Chapter 5: The Ascended Witch and the Goblin King’s Secret

The young girl trembled upon hearing his words, then cautiously stepped forward.

Only then did Zhang Luan properly scrutinize the girl from head to toe. His pupils contracted sharply when he noticed the ruby pocket watch adorning her neck.

He finally remembered who this girl was: Chen Nannan. At the start of *Mythical God*, she had appeared as the most popular item vendor for early-game players. Her wares were both high-quality and affordable, a true boon to all new adventurers.

After merging with Azure Star, she had soared, rapidly evolving into a formidable Awakener, earning her the title of [Ascended Witch].

That very pocket watch was her symbol, an item she was never seen without, no matter the circumstance.

‘Yet, how did such a renowned figure from his past life end up in such a predicament?’

“What’s your name?”

The girl bit her lip, then replied,

“My name is Chen Nannan… I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to lead the monster to you.”

“It’s fine, this goblin wasn’t much of a threat anyway. But what are you doing out here? Why is a little girl like you running around outside? Aren’t you afraid of being eaten by goblins?”

Upon hearing the words ‘little girl,’ Chen Nannan immediately frowned. With puffed cheeks, she indignantly stated,

“I’m already fifteen, I’m not a little girl! I was just out gathering herbs, who knew there would be such a huge goblin here… I almost got caught…”

Watching her pouting, aggrieved expression, Zhang Luan’s gaze shifted. Indeed, under normal circumstances, monsters like Goblin Warriors shouldn’t appear in the plains outside their current location.

However, after a large number of low-level goblins were eliminated, Goblin Warriors would dispatch from the goblin tribes. Zhang Luan’s previous act of wiping out over seven thousand goblins clearly met this condition.

Therefore, the Goblin Warrior’s presence here was due to Zhang Luan. By an unfortunate coincidence, it had stumbled upon Chen Nannan, who was out collecting materials.

“Ahem, can you make it back on your own? Or would you like this big brother to escort you? I won’t charge too much, you know!”

“No need… thank you, I can manage by myself.”

With that, Chen Nannan prepared to leave, but judging by her unsteady steps, it was highly unlikely she could make it back alone.

He took two steps, blocking her path, and reached out to pinch her delicate, porcelain-like cheek.

“Just kidding, no charge.”

“Ah~ that hurts! What are you doing~ Ow!”

Zhang Luan scooped up Chen Nannan’s petite body, and amidst her surprised cries, began walking towards Akamana City.

Chen Nannan’s status panel simultaneously appeared in his vision.

Name: Chen Nannan

Level: 1

Series: Awakener

Race: Human

HP: 100, Awakener Power: 100

Luck: A

Class: Ascended Awakener

Talent: [Witch’s Playhouse]: Increases the effect of all items by 35%. Using self-made items provides an additional 35% increase.

Awakener Ability: [Ascension]: Imbues inanimate objects with souls, forcing them to function as items.

Item: [Crimson Glow Pocket Watch (Legendary Item)]

He had to admit, both her talent and Awakener ability were exceptional, especially the latter. In his previous life, Chen Nannan had been capable of awakening an entire city to serve as an item and annihilate enemies.

However, the pocket watch did surprise Zhang Luan. A legendary item, only a step below mythical grade, actually belonged to this young girl. It seemed she harbored many secrets worth uncovering.

Along the way, Zhang Luan was engrossed in planning his next moves, completely oblivious to the girl in his arms, who was trembling with increasing intensity.

At this very moment, Chen Nannan’s face had flushed crimson, like a ripe apple, appearing incredibly tempting. Anyone who saw her would feel an urge to take a bite.

Finally, not far from Akamana City, the girl’s trembling reached its peak. Only then did Zhang Luan snap back to reality, finding the future Ascended Witch in his arms utterly adorable.

He gently set her down, then reached out to touch her forehead.

“Are you getting sick? Why are you so hot?”

“N-nothing, it’s fine. Um… I can walk by myself now. Here, this is for you, consider it a gift for saving me! Goodbye!”

Before Zhang Luan could utter another word, Chen Nannan frantically shoved an exquisite card into his hand and darted away, vanishing in a flash.

“She runs fast. Why didn’t I see that speed when the goblin was chasing her…? How strange.”

Zhang Luan shook his head, then flipped the card over to read its contents.

[Ding! Obtained: Skyfort Shop 50% Off Card (This card grants a 50% discount at the Skyfort Shop)]

Zhang Luan raised an eyebrow. ‘Well now, this is quite a nice little gift.’ The Skyfort Shop was the item store that new players in his previous life had called a ‘blessing,’ essentially Chen Nannan’s family business.

Although the items there were of little use to him, it would make a decent collectible.

After fiddling with it for a moment, he casually tossed it into his system inventory. Then, he retrieved the Goblin Warrior’s massive, man-sized battle-axe.

The hour was growing late. The path through the Ancient Forest to the abandoned temple was teeming with nocturnal creatures. While he wasn’t afraid, he had already eliminated thousands of goblins and wasn’t in the mood for more fighting.

Given the circumstances, he decided to try out his other Awakener ability. Sitting on a stone, he placed his hands on the [Great Axe of Pumpkin Pumpkin].

The [Fearless Explorer] ability activated.

Closing his eyes, he saw a series of hazy images depicting the axe’s history. From its creation in the human world to its eventual theft by goblins, it had a convoluted history spanning over a hundred years.

Finally, Zhang Luan’s vision settled on a scene within a castle that, despite its dilapidated state, still hinted at its former glory. That was where the Goblin King resided.

The axe’s owner, the goblin squad leader Zhang Luan had casually dispatched, now stood inside the castle, serving the Goblin King. Behind the king’s throne, a sapphire scepter, covered in runes, rested silently.

Zhang Luan’s eyes lit up; he recognized that scepter.

“The Scepter of Tranquility. I never expected to see it here.”

This scepter possessed immense power. In his previous life, when the Goblin King personally entered battle and wielded this scepter, nearly all mages and Awakeners in Akamana City fell into a three-minute silence, unable to use any of their abilities. Only strength-based classes could continue fighting.

Such a wide-ranging silence effect had left a deep impression on Zhang Luan.

The axe’s memories continued to extend, and he then realized that this Goblin Warrior was actually part of the Goblin King’s ‘harem’.

‘This goblin really knows how to live it up. Disgusting. Skip, skip.’

Skipping past those repulsive scenes, the axe’s memory jumped directly to a crucial location. The Goblin King opened a switch behind his throne, revealing a secret chamber.

The Goblin King, with the Goblin Captain in tow, walked into the secret room as if showing off. Inside, various items were piled up in dazzling abundance, and gold coins overflowed, filling the entire chamber.

This was clearly the accumulated treasure of those mindless goblins over many years. In his previous life, after the Goblin King was eradicated, there had been no news of these treasures. It seemed highly likely they had been taken and hidden by someone.

But now, all these things would be his. Since he had seen them, he definitely had to ‘visit’ this lovely little secret room given the chance!