IRM Chapter 130

From the moment the Demon King mentioned the power of the soul to him, Ji Chi had buried this matter deep in his heart. As the otherworld unfolded before him like a painting scroll, he began to contemplate what exactly the soul was.

The concepts from his previous world had created quite a misconception for him—Ji Chi had always thought the soul was something ethereal and elusive, difficult to grasp.

It wasn’t until he experienced more and more, encountering all kinds of people with different personalities and powers, that he gradually discovered the soul might exist right where he could see it.

The soul encompassed his power, carried his memories, it shone with dazzling brilliance, forever belonging to him alone——

Thinking to this point, though Ji Chi was very reluctant to admit it, all signs pointed to one thing: this artificial intelligence in front of him was very likely the manifestation of his own soul, the source of his power……

Yuan Yuan flashed at his fingertip, remaining silent.

Ji Chi couldn’t help but pinch it. “So where exactly did all your random voice lines come from? So it really was the game that harmed me terribly……”

Yuan Yuan: [Yuan Yuan doesn’t understand what you’re saying. Do you need to pass this question to the development team?]

Hearing the familiar evasive response, Ji Chi didn’t get angry anymore. He poked it and muttered, “Was I really this annoying……”

Teasing himself wasn’t very interesting, so Ji Chi immediately lost interest in Yuan Yuan.

He bent down and shot out a fireball into the furnace chamber of the forge. The pure and transparent Fire Magic Crystal met the fire element and blazed fiercely, with scorching temperature rising throughout the Forging House.

Ji Chi placed the demon sword on the forging table, picked up the rock-iron hammer, and waited quietly.

Under the burning of the high temperature, the demon sword’s entire body turned blood red. The [Power] within the sword’s cracks seemed to come alive, flowing and meandering across it like lava.

He waited until one of the cracks was completely filled with [Power] before saying softly, “Yuan Yuan, go ahead.”

Even before he spoke, Yuan Yuan had already arrived beside the demon sword. It hesitated for a moment, then sank its square body into the demon sword.

“Nngh——” Ji Chi suddenly grabbed his collar, furrowing his brow to reveal a pained expression, swaying before the forging table.

Scorching, blazing, burning…… all words related to fire and heat filled every one of his nerves. He felt as if he were immersed in boiling lava, with flames seemingly spouting from every pore.

Ji Chi felt so uncomfortable he became dizzy. Just when he was about to collapse, Yuan Yuan finally came out. Its body had shrunk by a circle, the light of the transparent blue crystal had dimmed somewhat, and one side where there had originally been a pale golden protrusion had also shrunk, with the pale gold becoming a shallow yellow.

However, Ji Chi frowned and gathered his spirits to flip Yuan Yuan backward—another flat surface on it now had an additional piece of red crystal, connecting with the pale gold, making the standard cube somewhat rounder.

Ji Chi: “……If you could actually become round, I’d actually be quite happy, but you getting uglier and uglier isn’t a solution either……”

The red-yellow-blue three-colored Yuan Yuan clearly sensed Ji Chi’s thoughts from deep within its heart. It turned in a circle, pointing what seemed to be its rear end toward him, refusing to speak.

With a complex expression, Ji Chi coughed once, forcing himself to forget the image of an eye-blindingly bright disco ball in his mind, and looked toward the demon sword.

The demon sword’s appearance had also changed considerably. The other two cracks on it had been filled—one blue, one gold, intersecting and shining with the red.

The three powers swayed in the cracks like flowing water, ready to splash out at any moment. While they were still relatively calm, Ji Chi crushed the Dragon’s Heart and sprinkled a pinch of crystal shavings above the demon sword.

The Dragon’s Heart sustained life when it beat, and now it could also maintain the coexistence of the powers within the demon sword. The Dragon’s Heart melted under the extreme temperature, becoming transparent after melting, filling in the ravines of the cracks inch by inch.

Ji Chi carefully guided the Dragon’s Heart solution to cover the three cracks. He placed all his concentration on the work in his hands, not even noticing the passage of time.

Finally, after the Dragon’s Heart perfectly filled the three gaps, the demon sword flashed with light, then drew all its power back inward. Ji Chi let out a breath, wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead, and held up the demon sword to observe it carefully.

The demon sword at this moment looked both powerful and fragile. The Dragon’s Heart filled the gaps, but couldn’t completely repair it. Aside from the increased power it contained, the demon sword was the same as before—it could only be used once.

