Chapter 57
Lin Yao's plan quietly took shape in his mind.
He needed a "reasonable" reason to disappear, an opportunity that would allow him to break away from the team and get deeper into the core without causing Jhin to become overly suspicious.
His eyes were fixed on a twisted forest of dead trees in the distance, shrouded in a thick poisonous miasma.
The spiritual thread spread silently like an invisible tentacle, and accurately pierced the core of consciousness of a giant monster lurking in the shadows... It was a "Corrupted Bone Poison Toad King", its body was as big as a small hill, and its skin covered with poisonous pustules shone with a dark green luster. It was so powerful that even Jhin would find it difficult to deal with it with all his strength.
Lin Yao did not try to control it, but simply implanted a strong "hostility" and "hunger" signal pointing in the direction of the exploration team deep in its violent consciousness, and cleverly interfered with its perception of the surrounding environment, making it ignore the existence of Lin Yao's spiritual thread.
"roar--!!!"
A deafening roar, filled with boundless brutality and a corrosive, sinister stench, erupted. The Poison Toad King's massive body burst forth from the poisonous miasma like a cannonball.
The scarlet eyes locked onto the team, and the giant mouth covered in mucus opened, spewing out a dark green breath of venom that was highly corrosive and had a mental impact, pouring down like a waterfall.
"Be alert! Highest alert!" A team member who first discovered its existence turned pale with horror and quickly shouted a warning.
"It's the Poison Toad King! An SS-level polluting beast!" The team members' faces turned pale in an instant.
Jhin's red eyes instantly ignited with fighting intent. He stepped forward without hesitation, SS-level destructive energy condensing in his palm, blazing like a miniature sun. He had to block this attack!
"Leave it to me!"
Jhin roared and thrust out his hands suddenly, and a red beam of light condensed to the extreme rushed towards the terrifying venom waterfall.
Boom——!!!
Two destructive forces collided violently in mid-air. Dazzling light and a violent energy shockwave spread instantly. The ground shook violently, and bones shattered and flew everywhere. The team members, each holding up their shields, were pushed back repeatedly by the shockwave, their faces filled with horror.
Jhin gritted his teeth, unleashing his full power. While his destructive energy was overwhelming, the Toxic Toad King's venomous breath, with its intensely corrosive and viscous properties, was slowly eroding his energy barrier. He needed to be even more focused, without even a moment's distraction.
Just when the energy collision was most intense and everyone's attention was drawn to the life-and-death duel in mid-air, the poisonous toad king that was secretly "guided" by Lin Yao suddenly swung its huge body violently under the violent impact.
The huge tail, like a battering ram and covered with poisonous bone spurs, screamed and tore through the air. At an angle that seemed extremely coincidental, but was actually accurately predicted and guided by Lin Yao's spiritual thread, it swept towards Lin Yao, who was standing on the edge of the battlefield and seemed to have been forgotten.
The timing, the angle, the power... perfect!
"Be careful--!" A team member caught a glimpse of it and screamed!
But it was too late.
Lin Yao seemed to be "unable to react in time" and only had time to make a symbolic blocking gesture by raising his hand before he was hit hard by the huge tail containing terrifying power.
BANG!!!
A dull thud!
Lin Yao's body was like a kite with its string cut, being hurled away by the overwhelming force. He drew a terrifying arc and plummeted precisely towards the bottomless abyss not far away, filled with a thick, deadly aura.
"Forest--!"
While fighting the venomous breath, Jhin caught a glimpse of the Toad King, his red eyes instantly widening with rage. He wanted to rescue him, but the pressure from the Toad King prevented him from being distracted.
And at the moment when Lin Yao's figure flew towards the cliff, Lu Cheng's pupils suddenly contracted to the extreme.
That figure... the figure flying towards the abyss... instantly overlapped with a nightmarish scene deep in his memory.
E-427 copy! Energy turbulence! The "Lin Yao" he thought he loved deeply was being swallowed up by the violent energy bit by bit before his eyes and disappeared!
At that time, the excruciating pain that tore through his heart and lungs, the boundless darkness, and the mad despair that threatened to destroy the world... instantly drowned him like a tsunami!
"No--!!!"
A heart-wrenching roar erupted from the depths of Lu Cheng's throat. It wasn't anger, but rather a deep, unbearable fear of losing again. All reason, all hatred, all struggle vanished in that moment.
The body reacts before the mind does.
Faster! Faster!
Lightning exploded beneath Lu Cheng's feet, and his figure transformed into a streak of purple lightning that ripped through the air. He rushed towards the edge of the cliff at a speed beyond his limit, recklessly rushing towards it. Under the horrified gaze of everyone, he leaped towards Lin Yao's falling figure like a moth to a flame.
Time seemed to be stretched out.
Lu Cheng stretched his arms in the air, his eyes focused only on the rapidly falling silver-haired figure.
The wind whistled in his ears and the feeling of weightlessness enveloped his whole body, but he had only one thought in his mind - catch him!
finally!
