Chapter 28
The little tentacle said to just wait, so Xie Xubai sat down to the side and waited quietly, watching the bowl-sized shadow on the table.
But after seven or eight minutes, the demonstration video explaining ballroom dancing on the computer was coming to an end, and Lu Xiangcai also sent a message saying that he had found a dance teacher and he would immediately arrange for a helicopter to bring the person over.
There was still no movement from the little tentacles.
Xie Xubai replied with an "okay," then frowned slightly, glancing at the shadowy aura emanating from the darkness, looking somewhat worried.
Is something bad going to happen?
Just then, a pitch-black tentacle slowly emerged from the shadows.
The shadow, which was originally only the size of a bowl, suddenly expanded many times over, and in the blink of an eye, it occupied a quarter of the living room space.
It is like a small, dark lake, deep and still, with tiny ripples spreading out in the wind.
The tentacle stretched out its body, its sucker-covered abdomen facing upwards, like a person gracefully extending their hand in an invitation.
Xie Xubai tentatively touched it, and heard the urgent voice of the small tentacle ring in his mind.
Bye-bye!
The little tentacle stopped after making a sound; it's unclear whether it was waiting for him.
Xie Xubai sensed something was amiss, and his brows furrowed even more.
He squeezed the tentacle; it felt exactly like the small tentacle. After a moment's hesitation, he turned back and instructed Ping An and the others, "I'll be leaving for a bit. If the guests that Lü Xiangcai invited arrive, please entertain them for me."
Seeing the little ones nod, Xie Xubai sent another message to Lü Xiangcai, explaining the situation he was facing.
Two minutes later, Lü Xiangcai still hadn't replied to the message.
Wisps of moisture filled the air.
It was damp, cold, and sticky.
The temperature dropped several degrees without us realizing it, making our skin feel cool.
Xie Xubai looked at the dark tentacles that were quietly waiting for him again, and grabbed them.
The moment the tentacle was grasped in his palm, a bone-chilling coldness spread through Xie Xubai's entire body like an electric current!
At the same time, the shadow came to life, surging violently like ocean waves, completely enveloping him.
Xie Xubai couldn't help but shiver, his face turning white from the cold.
But instead of letting go, his eyes sharpened, and he gripped the tentacle even tighter and more firmly, letting it lead him into the deep, unknown dark lake.
After he completely disappeared, the dog, which had been sitting obediently like a statue, blinked and blinked again.
Looking at the empty living room and smelling the damp, cold air, the dog seemed to suddenly realize something. Its pupils contracted, and it barked wildly in the direction where Xie Xubai's presence had disappeared.
"Roar! Roar!!"
The chat box on Xie Xubai's phone screen, which had been completely still, suddenly seemed to have its play button pressed. More than twenty messages popped up in half a second, and the notification sound rang out as sharply as an alarm!
Lü Xiangcai: [? ? ? ? ? ? ]
Lü Xiangcai: [Don't go!]
Lü Xiangcai: [Xie Xubai, did you see that? Don't go!!!]
...
On the other side, Xie Xubai felt as if he had fallen into the deep sea a thousand meters below. The cold, salty seawater seeped into his skin, and his thoughts became heavier and heavier under the pressure of the water. It was dark and quiet all around, and not a sound could be heard.
His body was like a small boat, drifting on the water, floating and sinking. Looking up, he could only see the distant sea above him, bathed in pale, hazy moonlight.
This state did not last long. A thick tentacle grabbed Xie Xubai by the waist and brought him to the surface of the sea.
The moment he broke through the water, Xie Xubai's drowsy mind suddenly cleared, and his unfocused pupils suddenly focused.
Memories from birth to the present, my understanding of the world and myself, all rushed back into my mind like a storm!
This feeling was unpleasant, even more intense than his first awakening. Xie Xubai felt an indescribable dizziness and nausea, and couldn't help but cover his mouth, coughing violently.
"Cough cough cough! Cough cough..."
[You wicked person! I told you to call Xiao Er out to help Bai Bai, not to bully him! What are you doing?]
Seeing this, the little tentacles were furious. They wrapped around Yan Shuo's wrist and tried to crush his arm.
Yan Shuo's skin was reddened by the suction cups, and the suction cups had created shocking wrinkles, but he seemed to feel no pain. He expressionlessly tore off the small tentacle and stared at it coldly.
He felt that he had been too indulgent towards this detached body lately.
Putting everything else aside, is a domain (the shadow that acts as a portal) something that can be casually left outside?
Since the little tentacle usually carried the domain around and never caused any trouble, he didn't discipline it.
But just now, the little tentacle got carried away and left its domain alone next to a human.
A domain under the control of the master is harmless as long as no attack is initiated.
