“It was heavily injured at the time. I tried to save it, but I failed. This blessing is what it left behind.”
“Rock Core Guardian...” Banner repeated the name, his eyes shining.
“That makes sense! No wonder! Only high-level elemental beings that are close to the source of the earth can condense such a pure blessing before they dissipate!”
He let go and rubbed his hands together excitedly. “This blessing will transform into your own power as you grow stronger. By the time it completely disappears, your strength will be significantly higher than others at the same rank! This is good stuff!”
Hearing this, Bai Xuan realized the truth.
So, his extraordinary attribute growth was partly thanks to that blessing.
But Banner wasn't finished; his excitement clearly wasn't just about the blessing.
“However!”
His tone shifted. “The most important thing isn't the blessing itself!”
“Since that guardian recognized you and gave you a blessing before dissipating, it must have left something else behind! Am I right?”
Bai Xuan understood immediately.
Banner’s goal was the Earth Element Heart.
He nodded, his tone cautious. “It did leave an item. Why do you ask, Master Banner?”
Anna, who had been watching from the side, saw Banner getting more and more excited. She stepped forward half a step at the right moment to take over the conversation.
“Mr. Bai Xuan, please do not worry.”
“Master Banner is so focused on this because he needs an Earth Element Heart as a medium for his Class promotion. Such treasures are extremely rare.”
She paused and continued to explain to Bai Xuan, “Only earth element creatures whose life level has reached the Transcendent Rank or above have the power to condense blessings and hearts.”
“Furthermore, they must hold a very high level of recognition for the target and voluntarily condense all their essence at the end of their life.”
“Therefore, an element heart is something that can be sought but not easily found. We have been searching for one for a long time. We’ve had some success with hearts of other elements, but we have had no reliable leads on an Earth Element Heart.”
Bai Xuan listened quietly, quickly processing this information.
So the conditions for obtaining an Earth Element Heart were that strict.
“I see...”
Bai Xuan nodded slowly, a look of understanding appearing on his face.
Amelia’s amethyst eyes darted around as she walked to Bai Xuan’s other side, her voice softening. “Big brother, do you need that Earth Element Heart for yourself?”
“If it’s useful to you, we definitely won't force you to give it up! At worst... we’ll just make this idiot wait a bit longer!”
The tension in Bai Xuan’s heart loosened slightly.
To be honest, the item was currently useless to him.
Right now, his priority was to maximize the benefit he could get from it.
What a perfect coincidence!
A slightly troubled expression appeared on Bai Xuan’s face. “This heart is indeed very important to me; it holds extraordinary meaning.”
Hearing this, the excitement on Banner’s face was immediately replaced by disappointment, and his shoulders slumped slightly.
Bai Xuan paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping over Banner’s damaged clothing. “However... since this Earth Element Heart is so important for Master Banner’s promotion, I would naturally be happy to help if I can. It’s just...”
Amelia’s eyes crinkled slightly.
“Is that so! I understand! I’ll trade you a treasure that’s more suitable for you! That’s a great idea!”
She tilted her head, her long pink hair sliding over her shoulder. “And we can add lots and lots of shiny gold coins! Enough for you to buy tons of toys and food!”
Bai Xuan felt relieved.
The other party had accepted the trade and proactively offered gold coins and treasures, which was exactly what he wanted.
He took the opportunity to lower his posture, his words polite. “Lady Amelia is too generous!”
“Being able to help Master Banner with this item is an honor in itself. I would have done my best even without an exchange.”
After hearing this, Amelia’s small eyebrows twitched.
She stared at Bai Xuan, the corners of her pink lips slowly curling into a sly arc.
“Honor, is it...”
She drawled her voice, her amethyst eyes flashing with a mischievous light. “So helping Banner is such a glorious thing for you, big brother?”
Amelia saw the polite smile on Bai Xuan’s face stiffen slightly.
Then she continued giggling, “Then if I trade you something for it, wouldn't I be ruining that glory!”
“No, no, for the sake of your honor, Big Brother Bai Xuan, let's not trade! Just give the heart to Banner directly. That would be the only way to match such a glorious act!”
Bai Xuan: “...”
He felt like his facial expression management was about to fail.
This girl was doing it on purpose!
Seeing Bai Xuan looking a bit choked up, Amelia finally burst out laughing.
She then waved her hand. “Alright, alright, I’m just teasing you!”
