Old Vulture swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat. He was a survivor of a brutal era, a man who had climbed the ranks of the Seven Valleys Alliance by knowing exactly when to bow and when to bite.

He stared at the gleaming silver crate, then at the calm, bottomless abyss of Lin Mo’s eyes, and finally at the empty shadows of the warehouse where he knew, instinctively, the Union Master Ying Sha was lurking.

"I understand, Shopkeeper," Old Vulture said as he tried his best to steady his tone into something of absolute loyalty. "I am not being rewarded for past loyalty, for I have none. I am being given a tool to become a deterrent. A shield to draw the arrows meant for the ’convenience’ banner. You are making me the visible target so that your true operations can run smoothly in the background. If rival warlords from the Slithering Wilderness and beyond come knocking, they will see me in this armor and think twice." 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Lin Mo’s smile widened slightly. "Mhm. In corporate terms, Elder, you are our newly appointed Head of Regional Risk Management. Your job is to look intimidating and absorb liability. If you perform well, you will enjoy a life of unprecedented luxury, and perhaps in the future, I can help you find a way to open your seventh Gate before your lifespan ends. If you fail, or if you mistake this armor for a crown..."

Lin Mo didn’t finish the sentence. He didn’t need to utter the same threat. The time he spent in this Fractured Plane was short. Heck, even in the Realm of Nine Heavens, he had just passed his one-month mark. Yet, because of the difference in foundation or the lack thereof in the Martial World, he had to recruit subordinates. And by chance, his first and second encounters in this plane yielded him those necessary personnel.

"I will be the shield, Shopkeeper," Old Vulture affirmed, dropping to both knees and pressing his forehead against the cold stone floor. "I swear it upon my martial heart."

"Good. Equip it. And let it bind to your soul."

Old Vulture scrambled forward and opened the crate. His aged hands shook as he pulled out the set of equipment, complete from the helmet to the greaves.

As a man in his twilight years, his inner energy had long become stagnant, his physical vitality slowly waning. Even if he enjoyed the glory of being a Valley Elder in the previous Seven Valleys Alliance, there was no hope for him to advance anymore. He’s unlike the other young elders who could still attempt to open their 7th gate and become a Transformation Stage expert like the deceased Valley Master.

CLICK CLICK CLICK.

After equipping the armor pieces, completing the set, the [Argentum II-Legionary Armor] clicked into place. Each piece gradually connected to one another, covering his whole body. Following that, he picked the glowing [Aether Shard] and slotted it into the central cavity.

The moment he did, silver hexagonal patterns flared to life across the armor.

Unlike Lei Hu’s aggressive red-silver glow or Iron Pan’s heavy, earthen resonance, the light that enveloped Old Vulture was a sharp and unblemished white.

Once it’s faded, Lin Mo once again clicked his tongue inwardly, wondering how an old man like him turned into something like a mix of a Zodiac Knight and Kamen Rider in that suit.

Although his [Decanus Set] also gave the same feeling, watching the others don them became a small entertainment for him.

In the future, Aether-Knights and Celestial Duelists would flood the Realm of Nine of Heavens. And here in the Martial World, his spread of convenience would always be accompanied by these martial artists donning a powersuit.

Lin Mo’s starting to think he should give them a proper name like Convenience Warrior. But he immediately crossed that out. It’s too lame! Even the name ’Aether-Knight’ wasn’t dubbed by him. It was chosen by that old scholar of the Southern Wu Kingdom.

The old man in a powersuit straightened his back, accompanied by the sound of his spine cracking as he proudly stood after years of hunched subservience.

[System Notification: Soul Binding Complete.]

[Subject: Old Vulture (Peak Stage - 5th Gate)]

[Compatibility: Moderate-High]

[Projected Combat Prowess: Transcendent Stage (6th Gate)]

"It... it is as if the hands of time have been reversed by two decades," Old Vulture whispered, clenching his armored fists. He looked at Lin Mo with a reverence that bordered on religious zealotry. "Shopkeeper... my life belongs to the Divine Convenience House."

