Ch 320: Lunar Scourge.

As he progressed down the long tunnel, he started to hear noise. A low, rumbling sound, repeating regularly. Was it… snoring?

The long tunnel eventually led to a huge rectangular room, a hundred meters across in its largest dimension. And laying in the middle, snoring, was a huge green monster. It had to be about forty meters tall, was vaguely humanoid, its massive head sporting an exaggerated nose, a wide mouth full of sharp fangs, and fins to the sides that looked like ears. A large, curved horn sprouted from its forehead, but there were no eyes.

The being also had an ox-like tail that occasionally flicked around.

Whatever this being was, it was clearly well above the Fairy-grade toad, and as soon as Noah spotted the door on the other side, he knew what to do.

Noah equipped the Dark Cloak of Concealment, and slowly walked around the monster, paying attention to minimizing the sound of his footsteps as much as he could.

When he was two thirds of the way to the next door, Noah noticed that the beast had stopped snoring. That was a bad sign, and he slowed down a little, but kept going.

He reached the door, and it opened without a sound. It was only then that Noah risked using Scan on the green giant.

[Tao Tie]: Type: Ancient Mythical Beast, Grade: Mysterious God, Level: ????, other information cannot be detected.

Noah sighed as he closed the door and unequipped the cloak. A Mysterious God-grade monster, not even a Celestial.

He walked further away from the door, wanting to put some distance between Tao Tie and him.

“*Ding*… You are about to enter the 7th area of the Forgotten Cave in front.”

“*Ding*… The 7th area is the end of the Forgotten Cave, it may be harboring unknown danger, please advance in caution.”

The tunnel wasn't that long this time, and led to a brightly lit room, at least compared to the previous parts of this gauntlet. The light came from floating motes of light. Noah tried to touch one of those, and his fingers went through. The room was circular, about thirty meters in diameter, and its ceiling looked open at first glance, showing the night sky with the moon and stars. If Noah hadn't been under hundreds of meters of rock, he might have believed it was the real sky.

There were two objects in the room, and no living being. The first was a black sword, whose blade had been deeply buried into the ground. The second was something small and black, resting on top of a pedestal.

Noah carefully looked around, seeing no inscriptions, no signs of a trap.

With a shrug, he touched the hilt of the black sword, ready to jump back. Nothing happened.

He grabbed the hilt, trying to get it out of the stone floor. But it didn't bulge.

Noah positioned himself, grabbed the sword with both hands, and pulled as strongly as he could.

The black sword was finally lifted off the ground, but Noah felt disappointment as he realized the blade was shattered. It had been broken thirty centimeters from the guard.

And it was heavy as hell!

Noah could barely even lift the incomplete black sword and used Scan on it.

[Shura Emperor Sword’s Broken Piece 1]: 10 000 years ago, the world famous “Red Mystical Sword King” because of obsession descended into the way of the Shura, becoming the incarnation of a Shura, the Red Mystical Sword that he wielded after being bathed in the blood of countless life forms changed into the [Shura Emperor Sword]. After becoming a Shura, Red Mystical Sword King’s nature disappeared, from then on, his only reason for living was to slaughter, massacring the lives of countless beings, causing the world to fall into chaos. In the end bringing onto himself the punishment of the heavens, befalling the combined judgement of Saint Destroyer beast Void Dragon God and the three goddesses Fate, Order, Liberty, in the end dying under the hands of the 3 goddesses. The 3 goddesses wished to completely destroy the [Shura Emperor Sword] but were unable to, they thus broke it into 5 pieces, scattering them into 5 different directions, making them unable to come back together for eternity.

'Great, a side quest for a superweapon.' thought Noah, putting the sword away. He examined the item on the pedestal next.

It was a Moon God Bracelet, slightly thicker and wider than the one he currently wore. If was jet black in color and seemed to absorb light, but Noah could still count the number of holes on its surface. Fifteen of them.

Noah remembered the words of the Village Chief, claiming that a Moon God Bracelet with 7 slots was already the stuff of legends.

So what was this thing, having a whole 15 slots? It sounded overpowered as heck.

But then again, to reach this room hadn't exactly been easy.

Noah used Scan.

“*Ding*… This item cannot be scanned.”

It was… suspicious.

