!

"My lord, do you truly believe that young man will break through to the Divine Domain?"

The green-haired servant, still wearing his mask, asked Guiyin with a respectful tone after Allen's figure disappeared into the darkness. In the Sunset Wasteland, there were many prodigies with extraordinary potential, but few could ascend to the Divine Domain and become true powerhouses. To rise from a mere magic apprentice to the lofty Divine Domain was no small feat!

"Ghost Servant, how many years have you remained at the peak of the Demi-God realm?" Guiyin did not answer directly but instead asked his servant, his expression calm.

"Eight thousand seven hundred and fifty-two years. Since the battle at the North Sea, I have made no progress," the servant replied, his face dimming with sorrow.

In his youth, he had been an unrivaled genius, reaching the peak of the Demi-God realm in less than a thousand years, only a step away from the Divine Domain. Yet, over the past eight millennia, he had made no further progress. The difficulty of breaking through to the Divine Domain was clear.

"Ghost Servant, remember this: whether or not you break through to the Divine Domain, and whether or not you avenge the Lord of the Infernal City, depends on that young man." Guiyin paused for a moment, his voice low but resolute. "I never expected that after so many years, I would once again sense the aura of the ancient Divine Realms. Ghost Servant, I must leave now and visit the Great Qing Mountain Tomb personally."

Guiyin slowly opened his eyes, his gaze fixed on the distant northern horizon. With a flick of his sleeve, he vanished without a sound. The dark cavern was left with only the green-haired servant, kneeling in silence upon the cold stone floor.

After leaving the eerie Ghost Market, Allen and his companions quickly parted ways.

Karl and the other knights insisted on immediately venturing deep into the wasteland, eager to resolve the situation quickly and return to the Bright Summit as soon as possible. Ophelia, however, opposed their hasty plan, arguing that they should stay in Wuhai Town for a while longer to better understand the situation. After a brief, tense debate, the group parted ways in disagreement.

"Ophelia, perhaps Karl's decision is the right one. You should leave this vast, perilous wasteland at once. I plan to stay in the wasteland and train alone for a few days. You should return to town," Allen said, a quiet sigh escaping him as he looked at the steadfast Ophelia.

Being with Ophelia, a considerate and understanding priestess, had brought him an unprecedented sense of ease. But their differences in status were irreconcilable. A devout priestess could never be with an evil Lich, yet the Sacred Pearl of the Abbey was something he could not let slip away, and an intense conflict seemed inevitable.

Furthermore, ever since leaving the Ghost Market, Allen had felt a creeping sense of being watched. No matter where he went, he felt like a thorn in someone's side. Luring his pursuers into the open and eliminating them swiftly, while remaining cautious not to reveal his identity, had led him to decide to act alone, sending Ophelia away.

"Alone in the wasteland?"

Ophelia was surprised but after a moment's reflection, she did not protest. "Very well, but be careful, and don't stray too far from Wuhai Town!"

After giving Allen a final warning, Ophelia mounted her flying steed and disappeared into the distance. Once her figure faded from view, Allen let out a cold smile and set his course for a distant, forested valley. As expected, the sensation of being pursued grew stronger, like a venomous snake lurking in the dark, drawing ever closer.

"Come out!"

Entering the concealed valley, Allen stood still, his expression calm as he awaited the appearance of his would-be attacker. In this desolate wasteland, he was free to fight without fear of exposing his true identity and strength.

"To think you'd dare to slay even the direct heir of the Morgan family… You truly have some skill. Pity, though, with the strength of a mere magic apprentice, no matter how formidable, you're as good as dead!"

As soon as Allen finished speaking, a tall demon hunter emerged from the grass.

Dressed in a dark green battle robe, the color seamlessly blending with the surroundings, he had been lying in wait so well that without a careful search, no one would have noticed him. He wore anti-magic boots and carried a rare, oversized greatsword. The sword was nearly as tall as he was, its broad, pitch-black blade radiating a chilling, bone-piercing aura even before it was drawn.

"I began training with the sword at five, and by ten, I was already wandering the wasteland. For hundreds of years, I've encountered countless prodigies, but to see a magic apprentice stand out so much… it's a rare sight. Too bad..."

The tall demon hunter said appreciatively as he advanced toward Allen, undeterred by his

calm demeanor. His every step was measured, but with each stride, he covered several meters, closing the distance with terrifying speed. Invisible sword Qi followed each step, making Allen's robes flutter in the wind. "Remember my name—Sword Rain. To die by the hand of a Fifth-Order Swordmaster is an honor!"

The demon hunter seemed like an unsheathed blade, radiating murderous intent!

Sword Rain?

As Allen eyed the imposing hunter, his pupils contracted.

Sword Rain was infamous in the region surrounding Wuhai Town, one of the very few demon hunters in the Western Wasteland Hunter Ranking. It was said he had once single-handedly wiped out a group of vicious rogue hunters in a single night, his swordsmanship flawless and his strength unfathomable.

Anyone on the Hunter Ranking was no ordinary individual. Feeling the vast energy fluctuations within Sword Rain, Allen took a deep breath, knowing he was facing a formidable opponent.