Chapter 1084: Chapter 1084: Joining the Caravan
Ah Xia was a spirited young man, tall and broad-shouldered, with dark skin and bright eyes. He gazed at Qin Sisi with a bashful smile and greeted her softly, "You’re awake?"
Qin Sisi nodded lightly, smiled back at Ah Xia, and asked, "Were you the one who saved me?"
Ah Xia scratched the back of his head awkwardly and chuckled, "Hehe. I saw you fainted on the grass by the roadside, so I brought you back. You seemed like you were about to... um, well, I couldn’t just leave you there to die."
Qin Sisi understood what he meant and sincerely said, "Thank you. If there’s anything I can do to help in the future, I’ll do my best."
Ah Xia glanced at Qin Sisi in surprise, his expression breaking into joy. He grinned, revealing a row of gleaming white teeth, and said with a simple yet genuine tone, "I know you’re amazing. Our leader said you’re a Third-Level Forgemaster, such an extraordinary figure."
Now it was Qin Sisi’s turn to feel surprised. She faintly sensed that the caravan leader had likely permitted Ah Xia and the others to help her not only out of kindness but perhaps also because of her status as a Forgemaster.
She lowered her head and looked down; the badge symbolizing her identity as a Forgemaster was hanging around her neck. She originally kept it hidden inside her clothing, but it might have fallen out during the fight with the men in black!
At that moment, the older woman from earlier led a somewhat plump middle-aged man over and introduced him to Qin Sisi, "Young lady, this is the leader of our caravan."
Qin Sisi gave a slight nod and politely said, "Hello, leader."
The leader responded with a warm smile and returned the politeness, "May I ask for the name of this young lady?"
Having met this caravan only by chance and out of concern for safety, Qin Sisi decided to conceal her real name. Remembering how Ye You had once used the alias "Hei Qin," she thought perhaps she could call herself "Bai Qin" or "Bai Qin (Piano)." However, both seemed unappealing to her.
What else is white? Ah, snow.
So Qin Sisi replied, "My name is Xue Qin."
The leader’s warm smile remained as he said, "Ms. Xue Qin, my surname is Yu—Yu Miao. It’s fate that we’ve crossed paths. I know you’re no ordinary person. In these chaotic times, the world is unstable. Our caravan must travel a long journey, often encountering dangers. If the young lady is willing to lend a hand in critical moments, I, Yu, would be eternally grateful. Spirit Stones and such are of no consequence."
Yu Miao’s candor left Qin Sisi slightly surprised. She used her Divine Sense to observe him and the woman, both emanating faint green light—indicative of Magician-level strength. By comparison, Ah Xia was only a Mage.
Compared to them, Qin Sisi was indeed "no ordinary person."
After a brief moment of deliberation, Qin Sisi responded, "Thank you, Leader Yu and Mr. Ah Xia, for saving my life. If Leader Yu doesn’t mind, I am willing to escort the caravan safely to Midair City with all of you."
Yu Miao was overjoyed and quickly expressed his gratitude to Qin Sisi. Business for trade associations had become challenging these days, with the unstable times making it hard to avoid bandits and thieves along the way.
Moreover, the weather conditions in the region near Midair City had been poor in recent years, with prolonged droughts affecting the natural environment. This scarcity often forced Demonic Beasts out of forests and mountains in search of food. Travelers incapable of defending themselves would inevitably become a feast for these beasts.
Although Yu Miao was a Magician, he knew his individual strength was far from sufficient. Besides the guards assigned to transport goods, he specifically hired three bodyguards for protection on this arduous journey.
These three bodyguards were the woman in the gray-blue outfit, Bu Luo, her husband, Bu Lang, and the Mage, Ah Xia. These were the strongest individuals Yu Miao could afford to hire. Those of higher levels could easily find more lucrative and less grueling work, leaving them disinterested in this sort of job.
Even after hiring these three bodyguards, Yu Miao remained uneasy. Qin Sisi’s arrival was practically a godsend. With a Magic Spirit-class individual joining them, the safety of their journey was now as good as ensured.
The caravan didn’t enter the central area of Crystal City but instead skirted the edge of the All Souls Forest, heading toward Midair City. The road ahead stretched through desolate landscapes, occasionally disturbed by low-level Demonic Beasts straying out of the All Souls Forest. They were mostly First Order or Second Order Beasts, easily frightened off by Bu Lang and Ah Xia before they dared come near the caravan.
That night, the caravan stopped to rest in a relatively flat and open area. Yu Miao had a thick, large felt mat spread out on the ground and set it with the food they carried to celebrate Qin Sisi’s joining.
The mat had wine, meat, and vegetables, though the wine was quite harsh and the meat and vegetables were dried and preserved to prevent spoilage. Soaked in ice lake water nearby, the food was passable at best, but it had a satisfyingly chewy texture.
Through Yu Miao’s introductions, Qin Sisi came to know everyone in the caravan. Yu Miao, aware of her injuries, didn’t force her to drink alcohol, allowing her to toast everyone using tea instead. From that moment on, she was considered one of their own.
The caravan’s simple and hearty atmosphere helped Qin Sisi relax. She no longer needed to remain on constant alert as she used to. Perhaps it was because everyone here shared the same goal: safely delivering the goods to Midair City. Such unity made the entire caravan feel tightly knit.
To express her gratitude to the caravan for saving her life—and to ensure smoother relations ahead—Qin Sisi gave each person a gift.
After leveling up, she generally avoided killing low-level Demonic Beasts. However, during her outdoor trials, she occasionally encountered lesser beasts that foolishly attacked her. Over time, she accumulated quite a few First, Second, and Third Level Magic Crystal Stones.
These lower-level Magic Crystal Stones were of little use to her now. Instead of using them, she planned to sell them later for Spirit Stones. Since everyone seeks to grow stronger, Magic Crystal Stones still fetched a high price in the market.
Qin Sisi gifted Magic Crystal Stones to Yu Miao, Bu Lang, Bu Luo, and Ah Xia. Since Yu Miao, Bu Lang, and Bu Luo were all Third-Level Magicians, she gave them Third Level Magic Crystal Stones, letting them choose their attributes. Yu Miao picked Wind Attribute, Bu Lang chose Gold Attribute, and Bu Luo selected Wood Attribute.
Ah Xia, being a Level Two Magician, might find the energy of a Third Level Magic Crystal Stone too overpowering and potentially damaging to his Magic Source during absorption. Although Ah Xia was her true lifesaver, Qin Sisi could only give him a Second Level Magic Crystal Stone.
When she asked Ah Xia which attribute he wanted, his answer left her utterly stunned. He wanted the Music Attribute.
