NOVEL WEB Chapter 192: Chapter 192
Xia Zhi stood behind the counter, observing the two Adepti with an omniscient perspective.
The platinum progress bars above their heads had now reached [24%].
Today, he had used his master-level culinary skills to prepare snacks, which increased their progress by [15%], triple the gain from yesterday's snacks [5%].
Although the speed of farming progress had significantly improved, Xia Zhi considered that the two Adepti would likely leave Liyue Harbor after Granny Ping's birthday to return to their sanctuaries in Jueyun Karst. Depending solely on snacks to max out the progress bar wasn't feasible; cooking proper meals would be necessary.
But that was an issue for the day after tomorrow.
Right now, he was contemplating which Adeptus to target for skill-stealing.
Mountain Shaper often appeared in the form of a crane, while Moon Carver favored a deer form.
Given this, Xia Zhi chose Mountain Shaper—his fondness for avian species had grown thanks to a certain young crane.
"Skill Steal successful. You have learned the skill [Amber Prison] from the target."
"[Amber Prison]: Harness the power of Geo to create a piece of amber that seals and imprisons the target."
A sealing skill?
Xia Zhi glanced at the system interface, slightly surprised. Then he recalled a passage from Records of Jueyun:
"Deep within Jueyun Karst lies a mountain of amber. Curious adventurers who break open the amber with axes find ferocious beasts sealed within... Hence the mountain was named Amber Prison."
The amber on Amber Prison Mountain sounded eerily similar to the effects of this skill.
Could it be that the creatures sealed there were Mountain Shaper's work?
Seeing history transform into tangible reality made Xia Zhi feel an odd sense of wonder.
---
After the two Adepti left, Ningguang arrived as promised with her ever-diligent secretary.
Xia Zhi offered them snacks.
However, he did not extend the same courtesy with the juice this time—not because he wanted to pocket the few hundred Mora.
He wasn't short of money, and Ningguang certainly wasn't either.
He simply didn't want to appear overly eager, lest someone misconstrue his intentions toward Ningguang.
After all, his relationship with her wasn't particularly close. Ignoring what happened in the dream, this was only their second meeting.
Xia Zhi believed it prudent to maintain a polite distance from someone as influential as Ningguang.
Her beauty, status, and wealth made her the eye of a storm—getting too close could attract all sorts of trouble.
He only wanted a peaceful life.
Yet, as Ningguang left, she turned back to glance at him.
Through his perspective, Xia Zhi caught a sly smile flicker across her eyes.
He suddenly felt like a prey caught in her sights.
???
Wait, I didn't even try to play hard-to-get…
---
After work, Shenhe escorted Yaoyao home.
When they arrived at Yujing Terrace, they saw Granny Ping waiting at the door with a kind smile on her face.
"Master! Yaoyao's back!"
"Mm."
"I brought you some snacks!"
"Good."
Shenhe looked at Granny Ping and softly greeted, "Granny…"
Granny Ping nodded but noticed the hesitation in Shenhe's expression.
"Shenhe, is something on your mind?"
"I wanted to ask… Granny, do you know any Adepti arts for dream entry?"
"Dream entry… Of course, I do."
"Granny, could you teach me?"
"If you wish to learn, of course. Wait here, I'll fetch the manual."
Granny Ping entered the house.
Yaoyao tilted her head and curiously asked, "Shenhe, why do you suddenly want to learn dream entry arts?"
Shenhe lowered her head and softly replied, "It's for something… Could you keep this a secret for me, Yaoyao?"
Yaoyao blinked, then nodded obediently. "I can!"
Shenhe's expression softened as she reached out to pat Yaoyao's head. "Thank you."
Moments later, Granny Ping returned with a booklet in hand. Its cover bore the title The Art of Wandering Dreams.
"This technique is primarily used for spiritual cultivation during slumber but can also summon others' spirits. Use it wisely, Shenhe."
"I will. Thank you, Granny."
Shenhe carefully accepted the booklet and promised earnestly before heading back home.
Granny Ping watched her leave, her expression thoughtful.
Dream entry…
Could Shenhe be troubled by nightmares, recalling her past struggles? If so, this art might help her sever those ties.
---
Late at night, Shenhe sat in her room under the soft glow of her four-cornered lantern, studying The Art of Wandering Dreams intently.
"…This technique requires a ritual setup: a censer, seven lamps, and items that lower temperature…"
Her room already had a censer, and her hair accessory contained seven-star lamps. As for the cooling item, she removed her Cryo Vision from around her neck.
"…The process: burn incense, meditate, chant incantations…"
Shenhe lit a piece of [Perfect Calming Incense] given by her employer, its peculiar fragrance wafting through the room.
Sitting cross-legged on her bed, she closed her eyes and revisited the painful memories of her childhood.
When the images in her mind crystallized, she murmured the incantation:
"Soul leaves the body; enter my dream."
As she finished, Shenhe felt an ethereal lightness. Opening her eyes, she found herself standing in the courtyard of her memories, her body transformed into that of a young girl.
---
A lush tree stood before her.
Shenhe looked up, silently gazing at the tree that had accompanied her through her early years.
After her father pushed her toward the monster to exchange life for life, he waited in vain at home for three days, hoping for her mother's resurrection. When it never came, he hung himself in despair from this tree.
Reaching out to touch the bark, Shenhe felt a whirlwind of emotions—something she hadn't experienced in years.
In reality, the red ropes binding her soul suppressed her emotions, making even a simple smile difficult. But in this dream, those bindings were gone, and her feelings surged unimpeded.
Staring at the branches, she muttered, "...To drive someone to such madness… Is this love?"
Would she one day lose herself for someone else, just as her father had?
As this thought lingered, a familiar face flashed in her mind—her employer's smile.
Their first meeting when she vowed to protect him, only for him to laugh and invite her inside.
The time he bought her medicinal herbs at Bubu Pharmacy.
His careful preparations of fruit juice and meals.
The memory of him carrying her in the cave, holding her hand, wiping away her tears, showing her cartoons, playing arcade games together…
Feelings long buried erupted in her dream, spilling forth uncontrollably.
If one day… he were no longer here…
The mere thought sent a pang through her chest.
"Ah-He…"
A voice, both familiar and distant, called from the courtyard gate.
Shenhe's body stiffened.
Slowly, she turned, her face emotionless as she gazed at the man standing there.
"I've prepared a surprise for you…"
Silently, she followed him to the mountain cave, watching as he summoned a black monster, then abandoned her.
When the monster lunged at her, she gripped her exorcism dagger and swiftly ended its life.
Wait. That wasn't right.
She shouldn't have killed it.
Her hand had acted on impulse…
Watching the dissipating black mist, Shenhe fell silent.
How am I going to explain this to the boss later?
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