Chapter 145: Good News

After sharing dinner with the Elder Shaman, Gao Jing returned to his own home.

He pulled out the lighter to light the tallow lamp placed on the large table.

He sat down at his desk.

Then, he took out a book from his Storage Space and began reading carefully under the bright light.

Back when he was a student, Gao Jing always had the good habit of reading outside of class.

This habit was fostered by his grandfather.

It was only after he started university that Gao Jing used most of his free time to earn money through part-time jobs.

The frequency of his reading gradually lessened.

After graduation, struggling alone in society, life had been very stressful.

He practically never bought any books anymore.

Occasional entertainment was just scrolling through Kuaivin (Bilibili) shorts.

Since getting the Bronze Anchor and coming to the Great World, settling in Shan Yue Village,

Gao Jing had picked up this habit again.

It was actually rather amusing.

He first needed to buy storybooks because he had to tell stories to Shan Guoer.

Things like Andersen’s Fairy Tales and Grimm’s Fairy Tales.

Then, while browsing the bookstore, he saw some interesting books and bought them too.

Even though he could also use a computer or phone in the Great World,

without internet support,

it was really no fun.

So these books became something to feed Gao Jing’s mind.

Reading a few pages before sleep

was undoubtedly a great way to relax.

Tap! Tap!

Just as Gao Jing turned to a new chapter, the door to his room was knocked gently.

Hearing the sound, Gao Jing closed the book and said loudly, “Come in!”

The door pushed open, and Shan Guoer’s head peeked inside. “Gao Jing.”

Gao Jing laughed. “Did you come to hear a story?”

The little girl nodded firmly.

She used to pester Gao Jing for stories every night but later got scolded by the Elder Shaman.

Only then did she reduce her visits to Gao Jing.

“Come in quickly.”

Gao Jing had never actually considered Shan Guoer a bother.

On the contrary, it was because of the little girl’s company that he never felt lonely in the Great World!

However, Shan Guoer hadn’t come alone tonight.

She brought a little friend.

Mu Cui’er!

At first glance, Gao Jing almost didn’t recognize her.

Mu Cui’er was about the same age as Shan Guoer but seemed much more petite.

She had clearly bathed, changed out of her old dirty and torn clothes, and combed her hair neatly.

Her face was rosy and quite cute.

Entering the room, the little girl timidly held Shan Guoer’s hand.

She stole a glance at Gao Jing sitting at the large table.

There was a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

“Come on.”

Shan Guoer led Mu Cui’er to sit together on the bench.

She expertly settled into her usual listener position.

Although this house was built for Gao Jing, it still followed the Giant standard of size.

So, the table and chairs were divided into two sets.

One set for Gao Jing’s own use, the larger ones were exactly for Shan Guoer.

Gao Jing was very surprised.

On matters of generosity, she was actually very generous.

For example, most of the candy Gao Jing gave her, she shared with the other children in the Village Fort.

Not clingy at all.

But the stuffed toys Gao Jing gave her, she never loaned to anyone.

She hid them away.

Also, listening to Gao Jing tell stories was a privilege Shan Guoer guarded fiercely for herself alone.

Tonight she actually brought a friend, one she’d only just met, to come hear the story.

It was truly unexpected.

Perhaps sensing Gao Jing’s surprise, Shan Guoer pouted and said, “Grandfather told me to look after Mu Cui’er, so I brought her to hear the stories. Is that okay?”

Gao Jing smiled. “Of course it is.”

Shan Guoer then turned her head to Mu Cui’er, who was sitting close beside her. “Mu Cui’er, don’t look at Gao Jing being so teeny-tiny, his stories are really good! There are princes and princesses, and evil dragons and Dark Lords!”

Mu Cui’er nodded blankly.

Gao Jing wiped imaginary sweat off his brow. “Yes, I also feel my story-telling is pretty good.”

Shan Guoer giggled. “Today I want to hear about the knight and the princess. Again.”

Another knight and princess story!

Gao Jing shrugged, then reached over and picked up the large backpack sitting next to his small desk.

He unzipped it and pulled out two giant lollipops.

“Waaah!”

Shan Guoer’s eyes instantly lit up. “Gao Jing! You still have lollipops?!”

She stuck out her lower lip. “And you didn’t tell me!”

She had been dreaming about those super sweet, beautiful lollipops ever since she last tasted them.

Gao Jing sighed. “I was worried about your toothache.”

