Chapter 103: A Stroll Through the City

Shen Duo stepped out of the dressing room, awkwardly adjusting the collar of her black jacket. She seemed uncertain about how to coordinate the collar inside with the one outside. She looked up at the person before her with a hint of confusion.

At that moment, Qin Lietian happened to walk in.

Of course, it was impossible that she would be so stunning as to leave him speechless—after all, this body was only fifteen years old.

Qin Lietian paused slightly as he took in Shen Duo’s attire.

After long training and with her current Sword King strength, her body had grown increasingly resilient. Compared to her time in Luo City, she seemed transformed entirely.

Her skin was translucent and radiant. Her long black hair, slightly tousled from changing clothes, was simply left to fall freely. Under the glow of the spirit stones, her straight hair shimmered with a bluish-purple luster, cascading just below her shoulders, the ends curling gently.

This body was probably only about 1.6 meters tall. She usually tied her hair in a ponytail, her cold face exuding a sharp aura. Coupled with her past life as a female armed police officer, her posture—whether walking, sitting, or standing—was always upright and disciplined.

Now, suddenly letting her hair down added a gentle, feminine grace, making it hard to look away.

In fact, the variety of fashionable clothes across the continent’s various nations was vast, but the world’s harsh rules meant everything relied on strength. This caused the development of side industries to lag behind.

Both illusionists and swordsmen were constantly busy honing their power, paying little attention to aesthetics. Thus, most illusionists and swordsmen wore lightweight, easy-to-move robes. Luxurious dresses and tailcoats were reserved only for royal occasions or academy banquets.

Shen Duo was currently dressed in a simple yet elegant deep blue knee-length dress, overlaid with a tight black short jacket. If she hadn’t been sure that this outfit was indeed an enchanted defensive garment, she never would have worn it.

How could one fight wearing clothes like this?

Her outfit reminded her of those female sword-wielders in online games who wore dresses while carrying heavy swords—purely an idealized design by game developers to satisfy consumers, utterly impractical in reality.

The receptionist walked over and exaggeratedly complimented, “Oh my, madam, you look truly beautiful in this outfit.”

Qin Lietian smiled with his arms crossed, “Indeed, it suits you very well. Duo, you should buy it. This outfit is perfect for you.”

Shen Duo’s mouth twitched as she turned and went back into the dressing room. The receptionist smiled awkwardly and followed, politely suggesting, “If you don’t like this style, madam, perhaps try this one!”

When Shen Duo came out again and stood before the spirit stone to see her reflection, her expression turned completely dark.

She wore a pink woolen high-waisted long coat trimmed with lace, black stockings patterned with rose motifs, matching pink semi-long boots made of mountain deer leather. The diligent receptionist had even pinned a beautiful ruby hairpin into her smooth black hair.

Aside from Shen Duo’s sour expression, she looked like a delicate porcelain doll before everyone.

Even Qin Lietian couldn’t help but appraise her from head to toe, clearly quite charmed by her appearance.

The receptionist, pleased with her handiwork, was about to praise her when Shen Duo’s dark expression startled her into silence.

She nervously followed behind Shen Duo and asked, “Madam, you don’t like this style either?” She glanced helplessly at Qin Lietian.

Shen Duo bit her lip in frustration and said, “Just bring out some simple illusionist robes.”

The receptionist glanced at Qin Lietian as if seeking approval. Shen Duo held her breath in frustration, knowing this was because of him. He probably enjoyed bringing girls here to try on such clothes, leading the store to misunderstand, and now she was caught in the middle.

After that, the clothes Shen Duo tried on were much more normal. This store was indeed excellent—illusionist robes were finely crafted, defensively enchanted, fitting and comfortable.

Shen Duo confidently picked several sets, also picking a few male styles based on Qin Lietian’s build.

Qin Lietian raised his eyebrows as he noticed her choice.

When the receptionist presented the bill to Qin Lietian, he merely sat on the sofa, glancing at Shen Duo.

The receptionist was surprised and looked at Qin Lietian then back at Shen Duo, wondering if the lady was going to pay.

Shen Duo noticed the receptionist going directly to Qin Lietian for payment and hoped to save the expense, but the man had no intention of paying for her.

Qin Lietian just kept looking at her with a sly smile, clearly doubting she could afford the clothes.

Without a word, Shen Duo pulled out several bags of gold coins from her storage ring and placed them on the counter, then stored the purchased clothes inside her ring.

Qin Lietian stared wide-eyed at the suddenly wealthy young lady, dumbfounded. When he met Shen Duo, her unassuming appearance made him think she was a struggling swordsman cultivator. That was why he deliberately brought her to this outrageously expensive clothing store, hoping to persuade her about something and thus get involved with her. Unexpectedly, this young girl was so “hidden in plain sight.”

Shen Duo ignored Qin Lietian’s astonished gaze and walked out of the store on her own.

Qin Lietian hurried after her, grinning shamelessly, “When will you give me those male illusionist robes you picked?”

Shen Duo turned and gave him a strange look, her clear, innocent eyes yet her words struck like arrows. “You’re not paying, so of course, the clothes aren’t for you.”

Qin Lietian’s face flushed deeply, feeling more embarrassed than ever. At that moment, he wished he could find a crack in the ground to hide in.

Shen Duo was utterly exasperated with this persistent leech; her plans had been completely thrown off by Qin Lietian.

Finally, she had no choice but to ask, “Do you know when the Rebirth Gorge opens?”

Qin Lietian’s face lit up with excitement as he bent slightly, parting the crowd on the street for her, “Duo, you’re finally willing to talk to me!”

Shen Duo rolled her eyes at him.

“The Rebirth Gorge opens in three days. I’ve told you before, it has nothing to do with you swordsmen. After thousands and thousands of years, magical beasts on the continent are almost extinct. Even deep inside Rebirth Gorge, there are only a few pitiful ones left—just enough to be captured by illusionists as illusion beasts! What could you possibly meddle with? The old guys in the academy are just bored and meddling for no reason…”

Once he started, he couldn’t stop. Shen Duo hastily interrupted, puzzled, “Isn’t the opening at the edge of Rebirth Gorge, not the depths?”

Qin Lietian looked at her in disbelief. “What’s the use of opening the edge of Rebirth Gorge? Do you think this is still the continent from thousands of years ago when the edge was filled with high-level magical beasts?”