Zu An was speechless. But he had no objection to that. The so-called martial arts experts in this world had a shallow understanding when it came to utilizing energy.
For instance, by tapping into ‘Guo Polu’s’ memories, he'd immediately grasped the Quanzhen Sect, Peach Blossom Island, and Beggar Sect’s inner energy methods and could even use them at a higher efficiency.
Less needed to be said about martial arts moves. He understood the openings in every move with just a single glance, not to mention he could still employ the moves he already knew, it was just that they were no longer reinforced by ki.
While supernatural powers were restricted in this world, they still retained their memories and judgment. Even the strongest skill in this world, the Nine Yin Manual, was easy for him to grasp. Guo Jing and Huang Rong thought it was beyond him, but he had already grasped the gist of it.
The Nine Yin Manual was ingenious, living up to its reputation as a supreme martial art in this world. Unfortunately, this world was limited by the absence of ki, so those dwelling in this world could never hope to reach the level of a cultivator.
To higher entities like them, the Nine Yin Manual was like an innovative application of elementary school level concepts to resolve rudimentary problems. As ingenious as it was, these rudimentary problems could be easily circumvented upon becoming a higher being. Due to that, the manual wasn't noteworthy in the Myriad Worlds.
That said, it wasn't completely useless. The restriction of supernatural powers meant Zu An couldn’t use most of his techniques. The Nine Yin Manual allowed him to maximize what was possible with his current mortal body.
Firework, with her deeper grasp of energy utilization, was likely more skilled at modifying the Nine Yin Manual to maximize her strength. With their combined prowess, unless they foolishly marched into the enemy camp, it was unlikely anyone could pose a danger to them.
...Murphy’s law struck, however.
Firework suddenly decided to scout the Mongolian camp without any warning. Zu An hurriedly followed her, worried that a mishap would befall her.
It wasn’t tough for them to sneak into the camp. They snuck into a watch tower and made quick work of the sentries inside before examining the camp’s layout.
In the end, Firework shook her head and sighed. “If they were in a normal mansion, I could have easily assassinated their general, but in a camp like this, even if I succeeded in my assassination, I would still end up getting surrounded and killed by the enemy soldiers.”
Killing the enemy commander would have been the most efficient way to alleviate Great Song’s crisis, but she wasn’t so noble as to lay down her life for that cause.
“You shouldn’t let your guard down. A few of the Five Greats[1] of this world once snuck into the Mongols’ barracks and nearly lost their lives after being encircled.”
If they were at their usual level, Zu An and Firework could have massacred the enemy troops , but with their strength capped, brute force wouldn’t work.
“You rascal! How many more things have you not told me?!” Firework glared at Zu An.
After they agreed to work together, Zu An had shared the background of this world with her, but here he was, dropping a piece of information she knew nothing about!
“I’m not intentionally withholding information from you. This scene just so happened to trigger my memories. People like us have been through so much that it’s hard to remember everything at hand,” Zu An replied.
They were sticking close to each other so they could speak as softly as possible, lest they draw attention to themselves. They were so close that Zu An could feel Firework’s breathing and smell a light fragrance coming from her.
Zu An’s heart was momentarily moved, but he quickly remembered that she was a spider demoness. What am I thinking?
“There’s something weird about your gaze.” Firework frowned. It’s uncomfortable not having my supernatural powers, or else I could have sensed his thoughts.
Zu An coughed. “Let’s retreat. We should prioritize finding the Xuan Metal Sword.”
Firework ignored him. “Do you think we could clear the trial if we circumvent the Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Saber Plan and move straight to assassinating the Mongolian Khan?”
She could already tell that there were many ways the Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Saber Plan could go awry, and it would be best to circumvent it.
Zu An jolted in shock. “Don’t be reckless. Fate is favoring the Mongols right now. Many experts are serving the Mongolian Khan. It would be nigh impossible to pull it off even if we join forces; it’d be no different from courting death.”
Firework harrumphed. “Coward.”
She kicked one of the dead sentries, and the latter flew out of the watchtower and crashed into the ground.
Zu An was stunned.
That naturally caused an uproar. Many soldiers rushed over right away. Firework fearlessly leaped down the watchtower and valiantly fought the soldiers.
Zu An thought that it was a foolish move, but he had to admit that her valiance was charming, like a rose blooming on the battlefield. Her disposition resembled Yani’s. Perhaps this was her true personality.
He cut his thoughts short and joined the battle.
More soldiers arrived, but the two of them were no ordinary experts. Their judgment and fighting prowess far surpassed this world’s Five Greats, and there was a natural rapport between them. They covered each other’s blind spots and protected each other from harm. They managed to slaughter a path out of the Mongolian camp and escape.
The Mongolian soldiers were startled. The general hurriedly wrote a letter to report the incident to his superiors.
Zu And Firework fled into a stream. They'd survived the crisis, but due to the restrictions on their supernatural powers, they had still incurred considerable injuries.
While Firework was cleaning her injuries, Zu An grumbled in displeasure, “That was very rash. We could have snuck away quietly.”
They could have slipped away without alarming anyone, but Firework just had to kick the sentry out of the watchtower and draw the attention of the Mongolian soldiers.
“You know nothing at all. Do you know the first thing a tiger ought to do upon arriving in a foreign environment?” Firework scoffed. Before Zu An could speak a word, she continued, “It’s to pick a fight with the animals there. Only then will it know its standing in the new environment.”
Zu An had told her about the Five Greats and the power levels in this world, but those were theoretical. The easiest way to know what she was up against was to get into a fight.
She had wanted to spar with Guo Jing, but the latter was her ‘father’ and could suspect something if she suddenly became strong enough to beat him up. So, she'd instead decided to pick a fight with the Mongols to gain a rough grasp of her standing.
Zu An looked at her with pity. “You’re instinctively thinking like a wild beast even though you used to be a human. What happened?”
Firework’s nonchalant expression warped in fury. She flitted to him, grabbed his neck, and exclaimed, “You bastard! Where did you hear that from?”
1. The five strongest people in this world, with two of them being Guo Jing and Yang Guo ☜