Chapter 174: "How Did He Kiss You?

Lou’s sudden appearance made the number of live comments skyrocket in an instant.

Everyone saw it clearly: the turtle girl caught in the middle of the controversy had just been saved by the sudden appearance of Lord 91!

[AHHHH! It’s been so long, Lord 91!]

[He’s here, he’s here! The one true god of Paradise!]

[That slash just now was so cool! He cut right through the flames!]

[Huh? Did anyone else notice what he said?]

[What does he mean, "It’s me, not him"? Don’t tell me there’s a third party between Lord 91 and Miss Turtle?!]

The audience’s curiosity was instantly piqued, and a trending post appeared on the Imperial Forum almost simultaneously!

Up ahead, the Fiery Flame Giant Worm sensed some sort of aura and suddenly let out a piercing shriek.

It fled in a panic, not even daring to fight.

Everyone was stunned.

They all turned to look at the young man holding the small Turtle Clan female with one arm. He carried a blade in his right hand, on which a ring of fiery cracks still lingered.

—It was Number 91!

The Leopard was so moved he nearly burst into tears, and the Stag finally let out a sigh of relief.

For a moment there, they had all thought they were going to die.

The Bear Clan male, still panting after the intense battle, walked toward the group.

He looked at the young woman being held by the young man, his expression faltering slightly.

Soon, the Bear Team leader recognized the man.

He said nothing, turning to check if his teammates had been caught in the crossfire, and to check on his little brother, the small brown bear who was still unconscious.

Hearing Lou’s words, Yu Zhizhi slowly shook her head. "I wasn’t disappointed... Lou, I’m very happy to see you."

A crack appeared in the cold depths of Lou’s eyes.

But just as quickly, a sneer reappeared on his pale face.

Yu Zhizhi whispered, "Thank you. Um... can you put me down?"

With so many people around, being held by Lou like this made Yu Zhizhi a little embarrassed.

The Bear Clan Beastman seemed to have something to say.

Lou set her down.

He had just turned away when he felt his wrist being grabbed by a pair of soft, warm hands. Yu Zhizhi was holding onto him with both hands, an undisguised look of anticipation on her face.

"Can you stay? Chen Mu, he... he might be in danger."

Chen Mu was the name of the White-eyed Young Boy.

Lou’s gaze returned to the young woman’s face. She was wearing a Holy Temple White Robe, with a pair of delicate Elf Ears. Her dark eyes were watery, and even the red spots on her face looked to him like painted-on rouge.

But this was all a disguise.

It was all fake.

The young man glanced at the little female’s hands gripping his wrist. He smirked. "What, you want my help?"

Yu Zhizhi’s eyes lit up, and she nodded repeatedly.

Normally, seeing the little female look like this, Lou would have long since been unable to resist patting her head and kissing her.

But now, he knew this was Louis’s rabbit.

’Not his little turtle.’

’His little turtle was already dead.’

’She died the moment the little female lay in his arms and whimpered, "Louis."’

Lou’s emerald eyes were like deep pools. His tone reverted to some of its usual nonchalance. "I can. But I’ll need you to pay me a reward. Don’t ask what it is. Just tell me if you agree or not."

Yu Zhizhi looked at the young man before her, hesitated for a moment, then slowly nodded.

"Okay."

Although she didn’t know what "reward" Lou was talking about, Yu Zhizhi didn’t feel overly worried by his words.

Perhaps it was because she had spent the most time with Lou recently.

"Let go," the young man said, his tone indifferent.

Yu Zhizhi released his hand.

From behind, the Bear Team leader saw this and walked over. "Miss Healer, the Red Pond is just a short distance away. I’ll go scout ahead. You can go with my teammates back to our secret base and get some rest."

"You take her back," Lou said, walking toward the Red Pond without another word.

Yu Zhizhi watched Lou’s departing figure, and a smile appeared on her face at the thought of the White-eyed Young Boy being saved.

The Bear Clan Beastman waited quietly.

Only when Yu Zhizhi snapped out of her daze did he say gently, "Miss Healer, let’s go. It’s too hot here."

The group returned to their secret base together.

It was a cave hidden beneath some ruins.

It looked like it had been artificially carved out by a previous team of contestants, with several neatly arranged rooms. For now, the two teams were getting along with unprecedented harmony.

Perhaps it was because there was still some time before the finals.

Teams could choose to cooperate temporarily to earn points together, lest they be surpassed by other teams that had joined forces.

Yu Zhizhi had used up a lot of her spiritual power because of the Healing Skill. She returned to a private room, which contained a bed and a single sofa.

After she went into the room, she was no longer visible on anyone else’s live stream.

The live comments were filled with wails of despair.

[Boo-hoo, I still want to watch the daily life of Miss Turtle and Lord 91. Don’t be so cruel!]

[Their relationship feels different than before. Is Lord 91 angry?]

[I don’t care, my ship is the sweetest ship in the world!]

Yu Zhizhi sat on the sofa, leaning against the backrest. Cradling a copy of the "Paradise Fallen Species Atlas" in her arms, she slowly drifted off to sleep.

When Lou returned, this was the scene that greeted him.

The young woman was curled up on the red sofa. She had taken off her Holy Temple White Robe, revealing a thin lace dress underneath. The collar was slightly curled, and with each breath, the rise and fall of her chest was particularly noticeable.

He closed the door very gently, so as not to wake her.

Lou walked to the front of the sofa.

He lowered his gaze, staring at the sleeping face of the little female.

He tried to recall seriously.

’I saw her fleetingly three times before.’

’Twice in the Lost Tower, once on the train.’

’I only remember a rabbit—a panicked rabbit with red-rimmed eyes.’

But Lou couldn’t recall any more detailed images.

Perhaps back then, he never would have imagined that he would have any future connection with her. Why would he bother to remember the face of a mere ant?

Yu Zhizhi was a light sleeper. Slowly, she sensed something.

Slowly opening her eyes, she saw the young man standing before her and gradually sat up straight. From this angle, she could only tell that Lou’s expression was intensely focused, as if he were deep in thought.

"Lord Lou," Yu Zhizhi said, putting down the atlas in her hands. "Did you find him?"

"Mmm," Lou replied faintly.

A smile bloomed on Yu Zhizhi’s face. "That’s wonderful! I’ll go see him now!"

"Not so fast."

Lou pushed the young woman, who was just about to stand up, back down onto the sofa.

His emerald eyes were dark. "Now, it’s time for you to pay your reward."

Yu Zhizhi suddenly grew nervous.

She was trapped on the sofa. From this angle, the young man’s frame seemed exceptionally tall. It felt as if he had her confined in this tiny space.

"Wh-what reward?"

Lou pressed one knee onto the sofa and leaned over, his right hand gripping the young woman’s chin. His shadow completely enveloped her.

"When you two were together, how did he kiss you?"