"Almost, I guess."

Gu Jianlin replied perfunctorily.

Su Youzhu finally relaxed. As long as this young man had no connection to the Qilin Venerable, it was fine.

Getting entangled with an Ancient Supreme; the karma would be unimaginable.

He was already so exhausted. It was better if he didn't get drawn into such matters.

This was the boy she had raised since he was young, and she planned to keep nurturing him.

Although she felt afraid every time she faced that Venerable.

But for the sake of future happiness, she had to muster her courage and confront the Venerable bravely.

You can do it!

Suddenly, Gu Jianlin raised his hand and gripped her slender waist.

In an instant, the posture became more ambiguous.

For just a second, Su Youzhu's delicate body trembled slightly. Her snow-like face was tinged with an unnatural flush.

"W-what are you doing?"

She suddenly felt a little shy, while also harboring a hint of secret delight deep down.

Maybe this stone-faced young man had finally awakened to her beauty.

Gripping her waist effortlessly, Gu Jianlin lifted her up and placed her aside.

Su Youzhu: "..."

"Stay home and rest for the next few days. I can't use these resources anyway, so you can have them. But don't think for a second that last time's issue is over yet. I'm still not over it, so don't try to gloss things over."

Gu Jianlin said expressionlessly.

Su Youzhu's gaze turned cold: "Hmph, ditching me after pulling up your pants, huh?"

I spent four hours cooking dinner for you, even put on black stockings, which was already my apology.

What more do you want?

"If you want me to forgive you, just behave and listen to me in the future. Stop causing trouble."

Gu Jianlin glanced at her and said casually, "Advance to the Fifth Rank soon. Then I'll let this go. I heard from the Butcher that you guys provoked an unimaginable existence in the Ancient God Realm. Were they really planning to capture you as a Female Sacrifice?"

Su Youzhu's delicate face changed: "That big mouth!"

Gu Jianlin, rarely intrigued, asked, "So it's true?"

Annoyed, Su Youzhu puffed her cheeks and replied, "Ugh, it's fine. Stop worrying about it."

She raised her finely sculpted face, speaking with earnest seriousness: "I will never become a Female Sacrifice."

From the determination and resolve in her voice and eyes, Gu Jianlin felt his heart skip a beat for no apparent reason.

"Advancing isn't that big of a deal, right?"

Su Youzhu muttered: "I'll do it as soon as I can."

Gu Jianlin nodded in satisfaction, then suddenly recalled something.

Old Gu had mentioned before that the Candle Dragon Bone could help people comprehend Forbidden Spells.

And the teacher also said that observing the mythic forms of Ancient Supremes could lead to the same insight.

Now, in the depths of his consciousness, the Black Qilin had undergone a transformation after consuming the Dragon Bone.

If he replicated its form for her to observe, it might yield some effect.

"Wash the dishes, sleep."

Gu Jianlin gathered the bowls and utensils and headed to the kitchen: "Come help."

He hated washing dishes the most.

But Su Youzhu remained unmoved, resting her chin on her hand as she asked: "Together wash the dishes, or together sleep?"

Clang.

The bowl in Gu Jianlin's hand slipped and fell into the sink.

"Don't tell me you skipped your May Day homework?"

He took a deep breath and said coldly: "Do you want a beating?"

"Coming, coming."

Su Youzhu's beautiful eyes sparkled mischievously as she leapt off the sofa.

"Tonight, are we sleeping in your room or mine?"

·

·

Night fell, and the sea tide's sounds drifted on the breeze.

Gu Jianlin changed into his pajamas, collapsed onto the bed like a burden had been lifted, and stared blankly at the ceiling.

Ding-dong.

A message arrived on Deep Space Network.

Lin Wanqiu: "Director Li's injuries have healed and he'll likely be discharged tomorrow at 6:30 PM. Afterward, he'll leave the Black Cloud City Base for East Sea International Airport, heading back to headquarters. I've managed to get this info for you, but please don't act recklessly—roughing him up is one thing, but anything further would spell big problems."

Gu Jianlin glanced at the message, thinking to himself that this woman was indeed useful.

"Got it, thanks."

He replied.

Director Li was clearly someone from The Order of the Hidden, sent specifically to keep him under control.

The President probably knew about this.

From that perspective, it was plausible that the teacher and senior brother knew too.

Yet they hadn't expressed anything.

"Are they testing my abilities, or is there some unspoken complication? And didn't Director Chen mention before not to rely too much on the teacher's power? He's shackled by Heaven's Punishment and vulnerable to its effects."

Gu Jianlin murmured, "And the President doesn't have many years left to live."

The thoughts of these major figures were layered and obscure, too complex to fathom in a short time.

Gu Jianlin's nature didn't lean on elders' strength anyway.

Investigating the matter alone, however, might prove overwhelming.

After all, this was the real world.

And his knowledge of the Transcendent world was seriously lacking.

Youzhu was currently injured, unable to assist.

Gu Jianlin suddenly thought of another option.

He picked up his phone, sent out a message, and then turned off the screen.

The time had come.

He retrieved the master lock of the Symbiotic Lock from his drawer and strapped it onto his wrist.

Although the teacher recommended hunting down an enemy to use it on, such tasks weren't easy in the real world. Even if he caught one, subduing them and forcing the master lock onto them would be a hassle.

Enduring hardship wasn't so bad.

Being accustomed to pain created unimaginable advantages in battle.

Gu Jianlin closed his eyes, letting the darkness in his mind expand, consuming him.

For a brief moment, the searing pain caused him to curl into himself beneath the blankets, trembling slightly.