Sanctuary Paradise

Chapter 896 Gift
"Huh? Is there anything else?"

As the blindfolded nun's shouts subsided, Xin Lailai stopped in surprise and looked at her, clearly curious about why she had suddenly called him back.

"So, you're planning to go to the Heroes' Graveyard to kill wandering spirits and collect their souls?"

"Ah."

The blindfolded nun asked, and Xin Lailai nodded slightly, directly admitting her plan.

According to the blindfolded nun, because the power of the King Fire has become completely integrated with this world, whenever those who have received the blessing restore their condition by touching the fire, they will 'revive' all the undead and wandering spirits in this area at the same time as restoring their own condition.

In other words, as long as this mechanism is used properly, one can infinitely farm soul points in the same area, transforming into the 'Sword God of Shili Slope' on the spot, and continuously becoming stronger without going anywhere else.

Even if they accidentally crash, according to the blindfolded nun, they can be resurrected as the Blessed Ones of the Royal Fire at the place where they last came into contact with the fire, provided that their will is not completely worn away in the process.

Incidentally, since this regional rewind can only revive wandering spirits and undead without self-will, it is basically ineffective against "boss units" like the Gravekeeper who possess self-will, which is a minor "regret".

After all, if they could also revive a gravedigger with 3000 soul points, it would undoubtedly be a huge boost to their 'soul farming' efficiency.

"In that case, Lord Ash, could you please come with me to see two people? I have something I'd like to give you."

Is there something you want to give him?

"Yeah, no problem."

"Then, please come this way."

Upon hearing what the blindfolded nun said, Xin Lailai's eyes flickered slightly, and she nodded gently, indicating that the other party could lead the way. The blindfolded nun, having received her consent, did not linger and led Xin Lailai directly into the dim passage behind her.

The sound of footsteps, some light and some heavy, echoed from the darkness. Moreover, as they continued forward, the crisp sound of metal being struck gradually became clearer from the passageway. And when Xin Lailai followed the blindfolded nun around another corner, a light mixed with sparks appeared directly in her vision:
Ding--! !

The crisp, resounding sound of a forging hammer striking echoed in my ears. Looking around, I could see an elderly blacksmith, clearly old enough to have white hair hanging down his back, but with a physique of bronze-colored muscles more robust than many strong men, shirtless and intently absorbed in the forging work before him in a grotto at the end of the passage.

This is……

As Xin Lailai gazed at the scene before her, her eyes flickered, and just as she was about to step forward, a hoarse voice suddenly rang out from the side:
"Hehe, it's rare to see you here, little girl. It seems... you've found a man you really like."

As soon as she finished speaking, Xin Lailai turned her head sharply and saw an old woman wearing a cloak with a wrinkled face sitting in the corner. She was looking at them with her old, withered eyes that were now just dark holes, and she was letting out a series of hoarse laughs that sounded like they came from a living person.

“Grandma Rondor, I’m glad to see that you haven’t lost your way, and… please don’t say things that are so easy to misunderstand, Lord Ash will be angry.”

As the old woman spoke, the blindfolded nun beside her took a deep breath, gripped the hem of her nun's habit with both hands, greeted her while reminding her in a slightly forceful tone, seemingly disliking the joke she had just made.

"Hehe, what a traitorous girl. Oh well, this old woman can't interfere in the affairs of you young people. Alright, take it, everything you wanted is here."

Faced with the blindfolded nun's 'reminder', the cloaked old woman just chuckled in her dry, sour voice, then took out a bundle from somewhere and pushed it in front of the two of them.

Seeing this, the blindfolded nun bit her lip slightly, as if she wanted to retort, but in the end she calmed down again, turned to look at Xin Lailai, and said calmly:

"Lord Black Sword, please open it. Inside are items you will definitely need."

As soon as she finished speaking, Xin Lailai's gaze flickered slightly upon hearing this. She didn't say anything more, but calmly stepped forward, opened the bundle the cloaked old woman handed her, and then her pupils suddenly contracted:
……

【Element Bottle】

Category: Valuable Items

Usage limit: 3/3
Description: A precious artifact crafted from the remains of the Flame, containing fragments of primordial phlogiston that can stably store the power of the Flame and restore the user's condition.

