Chapter 134: White Robes

Chapter 134: White Robes

As builders, the hardships involved were unknown to outsiders. But for Bran, watching the White-robed Ones bustling about, using their knowledge and abilities, was a kind of enjoyment.

From the moment they decided to build their camp themselves, the White-robed Ones showed an exceptional side. After detailed planning, they began construction in an orderly manner. Judging from the shallow trenches dug in the ground and the marked foundation lines, the scale of the project would not be small.

Pachu and his White Robe companions were preparing to put down roots here.

Bran’s exchanges with them helped them make up their minds. Although it wasn’t direct guidance, this kind of communication was still a great help.

……

After the heavy snow, a White Robe stirred up a whirlwind and moved through the camp, blowing the snow off the ground clean. As for whether the snow scattered to the outer areas would bother others, it seemed he was not prepared to worry about that.

On the clean ground, four eye-catching symbols appeared, representing: Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind. This was the foundation of how the White-robed Ones understood the world. They believed these four elements constituted everything. Based on this, they tried to explain and understand natural phenomena, allowing their abilities to undergo Evolution.

They had originally intended to hide this concept. It was just during their exchanges with Bran, when they separately mentioned water and fire, Bran unintentionally said a term they didn’t quite understand, “Wu Xing,” and mentioned similar things: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. He also said it was just one method, with no right or wrong. Finally, he uttered a puzzling phrase: fire is not fire, it’s just an appearance. After that, his mood became low, and the day’s exchange ended hastily.

Since their secret was nothing special in the eyes of others, continuing to hide it seemed ridiculous. So they decided to show their concept.

But how to display it?

After discussion, they finally decided to build a landmark structure in Northland City that could represent the White Robes and their concept.

……

Pachu sat in the simple room, in this house that only kept out the wind and rain, looking rather worried. He also very much wanted to build a landmark structure, but with just a few of them, could they manage? The time required alone was unimaginable. It seemed they needed to gather more people.

But would those people come? He looked around. Although he didn’t mind the current conditions, what about others? After becoming a White Robe, life would become comfortable, with power and wealth following. How many would give that up?

Moreover, White Robes were very picky in choosing companions; they preferred abilities related to combat and destruction, not construction. He would have to find a way slowly, just as Bran had said: construction and destruction are merely different directions in how abilities are used.

He couldn’t help but envy Bran’s ability. Thinking of Bran’s demonstration a few days ago, kneading various items together and changing their shapes at will. If used in construction, it would make many things easier.

But now it seemed easier to turn means of construction towards destruction. For those of them focused on destruction to think about how to use their abilities for construction, there was probably still a long way to go.

Pachu let out a long sigh, stood up, and walked outside. Thinking too much was useless; there was still a lot of work to do.

……

The White-robed Ones in Northland City worked hard and looked forward to the next exchange. They liked this atmosphere, this feeling of speaking freely. As topics unfolded, more and more questions arose, and the exchanges went deeper. At the same time, arguments among them gradually began.

As soon as Pachu stepped out the door, he was stopped by a companion, who said at the same time, “I’ve been thinking about a problem these past few days.”

Pachu also became interested. “What problem?”

“The Great Wizard said: ‘When some abilities first form, they are related to fear.'”

“Yes, what did you think of?”

“I thought at that time, fire was the most powerful. It seemed not influenced by fear.”

Pachu was somewhat puzzled and asked in return, “Do you mean you also fear fire?”

Their conversation attracted the attention of the other White Robes, who stopped their work and looked over.

“I’m not very clear. But ever since coming back that day, I’ve been thinking: what can prove that I don’t fear fire?

Have you noticed? A torch is always lit in front of the Great Wizard. I’ve noticed that when he occasionally waves his arm, his hand naturally passes through the flame without the slightest hesitation. What does that mean?”

Someone said, “What else could it mean? The flame can’t harm him.”

“No, the flame can’t harm me either. But I still subconsciously avoid flames. I wouldn’t put my hand into a burning furnace fire; even when adding firewood, I use tongs more often.

I can still feel the heat, and I choose to dodge when the hot air rushes towards me. Actually, I’m no different from Peter; I also fear fire.”

Pachu asked, “What do you want to do?”

“Face my fear!”

……

Bran, who was sparring with the Ancient Tree, lost focus for a moment because of the sudden Mana Fluctuation that erupted in the city, and was subsequently knocked down by a hammer blow. The smug Ancient Tree, imitating Bran, tried to twirl its hammers together. As a result, two vines simply tangled together, twisting into a knot.

Soon, Pachu appeared before Bran with a man of fire, a real man of fire, surrounded head to toe by flames.

Bran asked, “How did he do it?”

“By completely eliminating his fear. We lit a huge bonfire, and he then jumped into it.”

Bran felt something was wrong. “He’s been burning like this all along?”

Pachu sounded somewhat helpless. “Yes, ever since coming out of the fire, he’s been like this.”

“You want me to help solve this problem?”

Pachu bowed slightly. “Yes.”

Bran said, “I can indeed smooth out the Mana Fluctuation on his body’s surface. It’s a kind of suppression, the result of Mana clash between Wizards.”

As Bran spoke, the flames on the White Robe began to disappear. But then, Bran released the suppression, and the flames reignited. He spread his hands and continued, “There’s nothing I can do about this kind of thing. Interfering too deeply, with my ability, would be fatal for another Wizard.

However, don’t worry. When his Mana is completely exhausted, the flames will naturally go out.”

At this point, Bran couldn’t help but laugh. His attention was clearly not on solving the trouble. Instead, he asked an embarrassing question: “Did everyone see him naked all the way here?”

Bran’s sudden leap in topic left the two somewhat speechless. But this casual attitude made them breathe a sigh of relief. After confirming there was no danger, they soon said their goodbyes and left.

……

With the departure of the White Robes, the Ancient Tree was somewhat disappointed. It really wanted Bran to keep that human torch; it would definitely be much more fun than the one under the tree. Bran absolutely could not agree to such a thing. He had no choice but to patiently give the Ancient Tree a lesson, making it understand the Rules of human behavior.