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 little bamboo grove. There, they cultivated and attempted to refine spiritual energy, making their Dharma Power purer.
The spiritual energy emitted by the grasses, trees, and spirit plants into the air gradually formed two vortices, 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 asked him to make it.
He took out a porcelain bottle, from which several drops of golden blood floated up.
Not far away, Yao Lao used his soul power to examine the problem inside the little girl before him.
Only then did he discover that the structure of power within her body and even her physical makeup differed subtly from that of ordinary humans. Moreover, because she had remained under strain for so long, her bodily functions automatically 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 firsthand did he understand the cruelty at the heart of that ritual.
Yao Lao stroked his beard.
Shirou Emiya asked anxiously, "Yao Lao, is there a way?"
Yao Chen waved his hand. "Don't worry. 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 problems not only with her body, but with her soul as well. He needed to carefully devise a plan.
If convenience were the only concern, they could simply replace her body using the methods native to the Dou Qi Continent.
"Sorry for the trouble, Yao Lao." Shirou Emiya clasped 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... his soul power was far too strong." Only after Yao Lao left did Illya say with lingering fear, "But this is great, Berserker. You can speak now."
In truth, Berserker had retained a certain degree of rationality at the beginning and could speak. However, in order to grant their Servant greater power, the Einzbern Family had bestowed upon him the Mad Enhancement Incantation.
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 are we going?"
"Back to Fuyuki City, of course. The Holy Grail War still has to continue. How can we wait another week?"
Illya was somewhat dissatisfied. To the 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 corrupted.
"There's no need to worry. Time in our world has stopped. Even if we stay here for three months, it will still be the same day when we return."
If possible, Shirou Emiya hoped this girl could enjoy more of a normal life rather than constantly fighting and killing.
Heracles fell silent for a while after hearing this, then said:
"Even in the myths of old, something like this would count as utterly unbelievable."
"So what do we do next? Are we going to have fun here? Then I won't have to worry about Sella lecturing me." Illya became a little excited.
"I'll take you into the city to have some fun first. The time here is equivalent to more than a decade after our world's era."
"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 used to live."
"They're all empty now. If you like, pick any one you want. You can stay there whenever you come visit in the future."
Lu Mingfei thought that Boss Su was truly generous, offering him a whole house right away.
So he casually pointed at a residence nearby that had something of a Tang Dynasty style.
It was not very large compared to the surrounding buildings, but it looked rather exquisite.
"Can I have that one?"
With a thought from Su Lin, a wooden plaque flew out through the gap in the door.
"Keep it. When you sleep at night, place this in the groove by the door, and it will automatically activate the Array Formation."
"Thanks, Boss Su." Lu Mingfei took the wooden plaque and kissed it.
"Just call me by my name." As Su Lin spoke, he pulled two ice creams from the history of the past and handed one to Lu Mingfei. "Come to think of it, I haven't asked—which stage has your world reached?"
Lu Mingfei had previously mentioned Lu Mingze in the group, so presumably he had already enrolled.
"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 wandered around the area with Lu Mingfei and asked curiously, "Have you figured out what you'll do in the future?"
"Sigh, actually, it's because I haven't figured out how to walk the road ahead that I came here to think things over." Lu Mingfei sighed, then shoved the ice cream into his mouth.
"Don't rush. Think it over slowly. You can stay here 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 you in the book was already in college."
"Hehe."
Lu Mingfei scratched his head awkwardly, then changed the subject.
"Was that book really popular?"
"Yeah. Back then, quite a few people thought it was the Eastern Harry Potter."
Su Lin wore a nostalgic expression, remembering how a troublesome friend had borrowed his newly bought Dragon Raja II, secretly read it in class, and had it confiscated by the homeroom teacher.
"That popular?"
Lu Mingfei had not expected so many people to enjoy the story of a pathetic kid like him.
"I never thought anyone would like my life, which is so full of tragedy."
By coincidence, the two of them reached a spot without shade. Sunlight streamed straight down from above, while dust drifted through the air.
Lu Mingfei raised his head toward the azure sky, where there were only clusters of white clouds.
"Pathetic kid."
Su Lin stopped walking and smiled at Lu Mingfei beside him.
"I really am kind of pathetic." Lu Mingfei nodded in agreement.
Su Lin shook his head and placed one hand on Lu Mingfei's shoulder.
"Do you know why your story is so popular?"
"I don't."
Lu Mingfei truly could not understand it.
"Because there's a pathetic kid living in everyone's heart."
Su Lin pointed at his chest.
"Isn't the heart on the left?"
"I know. I did that on purpose." Su Lin smiled and patted Lu Mingfei on the back, signaling him to keep walking.
"Some people say your story resonates with edgy teenagers, while others say it's a work of youthful angst literature."
Hey, hey, where did that Eastern Harry Potter thing you just mentioned go?!
Lu Mingfei silently grumbled to himself.
Thanks to "Dream Shadow Phantom Gallop" for the 500-point tip!
(End of this chapter)