It's so painful! So hard! So difficult!

Night had fallen. Although there wasn't much difference between day and night in this dwarven city of steel, Bai Lin still felt the passage of time clearly as she had something to do every day. As soon as she returned to her room, she collapsed onto the bed, spread her arms and legs, and said,

"Phew—it's such a wonderful thing to be able to lie down on a comfortable bed after work."

Even if you are not very tired today, it is normal to feel tired after going to bed. Bai Lin was naturally facing a similar situation. The poet sat on the sofa next to him and said,

"Well, having a nice place to rest is really great. You performed very well today, and the dwarves basically trust you now. It's obvious that you do get along well with them."

"Yeah... they're actually quite cute. Serious and hardworking people like them. If they died in some inexplicable riot or due to some incomprehensible incident, it would really make people hate them to the core."

Bai Lin made such comments. Even though the dwarves had a rather indifferent concept of life and death, she herself would certainly prefer to see a better ending.

Throughout the day, she had gotten to know the dwarves quite well within the limited time available. This afternoon's meeting was also a form of communication.

Chapter 796 There’s no need for that

The main point of the meeting was the same as Xue Xiong had mentioned: they wanted to directly contact Bai Lin. At that meeting, dwarves of all ranks, big and small, were present. They each represented a group to examine and contact Bai Lin, the supposed hero, and most of them had already communicated with her directly.

As everyone knows, although Bai Lin would occasionally lose her composure in some situations, she has generally been able to remain calm in such very formal group occasions since a long time ago.

Everything she said was very down-to-earth, neither exaggerating nor understating, and where confidence was warranted, she certainly displayed it with unwavering confidence. This down-to-earth approach to speech suited the dwarves perfectly. Even though her words were somewhat ordinary, the aura emanating from Bai Lin was undeniably extraordinary.

Besides Bai Lin's personal charm, the poet's identity was renowned among the dwarves as both high and mysterious, and the dwarves naturally imbued Bai Lin with an air of superiority. Furthermore, they desperately wanted a legendary hero who could end their wait. Therefore, the meeting didn't last long, as most of them had already begun to support Bai Lin.

Bai Lin and the poet also briefly discussed their goals and content with the dwarves, but due to the poet's restrictions, they were reserved in what they said. At the same time, they also gained a deeper and more detailed understanding of the dwarves' ethnic composition, general direction, and social structure.

Going into detail would be too lengthy. To sum it up, Bai Lin felt very good, everything was fine. It was a bit too strong, but that was just their racial trait, there was nothing we could do about it.

Bai Lin was lying on the bed, stretching out his hand, looking at the light from the ceiling light flowing through his fingers, and fell into some thoughts.

First of all, she probably understood the dwarves' problems. The dwarves' death-seeking nature wasn't caused by anyone else, nor was it caused by anyone. After all, there were similar records in history, and Bai Lin had received the poet's approval.

But there were many questions about why they had changed to their current goals. Even thinking about it was still unclear. Based on her current inference, all the answers would likely be revealed at the place they were going to tomorrow. This was both a connection and Bai Lin's intuition.

Secondly, setting aside the dwarves' beliefs about life and death, their lives are indeed quite good. During this time, Bai Lin brought the dwarves local specialties he had collected from various places, but they generally agreed that they were delicious and didn't have any strong desires for food. Clearly, they didn't have any basic needs in this regard. Eating ore was indeed a taste they had, rather than forcing themselves to endure hardship.

However, there are some doubts regarding the living environment. The dwarves mentioned a subconscious idea, very similar to "waiting for the hero" and "protecting the surroundings," which is "no light is good." Even if some people want to see more beautiful scenery, they don't want to move away from this world completely obscured by the sky.

While they enjoy basking in the sun, they instinctively prefer to avoid it. This might not sound contradictory, but if you talk to the dwarves carefully, you'll sense a sense of conflict. Generally speaking, they aren't overly dissatisfied with their living environment, though they do wonder what it would be like to live in a better place. Having a better place isn't a big deal; it's just an added bonus.

Finally, let's talk about their overall composition. Bai Lin discovered that their ethnic structure was quite modern, even ultra-modern. While everyone had their own wonderful lives, they also actively dedicated themselves to similar goals. This was a rare phenomenon. Even though their ethnic group was not very large, they were able to develop such cohesion and develop into their current form. It was not something that could be achieved overnight.

