Chapter 39: That Was Long, Long Ago

“The Town Residents found it in the tunnel behind Mankor’s corpse.”

Jocelyn placed another crystal on the table.

“I thought it looked similar to the Soul Crystal we prepared to kill the Shadow Lord back then, but I couldn’t be sure. Since you’re awake, I wanted you to take a look.”

“This is a great thing for healing injuries. If there’s enough of it, it can even heal soul damage.”

“No wonder that magic beast kept digging its way in here.”

Li Qiuchen sighed.

He gripped the crystal tightly, trying to guide the healing power to restore the Source of Mana within his body, but there was no response at all.

He sighed inwardly.

How could there be such a coincidence in the world?

He lowered his head and examined the crystal in his hand closely.

The power contained in a Soul Crystal is to restore an object to its original form.

Legend says it can even preserve the soul of the dead, hence its name.

The price of such a Soul Crystal in his hand had already reached eighty Tack.

Although not as valuable as gold ore, it was still a rare material, a necessary ingredient for some magic potions, and an absolute necessity for those guys studying Soul Magic.

He immediately thought of something.

“That Old Sorcerer must have discovered this too, which is why he set up the Magic Array specifically to attack Mankor’s soul.”

“Did you know? There’s a whole vein of this crystal beneath the Mine, but some of the outer layer has already been consumed.”

Jocelyn took out another piece, its soul aura even denser than Li Qiuchen’s.

“That’s why our resurrection here is actually connected to this vein.”

A complete resurrection ritual, a complete soul, and endless Soul Crystals helped reshape our bodies.

Li Qiuchen let out a sigh.

“Tell the Town Chief and Kairui that the existence of this thing must never be made public.”

“Those guys researching Soul Magic might not be rich, but they’re definitely daring.”

“Kairui is under investigation right now. I heard that Baron Horn’s lord, Count Lone Eagle, has sent people over to appeal to the City-State Court.”

“As for the final judgment, it’s still uncertain.”

Jocelyn sighed.

She’d asked many people, and most said assets would likely be confiscated, but the baron’s title was uncertain.

Li Qiuchen nodded.

“As long as we can keep this Mine, the Town Residents will never have to worry about food and clothing again.”

“How’s your body? Any hidden injuries?”

Jocelyn asked with concern.

After all, Wright wasn’t a professional doctor—his Healing Spell was just something he’d learned by imitating the Priests.

“The Source of Mana is shattered.”

Li Qiuchen’s expression was calm.

“Wait! Can the Soul Crystal heal it?”

Jocelyn asked nervously.

“It’s useless. I just tried. The healing power of the Soul Crystal has no effect on a shattered Source of Mana.”

“I’ve never encountered a similar problem before, either.”

Li Qiuchen sighed.

He’d only half-studied these things, and on the Seal Demon Path, he was well-read, but most of it was about studying the weaknesses of the Demon King Army or the special applications of magic.

He had never encountered a shattered Source of Mana before.

In fact, he hadn’t even imagined it.

After all, his Source of Mana was bound to the Zhesi Gem at that time—solid as a rock.

Now, it had merged with the Zhesi Gem.

“Do you have any other tricks?”

Jocelyn asked.

“Yes.”

Li Qiuchen nodded.

“What kind?”

“Go to Phoenix City-State and ask around. If that doesn’t work, check the Library.”

He answered confidently.

“I believe that in all these years on the Taya Continent, there must have been cases of shattered Sources of Mana, and someone must have found a way to restore them.”

He concluded,

“We have to trust the wisdom of the ancients.”

“Reasonable. No wonder every time you encountered a tough magic beast, you always ran to the local Library first.”

Jocelyn nodded, then instructed,

“Rest well and get some sleep first.”

“I can’t sleep right now! Go find me a Blue Crystal.”

“Without Fool’s Food, I’ll be tortured to death in Dreamland.”

Li Qiuchen pleaded miserably.

Although all the Town Residents said it only existed in Phoenix City-State, he really needed it now and could only ask Jocelyn to check again.

“Oh—oh…”

Jocelyn raised an eyebrow, her expression full of anticipation.

“Who’s coming to find you tonight? Could it be the esteemed Princess?”

Jocelyn had a look of sudden realization.

“I think I’ve figured out your pattern.”

“Whoever’s power you use will haunt you in your dreams? So last time, the one who almost ate you was… Hestia?”

Jocelyn’s face was filled with disbelief.

“Oh my, I can’t believe it. Looks so cute and small, yet actually a rebellious disciple.”

“She’s much bigger now, sigh. Please, stop with the sarcasm and help me find a Magic Crystal.”

Li Qiuchen pressed his palms together in prayer.

“Alright, alright, I get it.”

“Is Belinda really that scary? You two used to get along pretty well.”

Jocelyn shook her head in confusion and pushed the door open to leave.

Yeah, but like you said, that was in the past.

In the silence, Li Qiuchen spoke to himself in his heart.

That was a long time ago.

At first, their relationship wasn’t particularly close, but not distant, either.

