Chapter 194: Awakening
This was a true portrayal of human life in the Larr Mountains. Under the rampage of Monsters, even with supernatural protection, tragedies occurred every moment. If a Monster Tide occurred, with all the Monsters in the northern mountains rioting, entire tribes could be wiped out without a trace!
Unlike the familiar lands of civilized nations, where Monsters rarely appeared and powerful Divine Descendants ruled with divine protection, this valley, no matter how beautiful, could not change the fact that it was a breeding ground for Monsters. The mortals living here could only rely on themselves for everything.
Ace, having calmed down, retracted the Spell Hand and canceled the Mana Crystal weapons. He straightened his left arm and swung it down heavily. Buzz!
Powerful mental power spread instantly, sweeping across the entire reclaimed field with indignant and solemn emotions. The crowd’s cheers and cries were silenced by his powerful mental power. Everyone held their breath instantly, leaving only the sound of uncontrollable, soft sobbing.
He walked quickly to the mother’s side. His mental power sensed her body; there was still some residual warmth. Ace glanced at the unconscious little boy, then back at the mother. Suddenly, the image of Marina hugging him flashed before his eyes.
He murmured to the mother: “No matter what, please do not die in front of me. Please hold on!”
In front of Ace, two Soul Runes rapidly constructed and entered the lower layer of his Soul Sanctuary. The Water Element Rune and Nourishment Rune were swiftly traced and formed. The Soul Spell Potent Nourishment, imbued with life force, also quickly formed in the upper layer of the Soul Sanctuary.
He activated the Potent Nourishment Spell Model. Accompanied by the sound of murmuring water, a large amount of mist imbued with life-nourishing power appeared. Accompanied by the pulse of Mana, it swirled around Ace.
As Ace pointed his finger at the brave mother, the sound of murmuring water arose. The mist, carrying a melody of hope, surged toward the mother, who still retained some warmth.
The mist warmed her, and the vitality of life nourished her. A trace of spirit gradually returned to her eyes. Her index finger trembled slightly, and she struggled to get up to look at her unconscious son nearby.
Thump!
She fell heavily and could not get up again.
After a long while, her body gradually grew cold, and her eyes lost their spirit. Even a Soul Spell-level Nourishment spell could not bring her back to life.
In her final moments, she raised her finger, pointing at her son, looked at Ace with pleading eyes, and fell asleep forever.
Mortals without supernatural power do not even manifest a spirit body upon death; only a trace of vague true spirit vanishes without a trace.
Ace remained silent, continuing to use the Nourishment spell to treat her son. The boy was mainly injured in the shoulder. Under the effect of Ace’s Nourishment spell, his wounds gradually improved, the toxins were purged, and he fell into a deep sleep.
Ace looked at the boy sleeping soundly and signaled Leon with his eyes to carry him aside for care.
If you can sleep well, sleep well for now. When you wake up without a mother, you will have to be strong, Ace thought.
He then treated the injured Freemen and Reserve Citizens one by one with the Nourishment spell. Although he saved most of them, a few still succumbed to their severe injuries and passed away.
The rescued people thanked Ace in low voices, while those who lost family members sobbed quietly. Ace beckoned to Leon, who was covered in dust and holding a round shield and short sword.
Leon ran quickly to Ace, knelt on both knees, and choked out: “My Lord, it was my poor consideration. I failed to guard against the Monster attack. Please punish me!”
Ace looked at the disheveled Leon, reached out to help him up, and said gently: “This is not your fault. You are only mortals; it is difficult for you to withstand these Monsters. Suspend the canal digging for today and take the people back to the settlement. Tomorrow, I will dispatch several Wizard Apprentices to be stationed here, to dig the canal with you and protect you.”
Just then, the limp cowlick on Ace’s head yawned in a human-like manner, shot up straight, and began to sway continuously.
The Spirit of the Book was awake.
Late at night, after dealing with the day’s emergencies, comforting the territory’s residents, and arranging for Ancestar, Arno, and others to take turns guarding the reclaimed fields, Ace finally returned to his residence.
Under the cold light of the Controllable Light Orb, Ace reached up to his head and yanked the cowlick off with a snap.
He curled his index finger and then flicked it straight out. Smack!
“Ouch, ouch!” The cowlick transformed into a chubby little doll, clutching his head and yelling.
“Why did you sleep for so long?” Ace asked the chubby doll.
“I—I don’t know…” The chubby doll scratched his head and said in a childish voice, “I ate so much delicious knowledge, and then I got very, very sleepy! By the way, Ace said he would share infinite knowledge with me. Where is it? Where is it?”
The small, chubby Spirit of the Book floated into the air, circling Ace happily.
Smack!
Before he could continue celebrating, Ace slapped him down like a mosquito. He landed dizzily in Ace’s palm.
Ace held the Spirit of the Book in his palm and asked the questions burning in his heart:
“What is the Sea of Illusion and Reality? Was the strange ocean we entered through the mental link real or an illusion? And what was that aura that felt like truth?”
The Spirit of the Book struggled desperately and said to Ace: “Ace, it’s too tight! Loosen up, loosen up!”
“What a terrible line.” Ace opened his palm. The Spirit of the Book coughed a few times and said in a childish voice:
“The Sea of Illusion and Reality is the filler of the Outer Plane of the world, the boundary between reality and illusion. Countless spaces and planes float within it. Except for existences of Legendary rank or above, only Quasi-Rule Beings, Dream Beings, and Void Beings can survive there.
The ocean we entered is real. It should be a dimensional space formed by extreme coincidence. It was my first time seeing it too. As for the aura akin to truth, I don’t know either.”
Ace asked, somewhat puzzled: “What is the Outer Plane of the world? Is there an Inner Plane? And what are the three types of beings you mentioned?”
The Spirit of the Book floated up from Ace’s palm, his chubby face showing pride:
“I am a Quasi-Rule Being. A Dream Being is like that snake you once killed. I don’t know much about Void Beings, but I heard they are chaotic and powerful. We three types of beings are the natives of the Sea of Illusion and Reality.
The Outer Plane of the world is relative to the Inner Plane. The Inner Plane is the real and solid Material Plane, while the Outer Plane is an extension. I don’t know the specifics, but the Inner Plane and the Outer Plane together make up this world!”
Ace pondered the Spirit of the Book’s words. This was the first time he had learned about the composition of this world. Although he was still somewhat confused, he had a rough idea of the situation.
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