Teacher by day, Farmer by passion-Chapter 222: Midas Touch [4] (NEW!)

The fourth floor greeted Ace with yet another massive mural.

And in this one the murals depict the egg cracked open.

The egg is cracked, and from it, an abomination is created.

A chimera, made from the flesh of a dragon, bloods from the Phoenix.

Ace exhaled and sat cross-legged beneath the ancient carving, eyes narrowing as he studied the intricate details.

"So the entryway has a phoenix defeating a dragon," he muttered, tracing the scene in his memory. "Now this one can be interpret as them giving this creature a life to live."

He leaned back slightly, rubbing his chin. "Historically, dragons and phoenixes never really get along. I wonder what happened that could actually bring a rise in a relationship like this."

Following that there was a short pause.

"Actually... Why not just consult the dragon that's freeloading inside the system space.", His brows furrowed. "Something feels off about the murals anyway."

Without another word, Ace opened a portal to his system space and stepped through, vanishing from the fourth floor in a shimmer of light.

The next moment, he appeared in the Spirit Herb Garden.

A crisp breeze danced through the air, rustling the tall stalks of spirit grass.

The lingering notes of a delicate melody faded as he arrived, as though he'd just missed a private concert.

"Next!" shouted a little girl's voice with childish authority.

Ace didn't have to look far.

There she was, Angie, the crimson dragon (as she called herself) in human form he had been hoping to find.

And in the opposite side, sitting in front of a guqin was a blue haired girl. Clearly looking tired from continuous playing.

"That's enough, girl. I'm tired. Come again tomorrow," she said with a lazy wave. It was none other than Xi Chun, the lastest addition in the Spirit Garden's caretaker.

Xi Chun huffed, cheeks puffing. "I'll destroy the herb garden!"

"No, you won't," Xi Chun replied, already reclining on a spirit couch that the humans made, like it was a chaise lounge.

Before Angie could respond with more dragon fury, a figure strolled over, it was a young girl with fiery red hair and an unmistakable aura of mischief.

"Hey, lizard," she called out casually.

Angie's head snapped toward her. "Don't call me lizard!"

"What are you if not a lizard?", the red hair asked, as if genuinely curious.

"I'm a mighty dragon. A mighty dragon. Etched that into your memory human. "

As the two continue with their chatter, Ace walked over to the trio just as Xi Chun gracefully rose from the guqin, brushing a few strands of silvery hair behind her ear.

"Master," she greeted with a small, respectful bow.

Ace gave her a nod, then turned his attention to the red-scaled girl still eyeing the herb garden with lingering menace.

"Angie," he said, "I need you for something."

"Me?" Angie blinked, pointing a clawed finger at herself. "You sure it's me?"

"Well," Ace replied dryly, "unless there's a second dragon hiding somewhere in the Divine Garden, yeah—you."

Before Angie could respond, Tushan, who had been already turning away, suddenly turned around with a gleam in her eyes.

"Master! If we ever find another dragon, can I cook it!?"

"Hiiiek!" Angie screeched in shock, her tail flaring behind her. "Human! I'll eat you!"

Tushan took off running, her voice fading as she shouted, "Master, think about it! They're probably really tasty!"

Ace blinked slowly as her laughter disappeared into the garden.

Angie turned back toward him, slightly flustered. "Uh… so… do I also call you Master?"

Ace looked at her for a beat, then waved a hand. "You're good."

He then turned to Xi Chun. "You should take Mati and enjoy a break."

"Yes, Master," she replied with an elegant bow, gathering her guqin before strolling away.

"Sit," Ace said, gesturing to the spot across from him.

Angie plopped down without hesitation, crossing her legs as she looked at him with childlike curiosity.

Ace met her gaze. "Tell me… how many wars have the dragons and phoenixes fought?"

Angie tilted her head, thoughtful. Then her eyes drifted to her fingers as she began counting. "Uh, Mister… what comes after ten fingers?"

Is she trolling me? Ace wondered, eyebrows twitching.

At that moment, a small screen appeared before his eyes—only visible to him. A projected thought from Angie, raw and unfiltered.

[Oh no, Mister is not happy with the answer! But—but! There were so many dragon and phoenix wars, I don't even know how many…]

He looked at her again. The poor girl looked genuinely panicked, as if he were about to give her detention. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

[Host, you can share images with her so she can see.]

"Oh? Something useful for a situation like this? Must be plot armor at work," Ace thought with a grin.

He softened his tone. "Alright, let me change the question. Actually… let me show you."

With a flick of his hand, a glowing image appeared in the air between them.

A phoenix drenched in blood stood tall, triumphant, while the carcass of a dragon lay defeated at her feet.

Angie leaned forward, eyes wide, her tail curling in curiosity.

Ace then shifted the projection, bringing up the mural from the second floor—

The second mural appeared—this one more somber in tone. It showed the phoenix carrying the dragon's lifeless body toward an altar.

Unlike the triumphant scene before, this one carried a heavy weight. The phoenix's wings drooped. Her eyes, carved with exquisite detail, were filled with grief.

Angie leaned closer, her brows furrowed as she tried to make sense of the image. "What…?"

Before she could finish, Ace brought up the third mural.

A soft glow flickered as the system projected the next image: an egg, nestled in a crude nest formed from the dragon's remains.

The shell of the egg shimmered faintly—stained in blood, unmistakably that of the phoenix.

Angie's eyes widened. Her aura flared in outrage.

"This is disrespect!" she snapped.

Ace glanced at her. "You recognize it?"

But she only shook her head slowly, frustration clear on her face. "No… I don't know anything about this."

Ace didn't show her the fourth mural. He didn't need to. He'd already begun to piece it together.