Implantation
The streets were bustling with life, starkly contrasted by the sorrowful cries of a young girl. The bystanders dissipated quickly, death something theyâd seen all too often in the desert. They were all in a hurry to strike it rich, so who would care for something like this? A few thugs even eyed the coin pouch in front of the girl.
They were also looking at her person. Even though she was very young, beauty shone through her crying face. There would probably be many people whoâd want someone like her. Selling her to child traffickers would be profitable.
âInteresting⦠How will things progress from here?â Leylin watched on with his arms in front of his chest, apathetic like a god up above. He wouldnât be moved by the lives of these individuals.
His focus suddenly shifted in another direction, at a monk that headed over slowly. He had a pugilistic aura, with short brown hair, thick eyebrows and a weak-looking gaze. He only wore coarse sack clothing, with patches all over it making it look tattered. He only wore one shoe.
The monk even had a putrid smile, causing the crowd to distance themselves from him.
âA monk!?â A trace of fear shone in Leylinâs eyes. This person was powerful, already at the legendary realm.
Monks were people devils did not want to meet at all. They rejected the pleasures of life, their staunch souls not corroded by anything. Meeting a legendary monk was like hitting a jackpot.
âThereâs a monk here at this time⦠Does it have anything to do with the floating city?â Leylin frowned. That adventuring team with near-legendary strength wasnât worthy of his attention, but heâd have to focus on this monkâs actions. Were their targets the same, another variable would be added to his plan.
âLet me tryâ¦â The monk approached the crying girl and spoke with a hoarse voice, as if he had not drunk water in a long time.
âBoohoo⦠Itâs not use. The mercenary just now already said that unless youâre a high-ranked priestâ¦â Vivian wept, but still passed the coin pouch filled with copper to him, evidently treating him as a beggar.
âThank you, kind-hearted young lady, but I canât accept any gifts or moneyâ¦â He smiled gently, and then moved closer to the unconscious adventurer. âItâs the Hellthorn Flower, a common and very poisonous flower seen at the edges of the desert. But itâs already mutated a few times⦠This will be difficult.â
A bundle of warm light emanated from the monk, and seeped into the body of the adventurer on the ground. The healing light caused the adventurer to improve visibly.
The spell naturally attracted the attention of bystanders, and someone with good eyesight soon exclaimed, âPoison Removal? No, thatâs True Resurrection!â
âA rank 9 divine spell that one has to be rank 19 to castâ¦â Everyone froze, their eyes trained on the monk with reverence. It was a respect for strength. Seeing the situation changing, the thugs disappeared into the corners of the streets, leaving in the blink of an eye.
âUghâ¦â The bruising on the adventurerâs lips dissipated, and he blinked before opening his eyes completely. He looked at the little lady in front of him. âWhatâs wrong, Vivian? Where am I now?â
âUncle! Uncle, youâre awake!â Teardrops sparkled on Vivianâs face as she threw herself into his embrace.
âUncle, you fainted on the road. It scared me so much! This grandpa saved you,â Vivian said as she pointed to the monk.
âThank you very much, grandmaster!â The adventurer knew his adventures much better than the girl did, and therefore understood the strength and abilities of the person who had healed him. Upon hearing this, he immediately got up to thank the monk, and then reached for his coin pouch.
Priests required a fee to cast spells on their believers. A high-ranked divine spell was very expensive.
âThereâs no need for that⦠We clerics are duty-bound to help the injured and deadâ¦â The monk shook his head and rejected the man with a smile, and then swaggered into the market. However, nobody dared to underestimate him this time.
As he left, the monkâs dark eyes scanned the area Leylin had been in. Seeing nobody there, he looked puzzled.
Only after the monkâs figure disappeared from the streets did the adventurer leave with the girl. It was then that Leylin walked out from the shadows.
âTsk tsk⦠as expected of a legendary. His senses are better than that swordsmanâ¦â Leylin sighed, heart heavy. If this man was also here to contest for the floating city, things would be very troublesome for him. And his instincts told him that this was almost certainly the case.
âUgh⦠It seems like more than one organisation knows about the appearance of the floating cityâ¦â Leylin looked grim, âLooks like Iâll need to make my move as soon as possibleâ¦â
â¦â¦
Night soon fell. Lights and fire emerged everywhere in the market, illuminating the dark area.
The market bustled with activity even at night. However, once the moon crawled halfway across the sky, the shops that had been boisterous before turned completely silent. The merchants and the rest entered their dreams after a long day.
âDreamscape View!â Leylin currently stood at the top of a tower, eyes flickering with strange red lights as a red crack appeared on his forehead. Scattered spots appeared all over the town in his vision, twinkling like the stars in the sky.
These various starlike spots were actually the dreams of different people. Those that were whitish in colour belonged to the weakest commoners. Professionals were much more dazzling, while high-ranked ones were bright as torches. The legendaries were like pillars of light reaching into the skies, obvious in an instant.
âThe dreams of regular humans are far too weak. If Iâm not careful, I could kill a whole bunchâ¦â
These dreams showed Leylin things that hadnât been revealed in the day.
âFirst is Jafar⦠Hmm, that beast hide was something you picked up by accident. No wonder you didnât know its true valueâ¦â Shifting his attention from a dim speck, Leylin glanced towards the west, looking serious.
âAs expected of a legendary monk. I canât see through him, nor his dreams⦠Not like I intend to deal with him anyway. Dream Eater is a trump card, and Iâd be foolish to cast it even before I see the floating cityâ¦â
WIthout alarming him, Leylin found his main target. There were dazzling dreams in the inn, like pillars of light. Leylin could see them through Dreamscape, and almost visualise a young man whoâd been practising his sword skills from a young age.
âHere you areâ¦â Leylin smiled slightly, launching dark red dreamforce that formed a winged eyeball.
âGo!â With Leylinâs command, the eyeball flapped its wings and flew into one of the dreams.
With the Nightmare Absorbing Physique, Leylinâs grasp of dreamforce had reached great heights. With the different system of power being applied on him, the target didnât even notice the eyeball.
â¦â¦
Many merchants aimed to make use of the cool weather in the morning, walking the path of hopes and dreams. The high-ranked Professionals began their journey as well.
âWhatâs wrong, Allerie?â The white-robed swordsman asked the wizard journeying with them, puzzled.
âItâs nothing much. I just recalled my dream last night, and it was a little disgustingâ¦â The wizard had a terrible look on her face, and she retched. There were dark circles under her eyes, as if she hadnât had a good rest the whole night.
âDream? Disgusting?â The swordsman was startled, but he didnât ask further.
âYes, it was just a dream!â she repeated, as if trying to encourage herself. However, at the thought of the vivid dream, the wizard couldnât help but tremble, even as a high-ranked spell caster.
Sheâd actually swallowed a winged eyeball whole in her dreams! It had been exceedingly vivid, to the point that her throat still remembered that disgusting and greasy feeling.
âCould this be some specific curse⦠No, no, Iâve already checked properly. Thereâs nothing strange. That was just a nightmare. But⦠why did I dream of thatâ¦â She looked confused and touched her forehead, âLooks like Iâll need to get something to soothe my nerves tonightâ¦â
Within the town, Leylin glanced at the map in his hands while looking deep in thought. The situation of the little group appeared in a crystal ball next to him, the point of view that of the wizard.
âThe implantation was successful. Now that I have their position, they wonât be able to escapeâ¦â Leylin was rather satisfied with his work. These guides would make his own journey more convenient.
Having them show the way, he could follow their path at a distance. There was no danger or trouble whatsoever. Watching them from such a large distance, it was impossible for him to be discovered.