The moon hung high, casting shadows that danced among the lush, verdant foliage.
Fang Ming Jing found this secret realm quite strange - during the day, the entire forest seemed gloomy and dark, but at night, it became remarkably bright.
Crack...Pop!
A crackling sound emanated from the roaring bonfire, as the firewood split open.
A faint aroma of fish wafted through the air.
Soon, Fang Ming Jing removed the fish that had been roasting over the fire, glanced at its somewhat acceptable appearance, hesitated for a moment, then brought it to his lips.
He took a small bite.
Ptui!
He immediately spat out the fish meat.
It was awful, incredibly awful -
There was no salt, no seasoning, only a hint of burnt flavor from the fire, and even the fishy taste was strong.
Looking at the fish in his hand, Fang Ming Jing couldn't bring himself to take another bite, so he turned his attention to the chat group.
Stinky Sprout: "Image"
Stinky Sprout: "I just roasted this, I can't finish it, anyone want some?"
Ainz Ooal Gown: "Roasted fish? But it looks like the scales weren't even removed properly."
Stinky Sprout: "..."
This was quite embarrassing.
However, Ainz's appearance in the chat made Fang Ming Jing quite happy. Because of the time, everyone else seemed to be already asleep, so the group wasn't very lively.
Stinky Sprout: "What are you doing?"
Ainz Ooal Gown: "Daydreaming."
Stinky Sprout: "?
Ainz Ooal Gown: "Because the undead don't need sleep, but the extra half-day is so boring... ah, if only I had a game console with me!"
Stinky Sprout: "Shouldn't you be busy thinking about conquering the world at this time?"
Ainz Ooal Gown: "Hmm... actually, I've temporarily abandoned that plan. After knowing my future, I just can't muster any enthusiasm for this weakling of a different world."
Stinky Sprout: "...Makes sense."
In the original novel, the Bone King's conquest of the world involved constant battles of wits with thin air. Now, knowing the plot, realizing he could simply steamroll through everything, it was only natural to feel bored.
Fang Ming Jing was about to change the topic, but then.
Rustle, Rustle, Rustle!
The surrounding trees suddenly began to shake.
There was no wind, but the trees... no, the entire forest sea was swaying.
The ground trembled slightly.
Vaguely, Fang Ming Jing heard a faint, almost inaudible, mournful sound coming from far away...
What was that?
While unable to comprehend the source of this disturbance, Fang Ming Jing didn't feel threatened.
The unusual activity continued for about half an hour, and the entire secret realm gradually returned to its initial calm. However, there was a subtle change...
Fang Ming Jing was keenly aware of this shift – the spiritual energy in the realm had thinned, and the flower blooming nearby seemed to have lost some of its vitality.
"Little Saint Son, do you have any idea what caused that disturbance?"
A gentle voice approached from behind.
Fang Ming Jing, the Stinky Sprout, turned around to see a beautiful girl with an elegant yet alluring face.
Feng Ya Yue.
Seeing Fang Ming Jing look back, the princess from the Great Feng Dynasty smiled sweetly. Her face, slightly adorned with rouge, glowed with a faint, glassy sheen under the moonlight, making her truly captivating.
"I don't know." Fang Ming Jing's voice was soft.
"What a pity."
She didn't seem to expect an answer, she just used this as an excuse to strike up a conversation.
Feng Ya Yue sat down by the bonfire.
Her beautiful, almond-shaped eyes observed Fang Ming Jing's reaction. Once she saw that he wasn't displeased, she smiled and said, "I'm quite curious about the Little Saint Son, you see."
"Why?"
"Don't you know, Little Saint Son?"
The bonfire was burning fiercely.
But in this gloomy forest, a single fire provided little warmth. The dancing flames actually made the shadows of the surrounding trees appear more menacing and jagged.
"Actually, it's not just me, the Liu family's Liu Guan Zong is definitely coming for you too, Little Saint Son."
"Hehehe, half a month ago, when the Heavy Sky Sanctuary suddenly announced that this secret realm was going to be open, our families all guessed that it was a signal of the Heavy Sky Saint Son's birth. So, we all wanted to see just how outstanding this generation's Heavy Sky Saint Son truly is."
Feng Ya Yue chuckled.
She was being diplomatic.
Of the six great families and three royal dynasties under the Sanctuary, which one didn't want to rise up and trample on the Sanctuary's head? Unfortunately, their strength and size didn't allow it, so they had to pin their hopes on their younger generation.
If they couldn't surpass the Sanctuary Master, then they'd surpass his son...
"So, are you going to fight me?"
Gazed upon by his innocent, childish face, even Feng Ya Yue couldn't help but think, "Oh, so cute!"
His black hair was neatly tied back, his cheeks were smooth with fair and delicate skin.
Long, thick eyelashes framed eyes that were overly pure, his face was like a miniature masterpiece, making it impossible not to feel a desire to protect him.
What was going on with this kid?
Did he just eat cuteness to grow?
Suppressing the ripples in her heart, Feng Ya Yue said with a lighthearted smile:
"The Little Saint Son is so cute, I wouldn't dream of fighting you."
"Hmm hmm."
"But Liu Guan Zong is different, he's quite vicious, and his cultivation has reached the peak of the Condensation Realm. You should avoid him if you encounter him, Little Saint Son."
"Have this."
Ignoring Feng Ya Yue's good intentions, Fang Ming Jing cheerfully handed her the now-cold roasted fish.