Chapter 36: Each Goes Their Own Way

The lively exchanges did not last long, only about an hour.

After all, there was plenty of time ahead; this was just the beginning.

After everyone obtained the immortal energy refinement technique from Zhongli, they began attempting to learn this refinement method.

Ye Fan and Han Li found a secluded, quiet bamboo grove and trained there, trying to refine their spiritual energy to make their magical power purer.

Spiritual energy diffused from the surrounding plants and trees began forming two spirals, one large and one small.

At the center of the lake, Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan used the lake's coolness to refine a special pill.

This was what Ye Fan and Han Li had just entrusted him to do.

He pulled out a porcelain bottle, from which floated a few drops of golden blood.

Not far away, Yao Lao used his soul force to examine the problems within the little girl's body.

Only then did he realize her internal power structure and bodily composition differed subtly from those of normal humans, and due to prolonged stress, her bodily functions automatically maintained the operation of her magical circuits.

Several months ago, Yao Lao had heard of the Holy Grail Ritual in that world, but only after witnessing it firsthand did he understand the cruelty at its core.

Yao Lao stroked his beard.

Weigong Shilang asked, "Master Yao, is there a way?"

Yao Chen waved his hand and said, "Don't rush; I've never encountered this situation before."

"Let me think about it alone first; I'll give you an answer in a week."

Both physical and soul-related issues require a careful solution.

If convenience were the goal, one could simply use the local method of the Dou Qi Continent and swap bodies.

"Then I'm in your hands, Master Yao," Weigong Shilang said, bowing respectfully.

Yao Lao nodded and turned into a white light, returning to Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan's ring.

"That soul entity's soul power was too strong," Dada Liya said, still shaken after Yao Lao left: "But it's great—you can speak now, Berserker."

Originally, Berserker had some rationality and could speak, but the Einzbern family bestowed a Berserk incantation to grant the Servant greater power.

The black giant smiled gently.

"Alright, Shilang, let's go. Since you helped Berserker speak again, I'll spare your life," Dada Liya said, waving her small hand.

"Hmm, where to?"

"Back to Dongting Lake, of course—the Holy Grail War continues; we don't have time to wait another week."

Dada Liya was dissatisfied; for her family, completing the Holy Grail Ritual was most important.

Weigong Shilang had not yet informed others that the Holy Grail was corrupted.

"Don't worry—time in our world has stopped; even if we stay here three months, we'll return to the same day."

If possible, Weigong Shilang wished this girl could enjoy more normal life rather than constant fighting.

Dongting Lake, upon hearing this, fell silent for a moment, then said:

"Even in ancient myths, this is among the most unbelievable things."

"So what do we do next? Play here? Then we won't have to worry about Serah's lectures," Dada Liya said, excited.

"I'll take you to explore the city first; the time here is equivalent to fifteen or so years after our world."

"Really? I thought the gap would be bigger."

Su Lin did not train with Ye Fan and the others; instead, he was showing Lu Mingfei around his own Water Mirror Peak.

"All these houses were once residences of past elders and disciples."

"Now they're all vacant; if you like, pick any one—you can stay here whenever you visit in the future."

Lu Mingfei thought: This big shot really knows how to throw weight around—offering a house outright.

So he casually pointed at a mansion nearby with a Tang-style appearance.

It wasn't large compared to surrounding buildings, but its exterior looked refined.

"Can I have that one?"

Su Lin's will moved, and a wooden tablet flew out from between the door's gap.

"Take it. At night, place it in the groove by the door—it'll automatically activate the array."

"Thank you, Big Shot!" Lu Mingfei took the tablet and kissed it.

"Just call me by my name," Su Lin said, pulling two ice creams from the past and handing one to Lu Mingfei: "By the way, I haven't asked—where are you in your world's timeline?"

Lu Mingfei had mentioned Lu Mingze in the group chat; he probably wasn't still in elementary school.

"We just arrived in Japan; before coming here, we were about to tour Genji Weight."

"Really? I didn't expect you're already at the third arc's timeline," Su Lin said, strolling with Lu Mingfei through the area. "Have you decided what to do with your future?"

"Sigh, honestly, I haven't decided—so I came here to think," Lu Mingfei sighed, shoving the ice cream into his mouth.

"Don't rush. Think slowly. You can stay here as long as you like."

"Thank you, Big Shot Su!"

"Just call me Su Lin," Su Lin said, exasperated: "By age, when you reach this point, you're older than me. I remember when I was in middle school, you were already in college in the books."

"Heh."

Lu Mingfei awkwardly scratched his head and changed the subject:

"Is that book really popular?"

"Yeah, many people once called it the Eastern Harry Potter."

Su Lin's expression turned nostalgic as he recalled a friend who borrowed his newly bought Dragon Raja 2 and got caught reading it in class—his homeroom teacher confiscated it.

"So popular?"

Lu Mingfei was surprised—his tragic little guy's story had so many fans.

"I never thought anyone would like my tragic life."

Coincidentally, the two of them had just walked into a spot without any shade, where the sunlight streamed straight down from above and dust drifted through the air.

Lu Mingfei looked up at the azure sky, where only scattered white clouds floated.

"Loser kid."

Su Lin stopped walking and smiled as he looked at Lu Mingfei beside him.

"Yeah, kind of a loser." Lu Mingfei nodded in agreement.

Su Lin shook his head and draped one hand over Lu Mingfei's shoulder.

"Do you know why your story is so popular?"

"No idea…"

Lu Mingfei really couldn't figure it out.

"Because everyone has a loser kid living inside their heart."

Su Lin pointed at his own chest.

"The heart's on the left side, right…?"

"I know. I did it on purpose." Su Lin laughed, gave Lu Mingfei a pat on the back, and gestured for him to keep walking with him.

"Some people say your story resonates with chuunibyou teenagers, some say it's a piece of youthful angst literature…"

Hey hey… what happened to the Eastern Harry Potter you just mentioned?!

Lu Mingfei silently roasted him in his heart.