"It... is calling me."

Xie Chen's low, husky voice mingled with the deafening cheers of the stadium, sending a chill down Su Nian's spine like a current of electricity. The joy of victory was instantly extinguished by this coldness, and she gripped his cold, sweaty hand tightly in return, her grip firm.

"Let's get out of here first." Su Nian lowered her voice, her gaze sweeping warily over the dimly lit audience seats below, which resembled a bottomless abyss. The spotlights were too dazzling, making the audience seem even more eerie and unpredictable.

Xie Chen closed his eyes, forcibly suppressing the palpitations and repulsion deep within his soul caused by the unfamiliar resonance, and let Su Nian lead him, following the team members backstage. His steps remained steady, but only Su Nian, who was close to him, could feel that the muscles in his body were taut like a fully drawn bowstring.

Back in the noisy yet relatively enclosed backstage lounge, isolated from the outside hustle and bustle, Xie Chen felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted. He leaned against the wall, slightly exhausted, panting softly, with a fine layer of cold sweat on his forehead.

"Brother Chen, are you alright? You look so pale." Fatty Monkey came over and asked worriedly. It's so unusual for him to look like this after winning the game.

"It's nothing, I'm just a little tired," Xie Chen replied in a hoarse voice, but his eyes unconsciously followed Su Nian's figure until she walked up to him with a bottle of water. Only then did he seem to find his anchor point, and his gaze was firmly locked on her.

Su Nian handed him the water and gave a reassuring smile to the teammates and staff who gathered around: "He might have low blood sugar, plus he was too focused during the competition. He'll be fine after a rest." She naturally turned to the side, blocking most of the probing gazes directed at Xie Chen.

Seeing this, Manager Wang felt that Xie Chen's reaction was a bit strange, but the good start and Su Nian's steady handling made him feel great, so he waved his hand and said, "Alright, alright, stop crowding around! Let Shen rest well! Get ready, there's a group interview later."

After everyone left, only the two of them remained in the corner of the lounge.

Xie Chen didn't drink the water; he just kept unscrewing and screwing the bottle cap back on, revealing his inner anxiety. He looked up at Su Nian, his eyes filled with lingering fear and a hint of confusion: "Nian Nian, just now... that wasn't an illusion." His voice was low, with an urgent need for confirmation, "Something... was trying to connect with my... power."

He couldn't quite describe the feeling; it was as if an invisible, cold thread had pierced through the bustling crowd and bright lights, precisely plucked at the celestial string within his soul, and gently tugged at it. It brought not comfort, but a nauseating feeling of being desecrated and spied upon, and an… irresistible pull from the same source.

Su Nianxin's heart sank. Sure enough! The methods of "Star Remains" were more bizarre than she had imagined; they seemed to be able to directly target the source power of Xie Chen's soul fragments. This was no longer simple surveillance or sabotage, but a more fundamental interference and... seduction?

"Don't be afraid." Su Nian held his slightly trembling hand, transforming her own Ice Soul Power into the gentlest breath, which slowly flowed through their skin, like a clear spring flowing over scorched earth, trying to soothe the restlessness of his power. "With me here, it won't affect you."

The cool touch had a strange, soothing effect on his soul, and Xie Chen's tense nerves relaxed slightly. He gripped Su Nian's hand even tighter, as if it were his only piece of driftwood in the turbulent undercurrents. He rested his forehead on her shoulder, like a child seeking shelter, and whispered in a muffled voice, "Mmm. It's good that you're here."

During the subsequent group interview and follow-up activities, Xie Chen appeared somewhat distracted. Although he maintained a facade of composure and answered questions concisely, his gaze would frequently drift towards Su Nian, or sweep across the crowd and corners with an almost imperceptible sharpness. Only when he was close to Su Nian, feeling the warmth of her hand and the faint aura of the icy lotus, could he forcibly suppress the unease deep within his eyes.

Su Nian played the role of the perfect partner, poised and graceful, handling situations with tact and skillfully taking on questions Xie Chen didn't want to answer, while subtly keeping everyone who got too close to him at the same time. She was like a silent barrier, blocking out any possible prying eyes and interference from the outside world.

It was late at night when we got back to the base.

The initial excitement of winning the match gradually subsided, especially after defeating Lin Qi's team, tG. The players could finally hold their heads high, and a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere filled the training base. Manager Wang generously ordered a lavish late-night snack to reward everyone.

The restaurant was bustling with activity, but Xie Chen had little appetite. He ate only a few bites before using the excuse of being "tired" to pull Su Nian away from the noisy restaurant.

He didn't go back to his own room, but followed Su Nian into her room step by step. As soon as the door closed, the noise of the outside world was shut out, leaving only the two of them breathing softly.

Xie Chen didn't turn on the lights. Using the neon lights of the city shining through the window, he walked to the window and silently watched the endless stream of car lights below. His back looked somewhat lonely and tense in the dim light.

Su Nian didn't disturb him; she simply walked over quietly and stood beside him.

“That feeling… is very familiar.” After a long while, Xie Chen suddenly spoke, his voice exceptionally clear in the quiet room, tinged with a hint of confusion, “It’s like I’ve felt it somewhere before… a long time ago.”

Su Nian's heart skipped a beat, and she tentatively asked in a soft voice, "Is it... like the feeling in those 'worlds' we've experienced before?"

Xie Chen's body stiffened almost imperceptibly. He turned his head, and in the dim light, his eyes were as deep as an ancient well, churning with complex and unfathomable emotions. His memories of other "worlds" were fragmented and blurry, as if veiled by a thick fog, but certain intense feelings were imprinted deep within his soul.

