Chapter 187 Oh No, So Tight!
“Wow, it’s amazing! My spiritual energy is actually flowing so smoothly.”
Su Xiaoxiao felt incredibly astonished as she injected her spiritual energy into the injured cultivators.
Previously, when circulating spiritual energy, she always felt interrupted and unsmooth, hindered by some unknown force.
But now that obstacle is gone, especially after healing an injured person who thanked her with three simple words: “Thank you.” This boosted her morale greatly.
She was so elated, her little brain almost trembled.
Turns out, being thanked feels this good~
This was Su Xiaoxiao’s first taste of sweet success.
In her heightened state, her spiritual energy flowed faster and faster, and her healing effect improved dramatically.
Clearly, all this time, it was her own mindset holding her back.
Self-doubt, timidity, lack of confidence—these negative emotions had affected her path to cultivation, making it impossible for her spiritual energy to flow smoothly.
But after encouragement and guidance, her internal worries gradually vanished, and her eyes became focused yet glimmering with determination.
At this moment, she was like an angel in white, healing every wounded soul.
Yun Zhonghe took notice of this.
Though she is socially awkward, Su Xiaoxiao is not someone who gives up. She still has dreams and ambitions; all she needs is a push from behind, and she can muster courage.
Because the name “Plague God” is quite intimidating, many cultivators initially resisted her medical treatment, but after witnessing its efficacy, they immediately changed their minds, even apologizing for their earlier rude behavior.
Su Xiaoxiao is changing destinies with her own power!
Yun Zhonghe could feel her shadow gradually lifting, and she was gaining more confidence to look people directly in the eye.
This is a good omen.
If he could help her completely overcome her past shadows, Yun Zhonghe would certainly gain her appreciation.
Su Xiaoxiao could be the one to save him!
Yun Zhonghe gathered his thoughts and fought off the overwhelming crows while rallying the distressed cultivators.
The team’s strength grew as it expanded, enabling them to better defend against the crow onslaught and even rotate shifts.
Thanks to Su Xiaoxiao’s presence, her wood elemental spiritual energy efficiently healed the wounded, reducing the consumption of medicinal pills. Now, sustaining for three or four hours should be no problem at all.
Don’t underestimate these young cultivators. All of them were selected by major sects across the Eastern Continent. Everyone has unique strengths and skills, packing quite a punch.
Yun Zhonghe eventually assembled over two hundred individuals, all elites with sufficient resources to stay overnight at the station.
“It looks like all the cultivators staying at the station have gathered together.”
“Has anyone else’s friends not shown up yet?”
Yun Zhonghe’s skills and reputation command respect. After all, he’s currently a rising star, and the performance at the second-floor restaurant yesterday earned him much admiration.
Besides that, only Yun Zhonghe thought to save other cultivators, pooling everyone’s strength. His insight, organizational skills, and leadership are indeed unparalleled.
He admitted, many people would only think about themselves in such situations; there wouldn’t be time to care for others.
Yet, Yun Zhonghe stays cool and collected, staying calm under pressure, which explains why so many girls admire him. It truly irritates people not to envy him.
If Yun Zhonghe knew how others perceived him, he’d probably laugh.
When there’s a person around who might suddenly eliminate you and you can’t dodge, it makes you naturally calm.
It’s all just small scenes.
Despite having a clear understanding of the situation, Yun Zhonghe lacks the ability to break free.
Now that all the station refugees have gathered, no sign of Senior Chen, Yun Zhonghe could only turn to Mu Jixue beside him.
“Do you have any ideas?”
Mu Jixue: ?
These eyes so pure must be harboring empty thoughts.
“Forget it, no need to involve you,” it seems Huan Aotian can’t help either.
Just then, Lin Zhongyu mentioned there’s a mercenary among the crowd who knows Senor Chen’s whereabouts.
Yun Zhonghe seized the hope eagerly.
“Senior Chen is currently three miles west of the forest. He encountered the head crow with bl**d-red eyes, temporarily subdued through magic, unable to leave or destroy, requiring continuous infusion of spiritual energy. If the leader escapes, the consequences will be dire.”
Knowing Chen’s location, Yun Zhonghe plans to seek him out immediately.
“Miss Qin, stay here and take my place to lead. I’ll go find Senior Chen.”
Qin Hongye, daughter of Xuantian Sect’s leader, wields enough power and influence herself.
