Undercurrents

"Well then, I'm going back now, sheep, wolf, thank you."

In the Stillwater Lake of Soul Blossom, Li Ke looked at Kindred with gratitude.

The wolf nodded with a grin at Li Ke's words and said loudly, "Kid, you'd better bring me something good next time. It's true that I'm one with the sheep, but the sheep like to read, while I don't."

"You little brat, bring me some delicious humans next time! I want to eat people! I haven't eaten anyone in ages!"

"That won't do. Wolf, why don't you eat something else?" Li Ke said, his lips twitching as he listened to Wolf's words.

Cannibalism?

Where can I find someone for you?

Furthermore, even if it were possible, for example, to capture Noxians to feed the wolves, which would satisfy the wolves' little wish and also solve the problem for Zaun, Li Ke would never do such a thing.

His bottom line forbids using the power of the Deity to fight and kill enemies, which is different from sending creatures like himself to the Deity food.

This clashes with Li Ke's values.

For example, if you know someone kills in a fit of rage, you might feel anger, regret, satisfaction, fear, or approval because of their motives. But if you know someone kills to eat people, then no matter what their reasons are, all you'll feel in the end is fear and dread.

"He's just teasing you, Li Ke." The sheep reached out and slapped the wolf, saying, "Neither the wolf nor I eat people. What he means by eating people is that he's hunting souls who refuse to die and enjoying the thrill of the hunt."

The wolf retorted defiantly, "I was eating people!"

Li Ke listened to the conversation between the sheep and the wolf, smiled, and breathed a sigh of relief.

Indeed, how could Kindred, a member of the Kanmei faction, possibly do something like "cannibalism"?

Li Ke looked at Ahri, but Li Ke didn't show her the same respect he had for Kindred.

Squatting down to look at Ahri, who was sprawled out and dozing off, Li Ke reached out and touched Ahri's belly with his finger. The fur on Ahri's lower abdomen was soft and pinkish-white, and her belly was also pink and tender, making it easy to poke.

"What!" Ahri opened her eyes and glared at Li Ke.

The claw swatted away Li Ke's hand, somewhat annoyed.

Ahri is definitely angry!

Why is Li Ke touching me like that?!

The Fox is her true form, Li Ke Kemo, touch her belly!

"What would you like to order next time?" Li Ke hadn't thought of that; after all, to Li Ke, the Fox- like Ahri would only be a cute little animal.

When you pet a cat, do you avoid rubbing its belly?

Furthermore, Li Ke did become bolder when dealing with Ahri, because their relationship was no longer that of benefactors, but rather... friends?

Ahri was furious that Li Ke had touched her private parts, but after hearing Li Ke's words, she immediately beamed with joy.

However, Ahri didn't speak. Instead, she sent a telepathic message to Li Ke: "Be careful, don't let the wolves know you brought me so much good food. It's all mine! I'm not sharing it. I can't even eat enough by myself!"

"Okay, next time, please bring me some good food too, Li Ke."

"Okay," Li Ke nodded.

Then, he decided to leave Soul Blossom Land.

This was a very good haul!

Ahri's favorability increased, Kindred's favorability increased, and she also gained the powerful skill Kindred's Mark.

Although Li Ke possesses only passive skills, his other three skills, aside from Elemental Mastery, are all Mythic- level.

In other words, skills that only Demigod can possess.

Soul Blossom, what a wonderful place!

Just as Li Ke got up, the sheep suddenly called out to Li Ke.

"Wait, Li Ke."

"Hmm?" Li Ke looked at the sheep.

Then the sheep said, "The wolf and I have a favor to ask of you."

"Oh dear, sheep, you want to regain your memories again?" Ahri said, looking at the sheep.

The sheep nodded.

"I must regain my memories with the wolf. Why are we here? Why have we become like this? And why have we been together all this time?" the sheep whispered.

The wolf beside him had also lost its usual liveliness, and instead listlessly watched Li Ke next to the sheep.

"Recover my memories? Me?" Li Ke hesitated.

