Chapter 953: Death Escape? (Bonus Chapter)
At this moment, Jiang Body lies motionless in the pit, his body having reached physical death!
However, his spirit is unusually active, even cursing up a storm!
What the hell is this sheep cookie?
Eat it and drop dead on the spot? Does it have to kick in this fast?
Although Jiangnan has now become a corpse, his thoughts are still alive!
He can even feel the cold dirt beneath him, the breeze brushing against his body!
But he just can't move, having completely lost control of his body!
The ability of the sheep cookie is exactly that: when facing a threat to one's life or encountering danger, play dead on the spot!
Others use the "pee escape" or "poop escape," but his is a "death escape"—is that acceptable?
Does he have to play the part so convincingly?
So Zi Yuan's dream of the future was predicting that he would eat a sheep cookie and play dead?
And then she used that to scare him the entire way?
Does it have to be this melodramatic?
Come to think of it, Zi Yuan's dream was pretty accurate, but please dream the full story next time, okay?
This is really terrifying!
No matter how much Jiangnan's thoughts curse and scream, Jiang Body in the pit remains peaceful...
Jiangnan is about to go crazy. How long does this death have to last?
The matter isn't over yet. What if some spirit beast that likes eating corpses finds his dead body and makes a meal of him?
He still has to go back and find Xuexue and Wolfbane. They must be worried. He doesn't even know if they managed to escape...
Jiangnan's thoughts ramble wildly, but it's useless. It's as if he's been forgotten by the world.
...
In the dense forest, Zhong Yingxue, Xia Yao, and the rest are retreating at full speed. No one speaks along the way, and the atmosphere is unusually heavy.
Zhong Yingxue holds Mi La in her arms, her big eyes bloodshot, crystal tears falling continuously onto Mi La's face.
Even though her heart aches so much she can barely breathe, the road must continue.
Just then, the dizziness effect of the Big Green Stick wears off, and Mi La slowly awakens...
Her big eyes are a bit dazed, then she suddenly reacts and looks around!
"Where's Jiangnan Gege? Where is he?"
The moment the question is asked, everyone's expression freezes.
Zhong Yingxue stops, looks at Little Mi La, and forces a faint smile!
"Good Mi La, Jiangnan Gege is behind us. He'll... he'll be back in a bit!"
But her red eyes and the tear tracks on her face betray her.
Mi La struggles a bit, then bursts into loud crying!
˚‧º·(˚˃̣̣̥᷄口˂̣̣̥᷅)‧º·˚
"No! I don't want to! I want to find Jiangnan Gege!"
"Zi Yuan Jiejie's dream said Jiangnan Gege will die. I have to save him!"
"I won't leave him behind. We promised to always be together!"
Crying echoes through the forest. Zhong Yingxue pulls Mi La into her arms, holding her tightly.
Gently patting her back.
"Mi La, be good! It's okay. It'll be alright. It'll... wuuu～"
As she speaks, Zhong Yingxue herself starts sobbing. She feels like she's breaking down.
But she can only comfort Little Mi La softly. Before, Jiangnan would comfort her, but now he's not here...
Everyone's hearts ache hearing Mi La's cries. Xia Yao wipes her eyes.
Takes a deep breath, then silently turns to walk back.
"Yao Yao!"
Xia Yao pauses in her steps, head down, fists clenched, tears crashing onto the ground.
"I know I'm being selfish! But I don't want to spend the rest of my life in pain every day!"
"Little Nan must be lonely staying back there alone, right? I'll go keep him company. Even if we die, at least we'll be together!"
"Just let me be selfish this once! Please!"
Xiao Jiuwo quickly says, "I! I'll go too!"
Wu Liang and Xiong Er don't speak, but their gazes are resolutely fixed on Zhong Yingxue.
Liu Mang raises his hand: "You need me for reconnaissance!"
Zi Yuan grits her teeth: "I don't want the same thing to happen twice. I'm going too!"
Zhong Yingxue stares blankly at everyone, then looks up at the sky!
Little Nan! I'm sorry... I couldn't fulfill your request...
I know clearly that doing this is wrong, but the reason humans are human is because they have emotions!
I can handle everything rationally, but when emotion overwhelms reason, nothing else matters.
"Alright then!"
Seeing Zhong Yingxue nod, everyone's eyes light up!
"We can go! But don't act recklessly. The priority is rescue!"
"The Forgiveness Hat has 15 minutes left. We need to leave time for searching and evacuation!"
"Liu Mang for reconnaissance, Xiao Jiuwo transports for high-altitude search, Xiong Er takes Wu Liang and Zi Yuan underground!"
"If things go south and the Forgiveness Hat time runs out, then remove the grass to buy everyone a chance to escape. Save whoever can be saved. Understood?"
Everyone nods heavily. This is the best plan under these circumstances.
They've all prepared themselves for not coming back, and immediately act according to the plan!
Xiao Jiuwo carries Mi La into the sky, Zhong Yingxue and the others move through the forest, while Xiong Er and his group go underground, searching in three directions.
At this moment, the group of bad beasts is frantically searching for the core, with no time to pay attention to Zhong Yingxue and the others.
