Volume One: Youth Enters the World Chapter 70: The Worn Copper Shard

Fang Tian noticed the strange look on Zhao Xue’er’s face and smiled, saying, “Princess, didn’t you say you wanted to take me out for a stroll?”

“I regret it now. You’re too good at playing dumb—it’s making me a little annoyed,” Zhao Xue’er snorted.

“Well, since the princess doesn’t want to go, I’ll just head back then.”

“As you wish.” Zhao Xue’er put on an indifferent expression.

Lin Shuang could hardly bear watching them anymore. How was it that the moment these two met, they started sparring with each other, neither willing to give an inch?

“Come on, you two, don’t act like children. Since we’ve agreed, let’s go out for a walk,” Lin Shuang said with a gentle smile, standing up.

“Since Sister Lin asks, I’ll reluctantly agree. Little Yu, don’t get lost along the way.” With that, Zhao Xue’er looped her arm through Lin Shuang’s and headed outside.

Fang Tian chuckled and followed after them.

Within the imperial city, the three of them wandered through the bustling market, chatting as they took in the sights.

“Sister Lin, I want to look over there!” Zhao Xue’er suddenly exclaimed, pointing excitedly in a direction filled with things women would like.

“All right, let’s take a look,” Lin Shuang replied.

“You two go on ahead. I’ll just browse around here,” Fang Tian said, his interest clearly piqued by the stalls nearby.

“Brother Yu, you explore here. Xue’er and I will head over there and come find you later.”

“Mm.”

“Xue’er, let’s go.”

“Little Yu doesn’t want to come?”

“It’s all women’s things over there—I’d feel out of place.”

“Fine then, Sister Lin, let’s go.” With that, Lin Shuang and Zhao Xue’er walked off, leaving Fang Tian on his own. Once they’d gone, he made his way towards the stalls displaying all manner of curios and weapons. He preferred such rare and unusual items over the rest.

As he wandered, Fang Tian saw vendors selling weapons, stones, jade, and even fierce beast pelts—so many things that his eyes could barely take them all in. Stopping at a stall with jade artifacts, he suddenly felt the Heaven-Slaying within his body grow restless, as if trying to disrupt his focus. His brow furrowed as he hurriedly called for Old Tian, communicating with him through his mind. Fang Tian stood rooted to the spot.

“Old Tian, what’s going on? Why is Heaven-Slaying reacting like this?” he asked.

“Xiao Tian, I sense something at that stall resonating with Heaven-Slaying. Take a closer look,” Old Tian replied.

“All right.” Fang Tian scanned the items carefully, but nothing stood out at first. After a while, he spotted a weathered copper shard tucked away in a corner. He picked it up and examined it closely; the shard was covered in green patina, as though it had survived countless ages, exuding an ancient, profound aura that sent a jolt through Fang Tian’s spirit.

At that moment, Heaven-Slaying’s reaction grew even more intense, as if telling Fang Tian that this was the object.

Puzzled, Fang Tian scrutinized the copper shard. Strange patterns covered it—seemingly chaotic, yet with a hidden order—especially as something within seemed to reach out toward him. In a flash, his mind was drawn beyond the heavens, then plunged into an endless, shadowy abyss. He felt as though he’d lived through countless lifetimes—birth, aging, illness, death, the endless cycle of reincarnation—unable to break free. For an instant, he lost himself.

Suddenly, Old Tian’s voice rang out, “Xiao Tian, wake up!”

Hearing the call, Fang Tian snapped back to himself, a trace of lingering fear in his heart as he looked at the copper shard in his hand.

“Old Tian, what is this thing?” he asked.

“If I’m not mistaken, that copper shard is likely a fragment of a Primordial Artifact,” Old Tian replied after a pause.

“You mean it’s the same kind of existence as Heaven-Slaying?”

“Yes, though I can’t tell which one it is.”

“But how could such a divine relic appear so ordinary? There’s no sign of its true nature.”

“I don’t know either. Normally, no living being on this continent could destroy a Primordial Artifact. I’ve existed for so long but never heard of anyone managing such a feat—not even those stronger than my former masters.”

“I never expected to find something like this. I just wonder if this shard still holds any of its original power.”

“Buy it for now. Perhaps you’ll figure it out in the future.”

“All right, I’ll buy it.” At that moment, the stall owner, seeing Fang Tian still fiddling with the worthless-looking shard, grew impatient.

“Are you buying it or not? If not, put it down. It’s just a piece of scrap copper—you’ve been staring at it for ages. Do you even know what you’re looking at?”

“Sorry, I’m interested in this shard. How much?”

“Ten low-grade spirit crystals. Take it and go—don’t hold up my business.”

“Very well. Here are ten low-grade spirit crystals. I’ll take it.”

