Chapter 019: Shield

In any case, even if they entered the game, it was unlikely they would ever run into her.

Setting aside how enormous the map of Fallen Gods Continent was—making random encounters almost impossible—by the time of the next closed beta, she would already have departed for Qinglan Town, leaving no trace in the village.

After that, Yun Xi carefully recounted her in-game experiences, placing special emphasis on how powerful the rat abominations were in combat.

…

“So that means, Xixi, you’ve already become a spellcaster? Have you ever tried using magic in the real world?”

Yun Hai and Liu Yue’e couldn’t hide their excitement.

If their daughter had already learned spell techniques, didn’t that mean the Yun family was ahead of the other major families?

In an instant, Yun Xi’s importance in their eyes skyrocketed.

“Xixi-jie, if it’s not too bold, could you maybe teach us spell techniques too? Maybe we can learn them here on Blue Star,” Yun Li asked eagerly—only to be silenced by a sharp look from Yun Mei.

Still, Yun Li had voiced what everyone else was silently thinking. All eyes turned to Yun Xi with anticipation.

“That’s not possible,” Yun Xi said frankly. “When we take a native of Fallen Gods Continent as our master, we’re required to sign a binding contract. One of the terms is that we’re forbidden to pass on any spell patterns to others.”

“Besides, even if you had a complete spell pattern now, Blue Star has no spiritual energy fluctuations, so it would be almost impossible to succeed in learning it. As for martial techniques, however, there might be a small chance.”

Yun Xi’s reminder was clear: the natives of Fallen Gods Continent enforced extremely strict control over magical knowledge. But when it came to martial skills, the rules were looser.

First, because most martial skills taught in beginner villages were basic and didn’t warrant strict regulation. Second, martial techniques could be self-developed.

From what she knew, some martial arts from Blue Star could even be recognized by the system.

This was especially true for professions like soldiers, mercenaries, and boxers—those who had trained since childhood. Their base stats were decent, and some even brought martial skills into the game, which would be confirmed only after logging in and the system kicked in.

In other words, ordinary people on Blue Star should start training their bodies now, and choose a martial art or combat system to specialize in.

When the next game phase launched, it might be just like Yun Xi—auto-completion of the main quest the moment it activated.

Everyone fell into thoughtful silence after hearing Yun Xi’s explanation.

…

As the discussion about Fallen Gods Continent came to a close, the housekeeper arrived to say that dinner was ready.

At the table, everyone sat distracted, lost in thought.

Yun Xi, on the other hand, ate heartily.

After the meal, Yun Xi bid farewell to her nominal grandfather and parents. The three didn’t insist she stay, knowing she was busy with matters related to Fallen Gods Continent.

“Xixi, when you get back, make sure to practice your spell techniques diligently,” Liu Yue’e said, holding her hand with visible reluctance. “When your dad and I enter the game, we might need to rely on you.”

Yun Xi: …

She debated whether to tell them there was almost zero chance they’d ever meet in-game. In the end, she decided not to say anything—they’d figure it out eventually.

Besides, even if they did meet, Yun Xi had no intention of helping them. There was no emotional bond between them—wasn’t that already clear?

As for the material things they’d given her…

Her sincere reminder to register an account, and her emphasis on the game’s importance, were more than enough to repay that.

She would never forget the fact that these biological parents never truly loved her. Yun Xi would not give more than necessary.

Fake was fake. Polite warmth on the surface couldn’t mask the truth.

“Okay, Mom. You and Dad should work on improving your physical stats. Don’t overwork yourselves with business anymore.” Yun Xi said all the right things to keep herself from being bothered.

This was also her final warning.

She’d said everything she needed to. The rest was up to fate.

…

The Yun family’s chauffeur was tasked with taking Yun Xi home. Just as the car door was about to close, Yun Linlin slipped in from the other side.

“Why did you get in? Isn’t Uncle Wu supposed to take you?” Yun Xi asked.

“Don’t be so cold, Yun Xi~ I’m sorry, okay? I was wrong before!” Yun Linlin looked at her with puppy eyes.

Yun Xi: …

“Oh? What exactly did you do wrong?”

“I… I said some bad things about you in front of Mom and Dad and stuff… I was just afraid they’d stop loving me…” Her voice grew smaller as she tugged on Yun Xi’s sleeve.

Yun Xi felt a chill. “Yun Linlin, why the sudden change in attitude?”

“I’m really sorry! I won’t ever do that again!”

“As compensation, once I register for the game, I can sign a contract with you! In the future, I’ll fulfill three requests, no matter what they are, as long as they’re within my ability. How about that?”

Yun Xi blinked in surprise.

That was actually quite a generous offer.

It was clear Yun Linlin had no idea what her own talent might be. Yet she was offering “three future requests” as an apology—clearly a very sincere move.

If, in the future, Yun Linlin obtained a divine weapon, and Yun Xi demanded it under this agreement, she’d have to hand it over.

Yun Linlin wasn’t stupid—she must have thought of that.

Though there was definitely some intent to cling to Yun Xi’s rising power as an official spellcaster, the way she went about it showed emotional intelligence. It didn’t come across as off-putting.

“We’ll talk about it later,” Yun Xi replied.

Yun Linlin’s proposal was entirely to Yun Xi’s benefit. She didn’t have to give anything in return, and the contract would only bind Yun Linlin.

Seeing that Yun Xi didn’t outright reject her, Yun Linlin finally relaxed a little.

…

Back home, Yun Xi resumed studying Light Barrier.

Whenever she ran out of spiritual energy, she used white crystal stones to recharge. Time ticked by.

Finally, on the day before the next closed beta, Yun Xi learned Light Barrier.

[Basic Light Barrier Lv1]: Consumes 10–100 Spirit Energy to generate a glowing halo, granting 48–138 points of defense (calculated as: Spirit × skill level + Spirit Energy used). This shield can stack infinitely and last permanently unless destroyed. Cooldown: 2 hours.

Permanent and infinitely stackable meant that as long as her shield wasn’t consumed by damage, it would last forever—and she could just keep adding more.

Even Yun Xi, usually calm and collected, couldn’t help feeling a flicker of joy.

The only downside: a 2-hour cooldown.

Her previous spells—Water Arrow and Water Orb—had no cooldowns at all.

Yun Xi made up her mind: every time the cooldown ended, she’d cast the maximum defense Light Barrier on herself.

Excluding sleep, she had around 16 waking hours a day, allowing her to cast it 8 times. That meant 138 × 8 = 1104 shield points per day.

If her spirit energy ran low, she’d just top it up with white crystal stones—not a problem at all.

Survival came first.

Her total HP after stat allocation was only 150 points.

Having 1104 shield points per day was the same as gaining 7 extra lives.

And over time, the accumulated shield value would be… monstrous.

With great satisfaction, Yun Xi cast her first Light Barrier.

Immediately, a faint circular halo shimmered above her head—so subtle you’d miss it if you weren’t looking carefully.