34 On the Way

Chapter 34 the Road

Hearing Nedeli's words, Yuan Chen didn't speak, just rubbed his temples.

While other things were uncertain for now, one thing was definite: Nedeli held goodwill towards him.

It was just that the way she expressed this goodwill was clearly beyond ordinary expectations... let alone ordinary people, Yuan Chen, a transmigrator, still felt his head buzzing.

He glanced at Nedeli's retreating back, sensing her nonchalant attitude. Yuan Chen seemed to recall something, relaxing somewhat, and shaking his head with a touch of speechlessness...

Thinking carefully, it wasn't surprising that Nedeli acted this way.

Having lived among cougars since birth, Nedeli's understanding of human society was even less than that of the children in Ixialia Village. In such a situation, a kiss might be the best way she knew to express goodwill—

Much like grooming.

Even though in civilized society, it would convey more than just goodwill.

"The wilderness told me you gave me a great opportunity..."

Glancing at Yuan Chen, whose expression was somewhat complex, Nedeli's face showed little complexity or hesitation. She spoke calmly and serenely:

"It also said you aren't a poacher, nor someone who destroys the forest, nor someone who harms the wilderness... Although there's an uneasy power residing in your consciousness, the wilderness told me you are trustworthy."

"What else did the wilderness say?" Yuan Chen asked, feeling a bit helpless but still engaging.

"Did it tell you to kiss me, perhaps?"

"That was my own idea. I did it when I thought of it," Nedeli shook her head. "It felt a bit... strange? In your civilized world's terms, it should be subtle, maybe because it was the first time."

As she said this, a hint of unease appeared on Nedeli's face—

She didn't understand why expressing affection in this way made her feel so... anxious?

Pondering, she shook her head and said, "Although I don't know why, you have gained the wilderness's approval."

As she spoke, Nedeli extended her palm and lightly traced a finger across Yuan Chen's chest.

Just as Yuan Chen was wondering, he immediately felt a peculiar, desolate aura appear in his consciousness, with Nedeli's finger as the medium.

The moment this aura appeared, Yuan Chen could clearly sense the surrounding wilderness becoming sharper.

The wind, the water, the plants, even the sand on the ground... Yuan Chen could easily feel them all.

But soon, this aura shifted its attitude. It was somewhat displeased, but definitely not malicious or hostile. How to describe it? It was like...

Like an old farmer witnessing a wild boar rooting up his prize cabbage.

Realizing something, Yuan Chen opened his status panel. As expected, in the Traits section, beneath Demon's Blessing and Dragon Blood Enhancement, a new trait had appeared.

Trait: Wilderness Blessing (Fine):

When in the wilderness, you will receive blessings from the wilderness. Agility increases, and shrubs and bushes will actively help conceal your form and sounds.

Seeing the new trait added to his stats, Yuan Chen's expression turned somewhat strange.

How to put it, Yuan Chen could actually understand why the Wilderness Consciousness was so displeased with him after bestowing the blessing.

He was being noticed by Oshirresh, and this consciousness, also born from Runeterra, was fundamentally the same as the Wilderness Consciousness.

In fact, natural consciousness was not uncommon in Runeterra—

Not to mention the Spirit of Ionia, well-known among the Ionians. In the lore, Ornn's fire abilities were a gift obtained after wrestling with the Freljordian earth.

But compared to natural consciousness like the Wilderness Consciousness, demons born from the emotions of living beings were clearly more inclined towards Chaos, evil, and disorder.

To put it more simply, Nedeli, who originated from order and received the Wilderness Blessing, was like a distinguished young lady who was outstanding in every way—academically, in appearance, and in character.

She was the white moonlight in the hearts of countless model students, the apple of the Wilderness Consciousness's eye.

And Yuan Chen, who received Oshirresh's attention and blessing (curse), was...

The "bad boy" from middle school, the sports jock from high school, the rapper from college, the guy who served two years in the army after sophomore year and came back as an instructor, with innocent eyes, illiterate, born of his mother, only smokes fifth-generation Rick cigarettes, parties at bars in the first half of the night and races souped-up cars in the second half, his catchphrase is "Tai Ku La," only likes Curry in basketball and Neymar in soccer, his phone is a second-hand iPhone, and he only plays Honor of Kings and (__) What are you gonna do about it...