According to the poet, the dwarves were not so well-organized in the past. Although they held respect in the eyes of people like them, they were mostly seen as "mad forgers," who were devoted to scientific research and technological advancement, and were crazy and indifferent to other people's affairs.

The transformation into the social system we have today, orderly and well-trained, no one knows what kind of transformation has taken place. Even they themselves may not be able to explain it clearly.

Hopefully, all the answers will be revealed tomorrow.

Thinking this way, Bai Lin sorted out the information she had received today. She collapsed in the dimly lit room, enjoying the feeling of drowsiness enveloped by the dim light. Generally speaking, even if one isn't sleepy and can't fall asleep in bed, many people still prefer to stay in bed, and Bai Lin was clearly one of them.

Especially on a bed that is so comfortable and gives you a sense of security.

However, even though the dwarves' dwellings felt incredibly familiar to her, so similar to modern huts, she wasn't truly back home. Bai Lin was well aware of this. She still had work to do, and all she needed now was to rest as quickly as possible.

So she stood up and left the bed. After taking two steps, she seemed to remember something and asked the poet,

"There's only one bed here. Why don't you sleep in this one? I'll sleep on the sofa in the living room."

"That's not necessary. You know I don't need to sleep, I just need a place to lie down and rest. This bed is much bigger than the one in Twilight Village. Even with two people lying on it, there's still plenty of space."

"Tomorrow won't be like today. You have things to do, so rest is important. Even if you have to sleep on the couch, it's more appropriate for me to go."

The poet answered Bai Lin very seriously. Bai Lin scratched his cheek and replied,

"It's mainly because it's so rare to have a bed to sleep on, so I don't really want to keep wearing armor... But you're quite right, this bed is really big. The extra pillows are just right, so we can put them right between us. It won't affect our rest at all, and we won't be too close."

Bai Lin was gloating over her cleverness in drawing boundaries for herself, but the poet was speechless. She looked up at the colorful crimson and black sky outside the window for a moment, and even after Bai Lin adjusted the bed, she continued to look that way. Seeing her so lost in thought, Bai Lin couldn't help but wonder at the poet.

Chapter 797 Formalism

"What are you thinking about? Standing there in a daze?"

The poet just shook his head slightly and replied,

"Every race has a different definition of the so-called morals and ethics that constrain the actions of living things. Some people are very obsessed with formalities, while others fundamentally reject certain behaviors. Even people like dwarves don't care about their own life and death."

"All of this is caused by the different experiences of each race. Sometimes people think that if they cross this line, many things will be much simpler to think about. In fact, many people do this. Everyone actually has their own bottom line, so what bottom line is most suitable for them is closely related to their own experiences."

The poet's sudden philosophical remarks left Bai Lin a bit confused. Although correct, Bai Lin didn't understand why she suddenly said this. Then, the poet suddenly changed the subject and said,

"You've been in that other world for so long, haven't you? Saint Son. You still have a lot of confusion about your future, but you were able to come up with the idea of ​​using pillows as a dividing line on the bed, something as simple as trying to cover up one's own faults. After all, that's the world you've lived in for the longest time."

When Bai Lin heard what the poet meant to say, she immediately realized it. She shrank back onto the bed and replied unhappily,

"Then just tell me whether you want to sleep or not. It's still a long story. Why don't you just sleep on the sofa? Damn it. However, although what you said is generally correct, I still think that some content cannot be generalized."

"In that world, in the years since I gave up trying, even though I've been living a carefree life, in reality... I feel like I'm no different from being dead. I have no goals in life, and even tomorrow doesn't seem to matter. If it weren't for all those relationships, I would have given up on life long ago."

"Living long doesn't guarantee a more profound life. I get lost, and there's nothing I can do about it. I actually resent this myself... but there's nothing I can do about it. Knowing what you want to do and knowing how to do it are two completely different things."

Having said this, Bai Lin stared at the poet with sharp eyes, and then continued,

"What we're doing now is just practicing what we should do. You said it yourself, boss. I'll just listen to you. No need to overthink or question. Just do it. After all, you're the native here, with a far-sighted vision and the experience of living here. I can only look up at a tiny corner of this vast world with my own eyes."

"But even so, before you came, I was still making my own efforts. As a person, being able to put your ideas into practice is at least better than hesitating, isn't it?"

