Picking Up Attributes From Today c1-406

by Panda Reunion, 团圆小熊猫

  Crackle, crackle!

  As if he had been struck by lightning, Meng Lei’s hair instantly frizzed up, and violent spasms began to go through him as though he had consumed five kilograms of Ecstasy pills.

  “This... Why is this happening?!”

  The old man’s countenance changed drastically. “I’d clearly sensed that the spiritual mark that the Gods-Slaying Spear’s master had left inside the spear had already dissipated 14,000 years ago. This shows that the spear had already become a masterless artifact a long time ago, so why is this happening?”

  A divine weapon’s master was definitely a deity for sure!

  There was no doubt about that!

  Something that belonged to a deity...

  How would a mere mortal... even dare to covet it?

  If he hadn’t sensed that the spiritual mark in the Gods-Slaying Spear had already dissipated a long time ago, Ol’ Amos wouldn’t have dared to allow Meng Lei to attempt subduing the divine weapon at all.

  If its master found out by any chance, not only would Meng Lei be a goner, but even he would also suffer a calamity along with him. He’d already died once and didn’t want to die a second time.

  Therefore, this situation was something that Ol’ Amos had never expected. He didn’t know whether this was something that one must go through during the Gods-Slaying Spear’s ownership claim process or if Meng Lei had triggered some kind of restriction in the Gods-Slaying Spear and was just being unlucky right now.

  The old man didn’t know any of these, so the only thing he could do now was to pray!

  “Oh Dragon God, please watch over him!”

  Crackle, crackle!

  The purple electric current was still lashing at Meng Lei, while he was spasming nonstop. The only thing that slightly reassured the old man was that Meng Lei’s life force was still very strong...

  “Oh Dragon God, please watch over him!

  “That kid is a descendant of mine, please don’t let him die...”

  It seemed fated that the Dragon God would hear the old man’s prayers. As time slowly passed, the purple electric current surging out of the black spear finally weakened.

  Gradually, like a swallow returning to its nest, the purple electric current enveloping Meng Lei shrank back into the black spear, and his spasms and convulsions also stopped.

  Burp~

  As Meng Lei gave a belch, a wisp of black smoke emerged from his mouth. He was honestly sporting a very pathetic appearance at the moment. Every strand of his hair stood vertically on end, and he was charred charcoal-black all over, just like a black version of Ne Zha, the demon child[1].

  “Little fellow, how are you feeling?” asked Ol’ Amos anxiously, his countenance nervous.

  Meng Lei turned to look at him. As his body was still numb, his movements appeared very mechanical. He grinned and revealed a mouthful of pearly-white teeth. “It seems like... I’ve succeeded!”

  “Seems like? Succeeded?”

  The old man was dumbfounded. “So did you succeed or not, exactly?”

  Meng Lei didn’t answer. Instead, he looked at the black spear and hooked his finger slightly. Then, something strange happened...

  The black spear that Meng Lei hadn’t been able to budge even a millimeter even after he exerted every ounce of strength he had... moved. It pulled itself out of the dragon carcass’ head, rose into the air, and flew right up to Meng Lei.

  “Go!”

  As Meng Lei took in the sensation of the mysterious connection between him and the black spear, he pointed in the air and gave an order.

  Whoosh!

  At once, the black spear turned into a purple lightning bolt and instantly shot toward the rock wall. With a crisp and clear crack, a hole formed immediately in the rock wall that even the boiling lava couldn’t melt, and the spear sank deep into it.

  “Come!”

  Meng Lei waved, and the black spear flew back again. It stayed quiet and still as it floated in front of Meng Lei, incredibly obedient.

  “A divine weapon! That’s exactly what a divine weapon is!”

  The old man’s eyes lit up brightly, and he burst into carefree laughter. “This old man has forged countless weapons and was once known as the empire’s greatest artifact-refining master. However, I’ve never forged a magic device that’s controllable by will and moves according to one’s will like that before!

  “It certainly lives up to the two words ‘divine weapon’!”

