The next day.
Cold Hammer Town, Imperial Energy Exploration Branch.
"Ordered to go to the ruins of the Kingdom of Ceylon? Let me see … Well, there is such a document, and the corresponding supplies have been allocated … "
The staff finished reading and handed over a stamped document, placing it in front of Liu Ping and Hua Qingkong.
There was a leather bag next to the document.
"This is an official border pass. The cowhide bag contains your Frigid Winter supplies. You are all explorers and professionists. Take the supplies and go to the market to find a guide and snow camel. Then, prepare the supplies and you can leave."
"Understood" Liu Ping and Hua Qingkong said together.
"You're welcome. Just to remind you to keep warm. You can still survive within the border, but once you cross the border, if you don't prepare more heating facilities, you will die."
"Okay, okay."
"Thank you for the reminder."
The two of them left the room and walked to the road outside.
The snow was falling from the sky, getting heavier and heavier in the wind, almost blocking their vision.
"Where is the market?" Hua Qingkong put the document away and asked.
"I've read books about Cold Hammer Town. The market should be in the east of the town. It's a commercial center built underground," Liu Ping said.
"You know that too? Then we'll go to the Kingdom of Ceylon with you as our guide? "Hua Qingkong asked.
"No, books are dead. The climate here is unpredictable. Many things require the experience of the locals, so we must find a good guide" Liu Ping said.
He played with the saint stone and led the way to the market.
— — The market was indeed built underground.
The magic bonfire burned in the center of the square, and people came and went in an endless stream.
It was as warm as spring here.
"To save time, we'd better split up," Liu Ping said.
"I'll go collect mainly supplies. We only need to bring a little of the exploration stuff. After all, we're not really going to explore for minerals and energy." Hua Qingkong said.
"Leave the guide and the snow camels to me," Liu Ping said.
"We'll meet here in an hour, how about that?"
"No problem."
The two of them separated.
Hua Qingkong walked to the shops on both sides of the square.
Liu Ping walked slowly to the center of the square, looking at the vendors with signs and the teams of snow camels.
He suddenly remembered something.
Not only did they have to prepare guides and camel caravans, but they also had to make some preparations themselves.
Liu Ping looked at the void and said softly, "Heroic Spirit Shelter."
Lines of burning words quickly appeared in front of his eyes.
[You activated the Heroic Spirit Shelter.]
[Randomly select a heroic spirit. Chosen: Yana (Sleeping).]
[By fulfilling the following conditions, you will be able to extract a Mystic variant of a certain ability from Yana and use it once]
[Draw requirement: Help the poor.]
[— — Before becoming the Goddess of Torment, Yana was a Holy Knight with a heart of compassion and chivalry. After you save ten poor people, you've fulfilled her special conditions.
Liu Ping finished reading and said happily, "That's easy."
He first bought a hat and a mask before returning to the surface. He found a place where no one was around and changed his clothes.
When everything was ready, he put on his hat and mask and returned to the square. He walked around, looking for his target.
Soon, he found some people who were worth saving.
"You don't seem to be doing well. Use this money wisely and live a good life," Liu Ping said.
He gave the money to a woman who had a child with her.
The woman was a bit surprised and wanted to say something to thank him, but Liu Ping had already walked away.
"Here, this is for you."
"Take it, go eat something good, take a bath, and look for a job."
"From the looks of it, you'll need a place to stay, take this money."
"Take it, take it."
Liu Ping quickly saved ten poor people, then opened his wallet to take a look inside.
— — it's empty.
He sighed helplessly and walked out of the square.
This was an act for the others who were secretly coveting him, to prevent them from thinking of him as a fat sheep.
Lines of blazing words quickly appeared:
[You've fulfilled Yana's special conditions]
[This Sequence is currently extracting a random ability from Yana — —]
[Five.]
[Four.]
[Three.]
[Two.]
[One.]
[Completed]
[You've obtained a variant ability: Divine Halo]
[Usable duration: 12 hours]
[Description: This is proof that you're the embodiment of holiness and devotion, anyone who sees this special laurel will know that you're a Holy Knight]
Done!
Liu Ping found a secluded place, changed back into the Energy Exploration Team's robe, took off the mask on his face, and returned to the square.
— — Now it's time to find a team of snow camels.
Snow camels were cold-resistant creatures, in the absence of food, they could survive in the snow for three weeks, they were the main mounts and camels in the North.
Liu Ping walked around the camel caravans, ignoring the peddlers who rushed forward to introduce him, and went straight to a camel caravan.
"These snow camels are not bad, I'll rent them for a month." he said to the boss.
"Huh? You have good taste, to be able to tell that my snow camels are the best here at a glance. "the boss said, then looked around.
The peddlers around him dispersed.
"Some experience in judging animals, nothing worth mentioning." Liu Ping smiled.
He paid and asked the boss to lead the camel caravan to the roadside at the exit of the square, then he went to pick a guide.
