Rebirth: A Cinderella's Counterattack

Chapter 1668: Chapter 1648:

People came and went around, seemingly no different from the usual town, just that some wore fierce expressions, some looked ingratiating, and some indifferent. Everyone seemed to carry a sense of guardedness, not trusting each other, always alert.

Unlike them, engaging in calm conversation with friends ironically drew quite a bit of attention.

The five of them stopped at a seemingly ancient shop’s entrance. The shop sign was carved from wood, showing signs of weather and time, yet it exuded a solemn feeling.

The shop had no name, but the sign was painted with various weapons, clearly indicating it was a weapon store, standing with an air of charm amidst many bustling shops.

”You two go inside, we’ll wait for you outside,” Mo smiled at the two, gesturing to the tea house across: ”Don’t rush, follow your heart.”

After finishing his words, the three turned and headed toward the tea house opposite.

He Wenyu reached out to grab Luo Qianqian’s sleeve: ”Why does it feel kind of off?”

Luo Qianqian nodded: ”To be precise, it seems like some kind of necessary ritual, doesn’t it? Ever since we stood here, people passing by have unconsciously glanced at us.”

”Should we go in then?” He Wenyu suddenly felt a little anxious.

”Of course.” Luo Qianqian reached out to hold He Wenyu’s hand, gave her a gentle smile: ”No matter what happens, we’ll bear it together, right?”

”Yes.” Holding Luo Qianqian’s hand tightly, both walked steadily into the shop in front of them.

Meanwhile, in the tea house opposite, the three swapped for matching cloaks, took similar emblems, pinned them to their chest positions, concealing their figures and appearance.

”I wonder who it will be...” Bai Yinshu raised an eyebrow: ”Speaking of which, aren’t you following them?”

Mo and Yan exchanged a glance without speaking.

As Luo Qianqian and He Wenyu entered the room, they discovered that, aside from the clearly dozing elderly man sitting behind the desk, there was nobody else inside.

”He seems to be asleep?” He Wenyu lowered her voice.

Luo Qianqian nodded: ”Then let’s wait. After all, we’re not in a rush.” Luo Qianqian calmly sat with He Wenyu on the side chairs, both observing the room’s decor.

Clearly, the room’s items were ancient but carried a unique charm.

The tables and chairs bore marks of time but were well-maintained, exuding a subtle fragrance, and the seemingly inconspicuous incense burner added an air of simplicity, the scent surprisingly familiar, like Bai Yinshu’s handiwork.

Seven paintings hung on the wall, each of which Luo Qianqian dared not look directly at, feeling something in them attracted her with a deadly lure, yet if she truly got drawn in, she didn’t know what outcome awaited. Although appearing as ordinary landscapes, they carried a peculiar air.

He Wenyu was panting heavily, eyes closed, forehead sweaty: ”These paintings, so terrifying... They harbor intent to kill; I seem to see a sword striking at me.”

At hearing this, the elderly man’s eyelashes twitched slightly.

Shock crossed Luo Qianqian’s face: ”Stop looking, rest with closed eyes. I dare not look either.”

At Luo Qianqian’s words, the elderly man’s mouth couldn’t help but twitch.

Even with bowed heads, strange marks on the floor tiles connected seamlessly, also carrying a peculiar air.

He Wenyu complied, yet quickly got drawn back to the paintings, eyes fixated, seemingly trapped within, motionless like a specimen if not for rhythmic breathing.

At that moment, Luo Qianqian appeared oblivious to He Wenyu’s abnormality, following the floor patterns with her gaze upward...

In the next instant, she too fell into He Wenyu’s same state, wholly absorbed.

Meanwhile, He Wenyu’s gaze narrowed the paintings to merely a sword image, with the landscapes vanishing entirely.

”The Heaven-Slashing Sword?” The elder slowly emerged from behind the desk, studied He Wenyu staring at the artwork, and nodded slightly; most people tend towards the attacking faction.

Finishing his observation of Luo Qianqian, surprise marked his gaze upon witnessing her looking upward, a faint shock in his eyes, mouth slightly agape, then stepping back silently, retrieving the Communication Jade Slip...

”The Thousand Mechanism Box...?” The elder shook his head gently, turned toward the storage behind the heavy drapes.

He retrieved two boxes, one a reddish-brown wooden box, gently opened and placed on He Wenyu’s table; inside rested a long sword identical to the painting’s, sword Qi imposing.

The other ebony wooden box held a small black box, common in appearance, lacking the sword’s sharpness.

Time passed, and the two awakened, staring at the boxes with a start; Luo Qianqian casually twisted hers twice, transforming it into a black longsword, heavier than the one in front of He Wenyu.

”Let’s go, best not disrupt the next guests.” After understanding their experience, the two comprehended this as the academy’s first test; failing to acquire a weapon meant failing the first round.

They bowed slightly towards the counter, turned, and left.

The old man, eyes shut, opened them, gazed at their departing backs, shaking his head in puzzlement. This child showed no peculiarities, why specifically the Thousand Mechanism Box?

Once the pair exited, four gazes from the tea house opposite simultaneously fell upon them, relaxing at sight of their weapons.

A girl radiating elegance and immortality, unforgettable in appearance, observed them through a room’s half-open window, gently closed it, returned to her seat with a nod: ”Fortunately, not too bad-looking.”

”So, you’re in agreement?” The man opposite expressed relief: ”Indeed, this opportunity is rare; even Little Tian sent me some data earlier... didn’t expect him to truly predict it.”

”Brother, the walls have ears.” The girl calmly regarded the man, withdrew a longsword, casually strapped it on: ”We know their destination now, no need to hurry; that place ultimately belongs to us.”

”Indeed.”

Meanwhile, Luo Qianqian and He Wenyu remained unaware of the four’s presence upstairs, enthusiastically showing off with the other three.