At the same time, Noah doubted that Lilith had sent him here simply to take only one of the two items in this room, and there was no exit materializing. So he had no choice but to go along.

As soon as he touched the black bracelet, several notifications appeared.

“*Ding*… Your Luna Chain ‘Metal Bracelet’ has been completely destroyed by an unknown force, completely disappeared.”

“*Ding*. Your energy crystal ‘Beginner Critical Crystal’ has been destroyed completely destroyed by an unknown force, completely disappeared.”

“*Ding*. Your energy crystal ‘Beginner Strength Crystal’ has been destroyed completely destroyed by an unknown force, completely disappeared.”

By the time Noah chased away the notifications, the black Moon God Bracelet wasn't in the pedestal anymore. It was on his wrist, replacing the previous one.

And the pain started.

Terrible pain, beyond everything he had experienced until now. A pain originating not from his body, but from his very soul. He gritted his teeth to stop himself from screaming.

And it stopped with more messages, from his own system this time.

"User has resisted Soul Devourment."

"User has resisted Soul Devourment."

"User has resisted Soul Devourment."

'The damn black thing is trying to devour my very soul?' thought Noah, shocked. For his own immunity to negative effects to be triggered meant that this in-game item was affecting his real body and soul. It wasn't supposed to be possible.

“Oh? After being quiet for so many years, a person has finally come here. Thinking about it, it seems like I’ve already slept for a very long time… Hm? How is it a little brother that is this young and doesn’t seem to be very strong?”

Noah turned, seeing a woman standing close to him, almost within arm's reach. She had clear blue eyes, and long blowing black hair reaching past her butt. She wore an alluring and tight black dress that exposed a lot of cleavage and the sides of her creamy thighs. Her bust was even bigger than Rias's or Akeno's, and she was beautiful to a level that was almost transcendental.

She looked to be somewhere in her twenties and was just as beautiful as Shuiruo. No, even more so. But where Shuiruo tickled his protective instincts and made him want to hug her endlessly, to bask into her smile, this woman was like an avatar of lust. Noah already felt an urge to take her and dominate her.

Noah shook his head and raised Soaring Cloud.

"Who are you?"

"Heehee, suffering from the spirit devourment of Lunar Scourge and still able to speak, you’ve really made this big sister astonished. Aiya, such a handsome little brother, big sister really can’t bear to watch you become a sacrifice, but it’s you who touched the Lunar Scourge yourself. Even if big sister wanted to save you, big sister has no way ne, big sister can only watch you become the sacrifice for Lunar Scourge, hee… Being here for so many years, the outside world should have already forgotten about us, it has indeed reached the time for us to resurface."

"But too bad, no one can withstand the Lunar Scourge. It's a pity. A word of mercy, stop resisting it and give up. It will be quicker this way."

"I don't think so. tell me how to remove it." said Noah, lifting the head of Soaring Cloud to her throat.

"There is no need for that. I do not want to harm you." replied the woman, seemingly unconcerned by the blade near her throat. "As for the Lunar Scourge, once it has latched unto you, it can't be removed. You can only die or conquer it, but no mortal ever managed to tame it."

"Then it is time to set a precedent." growled Noah as he lowered his spear, but pushed mentally against the Lunar Scourge still attempting to overcome his immunity.

Noah had gotten some experience using Soul Magic. He also had a MAG attribute well over four hundreds, giving him a much, much stronger soul than possessed the average mortal.

"I am not going to let a mere trinket get my soul. You should know your place!" spat Noah at the black bracelet.

He pushed, and pushed, and the Lunar Scourge started losing ground. Noah could feel its attempts growing frantic, and the black bracelet started to vibrate.

"Incredible." muttered the woman, unable to believe what was happening.

"The Lunar Scourge… is being defeated? how could this mere human…"

She shook her head, and her face showed a new expression. Fear.

“Little brother, do you really want to resist? Why don’t you obediently listen to this big sister and go to sleep… when you sleep, all the pain will go away.”

"No." said Noah through gritted teeth.

“Little brother, look over here….look into big sister’s eyes….” asked the woman, and Noah could recognize a kind of hypnosis in her cadence.

Noah didn't know what her game was, but he wouldn't let her get away with it.

