IW: Chapter 215 - Lottery! From today onwards, his title of Sword Saint will spread throughout Arad!
"Socia, can we talk about everything once we're back at Moonlight Tavern?"
Bai Ye didn't want to say anything here; he just wanted to get away from Gran Forest. After arriving there, Bai Ye realized that he had become one of those chosen by fate.
Of course, that was just a nice way of putting it. The less pleasant way was to call him a chess piece.
"Alright, is this Celia?"
Socia was surprised by Celia's transformation in appearance; it was truly astonishing, changing from an elf directly into a human.
Even though she had become human, Socia still recognized Celia's identity at first glance.
Socia quickly walked forward, knelt down, and embraced Celia.
When she learned that Gran Forest was engulfed in a raging fire, she hastily closed Moonlight Tavern and rushed here.
When she arrived, she saw the raging fire burning there.
Looking at the source of the fire, Socia also hurried over, preparing to go to the most intense part of the flames.
However, just as she arrived, the flames mysteriously disappeared. Then, she saw Celia lying on the ground, and Bai Ye and Sauta standing nearby.
"Sauta, we'll be leaving first."
Socia naturally knew Sauta.
After picking up Celia, Socia decided to take Celia with her.
Although the great fire in Gran Forest was extinguished, the Great Magic Array was no longer as it used to be. Moreover, based on what she had seen along the way, not a single elf had been encountered.
It was clear that Celia could no longer remain here.
"En, leave Gran Forest to me."
As the guardian of Gran Forest, he had failed to handle the situation this time, which inevitably made Sauta seriously doubt himself.
When he spoke those words, Sauta was actually a bit unconfident.
But this was his responsibility. If he hadn't completed it this time, then he would definitely do it next time!
"Mhm, Gran Forest truly needs you, Sauta, right now. We won't stay here and cause more trouble for you!"
Socia said, her gaze falling on Bai Ye.
She still had many things to understand from Bai Ye.
"Let's go."
"Hey!"
Behind Bai Ye, Sauta was silent for a moment, then looked at Bai Ye and shouted.
"I acknowledge you, human. What happened before was my fault!"
Sauta admitted that he had indeed been a bit reckless earlier.
He acknowledged Bai Ye.
"Oh, you've got Sauta's acknowledgment. Then next time I come to Gran Forest, don't point that big axe at me!"
Bai Ye joked with a chuckle. Hearing Bai Ye's words, Sauta didn't know what to say for a moment.
Waving his hand, Bai Ye followed Socia and left the area.
Gran Forest no longer needed him now.
At the same time, Bai Ye also realized that he needed to strengthen his power.
"It seems you've truly grown."
Socia chuckled. From their conversation, she understood that Bai Ye and Sauta had just fought, and it seemed Bai Ye had won.
She hadn't expected that Bai Ye, who had always been involved in trivial matters, seemed to have truly grown a lot.
"It just seems that none of this was stopped. By the way, have you seen this thing?"
Saying that, Bai Ye placed the accessory he had just picked up in front of Socia.
Although he knew it belonged to Alice, he couldn't bring himself to say it. Otherwise, he couldn't explain why he hadn't met Alice yet knew these things.
"Let me see. This looks like... I've seen it on someone..."
Socia frowned, looking at the ornament, feeling like she had seen it somewhere before.
"Where is this from?"
"There was a black-robed person earlier—"
Bai Ye explained the previous situation to Socia. After learning some things from Bai Ye, Socia frowned and looked at Bai Ye, asking, "So you suspect that the black-robed person is behind all of this, right?"
"I'm not sure, but we just happened to see the black-robed person when we got there, and she left as soon as she saw us. I just think that person is a bit suspicious."
Bai Ye didn't jump to conclusions, even though he already knew everything at this point.
"I understand. This accessory has magic on it. I'll go ask Sharan about it."
Although elves and dark elves have always been at odds, Socia only had a few people she could turn to now.
If she could find Sharan and trace the residual magic on this accessory, it might be possible to find the black-robed person.
"Alright, then this is for you."
Bai Ye had no use for it, so he just gave it directly to Socia.
The two walked and chatted about some details. The words that were originally meant to wait until Moonlight Tavern were instantly spilled out by Bai Ye like pouring beans.
