Chapter 221: Spiritual Vision and the Reality of the World (5K)

"... Alright, I won't stop you."

In the end, Fu Fu Leimei still nodded helplessly and agreed to Herbert's willful request.

Since the hero had such confidence and ability to enter dangerous places, she had no reason to become his obstacle.

"You can enter the Mist Mountains to explore, but you must also promise me one requirement."

The mermaid miss looked at Herbert's eyes and said seriously:

"Only if you promise me this requirement will I let you leave; otherwise, I will absolutely not let you take risks."

She said this firmly, without any room for discussion or compromise.

"Hmm, tell me about it."

Herbert nodded obediently; he was also a bit curious about what kind of condition Fu Fu Leimei would give.

And the mermaid miss, seeing his seemingly obedient and sensible appearance, couldn't help but feel less angry, sighed helplessly, and said:

"You cannot go alone... but don't be in a hurry; I know I am not the best candidate to accompany you."

Although Fu Fu Leimei had some ability to conceal her figure, the consumption was too great, and it might not necessarily be effective.

This is a god-forbidden zone that is extremely dangerous; no one can be easily careless, and no one dares to relax their vigilance, even gods are the same.

Except for this extraordinary being in front of her.

This special variable.

Able to walk freely in the Mist Mountains as if on flat ground, and even able to occupy a territory of his own.

By now, even if she didn't want to believe it, she had to admit a fact—Herbert indeed had a special connection with the Mist Mountains.

Is this a good thing?

For the current situation, perhaps it is.

Only such a person can truly become a part of this mountain range and successfully occupy this place.

But Fu Fu Leimei's heart... actually hoped more that Herbert had no connection with such a dangerous place.

Just don't have any connection with this place!

That is the best.

This kind of emotion is very complex and also makes her very conflicted.

Fu Fu Leimei both hoped her hero could overcome heavy difficulties and ultimately transform into a true strong person.

Yet she didn't want Herbert to suffer pain in this process, hoping he could safely stay by her side and let him hide under her protection.

And the most painful point was that she clearly knew she couldn't do that.

Fu Fu Leimei clearly understood that such kindness would not benefit Herbert's growth at all, only making him forever immersed in a gentle trap, unable to grow.

That is harming him.

Herbert's fate does not belong to her, this partner, but only belongs to himself.

Since this is his choice, I have no reason to stop him.

But such a compromise does not mean ignoring him; she will provide some help as much as possible.

"Even if you can spiritualize alone, rushing into the depths of the mountains will encounter risks; there must be someone to accompany you to protect your safety."

After saying this, Fu Fu Leimei bit her lip unwillingly, but still didn't want to go out herself willfully, but said the most suitable candidate.

"You must take Sophia."

Fu Fu Leimei didn't allow Herbert to refuse, directly took action, and began to summon the spirit miss who was peeking from behind the tree.

And Sophia had actually been observing this side secretly for a long time; upon hearing the summons, she immediately rushed out and ran over excitedly.

The sound of hooves was crisp, signaling her excited heart.

"My Lord! With me here, you will definitely not encounter any danger!"

Herbert looked at the overly excited horse, but didn't refuse, turned his head to look at Fu Fu Leimei, and raised his brows.

Are you sure?

The candidate for guard was not hard to guess.

After all, there were only four living things in Elda at present.

Excluding Shi Shi Diwen, who was still unconscious and didn't know if he had been kicked into a concussion by hooves, only Sophia met the conditions.

But the point Herbert truly cared about was not here, but Fu Fu Leimei's attitude.

You... aren't jealous?

This is you letting me go out with her, oh.

"Hmph."

Fu Fu Leimei saw the playfulness in Herbert's eyes, snorted, and said with a straight face: "Don't think too much; I just believe she is the best candidate."

"She herself is a spirit and comes from this area; her appearance will not attract the disgust and attention of other existences."

"With her here, your exploration this time should be able to save a lot of trouble."

Fu Fu Leimei's statement made Herbert ponder.

Thinking about it this way, what she said indeed had some truth.

From the perspective of a guard, Sophia was indeed a suitable candidate.

More importantly, her aura had not been forgotten by this mountain range.

Sophia's appearance would not seem abrupt; even if noticed by others, they would only think she was patrolling her territory.

And although Sophia had lost her memory and didn't know where her territory was...

But others didn't know this point!

Others didn't know Sophia had been reset to the beginning and would still treat her as that powerful Centaur Lord.

Even if she made some excessive border-crossing moves, others wouldn't take action directly, but would issue a warning first.

This is the advantage of information asymmetry.

As long as this point can be cleverly used, Herbert can borrow the tiger's prestige and rely on Sophia's past prestige to seek greater benefits for himself.

"Additionally, Sophia's advantages don't stop there."

And just when Fu Fu Leimei's brows relaxed, Fu Fu Leimei added:

"Even if you really encounter a crisis, you can let her cover the retreat and then take the opportunity to run away."

Fu Fu Leimei said this very directly, without avoiding the person concerned listening right beside her.

"Hmm?"