She put her hands behind her back and spun lightly in place, her skirt fluttering up and down.
Then, she frowned slightly, tapping her chin with a slender finger as she struck a pose of serious thought.
“Hmm... what should I choose as a treasure for the exchange?”
She muttered to herself, her gaze drifting toward Bai Xuan from time to time to observe his reaction.
“Weapons and armor? Big brother is a Healer, so he probably won't have much use for them...”
“...Scrolls? Potions? Hmm...”
She seemed to have fallen into a state of indecision, like a child with too many candies wondering which one to eat first.
Frank had returned to his giant caiman mount at some point, his eyes half-closed as he appeared to be investigating the spatial entrance.
Banner looked eagerly at his sister and then at Bai Xuan, scratching his head in frustration.
Finally, he really couldn't hold back anymore.
He cleared his throat loudly and waved his large hand in the air.
A faint light flashed in his palm, and two items appeared.
In his left hand was a container with an intricately carved glass body, filled more than halfway with a thick, wine-red liquid.
Even through the glass, one could feel the violent power contained within.
In his right hand was a small, irregularly shaped, completely transparent stone.
Inside, extremely tiny specks of light slowly drifted about.
“Bai Xuan!”
Banner’s voice interrupted Amelia’s pondering as he thrust his hands forward.
“Look at this! Dragon Steel Strength Potion. Drink this, and your strength will surge!”
He shook the potion in his hand and then lifted the other item.
“And this, a Soul Purifying Stone. It can make your mind more stable and your head clearer... It’s a bit picky about who it accepts, but give it a try. Maybe it’ll work for you!”
The expression on his face was a mix of showing off and urgency, clearly believing these two items were incredibly tempting to anyone pursuing power.
Bai Xuan’s gaze swept over them, and information appeared:
【Dragon Steel Strength: A secret strengthening potion refined with dragon heart blood as the main ingredient. Upon use, it permanently increases Strength by a large amount. Only effective for those at the Practitioner Rank and below.】
【Soul Purifying Stone: Can only be condensed when a powerful and pure soul dissipates. After gaining its recognition, use will significantly increase soul purity, with a very small probability of increasing one's Potential.】
They were indeed rare and good items.
The strength increase was simple and direct, and the effect of the Soul Purifying Stone even touched the realm of Potential.
It wasn't hard to guess why Banner was willing to give them up. The potion was likely of little use to him now, and as for the Soul Purifying Stone...
He probably couldn't get the soul inside to recognize him.
While Bai Xuan was weighing his options, Amelia finally looked up.
Her eyes glanced at the items in Banner’s hands, and her small nose wrinkled slightly.
“Banner.”
Her voice carried a hint of helplessness. “How can you have the nerve to use just those things to trade with big brother?”
Without waiting for Banner to retort, she turned to Bai Xuan, a smile blossoming on her face.
That smile had less of the previous playfulness and more seriousness. “Big brother, ignore his crude things. I have an item here that is absolutely perfect for you.”
She held out her right hand, and the space in her palm rippled gently.
An unremarkable small brown pottery bottle appeared in her fair palm.
The bottle had no stopper and appeared to be sealed with some kind of dark wax.
Inside, it contained about one-third of a dim, golden, fine sand-like substance.
It had no radiance, and no energy leakage could be felt; it looked just like some ordinary sand scooped up from a riverbank.
“This is Sanctuary Embers,” Amelia said softly.
“My Lady!”
Anna’s warning came almost at the same time Amelia spoke.
She took half a step forward, her usually steady voice fluctuating noticeably as her gaze locked onto the pottery bottle.
Even a nearby guard on alert quickly turned his head to look due to the commotion.
Frank’s aged eyelids lifted, his gaze lingering on the pottery bottle for a moment.
Anna’s voice carried disapproval. “My Lady, please reconsider. This was specifically found for you by the Master. It is... of great significance to you. It must not be used lightly for an exchange!”
Amelia shook her head, her pink hair swaying gently with the movement.
She gripped the small bottle and looked at Anna.
The fragility belonging to a young girl seemed to fade, and a rare firmness appeared in her eyes.
“Anna, I have already decided. This is my item, and I know how to use it. And,”
Her tone softened slightly, but she remained persistent, “I have my own judgment.”
Anna looked at Amelia. It seemed like the first time she had seen this young lady she had cared for since childhood show such a strong side.
