Looking up, she was not surprised to see only darkness. There were only two Radiant Stones, one in Steel Hammer's hand and the other in Flame's hand. The stone was sandwiched between the two of them, partly for safety and partly to prevent her from getting lost if she wasn't careful.
"Daddy, is the ground this dark too?" After holding back for so long, Stone finally couldn't help but ask. Could it be that there aren't even moons and stars in this world?
Steel Hammer Daddy paused for a moment, his steps faltering slightly, but he quickly regained his composure: "Daddy forgot to tell you about things on the surface. The surface is different from underground. Underground, you need to look at a clock to tell day and night, but on the surface, it's sunrise and sunset."
Hearing this, Stone let out a long sigh of relief. Perhaps the lack of a moon and stars was due to the weather! Besides, even if there really weren't a moon and stars, it wouldn't be a big deal. But if there were no sun, Stone felt a real urge to bang her head against a wall and start over!
"When it gets light, the sun will rise, and the stone will be able to see the light." Steel Hammer Papa explained to the stone as they walked: "Actually, sometimes it's not that dark at night. Maybe it's because winter is here, and the nights are always especially dark in winter. When it gets warm, the stone will be able to see that there is light in the sky at night, but the light isn't very bright."
Stone was finally relieved. It turned out she would be able to see the sun, moon, and stars again in her lifetime! It was truly... truly touching.
“Dad is taking Stone to the edge of the Crimson Forest now. Actually, we were already on the edge of the Crimson Forest when we came out of the Dwarf Kingdom. But that’s not enough, we need to go a little further.”
"Huh? Why?" Stone asked, quite surprised. She had always believed that the exit from the Dwarf Kingdom to the surface should be in the very center of the Crimson Forest.
Steel Hammer Papa stopped, assessed the direction, and continued forward: "The Crimson Forest is a forbidden land for humans, but it's also a forbidden land for dwarves. The innermost area belongs to high-level magical beasts, and we usually only move around in the outer areas."
Stone pouted. She'd thought the Crimson Forest was her backyard, but it turned out it was a ticking time bomb! Ugh, how boring!
Some dim-witted child hasn't realized that she'll be living on this ticking time bomb from now on...
"This is it." Just when Stone felt his short legs were about to break, Steel Hammer Papa finally spoke a human word. Steel Hammer Papa pointed ahead and said, "This big tree is over three hundred years old. Although it hasn't withered yet, it's almost dead. Stone, you will live in this tree hole from now on."
Stone silently covered her face. Could she say no? Could she?!
Directing the flames to carefully place Stone's clothes, Steel Hammer Daddy also took off the sack from his body: "Stone, you'll be living alone from now on. But don't worry, your mom, dad, and brothers will all come to see you."
The stone was still deeply mourning for itself, so it did not reply.
"By the way, keep this Radiant Stone." Steel Hammer Dad handed the largest Radiant Stone to Stone: "Although the nights in the Crimson Forest aren't as dark as underground, it's still inconvenient without Radiant Stones. Next time, Dad will bring Stone more Radiant Stones."
Radiant stones aren't actually that rare, but because the Dwarf Kingdom is located underground, the radiant stones produced from the mines are always distributed and placed in various locations. Steel Hammer Daddy didn't expect Elder Redstone to suddenly launch an attack, and in his haste, he could only manage to obtain two radiant stones.
The stone cradled the Radiant Stone in its arms. This Radiant Stone, about the size of a basketball, emitted a soft, orange-yellow light that, while not dazzling, could illuminate approximately two to three square meters. Interestingly, although the Radiant Stone is a mineral, for some reason, it is incredibly lightweight and has a very low ignition point; a single spark could melt it. Of course, the stone wouldn't be so foolish as to melt the Radiant Stone itself.
"Stone, remember, don't venture deep into the forest. Also, don't pick any wild fruits nearby. Especially plants growing near big trees after the rain, whether they're white, black, or brightly colored, whatever you do, don't pick them. Most of the plants in the Crimson Forest are poisonous, understand?" Steel Hammer Dad reminded him worriedly.
Shi Tou nodded hurriedly. She would never be like Shennong, personally tasting all kinds of herbs! Testing poison on herself was such a foolish act, completely out of character for her cowardly nature.