Seeing that her attempt didn't work, the women visibly resolved herself to more extreme measures. She slipped out of her black dress. She didn't have any underwear. Before he could react, the woman stepped closer to Noah, grabbed his right hand, and placed it on her left breast.

"Little brother, say, do you think that…. big sister is pretty? Do you want to try to touch this big sister?" asked the woman with a sultry tone.

Noah lost some ground in his mental war against the Lunar Scourge, and she smirked. She smirked!

"You evil bitch! I'll make you pay!" raged Noah, dropping his Soaring Cloud and placing his other hand on her right breast. As he fought the Lunar Scourge, he fondled both of her breasts.

"Heehee, little brother, are big sister’s breasts pretty… Ah!"

Noah snorted as her smirk was replaced by shock, and then something more. In the game, he didn't have his Hands of Nirvana, but he still had all the experience he had accumulated with various partners for years, and he put it into use!

The woman started to tremble as Noah fondled her breasts mercilessly, her nipples already going hard.

"Let me go… Lunar Scourge will immediately stop your pain, and will never again try to engulf your mind… Let me go…"

Noah didn't stop. He simply didn't trust her to keep her word, and continued fondling her while he slowly regained the ground he had lost because of that woman's antics.

"I beg you, let me go… I’m willing to fulfill all of your demands… I’m willing to help you become the world’s strongest human… I’m willing to become your slave… Let me go, do not continue!!"

The woman was starting to pant, her body shaking from the pleasure Noah was giving her, and Noah felt the Lunar Scourge's resistance waver a little as well. Whatever this woman was, she was somehow linked to the Lunar Scourge.

Noah took a dep breath, and pushed even further. And suddenly, like a dam breaking, the Lunar Scourge ceased all resistance.

The woman stepped back and fell on her butt, staring up at him with horror.

"Oh no… you actually managed to conquer it… How is that possible?"

Noah didn't answer and picked up Soaring Cloud, while he received the notification from his own System about his Golem Creation skill being upgraded.

The woman stared into his eyes a moment longer, then lowered her head, muttering under her breath. "…There's already no other choice. I hope he can bring me a surprise…"

"Who are you? And why did you try to have me sacrificed to that thing?" demanded Noah.

"…My name is Qi Yue… my little master."

"Little Master?" asked Noah with a raised eyebrow.

"You have conquered me. Now I can only obediently obey you, making you my little master." nodded Qi Yue.

"Are you… the item spirit of this Lunar Scourge?" dubiously asked Noah.

"That… would be a fair approximation. My existence is bound to it, my little master. By conquering it, you also conquered me."

"…I see. This explains your attempts to distract me. You can get dressed, by the way."

"Oh? Is my little master not enjoying the sight of his slave's body?" suddenly teased Qi Yue with a smile that would have made Noah's cock twitch, had it been the real world.

"…Just get dressed, or I will finish what I started. We need to have a serious conversation." sighed Noah. "Just what is the Lunar Scourge? It seems this whole place was created to protect it."

"It was." nodded Qi Yue, moving to grab her discarded black dress. The Lunar Scourge is… the core inheritance of those who opposed the Moon Gods. Now that you have it, if the members of the Moon God Clan or their subordinates learn that you have it, they will chase you to the ends of the world."

"…So, the three Moon Goddess, Order, Fate and Freedom? The representatives ruling over parts of the continent in their name? All the mortals who serve them?"

"Yes, they will all become your enemies, if they recognize the Lunar Scourge is on your wrist… is my little master afraid?"

"Just ducking great." sighed Noah. "Because I didn't have enough people after me already."

"It isn't so bad, little master." said Qi Yue, now dressed. "Little master can relax, from now on I will definitely obediently obey little master’s words. okay? So you do not need to be mad at me anymore."

"As long as you do not try to betray me, we can let bygones be bygone and work together. You said that you aren't an item spirit, but that your existence is bound to it. How did it happen? Is there a way to free you?" nodded Noah.

Qi Yue looked at him with a surprised expression, looked at him as if to reevaluate him, and didn't answer for a while.

"I would be able to break free of the Lunar Scourge and exist independently if it was first returned to its full power… but I do not desire freedom." finally said Qi Yue. "I desire for my little master to gain the power to bring down the Moon God Clan."

Noah nodded and used Scan on the Lunar Scourge. This time, it wasn't blocked. And it was a looong item description.

