【Kill——】
"Kill……"
【Die——】
"Die……"
【……Host……】
【……Chosen Ones of Fate……】
Who?——
In the pitch-black burial cave, Xiao Gui'an had completely transformed into a killing machine, struggling numbly amidst mountains of corpses and seas of blood, the deep red silk ribbons as profound as blood itself.
The endless Yin soldiers, whose numbers stretched beyond sight, raised their weapons for what felt like the thousandth time, piercing through his flesh and blood body, only for it to repair and regenerate again and again.
Only two thoughts remained in his blood-soaked, chaotic mind.
One was to protect the infant boy in his embrace.
The other was to find an exit to escape.
During a rare moment of respite, Xiao Gui'an's pupils were unfocused as he mechanically extended his blood-stained fingertips to sense his surroundings once more.
This time, a faint, almost imperceptible breeze brushed against his fingertips.
So subtle it could easily be overlooked.
It's an exit——
The continuously collapsing cave had completely altered the terrain. The once airtight cavern must now have a passage leading directly outside, becoming the sole exit for survival.
It's an exit!!!——
An overwhelmingly powerful will to survive erupted from the Ghost Bride's blood-red eyes.
The fluttering deep red silk ribbons once again crushed the Yin soldiers before her, then surged toward the direction from which the wind came.
After drifting for an unknowable length of time, the sunlight that scorched the Ghost Bride shone through a narrow crevice, illuminating the path to survival.
The fresh air flowing from outside seemed to dilute the overwhelmingly thick stench of blood and decay, becoming the only salvation in the darkness.
It had already been an entire night——
They could survive.
They must survive.
Not for herself, but for the treasure she protected in her embrace——
The blazing sunlight was like the most terrible poison, pouring onto the Ghost Bride's body, burning wound after wound into her flesh. Her vision turned completely white, unable to see anything.
She could only raise her hands upward, lifting the infant boy in her arms toward the light. Her pale, slender hands revealed stark white bones under the sunlight's erosion, yet she showed no intention of stopping.
The infant boy seemed to land safely——
But the Ghost Bride appeared to have no strength left to pick him up again. Above her was the most terrifying weapon against ghostly beings; even the ever-advancing Yin soldiers feared it, struggling as they vanished under the sunlight.
The figure clad in bright red wedding robes fell downward.
Her body dissipated bit by bit into ash as if burned by flames, while below, countless Yin ghost soldiers reached up to drag her down into the endless hell with them.
"Whoosh——"
A white shadow blocked the sunlight, then softly wrapped around the Ghost Bride's waist, pulling her out of the boundless blood-soaked battlefield just as the Yin soldiers were about to grasp the hem of her dress.
Simultaneously, the boundary marker that had been shattered into pieces earlier was now reassembled and thrown by the white figure, landing steadily at the exit, temporarily sealing off the space.
Several birds approached the infant boy on the ground, gently grasping his clothes with their beaks. With a flutter of their wings, they lifted him effortlessly.
The white figure shielded them from the sunlight, carrying the Ghost Bride swiftly through the forest, unwilling to pause for even a moment, not daring to look back at the ten-thousand-meter deep pit behind them that echoed with endless roars.
A gentle breeze whispered as they traveled through the sunless dense forest.
Only after leaving that hopeless hell and no longer being affected by the terrifying resentment did Xiao Gui'an's consciousness gradually return.
If he were an ordinary ghost, he would have gone completely mad long ago.
But deep within Xiao Gui'an's consciousness space, the System remained, continuously helping him dissolve those negative influences.
His fingers twitched slightly, feeling soft fur beneath them.
Is it the Scavenger?
No, probably not.
The little Scavenger had exhausted all its accumulated power to protect him and had briefly fallen into slumber.
Moreover, the Scavenger's fur was tough yet soft with a slightly prickly feeling, not this smooth texture.
The large red veil had long disappeared somewhere, and Xiao Gui'an's ink-black hair cascaded down, concealing his pale, bloodless face.
He slowly opened his eyes, peering through the gaps in his black hair at the white fur swaying gently in the wind before him.
The surrounding scenery continuously shifted, moving backward as if they were traveling at high speed.
A bit further away from his side, several birds appeared to be carrying a bundle in their beaks, fluttering their wings while maintaining the same level as him.
Is that...
The Little Heavenly Master?
Within his consciousness space, the Zero System's calls finally became clear, 【Host? Host? You're finally awake!!——】
【As expected of the one I chose! We survived!!】
【The Chosen One of Fate is safe too! We're safe!...】
The Little Light Sphere wiped what seemed to be nonexistent tears, speaking with lingering fear, 【Wuwuwu, I almost thought you and I were going to die in the line of duty...】
"So quickly awake? Much faster than this old one estimated——"
Noticing the subtle movement from behind, the creature carrying the Ghost Bride on its back spoke softly, its voice still hoarse and unpleasant, yet carrying no malice, "Truly didn't expect you to hold on until this moment..."
It's the White Fox!——
Xiao Gui'an slowly sat up, gradually recognizing what the white creature carrying him actually was.
Fox...
Fox——
Beast!
Kill!——
A trace of killing intent unconsciously leaked from Xiao Gui'an, his black hair stirring slightly.
【Host, host! Calm down, this white fox isn't with that group of beasts! Although this is also a fox, I guarantee this is a good fox!
If she hadn't pulled us out at the last moment, we would have truly been done for!
You must stay calm, absolutely cannot attack!——】
The killing intent vanished.