269: Just waiting for a counterattack

"Brother, where is this place? Why is it getting stickier the further we go?" Gu Xitian, who had been hiding behind Gu Xiheng, kept shaking her feet to get rid of the sticky mucus clinging to them, complaining with disgust.

Because she kept shaking back and forth, she gradually fell behind the others.

Gu Xiheng's expression gradually turned grim. What kind of place is this? How could she still have the leisure to complain about this and that? She really doesn't care about staying alive.

"Shut up! If you dawdle any longer and those sticky Tentacles catch up, no one will stop to save you!" Gu Xiheng said expressionlessly, his words merciless.

Gu Xitian, who had already fallen behind, watched as everyone ahead quickly moved away, with no intention of stopping to wait for her. A sense of grievance welled up in her heart, and she pouted but didn't dare say anything.

At this point, she could no longer care about the mucus on her feet and hurriedly quickened her pace to catch up. With Gu Xiheng's help, she finally caught up with the fleeing group.

Gong Qiuqiu led the way at the front, winding through many twists and turns along the path. After an unknown amount of time, a red light appeared ahead. Seeing the flickering red light, the group felt relieved and quickened their steps toward the exit emitting the red light.

Ai Yue, who was in the middle of the group, felt a sudden palpitation in her heart when she saw the red light. Her heartbeat quickened slightly, and a wave of longing emanated from the space hidden within her heart, spreading an excited emotion throughout her limbs, urging her to rush toward the red light.

Ai Yue's hands trembled slightly, and her face flushed red due to the disturbance in her space.

She struggled to control this longing. There might still be danger ahead, and without ensuring safety, Ai Yue couldn't recklessly charge in.

The others soon arrived at the exit as well. Instead of immediately going out, they hid in the Passageway to observe the situation outside.

After clearly seeing the situation outside the exit, the group was greatly disappointed. This wasn't an exit at all but another huge "Cave."

The entire "Cave" was filled with red light, and at its center was an enormous Crystalline Object. Countless thick pipes connected to the Crystalline Object, with red, starlight-like liquid flowing through them, pouring into the Crystalline Object.

All of this appeared mysterious and eerie, making one's hair stand on end involuntarily.

Ai Yue and the others cautiously stepped into the Cave and saw such a scene.

"Is this... a heart?"

Gong Qiuqiu's eyes narrowed slightly, and he continued with a hint of surprise, "The Nameless Monster's heart?"

After the initial shock, Ai Yue returned to her calm state. At this moment, all her focus was on controlling her wildly beating heart and the increasingly intense longing.

She knew it was all the space causing trouble—it needed this crystallizing heart before her!

The others also looked at the enormous heart in awe, not noticing the person standing in the heart's shadow.

Jing Xi, who had been waiting excitedly for the moment the Nameless Monster's heart fully crystallized, was startled by Ai Yue and the others suddenly barging in.

After recognizing it was Ai Yue and the others, she couldn't help but darken her expression and say through gritted teeth, "Why is it you again? Why do you keep haunting me and even found your way here!"

At this moment, the Nameless Monster's heart only needed the topmost layer to fully crystallize. Once the heart completed crystallization, it would become a mature entity, and the Blood Vessels connected to it would automatically detach.

At that time, she only needed to drip her blood onto the Crystallized Heart, and her long-cherished wish would be fulfilled. Then, she—would become immortal, gain indescribable abilities, and be the only deity in the world.

But her good mood was completely ruined by the arrival of Ai Yue and the others.

However, she wasn't worried. Only her blood dripping onto the heart would work; others' blood would have no effect. So, although angry, she wasn't in a hurry at this moment.

Ai Yue, suppressing the longing deep within her, sneered, "My dear sister, you're truly amusing, talking as if we're clinging to you! But you're right! We are going to cling to you until you die, along with this big guy!"

Ai Yue's eyes filled with dangerous light. After a pause, she continued, "This time, let's see if there are any sticky Tentacles to help you!"

As she spoke, Ai Yue drew a Dagger, flashed forward, and in an instant, appeared before Jing Xi.

Jing Xi didn't expect Ai Yue to attack immediately upon arrival. Caught off guard, her arm was cut, and blood flowed down.

Jing Xi covered her arm and hurriedly dodged Ai Yue's attack.

She could no longer care about her injured arm and prepared for battle.

After the initial panic, Jing Xi had now calmed down.

She glared fiercely at Ai Yue.

Ai Yue wasn't in a hurry to attack either. Her gaze turned to the heart. "Your ultimate goal is this, isn't it?"

Seeing Ai Yue not attacking, Jing Xi didn't attack either. Knowing she couldn't defeat Ai Yue, she was very willing to stall for time at this moment. Once the time came, she could seize the opportunity to drip her blood onto it, and she would be invincible.

Hearing Ai Yue's words, Jing Xi neither confirmed nor denied, looking down her nose and giving a light snort.

Ai Yue didn't care about Jing Xi's attitude. She approached the heart, raised her arm, and gently pressed the tip of her Dagger against it, saying, "What if I pierce it? Would it still be useful? Would your wish still come true?"

"Stop testing me. I'll be merciful and tell you—my goal is indeed this. But as for piercing it, it's not that I look down on you, but even ten of you combined couldn't leave a single mark. Otherwise, do you think I'd let you get close to this heart?" Jing Xi said, looking at Ai Yue with an idiotic gaze.

Ai Yue nodded as if suddenly understanding. "So that's how it is. But if I don't try, I'll always feel unwilling."

After saying this, she decisively used all her strength to stab fiercely at the heart.

Jing Xi's heart tightened. Although the Ancient Tome she obtained recorded that the crystallizing Nameless Monster's heart was impervious to weapons and wouldn't suffer any damage, she couldn't help but worry.

Only when Ai Yue was repelled by a force did she finally relax.

Ai Yue shook her numb arm and said helplessly, "It really is tough. With my strength, I can't break it."

Hearing this, a smug smile appeared on Jing Xi's face as she looked at Ai Yue arrogantly.

By now, Jing Xi felt victory was within grasp because she could see only a small circle of the heart remained to crystallize. Once the heart completed crystallization, she could no longer suppress the excitement in her heart. With a triumphant expression, she swept a contemptuous gaze over everyone present.

Ai Yue stared fixedly at Jing Xi. "Since we can't destroy the heart, we'll just have to keep trying to kill you."

Ai Yue closed in, but Jing Xi was already prepared. No matter how many came to kill her, she managed to narrowly avoid them.

Once all the Blood Vessels detached, it would be her moment to counterattack!