……

The Greedy Serpent Ring (Silver)

Category: Ring

Effect: When worn, the number of Soul Points gained is increased by 50%.

Synopsis: Snakes are greedy creatures, always yearning to swallow things larger than themselves. But since they are so dissatisfied with the shackles on their bodies, perhaps they can only satisfy their desires through greed.

……

[Ring Pouch]

Category: Valuable Items

Effect: When placed in the backpack, increases the ring slot by 1.
Description: A precious artifact woven from the remains of the King of Fire, containing a wondrous power that amplifies blessings.

……

Items that can restore their condition outside of the fire source, equipment that can greatly increase the amount of soul points gained, and even items that can increase the number of ring slots...

Looking at the three items before her, Xin Lailai's gaze flickered, and her breathing became noticeably rapid. The cloaked old woman beside her chuckled.
"Hehe, surprised, aren't you? These good things, if this little girl hadn't begged like that, this old woman would have..."

"Grandma Longdor, you're saying unnecessary things again."

The reminder, tinged with obvious displeasure, fell, and the blindfolded nun, expressionless, interrupted the cloaked old woman before turning to Xin Lailai beside her, saying with a slightly apologetic expression:

"I'm sorry, Lord Ash, these things should have been given to you when we first met, but because my body is too weak, they must remain here until you come and collect them in person. Please..."

"It's alright, just receiving such a gift is already a pleasant surprise."

Before the blindfolded nun could finish speaking, Xin Lailai gently shook her head, interrupting her apology.

Items imbued with the power of the King's Fire Blessing will elicit a strong reaction from wandering spirits and undead, while the Blessing Sister herself has no combat power and cannot even use basic functions such as carrying a backpack.

From this perspective, the fact that the other party took such a huge risk to come to the Heroes' Graveyard to awaken them was already a life-saving favor for them. So how could he possibly have any complaints about why the other party didn't send them a complete set of equipment?

“Sister, you underestimate yourself. Perhaps you think these are things you should do, but to me, what you have done is enough for me to risk my life to thank you for.”

Xin Lailai calmly stated his opinion. Although he had indeed had many doubts about the other party at the beginning, after several interactions, the blindfolded nun's level of trust in him was already on par with Bell's.

"To risk one's life..."

The blindfolded nun standing next to Xin Lailai was stunned upon hearing these words. She remained there for a long while before lowering her head, taking a deep breath, closing her eyes, and saying in a low voice:

"Lord Ash, thank you for your trust, but please don't say such things again. Your existence is far more important than mine as a sinner."

"Even if that day ever comes, though I am deeply sorry for your character, if you respect my will, I hope you will prioritize your own life, not only for your sake, but also for the sake of the world."

The calm, resolute request left Xin Lailai slightly stunned, seemingly surprised by the strong reaction to her previous statement.

“Your Excellency, Sister…”

"Please make sure you guarantee this." "I said..."

Please assure me.

"..."

As the powerful words fell, Xin Lailai looked at the blindfolded nun who was staring at her with a solemn expression, brooking no refusal. After a moment of silence, she nodded and said:

"Okay, I assure you."

As soon as she finished speaking, the blindfolded nun, upon hearing the voice, revealed a gentle smile and gracefully bowed to Xin Lailai in gratitude:
"Thank you for your understanding, Lord Ash."

Having said that, the blindfolded nun casually brushed the strands of hair that had fallen in front of her back into place, looked at the robust old blacksmith behind her who had ignored them the entire time and was completely absorbed in forging, slowly walked forward, and gently said:

“Mr. Andre, you must have heard what I just said. He is the Ash Lord I sensed, whom I mentioned to you before. Please take out the equipment I asked you to forge.”

clang--! !

The gentle reminder faded, and the white-haired old blacksmith in front of the forging table merely glanced up at Xin Lailai before lowering his head again and saying:

"If you need equipment, there are plenty in the boxes behind you. Just go and get it yourself, but be careful not to take too much."