Ji Chi wasn’t too disappointed. With his abilities, dealing with other creatures on the continent was easy whether he used the demon sword or not. He was only preparing for his final plan.

Ji Chi glanced at Yuan Yuan and gently rubbed the location of the [Creation] divine authority on its top, saying softly, “I think I know how to use you now……”

“For example, what if we create a brand new world together?”

After coming out of the Forging House, Ji Chi felt like his whole body was about to collapse. He looked up at the bright sunlight in the sky, a trace of confusion flashing in his eyes——had he been forging all night?

“Ji Chi!” A call filled with anger suddenly came from the courtyard gate.

Ji Chi turned his face to look and discovered many familiar people gathered at the gate—Evan, Saintess Coralie, even Chloe and Linton were among them.

Their faces all showed anger and anxiety.

Ji Chi: “?”

“Where did you go?” Evan pushed open the courtyard gate and came before Ji Chi. “We haven’t seen you for a full five days. I thought you were going to disappear for three years again without saying a word.”

Ji Chi was surprised. “Five days?”

Chloe added with a straight face. “Five days, three hours, and twenty-three seconds.”

Ji Chi: “……” People really don’t need to be this precise, thanks.

Ji Chi: “Sorry, I was forging the whole time and probably didn’t notice the passage of time…… Why did you all come together? Did something happen?”

Evan’s tense nerves finally relaxed. He sighed. “There’s a practical combat training session at the academy this afternoon. We’re on the same team, so we came to find you together…… It’s good that you’re fine, but you look quite tired. Do you need to rest for a few days? It’s okay if you don’t attend today’s training.”

Ji Chi was accustomed to high-intensity training, and this bit of fatigue was still within his tolerance. He shook his head and said, “Come in and sit down first. Just wait for me a moment.”

Thinking about how he’d been cooped up in the Forging House for a full five days, Ji Chi felt itchy all over.

He pushed open the door and rushed straight upstairs to the bathroom without stopping.

Only after his body was immersed in the cool water of the bathtub did his thoughts, which had been turned to mush by the high temperature, gradually clear up.

He suddenly remembered something——he hadn’t stepped inside the house since returning, yet the house that had been abandoned for three years wasn’t as dilapidated as he’d imagined.

No, more accurately, it was actually tidier than before he left. Neat furniture, thriving plants, clean fireplace——as if he had never left.

Ji Chi somewhat complexly buried his face in the water, his heart filled to the brim with guilt and gratitude, but the corners of his mouth submerged underwater quietly curved upward.

Practical combat training was a large-scale training session that the Combat Academy held once a month. Its main purpose was to let students find trustworthy teammates for future battle coordination.

Under his companions’ guidance, Ji Chi came to the most central venue in the academy’s northern district. The spacious circular arena was paved with ivory-white marble, with each marble edge bearing the academy’s emblem pattern. Seven stone statues stood around the arena, symbolizing seven different professions.

Many students had already gathered at the venue. They formed teams of six or seven people, with each team having at least two professions.

Ji Chi also took the opportunity to observe his own team—three mages, two engineers. It looked very uniform, but actually already covered five professions.

“I’m finally not the latest one to arrive……” A lazy, low voice came from the side. Ji Chi looked up and saw an elf with half-drooping eyelids, arms crossed, leaning against a stone statue to rest.

The elf looked completely unwoken, with several creases still on his eyelids. His emerald green eyes were almost obscured by his long, drooping eyelashes. Even the elven race’s characteristic beauty buff couldn’t cover up his thoroughly lethargic aura.

The elf’s wings were semi-transparent blue-green, though the blue-green was interspersed with strands of golden patterns. It was said that only elves nurtured at the center of the elven mother tree would grow such patterns.

“Ahh——” Dominic yawned again, and through his drowsy eyes, his lazy gaze circled around Ji Chi. “Who’s this?”

“His name is Ji Chi, he’s our teammate,” Evan said flatly.

Dominic struggled to lift his eyelids, showing an understanding expression. “Oh…… so it’s him, the person you all took turns going to the Northland to find?”

The several people remained silent, tacitly confirming his statement.

Dominic had no opinion about the airborne teammate, or rather, he had no opinion about anything.

He sighed softly, reluctantly straightened his body, wobbled over to their side, and muttered quietly: “No one comes to challenge us anyway…… why can’t we go back to sleep……”

Hearing his lethargic speech, Evan didn’t get angry. He turned to explain to Ji Chi: “Dominic’s profession is ranger. Although he’s usually somewhat lazy, his abilities are very strong, and he can coordinate well with both Brandon and Chloe.”

