Slime Immortal.

Chapter 168 Meeting at Stone Fortress
“Come on, I’ll take you and this slime messenger to meet the old folks in the castle.” Nelly beckoned to Arno, signaling him to follow.

She seemed to remember something else, and turned to the three men, saying, "You three, go back and give the 'goods' to Miss Georgia. She knows how to handle these things."

“Okay, Auntie.” Max nodded.

"Goodbye, Uncle! And Lord Slime!" Ella waved goodbye cheerfully.

"See you later," Leon said simply.

Chen Yu lay in Yano's chest, raising his tiny gel hands to wave goodbye to them.

Then he started paying attention to the goods that Nelly had mentioned.

Could it be those bloody scrolls?
Seriously, do these Stoneborn really need to travel so far and almost risk their lives just to grab some scrolls? Their business scope is way too broad.

Arno had obviously thought of the same question, and he voiced the doubts in his boss's mind.

Nelly didn't stop walking. She tilted her head and thought for a moment: "Anyway, I'm going to see those old guys soon, so there's no harm in telling you."

"The vampires have recently produced a lot of magic scrolls like these, which are ridiculously cheap and pose a great threat to us Stoneborn."

“We suspect that these scrolls are not made using traditional techniques at all, but are very likely the work of the old vampire sorcerer Salazar who is hiding in the shadows.”

"The reason we went to such lengths to carry out the attack was simply to try and conceal the fact that it was done by our Shi Yi."

Arno was even more puzzled: "But...shouldn't those vampires be able to tell at a glance that it was the work of the Stoneborn?"

Upon hearing this, Nelly suddenly stopped, turned her head, glanced between Arno and the slime in his arms, and then blinked.

"That's right, so we originally planned to frame the newly emerging force in the swamp... but we didn't expect it to be such a coincidence."

Chen Yu: "..."

So even if he and Arno hadn't tried to steal it, they were destined to be blamed for it.

This is like being caught in a trap.

Chen Yu was speechless.

"wait……"

Nelly seemed completely oblivious to the slime's speechlessness. She opened the small bag she carried with her, rummaged around for a while, and finally pulled out a smooth quartz crystal.

"Here, you can borrow this for now. It's a little magical gadget that can slightly expand your mental energy. I used it to communicate with gargoyles before, and slimes should be able to use it too."

"So you don't end up staring blankly at those old guys later. They'd probably be interested in cooperating with a slime territory that could repel the Blackfang Elite."

Arno took the crystal and carefully handed it to the slime in his arms.

Chen Yu stretched out his gel hands to hug it, and then swallowed it into his body with a "gulp".

Although the crystal had no smell, it gave the slime a cool sensation, like sucking on a mint.

He tried to speak: "Hello, can you hear me?"

As his mental energy spread out, Chen Yu's clear voice echoed directly in Nili and Arno's minds.

Nelly waved her hand: "I'm listening, looks like there's no problem."

"But is this the slime's voice? It's so soft and sweet, it sounds like a talking, bouncy pudding."

"It looks delicious."

Chen Yu glanced at her warily, always suspecting that the woman in front of him seemed to regard him as some kind of delicious food.

She might even have secretly sucked on slime gel.

"Is that not allowed?" Chen Yu's voice carried a hint of dissatisfaction.

"Hehe, of course you can, but it doesn't sound very impressive. If you're negotiating with someone, you'll lose as soon as you open your mouth."

As she spoke, she led Arno through an ornate iron gate and into a secluded manor.

The buildings here are more exquisite than those in the surrounding town, with courtyards planted with exotic flowers that emit a soft glow and neatly trimmed fluorescent shrubs.

The Stoneborn people passing by greeted Nelly.

"Aunt, you're back."

Good morning, Aunt.

Chen Yu found it strange that, regardless of age, all the Shi descendants called Nili "Auntie".

He felt that the short man was older than he had imagined.

Along the way, he also overheard the Shi Yi discussing their territory.

"Black Fang and his gang of mad dogs suffered a great loss in the eastern swamp."

"Really? That newly emerged slime territory is that powerful?"

"That's right, I heard that a full-strength elite squad was almost wiped out..."

