I Forged the Myth of the Ancient Overlords
Chapter 341 - 341 If you are really cold..._1

Chapter 341: If you are really cold…_1 Chapter 341: If you are really cold…_1 At the confluence of the Narcissus Channel and Qiushan Channel, where ocean currents and cold streams merge, a wealth of fish resources is created, accompanied by many small islands.

Some of these islands are merely reefs that disappear under the rising tides, while others are lush with greenery, as birds bring seeds that take root and sprout, forming verdant landscapes.

There are also larger islands that have become pirate hideouts; they’ve built docks, moored their ships, and have brazenly pillaged along these channels.

It’s said that some pirates even struck agreements with He Dao, serving as their privateers, emboldening them further in their plundering.

Despite this, Lu Ban had still not found any trace of the island.

He even began to wonder if he had taken a wrong turn.

“It should be fine…”

Gazing at the stars, Lu Ban murmured to himself.

Sitting at the prow of the boat, Lu Ban strained his eyes for signs of the island, following the stars. If the stars of this world weren’t different every night, he shouldn’t be mistaken about his direction.

Hearing some movement from behind, Lu Ban turned to look.

Amber was in the process of removing her white socks.

Though these cotton socks were meant to be warm and breathable, once soaked by seawater, they would only stick to the skin, making feet even colder.

Lu Ban scrutinized Amber’s feet carefully.

“Is the Pollution you’re suffering from reversible?”

Lu Ban looked at those pale, jade-like feet, recalling the gruesome and terrifying Pollution that had emerged at the extremities of her body when Amber had used the Word Spirit. Now it seems that the Pollution had subsided.

Amber lifted her head to look at Lu Ban.

“This is why shrine maidens are shrine maidens.”

She placed her hand on her toes, trying to wipe away the dampness.

“After undergoing the training at the He Island Shrine, shrine maidens gain the power to control Word Spirits, and through them, they communicate with others, with other creatures, and even with the world itself. As a testament to their vows, they obtain power.”

The cold sea breeze blew against Amber, and her drenched clothing clung to her, revealing the skin underneath, devoid of color, like a corpse.

There were also traces of Pollution that hadn’t faded yet—on her upper arms, chest, abdomen, and thighs—twisted and contorted so that anyone who saw them could only pity her.

“Ordinary people, like you all, make vows with the witness of a shrine maiden. Once they break them, they’ll suffer the backlash from the world. And to use Word Spirits, one must endure Pollution.”

“This world is sick, severely so. To communicate with it means inevitably to receive its pain and sorrow. Indescribable whispers come with the knowledge pouring into the shrine maiden’s mind, transforming her into what you’ve seen before.”

“However, shrine maidens can reduce the effects of Pollution through techniques, as long as they don’t suffer severe Pollution or harm. But if they continue to use Word Spirits while gravely injured, they might lose their human Sanity and break down into monsters—an event you wouldn’t want to witness.”

She hugged her arms and lightly bit her lower lip, seemingly quite cold.

Lu Ban shifted a little and fanned Amber.

“Did you know, when water evaporates it takes away heat, and there are three ways to accelerate evaporation: increasing the airflow, high temperatures, and…”

As Amber listened to Lu Ban’s words, she was bewildered.

“Or there’s another way, if you’re really cold, you could take off your clothes and hug me. That’s what they write in novels.”

Lu Ban believed he was displaying a fearless spirit.

“???”

Amber found it nonsensical.

“If you attempt to defile me, I will immediately bite off my tongue and commit suicide.”

She declared with utmost seriousness.

For some reason, shrine maidens, who have dedicated their lives to the deities, always seem to attract the covetous looks of some men. Of course, the majority of men had no way of getting close to a shrine maiden, and there were those among the elite who, in the past, tried to coerce those women who hadn’t become Chief Priestesses with their power and influence.

And their fates were all quite tragic.

Amber now couldn’t use Word Spirit; her body was extremely weak, and after the Pollution, it was uncertain what serious consequences might arise, so she could only face death.

“I’m not interested in middle schoolers,”

Lu Ban commented, then remembered she might not understand the term “middle schooler” and added,

“Do you perhaps have a little too much confidence in your own looks and figure?”

“You!”

Amber didn’t know where this man was getting the energy to joke around; her face reddened slightly, but quickly turned pale again from the cold.

If this continued, she might freeze to death before daylight.

“Can’t you rub your hands together to create a fireball, or make some food appear?”

Lu Ban asked upon seeing this.

“I can’t do food, but fire isn’t a problem, it’s just…”

Amber looked at her hands, trembling slightly with traces of Pollution on them. She wasn’t sure if using Word Spirit would backfire on her, and currently, she obviously had no materials for a Technique.

“Alright then.”

Lu Ban also noticed the shrine maiden’s willing heart but weaken body.

He opened the Silent Department Store.

At times like these, there was no need to save Silence Points.

If he found Amber frozen dead the next morning, it would be a huge loss for Lu Ban.

After searching for a moment, Lu Ban found an item suitable for the current situation.

Seed of Hope

[Common]

[In the Abandoned Capital, there are many folk tales]

[Among the most famous is a little match girl, who according to legend lit matches to see a wonderful life, only to be found frozen dead on the street the next day]

[This box of matches can bring you everything you desire, wealth, love, power, as long as you light the next match before the flame of the last one goes out]

[“So warm, Grandma, so warm…”]

[Price: 130 Silence Points]

Super cheap matches, though likely with various side effects, but Lu Ban felt that at such a time, there was no point in worrying too much.

Moreover, the Pollution carried by a [Common] grade item shouldn’t be much of an issue for Lu Ban, so he immediately spent the points to exchange for this tool.

This was a box of matches, countless in number, that from the outside appeared to be just ordinary matches with nothing special about them.

Setting up the pieces of wood that Laika had picked up from the wreckage area, wood that probably came from some ship, Lu Ban took out a match.

Amber gave Lu Ban a deep look, not knowing from where he had produced the matches; she was more skeptical and wary than confused.

Lu Ban struck the match, and the warm glow of fire lit up on the sea surface, illuminating both of their side profiles.

The flame began to heat the still damp wood, releasing a scent that was a mix of moisture and a burning smell, making one want to cover their nose.

It was then that Lu Ban saw something appearing within the light of the fire.

He saw a silhouette.