Forbidden Zone of the Human Race

Chapter 3 Physical Tempering Stage Six

When the shafts of the afternoon sun fell into the mining cave, Xiang Ning’s eyelashes slightly fluttered. With great difficulty, he opened them and pushed himself off the ground. The back of his head throbbed and he clutched it, unsure what just happened. 

“System assimilation at one-hundred percent… system activated… activation successful, digital mode activated… activation successful.” 

When he heard the electronic voice again, Xiang Ning panicked and shouted, “System? What system? Who’s speaking?” 

There was no one else in the vast cave, which made him increasingly uncomfortable. The unknown was terrifying. He gulped and crouched to pick up his pickaxe, cautiously glancing around. His eyes suddenly throbbed, and when he opened them again, what he saw greatly shook him. 

A line of text appeared on a piece of rock nearby. 

Spirit Stone Ore

While he was curious, his instinct told him to hurry up and dig! 

Xiang Ning carefully came up to the rock, then heavily swung his pickaxe down. There was a crisp thud and the rock broke. He stood stunned, then celebrated because it was a complete piece of spirit stone! 

Before he had time to react, his head hurt again. “System binding successful,” he heard, then a vast quantity of information poured into his brain. He bent over, supporting himself with his hands on his knees a minute later, grinning wide. 

He finally understood what it was. Although he didn’t know how many functions it had, right now he knew that at least it could locate spirit stones! Xiang Ning excitedly kept the stone and came up to another spot with the string of text. 

This time, he swung his pickaxe seven or eight times before hearing the crisp thunk. There it is! However, it wasn’t a complete stone; it was only a broken piece, yet he wasn’t disappointed because he saw many more strings of text in the cave! The mining continued on until sunset, when he finally noticed the time. 

Although he didn’t want to leave, he was satisfied with two complete spirit stones and seven or eight broken pieces. It was enough for half a month’s worth of food! 

“Mm, this’ll be great as a surprise for Xiaoyu. I’ll head home and cultivate, too, Miss Su has high hopes for me and I mustn't disappoint her!” Xiang Ning clenched his fist, then packed up his tools with the two uneaten mantou buns and walked out of the cave. The moment he exited, the text disappeared but he didn’t think much of it. 

Xiang Ning hummed a little tune as he walked, happy with his harvest. With this system, he would never need to worry about putting food on the table again. He could finally buy Xiang Xiaoyu new clothes! He looked forward to that. 

However, life was a bumpy road. Three men walked out of the bushes ahead, sneering at him. Xiang Ning sensed their hostility. They aren’t here to rob me, are they? While he was digging, just as he dug up his second complete spirit stone, he had casually noticed a person walking past. He recognized the man here! 

“What do you want?” asked Xiang Ning, protecting his small rucksack. 

Although he had achieved Physical Tempering stage four, in the face of three adult men, he wasn’t confident he could win. Plus, these people could possibly be in the Physical Tempering phase as well! 

“Hey kid, look, you’ve had a lucky day so far. You got a complete spirit stone there but look at us—we’ve been digging all afternoon and got nothing. I say you should get back in there and continue digging, what do you think?” The leader was a bald man, looking intimidating with his bulging muscles. He was definitely there to rob Xiang Ning. 

Xiang Ning clenched his teeth. “I’ll give you the stones, but don’t touch me.” 

He’d had encounters like this before and had tried fighting back, but every single time ended with him being badly beaten up. The veterans all told him that his life was more important than money. If he fought back, not only would his stuff still be taken away, but he would be severely injured as well. And he had to care for Xiang Xiaoyu, too! 

The bald man rubbed his shiny head and chuckled, “You’re a smart kid!” 

When he held the stones out to the man, a bright voice sounded. A voice he knew all too well. It was his little sister, Xiang Xiaoyu. 

“Xiang Ning! What’s going on!” Xiang Xiaoyu appeared not far behind the three adult men. Xiang Ning’s heart fell and he quickly shouted, “Nothing, go home! Wait for me at home!” 

“Hm? Dude, that kid looks so much like a water nymph…why don’t we.…” The tall, lanky man next to the bald man maliciously snickered. 

Knowing things had gone south, Xiang Ning smashed his rucksack on the bald man’s head. When the man yelped in pain, he sprinted toward Xiang Xiaoyu, shouting, “Xiaoyu! Run!” 

They were in the countryside, these animals had no qualms committing atrocious crimes! 

“Fuck! How dare he hit me! Get him!” cursed the bald man before breaking into a chase. He was a grown man, after all, so he caught up with Xiang Ning in a few steps. 

Clenching his jaw, Xiang Ning used his thin body to block them from Xiang Xiaoyu, taking the punches and kicks of the three men. 

Suddenly, lines of text appeared in his mind. 

Level: Physical Tempering Stage 4 (60/100)

+20

+20

Level up: Physical Tempering Stage 5 (0/100) 

+15

+15

…

Level: Physical Tempering Stage 5 (80/100)

+15

+15

Level up: Physical Tempering Stage 6 (0/100) 

Xiang Ning was utterly confused. What was going on? All he felt was a rush of warmth in his body that he was all too familiar with—it meant he’d had a breakthrough! This was peculiar indeed! 

Before he could figure out what had caused it, a voice said from nearby, “Hey! What’re you doing?! I’ve called the police!” 

The three men stopped and spat, “Consider yourself lucky. Let’s go!” 

The person who had yelled hurried forward and helped Xiang Ning up. “Are you alright, kid? How dare those animals touch a child!” 

“Thank you, uncle. I’m alright.” Xiang Ning was covered in dirt and dust but his hands were still clean. He carefully pulled Xiang Xiaoyu up, only for her to crash into his arms. 

+0 

“Sniff sniff sniff… Ning, Ning, please don’t die!” Xiang Xiaoyu was in complete shock and fell straight into his arms. 

He wrapped an arm around her waist, his other hand smoothing her hair as he comforted her, “It’s alright now, I’m fine, let’s go home. I’ll make you stir-fried eggs with tomato.” 

The uncle standing next to them felt his heart clench. “Kids, where do you live? I’ll take you home.”

“Thank you uncle, it’s fine. We can get home on our own.” 

“But… alright, please be careful.” The man knew they weren’t far from the road and there were many cameras there. 

Xiang Ning watched the man leave, then rubbed Xiang Xiaoyu’s head, who was still in his arms, and said, “Alright, alright. It’s late, it’s going to be dark out.” 

Probably after hearing that it was going to be dark, Xiang Xiaoyu finally broke from their embrace. He held her hand and they walked home. 

“Xiang Ning, are you alright?”

“I am.” 

After a few more steps. “Are you really alright?” 

“Don’t worry, I really am.” 

Under the fading sunset, two shadows held hands as they walked down the road.