Realizing the crux of the problem, Yuan Chen tried to put himself in the Wilderness Consciousness's shoes and view his relationship with Nedeli from its perspective. He couldn't last five seconds before clenching his fists on the spot.

Damn it, he really deserved to die!!

Wait...

Am I the "bad boy"?

Oh.

Never mind then.

Calming himself down, Yuan Chen rationally detached himself from the role he had adopted—continuing to immerse himself in it might lead to illness.

Although he said that, it was mostly in jest. Because Yuan Chen could feel that the Wilderness Consciousness's aversion was primarily based on Oshirresh's demonic nature.

At the same time, Yuan Chen could also feel a faint call coming from the wilderness. However, perhaps due to the low level of his trait, Yuan Chen couldn't understand what the wilderness wanted to convey for the moment.

"Go west." Just as Yuan Chen was pondering what the Wilderness Consciousness wanted to convey, Nedeli, standing beside him, raised her spear and pointed vaguely to the west.

"The Wilderness Consciousness told me that there might be a solution to the west."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Chen glanced to the west—he couldn't see anything. To the west of Ixialia lay the Miasma Jungle. As the name suggested, one could infer the nature of this jungle.

The rugged mountains were filled with towering ancient trees, man-eating giant vines, pack beasts, solitary fierce beasts, and even poisonous miasma. The area to the west, passing through three regions.

Icathia, the lost land, marked as a Void Nest on the official League of Legends universe website.

Shurima, the lost Sun Empire, filled with Sand Bandits, Robbers, Warlords, Tribal Conflicts, and even Fallen Celestials.

Mount Targon, the place on Runeterra closest to the heavens, a sanctuary for Immortal Spirits, Aspects, and the Starlords, home to countless powerful beings.

These three places could harbor demigods or even True Gods, beings no weaker than, and potentially stronger than, Oshirresh—after all, Oshirresh has been sealed for who knows how many millennia.

But the problem was... the risk was also immense.

Thinking this, a hint of solemnity flashed across Yuan Chen's brow. He had originally intended to increase his strength further before venturing out. But now, it seemed he would have to depart after finishing his business in Ixialia.

Regarding Oshirresh, whose power was uncontrolled and came from a Madman, he needed to either gain control as soon as possible or sever it completely if control was impossible!

This time, as Yuan Chen pondered, he didn't sense Oshirresh's gaze upon him. It was the Wilderness Blessing, which helped him conceal himself from Oshirresh's scrutiny.

While Yuan Chen was lost in thought, Nedeli stood quietly beside him, not interfering. After a moment of silence, she raised her hand and threw a punch at Yuan Chen.

Sensing the gust of Breeze, Yuan Chen immediately became alert. However, instead of summoning his blades, he extended his palm to block the punch—

It wasn't heavy; Nedeli hadn't used her full strength. But even so, Yuan Chen couldn't help but retort:

"Isn't getting angry out of embarrassment a bit too fast... If you regret it, I can apologize."

"What anger out of embarrassment?"

Hearing Yuan Chen's words, Nedeli seemed somewhat confused—

She was merely expressing intimacy. Although her human instincts vaguely told her this was more than just intimacy, there shouldn't be any reason to get angry out of embarrassment over such a matter, right?

Looking at Nedeli's beautiful, divine, and utterly perplexed face, Yuan Chen realized he had misunderstood. She hadn't thought of it that way at all!

Just as Yuan Chen was about to say something more, he felt a warmth on his palm.

Opening his palm, he saw that, at some point, Heavenly Power had formed blue and white stripes on his palm, vaguely forming the emblem of a cerulean Lioness.

He cast a Scout Skill, and the information about the emblem appeared before his eyes.

Name: Dawn Mark Category: Marking Magic Effect: A magic mark formed by Dawn Power, capable of positioning and communication regardless of distance, with communication effectiveness varying with distance. Note: The positioning and communication effects of the mark will be influenced by the environment and concealment magic. The signal will be best at dawn.

Seeing the mark's function, Yuan Chen was slightly stunned. When he looked at Nedeli again, his gaze held a complex emotion.

