CHAPTER 358: CHAPTER 3: THE LEGEND OF THE DRAGON SLAYER

After leaving the Five Saints Mercenary Branch, Yue Jinghua and Shalman did not head straight to the local White Moon Pavilion recommended by Yun Luo, but instead began to stroll along Sis Street, one of the main thoroughfares of Five Saints Town.

For Yue Jinghua and Shalman, this was their first visit to Five Saints Town, where they would live for a while, making it essential to familiarize themselves with the local terrain and understand the customs of the local people.

Unlike Fengdan Bailu which is located on the periphery of Xuan Beast Ridge and affected by the climate of the northern plateau, Five Saints Town situated in the mid-area of Xuan Beast Ridge boasts a vast terrain, spanning dozens of kilometers.

It is surrounded by mountains and located in a basin amidst the low-lying areas.

The mountains shield the town from the cold icy air from the exterior, making the climate of Five Saints Town spring-like all year round without significant changes between hot and cold seasons.

The town only has two seasons, spring and autumn, and most people on the streets wear light clothing.

Owing to its proximity to Fire Peak, known as the dead volcano of the continent, the melted snow from the mountains annually gives rise to famous hot springs under the influence of geothermal heat, making Five Saints Town a renowned resort and scenic area.

After several hundred years of development, the town now houses over fifty thousand permanent residents, plus more than five thousand mercenaries frequently coming and going, making Five Saints Town one of the most prosperous border towns in the north of the Dragon War Empire.

The town planning is well-thought-out, with Sis Street dividing the town according to function: the eastern new district, the western old district, and the central area.

The old district was established by the earliest pioneers and is inhabited by a large number of locals, mostly in old-style residential buildings that are crowded but lively.

The new district emerged as an extension when mercenaries poured into Xuan Beast Ridge, featuring a plethora of grocery stores, weapon shops, and taverns revered by mercenaries, also the most bustling area at night in the town.

As for the central area, it was built due to the influx of tourists visiting the hot springs that were developed each year.

The buildings here are spacious and bright, rich in regional characteristics. By just roughly eyeballing it, Yue Jinghua could tell that this area must have quite a few investments from the Dragon War Empire, the Ruison Federation, and even the Shang Kingdom.

The central area also hosts major organizations such as town guard forces and the Mercenary Guild, and the previously recommended White Moon Pavilion by Yun Luo is also located in a corner of the central area.

As Yue Jinghua passed through the bustling new district where mercenaries were frequently present, she heard the tinkling sound of spring water, and saw in front of her, under a statue carved from Flowing Light Rock, a fountain emitting a warm mist, spraying beautiful water jets.

Flowing Light Rock is a precious stone material mostly used for sculptures of emperors or high officials of the empire. This stone has beautifully patterned veins, it absorbs sunlight during the day, and emits a flowing light at night, dazzling and magnificent.

"It’s the Hero Ancient Statue," Shalman, having arrived in Fengdan County, had also heard the locals tell the legend of the brave warrior who slaughtered the Evil Jiao. It is said that this warrior was one of the earliest adventurers to enter Xuan Beast Ridge, and some rumors suggest he was a mercenary himself. Therefore, as Five Saints Town prospered, the local Mercenary Branch spent a significant sum to build this landmark hot spring statue here.

Although a stone sculpture has been made for the Dragon Slayer Brave Warrior, no one knows the true name and origins of this hero, not even his actual level of cultivation is known to the outside world.

There are rumors that after seriously injuring the Evil Jiao, he entered the Five Saints Mountain and never came out again. Some say he is a master at the Dark Heavenly Peak, who entered the Holy Mountain in order to break through to the Dan Realm. Others believe he had already surpassed the Dan Realm, and that his venture into Five Saints Mountain was to uncover the world-shaking secrets hidden within.

Unfortunately, once a strong individual enters the Five Saints Mountain, they never make any contact again, and as time passes, all that is left for the people is the statue of the hero before their eyes.

This statue is six feet tall, its contours are not clear, only barely recognizable. The Dragon Slayer Brave Warrior was a strong, deep-eyed, and muscular man. However, such a physique and features are quite common in the northern plateau area of the Eastern Continent and nothing out of the ordinary.

What caught Yue Jinghua’s attention on this statue was the set of armor worn by the Dragon Slayer Expert.

Yue Jinghua had perused the Continent History and knew that for a long period, powerhouses of the continent predominantly wore Heavy Armor. However, this Dragon Slayer Warrior wore no Heavy Armor but instead was cloaked in a cape, with a sturdy figure beneath.

"Jinghua, look at this fountain," Shalman couldn’t help but dip his hand into the hot spring water, where the warmth of the water felt incredibly comfortable.

This hot spring had a radius of about ten meters wide, and aside from the distinctive water quality, the pool was also filled with a variety of colorful and uniquely-shaped Rain Flower Stones. Moreover, numerous warm-water fish of vibrant colors lived at the bottom, which were especially beloved by young tourists.

"It’s a sulfur hot spring," Yue Jinghua sniffed the scent of the water. The hot springs of Five Saints Town were famous along the main road, known to relieve fatigue, regenerate flesh, and activate blood. For women, these sulfur hot springs were also beneficial for the skin.

She was crafty and, without Shalman noticing, slipped a small parrot snail into the water.

"Let’s find a time to soak in the hot springs," Shalman, who was still playing with the water, had been busy in Fengdan County for a while. She had gone to great lengths to improve the Stone-eating Fragrant Pigs, and now that she had finally left Fengdan County, the thought of lounging was very tempting.

"When you become a Two-star Mercenary, I will treat you to a hot spring," Yue Jinghua teased.

"I’ve never seen a stingier boss than you, with no basic employee benefits. One day, I’m going to strike," Shalman pouted with discontent, then her eyes lit up as she saw a store with many animal cages at the entrance. The sign read: A wide array of high-quality Dark Beast Cubs and Dark Beast Eggs for sale.

In most cities of the Eastern Continent, due to the scarcity of Dark Beasts, Dark Beast Cubs and Ancient Xuan Beast Eggs are coveted and hard to come by, usually seen only at underground auctions like those in nightclubs.

But in Five Saints Town, the situation is quite the opposite, primarily because it’s situated adjacent to Xuan Beast Ridge. Mercenaries frequently enter and leave Xuan Beast Ridge, inevitably capturing some cubs and Dark Eggs alive. If lucky, they might even find one or two high-level Dark Beasts.

Shalman was a Cultivator, and for her, Dark Beast Cubs were as irresistible as dresses are to women.

Yue Jinghua was interested in assessing the business conditions of various shops in Five Saints Town, so she followed Shalman into one of them.