In the year and more that had passed, great changes had occurred, not only in Lin Luo but in Xiao Xiao as well. Beyond becoming more beautiful and shedding the gaunt appearance born of malnutrition for a more mature physique, her disposition had brightened considerably compared to a year prior, and her status was no longer that of a slum-dweller marked by crime.

Ever since Lin Luo began to rise to prominence, he had kept Xiao Xiao close, having her appear specifically as his assistant during performances at the Story Theater, which in turn earned her considerable popularity.

Thus, Lin Luo took action and formally purchased Xiao Xiao's freedom from the state.

In the end, the law was merely a tool for the wealthy. Although the people of the slums were decreed forever barred from the normal society, that was only true for the common folk. To use the simplest analogy: if the nation's highest authority wished to pardon someone, would it be difficult?

Lin Luo might not be the King, but his renown was no less. He was not only rich and powerful but also deeply beloved by the people. With his status, clearing Xiao Xiao’s criminal mark and restoring her liberty was exceedingly simple. However, just to be safe, he ensured Xiao Xiao herself garnered a degree of public goodwill, so that even if the state was hesitant to fully restore her freedom, they would still have to consider the repercussions should the matter become public.

And so, after paying a price that barely registered, the criminal brand upon Xiao Xiao was erased, finally allowing her to walk freely under the open sky, just like any normal person.

Now, Lin Luo was preparing to leave, and naturally, he needed to discuss it with her.

“Master, where are you going?” Xiao Xiao, unaware of Lin Luo’s plans, started in surprise and quickly asked.

Lin Luo spoke the truth. “You know my goal is to create golems with life and soul. But remaining here makes that utterly impossible. Not long ago, I chanced upon a map to the ruins of a Master Artificer. Therefore, I have decided to follow this map to search for it; perhaps it will bring me tremendous rewards.”

“Then I will go with Master,” Xiao Xiao immediately declared.

“Don’t be so quick to decide.” Lin Luo shook his head. “I’ve had people investigate this beforehand. The path to those ruins is not safe; in fact, it is quite perilous. Even I cannot guarantee whether I will reach it alive and well. If you accompany me, you will also face a significant threat to your life. But if you stay behind, I can leave you a sum of money, and even arrange for a minor noble status for you, allowing you to live a life of ease forever... You are no longer branded a criminal, and no one can trouble you now...”

“Master!” With a thump, before Lin Luo could finish, Xiao Xiao abruptly dropped to her knees. She wept, “Master has given me the grace of rebirth. Without you, I might have long since turned to dust, unable to live the happy life I have now. From that moment on, Xiao Xiao decided that I would follow Master for the rest of my life, no matter where Master goes, Xiao Xiao will be by your side. Please, Master, do not abandon Xiao Xiao!”

“Have you truly considered this? On one side lies a path of uncertain future and unpredictable life or death; on the other, a life of wealth, honor, peace, and stability. Are you truly determined to walk with me?” Lin Luo asked again.

Xiao Xiao nodded heavily. She spoke without hesitation, “Xiao Xiao does not need a life of luxury; I only wish to stay with Master.”

As she spoke, she slammed her fist hard onto the ground. With a loud crack, the solid flagstones shattered into countless fragments under her small hand. She looked up at Lin Luo and said, “Since the road is known to be so dangerous, Xiao Xiao must not leave Master. Protecting Master’s safety is Xiao Xiao’s responsibility.”

Seeing her expression of unwavering conviction, Lin Luo knew she would not change her mind. He finally nodded. “Since you have decided, I will not say more. However... previously, because you held the status of a criminal, I could only purchase you through negotiations with the state, which is why we have always addressed each other as Master and servant. But now we are both leaving. You must stop calling me Master from now on.”

“Then what should I call Master?” Xiao Xiao was ecstatic that Lin Luo had agreed, but his next sentence made her suddenly bewildered.

Lin Luo did not answer, instead asking, “When fabricating a golem, what is the very first step?”

“Observation,” Xiao Xiao replied instantly, the habit ingrained from the past year, though she didn’t know why Lin Luo was asking. “First, one must observe. Whether it is tools or materials, only through meticulous observation can one preliminarily judge which Bei Wei the material on hand is best suited for, as well as the necessary force for using the tools...”

“Then, what kind of mindset does a Golem Master require when fabricating a golem?”

“Composure; the mind must be empty of distracting thoughts, unable to be swayed by external conditions.”

