The girl shuddered violently at his words and stepped forward hesitantly, fear flickering in her eyes.
Only then did Zhang Luan take a proper look at her. His pupils contracted sharply when he spotted the ruby pocket watch hanging around her neck.
He finally remembered who she was—Chen Nannan. In the early days of *Gods Unleashed*, she’d debuted as the most beloved vendor for new players, offering high-quality gear at low prices. After the fusion with Azure Star, she’d rapidly ascended into a formidable Awakened, earning the title **[Ascended Witch]**.
That pocket watch was her signature—never seen without it, no matter the time or place.
*But how did such a legendary figure from my past life end up like this?*
“What’s your name?” he asked.
She bit her lip. “Chen Nannan… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to lure monsters to you.”
“No worries. This goblin wasn’t much trouble anyway. What are you doing out here? A kid your age shouldn’t wander alone. Scared of getting eaten by goblins?”
At “kid,” Chen Nannan puffed out her cheeks, visibly annoyed. “I’m fifteen! Not a kid! I was just gathering herbs. Who knew giant goblins would be here… I almost got caught…”
Watching her pout, Zhang Luan glanced away. She was right—Goblin Warriors shouldn’t appear on this plain’s outskirts under normal circumstances. But they emerged from tribes after mass deaths of lesser goblins. And Zhang Luan had just wiped out over seven thousand of them.
*So the Goblin Warrior came because of me… and by sheer bad luck, ran into Chen Nannan gathering materials.*
“Ahem. Can you make it back alone? Need a lift from big bro? Cheap rates!”
“No… thank you. I can manage.”
She turned to leave, but her unsteady steps betrayed her exhaustion. Zhang Luan blocked her path and pinched her porcelain-smooth cheek.
“Just kidding. Free of charge.”
“Ow! What are you—*ahhh!*”
Before she could protest, Zhang Luan swept the petite girl into his arms. Ignoring her yelps, he strode toward Acamana City.
Chen Nannan’s status panel flickered before his eyes:
**Name:** Chen Nannan
**Level:** 1
**Series:** Awakened
**Race:** Human
**HP:** 100 | **Awakening Power:** 100
**Luck:** A
**Occupation:** Ascended Awakener
**Talent:** **[Witch’s Toybox]**: Boosts all item effects by 35%. Homemade items gain an additional 35%.
**Awakening:** **[Ascension]**: Grants souls to inanimate objects, forcing them to act as tools.
**Item:** **[Crimson Radiance Pocket Watch (Legendary)]**
*Solid talent and Awakening. In my past life, she could awaken entire cities as weapons. But this Legendary-grade watch… on a kid? She’s hiding secrets.*
Lost in thought about his next move, Zhang Luan barely noticed the girl trembling fiercely in his arms. Her face burned crimson—like a ripe apple begging to be bitten.
Just outside Acamana City, her trembling peaked. Zhang Luan snapped out of his reverie. *Huh. The future Ascended Witch looks… oddly cute like this.*
He set her down and pressed a hand to her forehead. “Sick? You’re burning up.”
“I-I’m fine! I can walk now. Here—take this! A thank-you gift! Bye!!”
Before he could reply, Chen Nannan shoved a delicate card into his palm and vanished in the blink of an eye.
“Fast runner now, huh? Where was this speed when goblins chased you?” Zhang Luan shook his head, flipping the card over.
***Ding! Obtained: Skyhaven Shop 50% Discount Card (Present this card for half-price items at Skyhaven Shop).***
His eyebrows shot up. *Not bad.* Skyhaven Shop—the “newbie sanctuary” from his past life, run by Chen Nannan’s family. Useless for his current needs, but a neat collectible. He tossed it into his system inventory.
Pulling out the Goblin Warrior’s massive axe—taller than a man—he sighed. Night was falling. The path to the ruined Sacred Temple in the Ancient Forest would swarm with nocturnal monsters. He wasn’t afraid, but after slaughtering thousands of goblins, he lacked the energy for more fights. *Might as well test my other Awakening.*
Sitting on a rock, he placed his hands on **Pumpkin-Pumpkin’s Massive Battleaxe**.
**[Fearless Explorer]** activated.
Closing his eyes, visions flooded his mind—the axe’s century-long journey from human forges to goblin plunder. Zhang Luan focused the memory on a crumbling castle: the Goblin King’s lair.
The axe’s former owner—the Goblin Squad Leader Zhang Luan had casually killed—stood serving the Goblin King. Behind the throne rested a sapphire staff etched with glowing runes.
Zhang Luan’s eyes lit up. *The Staff of Silence. Didn’t expect to find it here.*
In his past life, the Goblin King wielded it to silence nearly all mages and Awakeners in Acamana City for three full minutes. Only physical fighters could move. That city-wide silence had left a deep impression.
The axe’s memories continued—and Zhang Luan gagged. *This Goblin Warrior was the King’s… consort? Disgusting. Skip.*
Skipping the nauseating scenes, the memory jumped to a critical moment:
The Goblin King pressed a hidden switch behind his throne. A secret chamber slid open, revealing mountains of gold and glittering artifacts—the tribe’s entire hoard. *No wonder this treasure vanished after the King’s fall. Someone must’ve hidden it.*
A slow grin spread across Zhang Luan’s face. *Looks like I’ll be paying this cute little vault a visit soon.*
