Volume One: Another World Chapter Six: My Fragility Exposed

Li Yu did not resist.

Although that delicate device emitted light towards him, as if it had detected something unusual, the woman did not draw her sword or threaten him with weapons. Combined with her words, it was clear that the instrument was only to determine eligibility for the test on the platform.

So, what occupied Li Yu’s mind most at this moment was: just how strong was this woman? She had easily lifted him with one hand, or rather, tucked him under her arm and strode towards the high platform without so much as breaking a sweat or showing the slightest flush.

“Could you change the way you’re carrying me…? This is not exactly the most dignified posture…” Li Yu complained, feeling that, as she moved, he kept bumping into places that would be very painful to be struck.

Everyone along the way made room for them, and the woman swiftly brought Li Yu to the base of the platform.

“Wait until the boy up there comes down, then go up and look for that grandpa, all right?” she said gently, even pointing at the old man on the platform to make sure Li Yu understood.

Li Yu was speechless.

Did she really take him for a fool?

Still, after a moment’s hesitation, he nodded. The fact that so many people were watching the test showed how seriously it was regarded here. If he took part, perhaps he could blend into this world more easily. After all, quite a few people on the platform just now had failed to elicit any response from the stone—one more person like himself wouldn’t make a difference or be embarrassing.

Li Yu consoled himself; with his thick skin, this was nothing.

Seeing him nod, the woman relaxed a little. Just then, the boy on the platform descended, and she quickly nudged Li Yu. “Hurry, go up there! That grandpa has treats!”

…

Li Yu approached the platform, where the old man greeted him kindly, “Don’t be nervous.”

Seeing that the old man detected nothing strange, Li Yu relaxed, nodded, and bowed his head in imitation of the others, making it easier for the old man to proceed.

The old man placed one hand on the stone, channeling a steady flow of spiritual energy into it and guiding out its mysterious power, while his other hand rested on Li Yu’s head, directing the stone’s energy into Li Yu.

“How comfortable…” Li Yu grinned. He felt an incomparable warmth from the old man’s hand enveloping him.

The next instant, a sudden change occurred!

Thunderous booms resounded in the night sky. The old man raised his head in astonishment as, in the blink of an eye, lightning flickered and rolled overhead.

The warmth continued to surge, and only then did Li Yu sense that something was wrong—this energy was flooding into his body, circulating throughout him.

Most crucially, the Thunderblood he had acquired from his sign-in seemed to be responding to a call, gradually boiling up within him, manifesting itself. Li Yu felt feverish all over, an unparalleled power coursing through him.

He opened his eyes, and brilliant blue light flashed within them.

“What’s this?” Li Yu noticed that his body was wreathed in crackling lightning, arcs of electricity dancing across his skin. Then he looked up and noticed the strange scene in the sky.

“Huh, is it about to rain? Why isn’t anyone below hurrying to bring in their laundry?”

Meanwhile, the old man was staring at him, trembling from head to toe.

“Did that old man get shocked silly?” Li Yu muttered, suddenly worried. If someone got electrocuted, would he have to pay compensation?

“Thunderblood! It’s Thunderblood!” the old man shouted, turning to the now-silent crowd in the square.

The next moment, a tidal wave of frenzied cheering erupted, louder than any previous shout.

Everyone in the square roared with wild excitement, as if witnessing a miracle.

The system’s electronic voice sounded in Li Yu’s mind, so he learned what the crowd was shouting. He scratched his head—apparently, the Thunderblood he’d signed in for was quite a treasure here!

Beneath the platform, more than a dozen guards in gleaming white armor stood maintaining order, but when the old man shouted, four of them rushed up the platform to surround Li Yu.

“Elder Mu, we’ll take him away for now,” said a middle-aged man in his forties.

“That’s not enough. Leave five—no, just three to maintain order, and have the rest protect him,” the old man whispered, frowning. “Take him straight to my residence!”

“Yes, sir.”

Li Yu hadn’t said a word, feeling he’d done nothing but get pushed up to have his talent tested. He’d thought he might have to throw out some line like, “Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west; never look down on the poor youth.” He never expected to become the center of attention, with his safety guarded by an entourage.

No—he actually had made an effort, he reminded himself. He’d taken a cab to the city library to check in!

After leaving the platform, the middle-aged man, dissatisfied with their speed, suddenly scooped Li Yu up, and the group quickly left the square.

Li Yu was speechless.

If it had to be like this, he would have preferred the young lady from before.

Once outside the square, the man quickened his pace, the wind whipping Li Yu’s face so fiercely that even with his reinforced skin, it stung.

Having taken the Marrow Cleansing Pill and greatly enhanced his physique, Li Yu still could barely keep his eyes open against the wind.

After several dizzy minutes, the man finally set him down.

Li Yu nearly retched.

The armored guards who had come along chuckled.

Li Yu glared—if he didn’t find a spot soon, he’d puke all over them!

Gradually recovering, he began to take in his surroundings.

In truth, slipping into the square or being tested on the platform was nothing compared to facing these people directly. Before, he could bluff his way through; now, he had to be sharp.

He glanced at the people around him. This was his first real contact with the inhabitants of another world, and he hoped to make a good impression. Although he could return home at any time, if he vanished suddenly, who knew what consequences might follow?

What if they kept waiting for him to reappear?

Li Yu mentally rehearsed a story, preparing for anyone who might question his origins.

He quickly shifted his attention to the environment—it was hard not to, given the overwhelming presence of these people. The shortest of them was no less than 1.8 meters tall, while the tallest topped two meters, each one rippling with explosive muscles, their presence oppressive.

Though Li Yu himself was 1.8 meters tall, thanks to the Marrow Cleansing Pill, his slighter build made him look rather small next to these giants.

Like a frail chick.

One of them noticed Li Yu’s gaze and flashed a friendly, toothy grin.

To Li Yu, it looked more like he was about to be eaten.

“Are luminous pearls cheap in this world?” Li Yu mused, noticing the walls were studded with them for illumination.

“Maybe I can exploit the differences between the two worlds to make some money,” he murmured. “Those pearls are worth a fortune back home.”

As his thoughts wandered, the circle of guards parted, and the old man from the platform approached.

Li Yu finally took a good look at him. The old man’s snowy beard nearly reached his waist, the wrinkles on his face could hide a finger, and he leaned on a wooden staff, shuffling unsteadily.

He seemed completely different from the dignified figure on the platform.

“#￥*#%%&*%,” the old man said kindly.

“System, what did he say?” Li Yu smiled on the outside, but inside he was desperately urging for an answer.

[He’s asking if you’re from around here.]

“System, how do you know what to say?” Li Yu thought.

“%…*&%,” Li Yu replied, nodding to the old man and repeating the system’s words verbatim.

Outwardly calm, inside he was ready to flee to the real world at the slightest sign of trouble.

Nothing was more important than his life.

[He says no one from around here has skin as smooth and tender as yours.]

Li Yu was speechless.

“So, in the end, it was my delicate appearance that gave me away.”