CH 21

Chapter 21: Mountain Climbing

"Grow up quickly, alright?" Xiao Qingyang eagerly said to the spirit plants after channeling natural energy into the seeds.

He still had to wait for these spirit plants to mature so he could refine low-level healing potions for the injured Little Golden Dragon.

"Little Dragon, let's go to the forest and see if we can find any other food you can eat," Xiao Qingyang said as he scooped up the daydreaming Little Golden Dragon beside him.

The issues with the spirit plants had been resolved, and it was now time for physical training.

Physical training was something Xiao Qingyang insisted on doing every day, rain or shine. After all, the quality of his body was extremely poor. He couldn't even lift slightly heavy objects, which he found unacceptable since he used to effortlessly withstand hammer strikes.

So every day, Xiao Qingyang considered going to the forest to search for spirit plants and food as part of his physical training. Moreover, he had to go on foot to maximize the opportunities for physical exercise, aiming to restore his previous condition as soon as possible.

In that moment when Long Jingze's body was suspended in the air, he quickly regained his senses and found himself being held in someone's arms again. This made him feel ashamed and uneasy, as he hadn't allowed anyone to hold him since he was three years old.

But no matter how Long Jingze struggled, Xiao Qingyang firmly held onto him and reassured him, "Don't move around, or you might fall and get hurt. It will be very painful."

Xiao Qingyang tightened his grip on Long Jingze's arm. The reason he insisted on carrying the Little Golden Dragon was partly because it was incredibly cute, and holding it felt wonderful, making him reluctant to let go.

Of course, another reason was that the Little Golden Dragon was injured, and Xiao Qingyang didn't want it to walk on its own. Additionally, carrying a heavy object helped strengthen his arm muscles, killing two birds with one stone.

It was just a pity for the Crown Prince Dragon. Not only did he become smaller after getting injured, but even his strength diminished to the point where he couldn't break free from a teenager's embrace. It made him feel utterly embarrassed.

Fortunately, there were only a few people on this planet, and no one else would see his embarrassing state. If someone he knew witnessed him like this, he might never have the face to return to the Imperial Capital Star.

With Xiao Qingyang's current physique, it was somewhat difficult to walk while carrying the not-so-light Little Golden Dragon. Nevertheless, he had no intention of putting it down. He would take breaks after walking a certain distance and then continue.

Moreover, while walking, Xiao Qingyang would also introduce the surroundings to the Little Golden Dragon, pointing out places where they could find food or mentioning the presence of spirit plants or certain types of animals.

Unable to break free from Xiao Qingyang's affectionate embrace, Long Jingze lay despondently on his shoulder, listlessly listening to his explanations.

Today, Xiao Qingyang didn't venture too deep into the forest but instead walked along the periphery in a different direction, a path he hadn't explored much before.

The area of Forest Number One was not small, but it extends more in length than in width.

Xiao Qingyang and Long Jingze walked all the way to another edge of Forest Number One and saw a moderately tall mountain peak. Xiao Qingyang's eyes brightened, and he felt a bit restless.

"Xiao Long, how about we go mountain climbing today?" Xiao Qingyang excitedly said to Long Jingze.

Long Jingze could sense the excitement in Xiao Qingyang's tone and couldn't help but give him a glance.

He didn't expect this seemingly gentle and weak guy to also enjoy mountain climbing. Could he really make it up there? Long Jingze had doubts.

However, before Long Jingze could respond, Xiao Qingyang had already started walking towards the mountain peak while holding the little golden dragon.

Since arriving in this world, he had never come across a mountain peak before, so he was surprised to find one so close.

In fact, if Xiao Qingyang could have seen the planet from above, he would have noticed that a large part of the land consisted of brown mountain peaks. After all, this place used to be a mining planet.

Just like his fondness for being close to forests, Xiao Qingyang had a great love for mountains on the land, especially those with mineral deposits. They fascinated him.

Now, seeing this mountain peak, Xiao Qingyang wished he could immediately take out his beloved little hammer and climb while searching for minerals.

Dwarves were skilled at prospecting and weapon forging, and those abilities were also inherited in Xiao Qingyang's blood. Unfortunately, his beloved little hammer was left in the Qiankun Bag and didn't come with him on this journey.

However, none of that stopped his fondness for mountains.

Stepping onto the mountain peak, Xiao Qingyang had a peculiar sensation. It was indescribable and if he tried to feel it carefully, he couldn't sense anything specific. He could only follow this inexplicable feeling and move forward.

This sensation was not unfamiliar to Xiao Qingyang. In his previous world, whenever he encountered places with ores, he would experience this kind of feeling. Sometimes it was stronger, sometimes weaker, but he couldn't accurately locate the position of the ores every time. He needed to combine it with the power of the land to find them.

But now, Xiao Qingyang had almost no power of the land left, and he couldn't accurately sense the position of the ores. He only had a vague feeling.

However, he wasn't worried. This entire planet belonged to him, and the ores here naturally belonged to him too.

As he gradually regained the power of the land, he knew that one day he would find all the ores. He wanted to use those ores to create a new and useful little hammer and make many powerful weapons. He firmly believed that he would become the most formidable weaponsmith in this world.

Although he couldn't currently pinpoint the exact locations of the ores, just standing on the mountain peak and feeling the faint power of the land continuously surrounding him, seeping into his magical spring, already brought him satisfaction. Even though the power of the land he obtained was minimal, it was better than nothing.

After climbing halfway up the mountain peak while holding the little golden dragon, Xiao Qingyang's physical strength finally reached its limit. He was exhausted, drenched in sweat, and panting heavily. It was a feeling he had never experienced before.

His original body had been physically strong since birth, rarely experiencing such exhaustion. This feeling, as if his strength was draining away and he couldn't even control his own body, was truly a first and made him feel uncomfortable and powerless.

"I'm so tired, Xiao Long. Let's rest for a while and then go back,"

Xiao Qingyang said, gasping for breath, to Long Jingze.

Long Jingze looked at Xiao Qingyang's face, damp with sweat and slightly pale. His heart suddenly clenched for a moment, and he instinctively reached out his arm, wanting to lift him up and carry him, just like Xiao Qingyang had done to him before.

However, as he extended his arm, Long Jingze belatedly realized that he still looked like a young dragon and couldn't possibly lift the human in front of him.

Long Jingze: ...

In his mind, he suddenly thought, "MMP, should I say it or not!"