Chapter 54: The Star Priest’s Secret

Hearing the child’s words, Zhang Luan hesitated. In truth, he didn’t need to concern himself with the matter at all.

“Little brother,” he pleaded, “let’s just go. That girl might already be dead. Why bother saving her alone in such a dangerous place? I can give you money! Lots and lots of money. Please, just take me away quickly!”

While Zhang Luan was still deliberating, a bald, middle-aged man, wiping greasy sweat from his face, spoke fawningly to him. All the man wanted was to escape this place immediately. Why would he allow the very person who had just saved him to leave and rescue someone else?

Are you kidding? My life was far too precious!

Hearing this, Zhang Luan cast a peculiar gaze at the bald, middle-aged man. He hadn’t yet made up his mind, but someone was attempting to decide for him?

Perhaps that man was right. However, he loathed being told what to do; he had endured more than enough ‘guidance’ in his previous life. This time, he wanted to make every decision for himself.

The child beside him tugged nervously at Zhang Luan’s sleeve, clearly afraid he wouldn’t go to save the person.

Zhang Luan reached out and ruffled the boy’s hair. He knew that rescuing her would likely be a thankless task, possibly even bringing back a corpse. But it didn’t matter; his desire to go was enough.

With his decision made, Zhang Luan ignored the chattering bald man. He drew a circle on the ground and used the Starflame to encircle the group.

“Do not step out, or face the consequences. Child, where is the woman you mentioned?”

The boy, hearing Zhang Luan call him, pointed towards a relatively open room not far away. Zhang Luan’s eyes narrowed. He tossed the child into the circle, then vanished in a flash, disappearing from everyone’s sight, including the bandits who had just arrived.

****

When he reappeared, he was already at the entrance of the building. Observing the large door, which seemed out of place with its surroundings, Zhang Luan kicked it open. A simple room lay before him.

Inside, several thick iron chains converged, binding a black-haired girl by her limbs and neck. She gazed at him silently, her eyes dim and devoid of any hope.

This sight inexplicably struck a chord with Zhang Luan. He smiled faintly, then waved his hands, and the Starflame began to melt the chains.

“I’m here to save you. Don’t be afraid.”

The girl tilted her head, nodded, then pointed to her throat, miming in the air.

“You… can’t speak?”

Zhang Luan freed her restraints. Watching her fingers trace shapes in the air, he felt a touch of surprise.

The girl nodded again, then took Zhang Luan’s wrist and used her small finger to write two words in his palm.

“Thank you.”

Seeing this, Zhang Luan patted her head, asking no further questions. He took her wrist, ready to leave. However, to his surprise, the bandits, upon seeing him arrive, abandoned their attempt to surround the other slaves and rushed directly toward the girl.

“Something is strange. It seems you’re not so simple after all.”

Zhang Luan chuckled, about to command the Azure Justice Sword, when the system suddenly popped up, reminding him that the sword’s durability was critically low. Using it again would likely turn it into scrap metal.

He sighed, grasping the Azure Justice Sword with a hint of helplessness. Just as he was about to put it back into his inventory, he noticed a strange light flicker in the girl’s eyes. She clasped her hands around his, which held the sword, and a peculiar energy continuously flowed from her into the Azure Justice Sword. In mere seconds, the sword’s durability miraculously restored from one point to its original state when he first entered the bandit stronghold.

He stared at the girl, his eyes wide with astonishment. Just moments ago, the Azure Justice Sword’s status clearly displayed the five large characters: [Time Rewind in Progress…]. The trigger for this effect was unmistakably the silent girl before him.

Ignoring the steadily approaching bandits, Zhang Luan reached out and pinched the girl’s cheek. Her character panel materialized before his eyes. What he saw was quite startling.

[Abi]

Level: 1

Series: Magic-type

Race: Ancient Human

Class: Star Priest

Talent: [Rewind]

Skill: [Starlight]

—

Ignoring some basic attributes, Zhang Luan’s gaze fixed on her class. Now he understood why this girl was so special.

Star Priest—a highly unique class. They only appeared among the Ancient Humans who possessed ancient bloodlines, and this profession was exclusively for females.

One should not underestimate them simply because they were women. Their power originated from stars beyond this world. A powerful Star Priest could even summon their personal star from beyond the world to crush enemies. Although much of their power would be forcibly weakened by this world, they remained incredibly potent.

Furthermore, and most importantly, advancing this class required only forming a contract with one’s exclusive star, making it infinitely simpler than the various requirements for other professions.

It seemed these bandits had captured this little girl from somewhere, intending to present her to Yikeduo. Yet, in his previous life, Zhang Luan had never heard of Yikeduo possessing a Star Priest.

Could it be that she had escaped due to some reason?

Or perhaps she had been killed?

Zhang Luan couldn’t comprehend it, nor did he wish to dwell on it. Casually using Space Ripples to clear a path, he took the girl’s hand and leisurely walked back to the circle of flame.

Upon seeing Zhang Luan return, the bald, middle-aged man’s face contorted with slight anger. In his mind, his life was far more valuable than that of a mere little girl. If not for those despicable bandits capturing him during his outdoor rendezvous with his secretary, he would now be lying in a comfortable bed, enjoying a woman’s adoration.

Even without Zhang Luan, he believed he could have used his wealth to escape this wretched place. Yet, this fellow had taken him away only to make him wait in such a dump. It was utterly arrogant.

How could he not be enraged!

Still, he dared not speak. The sight of this young man effortlessly killing bandits had been terrifying. If this fellow accidentally killed him too, it would be a complete loss. At least, once he returned home, with his wealth, he could easily investigate who this boy was and hire some mercenaries to teach him a lesson, thus venting his frustration.

Zhang Luan dissolved the Starflame ring, a slight curve gracing his lips. He had naturally sensed the bald, middle-aged man’s gaze. Since the man was so angry, Zhang Luan decided to give him an outlet.

With another flick of his finger, a small, miniature Starflame light barrier enveloped the bald, middle-aged man, who watched in stunned disbelief.

“What are you doing!!”

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