Chapter 805 - 85: From Now On, Your Name Is Oscar
Chapter 805: Chapter 85: From Now On, Your Name Is Oscar
Thousand Mechanism Tavern.
Lin Chen emerged from Martial Arts Mountain, his figure just appearing, and immediately heard an anxious voice.
"Awooo!"
"Awooo!"
In the courtyard, the little beast sat at the threshold, raising its head and calling out in distress.
Its voice and expression were as miserable as having lost a family member.
"What’s the crying for?"
Lin Chen rubbed his temples; did he really have such deep affection with this little beast?
Upon hearing Lin Chen’s voice, the little beast was startled, quickly turning its head to look towards the courtyard. When it saw Lin Chen’s figure, its short forelimbs immediately started waving excitedly, and several bounces brought it to Lin Chen’s front.
"Awooo!"
The little beast jumped up to greet him, but Lin Chen skillfully gripped the back of its neck with his hand to prevent it from falling on him.
"Little guy, what do you mean by this? Are you going to follow me now?"
"Awooo, awooo!"
The little beast nudged its nose towards Lin Chen’s arm and then pointed its forelimbs at Lin Chen, afterwards pointing at its own nose.
Lin Chen pondered for a moment, then understood the little beast’s meaning.
When he absorbed the energy of the Dragon Blood Bodhi Fruit, the Qi Blood that overflowed from his body was a delicacy this little guy enjoyed.
It wasn’t about developing feelings with him; it treated him like a chef.
But that’s more logical; this isn’t like before, where the protagonist’s royal aura made humans and beasts willingly surrender and remain loyal.
"Alright then, you can follow me for a while."
He consumed ninety-two Dragon Blood Bodhi Fruits, leaving twenty-six remaining.
Right now, there is no need to consume them every day; otherwise, it would waste the energy of the Dragon Blood Bodhi Fruit. Consuming one every ten days is enough.
His Qi Blood has reached its limit. To continue enhancing Qi Blood, he needs more innate power; innate power not only signifies strength but also transforms the body.
When the acupoints within the twenty-four locations inside the body condense into innate crystals, one steps into the Innate Second Realm. Lin Chen has forty-eight innate crystals and needs to refine more until reaching three hundred sixty-five, allowing him to attempt the Innate Third Realm.
With each additional innate crystal, the innate power in the body grows thicker; if reaching over three hundred, the innate power alone becomes tensely plentiful.
Condensing innate crystals requires a vast amount of innate power. If relying on personal growth, even a hundred years might not be sufficient; hence, various martial resources are needed to supplement.
The real disparity and turning point in the Innate Realm lies here.
No matter how high the Martial Path talent, without enough resources, it’s difficult to condense over three hundred innate crystals.
This also signifies the beginning of the disparity between martial artists from the super sects of the Flame Dynasty in the Martial Arts Realm compared to others. Non-super sect martial artists can break through to innate, but most get stuck at this realm as they struggle to acquire sufficient martial resources in a short time.
Even martial artists from super sects need to compete for these martial resources. However, it’s comparatively easier through sect missions than sourcing from outside.
Lin Chen knows this well; otherwise, his second and third senior brothers, both direct disciples, wouldn’t venture out.
After organizing his thoughts in the courtyard, Lin Chen prepared to leave the courtyard. Before departing, he looked at the little beast, a bit troubled. Carrying this little guy would make stealth difficult.
He could change his appearance, but the little beast couldn’t.
"Little guy, can you change your appearance?"
Remembering when the little beast transformed into a mountain peak, Lin Chen asked.
"Awooo~"
Upon hearing Lin Chen’s question, the little beast patted its chest with its forelimbs, and in the next instant, its figure began emitting a faint yellow light. Its fluffy fur continued to shrink, and after a few breaths, it transformed into a yellow fist-sized stone.
Seeing the little beast’s transformation process, Lin Chen’s eyes carried a contemplative look; if he hadn’t witnessed it himself, he wouldn’t suspect this stone at his feet to be a demon beast.
This little guy this time hasn’t emitted a trace of Qi Blood.
"Such a wondrous demon beast; why is there no record in the sect?"
The more miraculous the object, the common sect might not have the lasting existence to document it. But for a sect like Canglan Sect, which has existed for tens of thousands of years, there are comprehensive records in Jade Scrolls about special things in the Flame Dynasty within the sect.
Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, demon beast spirits, Martial Arts Techniques, Heaven and Earth Energy...
As a direct disciple, the Jade Scrolls given by his master are not the censored version. If the ancestors of this little beast appeared in the Flame Dynasty and were seen by martial artists—even if not witnessed by martial artists from Canglan Sect—it would be recorded.
In the Jade Scrolls, he found several Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, described with vague terms.
The reason being, these Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures barely appeared once or twice, and quickly vanished; very few people have seen them. Records by Canglan Sect predecessors were based on hearsay descriptions.
Could the ancestors of this little beast have never appeared in the Flame Dynasty’s history? Is this possible?
Is the little beast a mutation in racial talent, while its ancestors lacked the talent to transform their forms?
"Little guy, were your ancestors like this too?"
"Awooo!"
The little beast turned back into its beast form, nodded its round and fluffy little head, and Lin Chen suddenly felt awkward.
Well, all his previous guesses were wrong.
"Forget it, I won’t guess anymore. From now on, I’ll call you Oscar."