“Fine, fine.”

Fang Tian smiled wryly. He couldn’t blame the vendor—after all, he’d spent ages looking and then picked the least valuable item.

He put the copper shard away and continued walking, marveling at his luck—he’d just come out for a stroll and stumbled upon such a treasure. Although he didn’t know what it was for, the thought of letting it slip away was unbearable. Such was his inner conflict.

After a while, nothing else caught his fancy, so he returned to the meeting spot to wait for the others. Eventually, Lin Shuang and Zhao Xue’er returned together, chatting and laughing.

“Brother Yu, we’re back!”

“Mm. Shuang’er, Princess, where shall we go next?” Fang Tian asked.

Lin Shuang was about to answer when Zhao Xue’er cut in, “Let’s go over there—there’s a lot of delicious food.”

Fang Tian glanced in that direction and indeed saw many food stalls. Since they were just wandering, he let them lead the way, and the group headed toward the food market.

They hadn’t gone far when they ran into a group of people coming their way. The leader didn’t look ordinary. While Fang Tian was still observing, Lin Shuang spoke up, “This is troublesome.”

“Why?” Fang Tian asked.

Zhao Xue’er explained, “Little Yu, you don’t know. That man is Wu Jie, the second son of the Wu family, one of the four great clans.”

“Does he have some kind of grudge with your Lin family?”

“It’s not exactly a grudge,” Zhao Xue’er said. “He’s more like Sister Lin’s persistent suitor. Sister Lin doesn’t like him and has made her feelings clear, but he’s like a leech—she can’t shake him off. You’ll see for yourself.”

“I see,” Fang Tian replied, understanding Lin Shuang’s concern. It seemed they wouldn’t be leaving any time soon; trouble followed them everywhere.

As soon as Wu Jie saw Lin Shuang, his eyes lit up and he hurried over, smiling. “What a coincidence, Shuang’er!”

“It is a coincidence, but Young Master Wu, please call me Lin Shuang—I’d rather not be misunderstood,” Lin Shuang replied politely.

“Calling you Shuang’er feels so much warmer. Besides, you know my intentions, don’t you?” Wu Jie pressed on, ignoring her words.

“Young Master Wu, I’ve already made myself clear. It’s better not to continue like this,” Lin Shuang said, helpless but unwilling to be rude.

“Shuang’er, you may have said that before, but I know you’re just testing my sincerity. Don’t worry, I won’t give up,” Wu Jie replied, thick-skinned as ever.

Fang Tian and Zhao Xue’er exchanged glances, both feeling uncomfortable. They hadn’t expected someone so shameless.

“Young Master Wu, I’m serious. I already have someone I love, and we’ll be getting married soon,” Lin Shuang said firmly.

“What? You must be joking, Shuang’er.” Wu Jie was incredulous. He couldn’t believe anyone but himself could be worthy of her, and saw her words as an excuse.

“She’s not joking. Let’s go back, Shuang’er,” Fang Tian interjected, unable to tolerate Wu Jie’s persistence any longer.

“And who are you?” Wu Jie snapped, his tone unfriendly. Who was this brat daring to interrupt him and Lin Shuang? He must have a death wish.

“I am her future husband. Since Shuang’er has made herself clear, I hope you won’t trouble her any further,” Fang Tian said, his tone firm.

Wu Jie’s heart lurched at these words, as though something that should have belonged to him had suddenly been taken away. His face darkened, and he said through gritted teeth, “Shuang’er, tell me this isn’t true.”

“Young Master Wu, Brother Yu really is my future husband. Please don’t waste your time on me—it’s not worth it,” Lin Shuang replied, knowing full well that this might anger Wu Jie and offend the entire Wu family. Still, she had to follow the family’s arrangement and could not say otherwise.

Wu Jie’s heart sank, then turned to fury. He stared daggers at Fang Tian. “Kid, I don’t know how you tricked her, but if you know what’s good for you, get lost. Otherwise, I won’t be so polite.”

“My feelings for Shuang’er are sincere—there’s no deception. I understand how you feel, but all I can offer is my apology.”

“An apology? You think that’s enough?” Wu Jie’s voice rose, drawing the attention of those around them.

“Then what do you propose?” Fang Tian asked.

“If you’re man enough to win Shuang’er, then you should be man enough to take a blow from me,” Wu Jie sneered. He’d already noticed Fang Tian’s cultivation didn’t seem high; with his own strength, he could easily defeat him, then use his weakness as proof that only he was worthy of Lin Shuang.

“Fighting in the street isn’t exactly proper, especially in the imperial city,” Fang Tian replied.

“What, are you scared? Someone like you dares to dream of Shuang’er?” Wu Jie snorted disdainfully.