Seeing Bai Lin's seriousness, the poet first turned to look at Bai Lin, then looked away. She breathed a sigh of relief and sat down beside her bed.

"I don't mean to scold you, Holy Son. You've always done the right thing. Besides, didn't I tell you that when we first met? I actually admire you deeply and respect you. But you know it's not enough, still not enough. Even if it's your limit, it's still not enough."

"A hero's growth will involve countless setbacks. Every moment of sinking into darkness is a harbinger of her rebirth. In the future, the guiding star may dim and fade from your night sky, but that will make you stronger, and perhaps even more painful."

"So I'll tell you, just listen to me. But what I'm saying today doesn't conflict with that. I just want you to be mentally prepared. By the way, I've also included some tips for you."

The poet smiled slightly, directing the somewhat heavy and discordant words to the angle she was good at. Bai Lin was slightly stunned. The poet's smile instantly dispelled all her distracting thoughts and no longer held any dissatisfaction. She lowered her head slightly, leaned back on the bed, covered her face with her hands, yawned, and replied,

"Hey... haven't I experienced enough setbacks? Don't worry. Also, I can hear that you really care about these pillows. Just take them away and add another quilt."

“…What difference does that make?”

"It's your choice whether there's love or not. I can only give in here."

And so, the night fell silent. The warm lights naturally dimmed, and the windows closed, leaving only the reassuring and comfortable environment and the two energetic people.

-

Today's event wasn't particularly large. Bai Lin and the others were led by the same twelve-member team that had come to meet them on the first day. While their presence caught everyone's attention once they stepped onto the street, they were the only ones who had followed them throughout. This seemed to indicate that this place was indeed a place not to be approached lightly.

Soon, they arrived at their destination. The dwarven city itself wasn't very large, and the destination wasn't remote either; it was actually quite close to Bai Lin's current residence. After swinging a few times on the zipline, they landed. They saw a rather unremarkable gate embedded deep in the mudstone.

To Bai Lin, the height of this door felt familiar. Approximately three meters high, it was the most common door type used in human society, but clearly too high for the dwarves. However, the height of each floor in the dwarfs' residences was roughly the same as the average height of human buildings, so Bai Lin didn't find this too strange.

Looking at the door, Bai Lin felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity. This inexplicable feeling was a bit like the first time he saw Kong. It only lasted for a moment, and then it dissipated like the wind and disappeared.

Bai Lin shook her head, took a breath of fresh air, and glanced at the dwarves who had come with her. Snow Bear, holding her gun, turned around, walked to Bai Lin's side, and spoke slowly to her.

"Have a safe journey, Holy Son. Don't push yourself too hard, just do your best."

Chapter 798 Bullet

There was a hint of hesitation in Xue Xiong's words, which gave Bai Lin a slightly awkward feeling. After all, Xue Xiong had once considered the dwarves to be paranoid and stubborn, only respecting those who made decisions. Having emotions wasn't shameful, but letting excessive emotions hinder others' decisions was shameful. Therefore, this statement clearly didn't fit the dwarves' style, nor did it fit her own.

Whether it was forced or not was a decision Bai Lin had to make. Her farewell speech should have been simpler and more concise.

"What the hell, what are you talking about? What do you mean by reluctantly? Our hero must have won easily."

Akagi Lu never reads people's expressions. As soon as she smelled something that made her feel unhappy, she came out to interrupt. She raised her hand and patted Bai Lin's shoulder, and Bai Lin also clenched his fist, touched it with hers, and replied,

"I can't guarantee the outcome. But Snow Bear is right. At least, I will definitely do my best. Don't worry."

It was obvious that she was speaking to everyone. Xue Xiong cast a sharp look at Akagi Lu, and instantly two people came up and pulled the man who couldn't read people's expressions back. Then, Xue Xiong took off a pendant from her neck, took Bai Lin's hand, and put it into Bai Lin's hand.

"This is my lucky charm. Over the years, whenever I've felt uncertain about something, touching it always helps me calm down. Take it with you, and bring it back safely. I hope it can also help you resolve your confusion."

Bai Lin took it. The distinct, cool metal feel and familiar design struck her as familiar. A closer look revealed it to be a dog tag. Its exterior was incredibly mottled, rusted, and chipped. It looked weathered and corroded, and blood had also left its mark.

