“This time, as we head to the Saint Ruins, our secondary objective is to capture a Saint Ash Rabbit. But our true main task is to keep exploring that mysterious passage we discovered earlier in the Purple Snake Forest.”
“Although that mysterious passage is in the Second Plane and the Spirit Beasts aren’t particularly dangerous, everyone should remain vigilant. Especially you, Boss Su, you must stay right by my side.”
“Since the mysterious passage has a maze of complex paths, we also need to prepare for a long haul. Our trip might last more than a day, so everyone, get ready mentally.”
While the members of the Cangyou Wildcat Team were feasting on Su Qi’s delicious lunchboxes,
Lin Xue, as the team captain, continued speaking about today’s plan as she picked out dishes for Su Qi.
Listening to Senior Lin Xue’s serious pre-expedition pep talk,
Su Qi couldn’t help but find it rather novel.
After all, in Su Qi’s eyes, Lin Xue had always been lively and mischievous, never expecting to see such a mature side of her.
After enjoying their lunch and packing some extra ingredients and cookware,
The group from the Cangyou Wildcat Team took the elevator toward the Adventurers’ Guild.
Feeling the elevator slowly rising, Su Qi realized this time was different from his first, nervous visit for the interview.
Perhaps it was because, by some twist of fate, his relationship with Senior Lin Xue and An Xiaoling had become a bit closer recently.
Standing between the two, Su Qi actually didn’t feel so tense this time.
Ding~
As they reached the top floor, the elevator chimed.
Su Qi followed the Cangyou Wildcat Team and arrived once more at the Adventurers’ Guild atop the Lin Hidden Mansion.
Perhaps it was the news about the ‘Dragon’ that had spread.
Unlike last time, when the Adventurers’ Guild felt like a relaxed little tavern,
This time, whether it was the banners on the wall reading “Seeking Dragon Clues,” or the busy figures of numerous Adventurers, there was a clear tension in the air.
Amid this atmosphere, as Su Qi entered the Adventurers’ Tavern, he felt the gazes of many people upon him.
At first, Su Qi thought these Adventurers were paying attention to him.
After all, after his ability level increased and without the Bunny on his shoulder, Su Qi’s charm value had shot up to 60.
Honestly speaking, Su Qi found himself quite pleasing to the eye in the mirror too.
But after observing for a while, Su Qi noticed that most of the Adventurers were actually staring at Lin Xue beside him rather than at himself.
And faintly, Su Qi could hear some Adventurers whispering among themselves.
Mentions of Queen Squad, Blood Princess, Reward, Joint Operation, and the like.
But as the conversations were fragmented, Su Qi couldn’t catch the details.
However, while Su Qi didn’t catch it, as the Blood Princess, Lin Xue heard it clearly.
In fact, Lin Xue had learned of these matters two days ago.
After the B-rank Adventurer teams held their Dragon conference two days ago, several teams and many previous collaborators with abilities had suddenly come to cozy up to the Cangyou Wildcat Team, introducing other small teams for joint expeditions.
If it were just one team trying to recruit her, Lin Xue wouldn’t think much of it.
But when so many people showed up at once, Lin Xue sensed the whiff of a conspiracy.
After asking the Guild’s receptionist for information, Lin Xue found out what was going on.
Unlike the other ability users in her own area, someone had issued a Reward specifically seeking to cooperate with the Cangyou Wildcat Team.
And after a bit of thought, Lin Xue quickly figured out the issuer’s identity—it was that rival, Su Qi’s childhood friend and “charming demon” elder sister.
She probably wanted, just like Lin Xue herself, to deepen her relationship with Su Qi through adventures.
Naturally, as a love rival, Lin Xue refused.
And today, with a cold face, Lin Xue once again turned down invitations from several Adventurer teams. She walked straight to the Guild’s receptionist, Lu Ran, accepted the task of capturing a Saint Ash Rabbit, and activated the teleportation.
“Cangyou Wildcat Team, you are about to explore the lower layer of the Second Plane, the Purple Spirit Snake region. Please make sure you are wearing your Badges. Teleportation will begin shortly.”
Standing on the Teleportation Array again, after hearing the reminder from receptionist Lu Ran,
The Cangyou Wildcat Team members were teleported away.
At that moment, a few Adventurers who overheard the teleportation destination, upon seeing a newly refreshed Reward notification on their phones, began to take action as well.
Buzz~~
With a flash of white light and a feeling of lightness, Su Qi realized he’d been teleported from the Adventurers’ Guild into the Saint Ruins.
Although he’d experienced teleportation once before, how should he put it?
That teleportation sensation still felt quite novel to Su Qi.
After a brief daze, as his vision returned to normal,
Su Qi lifted his head and looked forward.
Unlike last time, when it was night and his view was limited to less than ten meters ahead,
This time, with abundant sunlight, his field of vision was wide open.
Su Qi was able to clearly see the real face of the Saint Ruins.
Unlike a city made of concrete and steel,
The Saint Ruins felt like an untouched realm of pure nature.
Beneath his feet was lush green grass, overhead the sky was a clear azure, and the air carried a hint of fresh natural fragrance. At first glance, it was truly beautiful.
But upon closer inspection, there were jagged white bones with sinews still attached scattered across the grass, wasps the size of a person’s arm buzzed through the sky, and some unspeakable monsters lurked in the woods.
Unidentifiable howls echoed from time to time through the Saint Ruins, giving the place a rather terrifying feel.
“Su-su Sis, don’t be scared, I’ll protect you!”
Noticing Su Qi staring at a bone for a while, An Xiaoling by Su Qi’s side quickly offered comfort, though her small hand clung tightly around Su Qi’s arm, as if finding solace in Su Qi’s presence.
Listening to An Xiaoling resume her sweet little sister act, and feeling her mischievous touch,
With An Xiaoling acting up like this, Su Qi’s shame and helplessness gave way to a slightly less nervous feeling.
With Tank Dashan leading the front and An Xiaoling the elf girl providing guidance, the Cangyou Wildcat Team quickly reached the edge of the Purple Snake Forest again.
This time, perhaps because they were adventuring by day, even with An Xiaoling’s intel helping them avoid many Spirit Beast attacks,
They still endured over a dozen ambushes from the active Spirit Beasts along the way. Fortunately, except for Su Qi who wasn’t a combatant, everyone in the Cangyou Wildcat Team was strong, so they made it through without any real danger.
Still, facing so many attacks left Su Qi, a rookie Adventurer, both surprised and somewhat confused.
So, upon arriving once more at the familiar snake forest, Su Qi couldn’t help but ask out of curiosity,
“Senior Lin, why aren’t we doing this expedition at night this time?”
Hearing Su Qi’s question, Lin Xue’s lips curled into a slight smile. She gently stepped behind Su Qi and placed her hands on Su Qi’s shoulders.
“Boss Su, about your question—there are two main reasons. First, the new passage in the Saint Ruins is very difficult to find. If we search at night, we might be discovered by other Adventurer teams, and then it wouldn’t be worth the risk.”
Hearing this answer, Su Qi nodded in agreement. It made sense.
After all, a new passage was a kind of treasure—whoever found it first would claim it. But— “What about the other reason?”
Upon Su Qi’s second inquiry,
Lin Xue raised an eyebrow and gently pushed Su Qi’s shoulders, moving him from the protected center position to the very front.
Gazing at the many Spirit Snakes crawling toward Su Qi with excitement, Lin Xue explained,
“The other reason is, the Purple Spirit Snakes are extremely active during the day. If we rush in recklessly, they’ll likely wrap themselves all over us. So now, Boss Su, please go use your face to let us through, okay!”
Su Qi: ???