A Legendary Encounter and a Surprising Revelation

After much deliberation, Ming Yu decided to observe the situation and act accordingly.

After all, her current predicament was truly difficult to articulate.

She sighed inwardly, her gaze drifting casually towards the world outside the car window.

From this prime vantage point, she could see a glimpse of the central inner city’s urban development.

The architectural style presented a beauty that blended ancient charm with modern design. There were no particularly distinct zoning classifications to be seen. A sprawling ring-rail system connected each regional node, providing access in every direction.

Unlike the outer city’s system, the ring-rail cars here were designed with comfort in mind. Spacious carriages featured numerous plush seats, inviting passengers to relax.

With only a few minutes left until her arrival, Ming Yu removed the metal mask covering her face. She replaced it with a soft black mask, allowing her brilliant, deep crimson eyes to be exposed.

Few passengers occupied the carriage, each maintaining a quiet solitude. Consequently, the entire environment felt remarkably serene.

Suddenly, a rustling sound emerged from beside her.

Ming Yu withdrew her gaze, turning her head to watch the elder who had just settled into the empty seat beside her.

Scars and wrinkles crisscrossed the elder’s face, a testament to a life lived. Though his countenance was weathered, his eyes still gleamed with a vibrant intensity.

A silver-grey metallic prosthesis replaced his right arm. Its craftsmanship was exceptionally delicate, with a faint halo of light shimmering across its surface.

The elder turned slightly, meeting Ming Yu’s gaze directly. He fumbled in his pocket, then spoke in a calm, measured tone:

“Hello,” he said. “A pleasure to meet you. I am Seti, the President of the Hunter Association.”

The deep voice resonated in Ming Yu’s ears, sending a jolt through her heart.

Ming Yu’s brow furrowed, her expression subtly tensing.

‘The President? Seti? The legendary hunter whose name was known far and wide?’

Hunter ranks corresponded directly to sea beast classifications. However, beyond the S-rank sea beasts, there existed even more terrifying, legendary colossal fiends.

And across all of Pharos, there was only one living legend.

“Jiang Chen has been mentioning you frequently of late,” Seti remarked. “He calls you his proudest student, boasting everywhere that he’s practically a half-step to legend for having mentored an S-rank hunter.”

Seti chuckled, then shifted the topic.

“Should I address you as Silver Kite, or Ming Yu?”

His tone remained calm, as if he were merely engaging in casual conversation.

“As you wish,” Ming Yu replied, adjusting her posture and speaking with a serious demeanor.

If the elder’s words were true, then a living legend sat right beside her. Though she had never personally met him, Ming Yu had heard tales of his deeds long ago, fostering a profound respect in her heart.

She dared not show even a hint of negligence or disrespect.

Decades prior, when the legendary colossal fiend—Setes, the King of the Nearshore—attacked, this very President sacrificed an arm. In doing so, he saved the lives of hundreds of millions across Pharos.

Without him, Ming Yu might never have had the chance to be born.

No one truly knew how the legendary hunter accomplished this feat. They only knew that the colossal beast, which had leaped from the sea large enough to eclipse the sky, had a critical brain organ shattered by a single punch.

The former King of the Nearshore was transformed into a vegetative state. To this day, it continues to exert its residual power within Pharos’s strictly regulated forbidden waters, deterring other legendary colossal fiends from approaching too readily.

Noticing Ming Yu’s somewhat reserved demeanor, Seti waved a hand dismissively. His tone was light and casual as he spoke:

“No need to be nervous,” he said. “The Association has gained another formidable member, and I felt I ought to take the time to pay a visit… Silver Kite, what are your thoughts?”

“I have no objections.”

“Heh heh, actually, I’ve come to you with two questions,” Seti continued. “I hope you can clear up some of my uncertainties.”

“Please, speak freely.”

“Then I won’t beat around the bush,” Seti said, pausing before asking in a deep voice. “I’ve carefully reviewed your mission report. During the hunt for Jörmungaṇḍr, an unforeseen incident caused the plan to fail, and your team was almost entirely wiped out. Is that correct?”

Hearing this, Ming Yu’s eyes dimmed.

“Yes…”

“I see. Now for my second question… The sea beast surge two months ago, you handled the Steam Squid at Port 16, didn’t you?”

“Yes.”

“During the process, did you find it particularly difficult?”

“Uh, it seems… not.”

“According to holographic footage and eyewitness accounts, you dispatched it with considerable ease…”

“However, the Steam Squid you cut down was classified as an S-rank sea beast.”

“Huh? That thing was S-rank?”

Seeing her reaction, Seti narrowed his eyes slightly, shedding his amiable expression.

“From Jörmungaṇḍr to the Steam Squid, your strength has clearly undergone a phenomenal leap, a progression so vast it’s almost unbelievable…”

“I hope you can enlighten me about the key to this rapid advancement.”

“This…”

Ming Yu snapped back to reality, her brows deeply furrowed as she pondered the information Seti had provided.

‘That Steam Squid was actually S-rank? Compared to Jörmungaṇḍr, it felt like it wasn’t even in the same league!’

‘Wait, so that means… an S-rank sea beast… was instantly killed by a few slashes from me?’

‘No, no, something must be wrong. How could that be? What kind of joke is this?’

‘Could it be that…’

‘I transformed, and grew stronger?’

****

Regarding her transformation, Ming Yu found herself unable to speak.

President Seti seemed to discern Ming Yu’s predicament. He did not press further, but instead provided her with a communication number for future contact.

Even as she reached her doorstep, Ming Yu hadn’t fully recovered her senses.

The instant defeat of an S-rank sea beast and the chance encounter with a legendary hunter continuously replayed in her mind.

The moment Ming Yu stepped through the door, Qing Shui Ling Yin, who had been quietly sitting on the sofa, suddenly rose.

She cast an expectant gaze in Ming Yu’s direction.

“Ming… Silver Kite?”

Qing Shui Ling Yin paused, her frozen expression slowly softening.

She forced a polite smile onto her face.

“It’s you…”

“Mm-hm.”

Ming Yu nodded to her, then quickly scanned the living room.

However, she didn’t see Little Nightingale anywhere.

That was strange. She had announced her arrival in advance.

Normally, Little Nightingale would rush forward with joy, her eyes crinkling into a sweet smile as she greeted Ming Yu with a “Welcome home”…

Why was she nowhere to be seen today?

This thought flashed through her mind, leaving her somewhat puzzled.

No matter. Her current situation with Qing Shui Ling Yin was a perfect opportunity to address the series of troubles and misunderstandings that had arisen since her transformation.

“Qing Shui Ling Yin, come with me. There are some things I need to tell you.”

Ming Yu stepped back out the door, beckoning to Qing Shui Ling Yin to follow.

She led Qing Shui Ling Yin to the rooftop and casually untied the ribbon at the back of her head. Her cascade of silver hair was immediately set free, scattering in the wind.

Before Qing Shui Ling Yin’s eyes, Ming Yu leaped, effortlessly scaling the rooftop wall and perching on the edge of the tall building. She gazed down at the streetscape below, where people moved like tiny ants beneath her feet.

“Be careful!”

Qing Shui Ling Yin rushed forward, a hint of anxiety rising in her heart as she looked at the silver-haired figure before her.

They were over twenty stories high here; a single misstep could lead to unthinkable consequences.

Hearing her, Ming Yu turned, presenting a flawless profile to Qing Shui Ling Yin.

A look of reminiscence flickered in her eyes, and the corner of her lips curved into a faint smile.

“Aren’t you going to come up and sit?”

“I recall you always enjoyed doing dangerous things, didn’t you?”