[Lunar Scourge]: Type: Moon God Bracelet, Grade: Unknown, Equipment Requirements: Exclusive to "Noah", cannot be unequipped, cannot be dropped, cannot be discarded, cannot be traded, cannot be stolen. An ancient item of evil. Forged by the highest-ranking moon god of an ancient time by collecting the hatred, resentment, aura of death, aura of blood and remnant power from the gods, devils, humans, demons, beasts, and spirits that had died in the war of the gods and devils. Investing 1000 years of effort, gathering countless sins, blood, hatred and cruelty in one, the fusion of endless negativity. The day it was completed the entire world darkened, dark clouds enveloped all of Forgotten continent. The highest Moon God initially wanted to purify its power and then control it, but instead suffered its engulfment, his body and soul being destroyed, perishing at that moment. The forces constituting of Lunar Scourge resulted in it becoming the world’s most loathed, most ominous object, also becoming an item that the Moon God Clan will stop at nothing to destroy. Its existence was bearing the punishment of the heaven’s at every moment, until the day that the pillars of its strength all scattered, from then on, no more news of it was ever heard of. Forgotten continent also after this long period of time, forgot about the legends related to it.

[Lunar Scourge]: Can equip up to 15 crystals or orbs. The horizontal sockets can equip any crystal or orb of any grade. The 3 sockets in the middle can only equip exclusive saint orbs.

Socket 1: Empty. Can equip any energy crystal and energy orb of any grade. Exclusive God Orb: [Aries Orb]

Socket 2: Empty. Can equip any energy crystal and energy orb of any grade. Exclusive God Orb: [Taurus Orb]

Socket 3: Empty. Can equip any energy crystal and energy orb of any grade. Exclusive God Orb: [Gemini Orb]

Socket 4: Empty. Can equip any energy crystal and energy orb of any grade. Exclusive God Orb: [Cancer Orb]

Socket 5: Empty. Can equip any energy crystal and energy orb of any grade. Exclusive God Orb: [Leo Orb]

Socket 6: Empty. Can equip any energy crystal and energy orb of any grade. Exclusive God Orb: [Virgo Orb]

Socket 7: Empty. Can equip any energy crystal and energy orb of any grade. Exclusive God Orb: [Libra Orb]

Socket 8: Empty. Can equip any energy crystal and energy orb of any grade. Exclusive God Orb: [Scorpio Orb]

Socket 9: Empty. Can equip any energy crystal and energy orb of any grade. Exclusive God Orb: [Sagittarius Orb]

Socket 10: Empty. Can equip any energy crystal and energy orb of any grade. Exclusive God Orb: [Capricorn Orb]

Socket 11: Empty. Can equip any energy crystal and energy orb of any grade. Exclusive God Orb: [Aquarius Orb]

Socket 12: Empty. Can equip any energy crystal and energy orb of any grade. Exclusive God Orb: [Pisces Orb]

Middle low socket: Empty. Can only equip [Star God Orb]

Middle center socket: Empty. Can only equip [Moon God Orb]

Middle high socket: Empty. Can only equip [Sun God Orb]

[Heaven’s Jealousy]: The amount of EXP required for you to level up is 200% of the normal state, the amount of SP required for your skills to upgrade is 200% of the normal state. After death your level will directly return to 0. Permanent effect, cannot be removed, offset or deactivated.

[Heaven’s Wrath]: The way of the shura, there is not return, determined to walk this path, heaven’s wrath you will suffer.

"Its description is quite ominous." shrugged Noah. The Heaven's Jealousy penalty was… extremely harsh. But he had a feeling that it would be worth it.

"Exclusive God Orbs? What are they?"

"I believe the mortals in the surface call them Mysterious God-Grade Orbs nowadays." shrugged Qi Yue.

"I understand. So, Qi Yue, since our fates are now interlinked together. What do you suggest for me to start becoming stronger? I suppose we need to find those Exclusive God Orbs?"

"That is correct, my little master." smiled Qi Yue, happy that he was going along with her wish. "All fifteen orbs hold a fragment of the Lunar Scourge's original power. My little master needs to gather them. If all fifteen are reunited, even the strongest members of the God Clan will tremble in fear. And I know where to find one of them… That remind me, my little master hasn't told me his name."

