For Xue Jing's unscathed return, Ning Yuantai was the least surprised.
He immediately raised his hand — still holding a half-eaten crab claw — and greeted,
"Xue, you're back. Did you encounter a Furnace Noble Species in there?"
Xue Jing, holding his right wrist with his left hand, rotated his palm to relieve the strain from using the Forgotten Greatsword a bit too forcefully just now and casually asked,
"Furnace Noble Species? What is that?"
He actually had a faint recollection of the name.
Previously, during a visit to Youqing A Dream, he seemed to recall that the cover of the book she was holding read "Furnace Noble Species."
That must refer to the Black Crystal Giant he just encountered.
"That's a special creature from a unique Intersecting Boundaries."
Ning Yuantai explained.
After a pause, he added uncertainly, "Or perhaps it should be called a special... 'person'?"
"Person?" Xue Jing was slightly puzzled, thought for a moment, and then asked,
