030. Stepping Into the Grand Narrative
"Your skills are really trash. You can't even build a pool properly. How about I fix it for you?"
"I'm telling you, little Leo, while your name is pretty basic, your looks are top-notch. If I were you, I wouldn't even bother with clothes. I'd walk around showing off my pure, unblemished body."
"There's an old saying in Phalicia—if it's art, don't censor it. If it's obscene, don't post it. With your body, if you get arrested, it just means the cops don't understand art."
"What's this thing? What can it even do? I thought it might be edible. Come on, little Leo, show me something cool."
Despite Li Aozi's eight years of streaming experience, in front of Jania, he was just like a kid.
He didn't know much about the Phalicia civilization, but he was sure that its culture was advanced—any civilization that could perform space-time transmission yet still used swords in close combat was bizarre.
One thing was certain: Phalicia's network culture must have been developed. If this divine sword started streaming, Li Aozi would be out of a job.
Just during the journey to the teleportation node, the spirit of this divine weapon, Jania, had performed countless abstract acts.
Without a physical form or audience, Jania suddenly suggested: I want to see what you would do. Use some mana so I can take a stroll.
Li Aozi didn't refuse.
And the first thing Jania did when she materialized was try to pull down Li Aozi's pants.
"Tch, stingy!"
Jania pouted and muttered:
"You hold me in your hand, but you won't even let me see your pants."
"Aren't you a man?"
"Yeah, so what are you afraid of? Why won't you show me?"
As Jania spoke, the sword in Li Aozi's hand began to glow with dark red magical light:
"Look, I've already shown you my most mysterious power—now show me yours."
"Look at your sister! I'm going to use you to unclog the toilet today." Li Aozi flipped her off.
Jania immediately deflated and spoke meekly:
"Sorry, I was wrong. Please don't do that."
After calming down for a while, Jania suddenly asked again:
"Do you think there could be shrimp in the toilet? If there is, I might be okay with it."
"You're a real shrimp head. Get lost!"
Li Aozi swung the sword, and the Sword of Destiny's Awakening immediately tore open space and teleported into an independent demi-plane.
One of the benefits of divine weapons was that you didn't have to worry about losing them—they were bound for life.
For Li Aozi, Jania couldn't be let out carelessly. This weirdo sword spirit made him uncomfortable all over.
The path to the next teleportation node wasn't far from the landing ruins. Before leaving, Li Aozi decided to check on Yavanna.
.........
Ruin 10-98-1.
When Li Aozi arrived, he immediately noticed something different.
First, many of the surrounding monsters had already been cleared out, and the path had been roughly opened up—likely Yavanna's handiwork.
Second, Li Aozi sensed a formation in the area. Supernatural forces obscured the ruins' exact location, and with his current magical knowledge, he could tell the formation was of high quality.
He didn't care much about Yavanna's past, but her current mental state was disturbing. Her extreme denial of her own existence, combined with her dependence and attachment to Li Aozi, was clearly abnormal. Maybe it was the war or some other event that had deeply traumatized her.
Speaking of Yavanna, Li Aozi thought of her father, David Lin—he wondered if the Frost-Plated Republic would force Mai Dewei out of power after the repeated shocks he had brought.
Historically, the David Lin faction had always been highly active and maintained connections. After being released from prison, David Lin quickly took control of the faction and launched the 'June 30th Military Coup,' seizing the presidency.
However, David Lin was too weak. Instead of killing Mai Dewei, he chose imprisonment, which allowed the conservative forces of Frost-Plated to rally support.
Yavanna didn't seem to be famous in history, meaning she probably died early.
Once, this girl's life or death was only relevant to Li Aozi because of her talents. But now, Li Aozi thought she had some redeeming qualities.
For one thing, after he casually mentioned this area would be a future outpost, Yavanna had started clearing beasts and paths and even set up concealment measures, ensuring secrecy and safety.
You can't dislike someone this meticulous. Everyone likes such a person. But as a long-term teammate? Li Aozi figured it was better not to think about it.
He had already lost enough friends.
However, upon entering the ruins, Li Aozi realized he had overthought it.
The ruins were spotless, with all debris cleared away. Despite being from Frost-Plated, Yavanna had an unexpectedly delicate mind. She had carefully pruned the vegetation into a neat garden and built a greenhouse to grow potatoes, gourds, and grapes.
If not for the ruined remnants and the energy mass of the teleportation node, it would have looked like a simple farmhouse.