Passing by the spot where Niu Niu had buried his mother earlier, Niu Niu was kneeling on the ground. Bai Ye opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, he swallowed it back down.
"Do you know him?"
Socia followed Bai Ye's gaze to Niu Niu, who was kneeling on the ground.
"We just fought."
"..."
This guy is a pure brute.
Why does he fight everyone he meets here?
But then again, it makes sense. After all, the plants and animals here have gone berserk, so it would be impossible if he hadn't fought them, right?
The two walked past Niu Niu together. However, not long after Bai Ye and Socia left, they heard a rustling sound behind them.
"Why are you following me?"
Bai Ye turned around and looked at Niu Niu, who was following him expressionlessly.
What now?
Does he not want to live?
Bai Ye speculated with a hint of malice in his heart.
"I want to follow you."
Niu Niu looked at Bai Ye seriously. He didn't want to stay in Gran Forest anymore.
His mother had died here, buried by his own hands, and he had been thinking about whether he should stay in Gran Forest.
"You want to follow me?"
Is he trying to make me his boss here?
A black line flashed in Bai Ye's eyes, but he also had a slight idea about Niu Niu's suggestion.
Niu Niu's strength was definitely not strong, but his adventures weren't just about doing quests. Doing quests alone was always a bit boring.
"You'll die."
Bai Ye looked at Niu Niu very seriously. Following him would definitely lead to death.
So, if Niu Niu hadn't thought it through, it would be better not to leave with him.
"I know. I'll become stronger and won't be a burden!"
"Then follow along."
This time there was no refusal; there was no reason to stop someone from adventuring. Minotaurs are people too!
"Okay."
Niu Niu picked up his axe and followed behind Bai Ye. He took one last look at his mother's grave; he was leaving.
"Bai Ye, I want to entrust Celia to your care."
"Hey, hey, hey, do you take me for a babysitter?"
Socia just arranged Celia to him with that one sentence?
She has her own tree hole!
"I'm serious. Her current identity is human, and you said before that you two knew each other. My place is clearly not suitable. In short, if it's you, I'm still very relieved."
]
Unlike the original plan of entrusting Celia to Linnaeus to stay at Elven Guard, Socia now decided to entrust Celia to Bai Ye.
She had known Bai Ye for some time and understood him quite well.
"Is that so? I thought you'd be happy if I arranged a beautiful woman for you to take care of!"
Socia stroked her chin, muttering to herself.
She had thought that if she entrusted Celia to Bai Ye, he would be very happy.
"Do you think I'm a lustful demon?"
What do you mean, arranging a beautiful woman for him to take care of would make him happy?!
How little did she think of him!
"Isn't that so?" Socia looked at Bai Ye teasingly, then quipped, "I remember when you were drinking, your eyes kept darting towards—"
"Don't say it. I think I can take care of Celia, but it has to wait until she wakes up to decide!"
Are you kidding me!
With Socia's figure, it would be strange if he didn't look!
He just didn't expect that his sneaking glances would be caught red-handed by Socia.
Alright, alright!
So this is how we're playing!
Bai Ye had made up his mind. Since Socia already knew, he wouldn't hide his gazes anymore!
Hearing Bai Ye agree, Socia's lips curved into a smile, and her mood improved.
This guy probably thought she hadn't noticed, right?
Calling himself an adventurer, but he was actually just a little pervert.
They brought Celia back to Moonlight Tavern.
The next day.
Celia opened her eyes and looked at the unfamiliar surroundings, as well as the two people and one bull standing by the bed. Her eyes were filled with a hint of confusion.
Who are they?
"Celia?"
"Is my name Celia?"
Celia asked softly, she couldn't remember her name at all.
"Your name is Celia, and there's nothing more to it. Speaking of which, do you want to follow him?"
Hey?!
Does she have to be so direct?!
Socia's words made Bai Ye feel completely uncomfortable.
Who asks someone who just woke up if they want to follow Bai Ye? Besides, can't you be a little clearer?
"It means your current situation is a bit complicated, and I can take care of you for a while. Of course, if you don't want to, that's fine!"
Bai Ye explained, he didn't want Celia to think he had ill intentions.
"Please, I beg you!"
