Trafford’s Trading Club

Within the stone hut, Fish Ball Qiang stretched lazily, then set down the file knife—a tool given to him by Master Musashi meant solely for smoothing down the horns pried off certain Void Primordial Demons.

Master Musashi liked to carve small figurines from these horns, and he always carved the same woman’s likeness. He claimed she was his cousin, but she eventually married one of his close friends…

Regardless… Fish Ball Qiang’s task was to flatten the horns from the Void Primordial Demons he defeated into neat raw materials.

Fish Ball Qiang always completed this work with utmost diligence. It’s one way he can gain Master Musashi’s favor—just like how he pleases and even sacrifices his dignity to benefit from King Attila, the Hunnic King.

There’s nothing different about it.

Even though dealing with these Void Primordial Demon horns was substantially more comfortable… essentially, there was no difference—the gains from King of the Huns’ hands were far better than Master Musashi’s occasional guidance.

For instance, the battered fruit he recently obtained that was tossed and stomped on the ground by the King of the Huns—Fish Ball Qiang had actually eaten this type of fruit several times. Each time he consumed it, his body underwent a certain level of enhancement… which was far more effective than the body training methods taught by Master Musashi.

Because of this fruit he consumed, Fish Ball Qiang’s injuries had healed rapidly; now, most of his wounds were closed, and the pain had been reduced to a tolerable level.

Of course, Fish Ball Qiang had not abandoned Master Musashi’s training methods.

It’s akin to earning money; earning one dollar is earning, just as much as earning hundreds… The fruit is transient, but training is enduring; they eventually balance each other out.

At this moment, Fish Ball Qiang heard a commotion outside the stone hut, shortly after which the curtain made of Elemental Demon skin was suddenly lifted.

Fish Ball Qiang instinctively turned his head and said, “Master Musashi, you’re here. The items you wanted, I… Ah, Lord Attila?!”

It was not Musashi who entered the stone hut, but King Attila, silent and indifferent as he strode straight in.

Fish Ball Qiang shivered, standing up hurriedly but couldn’t help his legs from trembling as he backed away a few steps before the King of the Huns.

“What is it, servant? Aren’t you supposed to be delighted upon seeing your king?” King of the Huns sneered coldly at this moment: “Don’t you desire the rewards I bestow upon you?”

“I… I didn’t mean…” Fish Ball Qiang composed himself, then once again donned a flattering smile, “I’m so happy to see you that I’m tongue-tied… King Attila, what brings you here today? Is it for wine? But I’ve run out; the last batch I snuck back from heaven has already been taken by you.”

Snap—!

The sound of a whip cracking… Fish Ball Qiang instantly fell to the ground, the freshly healed wounds breaking open once more.

King of the Huns said coldly, “What did you say? You dare claim I took your things?”

“No… It isn’t, it’s my offering to you, my lord…” Fish Ball Qiang endured the pain, got up, and said with a forced smile: “It’s my fault, if I’d known you liked it, I would have brought more back last time; it’s my fault… Ah—!”

Snap—snap—snap—snap—snap—!

“Servant, trash, trash, trash, trash! Hahaha… scream, keep screaming! I’m pleased, will keep rewarding you, garbage!” Amid the frenzied whipping, there was also the savagely laughing voice of the King of the Huns.

“I am a servant, I am trash… hahaha, I am trash.” Fish Ball Qiang, at this moment, cried and laughed, seemingly deranged. “I truly am trash… You are right, you are absolutely right, hahaha!”

After whipping him several times, the King of the Huns finally retracted the long whip and seemed satisfied, abruptly ordering: “Get on your feet, servant!”

Fish Ball Qiang lacked the strength to speak at this point… even standing took considerable time, his entire body appearing bloodstained. “My… my lord… have… have you vented your anger… What about the rewards… this time…”

“You greedy fool.” The King suddenly smirked: “Are you thinking that someday, when you’re powerful enough, you’ll repay all the humiliation you’ve suffered from me?”

