Chapter 87: Conversation by the Campfire
Chapter 87: Conversation by the Campfire
"In theory, it's feasible, but in reality, it's not?"
Lin Sai was puzzled by this answer, and An Rui proceeded to elaborate:
"Lin Sai, you know that monsters and humans are essentially the same in their use of source essence."
"But there are also distinctions."
"Monsters follow their instincts and are naturally adept at using this power, while humans hinder this innate ability and merely treat source essence as energy to drive the skills they've honed."
"The result is that monsters are easily influenced by changes in external source essence, but to interfere with humans... either the degree of environmental change must be drastic enough to be difficult to resist, or there must be a design specifically targeting human Awakened ones."
Hearing this, Lin Sai understood everything:
"The dragon beast occupying Black Mountain doesn't have the ability to design something specifically against human Awakened ones?"
"Its actions are simple and brutal." An Rui nodded, "The environmental changes in Black Mountain are so simple that they seem devoid of any skill, like natural changes. This is also why I must find a monster to confirm the cause."
Lin Sai understood everything.
Subsequently, he shared the information he had obtained from the map during An Rui's rest.
At this moment, the campfire that had been burning for some time was about to go out.
Lin Sai added some firewood from his portable bag, and the rekindled flickering flames sparked more thoughts.
"Source essence is so important to both monsters and humans, and it can be said to be the foundation of all wondrous skills." Lin Sai curiously asked as he tended to the rejuvenated flames, "Is there no one who specifically researches the nature of source essence?"
"Of course, there are, but it's very difficult."
An Rui affirmed Lin Sai's question, but his subsequent tone turned rather pessimistic:
"Any large school will undoubtedly have people dedicated to source essence research."
"But the result is that once human skills are mixed in or any material from the real world is touched, the source essence immediately exhibits corresponding properties, making it challenging to restore it to its essential state."
"There are also those who try to gather as many existing types of source essence as possible to find commonalities. But as far as I know, no one has made any progress in this regard."
In other words, source essence easily takes on the characteristics of other things and cannot be restored.
When researching the nature of things, this is indeed a thorny issue.
But Lin Sai immediately proposed another idea:
"What about the once-a-decade source essence tide?"
"With the means of those more powerful Awakened ones, shouldn't we be able to gain something from it?"
An Rui shrugged, a simple gesture that reminded him of his empty left arm, and his expression immediately dimmed.
"Sigh..."
"There are those who have tried this as well."
"But if you try to gather these source essence tides that emerge in nature, it will change, and the result is still the same. In the end, all that can be achieved is the development of techniques that utilize source essence or methods for crafting equipment."
"..."
Listening to this description, Lin Sai felt a strong sense of deja vu.
Isn't this a problem where the observer's actions affect the observation results?! Lin Sai didn't have any advanced instruments or means to research source essence.
So, he set this topic aside for now and turned his attention to An Rui's current condition:
"Uncle An Rui, how are you feeling now?"
Lin Sai carefully examined An Rui, who was leaning against the vines.
Compared to before he fell asleep, the paleness on An Rui's face had significantly improved. The fracture wound on his left arm had mostly healed, leaving only a hideous scar.
If not for the fact that they had personally experienced this event,
it would be hard to imagine that just a few hours ago, An Rui was in such a pitiful state.
An Rui nodded, indicating that he was doing well:
"The toxins have been mostly cleared, and now it's just a matter of regaining my strength."
Lin Sai then suggested,
"Since the spiders have left for two hours, let's find a time to return to the town?"
An Rui didn't immediately agree but asked another question:
"You just said they left two hours ago?"
Lin Sai naturally nodded,
"That's right."
An Rui promptly made a decision:
"Then let's wait for another four hours. We can't be careless at a time like this!"
Lin Sai expressed his support.
The two continued to rest in the enclosed cave, regaining their strength.
Considering that they would have to climb several thousand meters upwards to reach the hidden frontier, Lin Sai prepared several portions of roasted meat to replenish their energy as much as possible.
During this time, he flipped through his Hunting Journal.
Sure enough, a new set of data appeared under the monsters.