"Oh, right, Stone, take this. Remember, don't wander around, and don't kill any wild animals around you, no matter what kind of wild animal it is, you can't hunt it, understand?" Steel Hammer Papa took out something wrapped tightly in cloth from his pocket and stuffed it into Stone's hand.
"Dad, Stone is so kind, how could he hurt wild animals?" Flame finally couldn't help but speak up: "Let's hurry back, it's almost dawn."
Steel Hammer Dad glared at Flame, but then he looked up at the sky and said, "It's getting late. Stone, you stay in the tree hole and eat whatever food is in the sack. Dad will bring you food in a few days."
Stone nodded mechanically, utterly at a loss for words.
"We're leaving, Stone..." Despite his immense reluctance, Steel Hammer Baba finally departed with flames.
The stone stood in front of the tree hole, watching them walk away without moving.
Chapter 61: The Master's Brain Has Gone Wrong
"Giggle, Master! Great, great! We've finally escaped! Baozi is so happy!" While Shitou was still immersed in the sad atmosphere of parting, the big baozi in her pocket started to get restless.
With a "whoosh," the black diamond darted out of the stone's pocket and decisively transformed: "Gah gah! Blood Forest! I, Milk Dumpling, am back!"
Stone gave it a disdainful look and slunk back into the depths of the tree hollow. Although she had slept at home during the day, she had first ridden the dwarf-brand simple elevator and then walked for several hours straight, and now she felt more exhausted than ever before.
He rummaged through the large bundle of clothes and realized that his mother, the plump one, truly doted on her; she had even packed up the thickest and most precious pure wool blanket in the house. That blanket was made from genuine magical beast pelt. Although Stone didn't know exactly what kind of magical beast it was, touching the soft fur revealed it to be from a top-tier magical beast.
First, lay a thick, ordinary blanket on the ground, then spread out a pure wool blanket. Stone decides: no matter how big the sky or the earth, sleeping is the most important thing!
(～﹃～)~zZ
"Gaga, Master..." Unexpectedly, its master, upon arriving in a strange place, did not first explore the surroundings but instead fell fast asleep. Baozi suddenly felt immense pressure! Is this really its wise and insightful master from before?
"Giggle, Master, you keep sleeping. Baozi will go scout out the situation for you!" Baozi thought that even if its master wasn't afraid of death, it was afraid that its master would be forced to sleep for hundreds of years after death! So, Baozi decided that it would be the vanguard! Anyway, it wasn't like it hadn't been one before!
After Shi Tou woke up from a good night's sleep, she stared in shock at the tree hollow before her: "This..." Although she hadn't examined the tree hollow closely before going to sleep, a quick glance suggested it was definitely a rudimentary version. Apart from a finely polished stone placed where she had been lying, the entire tree hollow should have been completely bare!
But who can tell her what's going on?
"Gaga, Master! You're awake!" Baozi's voice suddenly came from outside the tree hole. Then Baozi sprang in from the tree hole and jumped right in front of the stone: "Master, are you satisfied with the boudoir that Baozi helped you decorate?"
satisfy……
Stone stood up, his lips twitching, staring incredulously at the tree hollow that had been shockingly shabby but was now unbearably comfortable. He asked tremblingly, "Baozi, did you do this?"
Baozi bounced up and down decisively. What could it do? It didn't have a head! "Giggle, yes! This is how Master used to arrange the room! Master, isn't Baozi very capable?"
"Yes!" Stone squeezed out a single word through gritted teeth, numbly glancing around.
This tree hollow wasn't actually that small; at least in Stone's previous life, he had never seen a tree with such a thick diameter. Of course, this could also be because Stone had never been to a primeval forest in his previous life. The entire tree hollow was about twenty square meters. It wasn't circular but divided into two clearly defined areas. The outermost area was a relatively large semicircle, about fifteen or sixteen square meters. Stone's sleeping area was a long and narrow space, with a very small area behind it, only a few square meters, barely noticeable unless you looked closely.
The biggest difference between the tree hole and the beginning is that the entire floor of the tree hole is now covered with smooth stones, and even the edges and corners are extremely smooth, which is even better than those professional decorators in my previous life.
At the entrance to the tree hollow, a small, makeshift stove had been built, surrounded by stones, with flames burning inside. Although small, it was more than enough for barbecuing. Next to the makeshift stove, there was a perfectly smooth, flat stone table, with two small stone stools beside it.
