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墨書 Inktalez
The subsequent practice and self-training went relatively smoothly.
Zombies, like the ones from the first day, were actually quite rare. More commonly encountered were evil spirits, which had been tainted by resentment and exhibited aggressive intent.
Because of this, I quickly became accustomed to using Fenghua.
However, there was one time when I was surrounded by three evil spirits at once, leaving me overwhelmed and unable to respond effectively, resulting in me taking quite a few hits.
It was my first time getting injured; besides the pain all over my body, I was also quite frightened.
At that moment, I was really grateful that I knew healing arts; otherwise, figuring out how to deal with these injuries would have been a significant problem.
While using healing, I unexpectedly discovered something: aside from the Spirit Power Value, there were no hit points to check on the interface.
So whether I would die or if I was in a critical state could only be judged by myself.
That said, as a Saint Walker, as long as I had enough magical power, I didn't need to worry about dying. So knowing the status of my Spirit Power Value was indeed sufficient.
After several battles, my total Spirit Power Value had steadily increased, and I gradually developed my own way of dealing with enemies, allowing me to respond more calmly.
However, this probably also proved that my current method of blindly purifying resentment was not very effective.
In any case, the resentment and hostility in Potter's Field were so thick that even the most powerful contemporary force, The Qishan Wen, couldn't handle it. Although there had been two major crackdowns afterward, it still remained a place where strangers should not approach.
In such a place heavy with resentment, how could a novice like me expect to make any meaningful change through reckless actions?
It seems that it would be better to first designate an area for thorough purification before gradually expanding outward.
In any case, let's take it slow, step by step.
Speaking of which, the Sophora Tree that I initially marked as a flag has likely been influenced by my spiritual power. The thick resentment in Potter's Field can no longer erode it, and the tree's essence, carried by the wind, possesses a slight purifying effect, making a small area around it a rare sanctuary of tranquility.
Hmm, perhaps the next actions can proceed in this direction.
However, slowly purifying everything in sight one by one seems too time-consuming and labor-intensive.
Hmm... I wonder if there are any other good methods?
***
Holding Fenghua all day not only makes my hands sore but also brings many inconveniences. I worry that my clumsy nature might lead me to accidentally lose it one day.
So, I returned to the ruins to search around and found a fairly sturdy rope. I tied it to both ends of Fenghua, using it as a strap to carry Fenghua on my back and free up my hands.
As I walked along the mountain path, I couldn't help but feel a sense of regret when looking at the several destroyed Guardians of the Mountain Stone Beast along the way.
I remember reading that these Guardians of the Mountain Stone Beast have the ability to ward off evil spirits...
If they could be restored, they might help alleviate the accumulation of resentment in Potter's Field, right?
Let's give it a try.
I chose a headless Stone Beast located halfway up the mountain path and rummaged through the nearby wreckage to find its shattered remains. Mixing some mud as an adhesive, I began the long task of assembling this three-dimensional puzzle.
After all, I had plenty of time.
Thus began my days of piecing together puzzles by day and exorcising evil spirits by night.
I lost track of how many days passed, but finally, I managed to reassemble the Stone Beast to a considerable extent.
Standing before the Stone Beast, which had barely regained its form, I tilted my head and examined my work.
This should be about right, I thought.
Taking a deep breath, I placed my hands on it and began to chant the incantation.
Like Purification Magic, the Healing Art I had learned was also divided into two types: one for living beings, which was healing, and one for objects, which was restoration.
However, if the object had damaged parts, it required spiritual energy to fill in the gaps. Thus, the integrity of the object itself would directly affect the consumption of spiritual energy.
As the Spirit Light faded away, a complete and intact Stone Beast appeared before me.
I let out a sigh and checked my Spirit Power Value: Hmm, still a third left; it should be fine.
Suddenly, the Guardian of the Mountain Stone Beast stirred.
I quickly stepped back in caution as an unusual aura slowly emerged from the Stone Beast and began to gather in front of me—
"Gao!"
I stared in slight disbelief at the small black creature before me, about the size of a Shiba Inu, resembling a Suan Ni, grinning brightly at me.
And what was that strange sound it just made?
"Gao!" (Hello!)
...I could actually understand what it was saying!
It seemed that this stone beast had formed a soul consciousness due to the influence of my spiritual power.
However, given its young age, it didn't seem to possess much strength...
***
I decided to name it "Xuan."
Xuan was a curious little thing, always running around the mountains. Wherever it went, the previously chaotic and restless resentment would calm significantly.
Well, even though it was just a young beast, it was still somewhat useful.
With that in mind, I decided to start repairing the stone beasts that were less severely damaged. After all, whether something could be pieced together or not was still a question if it was too badly damaged, so I would set those aside for now.
Whenever Xuan had nothing to do, it would come over and snuggle beside me.
"Gao?" (What are you doing?) It tilted its head curiously as it looked at me.
I was studying whether the pieces I had in my hands fit together correctly.
"I'll help you gather companions," I replied casually. "Have you finished your patrol?"
Since Xuan indeed had the ability to suppress resentment, I had it run along the mountain path and near the Demon Suppression Cave every day. Once the resentment calmed down a bit, purifying it would be relatively easier, and it could also help keep an eye out for anyone intruding into Potter's Field, so I would be prepared.
After all, one night not long after it had awakened, I happened to have a stroke of luck and managed to deal with three walking corpses at once.
My accuracy and duration with Wind Restraint were still lacking. Although I successfully bound two of them, rendering them immobile, the third one moved too quickly for me to catch. In that situation, I couldn't afford to divert my focus to chant Blade of Purification to deal with the other two.