“…It’s somewhat similar, but not quite the same.” He carefully chose his words, his brow furrowed. “It’s colder, more…predatory.” He raised his hand and unconsciously pressed it against his chest, where the power of the stars converged. “It wants…to pull it away.”

This realization filled him with a strange panic, as if the most important part of his body was about to be torn away. He turned around abruptly and hugged Su Nian tightly in his arms with astonishing force, his voice trembling slightly: "Nian Nian, don't leave me. No matter what happens, don't leave me."

His unease reached its peak at this moment. The unknown threat and the uncontrollable resonance within his body intensified his fear of "losing" Su Nian. This fear surpassed everything else, even temporarily overshadowing his investigation into that strange call.

Su Nian was struggling to breathe from his grip, yet she could clearly feel his rapid heartbeat and the drowning panic emanating from the depths of his soul. She raised her hand and gently patted his back, like soothing a frightened wild animal.

“I will not leave.” Her voice was calm and firm, carrying a comforting power. “I said we would win the championship together. Until then, no one can separate us.” Including that elusive “Star Remains”.

In the following days, Team NF swept through the competition, winning one match after another. The reputation of the "Silent" duo grew louder and louder, and their almost telepathic chemistry became a unique sight in the league, attracting countless fans.

However, Su Nian and Xie Chen did not let their guard down.

Su Nian instructed 088 to increase surveillance efforts on the network and within the base, attempting to find any clues related to "Star Remains." At the same time, she was constantly trying to figure out how to more effectively utilize the power of Ice Soul in this world governed by strict rules, not just for the game, but also to deal with potential threats beyond reality.

She discovered that while she couldn't directly cast ice spells, condensing the power of ice essence to an extreme degree and attaching it to her fingertips or weapons (like a mouse?) could unleash incredibly high precision and stability in an instant, and even produce a faint effect that interferes with electronic signals or low-level energy. This might... be a breakthrough.

Xie Chen seemed to be silently battling the restless power within him. He trained even harder, as if trying to use high-intensity matches and operations to consume, or rather "tame," the stellar power that occasionally tried to break free of his control. He also spent more time with Su Nian, almost inseparable from her. During training, meals, and even when Su Nian went to the restroom, he would wait at the door, as if only when she was within his sight could he confirm that she was safe and truly present.

This extreme dependence sometimes made Su Nian feel pressured, but more often, it was a heavy feeling of being completely trusted and needed. She began to actively adjust her rhythm to adapt to him, gently holding his hand when he was anxious, handing him a glass of warm water when he was tired from training, and staying by his side until he fell asleep again when he was awakened by nightmares at night (although he didn't say it, Su Nian could feel the momentary fear through the connection).

Their relationship subtly changed as they faced pressure and threats together. The initial task-oriented calculations diminished, replaced by genuine care and protection.

On this day, NF was about to face a tough battle against a strong team that also boasted a top-tier bot lane duo. The night before the match, Xie Chen was unusually silent.

Late at night, just as Su Nian was about to go to sleep, there was a gentle knock on her door.

She opened the door, and Xie Chen stood outside in his pajamas, his hair still damp, as if he had just taken a shower. He was holding his pillow, his eyes slightly unfocused, a barely perceptible blush on his ears, and his voice was as low as a mosquito's buzz:

"...Could I sleep here tonight?"

He paused, as if afraid of being rejected, then quickly added, "I'll sleep on the floor."

Looking at his rare display of vulnerability, so pitiful and fragile, where was the slightest trace of his "wolf king" majesty? Su Nian felt as if her heart had been gently tickled by a feather, and she felt utterly melted.

She stepped aside to clear the doorway, her tone tinged with a helpless indulgence: "Come in. The bed is big enough."

Xie Chen's eyes lit up instantly, as if they were filled with stars. He grabbed his pillow and practically leaped into the room, his movements incredibly agile.

In the end, he didn't sleep on the floor, but carefully lay down on the other side of the bed, keeping a polite distance from Su Nian. But not long after, in Su Nian's half-awake state, she felt a warm body carefully approach her, arms gently encircling her waist, then burying his face in the crook of her neck, taking a deep breath, and letting out a satisfied sigh, like that of a young animal.

Su Nian didn't move, letting him hold her. His embrace was warm and reassuring, carrying the fresh scent of a recent bath, and a unique fragrance that reassured her and belonged only to Xie Chen.

In the darkness, she could hear his breathing gradually become steady and long, and feel his tense body completely relax. The connection between their souls no longer brought restless fluctuations, but a sense of tranquility and dependence, like returning to a safe harbor.

It seems he should be able to get a good night's sleep tonight.

Su Nian gradually drifted off to sleep.

After an unknown amount of time, in the deepest part of the night, the starry ice and snow brooch around Su Nian's neck, which had been silent all along, once again emitted an extremely faint but absolutely not negligible stinging sensation!

Meanwhile, Xie Chen, still asleep, unconsciously furrowed his brows, his body tensed slightly, and a muffled, painful moan escaped his throat.

Su Nian woke up instantly!

She suddenly looked towards the window—there, in the night sky outside the window, which was originally covered by curtains, an unusually bright "star" flashing with an ominous red light was projecting an extremely fine, almost imperceptible red spot of light precisely onto Xie Chen's brow through the gap in the curtains!

The light spot was like a living thing, trying to slowly penetrate in!

Xie Chen seemed to be trapped in some kind of nightmare, completely unaware of it, and instinctively hugged Su Nian even tighter, as if resisting an invisible attack.

Su Nian's pupils contracted sharply, and the power of the Ice Soul instantly condensed at her fingertips!

(End of Chapter 93)