Um? Is there such a good thing?

Upon hearing this, Xin Lailai's eyes lit up. Looking at the wall full of equipment behind the other person, she was about to walk over and make a selection when a pale hand suddenly grabbed her.

"Please wait a moment, Lord Ash."

The blindfolded nun spoke, looking down at the white-haired old blacksmith engrossed in his work, and said:

"Lord Andre, if I remember correctly, I told you that I wanted the 'best equipment' that you forged, right?"

"..."

A gentle voice, capable of sending a shiver down one's spine, fell, causing the old blacksmith, engrossed in his work, to pause slightly. After a moment of silence, he spoke:

"Little Fire-Given Girl, although that's what you said back then, do you really think a mere brat who's only recently left the cemetery is qualified to use my..."

“Your Excellency Andre, if I remember correctly, you promised me that as a condition for protecting you, you would unconditionally grant me one request that is within your capabilities.”

“Little Firebless Girl, you’re just a newbie who’s barely stepped out of the graveyard. I understand how excited you are to finally get a piece of ashes, but…”

"I want the best."

"I said, you..."

"The best."

"..."

The gentle yet chilling voice fell, and the blindfolded nun emphasized each word with a smile, making Xin Lailai's eyelids twitch involuntarily.

'Hmm, Lai Lai, this nun looks so scary when she's angry, completely different from Miss Chris over at the fortress…'

'Well, maybe it's because gentle people are more unsettling when they get angry, although from our standpoint, we don't really have the right to criticize her...'

'Hmm... Ah, I get it! This girl must be someone with a very strong maternal instinct, which explains everything!'

"Look, she's so good to you, Lai Lai, and she hates it when people joke about you and her together. It's all because she treats you like her own child!"

'Lai Lai, what do you think? When the time comes, why don't you just call her "Mom" or "Godmother" to repay her?'

'...Why do I suddenly feel so tired?'

Inside the cave, Xin Lailai stared at the blindfolded nun who was confronting the old blacksmith, listening to the incessant muttering in her mind. Her expression twitched slightly, and for a moment she even had the urge to run away from here.

……

……

So, ten minutes later.

"Lord Ash, please be careful on your journey. I will wait for you here until you decide to officially embark on your journey."

"Well, thank you very much... thank you very much for your care all this time, Sister."

A slightly awkward thank you rang out. At the entrance of the sacrificial site, Xin Lailai, who had just regained control of her body, spoke up. Feeling the gentle gaze that made her feel uneasy, she quickly left the sacrificial site, taking three steps at a time. Only after rushing to the suspension bridge did she breathe a sigh of relief.

"Phew... I finally escaped."

"Ugh~ Lai Lai, you're so heartless! The nun took such good care of you, and you won't even call her 'Mom'!"

"..."

Standing before the precipice, Xin Lailai, already accustomed to Ling Yuzi's 'devilish whispers,' simply let out a long sigh, composed herself, and glanced at the equipment on the gold-red interface, her eyes flickering slightly:

……

The Flawless Broadsword

Weapon attack power: 40 (modifier +80.4)

Combat Skill: Ready Stance

Equipment Requirements: Strength 15/10 (One-handed/Dual-handed), Dexterity 10
Attribute modifiers: Strength B-, Dexterity C
Synopsis: One of the masterpieces of Andrei, the "Blacksmith of Takajo," after awakening from ashes, the flawless blade represents the pinnacle of human forging skills.

……

A flawless round iron shield

Weapon attack power: 15 (modifier +56.4)

Block strength: 80
Combat Skill: Precision Parry

Equipment Requirements: Strength 10, Constitution 5
Attribute modifiers: Strength C, Constitution D+
Defense damage reduction rate: Physical 80%, Mana 30%, Fire 40%, Lightning 65%, Dark 30%.

Synopsis: One of the masterpieces of Andrei, the "Blacksmith of High City," after awakening from ashes, it possesses lightning resistance, which is extremely rare among metal shields. The smooth shield surface, coated with ash resin, is the result of his experimentation with hundreds of materials.

……

(End of this chapter)