  “It’s a great treasure, indeed!” Meng Lei stroked the black shaft as if he was stroking the woman he loved. “And it’s even a thunder-elemental weapon, so it just so happens to match my elemental affinity. What a great treasure!”

  Meng Lei was truly elated. Among all the thunder-elemental spells available, the one he loved using the most was Thunderbolt Spear. This particular spell was very domineering and was the most astounding in terms of single-target offensive power.

  A strike from the spear could stab the enemy dead!

  How domineering was that?

  Thus, the Gods-Slaying Spear was very much to Meng Lei’s liking. It could be said to be perfect!

  “There are so many great existences that couldn’t obtain even a single divine weapon after risking their lives and desperately fighting each other for their whole lives!”

  With a chuckle, Ol’ Amos went on and said, “Whereas you’re only 20 years old, yet you’ve gotten one without even working for it. An opportunity like that is truly enviable! However, you must remember to use it appropriately and not show it to others easily.”

  “The idea that one does not openly show their wealth... is something I understand!”

  Meng Lei nodded repeatedly and continued to stroke his beloved spear.

  “I’m glad you understand that.”

  As Ol’ Amos stroked his beard, a look of gratification appeared on his face. However, what Meng Lei said next caused his expression to darken completely. Meng Lei wondered aloud, “I wonder if the Gods-Slaying Spear is capable of taking apart this dragon carcass?

  “Tsk, tsk, this is a Saint Domain Colossal Dragon carcass, you know! If I can gouge out its dragon core, I can definitely sell that for a crazy sum of money!”

  The veins at the old man’s forehead bulged from his skin, and his expression was as dark and sullen as the bottom of a charred pot. He glared viciously at Meng Lei and broke into a huge scolding. “You unfilial descendant!”

  [1] Refers to the 2019 animation film Ne Zha

  Chapter 68: Bloodline Barrier, Leaving The Underground

  ‘Unfilial descendant’?

  (Sweat drop!)

  It was only then that Meng Lei remembered that the Saint Domain Fire Dragon carcass here was the old man’s remains in front of him right now. Well, mumbling about taking apart his body and selling his dragon core in front of him was certainly going a little overboard!

  “Hehe! I’m just saying it casually, so don’t take me seriously!” replied Meng Lei as he scratched his head and blushed in shame.

  “Hmph! Don’t you dare think that I have no idea what you’re thinking!”

  Ol’ Amos wasn’t that easy to fool. He glared at Meng Lei and said, “My blood flows through your veins, and you’re my, Amos Kroc’s, blood kin and descendant. Others can clamor about splitting up and claiming my body, but... You can’t!”

  Meng Lei was stupefied upon hearing what he said. “O-ol’ President, what are you talking about? How come I don’t understand what you’re saying?”

  Ol’ Amos pointed at the magic barrier above the lava lake and barked, “I’m the one that had set up that magic barrier. With the dragon core inside my body as the core and the surging fire-elemental magic power inside the lava lake as the power source, it can withstand and isolate even a Saint Domain expert’s attacks. How do you think a tiny little Seventh-Grade Warrior like you had managed to come in?”

  “This...”

  Meng Lei had nothing to say to that.

  How had I come in?
>
  How the heck would I know?!

  Meng Lei was indeed very puzzled about that. He only remembered that he had somehow managed to pass through the magic barrier into this place after he had transformed into a Dragon Person. As for the actual reason why...

  Your humble consort[1] has no idea, either!

  “Hmph! Let me tell you the truth!” Ol’ Amos snorted and said, “Ever since this old man here perished in this place, I’ve taken this place as my final resting ground. I didn’t want to be disturbed by anyone, so I’d set up that magic barrier.”

  “And then?”

  Meng Lei blinked.

  “Anyone would be tired of a place after staying there for a very long time. Although this old man’s frame of mind has already transcended the secular world, even I cannot be exempted from such conventions. After more than 20,000 years, even I’m tired of this place!”

  Ol’ Amos let out a small sigh and went on. “I’d like to go out and take a look at the scenery outside. Unfortunately, the Gods-Slaying Spear had firmly bound me here such that I couldn’t go beyond 10 meters of it.