"Oh, sorry about that." smiled Noah. "I'm Noah."

"Noah." repeated Qi Yue as if she savored the name, and Noah felt a shiver of pleasure spread from his spine.

'That woman must be a succubus or something. Even her smell is intoxicating.' thought Noah. 'Come to think of it, she referred to humans and mortals several times as if she wasn't one of them.'

"You said you know where to find one of the Orbs. Is it in the Forgotten Continent?"

"It is closer than you think, my little master." chuckled Qi Yue. "Please follow this big sister."

Qi Yue walked down the tunnel leading to the room with the green giant, and Noah followed silently, thinking that she must know what she was doing.

Qi Yue unceremoniously opened the door and smiled as she shook her head at the green giant.

"The Gemini Orb is in the possession of that big guy who has been protecting this place until now. Although that big guy has already slept for too many years, he’s already lost his sense of alertness, allowing little master to walk over here so easily."

"Hey, big guy!" shouted Qi Yue.

"Won't he see me as an enemy?" asked Noah.

"Is little master afraid?" teased Qi Yue.

Noah hated this effect she had on him. He felt it again, this strong urge to grab her and claim her in every way a woman could be claimed. If he didn't already have some exposure to beautiful women, he suspected she would have no difficulty twirling him between her fingers.

Maybe, she already was.

"He's a little out of my league right now." shrugged Noah as the green giant stirred.

"Heehee, my little master doesn't need to worry. Now that you have the Lunar Scourge…"

"Hum, what is it? Who are you?" asked the giant with a rumbling voice as he sat up. Giant eyes opened to look at them, not on his face, but on his torso.

"I'm Noah. It's nice to meet you." nodded Noah.

"Hey big guy, not seeing you for so many years, I didn’t think that you would still be guarding here. I’m actually a little moved you know." said Qi Yue.

"…I may be greedy, brutal and called a beast of extreme evil by the world, but I am never ungrateful, I especially don’t go back on every word that I’ve said… 10 000 years, for me it is just a short flash. Only I didn’t think that just 10 000 years have passed and another person that has gained Lunar Scourge’s attachment has already appeared."

"Little girl, looks like your destiny may be a bit better than expected. Exactly what the future will be like, everything still needs to depend on your own hard work. My promise is to protect Lunar Scourge before it can find a new host, but that does not include protecting and helping you."

Tao tie turned his attention to Noah.

"He… doesn't seem like the one 10 000 years ago."

Noah looked at Qi Yue with a raised eyebrow, and Qi Yue shrugged.

"The words that you say are still so annoying you big guy. Although, him and that guy from last time are different you know. Last time, was because he was strong enough, having the qualifications to become Lunar Scourge’s puppet. But this time… Lunar Scourge initially wanted to destroy his mind so that he didn’t spread word of any of the stuff here. Because with his strength he does not have the qualifications to become Lunar Scourge’s puppet. But he was not destroyed, right now he’s even become my little master."

"Qi Yue, you're about to earn yourself a spanking." declared Noah, feeling a bit offended for being judged not even worthy of being made a puppet.

Qi Yue's eyes widened and she lost her smile for a second, before it returned as a playful smirk.

"If little master wants to discipline little me and lay hands on my body, that is his prerogative."

"You're bad for my blood pressure, you seductive temptress." sighed Noah.

"Ah!" laughed Tao Tie with a rumbling sound. "You two seem to get along already. I suppose you want the Gemini Orb, little girl."

"Yes. And can you gift something to the little master? Even if he spanks me for saying it, he is still too weak."

"To think that this kind of thing would happen, the Lunar Scourge was actually conquered by a human." slowly said Tao Tie. "No doubt it is related to the fact that all of Lunar Scourge’s pillars of power have been dispersed, but this human is also definitely not an ordinary human. Being able to pass through here under my awareness is already enough to highlight his extraordinariness.”

"Hey, big guy, that’s a very dishonorable excuse." countered Qi Yue, an eyebrow raised. "Little master being able to enter inside is entirely because you were sleeping like a log, that’s it!"

Tao Tie didn't try to defend himself further and instead watched Noah.

"Human, are you afraid? The entirety of the surface world is going to hunt you, when they learn you have the Lunar Scourge."

