96 Who’s the Mount, That Remains to Be Seen
Buzz, buzz.
Feeling a slight vibration, Yan Zhen quickly took out the Cloud Heaven Palace communication talisman. A message from Huangfu Wenqing appeared.
[Fiancée Wenqing: Yan Zhen, where are you? Why aren’t you back yet?]
[Husband Yan Zhen: Sorry, something unexpected happened. We can’t return for now.]
[Fiancée Wenqing: What happened?]
[Husband Yan Zhen: We were chased to the summit and jumped into the volcano. We’re in a cave beneath the lava now.]
[Fiancée Wenqing: Are you injured? Is it serious?]
[Husband Yan Zhen: Not a big deal. The cave is filled with fire crystals. I need to collect them all to forge my greatsword. Are you and Zi Ji okay?]
[Fiancée Wenqing: Yes, just a few annoying guys came to bother us, but we drove them away.]
[Husband Yan Zhen: Which society’s idiots? When I get back, I’ll teach them a lesson!]
Yan Zhen successfully changed the subject, preventing Zi Xunyi and Huangfu Wenqing from worrying too much. After chatting for a while, he assured them that he and Long Ying would return as soon as possible and told them to continue cultivating while they waited.
Most of the top ten society members were currently waiting outside the volcano crater, so leaving now would mean facing an ambush.
“…Zhenzhen is so gentle.”
Long Ying’s voice suddenly sounded beside his ear, startling him. He turned and saw that Long Ying had woken up, her bright emerald eyes staring intently at him, making him feel uneasy.
After all, Yan Zhen was still lying in her embrace, his head resting on her arm.
“Are you Long Ying?”
“This is my original appearance. What do you think, Zhenzhen?”
“Quite beautiful.”
“Really? Then do you like it, Zhenzhen?”
“Ahem.”
“Hee hee, Zhenzhen, you’re blushing~”
“Don’t tease adults.”
“I’m an adult now too.”
Yan Zhen sighed. “Anyway, let’s get up first.”
Long Ying reluctantly released him. “Zhenzhen, are your injuries healed?”
“Mostly fine. Thank you for taking care of me, Long Ying.” Yan Zhen sat up, stretched his stiff limbs, looked at Long Ying, who had also gotten up, and asked tentatively, “Will you… stay like this from now on?”
Long Ying blinked, then quickly shook her head. “No, I haven’t fully recovered yet. I’ll change back soon.”
The loli form had its advantages. Being small allowed her to maintain intimacy with Yan Zhen. In her adult form, it wouldn’t be the same.
Yan Zhen’s eyes lit up. He had been worried that without giving him her blood, she would remain in her adult form, disrupting the plot. Fortunately, the worldline was converging.
“I see.”
The atmosphere became awkward. Yan Zhen wasn’t used to the adult Long Ying, especially knowing she might be… interested in him physically.
It sounded strange, but Yan Zhen considered himself a decent person, not someone who would sleep around casually.
His impression of Long Ying was mostly that of the “gluttonous loli.” He liked her, but not romantically. He saw her as a little sister who needed protection, nothing more, even after seeing her… impressive figure.
However, the way Long Ying was looking at him was unsettling. She seemed to be hiding something, yet not very well. Her gaze lingered on his lips, reminding Yan Zhen of how she had taken advantage of him the night before.
She actually kissed him repeatedly while he was “unconscious.” Typical “dragon knight” behavior.
Is this okay? This is not okay!
“Zhenzhen, are you hungry? I still have some energy-replenishing pills.”
“You eat them. If that’s not enough, I have some too.”
“Oh.”
“No.”
“Hmm?”
“Uh, never mind. Force of habit.”
Long Ying took out a roasted meat-flavored energy-replenishing pill and ate it, while Yan Zhen also popped a fruit-flavored one into his mouth.
“We can’t leave here yet. Otherwise, we’ll be ambushed by the people outside.”
“I can crush their dog heads.”
“I know you can, but there’s no need.” Yan Zhen shook his head. “They’ll leave after waiting for a day or two. After all, staying here costs a hundred points a day. Squatting here waiting for someone instead of cultivating isn’t worth it.”
“I see.” Long Ying grinned happily. “Then we can continue to be alone together.”
Saying this, Long Ying realized she had let something slip and quickly covered her mouth, her face flushing slightly.
—Oh no, did Zhenzhen realize I’m interested in him? So embarrassing!
“…”
Yan Zhen felt immense pressure. The Long Ying in the script, after he woke up, immediately reverted back to the gluttonous loli, tugging at his clothes and saying, “Zhenzhen, I’m hungry! I’m only this hungry because I saved you! Hmph!”
She had a very demanding, “trick-or-treat” kind of attitude.
Then Yan Zhen would coax her with a pile of pills and promise to take her to the dining hall for a feast, instantly making her obedient.
Now, it seemed that food alone wouldn’t be enough to appease her.
Yan Zhen had a bad feeling that his innocence was in danger again, hoping she wouldn’t pull another “taking advantage while asleep” stunt like Mi Xue’er.
“There are so many fire crystals here. I need to collect them all.”
“I’ll help you.”
“Okay.”
Yan Zhen took out two small pickaxes he had prepared, gave one to Long Ying, and they started mining the fire crystals.
Forging the Gold and Silver Fire Sword required a large amount of fire crystals. The ones he had collected earlier weren’t enough.
As for the Fire Spirit Crystal, it would be used as a “gemstone” setting.
“Oh right, Zhenzhen, I also snatched a pile of ores earlier. There are fire crystals in there too.”
“Good. The fire crystals are mine. I’ll help you exchange the other ores for points when we get out.”
“Mm-hmm.”
They spent half a day mining in the cave, finally collecting all the high-purity fire crystals, filling two low-level storage rings.
Afterward, they sat on the ground to rest. Yan Zhen took a sip of water from his waterskin and offered it to Long Ying.
Long Ying took the waterskin, but her gaze turned strange as she stared at the opening for a moment, blushing, then quickly started drinking when Yan Zhen looked over.
After drinking, Long Ying returned the waterskin to Yan Zhen, her eyes fixed on him.
Yan Zhen, who had intended to take another sip, awkwardly put the waterskin back into his storage ring.
—Why did the innocent Long Ying become this… slightly lewd girl? Even if she’s reborn, it shouldn’t… In the script, they were “good brothers” until the very end. Why would she suddenly target her “good brother”… How can I safely be her Dragon Knight now?
Thinking about how he still needed to trick her into signing the contract and becoming his mount, Yan Zhen felt a headache coming on.
If they signed the contract now, who would be riding whom, that remained to be seen.
“…”
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