Because she ate too much candy, one of the little girl’s teeth had actually decayed not long ago.

He howled in pain as it happened.

It turned out.

Giants could get cavities too!

Luckily, the Elder Shaman fixed the problem.

But Gao Jing started thinking about bringing less candy back from now on.

Otherwise, he’d be blamed for all the kids in the Shan Yue Tribe having cavities.

They couldn’t expect the Elder Shaman to solve it every time, right?

Shan Guoer hid her face. “I’m not scared!” she said.

But her voice betrayed how nervous she felt.

“Last two pieces.”

Gao Jing handed the two super lollipops to the little girl. “Seriously no more after this.”

The fearless Shan Guoer happily took them.

Then she unwrapped one and shared it with Mu Cui’er. “It’s a lollipop, super yummy!”

Mu Cui’er had never seen anything like it.

She carefully pinched the stick, copying Shan Guoer as she stuck out her tiny tongue for a cautious lick.

A flash of pure delight lit up her eyes the very next second.

It instantly reminded Gao Jing of Shan Guoer tasting Peanut Brittle for the first time.

Exactly the same!

Gao Jing couldn’t help but smile. “Alright, time for the story.”

Despite the huge difference in their sizes,

to Gao Jing, Shan Guoer and Mu Cui’er were just two innocent little ones.

Their hearts were pure and untroubled, untouched by any darkness.

Being with them, Gao Jing could truly open up.

No heavy worries, no schemes and tricks. His spirit could truly relax.

It even felt cleansing.

Compared to that, spending a little time telling them a fairy tale?

It felt like a treat for the soul!

…

“Gao Jing! Gao Jing!”

Gao Jing was awakened by Shan Guoer’s shouts the next morning.

He had been sleeping deeply when suddenly his bed shook violently underneath him. It felt like a massive earthquake.

His eyes snapped open to see the little girl’s eager face looming close.

It was filled with excitement. “Brother Shan Mao is back!”

Her voice was incredibly loud.

It almost shattered Gao Jing’s eardrums.

Luckily, Gao Jing now possessed remarkable control over his body. Otherwise, his head might have exploded.

“Got it,”

Gao Jing scrambled up. “Where is he?”

“At my grandpa’s place.”

Shan Guoer reached for him impatiently. “Let’s hurry!”

Gao Jing hadn’t even brushed his teeth yet.

But giving in to her eagerness, he quickly jumped onto her shoulder.

Shan Mao had followed Shan Tai on the expedition to Mu Teng Village yesterday morning.

Now he brought news from there.

When Gao Jing arrived at the Shaman’s wooden house, the outside was jammed with villagers.

You never usually saw such a crowd.

But as soon as word spread of Shan Mao’s return, everyone rushed over.

“Make way!”

Shan Guoer squeezed through the crowd, carrying Gao Jing inside the wooden house.

Inside, Shan Yan was chatting happily with Shan Mao.

The Elder Shaman’s face was relaxed with pure joy.

Seeing Gao Jing, the Elder Shaman laughed. “Shan Tai and the warriors have taken Mu Teng Village!”

The warriors, under Shan Tai’s command, had traveled over mountains and through valleys guided by Shan Mao to reach Mu Teng Village.

Upon arrival, they hadn’t attacked immediately.

Instead, they hid nearby, rested, and waited until deep into the night to launch their sudden strike.

Many Outcasts were sound asleep at the time.

Caught completely unprepared, they suffered huge losses.

Shan Tai had faced the group’s two Outcast leaders.

Both were High-tier Totem Warriors like him.

Fighting them both at once, he actually killed one of the powerful foes outright.

He badly hurt the other.

Shan Tai’s incredible performance led the Shan Yue Tribe warriors to a huge victory.

Best of all, Shan Tai had broken through during battle, rising to an even higher level.

High-tier is the peak for a Totem Warrior.

The level above, Great Totem Warrior, is a massive leap forward!

Breaking through this barrier is normally very hard.

Countless Totem Warriors are stuck there, unable to move forward their whole lives.

But now, he had broken through.

All he needed now was to complete the Beast Spirit Fusion successfully.

Then, he would become the Shan Yue Tribe’s very first Great Totem Warrior!

For the Shan Yue Tribe, this was truly double the celebration.

One could easily imagine Shan Yan’s happiness.

When the Elder Shaman officially announced this joyful news outside,

the whole of Shan Yue Village erupted into a massive celebration!