Chapter 128: A Brief Reunion

A Yuan stared at Xi Yan with her big, adorable eyes. Only after hearing Xi Yan’s explanation did she understand what she was supposed to do.

Xi Yan asked A Yuan to retrieve the fruit from the middle of the Blood River.

After all, no matter what, A Yuan was still his card—that was an unchangeable fact.

So if A Yuan could help him get the fruit, they could pass this stage.

A Yuan grasped her task, and the group waited together for the Blood River’s ten assaults.

Finally, after the tenth attack ended, Xi Yan grew somewhat intrigued by Zhuo’s shield. This shield had withstood so many attacks without breaking, though several times it seemed on the verge of shattering, it never did.

“All right, hurry up,” Lin Ye urged.

A Yuan nodded and immediately dashed toward the center of the Blood River. Though she couldn’t fly, she had the power to control Lost Species.

This dungeon might not contain many living beings, but the number of the dead left behind was certainly not small.

Though these dead had not yet turned into Lost Species, A Yuan’s ability could transform them.

This was something she hadn’t yet told Xi Yan—her power had evolved; she could turn deceased survivors into Lost Species and control them.

But now was not the time to explain to Xi Yan.

A Yuan began to use her ability, quickly capturing a deceased survivor and transforming him into a Lost Species.

Xi Yan was somewhat surprised, not recalling A Yuan having such a power.

At this moment, A Yuan used the Lost Species to reach the center of the Blood River.

The river wasn’t very deep, but its waters were corrosive. The Lost Species under A Yuan’s control began to corrode as soon as it entered.

So A Yuan immediately quickened her pace, successfully grabbing the fruit in the river’s center. At the same time, the Lost Species she had been standing on exhausted its last bit of strength.

Seeing this, Xi Yan quickly moved to the riverbank, reaching out to grab A Yuan.

A Yuan pushed off strongly, leapt lightly, and successfully caught Xi Yan’s hand, returning to the shore.

“Brother, here you go—is this it?” A Yuan looked at Xi Yan proudly, as if claiming credit.

Xi Yan nodded and took the fruit from her hand. At that moment, the system’s voice sounded in his ear.

“Congratulations on clearing the stage!
Clearance reward: 5 Red Core Crystals
Welcome to try again next time.”

Hearing this, Xi Yan was overjoyed. He immediately told everyone, “I made it! We can leave now!”

Lin Ye nodded in agreement.

Beside him, Xi Lin happily jumped onto Xi Yan’s lap upon hearing her brother could finally leave.

“That’s wonderful! Brother, we can finally go!”

Xi Yan looked at Xi Lin with tenderness, holding her as they exited the dungeon.

A Yuan, seeing Xi Yan holding Xi Lin, inexplicably felt a slight pang of grievance.

But remembering Xi Lin was Xi Yan’s younger sister, A Yuan let it go.

After the group left the dungeon, Zhuo immediately spoke to Xi Lin. “We have to leave here now.”

Hearing Zhuo, Xi Yan frowned deeply, and Xi Lin sadly broke free from Xi Yan’s arms.

Xi Yan asked puzzled, “Why do you have to leave? We just met. Where are you going?”

Xi Lin clearly sensed the urgency and anxiety in Xi Yan’s voice.

But thinking of what she still had to do, she said with pain, “I’m sorry, Brother... I can’t tell you now, but Zhuo and I really do have to leave.”

“Why? We just found each other! Where are you going?!” Xi Yan gripped Xi Lin’s shoulders tightly.

Xi Lin winced. “Brother… you’re hurting me…”

Realizing his harshness, Xi Yan immediately loosened his grip, but still looked at her anxiously.

“I’m sorry, but can you tell me where you’re going? I can go with you!” he pleaded.

Xi Lin remained unmoved and shook her head. “I can’t go, Brother. You simply can’t come to that place.”

“Why not? I’m your brother! I finally found you! Are you going to leave me?” Xi Yan felt as if his precious treasure was slipping away.

“Calm down. Listen to me, Brother. There’s a reason I have to go there, but I can’t tell you now. I’m going because it’s for both of us to have a happy life in the future,” Xi Lin’s eyes brimmed with reluctance.

“I can go with you! I am the master of the Ninth Survival Zone. If you come back with me, we’ll have a place to call our own there!” Xi Yan continued to persuade.

But Xi Lin still shook her head and stepped closer to Zhuo.

“Brother, I know everything you said. I actually know much more about this Survival Zone than you. So please trust me—I will protect myself, okay?” Xi Lin’s words silenced Xi Yan. He lowered his head, saying nothing, avoiding everyone’s gaze.

Xi Lin felt heartbroken seeing him like that, but she had to leave.

At that moment, Lin Ye suddenly spoke.

“I have a way to keep you and your sister together. How about it? Interested?”

Xi Yan’s eyes immediately locked onto Lin Ye, and Xi Lin likewise looked at him with anticipation.

“Speak!” The single word was charged with Xi Yan’s eager hope.

Lin Ye smiled and stepped closer to Xi Yan. “If you agree to cooperate with me, I can take you to the place Xi Lin is going. I guarantee your safety for at least a year—your life won’t be in danger. How about it? Interested?”

Upon hearing this, Xi Lin immediately rejected the offer. She grasped Xi Yan’s arm and earnestly said, “Brother! Trust me, don’t go. Please.”

Xi Yan didn’t understand why his sister opposed him going with her, but he trusted her.

“All right, I won’t go. But you can’t keep everything from me. I won’t let you leave alone. I can’t bear to be without you.”

Xi Lin bit her lip, torn. She glanced at Zhuo, then back at Xi Yan. “Brother, I can only tell you a little, but rest assured—I have the ability to protect myself now. The place I’m going… is the Main City.”

The Main City? Why the Main City?

“Xi Lin! Why do you have to go there?” Xi Yan pressed.

But Xi Lin stubbornly shook her head, refusing to reveal the reason. “Brother, please don’t ask. Trust me this once, okay? I’m no longer that little girl.”