Ji Chi nodded.

Evan should be acting as the team leader in the group. He turned to tell Dominic: “Brandon sent word yesterday that he still needs some time to return from the Northland. You’ll coordinate with Ji Chi today.”

Dominic was very adaptable. “Okay……”

They came to the center of the circular arena. The central marble had a circular opening with a white magical light pillar standing in the middle.

The magical light pillar was wide enough for two adults to embrace together. Evan and the others walked before the light pillar and naturally extended their hands to touch it. As they touched the pillar, the emblems on their chests also lit up.

Ji Chi learned from their actions and also placed his hand on it. The academy emblem at his chest grew brighter and brighter. When it reached a blinding degree, it scattered with a snap, and a mark of “I” appeared on the emblem.

Seeing Ji Chi looking down at the mark, Evan explained softly, “This is the ranking of all teams in the academy. In practical combat training, you can issue challenges to higher-ranked teams, like a large-scale honor duel.”

Linton nodded in agreement beside them. “But generally no one comes to challenge our team.”

Ji Chi glanced at the lineup of this team. Good heavens, Chloe alone could make young students cry—no wonder no one dared to challenge them……

Linton seemed certain no one would come. He sidled up to Ji Chi and said somewhat awkwardly, “There’s something I want to explain to you. Over these three years, we researched a simplified version of [Light] and sold it. We kept very clear records of the profits—part was used to support children in difficulty, and part was all saved for you…… We’re really sorry for not consulting with you beforehand, but we wanted to give commoners more leverage during the most turbulent times.”

If he hadn’t brought it up, Ji Chi would have forgotten about this. He shook his head. “Don’t say that. It was something everyone researched together anyway. You can decide.”

Linton’s eyes brightened. He curved his brows and eyes, as if relieved of a great burden. “It’s good that you’re not angry. Oh right, Master Bard was very happy to hear you returned. You should visit him at the wand shop when you have time!”

Ji Chi agreed without thinking, saying, “I actually have some business——“

As he spoke, several white figures suddenly appeared in his peripheral vision. Ji Chi squinted slightly and looked up.

It was a team of Church students. They wore white sacred robes over their uniforms, looking out of place compared to others.

After they appeared, the conversation on the field clearly quieted down. Many people stole glances at them, their gazes containing disgust as well as fear.

Evan also lowered his voice. “The Church has been getting more and more arrogant lately. Many people have been forced to join the Church through honor duels…… What exactly are they trying to do?”

While they were sizing up the Church team, Ji Chi noticed the Church’s gaze also fell on them, seemingly casually.

No, more accurately, it should be falling on him.

Ji Chi slightly frowned. He mentally calculated the time and understood, raising a cold smile.

After so many days had passed, the false god should have noticed him by now.

Someone so cautious wouldn’t directly send people to trouble him. He would only use pawns that could be easily discarded to test his abilities.

Thinking of the Divine Taboo the false god had always worried about, Ji Chi lowered his eyes and rubbed his fingers, saying to Evan, “Evan, everyone–-work a bit harder today. I’ll just be a mage.”

Evan was stunned and was about to ask why when suddenly their chest emblems flashed simultaneously. The dizzying sensation of a teleportation array being triggered came over them, and their vision suddenly darkened.

When their vision returned to normal, they were already in a spacious hall enclosed by a magical barrier.

Dominic, who had been sleeping standing up, opened his eyes. His drowsy green eyes filled with moisture looked toward the opposite side in surprise, letting out a short questioning sound. “Someone, wants to challenge us?”

Actually, the Church team’s ranking was also quite high, but their goal today wasn’t to win first place—it was to force Ji Chi to act with his full strength.

A Holy Summoner in the team opened a massive summoning array in the air. Three fire-breathing dragons roared out from within, stopping before three Holy Knights. The Holy Knights mounted the fire dragons, took down their lances from behind, and skillfully assumed an attacking formation.

Several Magic Monks also prepared themselves. The patterns of magic arrays flickered around them, ready to release explosive magical light spheres at any moment.

Seeing their all-in posture, Evan suddenly understood Ji Chi’s words. His gaze swept coldly over the several people, and he gave instructions to his companions in a low voice, “Chloe and Linton’s puppets guard the front–Saintess Coralie, summon dark magical beasts to corrupt the light monks–Dominic, provide mobile support, Ji Chi……”

Evan turned to glance at him with a smile. “You just cheer us on with fireball spells.”