"Hmph!"

Shi Lin let out a cold snort and then turned to leave the stone hut.

"Phew—"

After she left, Chen Xuan slowly opened his eyes and exhaled deeply, suppressing the anger in his heart.

"Damn woman... just wait!"

Then he closed his eyes again, continuing to absorb Jiang Tian's memories.

The next day!

Chen Xuan finally absorbed all of Jiang Tian's memories, but there wasn't a single trace of information about the Mother Liquid.

"Could it be that ordinary surnames are not qualified?"

His brow furrowed slightly, he reckoned that might really be the case.

From where he sat on the bed, he looked around the small hut—just a stone table and two stone stools, nothing more!

To call it simple would be generous; it was downright shabby.

Can you imagine a distinguished expert of the Second Layer of the Dao Realm living in such a place? But this was the reality in the Stone Race.

And even this was an improvement after Jiang Tian reached the Dao Realm.

Ordinary surnames typically lived in stone caves without any decent house.

"I didn't expect a world with such a race!"

Chen Xuan was quite amazed, unable to help but sigh in his heart.

"Need some fresh air!"

The dim light in the room weighed on him, making him feel a bit stifled.

With a creak, Chen Xuan finally saw for the first time what the so-called Stone Race looked like.

A row of neatly aligned stone huts, all similar in style though varying in size. There were dozens just in his row alone.

As for the opposite of the stone huts, it was all scattered rocks.

Not a single blade of grass could be seen.

Further away were stone caves where those with ordinary surnames lived.

"Truly desolate!"

In such a ghostly place, people can't sustain life.

"Jiang Tian, you're awake!"

Chen Xuan looked and saw a bald man, of the First Layer of the Dao Realm, also with an ordinary surname, named Lan Collection!

"Awake!"

"But you still look a bit pale, seems like you were seriously injured this time."

Lan Collection walked over, then whispered, "Are you okay?"

He was cautious like this because if there were any problems, they'd have to leave here—this was the rule of the Stone Race.

This place was for those of ordinary surnames above the Profound Realm to reside.

The stronger one is, the larger the house they reside in; like Jiang Tian's, it was already the largest stone hut here.

If one breaks through to the Third Layer of the Dao Realm, they can upgrade to an even higher level.

"No problem, I've almost fully recovered."

"That's good!"

Lan Collection finally relaxed; he and Jiang Tian did have quite a good relationship.

"By the way, I've seen Miss Shi Lin come several times. It seems the rumors are true, you've been chosen by her!"

Rumors had it that Jiang Tian was chosen by Shi Lin to enter the Holy Land to nurture Crystal Stones.

But everyone in this part of the Stone Race thought it was nonsense.

After all, it was Shi Lin, a member of the Royal Family.

Not just any royal family member, but one with actual power. Her father, the Stonemason, is a formidable peak Seventh Layer of the Dao Realm—an existence they could only look up to.

But the rumors were finally debunked when the Stonemason and Shi Lin came personally.

Turns out, it was true!

"Almost."

"That's fantastic!"

Lan Collection slapped him hard on the shoulder, his face turning extremely excited, then whispered very quietly, "You're really making us proud."

"Impressive, impressive!"

For those with ordinary surnames, it's quite an achievement to reach such heights.

The Royal Family... even thinking about it is daring.

It seems there haven't been many over the years.

Because the Royal Family maintains bloodline purity, they mostly interbreed, and Shi Lin's case is rare.

And the reason she could choose Jiang Tian fundamentally lies in the Royal Family's consent; otherwise, it wouldn't matter how much the Stonemason doted on her.

"What are you saying!"

A cold voice came from the sky.

They looked over and saw Shi Lin.

At that moment, she descended step by step from the air.

"Greetings, Miss!"

Lan Collection immediately bowed in respect, while Chen Xuan... remained unmoving.

Seeing this, Shi Lin's brows slightly furrowed.

Not bowing to the Royal Family is a serious offense, but she didn't blame him, simply saying flatly, "Never mind!"

Lan Collection slowly straightened up, though his eyes were full of shock.

Not bowing to the Royal Family!

Among the ordinary surnames in the Stone Race, he was likely the only one.

"How's your recovery?"

Shi Lin's voice was cold and distant, entirely different from when she was with the Stonemason.

"Almost there!"

"Hmph!"

"If consuming a Celestial Spirit Grass is useless, you're unworthy of nurturing Crystal Stones for me!"

"Celestial Spirit Grass!"

Lan Collection exclaimed in his heart; that was a top-tier healing Spirit Grass.

Not only could it heal, but it was also extremely beneficial for the sea of consciousness, exclusive to the Royal Family.

He didn't expect he had consumed a Celestial Spirit Grass.

Envy!

Even though they had a good relationship, at that moment, he couldn't help but feel envious.

"Alas!"

Lan Collection sighed deeply again in his heart.

There's no room for jealousy in such matters!

It's his fortune to be chosen by Shi Lin, that's the crux of it.

If nothing unexpected happens, he'll live in the Royal City from now on.

His status will naturally rise alongside!

He might even be extraordinarily integrated into the Royal Family, changing to Shi Tian!

"Then come with me!"

"To the Royal City; there's still a month, don't stay here anymore."

The reason she wanted him to go to the Royal City was not only to let him rest well but also because she herself disliked coming here.

Even loathed it!

The Royal City!

Lan Collection was numb; it's like his wishes were being fulfilled, but why wasn't it him!

He was just envious before, but now he really wanted to take his place.

Good relationship? 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Still, he couldn't stand watching Jiang Tian have it so good!

The blow was too much for him!

"Alright!"

Chen Xuan nodded; this place was only marginally better than the so-called stone caves, after all, still a place for commoners.

Jiang Tian's memories had no record of the Mother Liquid, so the people here likely wouldn't know either.

Going to the Royal City... there'd be a better chance to inquire about the Mother Liquid's whereabouts!