The area where the monster is placed will inherit its greedy nature, spontaneously encroaching on the surrounding area and infinitely expanding its territory.
Before Xie Xubai decided to go with him, the A-level Ghost King had already been affected by the domain and became dull and listless.
If Xie Xubai had been a step later in grabbing his "hand," then Yan Shuo would have unceremoniously dragged the young man into the Sea of Immaculate Purity, thereby cleansing the dark aura from the young man's body to prevent the birth of another Ghost King.
The little tentacles, oblivious to the danger they posed, continued their incessant babbling. I was so angry I wanted to bite a piece of their flesh off: [Say something, you bastard!]
This is the monster's ignorance and inherent flaws.
They like to act on impulse, but they never realize how much damage their unintentional little actions can cause to ordinary humans.
As Yan Shuo listened to its incessant chatter, a violent and melancholic emotion welled up from the bottom of his heart. He pinched the small tentacle's body and slowly tightened his grip.
The nature revealed by his physical body was also the nature he forcibly suppressed. He could not bear the trouble caused by his body, which forced him to confront his own wickedness, leading to self-loathing, disgust, and a desire to destroy something.
It was at this moment that Xie Xubai finally caught his breath.
He looked up at the humanoid silhouette shrouded in shadow, its outline blurred and indistinct. He could almost see the small tentacles writhing and struggling in the other's hand. His actions were faster than his thoughts; he grabbed Yan Shuo and said, "Please wait! I asked Xiao Yi to come and ask for your help. If you feel offended, please calm down!"
The fingers with distinct knuckles were like slender white jade locks, encircling Yan Shuo's wrist.
Powerful and resolute.
Just like when she noticed something amiss earlier, and gripped the tentacles even tighter.
Yan Shuo's movements inevitably paused, and he frowned as he looked at Xie Xubai, whose face was full of anxiety.
A young person's actions can reveal a lot.
For example, the other party had already realized that the dark tentacles that had been exposed earlier were not Xiao Yi, but he still chose to jump into the domain without hesitation.
For example, the other party knows the danger they pose, yet still chooses to approach without hesitation, all for the sake of this little monster in their hands that almost caused a terrible disaster.
The moonlight enveloped the earth, casting a hazy, soft glow over this desolate space.
In the distance, the sea surged endlessly, waves crashing against the shore, splashing white foam under the moonlight, their sound deep and melodious.
Xie Xubai's feet sank into the soft sand as he stared intently at Yan Shuo.
His face was still damp with seawater, and tiny, glistening droplets clung to his long, narrow eyelashes like beads adorning a painting. His clear, resolute eyes reflected the pale moonlight, shining brightly at that moment.
Yan Shuo's eyelids trembled almost imperceptibly, and his fingers, which were tightly gripping the small tentacle, loosened slightly.
He asked, "Since you know there's someone else behind the darkness, why did you still choose to come with me? Aren't you afraid I'll kill you?"
Hearing that his tone was relatively gentle, Xie Xubai's tense heart relaxed slightly, and he shook his head to explain, "If you really had any ill intentions towards me, then I would have died the moment you appeared."
"Besides, I believe that since you were able to raise such a well-behaved and sensible child as Xiao Yi, you must not be a bad person."
Yes, the moment Xie Xubai touched Yan Shuo's tentacles, he realized that Lü Xiangcai was not the true form of the small tentacles.
As for who the real person was, he had just formed a vague guess when his head started to ache uncontrollably, so intensely that it felt like he could faint on the spot, forcing him to immediately stop his speculation.
Upon hearing Xie Xubai's assessment of the little tentacles, Yan Shuo tilted his head.
He didn't want Xie Xubai to see his true self, so he was always shrouded in shadow.
At this moment, his left hand trembled, and the shadow above receded, revealing a small tentacle that was still frantically "biting" him.
The skin was shockingly red, almost chafed raw by the suction cups.
Yan Shuo scoffed, "Well-behaved? Sensible?"
Xie Xubai: "..."
He paused for a moment, then hesitantly called out, "Xiao Yi."
Upon hearing the familiar call, the little tentacle paused for a moment, then vanished in the blink of an eye, flying from Yan Shuo's palm to Xie Xubai's front, where it snapped and wrapped around the young man's slender wrist.
It gently tapped Xie Xubai with its pointed tip, its voice obedient yet muffled, full of apology.
[Bai Bai, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked that jerk for help. Are you still upset?]
One tentacle, two faces; double standards blatantly obvious.
As if sensing Yan Shuo's death stare at the small tentacle, Xie Xubai was startled and quickly chose his words to lighten the tense atmosphere: "Perhaps there's some misunderstanding between the two of you..."
He suddenly realized what was happening and said to the little tentacle, "I'm fine, I don't feel unwell, and I'm in good condition."