She opened her mouth, but in the end, her words of protest turned into a silent sigh and were swallowed back down.
She took half a step back, resuming her silent posture, though worry still lingered deep in her eyes.
When Amelia looked back at Bai Xuan, the slightly mysterious smile returned to her face.
She gently shook the pottery bottle. “This was left behind by a sacred artifact that was shattered a long time ago.”
“It comes with a small but very stable Sanctuary. Keeping it with you for a long time can slowly nourish the body and even benefit one's talent and Potential. There are many other effects as well...”
As Amelia said this, she suddenly leaned in closer and stood on her tiptoes.
She lowered her voice so only Bai Xuan could hear, her breath brushing past his ear. “...Especially since you have that special light on you. I think it will be particularly suitable for you, big brother.”
Bai Xuan’s heart stirred, and he focused his gaze on the pottery bottle.
【Sanctuary Embers: Derived from a completely destroyed high-tier holy artifact. A small-scale Sanctuary permanently surrounds it, moderately reducing elemental damage received within range. Long-term possession slowly nourishes the body and increases Potential. Holy-attribute Classes can use it directly to slightly increase Potential and significantly increase healing and support capabilities. Immediately grants a support/healing magic, with a small probability of comprehending Domain-type magic. Significantly increases elemental resistance to withstand elemental attacks and erosion.】
This long list of effects made Bai Xuan’s breath hitch.
Its combined value definitely far exceeded the Earth Element Heart.
Bai Xuan was almost ready to nod and agree immediately.
“Hey! Bai Xuan! Look at this!”
A loud voice cut in.
Seeing Bai Xuan’s gaze fixed on Amelia’s bottle, Banner thought he was still hesitating and grew anxious.
Without a word, he stepped forward and directly stuffed the potion bottle and the Soul Purifying Stone into Bai Xuan’s arms.
“Take these too! I’ll give you everything! Is that enough?”
Bai Xuan looked in shock at the two items stuffed into his hands.
He looked up at Banner, who had a face that said, “You should be satisfied now!” for a moment, unsure of how to react.
This was simply...
Watching Banner’s actions, Amelia wordlessly covered her eyes with her hand and muttered in a low voice, “This muscle-brained idiot...”
This was a huge temptation, but it also came with a stronger warning.
Bai Xuan quickly calmed down.
Taking too much was never a wise move, especially when there was a huge disparity in strength and status between the two parties.
He shook his head at Banner and then gently pushed the potion and the Soul Purifying Stone back toward him. “Master Banner, I appreciate your kindness.”
“Lady Amelia’s willingness to trade the Sanctuary Embers is already... more than I know how to thank you for.”
“I agree to the trade. Please, you must take back these two precious items.”
Banner visibly relaxed, as if a great burden had been lifted.
But then his thick eyebrows shot up, and he pushed the items back again, his attitude firm. “There’s no such thing as taking back something you’ve given! I said I’m adding them, so I’m adding them!”
“Consider it a meeting gift for a friend! Yes, a friend!” He slapped his armored chest hard.
Banner’s gaze was direct. “Take them! From now on, we’re companions adventuring together!”
Companions...
Bai Xuan looked at the tall, simple young man in front of him, who was like the protagonist of a knight novel, and felt a mix of emotions.
But he didn't refuse again; over-modesty would only seem hypocritical.
He solemnly took the two items and bowed slightly. “In that case... thank you, Master Banner. I will remember this friendship.”
Then, he turned around, pretending to rummage through the worn backpack on his back while his hand reached inside and his mind communicated with the Space Ring.
After a brief spatial ripple, the 【Earth Element Heart】, which emitted a steady earthy-yellow glow, appeared in his hand as he pulled it from the backpack.
Amelia also smilingly handed over the simple brown pottery bottle.
The two hands met briefly in the air, completing the exchange.
Banner grabbed the Earth Element Heart. The warm yellow crystal looked tiny in his massive metal palm.
He immediately began to examine it with love, an excited light flashing in his eyes.
His entire suit of armor seemed to vibrate slightly with excitement, as if he couldn't wait to use it.
“Sister!”
He turned to look at Amelia, his voice urgent. “I have everything! Should we... go back first?”
“I can feel... the power inside me responding to it! With the burst of energy from the promotion, I’ll definitely be able to step directly into the Transcendent Rank!”
Rate on N.U.
