72: Mutual investment, intertwined relationships

Under the cover of the pink mist, the four sped along until they could no longer sense the aura of their pursuers, finally stopping in a hidden stone cave. The cave was small, barely enough to hold them, but it offered a rare moment of respite.

Lin Xuan carefully set Su Wanqing down, letting her lean against the stone wall. Her face was as pale as paper, her aura weak, and the cracks on her ice sword were alarming. Lin Xuan's heart tightened. He immediately took out the best healing Medicinal Pill that the System had previously returned to him, gently supported her shoulder, and fed the Medicinal Pill into her mouth. In the process, his fingertips inadvertently brushed against her cool, soft lips, causing both of them to pause.

"Senior Sister Su, circulate your Qi to dissolve the medicinal power." Lin Xuan's voice was low, carrying a trace of imperceptible hoarseness and concern. He placed his palm on her back, and his pure, gentle Mid-stage Golden Core Spell power slowly flowed in, helping her guide the medicinal power to repair her damaged Meridians and Golden Core.

Su Wanqing's long eyelashes trembled slightly. She opened her eyes, meeting Lin Xuan's eyes, which were close by and filled with worry. She had never been this close to a man before; she could clearly feel the warmth radiating from his palm and the steady, strong beat of his heart. Layers of ripples formed in her originally cold heart lake. She did not refuse the help, merely turning her head slightly. A faint blush crept up her earlobes, and she let out an almost inaudible "Mhm," before closing her eyes to focus on healing. This silent acceptance and hint of shyness were the most direct emotional expressions from her usually reserved nature.

Qu Feiyan, who was nearby, watched this scene. A flicker of complexity crossed her seductive eyes, quickly turning into a teasing chuckle: "Tsk, Sister Su, this time you're the hero saving the beauty... wait, no, the Fairy saving the hero." Although her tone was playful, her complexion was equally pale; the earlier loss of vital blood essence had significantly affected her.

Hearing this, Lin Xuan immediately looked at her, his gaze sincere: "Senior Sister Qu, thank you for stepping in just now. Lin Xuan will never forget the kindness of you sacrificing your vital blood essence." At the same time, he handed her a bottle of spiritual liquid that nourished the Divine Soul and replenished Qi and blood. "This item might be useful for Senior Sister."

Qu Feiyan took the Spiritual Liquid, intentionally drawing her fingertip lightly across his palm. Feeling his momentary stiffness, she giggled satisfactorily: "It's enough if Little Brother Lin remembers Big Sister's kindness~" She consumed the Spiritual Liquid, feeling the warm medicinal power spread and soothe the fatigue of her Divine Soul. The look she gave Lin Xuan contained less teasing and more an indescribable softness. Wasn't her effort also a form of "investment"? Investing in the affection and potential shown during this crisis, and the return... She glanced at Wanqing, who was healing, and a certain thought in her heart became clearer.

[Ding! Investment target 'Qu Feiyan's' trust level and favorability toward the Host have greatly increased, deepening the Bond. The Host receives investment feedback: Seduction Skill Resistance slightly increased, Divine Soul recovery speed marginally enhanced.]

The System's prompt caused Lin Xuan's heart to stir slightly.

Just then, a small hand gently tugged at his sleeve. Lin Xuan turned and saw Gongsun Yu tilting up her small face, her eyes still red-rimmed, looking at him timidly yet full of worry: "Big Brother Lin, are you alright? Senior Sister Su, she..."

Lin Xuan's heart softened. He reached out and ruffled her hair, his tone gentle: "I'm fine, and Senior Sister Su will get better too. Just now... thank you, Xiaoyu. You were very brave." He was referring to the moment when she tried to take the blow for him.

Praised by him, Gongsun Yu's small face instantly flushed red. She quickly shook her head: "I—I didn't help much, and I almost..." She lowered her head, her voice filled with annoyance. Lin Xuan's touch made her heart flutter, and the feeling of being acknowledged and protected deepened her reliance on him.

[Ding! Investment target 'Gongsun Yu's' reliance and admiration value toward the Host have greatly increased, deepening the Bond. The Host receives investment feedback: Lightning-type Spell control slightly increased, Protective Aura intensity marginally enhanced.]

The continuous feedback restored much of Lin Xuan's state, even allowing for subtle improvements. He deeply realized that this "investment" was truly mutual. He invested resources and care, and they reciprocated with growth, trust, and even the affection of self-sacrifice, and all of this ultimately strengthened him through the System feedback. This was a virtuous and increasingly tight cycle.

A moment later, Su Wanqing's injuries were temporarily stabilized; although not fully healed, she was out of danger. She opened her eyes, sensing the residual Spell power from Lin Xuan in her body, and his palm still resting on her back without having moved. Her cheeks felt slightly warm, but she did not push him away, merely whispering, "I am fine now. Thank you, Junior Brother Lin."

Only then did Lin Xuan withdraw his hand, feeling slightly relieved. He looked at the dim sky outside the stone cave, his expression turning solemn again: "The people of the Guixu Cult won't let this go. We must quickly find a way to use the star marrow gold to leave this place."

He took out the immortal abode pivot token again. The fragment of star marrow gold quietly floated inside it, emitting a faint glow. He attempted to inject his Divine Sense and Spell power into it, combining it with the power of the cardinal edict to carefully sense its secrets.

Gradually, some vague fragments of information appeared in his mind. star marrow gold was indeed one of the core Materials for forging a Treasure Vessel capable of traversing the Void Realm and resisting the Power of Annihilation. However, this small piece alone was far from enough; it was more like a "primer" or a "coordinate." Through it, the immortal abode pivot token seemed to faintly sense the existence of another larger piece of star marrow gold, or one originating from the same source, near a hidden "tributary" of the Burial Star Sea, or perhaps... an Ancient Ruin that might contain such Materials.

"There's a lead." A glimmer of hope flashed in Lin Xuan's eyes. "The cardinal edict senses that along the edge of the Burial Star Sea, toward the 'Shadowy Ravine' direction, there might be other Materials we need, or another piece of star marrow gold."

This was a clear direction, but it also meant they had to travel along the deadly boundary of the Burial Star Sea—the danger was self-evident.

Hearing this, the Three women's gazes all fell upon Lin Xuan. Su Wanqing's eyes were resolute, silently expressing her support. Qu Feiyan smiled sweetly: "That sounds exciting. Big Sister likes it." Gongsun Yu nodded emphatically, indicating she would follow him.

Seeing their unreserved trust, a warm current surged in Lin Xuan's heart, and his sense of responsibility grew heavier. He extended his hand, his gaze sweeping over the Three women: "The road ahead is perilous, but we have no choice. Together?"

Su Wanqing nodded slightly and gently placed her slender jade hand in his palm. Qu Feiyan also covered his hand with hers, playfully scratching his hand with her fingertip. Gongsun Yu, a bit shyly, carefully placed her small hand on top.

The four hands stacked together, temperatures mingling, as if forming an invisible Pact.

"Together." The Three women said in unison, their eyes resolute.

After a brief rest, the four quietly left the stone cave. They set off again along the chilling edge of the Burial Star Sea, heading toward the unknown direction of the "Shadowy Ravine." The crisis was not over, but the deepening affection and shared goal among them became the faint light guiding their way through the darkness.