“Wait, I can’t let you go alone. I’ll go with you.”
Mu Jixue hurriedly followed.
Yun Zhonghe was deeply moved. Was Huan Aotian showing concern for him after all?
Perhaps he finally won her heart?
Yun Zhonghe intended to keep Mu Jixue back initially, allowing Huan Aotian more time with the female leads and maybe a chance to show off.
But he didn’t want to hurt a good friend. She offered to join him without hesitation. Declining now would mean no further opportunities later.
Considering his need to boost favorability and her abilities and synergy with him, it made sense for them to cooperate.
“Alright, we’ll go together. Everyone else, follow Miss Qin’s orders until we return!”
Yun Zhonghe ordered decisively, and Qin Hongye nodded, handing them both items.
Qin Hongye: “Break these, they’ll create a defensive cocoon. I’ve customized them, you can move freely inside, just don’t run out of them.”
Yun Zhonghe was grateful and thanked her profusely.
Qin Hongye blushed slightly, “Why be so polite, Yun Gongzi? When we return to the sect, you should visit me sometime…”
“They’re already gone,” Tao Jiu’er squinted and reminded.
Qin Hongye realized Yun Zhonghe and Mu Jixue had already ventured deep into the forest.
She bit her lip, frustrated. Not even getting to finish her sentence, why did those two rush off!
Right, she also forgot to tell them the new function of the cocoon…
—
Following them into the dense forest, both immediately activated the cocoon.
Protected by the cocoon, their journey was smooth, no fear of injury. They reached Senior Chen swiftly.
Far away, they saw Chen standing atop a high peak, injecting immense spiritual energy into a large spherical barrier below.
The barrier contained imprisoned crows.
There were many more crows trapped inside than there were infiltrating the station—possibly ten times more!
No wonder the mercenary said Chen couldn’t leave. If neglected, it could lead to even greater calamity.
Around Chen, other mercenaries stood helpless, unsure how to handle the strange crows.
They were helpless, resorting to seeking aid from the Immortal Alliance, but the station’s remote location meant it would take time for rescuers to arrive.
“Senior Chen!”
Yun Zhonghe and Mu Jixue rushed forward, and seeing the two cocooned figures, Chen initially thought they were troublemakers, shaking violently.
Upon recognizing Yun Zhonghe, he sighed in relief.
“Looks like the situation at the station has stabilized? Is this your doing?”
Unexpectedly, even absent, Chen seemed fully informed, likely due to his Yuan Ying’s divine perception.
“Senior, what’s the situation?” asked Yun Zhonghe.
Chen shook his head, “My powers aren’t enough. I can barely control this mess. These crows aren’t normal beasts.”
Yun Zhonghe, too, had no clues.
Mu Jixue interrupted, “Do these crows have any special attacks?”
Chen stared at her, puzzled.
Yun Zhonghe knew it was Huan Aotian’s intuition speaking. She sensed something critical.
“She is a close friend, apprentice of the illustrious You Yue Zhenren.”
“You’re You Yue Zhenren’s disciple?! Seriously?!” Chen’s eyes widened.
“Indeed. Most beasts swallow the flesh they’ve bitten off. But these crows don’t—appearantly they don’t eat.”
“What?!”
Yun Zhonghe narrowed his eyes.
“Yes, several of our companions were wounded, their flesh torn away but not swallowed. It was witnessed.”
This was odd. Given the spiritual energy in flesh, beasts would definitely consume it. Why not for these birds…?
A subtle thought crossed Yun Zhonghe’s mind.
They k*ll without eating!
“Heading into the barrier could help. Maybe I can find a solution,” requested Yun Zhonghe.
“No way! Too dangerous!” Chen firmly refused, “These aren’t ordinary. Inside is their leader, though only Foundation Establishment, nearly invincible, even more deadly. It’ll k*ll you!”
Mu Jixue spoke up, “I believe in him. I’ll go in with him, I’ll protect him.”
Yun Zhonghe looked at Mu Jixue.
Muttering with embarrassment, Mu Jixue insisted, “It’s not that I worry about you, it’s just Xiao Yu said to watch over you. I’m just following orders!”
“Is that so?”
Yun Zhonghe was confused. He didn’t recall any interactions between them; there was no record in their group chat either.
