Amethyst Storage Rings

After hanging up the call, Zijin couldn't calm down.

She leaned back in her chair, her gaze fixed on the sea of clouds outside the window, but it was unclear what she was looking at.

"Alright." Su Ming held her hand and comforted her softly, "In a couple of days, we'll know what Atiya left behind."

Zijin nodded gently.

Su Ming thought for a moment, then took a small box out of her bag and handed it to her.

Zijin took it, unfastened the clasp, and inside lay a pair of bracelets made of Purple Energy Crystal.

A deep purple hue, with tiny specks of light slowly flowing within, as if a small patch of starry night has been sealed inside.

"I was planning to give it to you when you were in a better mood," Su Ming said.

Zijin doesn't have an advantage in terms of Magic Power sustain, especially during this period when the enemies are becoming increasingly overpowered.

Therefore, she often uses items that can store her own Magic Power to assist her, providing an extra power pool for battle.

The original Zijin was made by Atiya herself. During the North Pole battle, it was tainted by the dissipated dragon breath in the Pale domain of the Miasma Throat and froze.

Zijin's fingertip paused at the edge of the box, somewhat surprised. "Purple Energy Crystal are very difficult to process."

She said softly.

"The one before was slowly carved out of me by Atiya using her Light-Chasing Sword Technique."

"My spatial Magic Power is more effective at removing impurities than a sword," Su Ming replied.

The Zijin eyes were coated with a subtle luster, which couldn't be achieved simply by having spatial Magic Power.

The energy channels inside the Purple Energy Crystal are complex, and it can easily crack if you're not careful. Grinding it into a ring that fits your wrist without disrupting the Magic Power channels within is far more complicated than it seems.

Zijin raised her hand and offered it to Su Ming.

Su Ming took a bracelet from the box and slid it down her clasped fingers.

Then it got stuck.

He was clearly unfamiliar with the situation. "Did I do something inappropriate?"

"No, it's just right," Zijin replied, "Just use a little more force."

Su Ming had come up with a solution and cast a "Nether Shield". This spell, in addition to its defensive effect, could also reduce friction.

The bracelet was successfully pushed into place.

Zijin's wrists were slender, and her skin appeared somewhat pale under the cabin lights.

The two purple rings on her wrist added a touch of softness.

****

The Zijin unleashed its Magic Power.

The light shone into the bracelet and then naturally returned from the other end without any obstruction.

"The results are better than what Atiya did."

Zijin raised her wrist and looked at it in the light.

Outside the cabin, a sea of clouds surged, and sunlight streamed through the portholes.

The Purple Energy Crystal gleamed with a warm light, its internal impurities cleaned away, and its Magic Power channels intact.

However, its appearance doesn't hold up to close scrutiny. The bracelet is roughly round—roughly.

Their surfaces are uneven, with numerous tiny pits and craters. A certain spatial mage suffered a rather disastrous failure when attempting to enter the jade carving industry.

"And they're all carved equally ugly," Zijin said.

Su Ming shrugged.

Sorry, this is a beginner's first work.

Zijin looked down at the bracelet on her wrist.

After a while, she whispered, "Thank you."

After saying that, she turned her head away and raised her hand to press down on the corner of her eye.

Su Ming was taken aback.

"Hey, don't cry over something like this."

Zijin leaned closer again, resting her forehead on Su Ming's shoulder.

"The last time I saw Atiya was when she gave me the bracelet," Zijin whispered. Su Ming stiffened. "I'm sorry."

Zijin reached out and hugged Su Ming, wiping her tears on his chest.

"... Just a little while, then I'll cry for a bit..."

Su Ming reached out and put his arm around her, making her lean against him more securely.

****

Immortal Spirit Peninsula certainly doesn't have an airport.

After the aircraft arrives at the designated airspace, it will reduce its altitude and speed.

The rear cargo hold opened, and strong winds rushed into the cabin.

One by one, the secured trays were pushed out, the outer locks were pulled off one by one by the lanyards, and the white parachutes then unfolded in the air.

The supply pallet wobbled and sank downwards, while a large patch of blooming umbrellas appeared above the forest.

After that, all the accompanying personnel jumped out of the plane one after another: the formation masters, the guards, and the logistics team.

After falling to a certain height, the group's bodies glowed with different colored magical lights as they slowly descended towards the forest below.

"Whoosh!!"

Qiluo spread her wings and swept past Su Ming and Zijin.

She was clearly enjoying herself, tracing a beautiful arc as she circled back and forth among the crowd.

Su Ming and Zijin held hands and drifted down quietly.

Vast swathes of tropical forest stretch out in undulating waves, with layers of varying shades of green interwoven. Tall trees spread their umbrella-shaped canopies, and vines hang down from the branches like green curtains.

As soon as the array masters at the forefront descended, the nearby vines seemed to come alive and parted to the sides, making way for a temporary landing spot for the airdropped supplies.

The brightly colored birds were startled and took flight, their shadows flashing in the sunlight.

Further away, on the horizon, stands a giant banyan tree.

The massive canopy obscures half the distant sky, and aerial roots hang down from above like pillars. Sunlight falls on its leaves, giving them a warm, golden-green sheen.