"No." shrugged Noah. "That is a bother, but it doesn't scare me. If they go after me, I will defeat them. And if they are too strong, I will find a way to escape, become stronger, and return for round two."

"Hehehehe, human, I like your answer. That's right, in your eyes I truly cannot see fear. You are weak, but you have that arrogance that you will inevitably be the victor, in the end. Here, take this."

In a flash, a small, amber-colored bead appeared between them and floated toward him. Noah took it and examined it. On its surface was a black symbol, corresponding to the Gemini sign in astrology.

Noah examined it with Scan.

[Gemini Orb] Type: Orb, Grade: Mysterious God, Attributes: None: Can only be socketed on Lunar Scourge.

Effect: Can simultaneously equip two weapons, and the effects of the two weapons stacks (The two weapons include one-handed and two-handed weapons). When simultaneously equipping two weapons, two-handed weapons can be held singlehandedly, stats and control will not be affected, and the two weapons will not affect or interfere with each other.

Noah's eyes widened as he reread it a second time more carefully.

With this Orb, not only could he hold a Two-handed weapon in each hand without penalty, but their stats stacked. To take the example of the two Sand Swords in his inventory, each with a physical attack of 35, by equipping both of them, each would strike with a power equivalent to 70!

"Is the little master impressed?" laughed Qi Yue. "I believe this will whet your appetite for finding more!"

"Are all the other God Orbs so absurdly powerful?" asked Noah as he socketed the Orb into the Lunar Scourge.

"They are… How is it little master, is the Gemini Orb’s ability to your satisfaction?" smiled Qi Yue.

She was very pleased by the change in his facial expressions when Noah saw the Orb's effect.

"And the three Saint Orbs are even stronger."

Noah examined the Lunar Scourge again, and noticed something new in its description.

[Moon Shadow]: Lunar Scourge’s exclusive lunar skill, when cast it will release silver moonlight illuminating the target’s shadow, forcibly freezing all shadows under the moonlight, suppressing all movement of the shadow and its owner. Effect: All targets in a X meter radius will be forcibly stunned (X = Current Level) for 5 seconds. MP Consumption: 0. Cooldown Time: 60 secs.

"The Lunar Scourge has special skills as well?"

"Yes! They will be unlocked when the little master gathers more Orbs." smugly said Qi Yue.

" Very good! Making the Gemini Orb return to Lunar Scourge has always been my greatest desire for these 10 000 years. Because the arrival of this moment means that Lunar Scourge is about resurface in the world. Human, even though you surely possess a spirit that can be considered terrifying, but your power, your strength, is truly too weak. Even with the Gemini Orb you cannot defeat even the weakest martial artists on Forgotten continent. What you need to do is hide the Lunar Scourge on your body, and then increase your strength and find the rest of the God Orbs and Saint Orbs… And among this, there is also an even more important affair. That is to not allow the Moon God clan to discover any traces of the appearance of Lunar Scourge, or else you will definitely be destroyed, and the Lunar Scourge will once again suffer disaster."

"I understand the importance of secrecy, until I can grow strong enough." nodded Noah.

"Good. And to help prevent the Lunar Scourge from falling into the Moon God Clan's hands, I will remain here. They would understand the significance of it if I returned to the surface." declared Tao Tie.

" Hee, big guy, before I thought that your appearance was a little scary, but now I suddenly feel that you’re actually pretty cute." smiled Qi Yue.

Tao Tie's eyes shone for an instant, and some strange green light shot toward Noah and entered his body before he could react.

"Human, on your body I have imprinted a very faint spiritual mark. This spiritual mark will not be discovered by the gods of the Moon God clan. Its effect is to allow me to sense when you encounter a hopeless situation in which there is absolutely no hope. Under that kind of unavoidable circumstance, I will appear. This is the last thing that I can do to help you. Of course, I hope that this kind of circumstance never appears. And before this, I have something that requires your aid."

"My help?" blinked Noah.

Tao Tie opened his mouth wide, then wide, and plunged a massive hand deep inside. When the hand left the mouth, it held a grey, oval-shaped item, about the sizy of a soccer ball.

It was an egg.

