Chance Encounter

This cold morning in particular had seen more intense cultivation than usual, the Mountain Sasquatch Body and Guardian Hippopotamus Physique had seemed to feast on the excess energy created during is rigorous time with Luxuli whilst practising Five-Legged Devil Goat Physique, the Encyclopedia Of Rending and Self-Affliction had also eaten good, but not quite as much as the first two.

It seemed like another aspect of his new technique was that it also created energy out of thin air for other techniques to consume and improve faster, Edrick did not know if that was common for dual cultivation or not, but it was more than welcome.

Although he could train many techniques parallel to one another, he did have quite a few of them, so some extra assistance was certainly welcome, as he had picked up weapon cultivation techniques for his various weapons of choice as well.

He particularly focused on Mountain Sasquatch Body however, as after his daily training session with Ting Zhenniao, which had begun to take up speed as in one session, multiple toxins were invited into the mix, although one after the other rather than all at once, that would be a lesson for the future.

The strength of the poisons and venoms was still on the low end, but having to deal with multiple in a row whilst having the green-haired elder eager for some special attention was a challenge, he had done good to chug his three new potions, as the boost might not be immense, but it was good enough to keep him ahead of things and not get overwhelmed by her training.

Anoteros would have liked to use his new technique with her from the get go, but considered who she was, he had to tell her ahead of time as she would definitely notice on her own, and although not opposed to the idea, Ting Zhenniao said that it was best not to train any techniques whilst under the effects of toxins.

"But you can still come and see me after our training is done~ I don't think I'll ever get tired of you, especially not when you're getting stronger and… Bigger, by the day…" she had said.

The potion of muscle density hadn't changed anything to his outward appearance, whilst the ones of carnal might and increased size had certainly done so, the former had seemingly improved his charms a slight bit, and the latter, obviously, had further enlarged his fifth limb, enough that Ting Zhenniao had claimed that it felt novel inside of her.

After that, Anoteros had strolled the sect and city a bit, listening in on the latest things people were on about, and also looking around for potential victims, the second goal wasn't fruitful this time around, it seemed like he had already put his hands on every easy prey within the sect, and the city was a playground that was still full of uncertainties.

But as for the first, it seemed like Xiao was already impressing his peers with impressive swordsmanship and quick cultivation advancements, despite arriving rather late compared to most, many seemed to believe that he would be able to compete against the best outer disciples during the tournament.

And also, it seemed like Prosecutor Yi was not progressing much at all in his pursuit for the person, or people who had slain Golden Teeth and his goons, despite his great achievements and immaculate investigative skills, the young prodigy wasn't getting anywhere, Edrick wondered if it had to do with him being distracted with trying to find Jingyi's abuser, but coincidentally, he crossed by him in the city.

Anoteros hadn't planned on speaking with him, but the platinum blond was the one who initiated a conversation.

"Greetings, Edrick Lucien Anoteros, I believe?"

"Indeed, Yi, right? I heard about you from the elders" Edrick lied as easily as he breathed, and even the prosecutor did not notice a thing.

"I did not expect to still have a reputation at the sect- I have heard much about you, a special disciple is rare, there wasn't any in my time, and there certainly was no one as illustrious as a member of the Elt family either…"

"No need for the flattery, you wanted to ask me something, right?" responded Edrick, crossing his arms as he towered over the clear-eyed prosecutor, the sort of cape or cloak hanging over his left shoulder and arm creating an odd sense of asymmetry to his dark outfit.

"You are very perceptive, I thought I was good enough at engaging in small talk to not make it too obvious… I was merely wondering, considering your status within the sect and outside, would you happen to have any idea of who might have taken out Golden Teeth? His killer is incredibly skilled, and I assumed that you might have been made aware if such an individual had come to the city"

"Well, that is not a bad assumption, it is indeed true that if my family was aware of such a thing, I would have been made aware, and noble families like mine always seem to know a lot… Unfortunately, I have not received a word" he shrugged.

"Though, have you perhaps considered that it could be a retired veteran who took matters into his own hands? I was told that the tyranny of this now dead sir was rather insidious, it would not be surprising if he tried to take from someone he never should have even looked in the eyes" offered Edrick, and it was Yi's turn to shrug.

"I fear that I have exhausted all logical leads, although retired warriors are indeed present, and in greater numbers than one might first assume- Golden Teeth knew this and was much too cautious to land himself in trouble with any of them"

"That makes sense, but who knows? Perhaps there is a crouching tiger that none of us could possibly suspect, hidden amongst the populace, or maybe, who knows, that he was targeted by a wanderer who has already left the city? It is a mystery, I do feel bad for you, it is but a little miscellaneous thing for me, but to you, it's your job and mission to solve it, I do wish you the biggest of luck" with the tongue and poise worthy of a noble young master, Edrick spoke and excused himself from the conversation.

"Good day to you" responded Yi as he saw the larger man leave.

The prosecutor prepared to walk back toward the sect, having noticed that Jingyi had grown even quieter.

"By the way-" but a hand fell down on his shoulder, startling him as he found Anoteros had somehow managed to sneak up on him after walking a fair distance away.

"-I heard from gossip that there was a girl that you were chasing, good luck on that"

"Ah? Thanks" the prosecutor then stood in place, watching Anoteros's back as walked away from real this time.

'...No mention that the librarian he married had a debt with Golden Teeth…'