Chapter 1073

[Scene: The legendary restricted zone known as “God’s Atlantis”]

“Approaching the Three Walls of Sector 5,845.”

We’ve arrived at the HQ of Black Bamboo Syndicate in sector 5,845. This place truly has three massive walls surrounding it in a circular formation.

To be honest, I don’t know much about this sector. It never appeared in the original “Atlantis” materials or setting guides. Despite my research, there wasn’t much to find.

Rui Mei also seemed clueless about this place.

“According to those who conquered this area with the syndicate leader back in the day… it wasn’t that difficult.”

“In the early days of Atlantis, there were some sectors that practically gave themselves away. Guess this was one of them.”

The difficulty levels of Atlantis sectors vary wildly. Some you can clear just by entering, while others are nearly impossible to even approach.

“Yeah. All we had to do was get past the three walls to reach the center.”

“The walls are about 50 meters high. Are there any gates?”

“There’s one each on the west and east sides. But apparently, they flew over during the conquest and it was still considered a valid clearance.”

“Some people just have all the luck, huh.”

Rui Mei and I popped the Wind Leaf into our mouths.

“Wind Leaf


Allows flight for 10 minutes


Type: Consumable


Rank: B”

The green leaf tasted surprisingly crispy and nutty despite its appearance.

Our bodies gently floated into the heavens, easily clearing the 50-meter wall as we headed toward the center. Glancing down, the first wall enclosed only empty space.

“Nothing here. I thought there’d be some kind of village.”

“They say there were monsters back in the day. Now it’s completely safe after being cleared out. The syndicate leader apparently wanted to build a fortress inside the walls.”

I looked down again but saw no signs of human presence.

“No one’s here?”

“The supply issues were too much. The location is way too remote, too small to be self-sufficient, and has absolutely no other advantages.”

We crossed the second wall. There were some signs of previous habitation – crude wooden houses and piles of trash.

“They used it as a base camp back in the day, but once the syndicate grew stronger, there was no need to stay here.”

As we passed the third wall, we finally found the sector’s central building – a grand 5-story palace styled after traditional Chinese architecture. Unlike the outer areas, this section showed signs of current occupation.

“Why does Black Bamboo Syndicate insist on keeping this as their base? They could easily move elsewhere.”

They control many other sectors besides this one.

“Hmm… not sure. Maybe the boss has some attachment since it was their first territory?”

“Yeah, that could be it.”

As Rui Mei and I landed, armed figures swarmed around us.

“Rui Mei!”

“We heard you betrayed us, yet here you are so confidently.”

“Did you come back to apologize to the boss and beg for forgiveness?”

“It’s been a while, but your beauty remains unchanged. Even someone like Rui Mei will have to submit to the boss this time.”


“That guy with the clown mask… Isn’t he Tianma who’s been making a name for himself out west recently?”

The Chinese folks swarmed in. They’re just loudly chattering among themselves, but no one is stepping forward. There’s no leader present.

I placed my hand on Li Mei’s shoulder.

“Li Mei, looks like you’re popular.”

“It’s not exactly something I desire…”

Li Mei clicked her tongue. She wasn’t intimidated by the countless gazes of men. I didn’t remove my hand from her shoulder. If anything went awry, I had to protect her. Plus, showing off Li Mei to those guys was pretty entertaining. Some envious stares directed at me even carried Killing Intent.

The leader appeared. A man clad in black armor, wielding a massive Crescent Blade. The one-eared man boldly blocked our path.

“So it’s Sal On Dae. Long time no see. We’ve come to meet the Overlord. Would you step aside?”

Sal On Dae. The personal guard unit of the Black Bamboo Overlord.

“That won’t do. I haven’t received any word from the Overlord. I’ve just sent someone to him, so wait a moment. By the way, who’s that masked guy next to you? Your lover?”

“If he’s my lover, what’ll you do about it?”

“Don’t be so sensitive, Li Mei. You’re a smart woman. I don’t think you’ve betrayed the Black Bamboo Syndicate.”

“I appreciate your trust. If it weren’t for the weapon in your hand, I might have trusted you too, Sal On Dae. And as for the person next to me… Haven’t you already guessed? Those wearing masks are quite famous, aren’t they?”

“Hmm…”

Sal On Dae let out a low hum while looking at me. Regardless of Tianma’s reputation, any cadre-level member of the Black Bamboo Syndicate would have heard of Heltain, whose officers typically operate masked.

Sal On Dae shut his mouth. A silent standoff ensued.

‘If he doesn’t move in 10 minutes, I’ll have to force my way in. That Sal On Dae isn’t ordinary, and there are plenty of underlings too… but I don’t feel like I’d lose.’

Before the 10 minutes were up, one of Sal On Dae’s subordinates arrived and whispered something into his ear.

“The Overlord has permitted your audience. I’ll guide you personally. Follow me.”

Sal On Dae turned around. The ones surrounding us lowered their weapons. Li Mei and I followed Sal On Dae into the palace.

“Audience… Does the Black Bamboo Overlord think he’s royalty or something?”

“Not exactly royalty, but he probably considers himself some form of noble, right?”

No one else could fool me, an actual noble from [Baihuan] world. The inside of this palace was lacking.

‘The exterior is decent, but the interior management is insufficient. There are a few servants walking around, but they’re clumsy. Proof that they’re poorly trained.’

This palace is all show and no substance.

We reached a spacious area. Judging by the atmosphere, it seemed to be the audience chamber.

A large man sat on a grand chair. He looked like he weighed over 130kg easily. His short black hair drooped over his chubby cheeks. His smile made him surprisingly pleasant-looking.