And Sophia, upon hearing this sentence, not only didn't get angry, not feeling at all that she was treated as cannon fodder, but instead her eyes lit up!

"Defend My Lord to the death!!!"

Sophia became even more spirited, full of high fighting spirit.

It was just that after becoming a spirit, she couldn't hear her heartbeat, otherwise Herbert would definitely have been able to feel her frantically beating heart at this moment.

Herbert:?

You iron-headed fool, what are you excited about?

People treat you as cannon fodder, but you treat this as a heroic sacrifice.

You... have a future!

Very promising!

Not only are you a chosen civil engineering worker, but also a chosen scapegoat... understood.

You are an intern who signs after an accident.

How could a talent as motivated as you not be liked by the leader?

Herbert nodded after thinking for a while and accepted Fu Fu Leimei's proposal.

"... Hmm, good."

Although Fu Fu Leimei's proposal actually differed slightly from Herbert's expected plan of spiritualizing and sneaking in, there was no way to completely sneak in low-key.

But it cannot be denied that this is also a good method.

Additionally, since Fu Fu Leimei was so insistent, he was also willing to accept it.

Seeing Herbert was obedient, Fu Fu Leimei's attitude softened again, and she said softly: "Additionally, there is one more thing; I still don't know what your spiritualization ability is like?"

"Regarding the ability, I'll try..."

Herbert hadn't tested it himself before, and at this moment, he closed his eyes and began to try.

Herbert concentrated his energy, feeling the surge of that mysterious power in his body.

Hum...

Following his change, the surrounding air seemed to become different instantly.

Following the drive of Herbert's intention, his body gradually became transparent, first his hands and feet, as if shrouded by a layer of faint light, the light constantly spreading until his entire body.

When Herbert opened his eyes, he had already become transparent.

Including his clothes, all became transparent, without the awkward situation of being naked.

"It really is spiritualization..."

In Fu Fu Leimei's eyes, Herbert at this moment looked the same as Sophia, but his appearance was more blurred, as if wrapped in a layer of mist.

That appearance really looked like the appearance of a Mist Ghost Wolf when semi-spiritualized.

Wait, Mist Ghost Wolf...

"..."

Fu Fu Leimei seemed to have thought of something, stared at Herbert with narrowed eyes, and thought quietly.

And Herbert didn't notice her change at this time, completely immersed in the changes in his own body.

"This is the vision of a spirit."

In the state of spiritualization, he felt everything was different.

Outside of the five senses, it seemed that a sixth sense had been added... he seemed to have seen the other side of the world.

Fu Fu Leimei, no change, still as beautiful as in the past.

But when he turned his head to look at Sophia, his eyes widened suddenly.

"Oh ho!"

In the youth's eyes full of wonder, the Centaur spirit, originally regarded as an illusory soul, underwent a surprising change; she transformed into another appearance.

That which was once just a vague shadow now began to have a substantial outline.

The Centaur spirit was no longer that kind of ethereal illusory existence, but clearly displayed her heroic bearing before death.

Her upper body was human, with a vigorous and graceful posture, smooth muscle lines, revealing abdominal muscles covered in scars.

Her face was exquisite and firm, her eyes bright and deep, revealing a kind of steady and decisive bearing from long-term battle, and a head of flaxen long hair danced with the wind.

Her lower body was a strong horse body, the horse mane dancing wantonly in the wind like white flames, the muscles of the horse body tense, every muscle like an artwork carefully carved, full of explosive power.

Those four thick and powerful horse legs stood steadily like stone pillars, the hooves like cast iron, stepping on the ground as if they could make the earth tremble.

The long spear she held flashed with cold light under the reflection of the light, as if telling of past glory and achievements.

The battle armor she wore, although having some traces of time, still couldn't hide its exquisiteness and toughness, the patterns on the armor like ancient totems, mysterious and full of power.

"My Lord?"

And Sophia, being looked at by Herbert's surprised gaze, felt a bit unnatural and looked at herself blankly.

"Is there something wrong with me?"

"No, nothing."

Herbert withdrew his surprised gaze, shook his head and smiled: "Just felt your figure is good, very powerful."

After finishing, he ignored the extremely excited Centaur miss and turned his head to look at the mist beside him.

"Is this the perspective of the Spirit Realm?"

He seemed to have seen the true appearance of the original Mist Mountains.

At this moment, in Herbert's eyes, the original desolate mist was no longer purely hazy.

The mist was gently pushed aside by an invisible giant hand, and what was displayed before his eyes was a shocking scene—a broken Divine Kingdom.

The once magnificent and splendid Divine Kingdom, shining with endless glory, now only had broken walls and ruins left.

Trees turned into giant stone pillars, leaning in all directions, the exquisite carvings on the pillars eroded by time until they were blurred.

Those scenes that once vividly told of the glory and legends of the gods could now only see a few outlines.

The undulating mountains turned into temples towering into the clouds, the former majesty gone, now only half of the crumbling main building remained, the roof had long collapsed, and broken bricks and tiles piled up into small hills on the ground.

In this broken Divine Kingdom, he saw the dried-up Divine Spring. The marble railings around the Divine Spring also had many cracks, and in the river channel where the spring water once flowed, only dried mud and a few traces of long-dried water stains remained.