Nedeli's Class Trait, 'Dawn Bringer,' allowed her to appear within every ray of dawn's light. In such a situation, he could achieve remote positioning and communication with her...

Sensing Yuan Chen's complex emotions, Nedeli didn't pay them any mind. She simply nodded dismissively and turned to speak:

"If there's nothing else, I'll be going..."

As she spoke, she paused slightly, her steps halting for a moment before she added:

"I'll remember what you've done for me. If you encounter any troublesome enemies, just call out to me. But I won't leave with you, because I belong to the wilderness. This is my home."

As she finished speaking, Nedeli let out a soft snort and then leaped into the golden sunset.

Her graceful form, enveloped by Dawn Power, transformed into a Lioness made entirely of Heavenly Power, adorned with Star Colors and surrounded by Nebulae. Her physique was as agile and exquisite as a work of art.

With a low growl, Nedeli began to move.

Each time her beastly paws landed, a thin mist of starlight appeared beneath her pads, as if she were a divine Spirit Beast from myth capable of soaring through the clouds. She departed into the distance, treading upon this ethereal path.

Seeing Nedeli leave, the other Cougars let out a low growl—or rather, a growl directed at Yuan Chen.

As if bidding farewell, the Cougars then swiftly moved their agile bodies and galloped in the direction Nedeli had gone.

Yuan Chen stood in place, calming his thoughts.

Hmm... a Cougar's Revenge?

Thinking this, Yuan Chen scratched his head and turned to head back towards the Village—regardless, his Adventure had only just begun.

Just as Yuan Chen turned to leave, far in the distance, beyond the edge of his sight, Nedeli stopped.

Standing atop a giant tree in the mountain peak, Nedeli gazed at the retreating back of the human from the civilized world who had intrigued her. After a moment, Nedeli seemed to mutter to herself, or perhaps ask someone:

"Did I do something wrong?"

A breeze rustled through the treetops, and the wilderness's answer left Nedeli in a brief silence. After a moment, with a soft snort, Nedeli vanished from the tree.

As he moved through the dense forest, Yuan Chen could clearly feel the convenience of the Wilderness Blessing—

It was as if the wind was pushing him along, requiring little effort. He only needed to move his legs, and the wind would help him forward, making it more energy-efficient and faster.

The ground beneath his feet was sometimes soft, sometimes firm, but always comfortable.

Branches and vines actively avoided him. He left no footprints where he ran, and even the sounds of his footsteps and the rustling of leaves disappeared...

No, they didn't disappear, but were significantly muffled.

That made sense. It was only a Fine-grade Blessing after all... While it allowed for some connection with the Wilderness Consciousness, directly communicating like Nedeli was clearly impossible.

How could a father look kindly upon the pig that had snatched his cabbage?

The Dragon that had dominated this mountain range was dead. It was foreseeable that Nedeli would become the master of this wilderness in the future... No, that wasn't right.

Recalling the might of the Dawn Bringer, if given enough time to grow, once Nedeli fully mastered this power, the entire Miasma Jungle would become her hunting ground...

But that was all in the future. For a similar profession to be fully mastered and developed would take decades, if not longer. Even so, Nedeli's strength would be undeniable...

It even turned him into a Pretty Boy. If he encountered troublesome people in the future, he might have to call for backup.

The Poachers were in for a rough time from now on~

Yuan Chen thought to himself, unconcerned—Nedeli didn't hate hunting, as she lived by it.

But hunting that disrupted the wilderness balance, hunting driven by base desires that lost reason and control, excessive hunting...

Such hunters, Poachers, and trappers would meet their Death God the moment they stepped foot into this forest.

Thinking this, Yuan Chen's footsteps gradually slowed as if he remembered something. A moment later, Yuan Chen's expression changed—

Damn it! He was so caught up in chatting and analyzing that he forgot to ask Nedeli how to purify Dragon Blood!!

No, that wasn't right. He had meant to ask, but his brain went blank when they were kissing...

He rubbed his hair with some helplessness, but a moment later, Yuan Chen relaxed and looked down at his palm...

It seemed his first experience calling for backup was about to begin.