Chapter 55: Hot City

【Precise Prediction】

【Details: As perception and judgment improve, the user can more accurately anticipate an enemy’s attacks and defenses, enabling more precise responses in combat】

As the breathing technique advanced, a new skill entry appeared.

“Prediction movement, huh.”

Luo De turned his head toward the forest on his left.

Far away, a rabbit peered around in the grass, lowered its head to nibble for a few seconds, then lifted it again to observe, repeating the cycle irregularly.

He picked up a small stone.

After sitting still for a few seconds, he suddenly flung the stone.

At the exact moment the rabbit lifted its head, the stone whistled past its scalp.

The rabbit was terrified and hopped away in panic.

“About one to one and a half seconds.”

Not bad.

Enough to keep him from falling behind in skill during combat.

But ultimately, [Night Hunter Breathing Method] is not unique—high-grade breathing methods abound; never underestimate humans who train in breathing techniques.

When night grew deep, Tally pulled Luo De into the forest, and soon the rhythmic pulse of life echoed.

Gnome Gema cursed under his breath, pulled the blanket over his ears, and struggled to sleep.

The next morning.

The three resumed their journey, laboriously detouring around treacherous mountain paths, and finally reached Hot City by afternoon.

By day, Hot City seemed draped in a golden gauze; sunlight poured down, and upon closer inspection, every inch of earth and wall radiated heat waves that warped the air.

Fortunately, the city featured many spired buildings, their black shadows continuous—only those wearing colorful turbans or veils could move through them.

Despite the extreme heat, it remained a human-controlled territory.

Besides that, fire lizards and fire spirits also dwelled here—mostly heat-resistant races, in any case.

Upon entering the inner city, Gema, drenched in sweat from the heat, stopped before a shop.

“Do you need Blue Orchid Tonic?”

She immediately noticed their unflinching expressions and waved her hand.

“Never mind.”

“No, get some anyway.”

Out of the mindset that “better to have than not,” Luo De successfully purchased two vials of Blue Orchid Tonic.

This was a unique magical tonic of Hot City, offering excellent heat resistance; human soldiers stationed here relied on it for survival.

Hot City was a frontier fortress of Aitheron.

It bordered the Kaoe tribe of fire lizards, whose relations with Aitheron fluctuated between peace and conflict, with minor skirmishes continuing for a century.

Though Aitheron’s historical records never stated it outright, most on the continent knew that three hundred years ago, Hot City had still been Kaoe’s territory.

Thus, along the streets, one could always spot the sacred flame symbols of the fire lizards’ faith.

Moments later.

Gema led the two to an inn called Antelope Leap.

After settling their luggage, she hurried off—likely to find a guide for the Open Maze.

Tally, still before mealtime and conserving energy, curled up in the shadows to sleep.

Luo De, with nothing to do, sat at the nearly empty bar counter, chatting idly with the innkeeper.

The owner of Antelope Leap was a fire lizard.

He was born here and came of age here.

Clearly, his attitude toward the Kaoe tribe matched that of the local humans—he occasionally spat out phrases like “damn Kaoe.”

According to him, the inn had been built with help from the city’s humans.

“Compared to the human guests I’ve seen before, your stamina is quite impressive.”

“My fire resistance is decent.”

Luo De replied, swirling the blue liquid in his glass.

It was local Giant Wine.

The addition of raw Blue Orchid tonic fruit pulp gave it a striking hue.

The taste leaned minty, with a muddy herbal aftertaste—like black toothpaste from Earth.

He didn’t like it.

While the owner turned to watch the soldiers outside lining up, Luo De quietly summoned Tally, poured the remaining wine into her mouth, and shoved her back down regardless of her flailing.

“I heard there’s a hot spring in the city?” he asked.

“What? Oh, the hot spring? Yes, but you must wait until after eleven at night, walk into the inner city, and pay ten silver Along for admission.”

Ten silver Along?

Ridiculously expensive.

The fire lizard owner shrugged.

“You’re unlucky—you came too late. Last month, admission was only fifty copper Along.”

“What happened? Such a huge difference?”

“Rumor says the Blue Orchid fruit—the raw ingredient of Blue Orchid Tonic—had a poor harvest. The orchards lie near the hot spring. Perhaps the city lord is trying to recoup losses from tourists?”

Outside, another squad of soldiers passed by.

They were a mixed force of humans and fire lizards.

Both glanced over.

“Strange. Why so busy today?”

The owner muttered, then added: “Frankly, you humans should just ditch this Blue Orchid Tonic. You’ve spent decades unable to adapt to the heat—why not try something else? Worship the Sacred Flame. If blessed, you wouldn’t fear this heat at all.”

Luo De smiled but said nothing.

Gradually, night fell.

Seeing Gema hadn’t returned, Luo De treated himself to a hearty smoked meat meal at the inn.

He’d long heard fire lizards’ smoked and dried meats were unmatched on the continent—today’s taste proved it.

Once the temperature stabilized, Luo De went out to the inner city’s commercial street.

At this hour, the street was far livelier than at night, with various races hawking goods and performing.

Only then did he notice many humans holding torches nearly three meters tall, forming circles and dancing in the street’s center.

He didn’t linger, heading straight for the Spiritual Guild.

There, he purchased large quantities of Fire Dragon Meat.

Fire Dragon Meat was a staple food for fire lizards from childhood, the source of their intense physical strength.

It was normally forbidden to humans—low-fire-resistance intelligent beings—but when Luo De chewed down two large chunks right there, the guild’s receptionist girl was stunned.

Fire Dragon Meat accumulated heat in the stomach, continuously strengthening the body—but even fire lizards dared not eat much of it.

Before coming to Hot City, Luo De had researched this and knew of its existence—he’d come specifically for it.

After finishing, he still went to the local hot spring.

He’d come this far.

Not experiencing it would be a waste.

After paying twelve silver Along, he successfully rented a private booth.

He skipped all extras—female fire spirits’ high-heat hair removal, female fire lizards’ scale scrubbing, female half-dragons’ flame cupping—because he was the type who brought his own liquor.

Tally, long waiting, leapt excitedly from the shadows, transforming into a plump, mature woman with golden hair—her appearance bore a faint resemblance to Luo De.

She rushed at him with eager arms.

“What’s this act now?” Luo De asked.

Tally grinned mischievously: “Your brother-in-law’s drunk. Won’t wake up anytime soon.”

“.”

(End of Chapter)