Chapter 273 - 272

The Mecha departed Emperor Wolf Star, but a lack of energy forced it to make an emergency landing in a Beast Plant Forest on the outskirts of the Imperial Capital Star.

Gu Qi’s legs gave out. He stopped and complained, "When are we getting out of this shithole?"

He watched the three men ahead take turns carrying Jian Yu, until eventually, Jian Yu insisted on walking by herself.

Gu Qi said plaintively, "Can someone carry me, too? Jian Yu, Sis, I’ll call you my dearest sister—if you can carry me, I won’t object."

Jian Yu swayed, nearly losing her balance.

She turned, her gaze hesitant as she sized him up. "I probably can’t carry you, but I could..."

Sheng Yue glanced back, his gaze cold. "He can keep up on his own."

"I can!" Gu Qi bared his teeth, picking up a stick to use as a walking cane.

’Like hell I can!’

When he saw Jian Yu vanish after a few Instant Teleportations, Gu Qi’s eyes widened. "Hold on, if she can do that, why were you guys carrying her?"

Sheng Yue thought, ’What other reason could there be? They get to hold her, so why should I miss out? Can’t I hold her too?’

The reserved, dignified, and ever-composed Sheng Yue shot Gu Qi a look that was both crystal clear and utterly cold.

Gu Qi pouted.

Xi Yu stared straight ahead and answered helpfully, "It’s nice to hold her."

His tone was somewhere between sharing and boasting. "She’s like a soft little bundle burrowing into your arms. She’s so cute to hold."

Xi Yu gulped and followed after her, dazed, like a phantom drawn to a light.

Gu Qi was a little creeped out.

He had the distinct feeling he was dealing with a pervert.

He looked left, right, up, and down, then replayed the image in his mind of Xi Yu’s tentacles turning black as he transformed into the God of Killing.

Gu Qi averted his gaze.

’I’m probably just overthinking it.’

One was aloof, one was gloomy, and the last one...

Gu Qi scanned the area and finally spotted that lazybones leaning against a large tree up ahead.

His eyes burned with jealousy and anger.

He was seething.

"You seem to have a problem with me." Ling Yanzhi was leaning lazily against the tree ahead, his long legs crossed.

He casually chewed on a nearly depleted Beast Crystal Card. "I offered you a ride on the Red Snake, but you refused."

Gu Qi came over, huffing and puffing. "It’s too damn slippery. I’d be on its head one second and sliding down to its tail the next. I have no desire to be dragged around while clinging to a snake’s tail."

Since he couldn’t have it, he started bad-mouthing it. "Jian Yu’s Instant Teleportation seems way faster than you guys. Look at you, three grown men, and your combined speed doesn’t even match hers."

It was an exaggeration, of course, but that didn’t stop him from running his mouth.

Gu Qi even ranked them by speed.

Sheng Yue, who was ranked last, paused for a moment. "My Soul Power is low. It’s dangerous here, so it’s best to conserve it."

He reached for his belt and inserted a new Beast Crystal Card.

Gu Qi had never seen a Beast Crystal Card before, only Beast Crystals.

He vaguely recalled Sheng Yue always having a card on his belt, even back at Ultimate Eye, but he didn’t seem to use it so frequently then.

Gu Qi’s mouth twitched, and he asked curiously, "Why not just use a Beast Crystal directly? I heard all the big shots use Beast Crystal Stones."

Sheng Yue didn’t answer. He disliked answering such pointless questions.

Gu Qi turned his inquisitive gaze to the others.

The Crystal Card Ling Yanzhi was chewing on gradually disappeared. He answered succinctly, "They’re not stable enough."

It’s best to use Beast Crystals to replenish energy only when you’re not in any danger.

Beast Crystal Cards are better for recovering energy mid-fight. That way, you don’t have to worry about impurities causing your soul domain to go haywire during absorption.

You have to stay vigilant in an unknown area. Even though this place is classified as a Beast Plant Forest and isn’t considered highly dangerous, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

"If you want to gamble on advancing to the next level, directly absorbing a Beast Crystal does give you a much higher chance, but my rank is high enough. I don’t need to evolve."

Ling Yanzhi arched an eyebrow. "Ayue, give me another one."