“I… I wouldn’t dare… How could I ever be stronger than you, my lord…” Fish Ball Qiang trembled all over.

King Attila of the Huns scoffed: “It doesn’t matter if you admit it or not… Do you think that you would become more powerful than me with the rewards I give you? Do you really think I’d be foolish enough to make you stronger than myself?”

“I… I wouldn’t dare.” Fish Ball Qiang lowered his head despairingly—how could he not know… He was merely unwilling to think along those lines.

“Trash.” The King of the Huns laughed heartily, then flipped his palm, “Here, take it, servant!”

Fish Ball Qiang instinctively looked up, seeing the King of the Huns clutching something extremely disgusting in his hand… It seemed like an organ of some creature, still lively, pulsating, which made him cry out in terror: “My lord… What, what is this?”

“Elemental Demon’s brain marrow.” The King coldly smiled: “What’s the matter? Didn’t you want to become more powerful? This thing is quite a treasure… Eat it!”

“Alright… I, I’ll eat it later.” Fish Ball Qiang’s face turned pale instantly, yet he didn’t dare disobey the King’s command, trying to compromise: “I’m… I’m not hungry right now, my lord.”

“You don’t have a choice.” The King snorted disdainfully, extending his long whip, seizing Fish Ball Qiang and dragging him to his side, then thrusting the Elemental Demon brain marrow directly into Fish Ball Qiang’s mouth.

He struggled desperately, but how could he resist a Transcender of the King’s caliber… The bitter and nauseating substance was forced down his throat, compelling him to swallow… His body felt like it was burning with fire, causing Fish Ball Qiang to let out ear-piercing screams of agony.

The long whip loosened, and Fish Ball Qiang fell on the ground, his body wildly convulsing.

The King of the Huns at this moment sneered, “I heard you came here by dumb luck, finding Master Dong’s token… Do you really think you’re the protagonist of destiny? But I’m benevolent, and I love helping weaklings like you, so enjoy the feeling of becoming powerful; you’ll come to like it.”

Having said that, the King of the Huns did not spare Fish Ball Qiang another glance, lifting the curtain and leaving the Palace of Eternal Night plaza, vanishing without a trace.

Fish Ball Qiang remained in the stone hut, wailing in torment… Here, nobody responded to him, nobody knew him.

“Huns… King…”

He strained a beast-like sound from the depths of his throat… His eyes were crimson, like a beast.

“King Attila!!!!”

…

…

“Have you heard any sounds, Master Musashi?” Da Zhe suddenly turned around, looking somewhat puzzled at the space behind him… it seemed like something was calling him, though very faintly… or perhaps it was just an illusion.

“Sound? What kind of sound?” Master Musashi followed Da Zhe’s gaze with confusion and frowned, saying, “It could be one of our companions heading out… this is the portal linking to the entire Paradise Lost, it’s normal for there to be some activity… go on inside, don’t keep the Fu Xi Throne waiting.”

Da Zhe nodded, then took a deep breath and stepped directly into the Light Gate.

At this moment, he did not notice Musashi carefully observing the moment Da Zhe entered the Light Gate—though many individuals in the Transcender Organization have bizarre personalities, they aren’t all lacking Core Eyes.

Musashi talked so much about the organization to Da Zhe, a newcomer whose intentions were unclear, partly because few strong figures visiting the fringes for the first time can truly resist the potential benefits of the Transcender Organization, and partly because of the existence of this Light Gate.

The Light Gate was crafted by the Thrones in collaboration, and besides being incredibly sturdy, it also has the function of recognizing spies… anyone whose power hasn’t reached the break-sub-world-limit or who isn’t human cannot pass through the Light Gate into Between the Thrones.

As for those who meet the criteria but have ill intentions… wouldn’t they still have to face the Thrones once? If the individual has issues, the Thrones can naturally see it.

At this moment, Da Zhe took a step forward and smoothly walked through the Light Gate without any disturbance—the moment his silhouette disappeared, Musashi stretched lazily and sat down cross-legged.