After some searching, Xiao Jiuwo is the first to discover Jiang Corpse lying in the pit.
His heart startled, he quickly descends with Mi La.
Mi La's big eyes are red. She rushes over regardless, kneels on the ground holding Jiangnan's head, and wails loudly, completely breaking down!
"Jiangnan Gege, wake up! Please don't sleep anymore! Wuwaa～"
She wants to use time reversal to save him, but Mi La can't use it. Right now, Jiangnan has a Spirit-Binding Pearl in his belly!
Mi La can't use her ability or spirit power at all!
Jiang Corpse: Huh?
Someone's here? From the crying voice, it's Little Mi La?
Seriously, is this exactly following Zi Yuan's dream? Can it be any more accurate?
Don't cry! Be good! Your big brother isn't dead! I can still live! Hurry and take me away!
At this moment, Jiangnan can't help but feel a bit relieved. Luckily, he swallowed a Spirit-Binding Pearl!
It limited Mi La from using time reversal. Otherwise, this silly girl would definitely use it on him crazily!
But Mi La has no idea Jiangnan is playing dead. She feels like her entire world has collapsed!
Through the mental link, Zhong Yingxue and the others also learn the news and rush over.
Seeing Jiangnan in the pit without a breath or heartbeat, their hearts shatter.
Xia Yao pounces on him, holding Jiangnan tightly, tears streaming down in despair!
(｡˘◠˘｡(☍⌂⁰。)
"You liar! Big liar! You broke your promise! Wuwuwu～"
Xiong Er and Wu Liang's eyes turn red, veins bulging: "Damn it! They want my Nan Ge's life? None of those bastards will live!"
Zhong Yingxue's body feels as if all strength has been drained. She collapses to the ground, unable to cry out loud, but tears keep falling like raindrops.
Staring blankly at the peaceful Jiang Corpse, silent.
Jiang Corpse is going crazy!
I'm not dead, dammit! Don't all of you cry, okay?
Seeing you like this makes me feel terrible!
How long does this sheep cookie's playing dead have to last?
Zhong Yingxue forces herself to stand up, carrying Jiang Corpse on her back.
Gently caressing Jiangnan's cheek, wiping the bloodstains off his face...
Her gaze gradually becomes resolute!
"Don't worry. I'll lead everyone out safely. You're tired. Rest well, okay? Be good..."
She gently kisses Jiangnan's cheek, her lips trembling.
"First, retreat from the floating island. We don't have much time left! No one is allowed to die!"
"Carry on living for Little Nan's sake as well. Otherwise, we don't deserve him!"
Jiang Corpse urges inwardly: Yes, yes! Leaving is the right choice!
Hurry up and retreat! And who can pick up my vendor cloth? I don't even know where it floated off to!
Even though Wu Liang and the others don't want to accept this fact, they still have to retreat.
But a shadow has fallen over everyone's faces.
...
In the dense forest, Zhang San is still carrying the core while fleeing, about to rush out of the floating island.
However, a green mantis suddenly appears in front of Zhang San!
Startled, Zhang San quickly straightens up, not daring to move, eyes darting.
Whistling awkwardly, acting as if nothing concerns him!
Woo woo～ (٥◔ε◔ิ۶)۶
The green mantis is overjoyed and quickly calls out!
"Boss! I found the core fragment!"
At the shout, the Void Dragon Loach and the rest of the bad beasts teleport over!
Cold sweat pours from Zhang San's forehead, his legs trembling!
(٥☍﹏⁰)
Busted? He's surrounded by over a dozen Diamond and Starlight level space-type spirit beasts?
Isn't this the end?
The Void Dragon Loach looks stunned: "Holy crap? How did the core fragment end up here?"
"Did it grow legs and run this far on its own?"
The black wolf is also bewildered: "Hey～ This is really strange. I thought it was stolen by humans!"
The Void Dragon Loach frowns: "Never mind! We found it, that's what matters. Put it back quickly, or the floating island will collapse!"
With that, it releases a space orb, enveloping the core fragment along with Zhang San!
A few teleports bring them back to the underground cavern!
It inserts the core fragment back into its original position. The floating island rises again, stopping its collapse.
Even the broken rock shelves begin to reform!
The Void Dragon Loach finally breathes a sigh of relief!
Zhang San: ???
I got brought back again?
Looking at the dozen spirit beasts in the cavern, Zhang San's face darkens!
(̿▀̿̿Ĺ̯̿̿▀̿̿)̄...
What now?
I don't know where Nan Shen and the others went either? The hunter group is almost wiped out!
So... who do I stick with now?
At this moment, the Void Dragon Loach and the other spirit beasts gather together!
"Humans are way too arrogant. We almost had an accident this time. We must completely eliminate all humans here!"
"Come on, speak up! Does anyone have any good suggestions?"
The Void Dragon Loach starts a meeting with the bad beasts.
Zhang San scratches his head. Should... should he temporarily stick with the Dragon Loach?
After all, there are still three pieces of the Crystal Stele Fragment to find, and this underground cavern hasn't been explored yet.
And they don't seem to mind that much, do they?
So Zhang San, hands behind his back, steps forward and joins the meeting with the bad beasts!
Forced to go undercover again...
——
Author's Note: