Chapter 85: Abnormal Climate

Chapter 85: Chapter 85: Abnormal Climate

Qiao Suluo was stunned when Chu Moyuan suddenly agreed. "You... you really agreed? Agreed to come home with me?"

She had prepared a whole speech, even contemplating throwing a massive tantrum, crying, and threatening to end her life if he refused. She had no choice; she needed her Purification Ability to save people right now. Furthermore, Bai Qianluo might also need its healing powers.

Looking at Qiao Suluo’s sheer disbelief, a faint trace of a smile gently spread across the depths of Chu Moyuan’s cold, dark eyes. The icy demeanor that had always encased him showed signs of melting. Though his smile was incredibly slight, it held a vibrant brilliance, like a field of blooming flowers. In that fleeting instant, his elegance was peerless.

Chu Moyuan was already an extremely handsome man, but his usual aura was noble, cold, and arrogant. This sudden smile was like a gentle spring breeze brushing against her face. However, it vanished just as quickly as it appeared. As ephemeral but dazzling as a blooming cereus, it left Qiao Suluo’s mind reeling. She was utterly mesmerized.

Chu Moyuan looked at Qiao Suluo with a relaxed, composed expression. "Didn’t you say that since I did that kind of thing to you, I should take responsibility? Why are you in such disbelief now that I’ve agreed?"

Qiao Suluo shook her head. "No, I believe you. I know you’re a man of your word."

Despite being incredibly cold and arrogant, Chu Moyuan was indeed someone who always kept his promises. He never went back on his word.

Just then, the System’s voice rang out in her mind. "DING. Congratulations to the host for completing the mission. Your Purification Ability has been upgraded to one star."

Hearing the System, Qiao Suluo let out a sigh of relief. She then sent her Divine Sense into her spatial domain, where she saw a tiny green seedling.

"Host, this is what the Purification Tree seedling looks like," the System explained. "It is currently at the one star level. As its level increases, the seedling will continue to grow until it eventually becomes a massive tree."

Understanding the situation, Qiao Suluo withdrew her consciousness and placed her fingers on Chu Moyuan’s arm. Using her mind, she channeled her Purification Ability outward. A ray of green light coiled like a vine, slithering down his arm and delving into his body to devour the dark aura lurking within him. As it consumed the dark energy, the green light grew increasingly radiant.

At that moment, Chu Moyuan felt an unprecedented sense of relaxed comfort wash over his body. His Spiritual Sea, too, became exceptionally warm and soothed. Taking a deep breath, he felt as if every pore on his body had opened up to absorb the surrounding energy. His physical state continued to improve, and without him even noticing, a faint, lingering glow began to envelop him.

He closed his eyes, seemingly feeling a peculiar power gathering within his Dantian. This sensation was entirely different from the Ancient Martial Inner Strength he had cultivated in the past.

After completely purifying Chu Moyuan’s body, Qiao Suluo noticed that the Purification Ability seedling had taken on a much more vibrant, emerald-green hue.

The System explained, "By devouring the dark aura, the Purification Ability absorbs nutrients to nourish itself. That’s why it looks like this."

Qiao Suluo’s eyes lit up. "So it works like that! Then I’ll absorb more dark energy to nourish it from now on."

"Don’t!" the System hastily warned. "It’s still just a seedling right now. If there’s too much dark energy and it can’t consume it all, it will take damage. It’s just like watering a plant—if you overwater it, it will die."

Qiao Suluo nodded, indicating she understood.

When Chu Moyuan opened his eyes, a fragmented gleam of amber light flashed across his pupils. As he looked at Qiao Suluo, his gaze had softened considerably.

Unable to hold back, Qiao Suluo asked, "How do you feel?"

"The restless energy in my Spiritual Sea has been completely pacified," he replied. "The internal damage caused by the Mutant Beasts and mutated plants is also completely healed." Pausing for a moment, Chu Moyuan stared at her with a grave expression. "You must never let anyone else know about this ability of yours."

