Chapter 39: We Are So Doomed

Words : 1100 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

Chapter 39: We Are So Doomed "So cute..." Lin Fan murmured under his breath, trailing a few paces behind Yue Yu like a hopeless moth drawn to a flame. His eyes never left her—mesmerized by the gentle sway of her hair, the light bounce in her step, the faint, flowery scent that lingered in her wake. Whatever destination she had in mind didn’t concern him in the slightest. Lin Fan hadn’t even bothered to ask. Right now, he was content just watching her. Drinking in the view. ’Boy, enough!’ the old man begged: ’You’ve wasted enough time following that girl around like a lovesick puppy! You need to focus! We must get a rare monster core before the other disciples snatch them all up!’ But Lin Fan only hissed softly under his breath, keeping his voice low so Yue Yu wouldn’t hear. "Shut up, old man. I’ll have plenty of time to defeat whatever monster you throw me at." His tone was casual, dismissive—even arrogant. In Lin Fan’s mind, the world didn’t move unless he moved it. So what if he was a little late? Time bent for people like him. Monsters would line up in a neat row when he was ready to hunt them! The old man groaned louder this time, his spiritual form holding its head in both hands: ’Unbelievable... You really think the Heavens revolve around your timing, don’t you?’ Lin Fan grinned, not denying it. He clapped his hands together as a spark of realization struck: "Ah! Asking her where we’re going—that sounds like a good conversation starter!" Lin Fan’s eyes lit up with genuine excitement, as if he’d just discovered a heavenly secret art. He cleared his throat, straightened his posture slightly, and called out in what he hoped was a calm, confident voice: "Um, Yue Yu..." She glanced over her shoulder, her steps slowing slightly. "Yes?" Yue Yue replied sweetly, putting on a deliberately cute expression—head tilted, lashes fluttering just enough to make his heart seize. Lin Fan staggered in place, chest tightening as if an arrow had struck him clean through. ’Too cute!’ His brain practically rebooted, scrambling to function. "W-we’ve been walking for a while now," Lin Fan managed after a couple of seconds, his voice cracking slightly before he reined it in: "I was wondering... where exactly are we headed?" Yue Yu blinked, looking as though she was only just now considering the question. She turned forward again, resting a finger thoughtfully on her lips. "Hmm? Oh... I don’t know," Yue Yu said airily, giving a carefree shrug: "I’m just walking." Lin Fan nearly tripped. "You... you don’t know?" "Nope," Yue Yu said, humming a soft tune as she skipped ahead, completely unbothered: "I just felt like going this way. Why? Did you have a better idea?" Lin Fan stared blankly for a moment. "..." The old man, meanwhile, was spiritually slamming his forehead into an imaginary wall: ’You followed her for a full hour—and she doesn’t even know where she’s going! And you call me useless!?’ But Lin Fan only laughed to himself and tucked his hands behind his head. "It doesn’t matter," he said coolly. "As long as I’m with her, I’m on the right path." The old man wailed internally: ’We are so doomed.’ . . . "Here. Take this and dry off." Hei Long slipped off the outer layer of his robe and extended it forward. "..." Ji Yao sat slumped against the base of a tree, her breathing still uneven, her damp hair clinging to her cheeks and shoulders. She glanced up, her eyes flickering with a rare vulnerability. After a heartbeat of hesitation, Ji Yao accepted the robe with a soft nod. "...Thank you," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. She wrapped the robe around herself and began drying her soaked clothes and skin with slow, methodical movements. Her fingers trembled slightly, either from the cold or from the adrenaline still lingering in her veins. Hei Long turned his gaze away, stepping a short distance to the side to give her privacy. Though part of him ached to glance back—to make sure she was truly alright—he resisted the impulse. He didn’t want to stare, not when she was in such a state. Not when she deserved dignity and space. Still... if any man had dared to lay eyes on her right now, in this vulnerable moment— Hei Long knew without hesitation that he would kill them on the spot. There was no doubt in his heart. Fortunately, the forest around them remained silent, undisturbed. They were alone. Once Ji Yao had finished drying herself, she rose to her feet with grace. She crossed the short distance between them and lowered her head respectfully. "Words cannot express how much I am indebted to you for saving my life earlier..." Ji Yao said, her voice steadier now, though still tinged with quiet sincerity. Hei Long met her gaze only briefly before stepping forward and placing a hand gently on her shoulder. "Raise your head," he replied firmly, yet with warmth in his tone: "You owe me nothing. As a Saint, it was my duty. I couldn’t stand by and watch someone die in front of me—not while I still drew breath." "..." Ji Yao slowly lifted her head, her expression unreadable for a moment. But there was something new behind her eyes—something softer. The tension in her shoulders eased just slightly beneath his palm. "I still feel I must thank you," Ji Yao said: "Even if it was your duty... few would have acted so decisively. You risked yourself for me." Hei Long lowered his hand, letting it fall back to his side: "I’ve never been one to watch from the sidelines. And besides... if someone like you were to vanish from this world, it would be a loss too great." Ji Yao eyes widened slightly, surprised at the unexpected compliment. "...You’re quite different from everybody else," she said after a pause. Hei Long smirked faintly, brushing a strand of hair from his eyes as he turned slightly: "I’ll take that as a compliment." A comfortable silence settled between them. Then Hei Long cleared his throat and gestured forward: "We should keep moving. There should be a monster nearby for you to kill." Ji Yao nodded, clutching the robe that was given to her tightly around her: "........" For the first time in a long while, she felt the urge to speak— Not because someone was bothering her, but because, for once, it felt like someone might finally hear more than just her beauty.

Chapter 39: We Are So Doomed

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