Rubbing her eyes again, Stone tilted her head and recalled for a moment, confirming that these things weren't originally there. Suddenly, the way she looked at Baozi changed: "Baozi, are you... are you a magician?" Since there are dwarves in this world she came to, it wouldn't be surprising if there were magic, right?
"Gaga, Master, you finally remembered! Baozi is an earth-type magical creature! Baozi is very powerful, isn't it?" Baozi was very happy and spun around on the spot, looking like it was waiting for Shitou to praise it.
Stone was truly shocked. Having been in this other world for so long, although she knew very well that this world was very different from the one she originally came from, seeing that the dwarves, apart from living underground, were not much different from those in her previous life, she had thought that this world just had a few more races. She never expected...
"You really know magic?" Stone swallowed hard. It wasn't that she was naive; after all, the best magic she'd ever seen, besides computer effects, was Liu Qian's "miracles." In her previous life, she'd even considered following Liu Qian to learn magic—of course, before she could act on it, she was forced to transmigrate.
"Baozi!" Shi Tou hugged Baozi tightly, finding him pleasing to the eye no matter how he looked at him. "Could you teach me magic?" Tsk tsk, Baozi's magic is real magic! It's a million times more powerful than that Liu Qian!
"Giggle?" Baozi stared blankly as Shitou held it in his arms. Waaah, how long has it been since its owner hugged it so affectionately? Waaah, so touching!
Seeing that Baozi didn't speak, Stone assumed that its usual fierce appearance had frightened it, so it immediately lowered its voice and gently comforted it, "Baozi, I know you're the most capable Baozi, and I like you the most! Baozi, please teach me magic, okay? Even just one spell, just one would be fine!"
"Giggle? Master wants Baozi to teach Master magic?" Baozi stared intently at its master, asking incredulously, "Why?"
Why? Because magic is fun! But I can't say that out loud; I need to come up with a grander reason!
Stone tilted her head and thought for a while before finally coming up with a brilliant reason: "Baozi, I feel that I am too weak as the master. I actually have to ask Baozi to use magic to take care of me. This is really... sigh. When I learn magic in the future, I will take good care of Baozi just the same. Pets should be loved and cared for by their masters!"
Hmm, that's a really good reason! Stone thought she was a genius; now, Baozi would be so moved she'd burst into tears!
Unfortunately, no! Baozi wasn't moved at all. Instead, it looked at its owner with an expression that said, "Giggle! My owner actually wants to take care of Baozi?! My owner actually wants to learn life magic?! My owner's brain's broken, waaaaaah~~~"
☆, Chapter 62 There's a Flavor Called Conspiracy
Stone, his face covered in blood, stared at the wailing Baozi, using all his strength to restrain himself from smashing the bun into a meat patty: "Baozi! Shut up!"
Taking a few deep breaths, Shi Tou suppressed his anger and slowly asked Bao Zi. After Bao Zi's tearful and wailing explanation, Shi Tou finally understood why Bao Zi had lost control of her emotions.
In this world, pets are not meant to be pampered by their owners, but rather to serve them. Pets can be functionally divided into two main categories: fighting pets and domestic pets. Simply put, the former are bodyguards, and the latter are caretakers. Stone's big steamed bun clearly belongs to the latter.
"Baozi, you said you're a pet, so what can you do?" Stone was depressed. He had known Baozi for so many years, and apart from what it did today that was somewhat decent, what good things had it ever done?
"Gaga, Master! Baozi is so capable! Baozi can talk, sing, dance, and read..." Before Baozi could continue praising itself, Stone quickly interrupted it.
"Stop! What else can you do besides talking?" Stone frowned, glaring at Baozi, seriously questioning the previous owner's taste. How clueless must someone be to keep a steamed bun as a pet?
Baozi is depressed too. It's never been much of an action-oriented dog. Its original owner mainly used it for amusement, maybe occasionally asking it to remember things. It's more of a playmate than a babysitter: "Hehe, Baozi even knows earth-based life magic..."
"That's right!" Stone's eyes lit up; she had almost forgotten about it. Magic! This was real magic! "Baozi, you still haven't told me! Why can't you teach me magic?" Stone had been longing to learn real magic, but when she brought it up, Baozi looked dejected.