Oh, they must’ve had a private conversation!
Ah well, he can’t seem to be a part of Huan Aotian’s inner circle after all. Even behind closed doors, they talk about things without him.
For now, he can only focus on the task at hand.
“Alright, go. Stay safe. Call out if you run into trouble and I’ll open a breach for you.”
“Thanks Senior Chen.”
“Thank you. This is embarrassing, considering our duties. Once this is resolved, I’ll repay your kindness!”
Yun Zhonghe chuckled and led Mu Jixue into the barrier.
Inside, chaos reigned!
Crows surged like a black tide, suffocating, randomly colliding like aimless flies trying to escape.
Seeing Yun Zhonghe and Mu Jixue, they locked on as targets, ready to attack en masse.
Bam Bam Bam—
Crow swarms battered their cocoon, resisting fiercely.
Truly, this shield could withstand even the station BOSS’s attacks!
However, it started cracking from the crows’ collisions.
Yun Zhonghe was shocked. Were these crows stronger than Golden Core cultivators?
Upon closer inspection, faint dark demonic energy seeped from the cracks.
Continuous attacks would surely break the cocoon. Mu Jixue raised a hand to use spiritual energy, but Yun Zhonghe stopped her: “No need. These creatures are immortal; killing them is futile.”
Suddenly, Yun Zhonghe received a message via Qin Hongye’s communicator crystal.
Qin Hongye: “Cloud Gentleman, when stacked, the two layers of cocoon enhance defense.”
Yun Zhonghe looked at Mu Jixue, “It seems our cocoons together strengthen our defenses.”
“Stacked?”
Mu Jixue mumbled, an odd image popping up in her head—the two of them stacked together, one on top of the other.
Nope! What was she thinking?!
Yun Zhonghe missed the blush on Mu Jixue’s face; he studied their overlapping cocoon and suggested, “Come closer.”
The cocoon was just a thin layer. Only perfect alignment could reinforce it.
Yun Zhonghe edged closer, barely noticing any reinforcement, moving again…
“Wait, you’re too close!” Mu Jixue’s lips trembled as Yun Zhonghe’s intense aura approached.
Unsure why, visions of kissing in the Myriad Path Divine Tower flashed before her eyes.
So near, she felt extremely uncomfortable, wanting to distance herself.
“Being so close is essential. Any small gap exposed could result in the whole cocoon shattering.”
Yun Zhonghe explained seriously, moving even closer.
His presence became clearer… Mu Jixue held her breath in tension.
But their cocoons weren’t quite aligned yet, and as the crows continued their fierce assault, cracks appeared where they were not sealed properly.
Only the overlapping sections could resist the crows’ attacks.
“Oh no, the cocoon is weakening!”
Yun Zhonghe despaired.
Seeing this, Mu Jixue bit her lip, whispering, “Can it be this close?”
Lowering her head in embarrassment, her ears turning red, she leaned towards him.
“Not close enough,” Yun Zhonghe replied.
She clenched her teeth, “Then, hold me tightly.”
“What—can I?”
“Just do it!”
Mu Jixue urged.
Yun Zhonghe hesitated no longer. A good friend would expect nothing less.
Wrapping his arms around Mu Jixue’s slender waist, he drew her close.
The scent of youthful purity tinged with a mild milky fragrance filled his senses, relaxing and soothing.
They were so close, Mu Jixue buried her face in his chest, trembling.
“Like this—good?”
Yun Zhonghe remained silent.
She waited, but heard no response.
Mu Jixue: ?
Feeling suspicious movement, Yun Zhonghe snapped back to reality.
Phew, it was like reminiscing about the Myriad Path Divine Tower again. His ‘little Cloud Zhonghe’ was nearly standing again.
He calmed himself by counting prime numbers in his mind.
Sure enough, the “aftermath” from the tower still had massive influence, constantly distracting him.
Yun Zhonghe breathed deeply, “Good, both cocoons are perfectly aligned now. The crows can’t affect us anymore, but we mustn’t separate or we’ll lose the connection. Hold tight.”
“I—I know. I’ll hold tight.”
Her voice was soft and delicate, a side of her Yun Zhonghe hadn’t heard before. Usually, her tone had a somewhat prickly quality.
But now, she sounded demure and soft—a gentle warmth seemingly clinging to his body.
Feeling something warm starting to flow in…