It wasn't that he didn't want to help Kindred, but rather that he was afraid he wouldn't be able to do so.

After all, given Ahri's personality, she must have tried to help Kindred find his memories, but she failed. Could Li Ke do it?

"Yes, you don't need to feel pressured, Li Ke. I just hope you can keep an eye out for me," Yang said gently. She looked at Li Ke, placed her hands in front of her, and slightly raised her chin, revealing a glimpse of her fair, round face from under her mask. She whispered, "Do your best. Whether you succeed or not, Wolf and I will be grateful to you."

"Okay, I understand." Seeing that Yang had said so, Li Ke agreed.

[Kindred's affection for you +50]

[Special Character Kindred's current affinity has exceeded 100, reaching the Friendship stage and unlocking the Special Character panel.]

"Then, I'll leave it to you, Li Ke."

Kindred said earnestly.

Li Ke nodded, exchanged a glance with Ahri, and then ended his Advent.

[The Advent is ending.]

The settlement for this Advent is in progress.

The settlement is as follows:

Gain the favorability of the Special Character Ahri, and gain the favorability of the Special Character Kindred.

Settlement process underway.

Rewards for this exploration:

1: Soul Strength +0.6

2: Reach the encounter stage with the Special Character Kindred to unlock hidden information in that character's panel.

3: The Special Character [Soul Blossom - Kindred] grants you the special ability [Kindred's Mark].

4: Trigger the character affinity reward to obtain one Swordsman Soul Stone.

Congratulations, Summoner!

Inside the space, Li Ke looked at the soul stone in his hand.

[Soul Stone (Bound)]

[Quality: Blue (Spirit)]

[Usage Level: None]

[Synopsis: A thousand years ago in Ionia, a young man practiced swordsmanship day after day in the deep mountains to avenge his family. He observed the falling leaves as spring turned to winter, summer to autumn. Through his observation of the falling leaves, the young man learned the Wind Technique. Within this Soul Stone lies the power of the wind.]

Li Ke's eyes lit up. He had just been complaining about not having a single active skill, and now... an active skill was coming?

Li Ke chose to use the Soul Stone.

[Use Soulstone]

[The swordsman's soulstone has unleashed its power--]

[Gained the soul memories of the undead.]

Extract the skill [Wind Technique] from [The Soul Memory of the Undead Swordsman]

[Congratulations, Summoner]

"???"

Wait, what's that?

Wind Technique?!

Isn't this a skill controlled by Yasuo?

And why is it the Wind Technique?!

After Elder Souma's death, Yasuo became the only Ionia who mastered the Wind Technique. The reason he was hunted down in Ionia and became a wanderer on the run was because the teachers and students in the sword academy believed that Yasuo had killed Souma, since Souma died from the Wind Technique!

And now, he has obtained the Wind Technique?

Isn't this just making me take the blame for Yasuo?!

Li Ke's expression was strange.

But between himself and Yasuo, who is stronger now?

The thought of Yasuo creating a wind wall tens of meters high with a single sword strike in the CG, blocking countless Noxians arrows, sent chills down Li Ke's spine.

But thinking about it carefully, if it were a fight, Li Ke should be able to beat Yasuo, because no matter how strong Yasuo's swordsmanship is, his body is only stronger than that of an ordinary person. He is very fast, but his defense is extremely low. If there is no sword, Vander should be able to tear Yasuo apart with his bare hands.

But the problem is, being unfairly blamed for something can really be unbearable!

Li Ke now understood why the usually composed Janna had screamed back then.

Because being blamed is really unpleasant!

It seems that once I get to Ionia, I won't be able to use the Wind Technique until Yasuo and Riven have settled their score.

Otherwise, Yasuo would definitely take the blame, and to prove his innocence, he would absolutely come after Li Ke to fight.

Li Ke isn't some kind of battle maniac!

With this in mind, Li Ke returned to the Material Realm.

Opening his eyes, Li Ke looked at Singed, who was staring at the stopwatch, stretched, and asked, "How much time has passed?"

