The Frail Guide Who Devoured an Entire Pollution Zone

Chapter 18: Chapter 18: Are You Threatening Me?

If the group hadn’t realized what was happening before, they certainly understood now after seeing Lu Jingyu’s actions.

When Lu Jingyu’s spiritual power also reached its limit and the light stopped moving once more, the other team members stepped forward one after another.

Everyone held their breath as they watched the light illuminate the second-to-last stone pillar and creep toward the final one.

As expected, if this last pillar lit up, they would be able to leave.

But just as the light was about to touch the pillar, under the hopeful gazes of the team, it began to dim.

Watching their hope shatter before their very eyes, their hearts sank as if plunged into an icy abyss.

But someone quickly realized what was wrong—one person was still missing.

After looking around at each other, everyone’s gaze fell on the only team member who hadn’t stepped forward: Li Yaru.

”Li Yaru, you’re the only one left! Hurry up and come over so we can clear this instance.”

Xu Qingsui and Lu Jingyu remained silent, but the other team members all urged Li Yaru to join them.

Under the team’s expectant gaze, Li Yaru slowly took a step back.

The movement was like a sledgehammer, striking a heavy blow to everyone’s hearts.

”Li Yaru, what’s the meaning of this?” one of the members roared.

Li Yaru ignored him, turning to face Lu Jingyu instead.

”Captain, I know I may have done some things wrong in the past, but right now, I’m the only one who can get everyone through this instance. I’m not asking for your gratitude, just that we let bygones be bygones.”

The team members were stunned. They couldn’t believe Li Yaru would pull something like this at a time like this.

Lu Jingyu narrowed his eyes. ”Are you threatening me?” he said in a low voice. ”Don’t forget, it’s not just us who are trapped here. That includes you.”

Looking at Lu Jingyu, Li Yaru gave a bitter smile. ”Staying here is a death sentence, but will leaving this place lead to any better of an outcome for me?”

She opened her mouth, wanting to say more, but ultimately left the words unspoken.

”You’ve been in Zone 9 for a while now. You should know the consequences of threatening me. Are you sure there’s an outcome worse than that?”

”It’s because I understand you that I’m doing this. Since I have no other way out, I might as well take this gamble. Are you really going to let everyone die here with us?”

Li Yaru smiled bitterly, but her tone was full of resolve. It was clear she had made up her mind.

Lu Jingyu took a deep breath. By now, the gazes of the other team members had shifted to him.

The last person who threatened him paid a terrible price the moment the words left their mouth.

But this time, the stakes were too high. With so many of his team members’ lives on the line, he couldn’t act rashly.

A frustrated sigh caught in his throat, and Lu Jingyu secretly clenched his fists.

Several team members watched Lu Jingyu. No one wanted to stay, but they didn’t dare make any demands of him.

Just as they reached a stalemate, the golden light that had faded away suddenly flared back to life.

To the bewilderment of the crowd, it slowly surged toward the final stone pillar.

When the final stone pillar lit up, everyone finally understood what was happening, their faces lighting up with excitement.

Only Li Yaru’s face was ashen. Her one and only hope had been shattered.

They could leave now, but the fate awaiting her was hardly better than the predicament she had just been in.

Among the group, only Lu Jingyu noticed the reason for this sudden turn of events.

Xu Qingsui’s forehead was beaded with sweat. She had wrung out every last drop of her Spiritual Power.

As the final stone pillar was illuminated, the golden light began to spread in all directions.

Soon, the entire instance world was enveloped in the golden light.

[Congratulations to all participants for successfully clearing the instance. The contamination in this area has been terminated.]

[One participant died in the instance. Clear rating has been determined as SS level.]

[SS level individual clear rewards have been distributed. Please check your inventories. Team rewards have been sent to the captain for distribution.]

The mechanical voice rang out, reminding everyone that they could now leave.

Everyone was overjoyed. Only Xu Qingsui, forcing herself to stay conscious, asked the Golden Octopus to clear up her confusion.

”There are rewards for clearing an instance?”

[Of course. And the higher the instance’s difficulty, the more abundant the rewards.]

[Team rewards might even include some Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures that permanently increase one’s constitution or spiritual power.]

[If Host wishes to increase her spiritual power, she can also participate in more instances to obtain Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.]

[However, I must warn you, Host. Don’t completely exhaust your spiritual power again next time. It can cause permanent damage.]

’Another way to increase my spiritual power!’ Xu Qingsui was thrilled.

But the ”stinky seafood’s” next words poured a bucket of cold water on her excitement.

She was just about to ask what kind of permanent damage it could cause when her mind went blank, her eyes rolled back, and she collapsed.

”Xu Qingsui!”

Lu Jingyu’s gaze hadn’t left Xu Qingsui for a moment.

Seeing Xu Qingsui collapse, Lu Jingyu instantly caught her in his arms.

The moment he held her, Lu Jingyu’s eyes widened.

He had seen the cold sweat on her brow, but he hadn’t realized her entire body was soaked through.

Aside from being drenched in sweat, her body was as cold as if she had just stepped out of a freezer.

Seeing her condition, Lu Jingyu knew what had happened.

The exit portal from the instance had already opened. Lu Jingyu immediately bent down, swept Xu Qingsui into his arms, and was the first to walk through.

At the same time, the Golden Octopus’s voice sounded again in Xu Qingsui’s mind.

[Congratulations, Host, for obtaining 40% Trust and 40% Dependence from SSS level sentinel Lu Jingyu. Reward: spiritual power +10, Lost Fragment x1.]

Unfortunately, Xu Qingsui was completely exhausted and unconscious, so she didn’t hear the Golden Octopus’s words at all.

The other members also left the instance, leaving only Li Yaru behind.

She watched the others leave, sighed heavily, and resignedly exited the instance.

After exiting the instance, Lu Jingyu carried Xu Qingsui and rushed back to the safe zone in Zone 9 without stopping.

He rushed all the way to the Heiyu Alliance base while carrying Xu Qingsui. Seeing this, the Alliance members were all dumbfounded.

’The legendary figure in their minds returned carrying a woman?’

Every member of the Heiyu Alliance, regardless of when they joined, knew that Lu Jingyu was notoriously cold and aloof. Even an A level Guide sent from the Central City had been wounded by his icy demeanor and was never allowed to get close to him.

’What kind of charm could this woman possibly possess to make him carry her all the way back to the base?’

The news of Lu Jingyu returning while carrying a woman spread like wildfire.

Many people, whether intentionally or not, made their way to the infirmary, wanting to catch a glimpse of this woman.

Some of the members who had met Xu Qingsui before began to spread the story of how she had successfully guided Lu Jingyu.

Combined with the accounts from the squad members who had entered the instance with her, Xu Qingsui quickly became a legendary figure within the Heiyu Alliance.

Guiding Lu Jingyu, braving the instance, and leading the team to victory—each title was more astonishing than the last.