  “Thus, I could only pin my hopes on outsiders and hope that someone could take the Gods-Slaying Spear away with them and bring me out of this place!

  “But I know very well that a person’s inner thoughts are the hardest thing to predict.

  “This place contains my remains, my entire life’s worth of wealth and assets, and even a peerless divine weapon like the Gods-Slaying Spear. Should I meet someone harboring ill intentions, I’d be in danger!

  “Thus, I’d modified the magic barrier to allow only my blood kin and descendants—in addition, the battle capabilities of the ones from the younger generation mustn’t go beyond ninth-grade—to pass through the magic barrier and reach this place!”

  Ol’ Amos let out a wry chuckle. “It’s just a shame that after such a long time, the ones that had managed to reach this place were mostly Magical Beasts. Even when the occasional human came, none of them had met the criterion. In these 20,000-odd years, you... are the first!”

  Meng Lei didn’t quite know what to say anymore. This place was located in the depths of Magical Beast Forest and was extremely remote. Apart from Magical Beasts and a handful of adventurers that took their lives lightly, who would come here?

  Besides, even if they did, not only did they need to be his descendants, but their battle capabilities also mustn’t surpass ninth-grade. These conditions were too demanding!

  Only finding one after 20,000 years is something you deserve, old man! Come to think of it, though, when did I become that old geezer’s descendant?

  That shouldn’t be!

  Is it because of the Fire Dragon bloodline in my body?

  Meng Lei’s mind ran lightning-quick.

  The Fire Dragon bloodline that I’ve assimilated came from the newly-promoted King of Fighters this year, Oden Flit. Could he be the real descendant of that old man instead?

  That’s highly likely the case.

  Meng Lei’s eyes swiveled left and right sneakily. He believed that his conjecture was close to the mark, but he wasn’t going to tell Ol’ Amos.

  Didn’t you hear what the old man said? His entire lifetime’s worth of wealth and assets are here!

  That’s a Saint Domain expert’s entire lifetime’s worth of wealth and assets, you know!

  Tsk, tsk. If I can get my hands on them... Hehehe!

  “Ol’ President, am I really your descendant?” Meng Lei blinked at him and asked with an expression full of “disbelief”.

  He had to think of a way to get on better terms with the old man, and then... inherit his assets!

  “The bloodline barrier will never make a mistake!”

  Ol’ Amos glared at Meng Lei and said indignantly, “But you aren’t anyone honest, either, kid. To actually dare to set your sights on my remains and even harbor thoughts of selling my dragon core... Aren’t you afraid of being struck by lightning[2] and suffering retribution?”

  “Cough, cough! You can’t blame me for that, Ol’ President!”

  Meng Lei blushed and said, “Every part of a Dragon’s body is a piece of treasure, much less when we’re talking about a Saint Domain Colossal Dragon here. How can I possibly not be tempted?

  “Besides, I didn’t know that you’re my ancestor. If I’d known, would I even dare to harbor such thoughts?”

  Upon hearing what he said, Ol’ Amos’ expression mellowed slightly. “On account of the fact that you were unaware, I’ll let this pass! But if you ever dare covet my remains again, see if I don’t break your goddamn legs!”

  “Not at all, not at all! How would I possibly have the guts to... Hehehe!” Meng Lei reassured him repeatedly like a huge wuss!

  “Hmph! At least you know what’s good for you!”

  Ol’ Amos snorted lightly and waved his arm. The enormous Fire Dragon carcass actually rose into the air, and then, it plunged right into the boiling hot lava lake. In the blink of an eye, it had vanished from sight.

  Then, the ripples faded, and the lava lake returned to a state of tranquility, as though nothing had ever happened.

  “Rest in peace, my remains!”

  Ol’ Amos stared at the lake surface that was now tranquil again in a daze, his eyes rather forlorn. That body had accompanied him all the way till this moment; now that he was leaving, it was inevitable that he would have complex feelings about it.

  It’s gone! My dragon core, dragon scales, and dragon sh*t are all gone!