This is no lie. Xie Xubai was somewhat tired after a day of classes, but now he felt no discomfort at all and was full of energy.
This was an unexpected surprise for Xie Xubai, meaning he would have more energy to learn ballroom dancing. He couldn't help but look at Yan Shuo and ask, "Are you helping me?"
That was an added effect after soaking in the Sea of Immaculate Beauty; Yan Shuo himself didn't have that kind of heart.
But the next second, Xie Xubai pinched the little tentacle and coaxed it, "So, did Xiao Yi misunderstand your guardian just now? He didn't mean to hurt me; on the contrary, he helped me a lot."
The small tentacle was gently pinched several times by the young man. Understanding his meaning, it reluctantly apologized: "I'm sorry, okay?"
Yan Shuo didn't care what attitude this detached body had towards him.
But seeing the unruly little thing forced to restrain its ferocity, looking resentful and unwilling but having no choice but to endure, he subconsciously raised his eyebrows and accepted the young man's explanation.
The little tentacle could certainly sense his subtle change in mood, and for a moment, its suction cups itched with anger: "I don't want to trouble you, you just need to wake up Xiao Er for me..."
It really wanted to help the human it liked, and was even willing to soften its tone and plead with the annoyed Yan Shuo: "Please? Please."
Seeing the usually flamboyant little tentacle humble itself for his sake, Xie Xubai couldn't help but feel sorry for it. He then sincerely said, "It has nothing to do with the child. This is my personal request. If you are willing to help, I will pay you a reward to repay your generosity. As long as I can afford the reward, I will do anything. If you feel troubled or there is any inconvenience, I will think of another way."
Yan Shuo remained silent.
He met Xie Xubai's sincere gaze; this human had eyes that were irresistible.
But how should he answer the other party that there is no such thing as a waiter?
The small tentacle was the only fragment of the body that detached from the main body; it was a complete accident.
The existence of so-called mistresses, such as the second, third, and fourth, is most likely just a figment of its imagination, created out of loneliness.
But he didn't seriously consider what he would look like as the main body if all eight tentacles were gone.
The two, one big and one small, were unaware of the truth and were still staring at him.
The smaller one, lacking eyes, can be ignored. But the larger one has eyes that are gentle and warm, silent yet full of expectation, brimming with the bright moonlight.
Yan Shuo closed his eyes.
The shadow spread out from him, seized the small tentacle again, and tossed it aside despite its protests.
Xie Xubai was startled and reached out to pull the small tentacle back, but his hand was enveloped by the shadow.
Five strong, slender fingers branched out from the two ends of the shadow, threading through the youth's fingers and tightly interlocking with his palm.
“It doesn’t know human dance.” The man’s deep and magnetic voice rang in Xie Xubai’s ear. “I will only teach it once.”
They're too close.
Xie Xubai couldn't help but tense his muscles and hold his breath. He had never been so close to anyone before, and subconsciously felt a sense of resistance.
But as perceptive as he was, he suddenly noticed a subtle emotion emanating from various parts of Yan Shuo's body.
This feeling unexpectedly made Xie Xubai realize that Yan Shuo was human-like, and he looked at the other party suspiciously.
At the same time, a large shadow enveloped Xie Xubai's body, devoid of any emotion or romantic feeling, simply transforming him into an auxiliary machine that conformed to his joints and limbs.
If Xie Xubai makes a mistake, the shadow will pat him in the corresponding spot to remind him to return to the correct posture.
Xie Xubai composed himself.
Since the other party was teaching so diligently, he had no reason to be coy. In a flash, he adjusted his mindset and focused on learning Yan Shuo's dance steps.
It was quite a coincidence.
The few minutes Xie Xubai spent waiting for the little tentacles were only enough time to watch a demonstration video of a ballroom dance.
Coincidentally, this is the dance that Yan Shuo is currently teaching—the waltz, also known as the waltz dance.
As a type of ballroom dance, it is quite challenging. Its style is dignified, elegant, and visually stunning.
Its characteristic is its undulating rhythm, like a vast ocean with ever-changing tides.
Despite having limited time, Xie Xubai should have chosen the easier ones to learn, but somehow he clicked on a waltz video first, and thus, by some strange twist of fate, he had already mentally rehearsed the dance steps.
At this moment, he focused, following Yan Shuo's movements as he lifted his feet and spun around.
Knowing his own limitations, he approached everything with a serious attitude, determined to learn something from everything.
For example, at this moment, Xie Xubai was not entirely relying on Yan Shuo's guidance and the coordination of the shadows, but was constantly adjusting his posture, trying to match the content of the video with the real teaching, and trying to respond to every rhythm that moved him.
In a daze, the sound of the waves grew louder and louder, flooding his mind and crashing into his heart.
