It must be almost dusk, right? Sky Qi frowned. Then he realized a serious problem.
Where was this place again? He’d nearly forgotten he was in some unknown inn. How could he find that old buddy who always hung out at the blacksmith’s?
Sky Qi opened the door and trudged downstairs. At the counter, he slapped the table. Noah jolted awake from his nap.
A gentle smile greeted him. Sky Qi forced a friendly tone. “Um, sir, do you know where this is?”
“Uh, Noah’s Inn, of course.” Noah was baffled. Didn’t he see the huge sign when he arrived?
Then Noah spotted something odd. A black collar circled the boy’s neck. A runaway slave? Nobles often kept sex slaves. This fresh-faced kid fit the type.
But his elegant demeanor didn’t match. Noah asked, surprised, “Why wear a collar?”
Sky Qi’s expression shifted slightly, then smoothed over. “Haha, just decoration. Looks cool, right?”
Noah’s eyelid twitched. The collar did suit him, but the excuse was weak. Still, why pry? Even as a slave, he seemed oddly noble.
“Huh. Your name, sir? How can I help?”
Sky Qi almost blurted his real name but stopped. Powerless and vulnerable, revealing it meant death.
He smiled. “Xu Tian.”
“Xu Tian? Sounds familiar.”
“Ha, Continent Strongest Sky Qi? Yeah, kinda similar.” His face stayed blank, like stating a fact.
“I’m Noah, owner here.” His eyes lit up. Someone shared his humor.
“Do you know Beck’s Blacksmith?” Sky Qi asked carefully.
Noah thought. “That weird little smith? Not far. I’ll give you a map.”
He rummaged in a drawer. “Damn, so much junk.” A crumpled paper flew out.
Sky Qi wiped his brow. Was this guy reliable?
Two minutes later, Noah pulled out a dusty map. Grime covered most details.
Sky Qi blew on it. Dust billowed, nearly choking him. How ancient was this thing? Would it work?
Noah waved dismissively. “Don’t worry. It’ll work.”
Sky Qi took it half-believing, thanked him, and left.
Soon, he found the blacksmith’s shop. Nothing weird happened en route. Had his F Rank luck paused? No time to think—he needed power back.
Outside stood a purple-haired man, older than Sky Qi. Distant hammering echoed.
Up close, the man’s plain face showed no sweat. Heavy labor looked effortless.
The shop was bare: an oilcloth blocked sun, a curtain hid living quarters.
The man heard footsteps. He kept hammering, voice tired. “Weapon forging starts at 100 gold coins…”
“It’s me!” Sky Qi’s mouth twitched.
“Damn? You?” Surprise flickered in his eyes. “What brings you here?”
“I need help.”
“Inside.” He patted Sky Qi’s shoulder, lifted the curtain.
As it closed, he waved. A glow sealed the fabric.
Sky Qi knew it—a soundproofing magic. A simple trick.
“Lin Xiarri, you must help me!” Sky Qi grabbed his hands.
“Gross!” Lin Xiarri gagged, shaking him off. Then he saw the collar.
“What’s this…” His jaw dropped, staring in disbelief.
Lin Xiarri nodded slowly. “You want it removed?”
Sky Qi nodded eagerly.
“Three tiny magic arrays? Six seals? Why on your neck?” Suspicion filled his gaze.
Sky Qi sighed. “Long story.” He recounted the past two days.
Lin Xiarri froze. Then he burst out laughing, rolling on the floor. “HAHAHA! I’m dying!”
“The mighty Continent Strongest, toyed with in bed by the Vampire Princess for two days!”
“Damn, let me laugh five minutes!”
“HAHAHA! Huge news! You’ll lose all face!”
“HAHAHA, Sky Qi!”
Sky Qi deadpanned. “Is it that funny?”
“Of course! Damn HAHAHA! Tell me next time—I need laughs.”
“Laugh later. Help now.” Sky Qi rolled his eyes.
Lin Xiarri stifled giggles, leaning close. “First, this collar’s origin.”
Made from black dragon metal—indestructible. Six magic arrays formed six seals. Each suppressed one rank.
Sky Qi’s strength crashed from S Rank to F Rank, below average.
“Can it be undone?” Sky Qi pressed.
Lin Xiarri shook his head.
Sky Qi’s shoulders slumped.
“But I can destroy four arrays.”
Four seals broken. He’d regain B Rank strength—just one percent of his power.
Still, regaining even that was a blessing.