It seems that before they returned to the Stone Fortress, the Stoneborn here had already learned of the latest news from the outside world through magic.

Nelly listened to the discussions without saying anything, and led Arno into the stone castle, up the spiral staircase, and into a classical gallery.

Chen Yu looked on curiously and saw rows of portraits hanging on the walls on both sides of the gallery. The people in the paintings all seemed to be Shi Yi, and the painters had depicted them with a cold and aloof temperament that matched Shi Yi.

Chen Yu didn't recognize any of the figures in the painting, so he could only idly examine the painting's material and the exquisite patterns on the frame.

Out of boredom, I thought to myself, "This picture frame has a nice patina; it should be considered an antique."

Hmm? This ancestor's hairline is a bit receding. Could it be that baldness is a hereditary trait in Belmont?

It seems that Arno will have some difficulty managing his image in the future.

Arno also curiously examined the figure in the portrait, but quickly looked away, his face full of confusion.

He didn't recognize the people in the portrait either, which made him start to doubt whether he really had a blood relationship with these stone descendants.

Just as he was thinking to himself, he suddenly stopped in his tracks and his gaze fell on one of the relatively young portraits.

"Who is he?" Arno asked earnestly.

The reason he cared so much was that the young man in the painting had a striking resemblance in his eyes and expression to his father, who was seven-tenths similar in appearance to him.

Nelly leaned over for a look, a "I knew it" expression on her face.

"Hey, junior, you have a good eye."

"Hovan Belmont was once the most whimsical guy in Stone Castle. He was also the first to propose going out to find a solution to the petrification disease, and he actually incited a group of Stoneborn to go with him. As a result, he never came back."

"If I'm not mistaken, this guy is probably your grandfather."

Arno felt guilty after hearing this.

Well, actually, by the time he could remember, his grandfather had already become a statue.

This also resulted in him having no recollection of this grandfather, let alone knowing that he had done these things.

These descendants of the Stone Clan probably want to arrest him and try him for the crimes of his ancestors.

Nelly chuckled. "Don't worry, if the family really blamed him, they wouldn't have hung his portrait here."

"You should know that the last young man who died here was Castor, the ancestor known as the Stoneborn Duke."

“Your grandfather, Huo Wen, was indeed a genius back then, and was even once considered a stone descendant with a great chance of succeeding Castor. However, he disappeared without a trace after leaving, and the family probably guessed his fate.”

"As a courageous explorer, he deserves to be remembered, but then again, if he had stayed... he might still be alive today."

Arno was taken aback: "Still alive? What do you mean? Have you found a cure for petrification?"

"Hmm... not really."

Nelly tilted her head. "That method is more like a compromise. You'll see when you come with me."

As she spoke, she pushed open the heavy door at the end of the corridor, which was engraved with the Belmont family crest, revealing the spacious and simple hall behind it.

Arno peered inside, and after his eyes adjusted to the dim light, he saw only a long stone table and a few high-backed chairs in the center of the hall, but the place was empty.

Ok?
Where are the people who were supposed to be there?

This time, instead of immediately answering his question, Nellie walked familiarly to the cabinet by the wall and took out a bottle of potion that shimmered with a deep blue light.

She uncorked the bottle, sniffed at the opening, and looked at it against the light: "Hmm, very good, pure color, no sediment, looks like it hasn't expired."

Then she walked to the long table and carefully poured the medicine into several empty glasses on the table.

After doing all this, she explained, "Although these old guys haven't found a way to cure petrification, they have found a special potion that can 'seal' bodies that are not yet completely petrified and allow their spiritual power to temporarily extend and manifest through the potion."

"like this……"

As she finished speaking, the azure liquid in those cups seemed to come alive, beginning to glow and rise. The swirling blue mist intertwined in the air, gradually condensing into three slightly blurry, ghostly blue phantoms.

The phantom image landed on the seat and gradually stabilized. Only then did the phantom image of the old man at the head seem to awaken from a long slumber and slowly open its eyes.

“Nee…Li?”

The old man's illusory figure spoke slowly, his voice hoarse from just waking up, "What... happened?"

The other two illusory figures, a man and a woman, also woke up one after another. They looked at Nelly, and their gazes quickly fell on the uneasy Arno, revealing puzzled expressions.

