So dark.
After being swallowed by the Crimson Blossom, the entire world was plunged into darkness.
The petals shook violently, making it impossible for Lin Shu to keep her footing.
It seemed like Serafina and the others outside were launching a concentrated assault, trying their best to save her.
But soon, a feeling of weightlessness swept over, and Lin Shu’s body was flung upward, out of her control.
The Crimson Blossom was sinking rapidly.
It’s going even deeper? Is it trying to escape?
“Let us out!!”
In the darkness, the slicing sound of a scythe cut through the air as Leah roared from behind, swinging her blade at the petals.
Suddenly, strange mist billowed from the heart of the flower.
“Guh… cough, cough!!…”
From exertion, Leah inhaled a big mouthful. Realizing something was wrong with the gas, she quickly raised her hand to cover her nose. “It’s poisonous, Lin Shu, hold your breath!”
But it was too late—Lin Shu had already inhaled several breaths of the gas. Her whole body went numb and collapsed limply, unable to move.
She could feel the petals squirming, bringing with them sharp fangs that drew in toward the center.
Am I going to die here?
Despair slowly crept up her heart.
Suddenly, a brilliant light flared up on Lin Shu’s chest, illuminating the cramped, enclosed space in an instant.
“?!”
That key?!
She couldn’t lower her head, but she could sense that the light source came from the key hanging on a thin cord around her neck.
The key floated into the air, dangling on its thread, and hovered before Lin Shu.
There was no time for surprise—she only heard a thunderous sound:
“Gugii!!”
The Crimson Blossom let out a shrill scream, twisting violently. Its compressed petals suddenly sprang open, and its core convulsed repeatedly like a spasming stomach.
At last, the Crimson Blossom stopped sinking and slammed heavily onto the ground below.
It spread its petals wide, as if vomiting, and with a push from its core, ejected both Leah and Lin Shu.
Were they saved?
Lin Shu crashed to the ground, gasping for breath.
She collapsed there, catching a glimpse of the Crimson Blossom quickly closing its petals again. All the blood-red branches grew madly, crawling over the surrounding rock walls to form a sealed space.
The Crimson Blossom hadn’t eaten them, but had locked them in.
Leah had landed on the opposite side of the monster’s enormous body, so Lin Shu couldn’t see her condition for now.
The Crimson Blossom closed quietly, as if it had fallen asleep, making no further sound.
“Ugh…”
Lin Shu sat slumped on the ground, struggling to sit up. The poison mist she’d inhaled still lingered in her body and hadn’t faded completely.
It was a while before she could even lift her hand.
The first thing she did was take out the key.
The key rested quietly in Lin Shu’s palm, having returned to its usual form.
It had been the key that gave off that brilliant light, and the Crimson Blossom had shown clear fear and rejection toward it.
Could it be that, because the key is from the Holy Clan, it has a natural suppressive effect on monsters in the Demon Clan’s territory?
But then, why would a clue for returning home be connected to the Holy Clan?
Lin Shu examined the key in her hand before tucking it back into her clothes, keeping it close.
If she managed to return, she’d have to investigate the origin of this key further.
For now, the most urgent thing was to find a way out.
“Ahem.”
A soft throat-clearing interrupted Lin Shu’s thoughts.
Lin Shu looked up to see Leah standing not far away.
Apparently, the toxin’s effect wore off Leah’s body much faster than on her own human one. Leah could already stand and move about, while she herself was still slumped on the ground.
“This flower seems really afraid of light.” Leah changed the topic, as if trying to find something to say to Lin Shu.
She stared at Lin Shu for a moment, then stepped over.
The distance between them steadily shortened.
Lin Shu struggled, swaying as she braced herself against the wall to stand, but her legs were still weak.
Leah reached out her hand to Lin Shu…
“Don’t… come any closer.” Lin Shu spoke up, her voice barely above a whisper.
“……” Leah’s hand froze in midair.
Her outstretched fingertips trembled slightly. A flash of confusion flickered in her eyes; she hadn’t expected such a direct rejection.
After a moment, Leah pulled back her fingers and lowered her hand. “I only wanted to help you up.”
“Miss Leah… you’re a noble bloodkin. There’s no need for you to go so far for a human.”
Leah felt a sharp, stabbing pain in her heart.
Before, even if she’d casually handed Lin Shu something, Lin Shu would always beam, her eyes sparkling.
But now, Lin Shu treated her so coldly, almost like a stranger.
Frustration and irritation churned uncontrollably inside Leah.
Leah’s gaze landed on Lin Shu. “When we were inside the flower, did you get hurt…”
Lin Shu instinctively put her hand into her pocket, pushing in a small bit of gold that had been sticking out.
Unfortunately, this small motion caught Leah’s eye.
That cluster of gold—was the Crimson Blossom’s stamen.
“What are you hiding?” Leah stepped forward.
“Lin Shu, you’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?” She pressed Lin Shu against the wall, her voice urgent. “Because I neglected you for family matters, you purposely leaked the information to Serafina, and came with her to get the Crimson Blossom’s stamen.”
“You did it to anger me, to make me realize how important you are, isn’t that right?”
Say it, just say yes!
Leah screamed inwardly.
She’d never expected anything from Lin Shu before, but now, she actually wanted Lin Shu to admit it.
As long as Lin Shu nodded and said yes—as long as she admitted it—that would prove Lin Shu still cared about her, that she was still in her heart.
Leah’s nose stung.
But as Leah drew near, Lin Shu simply pressed herself tightly against the wall, her back rigid, purely wanting to keep her distance.
Lin Shu looked straight at Leah, her eyes unwavering.
“Miss Leah, you’re mistaken,” Lin Shu said calmly. “That’s not my intention. I have other plans.”
“What plans? Are they for the Drago Family?” The sting in Leah’s nose grew, her voice trembling.
“Do you really think Serafina is better than me?!”
Leah could no longer hide the jealousy and resentment in her voice.
Lin Shu merely stayed silent for a moment before replying, “…That has nothing to do with you.”
That one sentence made Leah’s eyes redden instantly. She turned her head sharply and strode away.
She couldn’t let Lin Shu see her face—couldn’t let her see herself in such a state.
But grief drowned out her anger, and she slowly raised her hands, hugging herself.
Her golden hair hid her face. The usually lofty Leah now looked so fragile.
Lin Shu gazed at her calmly.
There were many times, when Leah was dealing with family matters, whenever she hit a snag, she would lock herself in her messy room, leaning against the window in just this posture.
Back then, Lin Shu would always patiently tidy up for her, say something light-hearted to cheer her up, or simply sit quietly by her side.
Being able to see this other side of Leah had been the most precious memory for Lin Shu during the time she liked her.
Lin Shu lowered her gaze.
But this time, Lin Shu would not try to comfort her again.