Jinshen had been walking with Yanwei in the labyrinth, they were completely alone, at least for now but there was just one thing that was bugging Jinshen's mind.
Where is Nanomachine? It isn't even responding to me...
Yanwei noticed the small frown of contemplation on Jinshen's face as he furrowed his brows in confusion and he had to resist the urge to ask Jinshen what was on his mind.
I should mind my own business for now, we've got 3 quarters of the day to go and I really don't want to get on this man's badside.
Jinshen was still frowning, his lips pursed into a tight line as he started at nothing in particular off in the distance contemplating Nanomachine's whereabouts before suddenly, Nanomachine's voice came through.
Master, I'm back~
Jinshen flinched at the suddenness of Nanomachine's arrival but he couldn't help but feel relief at his companion's return.
Where were you in the first place?
The Nanomachine chuckled slightly, its voice seemed near indistinguishable from a human, now having a bit more masculinity and firmness in it.
Well, I was just recreating more nanites since they had started to run low, there are now exactly 12700239450 nanites in you're system.
Jinshen almost chocked on his own spit as he processed the absurd amount of 'nanites' in his body since he didn't even know numbers went that high in the first place
O-Oh.. Well uh, just inform me before becoming quiet all of a sudden alright?
The Nanomachine just chuckled in response, it didn't say anything but Jinshen knew that it was most likely very happy with its master being flabbergasted by the large number it said.
Jinshen quickly composed himself as he realized Yanwei was just staring at him with a confused expression the whole time but before he could explain himself Yanwei got tackled to the ground by someone.
The person was a young man, probably 20, or 21, just like Jinshen he was wearing a black high- collared robe that had the symbol of a dragon masterfully woven in with golden threads that glowed in the dark, He had long white hair that was tied up into a topknot, secured with a golden pin. He had porcelain like skin and his features were gentle yet prominent his eyes a deep crimson, like the earrings he was wearing.
Jinshen immediately tried to kick him off Yanwei in a casual but the young man blocked the kick with his forearm with ease and sweeped Jinshen's legs, making him fall to the ground with a small thump.
Jinshen grunted slightly as he fell to the ground, narrowing his eyes as they glowed blue. Yanwei headbutted the young man which did some damage and managed to make to him jump off of Yanwei but now his eyes were also glowing crimson like fire, a wispy aura of Qi surrounding his body, heat emanating from his body that grew minute by minute.
Jinshen's eyes widened as he slowly stood up, a dumbfounded expression on his face as he stared at the young man's eyes wondering why his eyes were glowing as well doubts and fears in his mind
Another Nanomachine?!
The Nanomachine interjected quickly in Jinshen's mind, its tone reassuring and somewhat mocking
No Master, you're opponent is just lucky enough to have a Qi pathway that flows to his eyes, that's why his eyes are glowing. If it truly were another Nanomachine, I would have been notified.
Jinshen breathed an internal sigh of relief, his body relaxing as he rolled his shoulder in a mocking manner towards the young man which seemed to irritate him successfully since he immediately jumped at Jinshen.
Jinshen took Yanwei's sword which was sheathed on the latter's waist and blocked the attack, their sword's clashing together as it created a few sparks revealing more of the young man's weaponry.
It was a black saber, its handle was rather simple but the blade of the weapon was quite impressive, it had the design of white flames at the edge of the sword, and inside of these flames had red lightning running through it.
Jinshen smirked at the sight of the sword even though he was struggling to keep the young man in place since they were about equal in strength. Jinshen was sweating from exertion as he spoke through clenched teeth.
"A flamboyant sword huh? Let me guess, you're a high and haughty one, got called a prodigy one too many times..."
The young man scoffed, jumping away as he sheathed his sword, he was definitely annoyed and frustrated with Jinshen but at least he wasn't attacking anymore.
He took a deep breath, his expression returning to be stoic and emotionless as he spoke, his voice was deep and authoritative, making a shiver run down Yanwei's spine.
"I'm Mo Jinhai, I'm the youngest son of The Grand Marshall, I suppose you are Jinshen Zhe?"
Jinshen frowned slightly in disappointment and curiosity, he reabsorbed the sword into his body which both Jinhai and Yanwei noticed but decided not to mention.
"Yeah? How do you know about me?"
Jinhai took a few steps closer to Jinshen, he was quite tall, a few inches bigger than Jinshen who had to look up at him but Jinshen wasn't intimidate at all which seemed to annoy Jinhai and damage his pride but he continued being stoic, his eyes still glowing a faint crimson.
"Father had mentioned you're rather impressive record in The Trial of Endurance, I wanted to see if you really were worthy of his praise and it seems you are. Apologies for the rather brutish behavior I displayed a moment ago."
Jinshen chuckled in a carefree manner and put a hand forward which Jinhai stared at for a moment before hesitantly shaking it in a firm handshake.
Yanwei who was feeling left out, put his hand on top of their shaking hands with a small grin on his bruised face, it seemed that not only was he naive, he was childish as well.
"Don't forget about me, I was the one tackled you know."
Jinshen chuckled looking at Yanwei, a small smile of amusement on his face but on the other hand, Jinhai gave Yanwei a blank, unamused stare but he didn't speak, possibly feeling regret for communicating with these two.
Jinshen noticed the unamused stare as he let go of Jinhai's hand, crossing his arms over his chest as he smiled at Jinhai, trying to be friendly despite feeling the urge to yell at the latter for his previous aggression.
"So uh... What'd you want from us both? Except testing me."