At that time, she wasn’t the esteemed Princess—just a stubborn, justice-driven, poor swordswoman.

They spent their days planning how to make money.

He thought about how to improve his magic and find a way home, while Belinda was determined to reignite the Flames.

They both struggled to survive, with no time for other thoughts.

Until their team formed, and as they began to stand out among adventurers and life relaxed, Li Qiuchen belatedly noticed Belinda’s beauty.

It was at a Dance Party hosted by the City Lord of Silver Tears City.

Count Guren had warmly invited Belinda as the captain, and Li Qiuchen went along as her dance partner.

On the second floor of the ballroom, Li Qiuchen was wrestling with a piece of Wyvern steak when Belinda, makeup perfect, stepped out from the Countess’s inner room.

When she appeared at the entrance of the hall, the noisy crowd was instantly silenced by an invisible barrier.

The blue long dress with its high collar outlined a swan-like neck, and beneath the tight waist, the skirt cascaded.

Her red hair wasn’t styled into an elaborate court updo, but tied into a neat low bun, a few strands hanging casually beside her ears.

A delicate diamond tiara rested on her forehead, shaped like a miniature sword of royal power, perfectly matching the sharpness in her brows.

Belinda’s beauty was naturally aggressive—sharp, wild, and unrestrained.

Her skin was pale as moonlight, her lips almost crimson.

But the most striking were her eyes—like steel roses, forged in fire.

Her gaze didn’t admire the gorgeous hall; it surveyed her domain.

When she finally walked forward, each step was calm and composed.

Under the swaying blue skirt, it felt less like a dance and more like marching to a silent war drum.

She didn’t need to speak; her presence alone declared to the whole room:

Beauty can be a gift—and a weapon.

And she held both powers firmly in her hands.

She reached out to him from afar, and every gaze in the hall followed, filled with envy and jealousy.

Li Qiuchen hurried to meet her, but kept his eyes on the floor.

The banquet hall’s polished oak floor was covered by an intricately patterned rush carpet.

He followed her steps awkwardly, lacking the battle-like coordination they usually shared.

Instead, he was clumsy, afraid to be pricked by the thorns of the rose.

She, on the other hand, was poised and graceful.

As their shoulders touched and breaths mingled, Li Qiuchen caught a heady fragrance.

Before he could speak, the music ended, and he felt as if he’d fought a great battle.

His ill-fitting formal wear and unpracticed dance steps had him raising a truce flag as he collapsed onto a chair.

Belinda walked toward the Countess, and after sitting for a while, Li Qiuchen saw one would-be dance partner after another turned away by her.

Satisfied his task was complete, he returned to his steak.

Actually… he really wanted to ask Belinda to dance again.

They were comrades and friends—Belinda probably wouldn’t refuse.

But his ill-fitting clothes and poor dance skills held him back.

The Wyvern meat was quite delicious.

He even regretted not bringing Old Four along for a feast.

Later, the Countess’s carriage waited outside.

When Li Qiuchen walked over, the sword-wielding young lady, still dressed for the ball, had already fallen asleep in exhaustion.

Socializing must be a troublesome affair.

Luckily, the girl seemed born with a stage aura—a noble air that made even strangers want to serve her.

She was always at ease in public.

Asleep, she looked quite different from usual, her thorns withdrawn, eyes contentedly closed, cheeks puffed out like a kitten napping in the afternoon.

Li Qiuchen suddenly had a strange urge to kiss her—a rogue’s thought.

He quickly snuffed it out, glancing around to make sure no one noticed his disgraceful impulse.

When he looked back, the girl had opened her eyes at some point, staring at him with anger.

Li Qiuchen’s back went cold.

It felt like locking eyes with an enraged lioness.

Did she see my thoughts?

The girl turned away, ignoring him, seemingly sulking as she stared out the window.

How bizarre…

Even from the side, her beauty was sharp as a blade.

Li Qiuchen buried his head in the table, avoiding her presence.

He remembered the next morning’s breakfast was roasted Wyvern meat.

Strange—did Belinda ask the Countess to send it over?

How thoughtful of her.

After that, the girl often got angry for no reason.

Li Qiuchen took care of her, soothed her, gradually taming the lioness.

As they grew familiar, they drifted into a near-romantic state.

The girl would get jealous if others approached him.

She would ask him to bring gifts from the market and buy rare magical materials for him.

She would be angry if he spaced out and didn’t respond, or hug him from behind and nuzzle his neck.

After clearing the Furnace Secret Realm, she gently placed the Key in his hand and kissed him.

Like a lioness marking her territory, all he could do was passively accept.

They shouldn’t have ended up like this.

They used to be so close, even willing to entrust their lives to each other, but now…

Li Qiuchen’s thoughts were interrupted by Jocelyn entering.

The girl tossed a mirror inscribed with Magic Array patterns onto the bed.

“See if this works?”

Li Qiuchen quickly picked up the mirror.

A pure flow of magic responded to his needs.

But this power wasn’t generated by a crystal vein—instead, it carried a water element aura.

“Was this magic injected into the mirror by a mage?”

