Chapter 77: Before the Domain

The square was already crowded with people.

Only a portion were fifth-rank peak; most were tourists who had not yet left after the Dragon Watching Festival.

The Jade Domain trial after the Dragon Watching Festival was also part of their itinerary.

Luo De stood at the back of the crowd.

Glancing around, he easily spotted a group of students in black robes, chattering and laughing noisily.

The Ba Hadur Magic Academy’s Dragon Fun Club study tour group.

Both the dark red-haired teacher and the black-haired boy from that night were among them.

Lily softly clicked her tongue—clearly she had seen them too.

“I need to find a way to mess with them.”

“I’ve wanted to ask since last time: do you have a grudge against Ba Hadur people?”

“To be honest, Luo De, my third wish was to tear down Ba Hadur Magic Academy. What do you think?”

Are all members of the Hero Alliance this quick to settle scores?

Luo De chuckled softly.

He wasn’t in a hurry to take the back door yet; watching from here for now was fine.

At that moment.

“Lily.”

A voice called from behind.

Luo De turned around and recognized the girl who had sold him lessons on the Dragon Watching Platform that day.

Beside her stood over a dozen others, all fifth-rank peak.

She immediately spotted Luo De and frowned slightly.

“Alisha.”

Lily spoke the woman’s name, offering a simple greeting.

“Why didn’t you come to class? Look, trial day’s here, and you still haven’t prepared anything.”

“I’m fine.”

Lily’s attitude toward her former colleague was relatively polite, not as fierce as toward Ba Hadur.

“I didn’t expect the two of you to be hanging out together.”

Alisha smiled, looking between them.

There was a faint hint of mockery in her tone.

Behind her, a relatively handsome man stepped forward.

He greeted Lily—his name seemed to be Kornel.

Kornel turned to Luo De.

“Who is this?”

In truth, Kornel had feelings for Alisha and willingly joined her course.

Just now, he had clearly sensed Alisha’s hostility toward the man before him.

As a suitor, it was only natural to step forward and support the girl he favored.

Luo De introduced himself.

“Oh, I remember—you’re the boy who refused to join the discussion group. Alisha mentioned you.”

Luo De shrugged.

He said nothing further, brushing it off casually.

Seeing his attitude, Kornel frowned slightly.

He added:

“Mr. Luo, the trial’s difficulty is extremely high, with a success rate of only five percent. If you’re completely unprepared, you’ll only be going through the motions.”

“Actually, it’s no big deal. Jade City is beautiful—you’ve seen the Dragon Watching Festival and tried the Jade Domain trial. Mr. Luo, your trip hasn’t been in vain.”

Alisha agreed.

Lily frowned slightly at their words.

She was about to say something when Luo De gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

“It’s fine.”

Luo De smiled faintly, showing no concern at all.

This expression only made Alisha and Kornel angrier.

On the other side.

Lu En’s expression was gloomy.

The failure two days ago had deeply etched itself into his mind, leaving him restless.

“Lu En, I know you’re upset, but you’re still young—take care of your health.”

From within his ring, his teacher’s worried voice echoed.

For the past two days, this student had dragged Rita to the small dark room whenever he had free time.

His emotions were released, but he was still human—if he damaged his kidney essence now, it would be nearly impossible to recover.

“Sorry, teacher. I’ll exercise more restraint from now on.”

“If you can find the breathing technique called [Elibert’s Secret of Pleasure], it wouldn’t matter. It harmonizes male-female acts—it won’t harm your body, and during union, it connects spiritual essence, enhancing accumulation.”

“[Elibert’s Secret of Pleasure]? Do you know where to find it?”

A breathing technique that wouldn’t harm his body yet boosted his rank—

Just thinking of Rita’s posture last night made Lu En’s heart race.

To force himself to endure it long-term would be too much of a waste.

“I only know it last appeared near Melody Coast, but that was a hundred years ago. Still, given your fortune, you may have a chance to reach there someday and find it.”

“Melody Coast. I’ll remember.”

“Don’t force it, Lu En. From an astrological perspective, your star destiny is extremely strong—all surrounding stars revolve around you. But in recent years, perhaps our plundering has been too much; your star destiny has clearly declined these past few months.”

Lu En took his teacher’s words seriously.

But some things are inherent in one’s nature—many people aren’t even aware of them.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the rising desire in his chest.

“I understand, teacher. I’ll be careful.”

“Good. Forget about that night’s Vengeful Lion—he concealed his strength. He’s likely among the peak of sixth-rank, possibly even half-step seventh-rank.”

“.”

Lu En remained silent.

In his peripheral vision, he suddenly spotted a familiar figure.

A handsome man wrapped in a worn cloak, carrying a golden longsword whose hilt glowed.

It was the man he had met at Dragon Pit Lake that day.

“Huh!”

As he daydreamed, his teacher’s voice suddenly exclaimed from within the ring.

“Indeed, your fortune is exceptional, Lu En—this man also possesses a high-level pass!”

“Oh?”

“What is his spiritual accumulation?”

The teacher, reduced to a mere wisp of soul within the ring, had far weaker perception than Lu En.

But his knowledge and experience far surpassed anyone Lu En had ever known.

“Fifth-rank peak—he’s here to ascend in the Jade Domain.”

“Have Rita help you. With his corpse in hand, the Dragon Soul is within reach.”

The teacher’s voice remained calm.

But he knew how rare an opportunity this was.

Lu En couldn’t help but feel his heart surge.

His breathing grew slightly rapid.

He immediately stepped forward and tapped the leader, Rita.

Rita turned, saw him, and her gaze flickered nervously.

She whispered:

“What?”

“Come with me. I need your help with something.”

Her face flushed.

“Now? But you just—this morning before we left—”

“Not that, idiot!”

Perhaps his voice was too loud.

Nearby classmates and Teacher Milinda turned, frowning in confusion.

Lu En scratched his head, offering a harmless smile.

“My mana seems to be acting up again—I need Rita’s help once more.”

With the aid of strong fortune.

His magical and spiritual progress was astonishingly rapid, and such issues had indeed occurred.

Thus, no one found it strange.

Moments later.

Lu En and Rita moved away from the crowd, walking to a place with few people.

“I need you to kill someone for me.”

“Who?”

Rita asked nothing and immediately agreed.

As time passed, the effect of the Passionate Secret Art gradually deepened.

The boy before her, who reached only to her chin, had already filled her heart completely.

(End of Chapter)