Chapter 38: Epic Upgrade for the Little Assistant

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A level ten ordinary campfire has a repelling radius of ten meters.
However, a level one constant-temperature campfire also has a repelling radius of ten meters, with no increase.
But from level one to level two, the radius should increase.
“However, the campfire’s level is limited by the level of the All-Things Pickaxe; only by first upgrading the pickaxe can the campfire be further enhanced.”
Liu Hen suppressed his impatience and waited patiently.
He wanted to raise the workbench’s level to full black iron here before leaving.
Finally, after several more hours, late into the night, the workbench reached level seven.
A level seven workbench unlocked another recipe.
This recipe was very useful to him.
[Recipe for Tang Horizontal Sword: Ingredients (ten pieces of iron ore, one magic crystal)]
“Tang Horizontal Sword?”
Liu Hen’s heart stirred, and he immediately opened the crafting menu to make one.
One minute later, the Tang Horizontal Sword was complete.
In the spatial backpack, the description of this sword read:
[Tang Horizontal Sword (Black Iron): A sharp Tang Horizontal Sword, a melee weapon.]
Very simple, with no special attributes.
Liu Hen took out the sword and found it to be about one and a half meters long, weighing around eight jin—neither light nor heavy.
He swung it hard a few times and found it quite handy.
“But one sword alone feels like something’s missing.”
After some thought, he crafted another one, wielding a sword in each hand, finally feeling a great increase in security.
In the following time, he gathered eight hundred pieces of iron ore to upgrade the workbench again.
This upgrade would take seven hours.
This time, Liu Hen didn’t just wait idly; he held the swords in both hands and fell into a deep sleep by the campfire.
When he awoke, it was already early night outside, and he faintly heard voices—not quite those of the Wu siblings.
“Black Stone, go out and check...”
He instinctively began to speak but stopped midway and sighed.
Without Black Stone on watch, he really felt a bit unsettled.
“My lord, I cannot leave now; please forgive me.”
To his surprise, Black Stone’s voice echoed directly in his mind.
“Black Stone, you’re awake?” Liu Hen was both surprised and delighted, having thought Black Stone would sleep for a long time.
“Just woke up.”
Black Stone’s voice continued in his mind: “I am currently merging with the Wish Stone; my body cannot move, only my consciousness can communicate with you through the death mark on your body.”
“How long will it take?” Liu Hen asked quickly.
Black Stone was silent for a moment before answering: “At least half a month, maybe up to a month, but it should be completed by then.”
“A month... not too long.”

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Liu Hen relaxed and then curiously asked, “What state will you be in after merging with the Wish Stone?”
“By then, I should gain the immortal body of the Wish Stone,” Black Stone replied.
“But only an immortal body. Ordinary powers cannot harm me, yet I will still be a normal thirteen-year-old girl with little strength. I might not be able to help you much.”
“You don’t need to help me much; just keep watch for me.”
Liu Hen paused, then couldn’t help but ask again, “Are you Black Stone now, or the Wish Stone?”
“My lord, I am still me. The Wish Stone itself is just a passive rule that helps the dead fulfill their wishes; it has no consciousness,” Black Stone answered.
“You can understand it like this: I once died, but the Wish Stone resurrected me. Normally, after my wish to be 'well-fed and well-clothed' is fulfilled, I would die again completely. But because your wish was for me to stay by your side, only by fully merging with the Wish Stone can I continue to remain with you. So now, I am in control; the Wish Stone is just the foundation of my continued existence.”
Liu Hen understood and asked again, “Will this merging have any side effects?”
“Side effects?”
Black Stone thought for a moment, then answered hesitantly, “I will no longer be human but become a spirit creature.”
She had once been a human—a lowly wastelander—and knew well how humans despise spirit creatures.
She worried that he might reject her. Even if she could survive without relying on him, if he no longer needed her, his wish would be fulfilled, and she would disappear again.
Sensing Black Stone’s emotional fluctuation, Liu Hen completely put his mind at ease.
Because Black Stone was no longer just the Wish Stone’s passive state; she had human feelings.
“A spirit creature is fine, as long as you remain yourself.”
He comforted her softly, “I, your lord, have many secrets as well. Now focus on merging, don’t rush. I will wait here until you succeed before setting off.”
“Thank you, my lord,” Black Stone said quietly.
Liu Hen, now in high spirits, took out two Tang Horizontal Swords and pushed open the door to step outside.
Notably, the home’s door could open both ways—pushable from inside and outside.
Outside, he immediately saw the Wu siblings talking to a group of people.
Indeed, a group—a dozen or so wastelanders.
But these wastelanders clearly were not from the same scavenger team and stood scattered.
At this moment, the wastelanders glared at the Wu siblings with righteous indignation, as if they were very angry with them.
“What’s happening?” Liu Hen asked as he approached.
“My lord, these people want to disturb you,” Wu Yuanming said.
Upon hearing this, the wastelanders were shocked to see Wu Yuanming lowering his stance so much.
They all knew the Wu siblings; anyone who could make them bow must be formidable.
One of them hurriedly explained, “This lord… we only want to shelter here from the wind.”
“Yeah, this is the best nearby spot to avoid the wind; we’ve always come here for that.”
“Friend, we don’t interfere with you; we won’t come close.”
“We’re so many; no need to waste words with him. If you ask me, just kill him outright.”
Others spoke up too—some friendly, judging by the Wu siblings’ attitude, these people were no ordinary presence.
But some couldn’t grasp the situation and tried to stir others to attack Liu Hen.
“Kill him outright? Did you say that?”

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Liu Hen looked at one of the men.
The man’s expression changed slightly, surprised that Liu Hen dared to call him out so directly.
But seeing he had many allies, he said arrogantly, “So what if I said it? You’re taking up so much space alone, smart ones get lost quickly...”
“Pfft!”
Liu Hen flashed in front of the man and with one strike severed his head.
He was too lazy to reason with them now—he was sending a warning.
“Da Rong...”
Someone nearby turned pale and swung a blade fiercely.
However, Liu Hen raised his right hand to block the rusty iron blade and with his left hand struck off the attacker’s head, then kicked the headless body away.
This two-man team was completely wiped out.
The others were stunned.
“This strength...”
“So powerful!”
Except for the Wu siblings, the rest scattered, looking at Liu Hen with fear and respect.
Wu Yuanming first saluted Liu Hen, then coldly said to the wastelanders, “This is the fate of those who disrespect a lord with supernatural powers.”
“What...”
“Supernatural powers?!”
The wastelanders’ faces instantly changed.
Liu Hen glanced at the flattering Wu Yuanming, then at the sword in his hand. Suddenly, he stepped forward and struck the sword.
With a sharp snap, Wu Yuanming’s blade broke in two.
“My lord...”
The Wu siblings’ faces changed drastically, stepping back repeatedly, stunned and fearful, not knowing when they had offended this man.
“Your swords won’t do.”
Liu Hen said calmly, “I’ve seen what you’ve done these past two days. If you want to work for me, rusty blades won’t kill anyone.”
The previously frightened Wu siblings were stunned, unsure how to respond.
“I have black iron Tang Horizontal Swords; each only costs ten magic crystals.”
Liu Hen held up the Tang Horizontal Sword that had just snapped Wu Yuanming’s blade, showing a small chip on it. He continued,
“That’s the internal price. If you’re interested, come to me.”
Pausing, he added, “I can accept you, but won’t support you. You’ll have to provide for your own food, clothing, and shelter. I’ll only help when danger arises. Think it over and come find me.”
With that, he turned and left again.

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