The statue of the god that once radiated holy light by the Divine Spring had also lost its past charm, half of its head had fallen off, and the magic tool symbolizing divine power in its hand had also broken into several pieces, scattered at the feet of the statue.

He looked toward the direction of the sea and saw the beach turn into gold coins covering the ground, broken under the baptism of time, turning into a sand sea full of vicissitudes.

The sky was covered with dark clouds, occasionally a few rays of light struggled to penetrate the clouds, sprinkling on this broken Divine Kingdom land, adding a bit of desolation and loneliness.

He seemed to be able to hear the laughter of the citizens of the Divine Kingdom coming from the distant past... and now, all of this was submerged in this piece of dead silence and ruin.

"This is the world in their eyes."

Herbert swallowed his saliva gently, dazed for a moment.

In the eyes of the spirits, they were not located in the desolate mountain range shrouded in mist, but were still living in the former Divine Kingdom!

But after another daze, everything in front of him returned to reality, still that wild forest appearance.

Inner world?

Which is true? Which is false?

Or is it that, actually, both are true? Both are false?

"..."

Thinking this way, Herbert suddenly lowered his head, trying to peek at his own shadow.

But before he could see clearly what was inside... he was slapped by the shadow.

Slap.

That shadow tentacle slapped his eyes without mercy, blocking all his vision.

【"Hey! What are you peeking at there? You guy, you really are presumptuous!"】

Nie Nie Nasha said with a smile: 【"In the past, if you were so offensive, I would have dug your eyes out."】

"Cut, if I don't look, I don't look."

Seeing her stop him, Herbert curled his lips and gave up actively.

We are all so familiar, you guy actually got shy!

【"Hehe, I'm doing this for your own good~"】

"Heh."

Okay.

But listen to advice, eat your fill.

When it's time to court death, court death; when it's not time to court death, don't mess around.

Since Nie Nie Nasha won't let him look, naturally there is her reason; it's better not to force it—you can't beat her.

Forcing death when strength is insufficient will only make yourself look very awkward.

Hmph, you wait, I'll write it down in my little book.

One day!

Herbert leaned down to try to touch the grass leaves, but with one effort, he sank half his body directly into the ground.

"Hmm!"

Herbert was stunned for a moment, then blinked, and slowly pulled himself out of the ground.

And when his body passed through the grass leaves, he felt as if he had been hit by a slight electric current, numb and tingling.

After finally controlling his figure, he tried flying in the air again.

Flying is not possible, but floating is... but the problem is floating also has some problems.

The speed is very slow, not much faster than walking.

Secondly, Herbert found it very difficult to control the direction; a gust of wind blew, and he was blown away from the planned route, like a leaf swaying in the wind.

"Tsk! If only I could fly."

And just when Herbert thought so, a pair of scarlet wings instantly spread behind his back.

This is!?

The Stigmata is not branded on the physical body, but exists in the soul.

After realizing this, Herbert's heart moved, the Scarlet Wings spread, and he rushed into the sky rapidly—much faster than before!

When the burden of the cumbersome physical body was removed, this was the true speed of the Scarlet Wings.

And after flying for a moment, Herbert also realized a very fatal problem.

Consumption.

With his current strength, the spiritual state cannot be maintained for long, at most an hour.

And that's on the premise of not fighting; once fighting with someone, this time will be directly slashed.

This is a bit regrettable, but it's actually not hard to understand.

Even the Mist Ghost Wolves who rely on instinct to semi-spiritualize cannot maintain a spiritual state around the clock; the consumption is too great.

They are all used at critical moments to save their lives, or used as a finishing move.

"In other words, the limit distance for going out this time is only half an hour? This..."

This ability of spiritualization is very subtle; it committed the most painful and tricky mistake for all men.

Short.

And it's short in time.

The range of the Mist Mountains is not small, plus the time for the round trip, half an hour of straight-line distance can't go very far.

"Can only be careful, and spiritualize at critical moments?"

Herbert pondered, landed back on the ground, and released the spiritualization.

And at this time, Fu Fu Leimei also raised her head; she looked at Herbert and suddenly asked: "Can you do soul out-of-body?"

Soul out-of-body?

Just when Herbert was still confused, Nie Nie Nasha had already understood her meaning.

【"Yes~ oh! So that's what she wants to do."】

Do what?

Why are you two guys acting like riddle-makers!?

"Uh... probably can."

Just after Herbert finished saying it uncertainly, he suddenly felt his body lighten.

Hmm?

He was confused about what happened, and suddenly saw a familiar body falling straight forward.

Very familiar.

White hair... isn't that me!!?

"Ah! Wait, my body—"

Just when he wanted to reach out and pull his physical body in confusion, someone was faster than him.

Herbert watched helplessly as "himself" was grabbed by Fu Fu Leimei, burying his head deeply into that not-so-deep trench.

At the same time...

Also coincidentally saw the excitement raised at the corner of the mermaid miss's mouth, and heard a low laugh leaking from her mouth.

"Hehe!"

Herbert:?

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 222 =====