Yan Shuo suddenly noticed that the young man's eyes had changed, becoming deep and serene.
What started as clumsy imitations of his dance steps gradually became natural and fluid, and as time went on, they even began to speed up.
Xie Xubai is no longer just imitating his steps, he's chasing his rhythm!
In just a few minutes, how did a complete novice become a skilled dancer?
impossible.
Yan Shuo was convinced that Xie Xubai must have studied dance before. Perhaps his memory was damaged and he had completely forgotten it, which was why his initial dance steps seemed hesitant and clumsy.
But the instincts ingrained in the body do not lie.
Xie Xubai, of course, had no idea of the surprise and suspicion in Yan Shuo's heart.
He is now like a fish leaping into the deep sea, becoming one with the cold water.
The sea surface is surging and turbulent, while the seabed is deep and tranquil. These two different states are like the ups and downs of musical notes, vividly presented through dance steps, constantly changing and advancing, with emotions rising and rising again!
The waves rise and the waltz begins!
Under the moonlight, it looked as if snow-white waves were forming from the toes of the two people.
Yan Shuo said he would only teach it once.
But during the time Xie Xubai was fully immersed in the dance, he didn't know how many times he and his partner had danced together.
Perhaps it's because I'm a highly skilled dancer that I can't help but admire the captivating power of Xie Xubai's performance.
Perhaps sensing that Xie Xubai was subtly gaining the upper hand, his frozen heart couldn't help but ignite a long-lost fighting spirit.
When the two of them stopped, it was already two hours later.
And it wasn't Yan Shuo who asked to pause, but Xie Xubai who couldn't keep up and almost collapsed to the ground.
When he came to his senses, Xie Xubai was picked up by Yan Shuo and placed on the shore where the seawater could reach.
The rushing water submerged Xie Xubai's slender calves and also dampened Yan Shuo's clean chest, leaving mottled marks.
Xie Xubai was panting heavily, rubbing his temples to adjust his breathing.
He suddenly felt his lost strength gradually returning, and his face lit up with joy as he looked down at the seawater beneath him.
Yan Shuo seemed to know what he was thinking and coldly dismissed his attempt to find a loophole: "The Sea of Immaculateness can only help you restore your physical state, but it cannot replenish the spiritual energy you have consumed. If you do it too many times, you will go mad."
Xie Xubai suddenly had a flash of inspiration: "So, as long as I recover my mental strength, I can continue practicing here?"
As an ordinary person without any extraordinary skills, Xie Xubai only has one way to restore his mental strength: sleeping.
What he meant was that even if you can't soak in the Sea of Immaculateness today, can't you soak it twice more tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, or the day after that?
Earn money for one more day, earn a lot for two more days, and earn a super amount for three or four more days.
Yan Shuo stared at Xie Xubai's expectant face again and couldn't help but twitch his lips. Was he being used as a tool to replenish his blood?
It's because Xie Xubai knew nothing about his identity. If he knew who he was, would he still bother him so carelessly?
Yan Shuo knew that Xie Xubai's eyes were strange and that he was easily tempted to give in if he looked at them for too long. So he decided to turn his head away and get up, saying coldly, "Get up when you're done soaking. I'll take you back."
Xie Xubai knew this meant rejection, and couldn't help but feel a little regretful.
Yan Shuo's teaching was really helpful. He felt that he had instantly transformed from a complete novice into a skilled dancer.
Could it be some kind of strange force at work?
Regardless, the other party had done him such a big favor, and Xie Xubai couldn't very well take advantage of them so shamelessly.
He looked at Yan Shuo's deliberately raised face, from which he could see the taut veins on the side of the other's neck.
Perhaps due to emotional instability, they were unaware that the shadows hanging over this area had dissipated.
"Is something bothering you? Perhaps I can try to help you solve it."
"Troublesome matters?" Yan Shuo wondered what kind of drama this human was up to now.
"Yes."
Xie Xubai carefully observed Yan Shuo's reaction. Seeing that the other party didn't seem to be particularly averse to it, or at least didn't show any signs of aversion or resistance, he continued, "I can sense that you are very angry."
"I initially thought it was Xiao Yi and my request that made you angry or impatient, but when you were teaching me to dance, your anger didn't subside and remained at a very high level."
If Yan Shuo is consciously angry about something, then he cannot help but think about it if it ignites such intense anger. Once he does think about it, his emotions will inevitably fluctuate, rising and falling significantly.
But the anger that Yan Shuo displayed was a state of constant repression, like an undercurrent that had been surging for years.
“You seem to have been angry for a long time.” Xie Xubai looked at him and stated his final conclusion, “but you don’t know why you’re angry.”
In an instant, Yan Shuo's body froze completely.
Author's Note:
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