103: The changes after eating the Marrow Cleansing Fruit

It was already late at night when he returned to school, and the road back to the dormitory was empty.

After several busy days, suddenly having some free time made him feel physically and mentally exhausted.

Thinking back on everything that had happened these past few days, it really felt like he had survived a disaster.

Especially the moment he was about to die; just thinking about it now sent chills down his spine.

And that Cult Master of the Tian Sha Cult—once my strength improves a bit more, I'll definitely give you what's coming to you next time we meet.

Because of you, I lost so many lottery tickets for nothing; I'll definitely make you pay it back with interest.

Also, I can't be so reckless in the future, acting wild just because my Ability proficiency is high. This time I was lucky to survive thanks to two passives, but next time might be different.

But then again, if someone like me died, no one would care, right?

Following the small path back to the dormitory, he felt a warmth in his heart as he saw the girl sitting on the bench by the trail.

It seemed there was still someone who cared whether he lived or died.

He lightened his steps and sneaked up behind the girl sitting on the bench, who was about to fall asleep.

A sudden surprise attack—covering her mouth with one hand and a wandering hand attack with the other.

"Mmm..."

Seeing the Water Iron Bullet firing at him, Su Chen dodged. I just touched your face to warm my hands, and you're trying to send my "little brother" away?

This was really a ruthless move; if he took a direct hit, it would be hard to save him.

"It's me, it's me. I scared you."

Hearing the familiar voice, Xia Weiyu finally calmed down.

"You scared me to death! I thought it was some hooligan!"

'Ding, gained Xia Weiyu's favorability, lottery ticket +100.'

Su Chen gave an apologetic smile and sat down:

"Just checking your alertness. You need to practice more, otherwise, if you're really attacked one day, it'll be too late for regrets."

Xia Weiyu acted out, swinging her fists at Su Chen. The latter didn't dodge or counterattack this time, letting her vent.

After hitting him for a while, Xia Weiyu wanted to give Su Chen's wrist a hard bite, but decided against it after some thought.

Wounds heal slowly in winter; if she bit through the skin, Su Chen would have trouble washing up for the next few days.

She'd just pinch him a couple of times to give him a lesson and let him know the consequences of scaring her.

After hesitating several times, she still couldn't bring herself to do it. She could only take out her frustration on Su Chen's jacket, pinching his clothes hard as a lesson!

"It's already two o'clock. Why haven't you gone back to the dorm to rest?"

"You said you were coming back today, so I made some dinner for you.

I fell asleep while waiting."

Seeing the thermal lunch box on the bench, Su Chen didn't stand on ceremony, opening it and eating heartily.

The food was still warm and tasted just right.

"Su Chen, is the Otherworld dangerous?"

"What danger could there be when following everyone else? It was just some clean-up work to earn some extra cash.

Once it was mostly resolved, I came back first.

I've already submitted the mission. Classmate Xia, your assessment is now considered complete.

Are you happy?"

"Happy."

Seeing Xia Weiyu's forced answer, Su Chen could understand the reason.

Worried that you'll have no reason to team up with me in the future, and that I'll leave you behind?

True, your E-Rank Talent is indeed not much to look at. If it were me,

I'd probably be worried about that too. After all, there's really no confidence to compete with others.

Don't worry, once you've eaten the marrow cleansing fruit and your talent transforms, you won't think that way anymore.

"Weiyu, come up for a bit. I brought back a gift for you.

I'm sure you'll like it."

...Dormitory,

Yang Junlong was seriously injured during the city defense battle and was still lying in the hospital.

He had been contacted on the way back; he was already recuperating in a hospital back in his hometown and wouldn't return before the start of the winter break. Wang Xiaoting had gone with him.

This room now belonged to him alone.

Xiao Qian was in Xia Weiyu's dorm and was likely fast asleep by now.

It was almost three in the morning, so no one would knock to disturb them.

The room was empty, with only him and Xia Weiyu. For a moment, the atmosphere became a bit ambiguous.

The room was dim and silent. Come to think of it, all of the Empress's troubles were now resolved.

The debt issue was settled, the assessment mission was over, and the limb regeneration issue would be solved soon.