He already knew she possessed a miraculous Healing Ability, but he had never imagined she could also cure injuries inflicted by Mutant Beasts and purify corrupted dark energy. It was simply unbelievable.

"I know," she said. "But you’re not an outsider, so I’ll only use it in front of you guys."

Chu Moyuan sighed inwardly, thinking that it was a good thing he had agreed to go back with her. Since she was so foolish, he would have to keep a close eye on her and offer his protection.

Now that Chu Moyuan was fully recovered, Qiao Suluo set off with him to find Bai Qianluo. However, shortly after they started walking, the weather took a sudden and drastic turn. Without warning, a blizzard of huge snowflakes began to fall.

The wind howled fiercely, nearly blowing Qiao Suluo away. Chu Moyuan quickly reached out and grabbed hold of her. Blinded by the driving snow, she stumbled and almost fell. To her surprise, she ended up collapsing entirely against his chest.

However, due to the plummeting temperatures, Chu Moyuan’s body was just as cold, causing Qiao Suluo to shiver violently.

"It’s... it’s too cold," she chattered. "We’re in the southern region. How could it suddenly snow this heavily?"

Chu Moyuan’s expression was incredibly solemn. He took off his outer coat and draped it over her shoulders.

Seeing that he was only wearing a very thin tunic underneath, Qiao Suluo asked, "You... you gave me your coat, won’t you be cold?"

"Don’t forget I’m a Cold-blooded Snake Beastman. I don’t fear the cold."

"Oh, right."

She wasn’t sure if it was just her imagination, but draped in Chu Moyuan’s coat, she felt she could smell a faint, crisp, and subtle fragrance lingering on the fabric. It was quite pleasant.

Qiao Suluo wanted to exchange for some warm clothes from the system shop, but unfortunately, she didn’t have a single point right now, making it impossible to buy anything.

"System, what’s going on with the weather here?"

"I don’t know either," the System replied. "There are indeed some anomalies here, but my current System Power can’t pinpoint exactly what they are. However, the magnetic field in this area is extremely chaotic. Furthermore, I can sense the aura of highly dangerous and incredibly powerful creatures nearby. Therefore, Host, you need to leave this place as soon as possible."

"Can you sense Bai Qianluo’s location?"

"Yes. Keep heading north in this direction."

Following the System’s advice, Qiao Suluo tugged on Chu Moyuan’s sleeve and began trudging north. Her priority was to find Bai Qianluo first so they could all leave together. But as they continued walking, she found herself shivering uncontrollably, feeling as though she couldn’t take another step.

Seeing this, Chu Moyuan hoisted her onto his back and carried her, just as he had done before. Resting against his broad back, the freezing cold made Qiao Suluo incredibly drowsy.

Sensing her shallow breathing, Chu Moyuan spoke up. "Don’t go to sleep. If you fall asleep now, you’ll never wake up."

"But I’m so cold and sleepy."

To increase their travel speed, Chu Moyuan had no choice but to transform into his true form, wrapping his massive snake body around her as he slithered rapidly forward. Fortunately, he soon found a cave. After placing Qiao Suluo safely inside, he gathered a pile of snow from outside and began vigorously rubbing it against her face.

The biting chill sent a violent shudder through Qiao Suluo, snapping her eyes open. She glared at Chu Moyuan. "Are you trying to freeze me to death?!"

"If you still have the energy to glare at me, you must be fine," he replied. "Wait here. I’m going out to hunt some wild beasts."

Just then, the roar of a wild beast echoed from outside. However, the sound was somewhat eerie, carrying an ethereal quality as it drifted through the blinding blizzard.

Qiao Suluo immediately grabbed him. "It’s too dangerous out there, and wild beasts could show up in this cave at any moment too. Don’t take the risk. I’ll figure out a way to get some food."

Right now, the best solution was to earn some points and exchange them for food from the shop.

Suddenly, voices drifted in from outside.

"How did winter arrive so quickly this year?"

"What should we do? Our tribe hasn’t stored enough food yet!"

"The climate is exceptionally abnormal this year. With this endless snow, the Beastmen in our tribe could easily freeze or starve to death."