Stone Carvings

"It's not necessarily the case that you have to use force to defeat the domain lord. If you have good eloquence, your personalities are compatible, and the Artifact Spirit's personality is more rational, you can reach an agreement with the Artifact Spirit through conversation and thus obtain the Soul Artifact."

Upon hearing this, Si Ming's mind raced. "If the Artifact Spirit were a beautiful woman, could we make her follow us willingly by dating her?"

A catastrophe threatening to destroy the world, mysterious monsters, and a girl rejected by the world—the only way to stop it all is through "annihilation or dialogue." And you, as the protagonist, have a way to stop the world's destruction. The only way to stop the world's destruction is to go on a date with her!

After imagining it, Si Ming murmured, "It feels like the art style has suddenly changed, even the worldview has changed."

Xu Zhengyi paused for a moment, clearly not having considered this method, and said thoughtfully, "Theoretically, it's possible, but falling in love with Artifact Spirit is indeed a bit... Besides, Artifact Spirit don't have human aesthetic sense and rarely take on the form of beautiful women."

"A guy with no dreams."

Si Ming clicked his tongue. This is the difference between light novels for otaku and monster-slaying/leveling-up stories.

Saving the world simply by picking up girls, with only beautiful young women as targets—could there be a more wonderful premise?

Okay, thinking about it carefully, it really is ridiculous. Why must all the Artifact Spirit be beautiful women instead of handsome men? Is it because the target audience is male otaku and not gay men?

Murong Qing Si Ming's "Xu Zhengyi," said to Xu Zhengyi, who was clearly struggling to keep up with his leaps of thought, "Ignore him and continue with our previous topic. In other words, if we want to leave the Spirit Domain, we must defeat this Domain Lord?"

"Yes, some domain lords allow people to travel freely, but this one is clearly not one of them. We tried before, and none of us could leave the Spirit Domain. While the possibility of communication and negotiation certainly exists, it's still more prudent to be prepared for battle."

"How powerful is this domain lord?"

"I haven't seen the other party, so I can't be sure. Based on the information I've gathered so far, it's at least a six-star," Xu Zhengyi thought for a moment, then added, "The Mechanical Sandworm King that was torn apart by my benefactor before was a five-star."

Murong Qing's expression turned serious. If this standard were used to make a judgment, this domain lord's strength would probably only have reached the Spirit Transformation stage. Only Si Ming in the audience could match him. Considering that the opponent's situation was unknown, his fighting style was likely to be very different from that of the Sea Continent, and there would only be more variables.

Si Ming sensed Murong Qing's thoughts and comforted her, "Thinking about it now is useless. If we want to know the enemy's intelligence, we still have to probe them to find out. Besides, have you forgotten that we just got new equipment?"

Thinking of the Profound Armor, Murong Qing immediately felt more confident. Although she was limited by her environment and could not exert half of her strength, she would not be a hindrance with the Black Tortoise Heavy Armor. At least before her internal True Qi and the energy of the Profound Armor were exhausted, she would have the strength to fight against a Nascent Spirit Transformation.

Xu Zhengyi suggested, "Although I don't know exactly where the Domain Lord is, someone knows, and I can take you there."

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's take action!"

The four set off immediately. They had originally stayed behind to rest in order to take care of Xu Zhengyi's injuries, but now that they had obtained the Arhat Martial Physique, Xu Zhengyi's injuries were almost completely healed, and there was no need to waste any more time.

During their journey, the four's speeds immediately became apparent. Si Ming was naturally the fastest, as he could move incredibly fast even without using his True Qi, relying solely on his leg strength. He Qichang was next, as he could use his True Qi to maximize the effect of his lightness skill. Xu Zhengyi followed, while Murong Qing came in last.

Of course, this is under the condition that Xu Zhengyi uses the Arhat Martial Physique. If he does not use the Martial Form, he is the slowest one. Although Murong Qing is not a body-refining martial artist, he has practiced martial arts for many years and his body has been nourished by True Qi. In terms of strength, speed, reaction ability, and other aspects, his qualities far exceed the limits of human beings on Earth.