Before falling into the heart-pounding abyss below, which was swirling with gray-green poisonous miasma, Lu Cheng's arms tightly and desperately wrapped around Lin Yao's waist.
The immense force of the impact sent the two spinning violently in mid-air, causing them to collide. Lu Cheng used all his strength to hold Lin Yao tightly in his arms, using his back to bear most of the impact of the fall.
Plop!!!
The freezing water instantly submerged them.
Beneath the cliff, there wasn't solid rock, but a bottomless, cold pool. The water was as black as ink, emitting a biting chill and a faint, sickening odor of decay that seemed to freeze the soul.
The biting cold was like countless steel needles, instantly piercing Lu Cheng's skin and bone marrow. He choked on a mouthful of water, the icy water, highly corrosive, burning his respiratory tract.
But he didn't care about these. His arms were still holding Lin Yao tightly in his arms like iron hoops, and he kicked the water desperately, trying to float to the surface.
Cold! Dark! Suffocating!
Lu Cheng struggled with all his might to float upwards. The body in his arms was cold and soft, unresponsive. This realization made his heart feel like it was being gripped by an invisible hand, and fear nearly consumed him.
"Yaoyao...Yaoyao!" A cry filled with endless panic and trembling uncontrollably flowed out from Lu Cheng's lips that were frozen purple.
"Yao Yao"!
This nickname, like a forbidden spell, was the affectionate and possessive nickname he bestowed upon the person in his arms during that carefully woven false love.
After the truth was revealed, this name became a shameful scar that he sealed tightly and never called out again.
But at this moment, looking at Lin Yao's eyes closed, his face pale without a trace of blood, and feeling his body as cold as if without life, the huge panic completely broke down Lu Cheng's defenses.
What deception, what hatred, what dignity... none of them mattered anymore! He only knew that he couldn't let him die!
“Cough… cough cough…”
Lu Cheng finally struggled to the surface, holding Lin Yao. The icy air pierced his lungs, bringing a sharp pain like a knife. He couldn't care less about himself, but stumbled and dragged Lin Yao onto the slippery, cold rocks at the edge of the cold pool.
Lin Yao lay there lifeless, his silver hair sticking wetly to his pale cheeks, his lips were purple, and his chest was motionless.
"Yaoyao! Wake up! Lin Yao!!"
Lu Cheng's voice was tearful, and he used his trembling hands to check Lin Yao's breathing - so weak that it was almost imperceptible.
The overwhelming fear was like a bucket of ice water pouring down his head! Lu Cheng was completely panicked!
He suddenly knelt beside Lin Yao, folded his hands, and pressed Lin Yao's chest with all his strength. The cold water dripped down his tense jaw, mixed with something that he couldn't tell whether it was water or tears.
"Wake up! Wake up! Bastard!" He pressed and growled incoherently, and each press was filled with desperate power.
After a few times, he pinched Lin Yao's chin without hesitation, took a deep breath, leaned down, and passed the breath with his body temperature to him. His movements were clumsy and urgent, with a kind of desperate determination!
Once, twice, three times...
Lu Cheng's heartbeat was like a drum. Every compression and breath was like a race with death. The huge panic and despair almost tore him apart.
He didn't even notice that when he leaned over again to breathe...
A slightly cool hand, with a slightly weak feeling, gently pressed against his chest, pushing him slightly away.
Then, a weak voice with obvious joking tone sounded:
"Ahem... stop pressing... if you press any further... you're going to break my ribs..."
Lu Cheng's body froze instantly!
He looked up suddenly—
Lin Yao had opened his eyes at some point. His azure eyes, though still a little watery and tired, were clear and bright. How could he possibly be near death?
He was lying on the cold rock, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, looking at him with an almost lazy, relaxed smile that seemed to show that he was in control of everything.
"You..." Lu Cheng's mind went blank. The huge shock made him unable to react for a moment.
Lin Yao looked at his dazed expression, the smile on his lips deepened, with a hint of mischief: "Why? Are you concerned about me?"
Lu Cheng snapped back to his senses! A huge feeling of shame and anger instantly replaced the panic he had just felt.
He realized what he had just done—he had called out that forbidden nickname! He had given her mouth mouth-to-mouth resuscitation! And he had acted like... like a frightened fool!
“No…no!”
Lu Cheng jumped back as if scalded, his cheeks flushing crimson. His voice rose in shame and anger, his voice tough but trying to hide it, "That's not the case at all! Who cares about you? I'm just worried that if you die, there'll be no one to lead the way out."
"Oh?" Lin Yao raised his eyebrows and sat up slowly. His wet combat uniform clung to his lean body, outlining smooth lines.
He raised his hand and casually smoothed the damp silver hair across his forehead, his movements carrying a nonchalant elegance. "It's okay to admit it."
He raised his eyes, a cunning light flashing in his blue eyes, and deliberately dragged out his tone, "After all, I am so... popular. Isn't it normal for people to like me?"
Popular?!
