The Frail Guide Who Devoured an Entire Pollution Zone

Chapter 38: Chapter 38: Is It Worth It for Her?

Treading water for a few breaths, Xu Qingsui took a deep breath and plunged headfirst into the Li Yanjiang.

The crimson liquid instantly flooded her vision, causing a slight discomfort.

But Xu Qingsui paid it no mind, continuing to dive deeper as she forced her eyes open to search for her target.

Soon, an inky-black mass shot into her line of sight.

The thing had noticed her too. Before, it would occasionally shock her just for kicks, but now it was curled into a ball, ready to flee.

Victory or defeat hung in the balance. Kicking furiously, Xu Qingsui swiftly swam up to the inky-black wings.

Seeing it couldn’t escape, the inky-black wings began to flap rapidly in a last, desperate struggle.

Watching the feathers drift before her eyes, an image of scalding and plucking a chicken suddenly flashed through Xu Qingsui’s mind.

Not caring whether it would work, she immediately reached out and grabbed the inky-black feathers.

One tug on the left, one on the right, just like plucking a chicken, she pulled out every last one of the inky-black feathers.

Looking at the large, goosebump-covered wings, Xu Qingsui couldn’t help but let out a snort of laughter.

As if embarrassed, the great wings curled into a ball.

Once she’d had her laugh, Xu Qingsui placed her hand on the great wings again. A stream of inky-black power swiftly flowed into her palm.

As the energy poured in, a sensation like being bathed in a spring breeze enveloped her.

Xu Qingsui slowly closed her eyes, enjoying the pleasant sensation as she became immersed in the Spiritual World.

The intoxicating feeling was nearly impossible to resist, but a sudden sense of panic jolted her awake.

[Danger detected to Host’s physical body. Host is advised to return immediately.]

The Golden Octopus appeared, its voice urgent.

Xu Qingsui frowned, but the flow of energy into her palm didn’t slow.

’This thing’s spiritual power is substantial,’ she thought, ’and I’ve only absorbed less than half of it.’

She was unwilling to just give it up.

”What’s happening outside?” Xu Qingsui asked, clinging to a sliver of hope.

[Because the Host’s spirit body is separated from the physical body, your physical form is in a vulnerable state. If someone kills you now, both your body and soul will be annihilated.]

Xu Qingsui sucked in a sharp breath. As reluctant as she was to give up, she knew her priorities.

She looked at the great wings before her, her heart aching with reluctance, but prepared to pull her hand back.

But just as she was about to withdraw her spiritual power, the sense of panic abruptly vanished.

The Golden Octopus also showed a flicker of confusion.

[Host, the danger has passed. You can continue absorbing.]

Since the Golden Octopus had said so, Xu Qingsui didn’t doubt it.

Overjoyed, she eagerly resumed absorbing the spirit body.

’I don’t know what happened outside,’ she thought, ’but I can’t rule out the danger returning. So I have to absorb as much of this spirit body as I can, as quickly as possible. I can’t let this Treasure Spirit Pill go to waste.’

Outside the Sea of Consciousness.

At some point, Lu Jingyu had returned.

He stood before Xu Qingsui’s door, his face like ice. Though no one was visible, he spoke into the air with a frigid tone. ”With me here, no one will harm the person inside or take the elixir. I advise you all to give up any such ideas.”

”If anyone disagrees and insists on testing me, then feel free to make your move.”

No one answered Lu Jingyu. He remained standing, his expression unchanged.

After a long while, Lu Jingyu sensed the restless stirrings in the vicinity begin to subside.

But Lu Jingyu didn’t dare let his guard down. He kept a cold watch on his surroundings while monitoring the aura from the room behind him.

Just like that, Lu Jingyu stood there, perfectly still, for an entire day and night.

In the face of his persistence, only one of the restless presences remained.

The other party seemed to be locked in a contest of wills with Lu Jingyu, the standoff dragging on.

It wasn’t until the next afternoon that the aura from within the room finally began to recede.

Just as the aura became barely perceptible, a figure emerged from the very spot Lu Jingyu had been watching.

”All this for the person in there? Is it really necessary?” the figure asked, her voice that of a cool, commanding woman.

Upon seeing the person’s face, Lu Jingyu’s brow furrowed for an instant before smoothing out again.

”I do as I please. Whether it’s necessary has never been a consideration.”

Xie Qingling slowly shook her head. ”You’re different! Compared to the you I used to...”

”There’s no need to talk about the past!” Lu Jingyu cut her off. ”You know my temperament. Don’t waste your breath. Leave. This is not a place you should be.”

Xie Qingling fell silent, her gaze fixed on the room behind Lu Jingyu.

After a moment, she spoke again. ”It is precisely because I know your temperament that I know what I must do. Let go of your obsession!”

”I have no desire to fight you, and there’s nothing you can do right now. Go!” Hearing a faint noise from the room, Lu Jingyu repeated his order for her to leave.

Xie Qingling glanced at the room. ”We will meet again soon.”

With that parting shot, Xie Qingling finally turned and left.

Just as her figure vanished from sight, the door behind Lu Jingyu opened.

”It’s you!”

After absorbing the great wings’ spiritual power, Xu Qingsui had returned to her body.

She had heard voices outside and, remembering the earlier sense of danger, rushed out to investigate.

Seeing Lu Jingyu when she opened the door, she felt a little dazed.

Lu Jingyu nodded, his eyes scanning Xu Qingsui before he spoke. ”It seems you’ve absorbed a good deal of that elixir.”

Xu Qingsui had originally thought that the person outside was the one who had caused her sense of danger.

So when she saw Lu Jingyu, she could hardly believe it.

’After all, he was the one who gave me the elixir. Why would he try to harm me while I was absorbing it?’

But now, hearing Lu Jingyu’s words, it suddenly clicked.

”You were protecting me?”

Lu Jingyu’s expression remained neutral, as if he were stating a simple fact. ”I forgot to remind you,” he explained. ”Consuming an elixir causes energy fluctuations that can attract people with malicious intent.”

”I was coming to warn you, but it seems you had already taken the elixir.”

”My oversight nearly put you in danger, so it was only natural that I do something to ensure your safety.”

Xu Qingsui was astonished. Lu Jingyu had clearly saved her, yet he was taking all the blame upon himself.

’His chivalry is almost over the top,’ she thought.

’If it weren’t for that permanent scowl, women would probably be lining up to be with him.’

GROWL!

Just as she had that thought, Xu Qingsui’s stomach let out a loud growl.

The distinct sound made Xu Qingsui’s face flush red. She wished the ground would open up and swallow her whole.

She didn’t dare look at Lu Jingyu, but he just said nonchalantly, ”Hungry? Let’s go get something to eat.”

Xu Qingsui grew even more mortified.

”There’s no need to be embarrassed. You haven’t eaten in two days. Anyone would be the same.”