Hesitation was but a fleeting moment, yet to Qian Ye, it felt as if eons had passed. He raised his head; above him, a brilliant expanse of stars filled the vast heavens, and far in the distance, faint land masses drifted slowly, casting shadows on his face.
This world seemed so empty, the stars themselves lonely for an eternity, let alone the insignificant creatures?
With a blank mind, Qian Ye opened the box, slowly pouring the medicine from the porcelain bottle inside.
The milk-like potion instantly absorbed into the Dream-Eating Worm King. It, which before seemed neither dead nor alive, now emitted a melodious call. Its body visibly swelled, nearly bursting out of the box.
Seeming to possess some sentience, the Dream-Eating Worm King recognized that the space outside the box was unsuitable for survival. Once it just fit snugly within, it ceased growing and sank back into slumber. After absorbing the potion, its body shimmered with iridescent colors, captivating one’s gaze.
Staring at it too long left Qian Ye feeling dizzy, so he averted his eyes. For anyone else, their very soul might be drawn in by the Worm King. If placed in any city, it would be a calamity; even war generals would struggle to resist its allure.
The Dream-Eating Worm King, having consumed the potion, had transformed completely, becoming a being of another level.
Qian Ye closed the box, severing the Worm King’s aura. His dizziness subsided, though rainbow-colored wisps still flickered around the box. With every passing moment, the Worm King’s potency lessened.
Rising swiftly, Qian Ye leapt into the night, disappearing into the darkness.
As his figure vanished, Ji Tianqing reappeared atop the power tower, gazing silently in the direction he’d gone. Song Zining soon joined her, standing by her side.
“Will he hate me?” Ji Tianqing asked suddenly.
Song Zining shook his head, sighing, “No, Qian Ye is wise; he knows what to do. Once he makes a decision, no one can change his mind.”
“I hope so… Do you think, in what state of mind did he go?”
This question left Song Zining silent, then he chuckled ruefully, “I don’t know, and I don’t wish to know.”
Ji Tianqing suddenly grabbed Song Zining’s collar, lifting him up, glaring fiercely, “You don’t want to know? Yet you made me do this. You get to be the good guy, while I’m the villain, right?”
Song Zining raised both hands in surrender, “Miss, please, no violence…”
But Ji Tianqing didn’t bother with words, landing a precise punch to his gut, nearly forcing his dinner out.
“Stop! I surrender!” Only he could make such a proclamation so grandiosely.
With a snort, Ji Tianqing threw him to the ground, “Your intentions when you brought me here were clear. Do you think it would succeed? And now you have me do this, I can’t understand your thinking.”
Straightening his clothes, Song Zining admitted, “I brought you with a selfish motive. My only goal was to prevent Qian Ye from spending centuries or millennia just watching from afar. Ending it now is for his own good.”
“You truly care for him.”
“And he for me.”
“A pair of rascals, birds of a feather!”
Their light-hearted banter quickly turned serious.
After a long pause, Ji Tianqing asked, “Do you think he’ll come back?”
“Yes,” Song Zining affirmed.
“What are you worried about, then?”
“I worry he won’t be the same person when he returns.”
Ji Tianqing frowned, “Can’t you use your divination?”
“Your divination skills are also excellent, why don’t you?”
“I’m not foolish!”
“Do you think I am?”
With a shared sigh, they exchanged glances, each surprised. Then, they huffed and went their separate ways.
Meanwhile, Qian Ye sped across the eastern lands, crossing mountains and rivers, ascending treacherous peaks, braving storms of void. At dawn, he arrived at the edge of the landmass, where the crashed Duke’s ship lay.
The once-tilted ship now rested flat, many damages mended.
Bounding over, Qian Ye’s pace didn’t slow, his aura unconcealed. The Vampire Marquis, sensing him, emerged from the wreckage, waving, “You’re here!”
His demeanor was notably warmer than before. Likely, working alone without company had driven him near madness.
Nodding, Qian Ye asked, “Is Yeye here?”
The Marquis spread his hands, “She remains unchanged. I haven’t seen her. But she should be inside, go in.”
Hesitating, Qian Ye produced the box, saying, “Give this to her, I won’t enter.”
The Marquis, startled, refused, “You have five minutes, just go in!”
A clever man, the Marquis knew better than to meddle. Regardless of Qian Ye’s insistence, he refused to take the box, urging Qian Ye to deliver it himself.
Then, Yeye’s voice, soft yet cold, rang, “Enter.”
Qian Ye, hesitating, finally entered the ship.
Yeye hovered in the great hall, arms crossed, just as he last saw her.
Handing her the box, Qian Ye said, “This is for you.”
Yeye’s eyes barely opened, falling upon the box. Suddenly, the box glowed, creating rainbows in the crimson hall!
The lid flew open, the Dream-Eating Worm King darting towards the exit, wailing miserably. Hearing it, Qian Ye felt a pang of pity, almost releasing it.
But Yeye was unmoved. Opening her mouth, a stream of blood ensnared the Worm King, immobilizing it mid-air.
“Is this for me?” Her voice carried a cryptic tone.
“Yes,” Qian Ye replied calmly.
“Surprising that you know how to enhance it. Now, its power is equal to three regular kings. Giving me this, what are your thoughts?”
“It benefits you.”
“Is that all?”
“Is that all.”
Opening her eyes, she looked at Qian Ye, “Fine, I accept. Don’t regret it.”
“I… don’t regret.”
Inhaling, Yeye drew a radiant beam from the Worm King, which faded, collapsing into dust.
Now, Yeye seemed fatigued, closing her eyes, “I’m tired.”
Qian Ye nodded, departing silently, the blood aura sealing the door behind him.
He walked out, the Marquis on the deck, fixing the ship. Waving, they parted.
Wandering aimlessly, Qian Ye spent days in the mountains, sometimes atop a peak, sometimes by a stream. Only after a week, he awoke, realizing the time.
Returning to Nanqing, he found it more prosperous, shops planning new workshops, encouraged by Song Zining, now effectively the acting lord, while Ji Rui remained aloof, yet not opposing.
Ji Rui’s stance was curious, but rumor had it, he was less antagonistic now, seeing Song Zining’s capabilities and the taxes the new ventures would bring.
Yet, everyone waited, fearing the Wolf King’s retaliation. Only seeing Qian Ye’s fate would they invest fully.
Upon Qian Ye’s return, he found no sign of Ji Tianqing or Song Zining, only a note: “Take care of home, don’t wander off!”
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