Lu Cheng's mind instantly flashed through Jin's ardent, dependent look at Lin Yao, Qin Feng's possible covetousness, and the resource transaction that Qin Mu and his father had conducted... A strong sense of bitterness and anger suddenly rushed to his head!
"You sound quite proud?" Lu Cheng's voice was almost squeezed out from between his teeth, with a strong sense of sarcasm and uncontrollable jealousy.
Lin Yao nodded as a matter of course, even showing an innocent and charming smile: "Being popular is an advantage, of course I should be proud of it."
He seemed to have completely ignored Lu Cheng's eyes that were about to spit fire.
"You...!" Lu Cheng's chest heaved with rage, but he couldn't find any words to refute. He felt so frustrated! He felt like a balloon about to explode!
Lin Yao had had enough of Lu Cheng's angry, anxious, and frustrated look, and seemed satisfied.
He stood up, propping himself up against the cold rock. His movements were still a little unsteady, but his posture remained calm. He looked up at the clifftop, towering into the clouds, shrouded in a poisonous miasma. He could still faintly hear the sounds of fierce fighting and the roar of energy colliding above.
"Well, the battle up there doesn't seem to be over yet."
Lin Yao spoke in a relaxed tone, as if discussing the weather. "Perhaps... I could go up now and discuss the issue of 'popularity' with that SS-level psychic who's fighting so hard? And let him know I'm safe, too?"
As he spoke, his fingertips moved slightly, and invisible spiritual threads began to condense, obviously intending to "fly" directly up.
"etc!"
Lu Cheng's heart suddenly sank! Almost without thinking, he grabbed Lin Yao's wrist. The force was so great that Lin Yao frowned slightly.
Lin Yao stopped and turned around. His azure eyes looked at him calmly, with a hint of inquiry: "Hmm?"
Lu Cheng felt flustered when he looked at him, and his fingers that were holding Lin Yao's wrist tightened subconsciously, but then loosened slightly as if they were burned.
He opened his mouth, but his throat seemed blocked, and he couldn't utter a single word. The panic and loss of composure at the edge of the cold pond were still fresh in his mind, and the word "Yaoyao" that had slipped out of his mouth echoed in his ears like a curse.
How could he… How could he let Lin Yao go up to see Jin like this? Just thinking about the surprise Jin would have when he saw Lin Yao was safe and sound, thinking about that controlling, damn charming smile Lin Yao would give Jin… He felt like his chest was about to explode!
After a long while, in the suffocating silence and under Lin Yao's all-seeing gaze, Lu Cheng seemed to have exhausted all his strength. With great difficulty, he squeezed out two words from between his teeth in a voice as thin as a mosquito's.
"Don't...don't go."
"Hmm?" Lin Yao tilted his head slightly, and the water droplets on his silver hair slid down the side of his neck. He deliberately leaned in closer, a malicious light flashing in his blue eyes. "Did you say anything? I didn't hear clearly."
Lu Cheng's face instantly flushed red, practically dripping blood. Shame and anger, coupled with a desperate urge to throw himself out, raced through him. He jerked his head back, as if he'd given up, his voice rising sharply, a roar of near-despair.
"I said don't go! Do you hear me?! Don't go see him!!"
Lin Yao remained unmoved, even folding his arms leisurely, a hint of a smile on his lips: "Why?"
"Why?! You ask me why?!"
Lu Cheng was completely ignited by Lin Yao's knowing question. The long-suppressed jealousy, frustration, anger, and that damned, uncontrollable concern erupted like a volcano.
He took a step forward, almost bumping into Lin Yao, staring at him with his red eyes, and roared in a tone that was almost desperate and desperate.
"Because I like you! Okay?! I fucking like you! I don't want you to see that guy! I don't want to see you look at him! I don't want to see him smile at you! Is that okay?! Are you satisfied?!"
The roar echoed in the cold pond, carrying an echo of despair.
After yelling, Lu Cheng seemed to have been drained of all his strength. His chest heaved violently, his eyes were stubborn yet with a hint of imperceptible fragility. He stared at Lin Yao intently, as if waiting for the final judgment.
However, the expected ridicule, sneer or cold rejection did not appear.
The smile on Lin Yao's face was like the melting ice in early spring, spreading out bit by bit and very clearly.
The smile grew wider, revealing even his white teeth. His azure eyes curved into delighted crescents, filled with undisguised pride and satisfaction, like a cat that had successfully stolen something.
He nodded slightly, his voice filled with a lazy, satisfied tone.
"Hmm." He seemed to be savoring the most delicious fruit in the world. "Satisfied, very satisfied."
He took a step forward, closing the distance between him and Lu Cheng. He could almost feel the other's hot breath from excitement. He looked up at Lu Cheng's eyes filled with shock, shame, and a hint of confusion, and declared clearly, word by word.
"I am very satisfied with this answer."
The roar of battle could be heard faintly from the clifftop, and the water vapor from the cold pond was icy cold.
But in this small world, the air seemed to be ignited by Lu Cheng's desperate confession, becoming hot and sticky.
Lin Yao's smile, like a flag of victory, fluttered in Lu Cheng's chaotic world.
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