Looking at Xia Weiyu, who was huddled behind the door with her head down—though he couldn't see her face, she must be nervous.

Does she think I brought her up here to do something bad?

Well, I do have that thought, but... not today. It's already three o'clock. Even if we finished the main business quickly, it would take an hour.

Morning joggers head out at four, and the soundproofing in this building is only average.

It is the first time after all; Su Chen didn't want to just settle. If only there hadn't been a traffic jam on the way, he wouldn't have been so late and missed out on the good stuff.

But it's fine; there's plenty of time ahead.

Hmm, first see if Xia Weiyu is repulsed. If not, then he'd need to pick an auspicious day.

Scarf removed, jacket taken off.

"I..."

Su Chen asked back: "What is it?"

"No... nothing."

Just when she thought she was going to give herself up tonight, Su Chen didn't take any further action. He just gave her a grape-sized golden fruit.

"This is for you. Eat it and then go wash up."

Su Chen didn't say what kind of fruit it was or what its effects were.

But it was definitely something good. Su Chen wouldn't lie to her, and even if he did, she'd accept it even if it were poison.

Following his instructions, she went to the bathroom to wash up, eating the marrow cleansing fruit at the same time.

The moment she ate it, she felt her body lighten significantly, and all her exhaustion vanished.

She only opened her eyes when she smelled a faint, strange odor, her brow furrowing at the sight of black grime on her skin.

Knowing Su Chen was coming back today, she had specifically gone to the bathhouse to wash thoroughly.

Why was she so dirty?

Heavens! Why couldn't she wash it off even with just water?

The more she washed, the more there was. Could she have been possessed by an evil spirit after sitting outside for too long?

...Su Chen sat on the sofa flipping through a perpetual calendar while thinking deeply.

In his previous life, he and the Empress were from two different worlds. He only knew that her talent had undergone a second transformation, and that her Ability was Water-type and she was skilled with a sword.

He didn't know anything about her other abilities, but she indeed began her rise after the second talent transformation.

With this talent transformation, she would surely soar. He couldn't say she'd crush everyone in her generation,

But catching up to A-rank Talent Ability Users within a month was possible. He also didn't know what new Ability she would awaken, but whatever it was, it would definitely be a powerful one.

And then there was the talent—if her talent transformed, the amount of lottery tickets given would increase. This was what he cared about most.

It would definitely increase.

How could my Empress's talent be compared to a Mortal? It must be one in ten thousand, second to none.

Being on equal footing with the Azure Dragon was nothing.

He also wondered how fast her limb regeneration would be and what level she would transform to this time.

The results from that Talent Gem before were fake anyway.

He would have to wait for the System's broadcast for details.

He could tell how much progress she made by looking at the amount of lottery tickets given.

When her limb regenerated in a moment, Xia Weiyu would surely be very happy.

Witnessing a miracle.

'Ding, gained Xia Weiyu's favorability, lottery ticket +0.05.'

Su Chen: "?"

Su Chen sprang up from the sofa. Ah, wait... did I hear that right?

System, did you have a bug during an update?

'Ding, gained Xia Weiyu's favorability, lottery ticket +0.05.'

It rang again. He still felt like he was just too tired and had misheard.

Unbelieving, he clicked on the record panel. Acquisitions were recorded, so there couldn't be a mistake. This look really made his heart turn cold.

It was indeed 0.05 tickets.

On the page for Xia Weiyu's favorability, a long string of favorability gains appeared, all without exception being 0.05.

It was a good thing that they kept appearing, but!

What use do I have for 0.05? How many times would it take to reach a hundred?

What's the point of quantity if the quality isn't there? No matter how many, it's useless if the quality is low.

Was the marrow cleansing fruit fake? That shouldn't be; he had eaten one himself, and the effects were undeniable.

Could it be... that fruit just now was expired?

Did the Empress's talent regressed instead of advance after eating it?

Did she really become an E-Rank Talent?

Or is it that once the Empress found her body had returned to normal, she stopped loving me?

0.05! Empress!

How am I supposed to live without you, Empress! Empress!