Arrival in the Overworld

Inside the clinic at this moment.

"You bad boy, what exactly are you trying to do?" Natasha finally couldn't help but ask.

"I'm not trying to do anything. It's just that I see how hard you work, Natasha, and I've been working pretty hard too, so I just wanted to find an opportunity for us to take a break." Jing Yan blinked, his eyes clear.

Natasha narrowed her eyes, as if to say: I don't believe a word of it!

Although Jing Yan saw this expression, his skin was thick enough that he didn't show any embarrassment. Instead, he spread his hands and spoke eloquently, "Natasha, even the Underworld deserves to pursue a quality of life!"

"Look, you even have a record player in your clinic..."

Natasha was stunned for a moment upon hearing this.

"I brought that back from exploring ruins a long time ago. Besides, it's mainly to help the patients soothe their moods, not for my own personal enjoyment."

"Natasha, you really are..." Jing Yan was also taken aback by this.

"In time, I will definitely take you to see a performance at the Golden Theater in the Overworld."

As soon as these words were spoken, Natasha's expression became even more unnatural.

[Natasha's favorability increased by 3%. Current favorability: 78%]

"You child, you really are full of flowery words. I don't know who you learned that from. If I find out, I'll definitely give them a good lesson!"

Natasha was still trying to brush it off, but her tone had softened considerably.

"I'm not just saying it," Jing Yan said lightly.

"Besides, I'm already an adult. You aren't much older than me, just a year or two. How did I suddenly become a child?"

"Hmph!" Natasha's face remained unnatural as she chided him, "You are just a child. You were such a good kid before; I don't know where you picked up these bad ideas."

"Then do you like good kids or bad kids, Natasha?" Jing Yan asked, feeling a bit indignant.

"Of course I like..."

"I don't like either." Natasha feigned composure, stiffened her face, and spoke with feigned sternness, her words contradicting her heart.

She then hurriedly turned around and pretended to get back to work.

She began wiping down the workbench with a handkerchief.

"You already wiped that today," Jing Yan said, feeling speechless.

He could clearly see that Natasha's movements were a bit flustered, lacking her usual calm and collected demeanor, which meant his previous words had already stirred her heart.

Even though she hadn't yet obtained the divine artifact in Jing Yan's hand, the "Emotion Stone," and hadn't been influenced by it, the mere conversation with Jing Yan had already caused ripples in Natasha's emotions, and it seemed to be in a positive direction.

"It's alright!"

Jing Yan grabbed Natasha's hand and started walking outside.

"Distributing mushroom soup to the children and such—the people from Underworld Fire will handle it. But if you're interested in the stone I have, you'll have to do as I say, okay?"

Jing Yan pulled Natasha by the hand toward the Goethe Hotel.

"Hey, where are you running off to?"

Natasha struggled symbolically, but her hand didn't break free.

A faint blush appeared on her face, but she didn't resist further, allowing Jing Yan to lead her forward.

Outside the clinic.

By the roadside were the children of The Moles.

Julian of a Thousand Faces, the popular Alina, and the great thief Luke.

Hook was nowhere to be seen; she was likely still at home recovering from her injuries.

In the previous incident, Hook hadn't been seriously hurt, perhaps because her small and agile frame allowed her to avoid the damage from the Fragmentum creatures, though she had still fainted from exhaustion.

Of course, if Seele and Jing Yan hadn't rescued them in time, Hook would have been dead or severely wounded.

"Big Sister Natasha, Brother Jing Yan, thank you for saving our boss!"

Julian's crisp voice rang out.

Natasha didn't say anything, but Jing Yan waved at Julian as he ran past.

As he turned his head back, he caught Julian winking his left eye at him and giving him a thumbs-up.

It seemed the boy understood that Jing Yan was trying to woo her.

Jing Yan felt speechless at the sight and thought to himself: Such a little rascal!

"Don't ask too many questions. In short, I'll give you this gem when we get back," Jing Yan said.

Natasha was stunned for a moment. She glanced at the stone wrapped in iridescent light in Jing Yan's hand, her eyes showing keen interest, and then she replied obediently, "Alright then."

"But, this is the only time!"

"If you come uninvited to stir up trouble again, I'll make sure you know who's the boss of this clinic!"

Natasha added.

At this moment, Jing Yan had already brought Natasha to the junction between Boulder Town and the Overworld.

Through this concealed entrance, one could reach the Overworld. Of course, the reason Jing Yan knew of this entrance was because Sampo had told him.

Perhaps because he was a Pathstrider of Elation, Sampo possessed a unique sensitivity to emotions, which made him quite close to Jing Yan. Upon hearing that Jing Yan was interested in the Overworld, he had shared the information about this interface between the Overworld and the Underworld with him.

Naturally, as a merchant who smuggled goods between the Overworld and the Underworld, Sampo's talent lay in playing both sides and knowing how to handle affairs.

As for this secret entrance, many people actually knew about it.

For instance, members of Underworld Fire, or even Natasha, had once used this path to go up and gather medicinal herbs.

However, because many people in the Overworld were not particularly welcoming to those from the Underworld, and due to the decrees issued by the Supreme Guardian, people from the Underworld rarely ventured to the Overworld.

But at this moment, Jing Yan was not too worried about being interrogated by the Silvermane Guards. The reason was that his divine power had already partially recovered; even if they were truly spotted by the Overworld's Silvermane Guards, Jing Yan could simply adjust their emotions to make them let them pass.

"It's my treat today. What would you like to eat, Sister Natasha? I'll buy it for you."

Jing Yan arrived at the entrance of a small snack shop.

"Belobog Sausage."

"Rock-Roasted Olm."

"And throw in a Black Bread Soda Iceberg."

Jing Yan ordered.

The shopkeeper wore a polite smile upon hearing this.

Natasha, however, furrowed her brows slightly.

"You brought me to the Overworld just to treat me to food, you brat?" Natasha's expression seemed somewhat displeased.

"What's wrong? These Shields of Belobog were saved up by me; are you not happy, Sister Natasha?" Jing Yan asked, puzzled.

"But, your money is also..." Sister Natasha still hesitated.

Jing Yan immediately understood what was on her mind.

She probably felt that spending money like this was a bit wasteful.

Although the food just ordered wasn't exactly extravagant, that was only true from the perspective of the Overworld's residents.

In the Underworld, while people could manage to eat 18 to 20 meals a week, 12 of those were basically just bread and potatoes.

By comparison, what Jing Yan had just ordered naturally seemed a bit luxurious.

"What are you afraid of? Money spent can always be earned back!"

Jing Yan said nonchalantly.