The Frail Guide Who Devoured an Entire Pollution Zone

Chapter 71: Chapter 71: Whale Fall, the Origin of All Things

’To think that after everything we’ve been through, after all this running in circles, it would still come down to this.’

’What in the world will be waiting for them after they take this step?’

’Standing here and thinking won’t get us anywhere. We have to take that leap.’

”Hey, look! We’re back at the entrance to the maze,” Xu Qingsui exclaimed, pretending to have just noticed as she alerted the others.

After everyone looked over and realized where they were, Xu Qingsui pretended to have just remembered something. ”Doesn’t the fourth rule say that we’ll find hope if we return to the origin point?”

”So, does this count as returning to the origin point? If we leave from here, does that mean we’ve cleared the instance?”

She was guiding their train of thought, and it was working just as she’d expected.

”That must be what the rule meant. I guess this is a blessing in disguise. I can’t believe we’re about to clear the instance.”

”If we clear the instance just like this, then you have to admit our guide is pretty lucky. She chose a path, and it turned out to be a shortcut to the finish line.”

Realizing the path to clearing the instance was right in front of them, the team members grew cheerful again and began showering Xu Qingsui with compliments.

Some of these comments reached Xu Ruming’s ears, stoking her competitive spirit. She wanted to speak up.

But remembering what had just happened, she could only suppress the urge. Instead, she resorted to constantly rolling her eyes at Xu Qingsui.

Sensing Xu Ruming’s hostility, Xu Qingsui shot her a glare before deciding to ignore her.

Xu Qingsui really couldn’t be bothered to deal with Xu Ruming’s constant trouble-making.

She could only comfort herself with the old saying: ’if a dog bites you, you don’t bite it back.’

”But this is all just my interpretation of the fourth rule. Whether we test it or not should be a group decision!”

’It’s just my analysis, after all. It’s not like there’s a sign here that says ’Exit’.’

Xu Qingsui was still a little hesitant.

She had stated her opinion but was leaving the choice up to everyone else.

Though everyone was filled with hope, the possibilities within an instance were too complex.

After Xu Qingsui pointed out the uncertainty, the group fell silent again.

They didn’t dare make the decision themselves, so in the end, they all looked to Lu Jingyu.

”Captain, what do you think?”

Lu Jingyu glanced at his teammates, then turned to Xu Qingsui.

”I agree with your assessment. Since the rule mentions returning to the origin point, then the exit must be the origin point. Besides...”

Lu Jingyu looked up at the whale again. ”A whale fall is an origin for all manner of life. I don’t think there’s any place that could fit the rule better than here.”

Now that Lu Jingyu had spoken, the team’s confidence instantly soared.

Lu Jingyu immediately had everyone rest for one minute to prepare to return to the origin point.

After their rest, Lu Jingyu and Xu Qingsui were the first to stand at the entrance.

”I’ll go first this time. If nothing happens, the rest of you can follow.”

Worried about potential unknowns, Lu Jingyu decided to be the guinea pig.

He finished speaking and was about to walk in, but a hand grabbed him.

”We’ll go together!”

Xu Qingsui had made her decision. Fearing Lu Jingyu would disagree, she stepped forward the moment she finished speaking.

Seeing this, Lu Jingyu couldn’t say anything more; he could only hurry to catch up.

The moment they stepped through the entrance, a brilliant golden light enveloped them.

Lu Jingyu knew then that Xu Qingsui had been right.

”It’s safe! Everyone, come in!”

Lu Jingyu shouted, then took Xu Qingsui by the hand and walked forward.

The teammates behind them had also seen the golden light and were already bursting with impatience.

Hearing Lu Jingyu’s voice, they lined up and walked in.

[Congratulations to all participants on successfully clearing the instance. The contamination in this area has been terminated.]

[Two participants went missing in the instance. One is dead, one is critically injured. They will now be teleported out. Clear rating has been determined: S Level.]

[S Level individual clear rewards have been distributed. Please check your inventories. Team rewards have been sent to the captain for distribution.]

The mechanical voice rang out, a reminder to everyone that they had really cleared the instance.

However, this voice also answered the question they had all been worrying about: what had happened to Tian Teng and Lü Jia?

The answer—one dead, one injured—caused the initial joy of clearing the instance to vanish without a trace.

By the time they had all emerged from the instance, Tian Teng had already appeared before them, lying unconscious on the ground.

Lu Jingyu immediately let go of Xu Qingsui’s hand and rushed forward. The other team members also crowded around.

”His breathing is growing faint! Get him to the medical bay, quickly!”

At Lu Jingyu’s command, one team member scooped up Tian Teng and ran. Two others followed to help take turns carrying him.

”Let’s head back, too,” Lu Jingyu said, preparing to leave with Xu Qingsui.

”Wait a second. What about the team rewards?” Shen Ling’an called out, stopping Lu Jingyu.

’The whole reason he’d entered the instance was for fame and rewards.’

’The S Level rewards were bound to have something good that could improve his abilities.’

Lu Jingyu’s brow furrowed. A teammate’s life was hanging in the balance, yet he was already clamoring for rewards. It was truly pathetic.

”You entered this instance as part of my team, so team rewards will be distributed according to my principles. When I have the time, I’ll allocate the rewards to everyone individually. You just have to wait.”

Shen Ling’an wanted to say something else, but Lu Jingyu gave him no opportunity to speak, simply taking Xu Qingsui and leaving.

Seeing this, Shen Ling’an had no choice but to give up.

But his eyes remained fixed on Xu Qingsui’s back for a long time.

Lu Jingyu and Xu Qingsui had just returned to the base when a familiar figure blocked their path.

The expressions of both soured upon seeing this person, especially Lu Jingyu, whose face was a mask of irritation.

Li Yaru seemed not to notice Lu Jingyu’s impatience. She looked at Xu Qingsui and said, ”I’d like to speak with the captain alone for a moment.”

Before Xu Qingsui could open her mouth, Lu Jingyu said directly, ”Whatever you have to say, just say it. There’s nothing we need to discuss in private.”

Li Yaru’s expression turned grim. She opened her mouth, but no words came out.

”If you can’t say it, then don’t bother.”

Li Yaru hesitated for a moment, then looked at Xu Qingsui again, still on the verge of speaking but holding back.

Seeing Li Yaru’s behavior, Xu Qingsui knew the woman wouldn’t speak as long as she was present. But she also knew Li Yaru wouldn’t give up easily.

She immediately said to Lu Jingyu, ”I’m a bit tired, so I’ll head back first. You two can take your time talking.”

Lu Jingyu was reluctant, but since Xu Qingsui left as soon as she finished speaking, he had no choice but to drop it.

But he still didn’t want to waste any time on Li Yaru.

”I’m not interested in what you have to say, so don’t waste your breath.”

Tossing those words over his shoulder, Lu Jingyu also made to leave.

”You will be interested. It concerns your safety,” Li Yaru said, her voice rising in her haste.

Seeing Lu Jingyu pause, she hurried in front of him again. ”Just give me a few minutes. This is very important.”