Li Qiuchen was puzzled.

“And now you’re complaining?”

Jocelyn picked up the mirror and tapped Li Qiuchen’s head lightly.

She continued,

“It was a mage sent by Count Lone Eagle, using the Sacred Teleportation Array to get here. I had to beg a lot of people.”

Kairui pleaded, Uncle Wright gave a Gold Tack.

Only then did they agree to help.

Can you use it?”

Li Qiuchen pressed his fists together.

“Great kindness needs no thanks. Even though it’s someone else’s magic, it can serve as a Blue Crystal for a while.”

“Stop complaining. That little girl worked half the day to get this done.”

Jocelyn adjusted her sleeves, brought over a tray with steaming roasted meat and goat milk, then placed the Carving Knife on the bed.

“Eat something first, carve the Inscription Patterns, and get a good night’s sleep.”

“How was Baron Horn’s case handled?”

Li Qiuchen picked up the Carving Knife and looked up.

“The murderer was executed. The City-State Court was wary of Count Lone Eagle’s envoy.”

“Kairui was ordered to pay double compensation to all the deceased but kept his title. The castle will likely go to the city-state, though.”

“But Kairui listened to you and kept the Mine. They’ll never lack food and clothing again.”

Jocelyn spoke as she walked to the door, waved, and quietly left.

“That’s good.”

Li Qiuchen nodded.

He looked at the roasted meat and goat milk, but had no appetite.

He just wanted to sleep.

He planned to carve the Inscription Patterns on the tray.

Glancing at Kaili, still sleeping nearby, he moved the meat and milk to her bedside table.

He lowered his head and focused on carving the patterns for Fool’s Food, which weren’t complicated.

At the end, he placed the mirror at the center of the Magic Array by the bedside.

At last, he could sleep peacefully.

But the unease in his heart grew stronger.

He couldn’t help but think of the “later” Belinda.

He didn’t know when Belinda’s possessiveness had started to grow.

Maybe after she was rescued from the palace?

She would look at him seriously and warn him not to leave, as if she knew he was trying to find a way back to Earth.

But he’d only told Old Four.

He remembered clearly one time when he was keeping watch with Hestia.

She dozed off on his shoulder.

He was half asleep, too, when Belinda stepped out of the tent, her face gloomy.

The pain and hatred in her eyes, like frozen blades, shocked Li Qiuchen awake, as if he were a husband caught cheating.

He stood up.

“You… why did you come out?”

Belinda glanced coldly at Hestia, who had just woken up beside him.

“You’re too soft on her. Tonight, let her keep watch alone.”

As soon as they entered the tent and before the flap closed, Belinda kissed him.

Li Qiuchen was shocked at Reina, who was praying with her eyes closed in the corner, and the reluctant Elf Maiden on guard behind him.

“Don’t—”

Li Qiuchen tried to resist, but Belinda only kissed him more deeply.

“No one can see.”

She reassured him and kissed again.

The Princess’s kisses were aggressive, each time making Li Qiuchen wonder if she was about to devour him.

With a conquering force, her tongue pried open his teeth, ** until he nearly suffocated.

Li Qiuchen pushed her away desperately, like a drowning man.

In the darkness, the Princess’s eyes burned, as if ready to consume him.

The memory stopped there, like a burst bubble.

He left the recollection and slowly slipped into Dreamland.

***

Taya Culture Notes:

[Taunt Spell] Spell Level: 1

Primary Element: Wind (for transmitting sound and intent)

Secondary Element: Spirit (for distorting perception and emotion)

Incantation Difficulty: 1

Technique Difficulty: 2

Core Effect: Projects a highly concentrated provocation towards a specific target, causing intense feelings of insult, forcibly drawing their attention and hatred, driving them to attack the caster under overwhelming murderous intent.

Effect is inversely proportional to the complexity of the target’s mind.

Common Applications:

Tactical Field Control: Used by defenders in adventurer squads to efficiently redirect attacks from mindless or low-intelligence monsters, creating a safe environment for teammates.

Safe Enemy Clearing: When mages encounter groups of low-intelligence monsters in the wild, they can lure and eliminate them one by one, greatly increasing their survival rate.

Competitive Disruption: In non-lethal arena battles, sometimes used to disrupt opponents’ composure (this is considered unsportsmanlike and may provoke audience jeers).

[Notes]

The revised edition of the Adventurers’ Guild Practical Guide included the experience of a Shield Warrior:

“True battlefield survival wisdom sometimes isn’t about how you use your shield, but whether you can use the simplest Level 1 spell to make the wolf pack charging at the Priest maiden turn their fangs on you, the ironclad tank.”

The Osses School’s One Hundred Practical Magics appended a warning under the ‘Taunt Spell’ entry: “It is strongly discouraged to use this spell against any enemy whose abilities you do not fully grasp—especially highly intelligent beings—without confirming your allies’ positions and your own defenses.”

Otherwise, you may become the most ‘outstanding’ target on the battlefield and experience what it means to ‘reap what you sow.’

Remember, taunting is fun… for a moment…