Upon hearing Li Ke's voice, Singed jumped to his feet and excitedly exclaimed, "Two minutes and thirteen seconds!"

"Well, Li Ke, do you have a solution?"

Li Ke smiled at Singed and nodded, saying, "Yes, I've found a way."

"But Singed, let me see how to do it first."

As he spoke, Li Ke looked at the cabinet on the bed, gazing at Oriana's adorable face.

Then, Li Ke raised an eyebrow.

It really is different now.

Unlike when he saw Orianna before, this time, as Li Ke looked at Orianna, he saw a green glow between her eyebrows on her pale face.

"Can this cabinet be opened?" Li Ke asked Singed.

Without saying a word, Singed reached for the cabinet, pressed the safety lock, and then lifted the lid.

The slightly pungent smell of the medicine rushed into his nostrils, and Li Ke reached out and touched Orianna's forehead.

The viscous medicine spilled onto the bed as the cabinet was opened. Orianna lay peacefully in the middle, her hands resting on her lower abdomen, wearing a beautiful princess dress.

"Don't be nervous, Doctor, I already have a plan." Looking at Orianna's face, Li Ke added with a smile.

Singed nodded, and then he saw Li Ke's finger touch Orianna's forehead.

At the same time, a scene also appeared in Li Ke's mind.

On the Stillwater Lake, all was peaceful. But as a delicate little sheep hoof gracefully landed on the lake's surface, ripples instantly spread across the entire lake. The Kindred resided on the lake's surface, while the evil wolf lurked beneath.

In the boiling Stillwater Lake, countless souls wailed or sang.

Li Ke learned how to guide souls.

He is the embodiment of Kindred, the Kindred of the Soul Blossom world, and the representative of the Material Realm world.

Li Ke's fingertips lightly touched Orianna's brow, striking her very soul.

"Orianna Corin Reveck, in the name of Death, I grant you a trial of your soul. Li Ke, long-lost soul." Following the scene in his mind, the Kindred on the lake stretched out its hand and uttered these words.

In the Stillwater Lake, some souls responded to the Kindred, while others howled and tried to Kindred. But then, the wolf pounced and bit those souls that tried to flee.

"My name is Kindred."

Li Ke said in a low voice.

"Buzz--"

A white light appeared, Orianna's body floated up. Then, a green orb of light appeared between Orianna's eyebrows.

Singed placed his hands on his chest, pressing them against his heart, his eyes fixed on the scene before him.

Then, he heard a call.

"Father?"

Singed was stunned, then instantly lost control.

"Li Ke, is it Orianna? Is it her?"

Just as Li Ke was about to answer, the green orb of light disappeared.

Orianna's body fell towards the bed, Li Ke reacted quickly and caught Orianna falling body in an instant, preventing her from hitting the cabinet.

Holding Orianna in his arms, Li Ke looked at Singed and said, "We succeeded, Doctor."

"But why hasn't Orianna woken up yet?" Singed asked anxiously.

Li Ke smiled and said, "Her soul has gone to my friends. They will repair Orianna's soul, just like they repaired mine. Once her soul is repaired, Orianna will be able to come back to life."

Singed was taken aback, and Li Ke continued, "Doctor, it's because of your efforts and sacrifices for Orianna that she had the chance to come back to life. Otherwise, my friends wouldn't have been able to help."

Wolf Spirit and Li Ke had said that this was the last time.

Although it's unclear whether this will be the last time, it's obvious that repairing souls isn't difficult for the Deity in the Lotus Lands, but getting souls back is a much more complicated matter.

Because the sheep remained silent when the wolf said those words.

Wolves sometimes boast, lie, and tease Li Ke, but sheep don't. Her silence means the wolf is right.

"Then, when will my daughter wake up?" Singed asked anxiously.

Li Ke said with a smile, "Soon, Doctor, in a few months, I will take Orianna's body to Ionia. You will come with me then, and I promise to give you a lively and healthy Orianna back."

"."

