Translator: CinderTL
Feng Qi cautiously advanced through the city ruins, his senses on high alert.
After leaving the dilapidated residential area and confirming his safety, he planned to return to the Star City Shelter to research information.
As for exploring the new world covered by the domain, he wasn't in a hurry. He'd consider it once he had the funds to replenish his energy.
After all, this world was fraught with danger, and reckless exploration could easily lead to his demise.
He still had one unused opportunity to access cultivation techniques and didn't want to waste it.
On his way back, he avoided the street he had taken earlier, opting instead for a longer route to the west.
The original path was not only infested with bizarre vines but also carried the risk of encountering little black again. He might not be so lucky next time.
Glancing down at the octopus-like child clinging tightly to his chest, a helpless expression crossed his face.
Even now, he remained clueless about the little girl's true origins.
Growing bored during the journey, he pulled the infant from his chest and began playing with her in his hand.
He pinched her nose, squeezed her cheeks, and tapped her head.
"Huh!"
Realizing the little girl had no discernible gender, he became even more convinced she wasn't human.
Through experimentation, he discovered that as long as she was in physical contact with him, she wouldn't open her eyes. But the moment contact broke, she would snap her eyes open and lunge at him.
He tried tossing her away, only for her to crawl back and latch on
The little girl lying on his chest suddenly opened her eyes and nimbly slid down his left leg to the ground. Her gray-white pupils turned to the right, and she began crawling in that direction.
Feng Qi watched, puzzled.
Though curious about where she was going, he decided it was best to avoid trouble and had no intention of following. After all, curiosity could be deadly, especially in this perilous future world.
But just as he was about to leave, a deafening monster's roar erupted from ahead.
His foot, which had just taken a step, instantly retreated.
Scared? What are you waiting for? Go grab onto your lifeline!
"Scared?! Me?!"
I know you're not scared, but you're broke!
"Come out here, let's fight!" Feng Qi glared, unable to contain his irritation.
Getting worked up? Coming out here is nothing. If you're so tough, come in here and fight me!
Feng Qi: ...
This time, he said nothing. He decisively strode in the direction the little girl had crawled.
Though she might not be reliable, at least her presence offered some assurance of his safety.
As he sprinted forward, he skirted a towering ancient tree over thirty meters tall and arrived at a rocky, earthen slope.
There, the little girl knelt on the ground, her knees pressed into the dirt, her blank eyes staring fixedly at the empty earth before her.
"What's she doing?" he muttered to himself.
Taking a step forward, he approached her and scanned the surroundings, still unable to discern anything unusual about the place.
Just as his confusion deepened, the little girl suddenly sprang to her feet and darted into a nearby patch of tall grass with astonishing speed.
Feng Qi immediately moved to follow her.
But the girl's figure reappeared just as quickly, a vibrant yellow flower clutched in her mouth.
Returning to the slope, she knelt down again and slowly planted the flower in the ground. A single tear slid down her pale gray pupil.
"Buh... Juh... Woo."
Feng Qi: ???
The girl's series of cryptic actions left him utterly bewildered.
Yet, through these actions, he could sense that she held some special affection for this patch of earth.
Confused, he couldn't help but whisper, "Suction Cup, are you still coming with me?"
The little girl ignored him, her eyes fixed blankly on the muddy ground, lost in thought.
Realizing she wouldn't follow him, he sighed and began walking west alone.
Even without her protection, he had to return to Star City Shelter.
Though he hated to admit it, his desperate struggle for survival ultimately came down to one word:
"Poverty."
If he had money, he wouldn't fear death. He could simply take another nap and start over.
After walking west for about twenty minutes, he suddenly heard movement behind him.
Turning around, he saw a small, slender figure hurtling toward him, slamming into his chest and latching on tightly.
As he was thrown backward, he realized it was Suction Cup, back again.
His head slammed heavily against the ground.
Staggering to his feet, he glanced at the tear-streaked face of the little girl, his expression helpless.
Then, with Suction Cup clinging to him, he resumed his journey.
After an unknown amount of time, he finally left the abandoned building district and arrived at the familiar burial grounds, where the landscape suddenly opened up.
Orienting himself, he headed straight toward Star City Shelter.
Along the way, he spared any living dead who didn't actively attack him.
Since little black was likely already following him, time was of the essence.
Opportunities to grow stronger would come again, but each time he entered the Dream Realm, he only had one chance to access the cultivation techniques.
The choice was obvious.
After running for about an hour, he finally reached the familiar black stele.
But just as he was about to step into the metal passage, the Narrator's voice echoed in his mind:
The moon waxes and wanes, just as life brings joy and sorrow, reunion and separation. Now that this moment has arrived, I can't help but think... (a slight pause, then music swells) Some people drift apart as they walk their paths... Some dreams fade as they're dreamt, leaving us to realize how naive we once were, and how cruel reality can be.
Feng Qi: ...
He glanced back and, as expected, little black was approaching from the distance.
Compared to the Scarlet Eye they had encountered last time, the Single-Horned Domain Creature clearly hadn't lasted long against little black.
It was too late to run now; little black moved too quickly.
Watching the approaching figure, Feng Qi took a deep breath and grabbed the little girl from his chest.
"Go!"
With a bewildered look on her face, he hurled her toward little black.
"I'll avenge you next time I return!" he called out, then turned and strode into the metal passage without looking back.
(End of the Chapter)
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