Si Ming glanced back and noticed that Murong Qing's forehead was covered in sweat. He knew that she didn't want to slow everyone down, nor did she want to waste her True Qi here, so she was using all her strength to make up for the difference in speed with her skills.

Slowing down on purpose at this time wouldn't work; it would only arouse Murong Qing's guilt. After all, this class monitor has a strong sense of responsibility and will take responsibility even if it's not her fault.

After thinking for a moment, Si Ming quietly moved closer, reached out and took Murong Qing, helping to increase their speed.

"You..."

Before Murong Qing speak, Si Ming said, "As long as you keep up with Xu Zhengyi, you won't be slowing down the team."

Upon hearing this, Murong Qing smiled and said, "In your eyes, am I such a rigid person?"

"Oh? Then I'll let go of your hand so everyone can slow down a bit."

Murong Qing instinctively retorted, "That won't do. How can I let myself drag everyone down?"

He quickly realized what he meant and reluctantly admitted, "Okay, I am indeed a rigid person."

Si Ming laughed and smoothed things over, saying, "It's alright, I understand. You're not actually worried about slowing everyone down, but rather you want a legitimate reason to hold my hand."

Murong Qing spat out, "I don't like saying things like 'waiting for a prodigal son.'"

Despite saying that, she didn't pull her hand away, and a blush appeared on her face, which was hidden by her sideburns.

Si Ming didn't continue teasing, knowing that this was the limit for Murong Qing's personality, and continuing would only make her angry. However, he still secretly scratched the other's palm with his index finger, and then he could clearly feel Murong Qing's body tremble, and even the blush on her face became more obvious.

Murong Qing bit her lip and secretly glanced at He Qichang and Xu Zhengyi. Seeing that neither of them was paying attention, she secretly flicked a finger and tickled Si Ming's palm as revenge.

Si Ming, naturally unwilling to suffer a loss, immediately launched a counterattack, while Murong Qing, unwilling to remain passive, took the initiative to attack.

The two of them were scratching at each other in the small space, when suddenly they "accidentally" touched and became intertwined...

Without realizing it, their simple hand-holding evolved into intertwining their fingers, feeling each other's warmth, and walking in sync, it seemed even their pulses were in sync.

They were just traveling, but the two of them managed to create a romantic atmosphere.

However, this kind of subtle flirting only happens with the class monitor. If it were Hongdou, she would have already shouted "I like you" and pounced on him.

A bold and direct declaration of love would only be met with a cold shoulder from Murong Qing. She was like a fence wrapped in barbed wire; if you crashed into it directly, you would only end up with a bloody head. Only a gentle, subtle approach, like a breeze or flowing water, could penetrate the barriers and enter her heart.

On the other side, He Qichang, walking at the front of the group, sighed inwardly, thinking that perhaps he should find a girlfriend. Now that his enemy was dead, he had lost his purpose in life. Rather than living aimlessly, he might as well find something to do—at least he wouldn't feel lonely when others were showing off their love.

After eating dog food for twenty minutes, He Qichang and his group finally saw a village.

"We've arrived. This is just ahead. The people living in this village have been trapped here since the birth of the Spirit Domain. They must know information about the Domain Lord," Xu Zhengyi said.

Si Ming and Murong Qing seemed to be in a daze for some reason, He Qichang had no choice but to ask, "Didn't you ask them before?"

"I asked them, but they wouldn't tell me. They said they're waiting for a chosen one, someone who believes only the chosen one can destroy the domain lords and liberate them." Xu Zhengyi thought for a moment, then added, "By the way, they also call the chosen one the Child of Mixed Blood."

Chapter 516 Stone Carving

Upon hearing the word "Child of Mixed Blood," both Si Ming and Murong Qing turned their gazes to He Qichang, who himself awkwardly touched the tip of his nose.

Having been teleported here by chance, and being unable to leave the Spirit Domain, possessing the appearance of a mixed-blood, and with three major coincidences converging upon him, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he was ordained... Thinking about it carefully, the Chosen One seems to mean "ordained to be the protagonist."

"Never mind that for now. That village seems to be in danger; it appears to have been attacked by a large group of monsters."