****

The two quickly landed by the lake. The tropical rainforest was humid, and the air was filled with the scent of grass and water vapor. Large swathes of broad-leaved plants grew along the lake, and white and pale pink aquatic flowers bloomed in the shallow water.

As soon as Su Ming landed, he noticed many subtle movements in the nearby bushes and grass.

Some hid behind broad leaves, while others peeked out from flower buds, their bright eyes secretly observing the guests.

They're all fairies.

These sensitive creatures sensed no malice, which is why they dared to stand by and watch.

A parachute landed nearby, and the box automatically unpacked as it approached the ground, releasing clumps of cargo.

Magic Mechanical Hound.

Their limbs and moving parts unfolded, cushioning their landing.

Then, the electronic eye scanned the area, located Su Ming, and quickly lined up beside him.

Su Ming instructed them to lie down and wait for orders.

The fairies were very curious, and several of them boldly flew around the Magic Mechanical Hound several times, wanting to touch it but not daring to.

As soon as one of them reached out, the Magic Mechanical Hound's detection eye snapped towards her. The little creature was so startled that it darted back into the flower bushes, leaving a trail of light spots from its wings.

Zhifo landed from the air and waved her little hand at everyone.

I'm back!

A soft cheer suddenly came from the bushes.

A green figure emerged from the woods, Zhifo's eyes lit up as she immediately went to meet it.

"This is Taiye, the queen of the Fairy Spirit Tribe," she introduced to Su Ming, "A forest fairy like me."

Su Ming looked at the other person.

Taiye was much taller than ordinary fairies, but it was still as light as a walking leaf.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Taiye," Su Ming said.

"You too, Lord Su Ming, the Scholar Bay Owl."

The sound of the Taiye was very soft, like the wind blowing through tender leaves.

Zijin nodded slightly.

The parachute landing was completed, and the accompanying staff began to get busy.

The widely scattered supplies were gathered up one by one.

Su Ming's guards quickly established a temporary base, with magic-guided defensive posts driven into the ground and several sets of folding shield arrays unfolding in sequence. Then came the communication relay equipment and radar and other surveillance facilities on the technology side.

The Magic Mechanical Hound repair area was also set up on a relatively flat open space by the lake. Several Magic Mechanical Hound did not land very well and were dragged over for inspection by the engineers.

On the other side, right next to them, the array masters unfolded the materials they had brought for the "Interception Array".

Crystals, rune plates, and Psionic Power wires were arranged on a waterproof sheet according to their numbers. Some people were clearing the site and determining the direction of the ley lines, while others began to build camouflage sheds to prevent spying from the air.

The lakeside suddenly became lively.

The fairies of the Fairy Spirit Tribe watched intently from within the bushes, chattering excitedly.

Zhifo waved to the Taiye.

"I'm going to get busy now."

After she finished speaking, she flew towards the formation master group, leaving a trail of fireflies in her wake. Taiye entertained Su Ming and Zijin, preparing food for them.

To be precise, it was a feast mainly consisting of flower dew and berries, arranged on large leaves, so vibrant they looked as if they had been plucked from a painting.

Su Ming picked up an orange fruit and examined it.

It's about the size of a thumb, with a layer of fine fuzz on the surface. When you squeeze it gently, a plump juice flows out inside.

It looks delicious.

But Su Ming still cautiously asked Zijin, "Can I eat it?"

Zijin glanced at it and shook her head regretfully.

"They're all related to strawberries."

Su Ming could only put the fruit back and watch Zijin eat it.

After a long period of relaxation on the plane, and now arriving at this breathtaking forest, Zijin's mood lightened considerably.

Su Ming suddenly smelled a peculiar scent, strong and with an aura that seemed to press the surrounding floral fragrance into the ground.

Su Ming's eyes lit up instantly. Sure enough, not far away, Jielusi walked over carrying a ripe, split durian.

"Great!" Su Ming exclaimed with delight, "It's been so long since I've had this!"

Zijin's expression changed slightly, and she immediately stepped back.

"Don't come near me!"

She raised her hand and cast a spell to shut out the scent.

"This is the king of fruits," Su Ming couldn't help but say.

"I don't consider it a fruit!" said the Zijin.

****

Jielusi handed the durian to Su Ming, her expression showing the joy of a long-awaited reunion.

"How have you been lately?" Su Ming asked.

"It's fine," Jielusi replied. "The injuries are all healed."

"It's just that you all are so busy, and I feel really guilty being idle here." Taiye also explained Jielusi's situation:

"The Jielusi Thought-Dwelling Tribe within Gerus is still alive."

"But without a physical body, she poses no threat."

Su Ming nodded; this was good news.

"There are still some problems," Jielusi said.

The color faded from her eyes.

The warmth that once belonged to a living person was drained away, and Jielusi's aura became hollow.

The girl's emotions faded, as if she had been pulled into a shadow, leaving only a cold force projected onto reality.

A dark, murky ripple spread silently around them, and the grass by the lake drooped as if swept by a cold wind.

The fairies who had been peeking from the tree branches just moments before quickly scurried back behind the leaves.

Even the Taiye slightly unfolded their shields.

These semi-illusory beings are particularly sensitive to the power of the soul.