Oscar the movie star, it’s quite fitting for the little beast’s disguise and transformation skills.
"Ow... Sk... Ow~"
Upon hearing Lin Chen give it a name, the little beast was clearly very happy, its big black eyes squinting into slits with a smile.
"Transform back! From now on, after changing form, don’t change back unless I call you."
Lin Chen patted Oscar on the head, Oscar responded with an "ow" and once again transformed into a stone. Lin Chen picked it up, but he still noticed its flaw.
This stone has a temperature!
Lin Chen placed Oscar in his bag and walked out of the courtyard with the bag in hand.
He had the Hundred Objects Box, so he didn’t actually need a bag, but when traveling it’s best not to flaunt wealth. A Martial Artist traveling without any bags, especially when walking out of a courtyard, might raise suspicion of possessing a Hundred Objects Box.
Although the likelihood of an Innate Second Realm Martial Artist being robbed is small, it’s still better to be low-key when out and about.
...
"Sir, the total is 1,100 Flame Coins, but since the day hasn’t passed, let’s make it 1,000 Flame Coins."
The shopkeeper of the Thousand Mechanism Tavern, upon hearing Lin Chen’s request to check out, smiled. According to the tavern’s rules, once midnight passes, it’s considered the next day, and room charges apply.
The shopkeeper waived the fee for one day since Giant Stone City isn’t considered a particularly large city within the Profound Yellow Domain. The Thousand Mechanism Tavern only has three separate courtyards here, and they are often idle, so he has the authority to waive 100 Flame Coins for this gentleman.
"Alright."
Lin Chen wasn’t pretentious. Although his master gave him 30,000 Flame Coins, he needed to spend Flame Coins in many places for his future Martial Arts Cultivation, so saving 100 was worthwhile.
After paying the Flame Coins, Lin Chen was about to leave when the shopkeeper spoke up: "Sir, do you know where you’re heading?"
Hearing the shopkeeper’s query, Lin Chen turned his gaze toward him, and in that instant, cold sweat appeared on the shopkeeper’s face.
"Please don’t misunderstand, sir. I’m not intentionally investigating your movements; our Thousand Mechanism Tavern has caravans. If you happen to be going the same way, you might consider traveling with our caravan, and we will offer you compensation."
As soon as he finished speaking, feeling the frightening pressure disappear, the shopkeeper let out a sigh of relief. The aura this gentleman just released was far stronger than he had expected.
"Do people still dare to covet your Thousand Mechanism Sect’s caravan?"
Behind the Thousand Mechanism Tavern stands the Thousand Mechanism Sect. Lin Chen was a bit curious that there were people bold enough to rob the Thousand Mechanism Sect’s caravan.
"Sir, while the Thousand Mechanism Tavern is backed by the Thousand Mechanism Sect, the caravan isn’t solely theirs. There are other sects from the Thousand Mechanism Domain involved as well, merely attached to the Thousand Mechanism Sect. The Flame Dynasty’s territory is vast, and the caravans are numerous; there will always be people with schemes."
Understanding the shopkeeper’s explanation, Lin Chen realized.
The Thousand Mechanism caravans are numerous, and relying solely on the disciples of the Thousand Mechanism Sect is insufficient. Other martial artists from the Thousand Mechanism Sect also participate in caravan protection, but sometimes when dealing with valuable items and lacking Innate Martial Artists, the caravan would hire external Innate Martial Artists.
"No need."
Lin Chen ultimately declined, not wanting to waste time. A caravan’s speed could never match his travel alone, plus, hiring Innate Martial Artists as protectors would likely require thorough background checks, otherwise how could they ensure the hired martial artists wouldn’t turn against the caravan?
"Sir... coincidentally, a caravan is headed to the Eastern Sea. Could you share which realm you’re in?"
The shopkeeper did not give up after Lin Chen’s refusal; instead, he inquired about Lin Chen’s realm.
"Innate Second Realm."
Upon hearing Lin Chen was Innate Second Realm, the shopkeeper’s face showed no surprise, for someone of Innate Second Realm indeed possessed such terrifying pressure.
"Sir, the caravan is willing to offer 100 Innate Stones, and the journey will only take three months."
Innate Stones?
Lin Chen’s eyes slightly squinted; Innate Stones are a type of Exotic Stone capable of storing Innate Energy, accumulating five-element Innate Energy within. Once fully charged, the stones turn from grey to gold.
A single Innate Stone is worth 300 Flame Coins.
3,000 Flame Coins, for three months of time, compared to traveling alone to the Eastern Sea, it adds a few more days.
"To become a caravan protector, must one reveal their identity?"
Upon hearing Lin Chen’s inquiry, the shopkeeper understood that this gentleman was tempted but wanted to keep his true identity secret, hesitating within.
"Rest assured sir, the caravan does not require you to divulge your true identity."
Lin Chen glanced deeply at the shopkeeper, not questioning why the caravan didn’t need it; from the shopkeeper’s tone, he gathered some hints.
The caravan is likely not afraid of bringing the wolf into the fold, they must have some form of backing.
"If that’s the case, I’ll accept this escort task."
"Thank you, sir. Please return to your room to rest. I’ll inform you once the caravan departs tomorrow."
The shopkeeper, pleased to have assembled the caravan’s protectors, would also gain some personal reward from this.
This money doesn’t need to be handed over; it goes directly into his pocket.