Celia could feel that Bai Ye was not an evil person, and at the same time, she instinctively felt a sense of closeness to Bai Ye, as if she had known Bai Ye before.
[Ding! You have changed Celia's fate. Reward: One lottery chance.]
[Note: If the world level is high, you can get additional change opportunities for the same character.]
Is there such a thing?
In other words, he could continue to 'milk' Celia for benefits?
Bai Ye hadn't initially had any thoughts about Celia, as bringing her along would probably be just like the original story. Now it seemed that wasn't the case; Celia wasn't originally with the adventurer, but at Elven Guard.
So, accepting Celia this time was actually Socia's help.
Pirate Bai Ye: [No!? This is discrimination!!!]
In the chat group.
Upon seeing the new rule, they all wailed and cried!
What about the promise of only one lottery chance per person?
So, if your world level is higher, you get extra chances?
Naruto Bai Ye: [Actually, it's not bad, after all, Arad is indeed more dangerous!]
To be honest, they also had quite a few benefits; at least the items Arad Bai Ye drew could be shared among them.
Valoran Bai Ye: [Looking at it this way, I guess my place should count too?]
One Punch Bai Ye: [What about me?]
Unclear, but it can't compare to Valoran and Arad. Perhaps Dragon Ball and such are likely to count?
Arad Bai Ye: [Finally, I got a lottery chance. I've realized that if you're too weak, you don't even have the chance to change people's fates!]
Before, Bai Ye was full of confidence, but after experiencing the Glan's Fire incident, Bai Ye also realized a problem.
He was too weak!
So weak that even though he already knew what would happen, he couldn't stop any of it from occurring.
So this lottery draw was indeed a very, very important opportunity for him.
He silently wished to use it.
[Ding! Using one lottery chance, congratulations on obtaining: Upgrade Ticket (Mutated Version)]
What the heck?!
Seeing this in front of him, Bai Ye was stunned.
What is an Upgrade Ticket?
Can you level up here too?
[Upgrade Ticket] (Mutated Version): From the game's upgrade ticket, its original function was to directly increase level. After mutation, the user can enter a spatiotemporal space for fifteen years of cultivation time. At the same time, within the cultivation space, the user can freely choose strong individuals from this world as phantom opponents for combat. The spatiotemporal space can adjust gravity from zero to one hundred times.
Isn't this just an enhanced version of a gravity chamber?
But these fifteen years—
"System, if I go in for fifteen years, is it also fifteen years outside?"
[Ding! One second!]
Good, good, good!
Why not give him ten of these?
What Bai Ye lacked most right now was time.
He originally had two choices.
The first was that after the Gran Forest incident, he wouldn't participate in the Melancholy Cave event. After all, his strength was simply not enough to get involved; going in would be suicide. He needed to spend his time on cultivation.
This way, he would have the ability to make changes when the plot truly began.
The second was to take a gamble, follow the Four Sword Saints and see what happened, but it would most likely be the same as this Gran Forest incident.
So Bai Ye actually leaned more towards the first option.
But now with this Upgrade Ticket, Bai Ye felt like he could give it a try.
Use!
After Bai Ye silently willed to use it, he arrived in a different dimension.
It was an arena with various NPC options: Barn, Siran, Isabella, Celes, Neilbas, Shadow Berries, Sodders, and even Apostles were there.
If he were to refine his swordsmanship—
Bai Ye's gaze fell on Sodders. Although choosing Sodders at the beginning might seem foolish, he just wanted to see how much he truly lagged behind the strongest.
During the fifteen years in the cultivation space, Bai Ye focused on cultivating his swordsmanship. He also understood that his Ghost Slayer ability didn't seem to require a class change like in the game.
What he needed was comprehension!
To comprehend these powers.
For the first ten years, he fought against Sword Gods like Sodders and Liang Yue.
The next five years were spent battling other Ghost Slayer classes like GSD, Giga, and Luxi. From these battles, he honed more techniques.
And this also made Bai Ye understand what combat was, what swordsmanship was. If his Ghost Hand could materialize, then his hand would probably be a pale white.
After leaving the cultivation space, Bai Ye felt that the sharp edge all over his body simply couldn't be hidden.
And the sword intent that enveloped his entire being.
In the world of Arad, their group of people were called... Sword Saints!
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