Suddenly, Liu Ping took out the Saint Stone from his pocket.
Since just now, the notifications from the Sequence had become more frequent.
[The fluctuation on the stone matches the fluctuation on the other side of the square]
[The other party is following you]
Liu Ping looked around and quickly found a group of people crossing the square, walking towards him.
The same line of words appeared above the heads of those people:
[Fanatics]
[— — This is a soul that completely believes in a certain existence]
So that's it.
They're fanatics of that religion.
Liu Ping looked at this group of people, only to see them lowering their heads, looking left and right, trying to hide their expressions.
Quite a few of them reached into their clothes, taking out daggers and short swords.
— — Should I fight?
If I do, what will the consequences be?
Liu Ping thought for a second.
Those people were getting closer and closer, almost about to start running, but in the next moment — —
Panicked screams could be heard from the square.
With a flash, the three half-human, half-insect monsters rushed toward the crowd like lightning bolts.
They let out a series of insect cries, and waved their sharp limbs, going for the group of fanatics.
These three monsters came so suddenly that no one was able to react in time.
"Come here, we're going to form a defensive formation!" a burly man who seemed to be the leader shouted.
The believers quickly gathered towards him.
At the very next moment — —
Another large shadow appeared from the void of space, quickly pushed everyone aside, swinging its sharp claws at the burly man.
When the shadow landed and revealed itself, everyone couldn't help but gasp in shock.
It was a white cat that was several meters tall, she had a pair of green vertical pupils, four sharp claws, and an eerie fluctuation of power that felt like a strong gust of wind, causing everyone to feel fear.
It's over.
As the Professionists looked at this terrifying feline monster, they couldn't help but have the same thought.
All of a sudden.
A female voice called out: "Come fight me, don't even think about hurting them!"
Hua Qingkong flew forward and stood in front of everyone, casually waving her hand to summon two tigers with wings.
As soon as the white cat monster saw the tigers, she immediately arched her back and became cautious.
The three bug-like monsters flew over and protected her.
Both sides fell into a stalemate.
At this point, another voice called out:
"Everyone, don't be afraid! I'm here to heal everyone! "
Everyone turned their heads, even the monsters looked toward the direction of the voice.
A young man stood next to everyone, his hands giving off a warm and gentle glow — — -
Above his head, a holy halo hovered motionlessly.
"Holy — — Holy Knight!"
Someone excitedly called out.
That's right, this pure white halo was the symbol of the Holy Knight.
If there was a Profession that everyone trusted, it would be the Holy Knight.
Because the skills of this Profession can only be activated with dedication.
Whether it was in ancient legends or the stories on the streets, this was something that everyone knew!
Liu Ping stood above the holy halo and displayed a trustworthy and gentle smile.
"I'm here to heal everyone!"
While walking, he spread the glow from his hands and gently sprinkled it on the wounded fanatics who were lying on the ground.
The wounds of those who were lightly wounded instantly healed.
The believers who were moderately wounded still appeared exhausted and could barely sit up, but their wounds were all healed!
As for the leader, he was the most heavily wounded, but as soon as the light of the Holy Knight shone on him, his wounds were also completely healed.
Although he was unconscious (dying), his face was still flushed (dying). This made everyone believe that the power of the Holy Knight had given him a new lease of life.
"Holy Knight! We have a Holy Knight! "
"Hooray!"
"We're saved this time!"
Everyone shouted excitedly.
Liu Ping smiled and nodded at everyone, his gaze lingering on the void of space for a split second.
Lines of burning text appeared there:
[You've performed Life-Saving Art]
[You've extracted the power of a few dozen fanatics and converted it into Soul Points]
[Soul Points + 1]
[Soul Points + 3]
[Soul Points + 5]
[Soul Points + 7]
[…]
That's enough, there's no way I can store so many Soul Points.
Liu Ping flipped his hand and hid the Advance Card in his palm.
"Inject!"
With a 'zing' sound, the advancement card was filled to the brim.
— — -but it's not convenient to advance right now.
Liu Ping's mind changed.
"Inject everything into Andrea!"
He said in his mind.
A new line of burning text quickly appeared:
"Awakening heroic spirit: Andrea."
[Current progress: 10%]
[Please continue to collect Soul Points to help her awaken from her slumber]
Liu Ping was a bit surprised.
So fast?
— — -in such a short period of time, I've already collected 10% of the necessary Soul Points!
Back at the Royal Academy, I had to painstakingly inject Soul Points into Zhao Chanyi every day for half a year!
Sure enough, I have to come out and save the wounded!
Liu Ping's mind flashed and he suddenly turned his head to look at the other corner.
A few injured fanatics were hiding behind the stone pillars, gasping for breath.
"Don't move!"
Liu Ping shouted and dashed towards those people.
"Don't move, I'll heal you!" he shouted as he ran.
Those people glanced at each other with complicated expressions.
One of them couldn't help but sigh:
"Why do we have to kill him, he's a good person!"