Just as I was about to be attacked, Xuan suddenly charged over on its short legs and let out a mighty roar at the walking corpse—
"Roar—!"
Unlike its usual childish voice, this was a solid beastly roar that seemed to resonate throughout the space. Not only did the three walking corpses freeze in place, but even the Wandering Spirits that had been lingering nearby instantly fled.
The intimidation from that roar was truly extraordinary, but it also caused Xuan to retreat into its stone form and sleep for an entire day before reappearing.
What worried me more was how far that sound might have traveled and whether it would cause a commotion among the residents below the mountain, prompting them to send someone to investigate.
Dealing with people would be more troublesome, and I had no idea how to explain things if it came to that.
Although there had been no signs of movement so far, I still couldn't relax...
It seemed that just in case, I should come up with a plausible story for myself.
"Gao!" Xuan Yi exclaimed happily, seeking my approval after completing the patrol without finding anything unusual.
"Yes, very good," I replied absentmindedly, giving its head a casual rub before refocusing on the fragments in my hands.
This particular stone beast was located on the other side, positioned differently from Xuan Zhen and at quite a distance. Although it had been cleaved in half, the larger fragments suggested that reassembling it shouldn't be too difficult. The only downside was its weight. Each piece was at least the size of my palm, making it quite laborious just to lift them for comparison.
While I could use Wind Manipulation to gather wind power to help support and lighten the load, that would consume spiritual energy. Therefore, I preferred to rely on my own strength as much as possible.
After all, I had already consumed half of my steamed bun and needed to conserve my resources.
I had once been curious whether drinking water also replenished spiritual energy... but it turned out that drinking water was purely for maintaining bodily functions. It was just a matter of quenching thirst and had no relation to restoring Spirit Power Value.
What a pity.
"Gao?" Xuan tilted its head, looking at the incomplete stone beast before us. "Will you play with me when it wakes up?"
"Yes, you two should get along well," I responded without looking up.
Tsk, not this piece; let’s try another one.
"Gah!" Xuan replied cheerfully, obediently lying down beside me and quietly watching me work.
Before long, it seemed to grow bored and got up to run off again.
"Gao!" (I'll go play by myself first; call me when it wakes up!)
...What an energetic child, never able to sit still for a moment.
Glancing at its swiftly retreating figure, I couldn't help but chuckle helplessly as I continued to struggle with the stone in my hand.
***
...Well, today just isn't my day for this. I'll have to call it quits for now.
Feeling a bit disheartened, I set down the stubborn stones that refused to come together and let out a deep sigh to release the pent-up frustration in my chest.
I casually rubbed my sore shoulders and slowly made my way toward the Demon Suppression Cave, planning to rest and gather my strength before facing the long night ahead.
However, just before reaching the entrance of the Demon Suppression Cave, I suddenly stopped in my tracks, puzzled by the gathering of Wandering Spirits ahead.
These wandering souls do drift about during the day as well, but they usually appear more subdued and silent until night falls, when they begin their wailing and lamentations.
Yet, seeing them congregated in such numbers before the Demon Suppression Cave was a first for me. Some of them were not merely in the form of soul flames but had taken on human appearances.
What is happening?
I slowed my pace and approached, noticing that all their vacant gazes were fixed on the same direction. Following their gaze, I looked over—
A beam of heavenly light broke through the thick clouds above, illuminating the dark and eerie Potter's Field. That dazzling, pure light fell directly upon a Sophora Tree, making it seem as if it radiated a brilliant glow, creating an unusually beautiful scene in this gloomy space.
"...My soul has been trapped in this Potter's Field for countless years, bound by the resentment that lingers here without any hope of release..." an old woman murmured to herself. "In all these years, I have never witnessed such a sight..."
"Even in the Potter's Field, shrouded in lingering resentment, there comes a day when light can break through..."
"Does this mean that even we, burdened with deep sins, have not been forsaken by the heavens?"
I stood among a group of Wandering Spirits, gazing at the same scene as they were, silently listening to their mournful laments.
"Miss," one of them suddenly turned to speak to me, "we have been quietly watching you try to cleanse this place of its resentment all on your own. At first, we thought it was a futile effort, but now it seems we were wrong..."
"This place has long been abandoned by the schools of Esotericism. Simply suppressing and sealing it off only deepens the resentment, yet no one has been willing to heed our plight..."
"Now that it has been proven that the heavens have not forsaken this place, may we ask for your compassion to guide us on our journey?"
In an instant, dozens of eyes turned toward me with eager anticipation, sending a chill down my spine.
Taking a deep breath to force myself to remain calm, I spoke evenly:
"Regarding this matter, I have no objections." Though my act of purification was purely personal and not specifically for anyone, if they were willing to leave on their own, that would be more than welcome. "If you are ready, then let me guide you on your way."
As I watched their previously tense faces relax into expressions of relief, I adjusted my breathing and began to chant the purification spell.
Although the number of Wandering Spirits here was only a small fraction of the entire Potter's Field, it still saved me a great deal of trouble. Otherwise, lingering here would only lead them to become evil spirits in the end.
As the spirit light spread and purified, one by one they vanished with serene expressions. By the time I finished chanting, there was not a single soul left around me.
"Thank you..." In the distance, I faintly heard the last departing boy whispering his gratitude.
I let out a long sigh and looked up at the void, whispering, "Please rest well..."
Suddenly, a shout from Xuanxing shattered the tranquility.
I couldn't help but sigh heavily again.
Honestly, I hadn't even had the chance to immerse myself in my emotions and reminisce properly!
With a helpless expression, I turned to see Xuanmai running towards me with its little short legs, only to be taken aback when I noticed—
There was a person following behind it...
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