Actions Apart

The lively exchange did not last long, only about an hour.

After all, there was plenty of time ahead. This was only the beginning.

After everyone obtained the purification technique for Adeptal Power from Zhongli, they began trying to learn it.

Ye Fan and Han Li found a secluded, quiet bamboo grove. The two cultivated within it, attempting to refine their spiritual energy and make their own magical power purer.

The spiritual energy spilling from the grass, trees, and spiritual plants into the Aether began to form two whirlpools, one large and one small.

At the center of the lake, Xiao Yan used the lake's coolness to refine a special medicinal pill.

Ye Fan and Han Li had just commissioned him to make it.

He took out a porcelain bottle, from which several drops of golden blood floated up.

Not far away, Yao Lao began examining the problems within the little girl's body through soul power.

Only then did he discover that the structure of power within her body and even her physical composition differed slightly from those of ordinary people. Moreover, because she had remained under strain for so long, her bodily functions autonomously maintained the operation of her Magic Circuits.

Several months ago, Yao Lao had heard of the Holy Grail Ritual in that world, but only after witnessing it in person did he understand the cruelty at the core of the ritual.

Yao Lao stroked his beard.

Shirou Emiya, who had been watching, asked, "Yao Lao, is there a way?"

Yao Chen waved a hand and said, "Don't be anxious. This is also the first time this old man has encountered such a situation."

"Let this old man think it over alone first. I'll give you an answer in a week."

There were not only physical problems, but also issues with her soul. He needed to carefully devise a solution.

If convenience were the only concern, they could simply replace her body using the Ben-native methods of the Dou Qi Continent.

"Sorry for the trouble, Yao Lao." Shirou Emiya cupped his hands in salute.

Yao Lao nodded and turned into a streak of White light, returning to Xiao Yan's ring.

"That soul body just now had incredibly powerful soul strength." Only after Yao Lao left did Illya say with lingering fear, "But this is great—you can speak now, Berserker."

In fact, Berserker had possessed a certain degree of reason and could speak at the beginning, but the Einzbern Family had bestowed the Mad Enhancement Incantation upon him in order to grant their Servant greater power.

The black giant revealed a gentle smile.

"All right, Shirou, let's go. Since you helped Berserker speak again, I'll spare your life." Illya waved her little hand.

"Mm, where to?"

"Back to Fuyuki City, of course. The Holy Grail War still has to continue. How could we have time to wait another week?"

Illya was somewhat dissatisfied. To her family, completing the Holy Grail Ritual was the most important thing.

Shirou Emiya had not yet told the others that the Holy Grail had already been contaminated.

"There's no need to worry. Time in our world has already stopped. Even if we stay here for three months, it will still be the same day when we return."

If possible, Shirou Emiya hoped that this girl could enjoy more of a normal life instead of constantly fighting and killing.

Heracles fell silent for a while upon hearing this, then said:

"Even in the myths of the past, such a thing would count as one of the most inconceivable events."

"Then what do we do next? Are we going to have fun here? That way, I won't have to worry about Sella lecturing me." Illya became excited at once.

"I'll take you into the city for some fun first. The time here is equivalent to more than ten years after our world."

"Really? I thought the gap would be much bigger."

Unlike Ye Fan and the others, Su Lin did not go cultivate. He was taking Lu Mingfei around Water Mirror Peak.

"These houses were where the elders and disciples lived in the past."

"They're all Aether now. If you like, you can pick any one you want. You can stay here whenever you visit in the future."

Lu Mingfei thought, Big shots really are generous. He was giving away a whole house right off the bat.

He casually pointed at a residence not far away that looked somewhat like it was in Tang dynasty style.

Compared with the surrounding buildings, it was not particularly large, but it looked rather exquisite.

"Can I have that one?"

With a thought from Su Lin, a wooden plaque flew out through the crack in the door.

"Keep it. When you sleep at night, place this in the groove by the door, and it will automatically activate the formation."

"Thanks, boss." Lu Mingfei took the wooden plaque and kissed it.

"Just call me by my name." As Su Lin spoke, he pulled two ice creams out from the history of the past and handed one to Lu Mingfei. "Come to think of it, I haven't asked which stage your world has reached."

Lu Mingfei had mentioned Lu Mingze in the group before, so presumably he had already enrolled in school.

"We just arrived in Japan. Before coming here, we were about to visit Genji Heavy Industries."

"Really? I didn't expect it was already the time of the third part." Su Lin strolled through the area with Lu Mingfei and asked curiously, "Have you figured out what you'll do in the future?"

"Sigh, actually, I came here to think precisely because I haven't figured out how to walk the road ahead." Lu Mingfei sighed, then stuffed the ice cream into his mouth.

"Don't rush. Take your time thinking. You can stay here for as long as you want."

"Thank you, Boss Su!"

"Just call me Su Lin. Actually, by the time you reach this point in time, you'll be older than I am." Su Lin said helplessly, "I remember that when I was in middle school, the version of you in the book was already in college."

"Hehe."

Lu Mingfei scratched his head awkwardly, then changed the subject:

"Was that Ben book popular?"

"Yeah. Back then, quite a few people considered this Ben book the Eastern Harry Potter."

Su Lin showed a nostalgic expression as he recalled how a troublesome friend had borrowed his newly purchased Dragon Raja II, secretly read it during class, and had it confiscated by the homeroom teacher.

"That popular, huh."

Lu Mingfei had not expected that so many people would enjoy the story of a loser kid like him.

"I didn't think anyone would like my life, which was so full of tragedy."

By chance, the two arrived at a place without shade. Sunlight shone directly down from above, while dust drifted through Aether.

Lu Mingfei raised his head and looked toward the azure Aether, where there were only patches of White cloud.

"Loser kid."

Su Lin stopped walking and smiled at Lu Mingfei beside him.

"I really am kind of a loser." Lu Mingfei nodded in agreement.

Su Lin shook his head and placed a hand on Lu Mingfei's shoulder.

"Do you know why your story became so popular?"

"I don't."

Lu Mingfei truly could not understand White.

"Because there's a loser kid living in everyone's heart."

Su Lin pointed to his own chest.

"The heart is on the left, isn't it?"

"I know. I did that on purpose." Su Lin smiled and patted Lu Mingfei on the back, signaling for him to continue walking.

"Some people said your story resonated with chuunibyou teenagers. Others said it was a youth angst novel."

Hey, hey, where did that Eastern Harry Potter thing you just mentioned go?!

Lu Mingfei silently complained to himself.

Thanks to "Dream Shadow Phantom Gallop" for the 500-point donation!

(End of the Ben chapter)