Yavanna wasn't there—probably out on business. When Li Aozi entered her tent, he found a folded coat on the table with a tag and a note written in Yavanna's elegant handwriting:
"LP-09—Trench Coat / Finished Product—For Li Aozi."
"I'm not always home. If you return, please take this with you. Studying alone on an alien planet with no one to buy clothes for you or remind you to dress for the season is truly pitiful."
"If you need anything, feel free to leave a note. I know a bit of tailoring."
——Yavanna Huskisin
Li Aozi put down the note and picked up the coat: It was a beautifully tanned leather jacket, with a dark blue base and radiant white lines, blending darkness and light in a striking visual contrast.
Yavanna had also designed a pattern on the back: a shield, intertwined with an anchor and crossed swords. The overall color scheme used black and white, evoking a strong aerospace technology aesthetic.
[Eye of Truth] instinctively activated an appraisal—it turned out this was a piece of fashion.
——————————
[Fashion Name]: LP-09 'Navigator'
[Quality]: Practical
[Description]:
"Just wanted to give this to you."
Woven from aerospace-grade materials, perhaps inspired by the tailor's cosmic travels.
She clearly knew this coat was custom-made for someone specific. Every design on the exterior catered to the wearer's body structure. The hidden pockets inside the jacket could hold magazines, magic scrolls, throwing knives, grenades, and other tools.
From a fashion perspective, the blue and white color scheme was full of energy. If black and red symbolized dominance and dictatorship, evoking awe and admiration, then the blue and white design exuded a sense of freshness and youth—she clearly understood the wearer's taste.
For a tailor, this was more about practicality than showing off skill—but there was more to this piece.
When the 'Navigator' was worn by a specific person, the pocket's actual capacity seemed slightly... different. It might even be able to hold a refrigerator or an anti-material sniper rifle.
[Note]: Li Aozi exclusive
——————————
"...'Studying alone on an alien planet with no one to buy clothes for you or remind you to dress for the season is truly pitiful.'"
Li Aozi tilted his head and pretended to be offended:
"Who do you think you're mocking, Miss Yavanna? Aren't you also alone? Throwing shade at me, huh? Pot calling the kettle black, right?"
Despite the mockery, Li Aozi put on the coat. It was incredibly lightweight, not hindering his movements at all. The high-collar design was exactly to his taste, and the edges were well-crafted, making it very comfortable to wear.
"Still, this is probably the first time someone's given me a gift just for the sake of it."
After all this time in another world, he had received plenty of gifts, but most were things Li Aozi had asked for or taken himself.
Yavanna was really the first person to give him a gift out of care.
It felt strange... After being in this world for over half a year, the number of people around him had only decreased.
Li Aozi grabbed a piece of paper and left a note:
"I stopped by. Got the coat, thanks. It's beautiful, I like it. I'll need summer clothes in the future—Li Aozi."
After finishing, Li Aozi paused.
While he wasn't skilled with words, he wondered if his note was too short.
[Was I always like this before?]
Li Aozi pondered briefly, his eyes lighting up with a faint blue glow.
[...Yes, I've always been like this.]
He dismissed any doubts and left some money for Yavanna, just in case it came in handy. With her abilities, communication shouldn't be an issue, and giving her money seemed more useful.
"This isn't a free coat. Consider this a down payment for the next one."
Li Aozi muttered to himself before turning to leave.
.........
Rustle.
A light figure gently landed, with eight blade-like legs piercing the ground, holding her form steady.
'Mr. Li Aozi... has left.'
She murmured as she passed through the bushes, her [Spiderweb Maze] continuing to function, weaving threads of spirituality into a tight network.
From the moment Li Aozi had stepped into the woods, she had sensed his appearance, strength, and aura through the spiritual threads.
Li Aozi had grown stronger and even more beautiful. Wonderful.
She raised her arm, her skin a burning pink, covered in mesmerizing scales.
Her eight eyes, covered in webs, immediately dimmed.
'It's my fault. I'm neither beautiful nor strong, and I can only help him in this way.'
If Li Aozi saw her in this form, he would surely be terrified, right?
No, more than fear, he might instinctively strike her down with a sword.
If that were the outcome, it would be fine. But Li Aozi wasn't that kind of person.
Li Aozi would recognize her, and hesitantly ask, 'Yavanna? Is that you?'
And then, he would know her true identity.
'I don't want... to be so ugly in your eyes. I can be a monster, but I don't want to be a monster in front of you.'