"There’s no need for that, Elder. I only want you to do your job and protect our industry." Lin Mo replied, waving him off. "Miss Luo, coordinate with the Elder when dealing with those interested in our ’convenience’. Do not get intimidated at all. Naturally, if it’s an adversary that cannot be overcome even with the Elder’s improved strength, remember to contact me through the Distributor Token."

Luo Lanyi nodded crisply. "I understand, Shopkeeper."

—

An hour later, the azure sword qi surrounding Jiang Jianxin slowly retracted into her body.

She opened her eyes, and a flash of profound clarity flashed across her pupils. She gently handed the worn scroll back to a bewildered Ling Qiumei.

The Sword Fairy did not speak a word of thanks, but the slight, respectful nod she gave the local swordswoman conveyed a mountain of gratitude. The fragmented legacy of the Silent Rain Sect had just provided the crucial stepping stone for the Eastern Abyssal Domain’s greatest sword prodigy.

"I have seen the outline of the path, Shopkeeper," Jiang Jianxin stated, her voice as calm as a placid lake, yet carrying the underlying threat of a hidden tsunami. "The physical execution detailed in this manual bridges the gap to the ethereal intent of the scripture. I can start practicing the Sky-Rending Manual to be used as a reference."

After saying that, she turned to Ling Qiumei again, "You have some talent in the sword but in this plane, with the lack of spiritual energy, you can only rely on your insight to practice it. Take me to your training hall, and I will perform the basic forms for you to observe and memorize. It is the least I can do to compensate you for the insight your sect’s heritage has provided me."

Ling Qiumei stood frozen with her eyes becoming as wide as saucers. For a martial artist of her current level, having a peerless sword master, one whose aura alone could suffocate a city, offer personal tutelage was an opportunity that many would trade their life for. It was akin to a mortal beggar being handed the keys to an emperor’s treasury.

"T-To me? Senior Sword Fairy, you would... you would impart such grace to this lowly one?" She stuttered while gripping the hilt of the pristine mortal-grade sword Lin Mo had gifted her earlier.

"The Dao of the Sword does not discriminate between realms, nor does it concern itself with the density of one’s spiritual energy. It only requires a clear mind and an unwavering intent," Jiang Jianxin replied, her voice remaining serene. "Lead the way."

Ling Qiumei nodded and started leading them to the current location of the rebuilt Silent Rain Sect. Although Lin Mo ordered her to call back the former disciples of the sect, only a few could rush back to the Sleeping Dragon City, some probably had already fallen. Nevertheless, she also started recruiting martial artists, children and adults alike, passing down the [Silent Rain Sword Manual] to continue their legacy. As for the Sky-Rending Manual, it was naturally something she couldn’t pass easily.

Lin Mo couldn’t help but smile. "Excellent. The Sword Fairy benefits and in return, Ling Qiumei will benefit as well. It’s a great choice to bring her here."

"Empowering the local management ensures they don’t fold the moment a competitor launches a hostile takeover. Miss Luo, I suggest you watch closely as well. Even if you are a merchant, having an eye for martial prowess will help you appraise your future hires." He continued as they arrived at the training hall.

Luo Lanyi nodded vigorously, her merchant’s mind was already calculating the immense value of having the head of the ’Internal Affairs’ learning from a genuinely enlightened Sword Master, who the Shopkeeper claimed to be even stronger than him.

A while later, Jiang Jianxin stood before a training dummy. Instead of drawing her spirit-grade flying swords, she extended her hand at Ling Qiumei. "Lend me your blade."

Ling Qiumei hurriedly offered the sword.

Jiang Jianxin gripped the hilt. The moment her fingers wrapped around the leather, silence reigned. The presence of the serene and untouchable fairy transformed into overwhelming sharpness that the air in the courtyard seemed to slice at the onlookers’ skin.

"Watch closely."

Jiang Jianxin did not circulate a single drop of her Golden Core’s spiritual energy. In this energy-starved plane, to do so would be a tremendous waste. Instead, she relied entirely on her physical form and her Sword Intent.

Then, she stepped forward and swung.

It was a simple, horizontal slash. There was no blinding flash of light, roaring dragons of qi, or booming thunder. It was just steel cutting through the air.

Yet, the silence it produced was deafening.

THUD!

The training dummy was cut cleanly in half.