"Thank you, Brother Luo Feng. Since you’ve offered, it would be rude for me to refuse," Wen Ran replied with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. He couldn’t deny that today had turned out to be better than expected. After all, not every day did free opportunities drop from the sky like rain. And in Wen Ran’s eyes, Luo Feng was nothing short of a walking money bag. If the other man had too much to carry, Wen Ran would gladly take some for himself. He’d never once felt like he had too much in his life—not in this body, nor in the countless lifetimes before it. Some might call him greedy, but he saw it as survival. And as always, survival came first.
"Don’t mention it," Luo Feng said with a broad grin, casually throwing an arm over Wen Ran’s shoulder. "Let’s go! The world and its beauties will be yours for the taking, Brother Wen Ran! A true man, indeed. Soon, you’ll be the one venturing out into the world, facing dangers alone!"
Wen Ran blinked at the sudden burst of enthusiasm, taken aback by Luo Feng’s theatrics. The display was so exaggerated that he couldn’t help but feel a little put off. The fool was too much for him to handle. Wen Ran couldn’t help but think that if he could escape Luo Feng’s company as soon as possible, it would bring him more peace than anything. He was already beginning to regret making acquaintances with him.
Wen Ran simply nodded, his mind elsewhere as they continued walking toward the armory. Despite his irritation, he couldn’t completely dismiss the usefulness of Luo Feng’s enthusiasm. For now, he would tolerate it, but only because the sooner he got the weapon he wanted, the sooner he could focus on his own plans.
The two of them climbed the stairs that led to the massive door, which stood like a silent guardian of the armory. In front of it stood two figures, one man and one woman, both seemingly asleep while standing. Their posture was so unnatural, so still, that it sent a chill through Wen Ran as he stared at them.
The two figures standing in front of the armory’s massive door were a strange and eerie sight. The man stood tall and imposing, his features chiseled and sharp, like an ancient statue carved from stone. His eyes were closed in sleep, his expression unnervingly calm, as if frozen in time. His long, dark hair cascaded over his shoulders, blending seamlessly with the flowing golden robes that hung from his tall frame. A faint, glowing sigil was etched into his forehead, pulsing with a quiet, rhythmic energy. His hands were folded in front of him, gripping a black staff that seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly light. Despite his stillness, there was an undeniable aura of immense strength that surrounded him—like the quiet before a storm.
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Beside him, the woman’s form was just as striking, but with a different air about her. She was shorter than the man, but no less formidable. Her long silver hair shimmered like moonlight, flowing gracefully around her shoulders in stark contrast to her dark violet robes. A pair of delicate silver earrings dangled from her ears, shaped like crescent moons, and her pale skin had a faint glow, almost ethereal. Her posture was equally unnatural, yet the energy around her seemed more mysterious, almost haunting. Her eyes, though closed, seemed to carry a hidden wisdom—something ancient and wise, beyond mortal comprehension. She held a curved blade, its edge sharp enough to slice through the air itself, the blade glinting faintly with a bluish hue. The sense of power emanating from her was softer than the man’s, but it was still chilling in its intensity.
"Are those two actually sleeping on duty?" Wen Ran asked, his voice filled with disbelief, the question hanging in the air as he tried to comprehend what he was seeing.
Luo Feng chuckled softly, glancing over at the two figures before answering. "Well… those are the guardians of the sect and armory. You better keep your mouth shut, or if they hear us, they might shoo us away. They’re not the friendly types. Legend says they’ve been standing here for over one thousand years, but neither of them has ever opened their eyes. So, it should be okay. After all, nobody ever dares to invade this place, so they have no reason to—"
Luo Feng’s voice trailed off, his words cut short when the two figures suddenly twitched as if something had stirred them from their slumber. Wen Ran’s heart skipped a beat when he saw their eyes snap open. The piercing gaze of the two guardians locked onto him, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze.
What the hell is this? I can’t move an inch... Wen Ran’s pulse quickened, and a wave of panic washed over him. It felt as though his body was being exposed as if the very essence of his being were laid bare before them.
The two figures, who were supposed to remain immovable, were now scanning him from head to toe. It wasn’t just their eyes; it was as if their very presence was prying into the deepest recesses of his soul. He could feel the intrusion in his dantian, his most guarded secrets laid bare for them to see. His heart skipped a beat when he realized they were not just scanning his physical form—they were probing his very essence, his energy, and his soul.
Is this some kind of test? Wen Ran’s mind raced. Are they trying to see if I’m human or demon? His anger surged, but he was powerless to act. His body was frozen, trapped in place as if by invisible chains. How dare these two nobodies challenge me?
Luo Feng stood beside him, eyes wide in shock, but there was an unmistakable excitement in his gaze. He watched as the eyes of the two guardians shone with multicolored radiance, a brilliant glow that seemed to pierce through Wen Ran.
His eyes too were shining, not because he was scanning Wen Ran, but because of the exhilaration he felt. This damned brat managed to awaken the great protectors! He truly is something! Luo Feng’s heart raced, and he nearly laughed out loud, his excitement threatening to spill over.
For Wen Ran, however, this moment was a test of patience and willpower. His heart hammered in his chest, the weight of the guardians’ gaze bearing down on him. Every part of him screamed to break free, to push back against the invisible forces that held him in place, but for now, he was powerless. He had to endure it—whatever it was they wanted from him, whatever this test or trial was, he had to survive it.