He reached for a small knife from his waist and after rummaging through his bag, found nothing he planned to use—he originally intended to borrow some items from Fish Ball Qiang, but meeting Da Zhe distracted him from this matter.

Musashi shook his head and had to put away the small knife, finally leaning against the nearby pillar… At least until Da Zhe reappears, he cannot leave this spot.

With nothing else to do, Master Musashi casually sliced off a small piece of wood from the pillar with the knife, then started carving something on the wood.

He chuckled, saying, “The stuff Attila gave isn’t bad, Fish Ball Qiang has built a decent foundation, it’s about time to learn something new…”

This middle-aged uncle, who was inexplicably swept into the fringes and deemed completely useless, truly has no talent at all, yet only his heart yearning to become stronger remains unchanged, just like before.

Before, he too was considered talentless…

“Keep striving, someday, you’ll…”

…

After passing through the Light Gate, Da Zhe felt himself drifting… probably transported to some place.

Landing, Da Zhe vigilantly scanned his surroundings—passing through the Light Gate, he even felt like he’d been wholly seen through inside and out.

This sensation vanished in an instant, leaving him unable to trace the origin of this peeping feeling.

This Transcender Organization, based on the current situation, doesn’t look as unseemly as the maid had described…

Before him lay a desolate land, as if he’d arrived at some mountain tomb… Below the cliff ahead, he vaguely saw the entrance to a cave.

Approaching, Da Zhe noticed above the cave entrance it read [Fire Cloud Cave], sparking his curiosity… this ancient script he hadn’t researched at all came into view and naturally transformed into recognizable modern text.

Da Zhe clicked his tongue in wonder, when suddenly a rather serious voice rang out from inside: “Since you’ve come, young friend, why hesitate?”

“Oh, wait, I’m coming in!” Da Zhe replied directly.

The air abruptly quieted down.

Inside… within Fire Cloud Cave, after a moment, a gentle “Mm” sound responded, yet the speaker’s tone carried a hint of unexpected surprise.

Da Zhe was not much concerned, shrugged, then tossed the scarf on his chest over his shoulder and entered Fire Cloud Cave unhurriedly.

It felt just like those martial arts shows Da Zhe watched out of boredom in prison, indeed this place was hiding something unique within.

Though not particularly stunning, there were small bridges over running water, simplistic huts, and fields overgrown with peonies, as well as an Octagonal Pavilion outside.

Currently, a man with hair reaching the ground, appearing no older than twenty, sat in the Octagonal Pavilion, fiddling with an exquisite Bagua Plate on the original stone table—the Bagua Plate could rotate, producing [Da Da], [Da Da] sounds as it moved.

Da Zhe looked around, realizing the only presence here aside from this anciently dressed long-haired man was likely the Fu Xi Throne Musashi mentioned; he swiftly approached the Octagonal Pavilion… all the way he finally spoke: “Hello there.”

The young long-haired man stopped playing with the Bagua Plate, and a crisp sound “Ka” emitted as it halted, the long-haired man suddenly furrowed his brow.

“What’s wrong?” Da Zhe asked curiously, “Is this thing broken?”

The long-haired man finally lifted his head, glanced at Da Zhe, then slightly rolled his eyes, replying irritably: “This is a clever mechanism I had Master Lu Ban specially craft, why would it break so easily?”

“Oh!” Da Zhe nodded, not quite understanding… wait a moment, this person seemed to have rolled his eyes at him just now?

The long-haired man shook his head, put away the Bagua Plate, stood up suddenly, and said: “So much Heteromorphic Origin content, highest level of transformation, why couldn’t you achieve complete personification? How come they let you wander into the fringes?”

“Oh… maybe my talent isn’t great, always stuck at this level… eh, what did you just say?” Da Zhe suddenly gaped in surprise!

Unexpectedly, the long-haired man also opened his mouth a bit, with a stunned expression: “Eh? You’re not here on the Club Owner’s behalf to urge me back?”

Da Zhe… eh, what did I originally come here to do??

Darn it!

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!