’I’ve already used up all my Beast Crystal Cards on this trip. I’ll have to get Pei Yin to prepare more when I get back.’

With his fingers linked with Jian Yu’s, Xi Yu tossed a card over his shoulder without looking back.

Ling Yanzhi caught it effortlessly, the motion radiating a roguish charm.

He blew a stray lock of hair from his forehead, his voice tinged with a roguish swagger. "Thanks."

Gu Qi felt like they were bottomless pits.

"From the time you left the Slave Market until now, you guys have gone through a ton of Crystal Cards, haven’t you?"

From what Gu Qi had seen, they’d already used over twenty of them.

"I’ve lost count," Ling Yanzhi said, narrowing his eyes.

’Now that they were out of immediate danger, he thought it over. The whole thing felt like they had walked right into a trap.’

’Ji Shiyin had resisted Yan Li’s advances and ended up swatting her to death on the border of Emperor Wolf Star.’

’The woman was dead, but her body had vanished into thin air.’

’It was bizarre.’

’Who steals corpses for fun...?’

Ling Yanzhi’s train of thought halted. He glanced at Xi Yu, who was stuck to Jian Yu like glue.

’Turns out, people really do steal corpses these days. And the culprit was his own brother.’

Tsk.

Gu Qi had just managed to reach the large tree where Ling Yanzhi was leaning. Before he could even catch his breath, the man took off again.

Bending over with his hands on his knees, Gu Qi gritted his teeth.

He couldn’t help but yell, "Can’t you slow down? Have some sympathy for the weak! I’m not walking anymore! Worst case, I’ll just go back by myself!"

Ling Yanzhi silently counted to three.

Gu Qi followed them, his face a mask of indignation. "Sis, can you do something about them?"

Jian Yu stopped, her posture demure.

She scratched her cheek. "Let’s rest for a bit."

Sheng Yue’s voice was cool, yet his tone held a hint of warmth. "Alright."

Ling Yanzhi slumped bonelessly against a tree, crossing one ankle over the other.

His posture was casual, hands shoved in his pockets, the very picture of a devil-may-care aristocrat. "Whatever works."

Gu Qi had lost the will to retort.

’Now, all of a sudden, it’s "Alright" and "Whatever works"!!!’

’Where was all this cooperation before?!’

’So it’s only a problem when *I’m* the one who suggests it!’

Gu Qi dropped to the ground and lay there like a cooling corpse, hands folded on his stomach, letting out a long, weary sigh.

Sheng Yue walked past Gu Qi without a sideways glance, his expression impassive and his pace unwavering.

Yin Jiu came hopping along and used Gu Qi’s stomach as a springboard to leap over him.

Jian Yu: "..."

Xi Yu walked back to her. "Tired?"

Jian Yu’s face was blank, but her voice was soft. "Hungry."

’Listening to Gu Qi’s constant whining, she was starting to worry she might burst out laughing.’

’His "conniving little innocent" persona was gone for good. He’d turned into a total nagging spouse.’

Jian Yu glanced at the food in her Space Ring. She had given away too much and hadn’t had time to restock, so there wasn’t much left.

She listed off a few types of fruit and boxed meals. "What do you guys want to eat?"

"I brought food, too." Like a busy little bee, Xi Yu’s eight tentacles began rummaging through his Space Ring.

His tentacles blurred into a flurry of motion, pulling out a pile of stools, chairs, a small cot, drinks, and all sorts of delicious food...

He picked Jian Yu up, placed her on the cot, and even moved a table onto it for her. His eyes were glued to her, full of obsessive affection.

Gu Qi sprang back to life.

He reached out, grabbed the largest bottle of juice, and started chugging.

Sheng Yue released his spiritual power to scout the area.

Ling Yanzhi lay down lazily beside Jian Yu, a packet of nutrient solution dangling from his lips, his long legs crossed.

Jian Yu snuck a glance at his long legs, took a bite of her food, snuck another glance, and took another bite.

’What an appetite-booster!’

Xi Yu copied him, sneaking a peek at Jian Yu’s blushing cheeks before lowering his head to eat. Then he snuck another peek at her thick, curled eyelashes and began to wolf down his food.

’I’m stuffed!’