Although the name on it could no longer be seen, it was clear that this was no ordinary dog ​​tag. It seemed to bear the names of many people. It was like a small tombstone. Time hadn't erased the heroic brilliance left by blood and hatred, but instead made the nameplate seem particularly heavy.

Bai Lin said nothing more and put it in her arms. She nodded slightly to the snow bear in front of her, and then said,

"Then, I'm off."

She led the poet toward the door. The moment Bai Lin's hand touched the doorknob, it swung open naturally, revealing a dimly lit, obscure world. Without looking back, Bai Lin stepped directly inside, disappearing from everyone's sight.

Once they had successfully entered, the door behind them closed automatically. Yellow sand filled the air before them, obscuring the sky and the sun, leaving only a patchy glint of light, making it nearly impossible to see the path ahead. Since Bai Lin couldn't even see through this mess, there had to be something fishy going on.

She couldn't detect any fluctuations in magical power, but the only thing that made her certain was that the yellow sand had a similar feel to the snowstorm on the cliff. It seemed naturally formed, but Bai Lin knew it was man-made, which further confirmed her inference.

But speculation is speculation, and there are certainly variables. She remained cautious, touching the cave wall near her, and gradually moved forward. The originally narrow path gradually widened as she moved forward. And when she reached a certain point, her caution finally took effect.

She raised her shield so quickly that her teammates couldn't react, and threw it into the air to block the bullet. Then, a bullet appeared on her shield, and the moment the two hit each other, Bai Lin was suddenly knocked back two steps, her body unstable, and the hand holding the shield was instantly swept away.

The next moment, the bullet Bai Lin had parried landed not far in front of her. A flood of fireworks erupted almost simultaneously, instantly wiping out the entire world of yellow sand, leaving behind a streak of light that spanned the white gap and engulfed everything. The last time he'd seen such an outrageous display was when Araniah launched a saturation fire attack on him.

What the hell is this gun? Just fire it, right?

Such a statement seemed simple and straightforward. But in the face of such a scene, no matter how much one's understanding or awe, it all seemed utterly pale. When excitement, panic, surprise, fear, and all other emotions collided at a climax, what was left behind was naturally a long period of blankness, and the first impression, the most intuitive thought. Therefore, Bai Lin only made such a realization in his heart.

Despite her surprise, she didn't slow down her movements. She clashed her shield and sword, unsheathing her blade and perfectly slicing through the flames, neutralizing the attack for herself and the poet behind her.

Then, she stood with her sword horizontally, one hand on the hilt, her foot on the back of the sword digging it into the ground. With a thought, she separated the two. Then, she pulled the hand holding the sword back behind her, and with her free hand, she quickly reached out for the tip of her spear. The foot that had been stepping on the back of the sword quickly stepped on the ground, knocking the shield up.

Then, the spear's flames pierced the night sky, sharp embers of flame pointing to the horizon, dyeing the entire world a dark purple hue. Her eyes were like torches, her body was swift, and the tip of her spear was pointed at the next wave of attack hidden behind the wave of flames brought by the first bullet.

This time, it seemed like more than just one bullet was at stake. Bai Lin had already prepared a countermeasure. Physical bullets were exactly what Bai Lin was best at dealing with; all he had to do was deconstruct the mechanism and detonate them prematurely through appropriate means.

But this time, she couldn't dodge and throw the knife at the same time. With that amount of bullets, the intensity and magnitude of the firepower, she wouldn't know how far ahead of Alaniah she was. The poet behind her was still in a narrow area, and doing so would undoubtedly put her teammates in danger.

Furthermore, the feeling the bullet gave Bai Lin was unusual. She could clearly sense something unrelated to technology, yet it wasn't magic from this world either. If anything, it seemed to bear a resemblance to the strange spells Kong had used, though its composition differed from most magic in this world. Deciphering the divine power was incredibly difficult, nearly overwhelming Bai Lin, making it difficult for her to make a definitive judgment.

Chapter 799 Black Rose Maple: Microcosmic Redshift

So, here we can just use the simplest and most brutal way to deal with it. You suppress me with firepower? Then I will respond with firepower.

Purple flames rose continuously, their vibrant light and overwhelming malice, like a pair of dragon wings, instantly spreading out, using the ground as its body. The swirling ember flames instantly collided with the bullets, causing another violent explosion. And all this happened in the blink of an eye. Even without the use of ember flames to shield his body, Bai Lin was now capable of such a feat.