【Corrupted Venom Spider】
【Arachnid - Essenceless Creature, Awakened 5th Stage】
【Body Length: 0.003~2.3 meters】
【Weight: 0.02~102 kg】
【Crawling speed slightly faster than an adult human.】
【Eight-Eyed Spider, with acute senses, agile movements, and potent venom.】
【Corrupted Venom Spiders prefer to hunt by setting up webs. They swiftly attack prey entangled in their webs, wrapping them tightly, and then piercing to inject venom. During this process, the prey is constantly held by the spider, and the digestive enzymes in the venom break down the prey, which is then carried back to the spider's lair.】
【Weakness: Brain, Abdomen.】
【Hunting Suggestion: Conduct a fire attack outside the spider web lair.】
【Kill Achievement: 121/150】
【Leader Kill Achievement: 0/1】
"..."
Lin Sai now realized how many spiders she and An Rui had killed! These Corrupted Venom Spiders, ranging from individuals without fused essences to 5th Stage individuals, also had unique hunting journal requirements.
Lin Sai had now completed the achievements for the first two stages.
In the first stage, she only possessed the enhanced title 【Spider Killer】.
But in the second stage, in addition to the title 【Spider Nemesis】, she also obtained a special achievement item.
【Equipment: Octopus Silk Hook】
【After equipping, the user can shoot out eight white spider silks, each up to eight meters in length, to pull and move their body.】
【Achievement item, versatile function, moderate value.】
"..."
Lin Sai wanted to try out this new equipment right away.
But when she looked at An Rui beside her and thought about the cause of his injuries, Lin Sai abandoned the idea, fearing it might upset An Rui.
At this moment, they were sitting in a hidden corner of the Black Mountain World.
Lin Sai thought about many things, especially the ideas about breaching Black Mountain. With the Marquis of the Hidden Frontier sitting right beside her, Lin Sai was curious about his attitude.
So she asked:
"Uncle An Rui, what's your opinion on the town's people wanting to breach Black Mountain?"
Lin Sai had assumed An Rui would encourage such an idea.
Just like the other Awakened individuals she met in town.
But An Rui shook his head:
"No, it's too foolish."
"Previously, with the Dragon Beast guarding Black Mountain, there was no hope of breaching. Now that it's attempting to break through its boundaries, this situation will only become more dangerous than before!"
Lin Sai tried to argue:
"But you should also know that staying in this tiny Hidden Frontier world is definitely not a wise choice."
An Rui asserted:
"That's still better than running up to a Dragon Beast and filling its teeth!"
"Moreover, Lin Sai, you've seen it yourself. Just at the border, there are Fifth Stage spider monsters lurking in the mountainous region."
"Do you think many from the town would survive a long journey in such a world?"
"..."
Lin Sai fell silent.
An Rui raised his remaining right arm and pointed to his chest:
"Lin Sai, I am the Marquis of the Hidden Frontier, and this responsibility, though sudden, is one I've always taken seriously."
"For the duty of protection, I cannot allow such a thing to happen."
At this point, An Rui changed the topic, suggesting a new possibility:
"But holding onto the Hidden Frontier is not a completely dead-end path."
"The members of the Expedition Team, in various worlds, are all strong individuals with significant status and influence!"
"Now, the Hidden Frontier has been isolated from the outside world for a full decade!"
"It's about time someone tries to breach Black Mountain from the outside, reestablishing contact with us."
"..."
Lin Sai didn't speak immediately.
Accompanying An Rui to the Black Mountain World, they encountered those spider attacks again.
She could understand An Rui's thoughts very well.
But thinking about the town, those friends and elders who had always yearned to break free from their confines, Lin Sai knew that such hope and desire would not be easily deterred by the dangers before them.
Lin Sai could only try to say:
"But there have always been people leaving town, attempting this."
Facing this issue, An Rui's expression also became a bit helpless.
He sighed, shaking his head:
"I can't control personal choices, after all, I can't tie everyone up."
"But, Lin Sai, trust me."
"Such adventures are just meaningless wastes of life."
【Third Update!】
【Three chapters in one day, so disgusting.】
(End of Chapter)
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