Chapter 1155: The Unlucky Thief

Xue Shishilou didn't feel ashamed about losing to Carefree Guest, but rather appeared somewhat excited.

"I've almost fully comprehended my rake technique. Once I thoroughly grasp the swordplay mysteries embedded within it, Carefree Guest will no longer be my match."

"And when I fully understand the profound secrets of the shovel technique, I'll become even stronger!"

Ever since discerning the swordplay contained within the rake technique, Xue Shishilou felt his long-dormant sword Dao heart reawaken, and his understanding of the sword Dao grew day by day.

"This is all thanks to Fellow Daoist Lu's guidance."

"Old Lu's guidance?" Meng Jingzhou looked at Lu Yang suspiciously. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss; what connection could a rake technique possibly have with swordplay?

Lu Yang's expression remained calm. "Why are you looking at me? You don't understand matters of the sword Dao anyway."

Lu Yang then quickly changed the subject. "Fellow Daoist Xue, please continue. What is the third trial?"

"The third trial is to create a unique move of your own, and it cannot be something like a trivial everyday spell that's just there to make up numbers."

"According to my bloodline memory, this is to test my creativity. I can't just blindly inherit what previous generations left behind; I must surpass them."

"This third trial sounds quite challenging," Lu Yang remarked. He thought about the moves he knew... it seemed they were all unique to him?

Xue Shishilou took it in stride. "We'll take it one step at a time. These things can't be forced."

"If I can pass all three trials, I'll not only become the successor to the Snow Emperor but also have the current Snow Emperor grant me any wish."

"That sounds like a great opportunity."

"Alright, we've eaten enough. Time to head back." Lu Yang stood up, patted the snow from his backside, gathered his belongings, and returned to the martial arts academy.

The temperature difference between day and night in the extreme north was vast. During the day, it was so cold people didn't want to extend their hands, and at night, it became even colder.

Consequently, Muxue City had no nightlife. At night, every household extinguished their lights and went to sleep, leaving the entire city exceptionally quiet.

Suddenly, a furious roar echoed, audible throughout the entire city, coming from Deputy City Lord Ma.

"Where did this petty thief come from, daring to steal from my home? I think you've grown tired of living!"

A dark figure leaped between rooftops, appearing and disappearing as if not truly existing in this space, his movement technique exceptionally skillful.

Accompanied by Deputy City Lord Ma's lion-like roar, a brilliant sword qi slashed down, striking the continuously leaping figure.

How could Deputy City Lord Ma not be enraged? He had recently gained insights in his sword Dao cultivation, which was why he had been secluded. He never expected to be mistakenly thought of as severely injured and recuperating, and for someone to dare to steal from his home—it was a blatant provocation.

The thief clutched his right arm, a look of resentment on his face. He had expected to evade the sword strike and leave gracefully, but Deputy City Lord Ma was not only uninjured but had also improved his swordsmanship, resulting in him taking a hit.

"You, Ma, just wait for me! I won't just steal your things; I'll even steal your daughter!"

Deputy City Lord Ma trembled with rage and ordered a city-wide search. Instantly, Muxue City lit up brightly, as if it were daytime.

The thief took a medicinal pill to temporarily halt his injuries. With Muxue City on high alert, escape was impossible for now. He decided to find a place to rest and devise a plan to flee Muxue City later.

He leaped into a courtyard and discovered a beautiful stable where a snow-white horse was wagging its tail and eating grass.

"Is that a Dragon Horse?!"

The thief's heart filled with joy. A Dragon Horse from the East Sea, appearing in the extreme north, and seemingly a pure-blooded one at that—its value was immeasurable.

"If I'm not mistaken, this is the Tiger Roar Sect?"

"It seems the Tiger Roar Sect has stumbled upon great fortune, somehow acquiring this Dragon Horse."

"It looks like the Dragon Horse's cultivation isn't too high, otherwise it would have already transformed. This is perfect for me!"

The thief chuckled as he approached the Dragon Horse. Getting a valuable pure-blooded Dragon Horse in Muxue City made the sword wound he received worthwhile.

The Dragon Horse glanced at the thief, then resumed eating grass.

The thief formed hand seals and softly chanted an unknown incantation, activating a beast-controlling technique to control the Dragon Horse!

The beast-controlling mark landed on the Dragon Horse, which offered no resistance from beginning to end.

"It's done."

However, the moment the beast-controlling mark touched the Dragon Horse, the thief's expression changed drastically. This Dragon Horse was peculiar!

The beast-controlling technique backfired on the thief; his aura weakened, and he stumbled back two steps, his face pale and his qi and blood depleted.

His previously staunched sword wound worsened, and with this double affliction, his right arm was rendered useless!

"What was that noise?!"

Huo Huashen heard a faint sound in the backyard and nervously rushed over.

Seeing that he wouldn't have time to escape the Tiger Roar Sect, the thief could only use a secret technique to conceal his aura and form.

This was his unique secret technique; neither physical sight nor spiritual sense could detect him.

"No one here?"

Huo Huashen was puzzled. As a dignified Transformation God stage cultivator, he shouldn't be experiencing auditory hallucinations.

Yet, even with his spiritual sense, he couldn't detect anyone, only the old horse resting in the stable, eating grass.

"Let's test it." Huo Huashen flicked a Blood Demon Blade from his sleeve, unleashing countless blade qi.

The thief's eyes widened in disbelief. The opponent was actually a blade cultivator at the Transformation God stage?!

If he hadn't been injured, a mere Transformation God stage cultivator wouldn't be worth his attention. But he was severely wounded, and fighting on, regardless of victory or defeat, would certainly attract Deputy City Lord Ma's notice.

When the blade qi struck him, he bit down hard on his clothing, not uttering a sound, daring not to let Huo Huashen discover him.

"Really no one here."

Huo Huashen let the blade qi fill the entire backyard but still found no one. He could only conclude that he was too excited after becoming a gate guard and was experiencing auditory hallucinations.

After Huo Huashen left, the thief reappeared, kneeling on the ground, propping himself up with one hand. He gasped for air, sweat streamed from his forehead, and his consciousness blurred.

No, he had to find a place to rest and leave this area. This place was strange; the Tiger Roar Sect was far from as simple as it seemed...

The thief approached a certain house in the courtyard. A small wooden sword hung at the entrance of the house.

As he drew near the house, the small wooden sword emitted a sword light, directly sending him flying.

Where he landed, there lay a rake that Xue Shishilou had studied day and night, infusing it with endless sword qi.

The rake's teeth were exceptionally sharp. The thief collided headfirst with them, instantly creating several bloody holes. He struggled on the ground for a moment before falling still.

Lu Yang pushed open his door and scratched his head. "Hey, why did my small wooden sword activate?"

He was currently in the Void Refinement stage, a dangerous period. It would be terrible if a stranger broke into his room, which was why he had hung the small wooden sword by his door; it would repel any unfamiliar person who approached.

Xue Shishilou, who lived next door, pushed open his own door, looking even more bewildered. "How did I pass my second trial?"

Both of them simultaneously looked at the thief lying on the ground, bleeding profusely.

Missing his right arm, covered in blade wounds, with sword injuries on his hand and several large holes in his head, it was unclear what he had endured, but he appeared to have suffered inhumane treatment before his death.

Xue Shishilou turned the thief over, and upon seeing his face, became even more surprised. "Carefree Guest?"

"How did he die?"