However, the clash of flames wasn't simply consumed. Even if they were strong enough to resist each other, they still needed to think about how to deal with the subsequent problems. Bai Lin, of course, had a plan. Just as she was about to take action, the poet's figure flashed in front of her.

A faint red light flickered from her clothing, pulsating violently along her blade. The ring on the poet's hilt shifted like a gear, as if adjusting a gear. Then, her outer and soft armor, as if absorbing, clung perfectly to her body, fitting even more tightly.

She lowered her body, and without moving forward, her entire body transformed into a black mist with a red glow. Then, her figure flashed instantly. In just a moment, she was seen swimming through the water, easily passing through the center of the explosion and disappearing from Bai Lin's sight.

When Bai Lin regained consciousness, only a sword had fallen from the sky, piercing the ground before her. The poet's figure, like a fallen angel, plummeted from the sky, casting a faint shadow over the surrounding ground.

Then, a miraculous scene occurred. The moment the poet stood still, her outer armor instantly began to rhythmically move like a living organism. Then, simultaneously, it began to scatter wildly outward, as if the roots of the metal shell were spreading to the ends of the earth.

The ominous, strange feeling, accompanied by the star-like crimson, made her figure appear mysterious, towering... or rather, supremely powerful. And behind her, starting from the center of the flames, the black and red specks she carried, like the redshift of the deep universe, embellished the space and rapidly expanded, transforming into a smeared nebula, staining the sky completely, leaving only her own color.

The tranquil night filled the night sky. The poet's cloak, like her soft hair, draped slightly. The only remaining light in this place was Bai Lin, her body ablaze, and the poet facing her.

Black Rose Maple·Microcosmic Redshift

Bai Lin held the sword, looking at the poet, feeling a little dizzy. What was that move just now? Why didn't I use it when I attacked him? Hiss—is this a sword technique? I can clearly feel the arc of the slash, but this... is it too damn gorgeous?!

Damn, this is so cool, I really want to learn it.

The poet's move is truly magnificent. And the peace and tranquility at the end are just like her, bringing the magnificent play to a close with a tranquil and leisurely curtain call, drifting out from the night sky.

This level of splendor no longer seems ostentatious when used on her, and it makes people feel that this is what she should have.

"You should also be a little careful. There's no need to rush ahead so hastily. I'm also very strong. You know that well, right?"

Seeing Bai Lin staring at him in a daze, the poet remained silent. He pulled his sword from the ground and sheathed it. The nebulae in the sky also dissipated. But the dust storm that had been there didn't seem to return. Everything sank into the tranquil night.

What remained before him was an empty lot and a fairly ordinary-looking house, neither too big nor too small. It looked more like an oversized tin can than a house. After all, its shape was a bit odd: a circle with tapered corners, it didn't resemble a typical dwelling at all.

This all-metal welding felt very much like the method used by the dwarves outside. However, it was obvious that the materials and workmanship of the house were more unfamiliar than those outside, and the architectural style was completely different.

"Let's go."

The poet pointed at the house and said so. Bai Lin also reacted and followed him.

Is this a ray of hope after a dark period, or another foggy illusion? Bai Lin couldn't be sure, but at least he had entered the next stage, so he couldn't let down his guard easily. But even though Bai Lin understood this, he couldn't help but ask the poet,

"What's that move called?"

Bai Lin herself was hardly distracted by chatting while in combat, as evidenced by her frequent trash-talking while fighting. It only slightly affected her aura. However, such behavior was ultimately discouraged, but she was genuinely curious about it.

The poet, who always looked serious, turned his head and quietly replied to Bai Lin,

"Black Rose Maple Azure - Microcosmic Redshift."

"Huh? What flavor?"

Before Bai Lin could react, the poet straightened up, as if she hadn't said anything, and clearly had no intention of repeating it. Bai Lin couldn't see her expression clearly through her cold outer garment, so he couldn't fathom it and gave up.

The two of them soon arrived next to the small house. Logically, you could either destroy this suspicious-looking building or ignore it. Compared to the first two options, opening the door and walking in was simply stupider.

But Bai Lin was clearly willing to be such a fool. The poet nodded in agreement, and she intuitively felt that she should do so. It was as if a voice in the dark was calling her.