  Meng Lei’s heart was bleeding, but there was nothing he could do except to watch helplessly. He even had to console the old man at the same time. “Ol’ President, cheer up. You can still come back here and take a look in the future!”

  “Yeah!”

  Ol’ Amos gave a small sigh. His eyes swept across the surroundings as if he wanted to imprint everything here deeply in his heart. It was only after a brief moment that he adjusted his frame of mind and said, “Let’s go!”

  “Alright!”

  After Meng Lei responded, he looked at Ol’ Amos and began to speak but then hesitated.

  “If there’s something you want to say, then just spit it out. There’s no need to hum and haw,” said Ol’ Amos dryly as he glared at Meng Lei.

  “Cough, cough! Ol’ President, are you leaving just like that?” asked Meng Lei meaningfully as he glanced about.

  Ol’ Amos had a ghost of a smile on his face. “How else am I supposed to leave if not like this? This old man here is all alone in the world. Apart from this remnant soul, I have nothing else. If you’re hoping to gain some kind of benefit from me, I’m afraid I’m going to have to disappoint you!”

  Disappoint me?

  Didn’t you say just now that your entire lifetime’s worth of wealth and assets are in this place? Yet you’re “all alone in the world” now?

  Meng Lei almost wanted to flip a table, but he could only give up obediently when he considered the gap in their battle capabilities. “What are you saying, Ol’ President? I was just giving you a friendly reminder!”

  After he spoke, Meng Lei picked up the Gods-Slaying Spear. A stone platform rose from underneath his feet, and he slowly flew toward the magic barrier.

  After they left through the magic barrier, Ol’ Amos got Meng Lei to cast an earth-elemental spell and bury the exposed magic barrier in order to prevent anyone from discovering it.

  “I’m finally out!”

  Ol’ Amos floated above the water surface. As he gazed at the pitch-black canyon, a hint of agitation flashed across his eyes. After being trapped underground for over 20,000 years, he had finally broken the seal and emerged today.

  One could easily imagine how agitated he was!

  Meng Lei could understand how Ol’ Amos must feel, so he didn’t bother him. Instead, he dragged that Crocodile-Backed Ox Python’s carcass to the shore and took out his dagger, condiments, and roasting rack, intending to make something to eat.

  After a day of rushing about in the forest
and suffering for so long underground, his stomach was already growling by now. He was so hungry that his chest was practically connected to his back now, and he desperately needed to eat something.

  Meat cut!

  Meat cleaned!

  Meat arranged!

  And then, he cast Fireball Technique to roast the meat!

  “Little fellow, you have both earth-elemental and fire-elemental magic talent?”

  [1] The term jokingly used here is a third-person term of address that royal consorts use to refer to themselves when replying to the Emperor

  [2] Refers to the common saying among the Chinese that people will be struck by lightning as a form of divine punishment if they are unfilial to their parents and elders in the family

  Chapter 69: The Astonished Ol’ Amos, An Eliminated Clan

  Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

  The luminous moon hung in the sky while the stars twinkled brightly.

  The canyon bathed in moonlight in the night looked as if a black veil was draped over it. The cries of Magical Beasts occasionally rang out, making the canyon seem even quieter and tranquil.

  Water vapor rose into the air, and campfires blazed!

  Beside the pool, golden, glistening Magical Beast meat gave off an aroma that assailed the senses. Big, fat drops of grease dripped into the campfire and produced loud sizzling sounds, whetting Meng Lei’s appetite and making him swallow his saliva.

  “Setting up a fire by the lake and eating in the wilderness!” Ol’ Amos floated in mid-air and gazed at the scene before him. He couldn’t help but sigh emotionally. “Campfire, roasted meat, and ale... Tsk, tsk. What a nostalgic scene!”

  “Haha!”

  Meng Lei let out a laugh. He could understand how Ol’ Amos felt. After being trapped in the same place for over 20,000 years, anyone would find every little thing in the outside world novel upon their release.

  “Hehe, the meat’s done!” Meng Lei’s knife rose and fell. He cut off a piece of shank meat and passed it to Ol’ Amos before saying, “Ol’ President, you haven’t had meat for a very long time, right? Here, try my cooking!”