Jianxin nodded: "This humble disciple promises not to rely on supernatural abilities to win, but Zhiyuan couldn't even withstand a single move."
"After his defeat, Zhiyuan realized that the Tacet Discord was not human, and that he lacked the power to protect himself—his talk of charging into battle was just empty bravado."
"What Master said earlier was correct. There are indeed things I can do in the military camp, but I should focus on what's within my capabilities rather than engage in armchair strategizing."
Lucian sighed in relief: "That's good to hear. But this means we'll have to part ways."
"What about my Clairvoyance…?"
Hearing this, Jianxin smiled, then stepped forward and tightly embraced Lucian.
Lucian was momentarily stunned. Looking down, he saw Jianxin's flushed little face nestled against his chest, her clear eyes gazing up at him with infatuation.
His voice tightened slightly: "Disciple… master-disciple relationships are improper!"
Jianxin shook her head, a flash of determination in her eyes: "Master, Master Rongfu once taught me to follow my heart."
"Right now, Jianxin has no other thoughts—she just wants to hold Master and feel the breadth of his embrace."
"Jianxin believes that someone like Master will surely walk a grand path, and Jianxin will strive to follow in your footsteps."
Her words made Lucian break out in a cold sweat.
What breadth of embrace?!
The only thing broad about me is my talent for boasting!
[Ding! Option triggered!]
[Option 1: Accept the girl's overwhelming affection. Reward: Skill 'Chixiao: Shadowless'.]
[Option 2: Firmly reject her and lecture Jianxin. Reward: 'Running in Style' level increased by one.]
[Option 3: Neither accept nor reject. Reward: 'Blood Saber Technique' level increased by one.]
"Ah, this…"
"The rewards are all so tempting…"
Though leveling up the Blood Saber Technique was extremely alluring, he really wanted to know what 'Chixiao: Shadowless' was.
As the saying goes, more skills never weigh you down!
Rover, Yangyang, Chixia, Sanhua, Baizhi, Jinhsi—it's not that I want to accept, the system is forcing me!
Blame the system, not me!
Absolutely not my fault! Definitely not!
[System: Whether you are a dog or not, I don't know, but you're definitely not human.]
Lucian pressed Jianxin against his chest, lowered his head, and gently nuzzled her cheek, speaking softly:
Jianxin, this Master understands your feelings. I… also like Jianxin very much."
"But there are more pressing matters at hand. Once everything is settled, let's try this 'lover' relationship then, alright?"
With that, his lips lightly brushed Jianxin's forehead, leaving a faint kiss.
"Mmm…"
After a long moment, Jianxin gently pushed Lucian away and clasped her hands in a bow:
"Master, Rover, Yangyang, this humble disciple will take my leave first. Once my affairs are resolved, I will return to find you all."
Then, she shyly stole one last glance at Lucian before departing.
The setting sun stretched the girl's shadow long.
Was it the sunset that adorned her face, or her face that adorned the sunset?
Lucian watched her retreating figure with a smile, the hurried atmosphere of the camp seeming to soften in this ambiguous moment.
Just as he was still lost in the emotion, a sudden chill touched his neck.
Rover's jade-like hand rested lightly on the back of his neck:
"Your luck with women is quite good, isn't it?"
"Going to 'try being lovers' with her, hmm?"
Feeling the killing intent radiating from Rover, Lucian forced a laugh: "Rover, don't get agitated yet, hear me out!"
"Oh? Got any last words?"
Lucian declared righteously: "As Jianxin's master, I must guide her onto the correct path!"
"In the past, I taught her the meaning of great love. Now, she wishes to learn of lesser love—as her master, I must lead by example!"
"I can't let anyone with ulterior motives lead my precious disciple astray!"
Rover sneered: "Hah! Seems to me you're the one with ulterior motives!"
Lucian: "Ah! That's not true at all!"
"If even I can't guide Jianxin correctly, then who else could?!"
"Rover, can't you see the depth of my good intentions?"
No matter how silver-tongued Lucian was, it couldn't change Rover's desire to pin him down.
[Ding! Option 1 'Accept the girl's affection' completed. Skill 'Chixiao: Shadowless' acquired.]
[Chixiao: Shadowless Lv1: Locate the nearest enemy target in the vicinity and unleash 10 consecutive slashes, stunning the target for 2 seconds on the final strike. If the target dies during the slashes, the skill will seek another target until all 10 strikes are completed. (Note: This skill consumes immense energy. Use with caution.)]
[Ding! Option 3 'Stay by Rover's side' completed. Talent 'Sharpshooter' acquired.]
[Sharpshooter: Never miss a shot. Every bullet finds its mark.]
...
Yangyang looked up at Rover, who was now riding on Lucian's shoulders, with a complicated expression.
"Meeting Disciple Jianxin must have been accidental. If the Mangosteen points to war, what exactly does Magistrate Jinhsi want to tell us?"
Rover gently stroked Lucian's head: "The world is born from war and suffers because of it."
"Perhaps she wants me to meet someone."
"Maybe the trigger just hasn't happened yet."
"Maybe she's just giving me an opportunity."
Lucian tilted his head, glancing upward: "Rover, sitting so high up must be tiring. Why not come down and rest?"
Rover smirked: "Not at all. It's quite comfortable."
Her hand slowly trailed down, brushing against Lucian's cheek.
Lucian: "…"
Shaking with rage! When will Solaris's strongest Resonator finally stand up for himself?!
Yangyang: "…What are you two thinking?"
Lucian grinned: "In my opinion, the answer is already obvious!"
Rover chuckled: "Oh? Let's see if we're thinking of the same person."
"The one Magistrate Jinhsi wants us to meet is none other than the leader of the Jinzhou Midnight Rangers—Jiyan!"
Lucian declared confidently. Rover nodded in satisfaction: "Well said. As expected of my finest mouthpiece."
"???"
"Since when am your mouthpiece?!"
Just as Lucian was still baffled, the Tacet Mark on Rover's right hand suddenly glowed.
In that instant, a young, urgent voice echoed in both Lucian and Rover's minds:
"Food… food…"
Suddenly, their consciousness seemed dragged by an invisible force, plunging into an abyss of darkness.
Then, a blinding white light flashed in the depths of their minds—like a guiding beacon.
Their consciousness involuntarily followed the light, as if pulled along by its current…
Abruptly, the light exploded in their minds, like the birth of a supernova—brilliant and fleeting.
Their thoughts were shattered by the sudden detonation.
Their consciousness began to sink, as if drowning in an endless, unfathomable sea…