" Hey big guy, what is this? Could it be your…"

"No, it is not my descendant." explained Tao Tie. "This was entrusted to me after that miserable war by a great beast before it died. It seems to be its child, but also seems like it’s not. Because even though it has its aura, its descendants’ unhatched status is not like this. Before handing it over to me, it told me to not ask about its origin, especially not allowing me to tell anyone who it came from. It’s last wish is that it can successfully hatch and then peacefully live the rest of its life, not bearing any more responsibilities and duties. Time has already passed an unknown number of years and it has finally reached the edge of hatching."

"Human, take this with you, and find a non-elemental energy Orb to give it to it. This beast, after being born, will not give you powerful attack capabilities, but it will still be very useful."

"I will hatch it soon, and take good care of the child. Thank you for entrusting the egg to me." promised Noah.

"Yo!" exclaimed Qi Yue, her lips pursed in discontent "You big guy, you’re really not cute. Entrusting such an important thing to my little master. Shouldn’t you compensate my little master with a little something?"

Tao Tie was silent for a short while before he spoke again. “I, Tao Tie never wish to be indebted to others, not to mention right now your ability is too weak, raising up a bit your ability isn’t a bad option either. Then, you have accepted my entrustment, you can choose something to increase your ability. I can increase your level or stats, and can also give you an amazing piece of equipment. I can also bestow upon you powerful skills. You, choose yourself.”

"I would like skills, please. The other things, I can obtain myself." said Noah without hesitation.

"Hehe, I like that answer. Then, do you need passive or active skills."

Noah didn't even have to think about it. "Passive skills, please. They are the greatest foundation of strength. In particular, if I could request anything that could increase my movement or attack speed… It feel stifling, to fight in your world without being able to move my body like I do in my own world."

Qi Yue raised an eyebrow at him. She thought he was just a normal human in his own world, but Noah's request seemed to suggest that this wasn't the case. She would need to investigate her 'little master'.

Tao Tie nodded, and two dots of black light shot from his eyes, entering Noah's body. After a few seconds, Noah saw more notifications.

[Heaven Wind Technique]: Current Level: LV1, Highest Level: LV10. SP to Upgrade to LV2: 400. Ancient battle technique, after practice, can greatly increase the ability to control any weapon. Effect: When using any weapon, damage dealt is increased by 5%. The effect can stack with other weapon proficiency skills.

[Wind Step Technique]: Current Level: LV1, Highest Level: LV10. SP to Upgrade to LV2: 400. Ancient battle technique, after practice, can greatly increase the movement speed and attack speed. Effect: +5% movement and attack speed.

"Thank you very much!" smiled Noah, feeling like a kid opening Christmas presents. "Those skills are great!"

"Even though those skills cannot immediately provide you with strong assistance right now, their effects will always accompany you, allowing you to benefit from them for the rest of your life."

"Everything that I should’ve said I’ve already told you." nodded Tao Tie. "What I can give you has also already been given. This underground space is very empty, besides what you’ve seen there is already nothing else. Right now, I will send you to the upper world. I know where you come from, and that you should be a human that comes from a different world. I believe that before too long you will leave this land and head towards Forgotten continent, and there, is the true beginning. Good luck, human that has conquered Lunar Scourge."

While Tao Tie was speaking, a mass of black-green light had already enveloped Noah's body. When it dissipated, he was gone.

"So eager to send us away? You’re still so heartless you big guy." laughed Qi Yue.

"Because I’m like you, I wish more than anyone else that Lunar Scourge can resurface earlier. Little girl, for you, all these years of waiting have not been a waste. No one knows what the future holds, but at least a turning point has appeared. Take good hold of it. The fate of him and the Lunar Scourge, will determine your fate. Do not forget your real identity, especially… don’t let the Succubus clan discover you too early."

Qi Yue’s eyes narrowed, and she smiled faintly "Big guy, I don’t need you to worry about my affairs. Then, we’re leaving. If there’s a chance in the future, maybe we’ll come to visit you."

“It is easy to leave this land, but almost impossible to come in. This point, you should understand better than anyone else. You have intelligence that surpasses any life form, and an appearance that can enchant the entire world. Maybe I really don’t need to worry about you. Go you guys, I hope that in my lifetime I will be able to once more witness the Lunar Scourge overlooking the entire world!”

The mass of black-green light surrounded Qi Yue, and she, too, was gone.