"Why did you bring a human with you?" Lancelot's phantom asked, his voice slightly aloof.

Nelly gestured for Arno to sit down at the other end of the long table before slowly saying, "I have good news for you. I've found that guy Hoven's grandson. It's him."

"Huowen?"

The leading phantom figure visibly flickered, revealing a nostalgic expression. He looked closely at Arno, "Child, what's your name? Your grandfather... how is he now?"

Arno immediately stood up: "Arno Belmont, I have met three ancestors. My grandfather... he has been turned into a stone statue."

The three illusory figures exchanged a glance. Although they had expected it, they still couldn't help but let out a slight sigh when they heard the definite news, and even their eerie blue light dimmed considerably.

"So... you've come back seeking a solution to the petrification disorder?" the female phantom asked softly, her tone softening.

"But unfortunately, this method does not exist."

Nelly immediately interrupted, "Hey, hey, I haven't finished yet, don't fill in the blanks with your own imagination, okay?"

"Actually, this guy has no family lineage. If Leon and the others hadn't met him at the outpost camp and brought him back here, he probably wouldn't even know that he comes from here."

"But strangely, he did not show any signs of petrification."

"what?"

The leading phantom figure solidified considerably. He spoke slowly, his voice carrying an unprecedented solemnity: "Junior, I am Solomon Belmont, and these two are Lancelot and Cameron. By seniority, I am your grandfather's uncle."

"Is what Nelly said true? Your petrification has disappeared?"

Arno answered according to the instructions given by his boss: "Yes, the ancestor seemed to have disappeared suddenly, and then he was able to control his petrification on his own."

"Atavistic?"

"Or is it because of something else?"

The three illusory figures simultaneously showed surprise, looked at each other, and flashed with a ghostly blue light, as if they were communicating rapidly in some way.

A moment later, Cameron said to Nelly, "I remember that 'path' in the Glowing Forest has been successfully opened. In that case, let him participate in the trial as well."

Nelly shrugged. "I regret to inform you that this guy's profession is warrior. He probably won't even know which way the trial gate opens, let alone pass the Wanderer's Trial."

Solomon's phantom frowned: "I didn't expect that Huo Wen's descendants had lost their heritage so badly... that they've gone so far as to become warriors."

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became somewhat silent and awkward.

Arno could vaguely hear the three phantoms communicating in very low voices, seemingly discussing a test called "Shadow Trial" that was clearly prepared for assassins.

As he hesitated, he suddenly felt a movement in his chest and heard Chen Yu's voice in his mind.

"Promise them."

Arno was taken aback at first, then looked up and said, "Three ancestors, I think I can participate in this trial."

"Oh?"

Cameron's phantom let out a soft "Eh," his voice tinged with amusement: "You little rascal, your impetuous way of speaking is just like Huo Wen's when he was young."

"Since you've volunteered, then go for it. It's okay if you fail; young people always have to experience setbacks."

Lancelot's phantom also spoke up: "The same recklessness, but courage is a good thing. If you can pass, it won't be a disgrace to your grandfather."

Solomon's phantom nodded slowly: "Let's leave it at that for now, Nelly. Awaken us when the Shadow Trial begins."

After speaking, the three illusory figures seemed to be preparing to dissipate.

"Hey, wait a minute, I still have something important to say, don't rush off." Nelly quickly called out to them.

She spoke rapidly, "Remember the monster force that I mentioned to you before, the one that just emerged in the eastern swamp?"

"Those monsters defeated Black Fang's elite regiment."

Solomon's phantom paused, revealing surprise.

The three illusory figures closed their eyes, then opened them a moment later, their eerie blue light flickering slightly, as if they had instantly obtained and verified more detailed information through some channel.

After learning the truth, their surprise deepened.

They were able to defeat Black Fang's elite mercenaries.

Not only them, but even the vampires underestimated those monsters.

Before they could continue guessing, Nelly said, "No need to guess anymore, I have already invited their messenger for you."

"Your Excellency, you may come out now."

The three illusory figures immediately scanned the hall but found nothing, which puzzled them.

Then they saw Arno carefully lift a small green thing from his chest.

Ok?
Slime?
(End of this chapter)