CHAPTER 705: CHAPTER 705: THE VILLAGERS’ "GIFT

Scarlett Jennings decided to temporarily stay in Artefact Village.

Stella Gibson and the others naturally had no objections; they were here to help her investigate the Otherworld, while Jade Cabbage was just a side concern.

Samuel Chalmers had no objections either.

Scarlett Jennings said,

"Since we’ll be staying temporarily, I’ll talk to the village chief later to rearrange the rooms. The villagers here are all spiritual beings; you’ll be fine staying in a room by yourself."

Last night was unavoidable, and since they would be staying in the village for a few days, she couldn’t keep having Samuel Chalmers sharing a bed with her—it would be too much of a grievance for him.

Scarlett thought she was being very considerate, and while Samuel Chalmers found her arrangement perfectly reasonable, he felt an inexplicable, slight disappointment?

Soon, the news that Scarlett Jennings and the others would be staying in the village spread, and the villagers were very happy.

"We haven’t had newcomers in our village for years. I’m sick of seeing the same people every day."

"But this time, it seems they’re not artefacts."

"How so? Isn’t there an undead? The thousand-year-old mummies dug up before were considered artefacts, why not an undead?"

"That’s true. I heard there’s also a half-fox demon. Perfect, our village needs a pet."

"Not just a fox, there’s a turtle too."

"No turtles, please."

The villagers chattered, contemplating what gifts to give to the newcomers to show their welcome, until the village chief couldn’t stand it anymore.

"They’re only here temporarily, not permanently settling down. They’ll leave once they finish their business."

The villagers were instantly disappointed,

"The fox is leaving too?"

"But what about the undead? Doesn’t it fit well with our village?"

"Doesn’t he like that Phoebe coffin? I have another one I could give him."

Despite the disappointment, the villagers still prepared gifts.

What if they felt the warmth and decided to stay?

The village chief felt a bit embarrassed too,

"We haven’t had new residents in years; everyone was really looking forward to it."

Even Stella Gibson was moved,

"Don’t say that, chief. With such a warm welcome, if I weren’t human, I would want to stay."

"Really?!"

"Yes!"

The village chief and Stella felt an inexplicable connection, exchanging a glance and couldn’t help but steal a glance in Samuel Chalmers’ direction.

"Honored guest, there is one more request, if you could..."

Before the village chief finished speaking, Samuel Chalmers said,

"I know what you need. Scarlett and I discussed it. During our stay, she will set up a Spirit Gathering Array around. Every night when Luna rises, you can gather around the array to restore some spiritual energy."

This spiritual energy was not just ordinary nature’s spiritual energy, but the refined and purified energy of Samuel Chalmers.

After knowing that the village artefacts were in a half-soul state, Scarlett Jennings understood how difficult it was for them to maintain their own spiritual energy.

Since they were going to stay in the village, paying some "rent" was necessary.

The idea was initially suggested by Samuel Chalmers, but Scarlett Jennings worried that the villagers would congregate around him, making him uncomfortable and not very effective.

Instead, she would set up the Spirit Gathering Array to draw in the spiritual energy from the mountains and forests, allowing the village villagers to absorb it collectively.

Upon hearing that the two had considered this, the village chief was touched once again.

Not to mention the villagers.

They praised their good fortune meeting such kind people.

Then, to repay the two of them, the villagers secretly decided to give them a "big gift."

Scarlett Jennings was unaware of the villagers’ "plot"; she was currently drawing the intricate patterns of Jade Bennett’s body.

The jade body glowed a deep green, adorned with complex engravings.

Primarily adorned with spiral patterns, upon closer inspection, the strokes of the spirals resembled written text.

Such markings initially didn’t seem significant, but as Scarlett Jennings transferred them onto paper, she subtly felt the same resistance she had when she first learned to write talismans.

It was as if some runes were indeed hidden within these patterns.

Scarlett Jennings spent three hours before she finally completed drawing Jade Bennett’s patterns.

Seeing the fine beads of sweat on her forehead, Jade couldn’t help but speak up,

"You should take a break."

Scarlett shook her head, grasping the North Spirit Stone at her neck, and soon the oppressive fatigue quietly dissipated.

Jade also felt the unique spiritual energy emanating from the North Spirit Stone and couldn’t help but remark,

"The energy from this stone is special; it resembles his essence."

Scarlett knew she was referring to Samuel Chalmers and just said, "He gave it to me."

"He likes you," Jade said.

Scarlett’s heart gave a tiny flutter; it seemed to be the first time anyone had plainly stated that Samuel Chalmers liked her.

After all, whether it was him or her, even with a confirmed marriage contract, they hadn’t explicitly confessed their feelings like regular couples would.

Did Samuel Chalmers like her?

She thought, he probably did.

"Mhm."

She nodded, feeling a bit awkward but trying to appear calm.

"You like him too," Jade suddenly made Scarlett feel as if a secret little feeling had been poked.

Unusually, she was slightly embarrassed.

She didn’t respond further.

Jade didn’t mind her lack of response and simply asked, "Since you both like each other and have already set a marriage contract, why aren’t you married yet?"

This was something the villagers only learned after the two separated into different rooms.

Having a marriage contract but not being a couple was baffling to the villagers.

Scarlett herself didn’t know why she suddenly discussed such a topic with Jade and could only vaguely reply,

"It’s not the right time yet."

Jade thought young people these days were quite awkward.

But it didn’t matter, they would help.

Seeing that Scarlett had almost finished drawing, Jade flashed with spiritual light, transforming back into her human form, and grabbed Scarlett’s hand,

"The villagers have been invigorated by the spiritual energy gifted by the honored guests these past days, so we discussed giving you and Mr. Chalmers a gift."

Scarlett was somewhat resigned upon hearing about yet another gift.

"We’ve already received gifts before."

"This one is different; it’s specially prepared for you and Mr. Chalmers."

She said this while pulling Scarlett downstairs, and while passing through the corridor, Scarlett felt a wave of spiritual power emanating from Jade, enveloping her entire body.

Upon stepping out of the house, her original outfit magically transformed.

An embroidered cloud-shouldered dress overlapped beautifully, each detail appearing divinely crafted.

Not just her attire, even her hair was elegantly styled, adorned with an exquisite Phoenix Crown.

The style seemed familiar, something she might have seen in a museum exhibit introduction before.

Even Scarlett couldn’t help but be momentarily stunned by this sudden transformation.

What surprised her even more was the carefully arranged little corridor outside, evidently prepared by the villagers.

Flanked by clusters of fresh flowers, villagers stood on both sides holding bouquets, their faces beaming with joy, as the joyful red carpet extended through the garden gate.

At the end of the path, a man in a vibrant golden robe stood quietly in her direction, holding a red ribbon.

He was enveloped in a golden light, both familiar and foreign.

Yet, he was so dazzling that she couldn’t tear her eyes away.