“And what does a Golem Master love the most?”

“Love. Only by holding sincere affection for the golem can one’s own emotions be transmitted into it.”

Hearing Xiao Xiao’s flawless answers, Lin Luo smiled slightly, then grew serious. “Xiao Xiao, are you willing to become my apprentice, taking the title of Golem Master?”

“Ah!” Xiao Xiao gasped instinctively, clearly surprised by Lin Luo’s thought of taking her as an apprentice. But after a brief moment of stunned silence, she quickly kowtowed to him. “Willing! Xiao Xiao is willing to become Master’s... Teacher’s apprentice!”

“Good. Then from this day forward, you are my disciple.”

...

That very evening, Lin Luo departed with Xiao Xiao. They took little: only two sets of high-grade tools for golem fabrication, some rarer materials, the map to the Master Artificer’s ruins, and some backup daily necessities and a certain amount of currency. Lin Luo stored all of these things in a spatial container created through alchemy... a box no larger than a handbag, yet capable of holding several cubic meters of items—incredibly convenient.

This spatial container was something he had purchased at a great expense from an Alchemist some time ago.

As for the manor, the golems he had previously created, and nearly ninety percent of the wealth earned over the past year, he left it all behind, formally transferring ownership to those few noble ladies through written documentation... It was these noble ladies who had helped him when he was at his most desperate a year ago, enabling his current achievements. Although both parties had taken what they needed, and he had brought them substantial wealth over the year, there was no denying that without their help, he would never have progressed so smoothly, perhaps still scrambling for meager funds for raw materials.

Therefore, Lin Luo felt leaving these things behind was a form of repayment. In any case, they were of little use to him now. At least this way, he owed no one any favors, his conscience was clear, and he could depart with peace of mind.

As for the golems he had made... perhaps influenced by that middle-aged man, Lin Luo always felt that if he created golems with some measure of emotion—even if they could only manage expressive faces without true self-awareness—they were no longer mere puppets, but his children, whom he could never abandon.

Thus, having long anticipated this day, Lin Luo had always fabricated only the most ordinary golems to keep his conscience clear. Though beautiful and outwardly lifelike, they were completely and utterly puppets, mere ornamental pieces, like factory-produced dolls... When he truly poured his feelings, his entire love, into creating a golem, that golem would be one he could never discard and would never wish to, his actual child.

And to avoid unnecessary emotional entanglement, Lin Luo had long decided in his heart that this love would only be reserved for the golems he would create in the future—those with life and soul!

The impact of Lin Luo's departure was considerable. Both the audience waiting for new stories and some nobles who had become acquainted with Lin Luo were stunned upon receiving news of his "disappearance." Some searched, others raged, and some even lamented loudly, but none of it concerned Lin Luo, for by the next morning, he had already arrived a thousand li away.

Being rich was indeed beneficial; fame, status, official titles, and women—anything could be bought. Lin Luo earned his fame and status by telling stories; he didn't need titles or women, but he bought one thing in abundance: alchemical tools!

The assets Lin Luo earned in that year could be described as immeasurable, but he spent them without restraint, primarily on materials for golem fabrication and alchemical tools. The former goes without saying, but the latter he viewed as essential. He purchased many items for combat, daily use, and defensive support. For instance, this journey of a thousand li overnight was only possible thanks to alchemical aids; otherwise, given his pace, he never could have moved so fast.

Currently, his combat ability was inferior even to that of an ordinary able-bodied young man. Without some means of self-defense, how could he dare to venture out so casually? If he accidentally ran into a band of mountain bandits, he’d probably be returning home to get married.

However, what Lin Luo never expected was that after traveling a thousand li and planning to properly organize his alchemical tools to prepare defenses, he was shocked to discover... all the alchemical tools had lost their energy.

“This… this…” Looking at the alchemical tools, which he had bought at high prices and never used, now reduced to useless scrap metal, Lin Luo was completely dumbstruck and unable to speak.

His future efforts depended almost entirely on these alchemical tools, but now they were all junk... This was threatening his very life!

“Mas... Teacher, I...” Seeing Lin Luo's crestfallen expression, Xiao Xiao desperately wanted to offer some words of comfort, something like, I’m here, don’t worry, but the words caught in her throat and she simply couldn't speak them.

Though she possessed decent martial arts skills, compared to the alchemical tools capable of slaying unseen, her abilities were simply not worth mentioning.

Yet, before either of them could recover from this shock, an even stranger event occurred...