How could Baozi not be dejected? It now felt that although Stone had forgotten its past memories, its temperament was definitely much worse than before: "Hehe, Master, are you deliberately making fun of Baozi? How could Baozi teach Master magic?! All of Baozi's magic was taught by Master!"
Who would be so bored as to make fun of a steamed bun?!
Stone felt that talking to Baozi required not only extraordinary patience, but more importantly, an incredibly resilient heart: "Since I taught you your magic, what's wrong with you teaching me again now that I've forgotten everything?" Hmph, a good woman doesn't argue with a steamed bun. Once she learns magic, she'll definitely teach this damn steamed bun a lesson!
"Gaga, Master is really making fun of Baozi! Baozi doesn't even know the principles of magic, how can he teach Master! Master has so many magic books but he doesn't read them! Master is getting worse and worse, Master doesn't love Baozi anymore..." Big Baozi kept muttering to himself, but this time, Stone was not angry at all, but instead widened his eyes.
Magic books?! Does she even have those?!
"Baozi!" Stone suddenly smiled obsequiously and moved closer to Baozi, asking in an incredibly gentle voice, "Do you have any magic books? Let me see them."
Baozi was taken aback and stopped babbling: "Hehe, didn't the magic books all get taken away by the master after Baozi pulled them out? Baozi has nothing left!"
"Take it?" Stone wasn't surprised. After all, Baozi had been with her for so many years, and she knew Baozi's terrible "pooping" skill very well. But, it didn't matter that the magic book was gone; there was always memory copying, wasn't there?
Shi Tou explained her idea to Bao Zi, who looked at her expectantly. Suddenly, everything spun around her, and when Shi Tou came to her senses, she was back in that room filled with screens on all sides. Thankfully, having experienced this before, Shi Tou didn't panic this time.
Baozi's figure appeared on the large wall in front of them: "Gaga, Master! Baozi has put all the magic books on the wall. You can choose whichever one you like! But, Master needs to transfer your memories, right?"
"No, no!" Stone was so frightened that his face turned pale. (Nonsense, "pale" and "face"?!) Ever since that memory transfer, Stone had vowed never to use that damn skill again: "I can just look at it myself, there's no need for memory transfer."
"Hehe, then Master, you can see for yourself!" Baozi decisively switched all the walls into magic books.
Stone's eyes widened instantly: "Bao...baozi..."
"Gaga, does Master have any other orders?" Baozi twisted its body happily, but its tone carried a hint of schadenfreude.
Stone looked conflicted. Years ago, she had unknowingly received Baozi's memory transfer, but at the time, she had only received a language and script—Dwarven. However, the script appearing on the wall now was clearly not Dwarven: "Translate these things into Dwarven!"
"Hehe, no way!" Baozi resolutely refused: "All the magical terms come from the ancient common language, and they cannot be changed! Because only the ancient common language can communicate with the magical spirits of this world!"
Hearing Baozi's words, Shitou felt deeply saddened. What a joke! Back then, she spent over ten years learning English, and in the end, she only mastered a rudimentary understanding. This so-called ancient common language seemed far more difficult to learn than English. With her photographic forgetting ability, she probably wouldn't master it even if she studied it her whole life.
After hesitating for a long time, Stone finally gritted his teeth and said, "Baozi, I want to transfer my memories!" No matter how painful it was, the time for memory transfer was always just a short while, but learning a completely new language...
"Huh?!" The image of Baozi on the wall distorted, and Baozi's voice was shrill and sharp. After a while, it slowly became clear: "What did Master just say? Baozi didn't hear you clearly!"
Stone looked helpless, shrugged, and said, "Baozi, I said I want to transfer my memories."
The image of the steamed bun on the wall began to distort again, as if accusing Stone of being irresponsible. Stone felt even more ashamed. Was it really necessary? She simply believed that a short, sharp pain was better than a long, drawn-out one. Did it have to be so horrifying?
"By the way, I also want to ask, does the amount of memory transferred have anything to do with the total amount? For example, what's the difference between transferring 100,000 words and transferring 1 million words?" Since it concerned her own interests, Shi Tou decided she needed to clarify things. If there was no difference, then she would transfer more.
Baozi gradually quieted down after twisting and turning, but her gaze towards the stone was filled with a strange look. It took her a long time to answer the stone's question: "Hehe, there's no difference! It's just that the more you transmit, the longer it takes!"
I understand now. It's the same principle as uploading things online in my previous life.