"Thank you, thank you, Li Ke." Singed's body slumped backward, and he sat down heavily on the ground, his hands covering his head, his voice trembling. "It really worked."

"Li Ke, from now on, I'll do whatever you ask, as long as it doesn't harm my daughter. I'll do anything for you. Isn't Noxus your enemy? I'll create an alchemical potion that will destroy them, and cause a plague in Noxus. I... I'll do it now."

"No, Doctor."

Li Ke looked at Singed speechlessly and said, "I hope your potion is used to help the Zaunite. Besides, it's what I should do anyway. After all, we're all from Zaunite, aren't we? Zaun rose to prominence through mutual help."

Singed paused, then nodded. "Yes, I'm Zaunite now."

Li Ke smiled.

On the docks of Bilgewater, a drunken pirate suddenly lost his footing and fell into the sea. His eyes were filled with terror. He sobered up instantly and shouted for help to the docks.

But the people coming and going at the dock seemed not to see him at all.

He was confused, angry, and then, in his panic, he suddenly saw two pairs of eyes watching him from the bottom of the water.

Two pairs of eyes, radiating a ghostly blue flame, appeared beneath the water's surface, silently watching him.

Terrified, he saw the two pairs of eyes, and then a pair of ancient wooden masks with a strange purple barbed rune pattern on them.

He froze for a moment, then, as if realizing something, he was instantly gripped by fear. His body trembled in the water, and he tried to call out in the water, but could only make gurgling sounds.

He recognized the mask, he recognized the pattern.

It's Death!

"Sheep, I had a strange feeling just now, like... another Grim Reaper had stolen our followers. But that shouldn't be the case. If you believe in a particular Grim Reaper, you should be taken away by the designated Grim Reaper. We have a clear division of labor with them and we don't interfere with each other."

"Dear wolf, I feel the same way."

Underwater, he heard a language he couldn't understand.

As the last breath of oxygen was drained from his lungs, his eyes began to roll upwards.

"Perhaps, wolves, we should go and take a look."

"I'll do whatever you say, sheep."

Renk County, Noxus, is a small town located below Drekan, an important city-state in Noxus.

Today, a fully armed cavalry squad has arrived in Renk County.

The Noxians was about 1.9 meters tall, with a strong build, and carried a huge greatsword on his back.

"Welcome to Renk County, Viscount Kirill."

"Enough with the nonsense, Retas. I didn't come here to reminisce with you."

Among the Noxians who were receiving the cavalry, a thin man with a goatee smiled and said, "Of course, Viscount Kirill, I'm not one for idle chatter either."

"Come on, let's talk about the profits we'll make after we divide up Piltover."

Viscount Kirill sneered and said, "Forget it, Retas. The great nobles already know about this. The Du Kocao family has publicly stated that they will not participate, but General Lincton has hinted that he wants a share."

"Lincton? How could such a big shot like him get involved in such a trivial matter? It's just Piltover." Retas looked surprised upon hearing this.

Viscount Kirill glanced at Retas and scoffed, "A trivial matter? Do you really think they're idiots? It's true they don't come out much from the Immortal Bastion, but everyone knows how fast Piltover has developed in recent years. Only Darkwill knows nothing, he's only focused on finding his immortality."

"In short, if we don't agree with Lincton, we might end up with nothing."

"I understand," Retas nodded.

He never intended to take Piltover for himself from the beginning, so sharing it with others, especially with more people, wasn't unacceptable.

After all, taking a bite out of Piltover is equivalent to ten years' worth of income for the Retas Family.

That's right, one bite is better than ten years!

Noxus is poor, so poor!

Retas's eyes lit up at this thought, and he said, "Come, Viscount Kirill, let's have a good talk about the battle plan."

Seeing that Retas had agreed, Viscount Kirill's expression improved considerably, and his attitude became more friendly. He said, "Let's go."

Unbeknownst to Li Ke, a powerful being in Runeterra was taking a liking to Zaun, while Noxus was also stirring with undercurrents.

Some things are already on the verge of erupting.