He was Wang Xuan, the Overlord of the Black Bamboo Syndicate.

“Welcome, Tianma. I never expected the Tianma of the west to be affiliated with Heltain.”

“You know of me?”

“You’re rather famous.”

It wasn’t surprising that news had spread here after ruling part of the western desert for quite some time. Leaders like the Black Bamboo Overlord tend to be sensitive to information.

“I’ve prepared a banquet for you.”

“Did you think I came here for some banquet?”

“…I merely wanted to teach you the essence of Chinese cuisine… What a pity.”

“Let’s cut to the chase. From now on, Li Mei will take the position of Black Bamboo Overlord. Step down gracefully.”

Sal On Dae flinched. I kept my guard up as I waited for Wang Xuan’s response.

“Do I have a reason to follow that statement?”

“Relax. You wouldn’t want to die, would you?”

“To be honest, I’m skeptical whether you’re truly a cadre of Heltain.”

“The one originally handling Black Bamboo was Mirror.”

“Ah yes. The Mirror Mask. The unreadable woman has gone, and you’ve come instead?”

“I’ve decided to take charge of Black Bamboo. Don’t doubt it. You know well what happens to those who impersonate Heltain.”

“…Sigh. Let me look around once…”

Wang Xuan sighed. He glanced around briefly.

“Black Bamboo needs Heltain’s…”


“Hmph, it was a necessary choice for the rapid growth and stabilization of the Black Bamboo Gang. Thinking back now, it was also our sole blemish.”

“So? What’s your point?”

“I will correct that bblemish. The Black Bamboo Gang will remain solely as the Black Bamboo Gang.”

I let out a small laugh.

“You know nothing about Heltan.”

Why is Heltan even called a legend? It’s because there’s no power in this Atlantis that can handle Heltan. Even the Justia Empire failed when they tried to exterminate Heltan.

“I’ll return those words. You know nothing about the Black Bamboo Gang.”

Keeeeeeeeeeeeeek!

A sound like nails on a chalkboard rang out.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!”

Ri Mei, who was standing nearby, grabbed her head and screamed as she collapsed to the floor. Her face twisted with pain.

「The Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation has been activated.」

「Her outstanding mental strength resists part of the Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation’s effects.」

「All stats decreased by 20%.」

「Skill and trait efficiency reduced by 15%.」

「Damage taken increased by 10%.」

It was a grand buffet of debuffs. Looking at Ri Mei lying on the ground in agony, it seemed the attack was targeting the mind too.

Keeeeeeeeeeeeeek! Keeeeeeeeeeeeeek!

I looked around. Waves were emanating from something embedded in the ceiling, floor, and pillars. That must be the essence of the Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation.

“Indeed impressive. Not moving an inch, eh? However, you’re already at the center of the Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation. Chief Sa Won, kill him. Leave Ri Mei alone—she shall pay separately for her betrayal.”

“Understood.”

Chief Sa Won charged. I summoned my sword-shaped Stormbreaker and blocked his crescent blade. Kaaang! Unable to withstand his monstrous strength, I was pushed back.

‘…Am I really being overpowered in raw strength?’

It was astonishing. I’m in the Demon God state right now. My physical abilities are enhanced by skills like Demon God’s Body and Demon God’s Technique. There’s no way I should be so easily pushed back.

“Seems surprised. Let me tell you one thing: Sa Won’s contracted spirit is Seocho the Overlord.”

Seocho the Overlord refers to Xiang Yu. In Atlantis, the contractors of Xiang Yu are quite famous. Xiang Yu only teaches his contractors one skill.

‘Force Rips Mountains, Qi Covers the World (力拔山氣蓋世). Strength stat doubles, and during combat, additional strength increases slightly—a ridiculous skill.’

There is a drawback though. During combat, other stats decrease.

‘Even with such penalties, it’s still the ultimate skill for warriors.’

Deciding to give up trying to overpower Sa Won and focus on technique instead,

Demon God Technique (天魔神功) Demon God Supreme Step (天魔君臨步) Wave Form (波形).

I stepped into the true step.

Invisible energy waves spread in all directions. The formation trembled.

「The effects of the Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation have temporarily diminished.」

Sa Won’s momentum faltered slightly. It was clear that while the formation debuffed me, it gave him buffs.

I rushed toward him, imbuing my sword with rotational force and swung.

Demon God Technique (天魔神功) Demon God Sword (天魔劍) Revolving Heaven (回天).

Sa Won was pushed back. A single drop of sweat trickled down his cheek.

“Ahem. Incredible power and swordsmanship. How much is your strength stat?”

“Do you think I’d tell you?”

“Isn’t there no reason not to? After all, fighting isn’t just about numbers; it’s about who’s stronger.”

“True words. 106.”

“……A monster.”

He sighed.

Stat difference: 30.

That gap could almost be called absolute. It’s like the difference between a child and an adult. And yet, despite this 30-point gap, I wasn’t losing to him. Considering the influence of the Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation, it’s understandable why he was astonished.

The crescent blade fell towards my head. Blocking it with my sword turned sideways, I spun it. The crescent blade was deflected to the side. A gap appeared in Sa Won’s defense. I didn’t miss the opportunity to swing my sword—but then I sensed movement from above.

‘An assassin. Their target isn’t… me, but Ri Mei!’

[Using Instantaneous Moment (刹那). Remaining stacks: 4]

I decapitated the assassin aiming for Ri Mei.

“Foolish. What’s so important about that woman?”

I felt concentrated killing intent and power from Sa Won behind me.