Tager Desert

--- Chapter 35 ---

Baek Ain, Lan Rou, and Yi Xian stayed in the Poison Master's Inheritance Cave for two more days. Even though Baek Ain has suppressed Yi Xian's Woeful Poison Body, it's not enough to make Yi Xian function normally.

After the Life Drain Session, Baek Ain increased his White Poison Art Proficiency to level 12. Of course, he feeds Yi Xian with more docile venom because her poison is the same as the life force.

Yi Xian wanted to cure her Woeful Poison Body's impulse, but that would be impossible with her current strength. And surprisingly, her cultivation soared to 5-Star Dou Master.

After gaining and mastering the Eagle's Wings Technique, Lan Rou broke through in 6-Star Dou Spirit Realm, close to 7-star. Still, she preferred to wait until her Dou Qi settled down first.

The three of them also become closer to each other, with Lan Rou and Yi Xian sometimes bantering lightly.

Baek Ain hoped they'd get along well in the future.

Or so he thought.

Baek Ain meditated on the edge of a cliff, accepting the sunlight right on his face. This routine would make him uncomfortable five months ago, but training until now makes his sense better and more durable.

[Sixth Sense's Proficiency +0.5%]

[Sixth Sense's Proficiency +0.6%]

[Sixth Sense's Proficiency +0.4%]

[Breathing's Proficiency +0.3%]

[Breathing's Proficiency +0.1%]

[Breathing's Proficiency +0.4%]

[Record of the Burning World's Proficiency +0.1%]

[Record of the Burning World's Proficiency +0.1%]

"That's a wrap, Ah~!" He let out a comfortable yawn, stretching his body in delight.

"Hello, world."

"Good morning."

[Ding! Do you want to Sign-In the Poison Master's Inheritance Cave?]

"Go ahead, Alicia."

[Congratulations, host]

[You have obtained 1x "Low Dou Spirit's Weapon: Corrupted Scythe." and 5-Class Magical Beast's Wood Core]

[Name: Corrupted Scythe]

[Type: Weapon]

[Grade: B+]

[Description: A scythe made from dark steel alloy, pretty durable and flexible to be used recklessly. It has a sharp edge that could cause extreme bleeding if targeted properly]

[Name: Soft-Boned Deer's Core]

[Type: Material/ Magical Beast's Core]

[Grade: B+]

[Description: A core of Soft-Boned Deer known as the Blessed Creature of the forest. It has potent Wood Dou Qi and could get used as a pill-making ingredient]

Baek Ain pulled the Corrupted Scythe out, seeing a crescent moon-like blade spanning over a meter. He held the brownish handle and felt comfortable as the weapon was "actually." made of the same material. There is no extra material, such as wood.

He swung the scythe around and tried to imbue his Dou Qi into it, which was a success. The blade shone dimly with orange color.

"Not bad. The synergy is inferior to White Light Chakra Sabre, but I could make it work.."

Baek Ain had never used a scythe before, but he could learn it. And his White Light Chakra Sabre was chipped when parrying Amethyst Winged Lion's attack. This scythe is a decent replacement until he finds a skilled blacksmith to fix the tanto.

As for the magical beast's core, he could use it later.

"Ain, we are ready." Lan Rou walked out of the cave with slightly damp hair.

Yi Xian followed shortly after with wet hair as well. They must have taken a bath inside there.

Baek Ain smiled helplessly and gently caressed Lan Rou's hair with her hand, drying her Gnome's beast flame. After all, He could control the temperature comfortably enough for her.

"There. You can catch a cold with wet hair, you know?" He reprimanded her.

Lan Rou couldn't muster her embarrassment to say that she wanted to be spoiled by Baek Ain. She looked at him with a slightly reddened cheek and replied, "I forgot."

"I don't want you to be sick, so don't forget next." Baek Ain pecked her on the forehead. Since he was 15 centimeters shorter than Lan Rou, he had to tip-toed a little.

"Hehe~!" Yi Xian giggled in amusement when seeing this sight.

Not wanting to ruin their magical moment, Yi Xian waited for two minutes and said, "Ain, my hair is wet too."

"Can you help me?"

"You can use a towel." Lan Rou commented casually.

Yi Xian smiled and returned, "Eh~! But I want to feel Ain's beast flame on my hair. You're making a comfy face before, Senior Lan. So I am curious now."

"It's not like I'm stealing your lover or anything, no?"

'This girl...' Baek Ain was speechless. He sighed and snapped his finger, sending a wisp of Gnome's beast flame at Yi Xian's hair.

It was quick, but Yi Xian did feel comfortable. Something about Baek Ain's flame can calm her head down.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome."

Baek Ain whistled and summoned Heavenly Gryphon, telling the 5-rank magical beast to get ready in a few minutes. He glanced at the Poison Master's Inheritance Cave and sealed it with a sturdy-looking rock.

Even though not much, Baek Ain and Lan Rou have altered the cave into the temporary base for Shadow Guard.

"Let's go." Baek Ain jumped to the Heavenly Gryphon's back.

"Mm." 2x.

The two ladies followed him.

"To the Tager Desert!"

Ciao!

Heavenly Gryphon released an enthusiastic cry and flew to the horizon, skipping cloud after cloud.

...

...

Tager Desert is "actually." located east of the Jia Ma Empire border. It is the territory of the Snake People.

And the outer region is where humans live.

High above the clouds, Heavenly Gryphon glided through and spotted snake people killing humans mercilessly.

A young man dropped from the sky and waved his scythe, killing every snake person in the area. He saved the humans and said, "Go away from this place."

"Cherish your life... It's not safe here."

Baek Ain returned to the Heavenly Gryphon with Super Jump and was "immediately." greeted by Yi Xian's sad expression.

"What happened?" He asked while tilting his head.

Yi Xian shook her head and replied, "It's nothing."

"I just recall a sad experience of mine."

"No matter where it was, death always follows."

Lan Rou nodded and commented, "Well, this is the reality we must live in, so don't cry over spilled milk. Live your life to the fullest."

"So, I must forget those miseries?"

"No, idiot. I didn't say anything about forgetting your misery. Kept that trauma as a reminder and became stronger."

"Don't call me an idiot, Senior Lan!"

"But you are one..."

"Hmph!" Yi Xian swayed her head and pouted.

[Your harem is doing fine, host] Alicia suddenly commented.

"..." Baek Ain doesn't want to hear that.

'Shut up, Alicia.'

Heavenly Gryphon continued to fly above the seemingly endless desert and stopped after a couple of miles.

[Ding! You have triggered a mission]

[Name: Free the slaves]

[Objectives: Saves at least 15 slaves from Snake People's grasp(0/15)]

[Penalty: None]

[Time Limit: 12 hours]

[Reward: 1x Random Skill and 1x Random Equipment]

[Do you want to accept the quest?]

'About time...' Baek Ain stared at the system panel with a wry expression because a quest like this was "literally." triggered to test his moral compass.

'Well, the reward is nice.' He accepted the quest.

Baek Ain knew there was nothing wrong with being kind, but it depended on the situation and person to person. He told Lan Rou and Yi Xian about the slaves' part and asked them to help.

"Sure, everything for my Ain." Lan Rou responded firmly.

"I'll help." Yi Xian clenched her hand.

Baek Ain nodded thankfully and said, "We're going to do this quickly."