380: Chapter 379 Awakening from the Dream

A massive profit!

Chu Xuan's eyes sparkled.

He had consumed spirituality value successively for extensions, leaving only 8,026 points, but this wave was definitely worth it.

Whether it was [Strength Burst] or [Unconstrained], both were equivalent to two very powerful passive skills.

He had originally thought that special gains would only be possible after advancing and converting into real attribute.

Now, a choice between the two was right before him.

Chu Xuan couldn't help but fall into contemplation.

First was [Strength Burst]; possessing this trait could significantly boost his attack power, making it a violent damage-output type.

However, after a comprehensive evaluation, Chu Xuan still chose [Unconstrained].

The reason was simple.

For now, although [Strength Burst] was strong, the boost to his combat strength was relatively limited, whereas [Unconstrained] could make him more well-rounded.

His various attributes already far exceeded those of ordinary people; in a head-on fight, he feared no one.

He only lacked the means to resist crowd-control skills.

For instance, when facing Yan Guofa previously, that sealing ability had almost completely stripped him of his combat power; he had only managed to force the other party back by relying on his massive health points and spirituality value to tank through it.

Although Yan Guofa had retreated, it didn't mean he wouldn't make a comeback.

Even if the other party's various actions were very strange—acting out a performance on purpose for some deeper objective.

But Chu Xuan wouldn't pin his hopes on that.

Instead, he had already prepared for the worst-case scenario.

Furthermore, as The Gloom Invasion deepened, whether it was Specters, various Transcendents, or beings from other worlds, the enemies he faced would only get stronger.

There were likely many similar crowd-control skills.

No matter how well he could fight or how high his health points were, if he was controlled and bound, he would just be a target at the mercy of others.

Amidst these thoughts, Chu Xuan had already made his choice.

[You have obtained "Unconstrained".]

As the System notification arrived, Chu Xuan didn't feel anything special, as if nothing had happened.

However, he knew that if he encountered Yan Guofa again now, he could beat the crap out of him in an instant, leaving no room for any more nonsense.

“Benefactor, did you just have an Epiphany?”

A soft voice entered his ears. Chu Xuan looked sideways and saw Xiao Luowei blinking her big eyes, staring at him with curiosity.

She looked more like an innocent young girl, which seemed somewhat inconsistent with her blood-stained red robes.

Chu Xuan nodded slightly and gave a calm smile. “I have indeed made some improvements. I have to thank you for that.”

While speaking, Chu Xuan followed his old habit, plucking a green leaf and pouring a handful of life essence for her.

“It was just a small effort. If anyone should be thanked, it's me thanking you, Benefactor.”

After finishing the drink, Xiao Luowei carefully folded the leaf and put it away again. After a brief period of breath regulation, she hurried away.

She busied herself tidying up, making that small log cabin look exceptionally exquisite.

Because the cooldown for Xiao Luowei's innate Divine Ability had been significantly shortened, by the time she returned to cast [Bloody Rain and Windy Storm] again, the sixteenth hour in the dream had not yet arrived.

This time, the Bloody Rain and Windy Storm lasted exceptionally long, far exceeding any previous instance, but the damage dealt to Chu Xuan was significantly reduced.

[The time limit for your Talent skill is approaching. Do you wish to spend 600 spirituality value to extend it for 1 hour? Please make your choice within ten seconds.]

The Bloody Rain and Windy Storm continued, drifting and falling onto Chu Xuan's body.

Chu Xuan's eyes flickered as he took a deep look at Xiao Luowei, who was still persevering, her face having lost its color once more.

After a brief hesitation, Chu Xuan chose to extend the time once again.

[You have consumed 600 spirituality value.]

[Current spirituality value: 7,426]

Time passed slowly. Nearly twenty minutes had gone by, but he had only lost a bit over 200 health points.

More importantly, it no longer had any effect on increasing Chu Xuan's strength attribute.

“Reaching 180 points in the strength attribute should be considered a qualitative change. If I want to improve further, this Bloody Rain and Windy Storm probably won't be enough. It seems I'll have to find another way... This sixteenth hour was indeed a waste.”

Chu Xuan shook his head slightly, planning to head to that spatial passage as soon as he woke up to kill a few more of the Elf Race to make up for it.

Just then, Xiao Luowei suddenly spoke up, “Benefactor, are you preparing to leave?”

“Yes,” Chu Xuan nodded.

Xiao Luowei's face instantly turned pale, and she spoke hurriedly, “Benefactor, could you stay for just a moment longer? Just a moment is fine, I can still continue!”

The expression on Xiao Luowei's face was almost pleading, making her gentle and beautiful features look somewhat desolate at this moment.

Pfft!

She spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.

Yet Xiao Luowei was still forcibly extending her innate Divine Ability.

Chu Xuan's eyes flickered slightly. “Stop it. I'll stay for a while longer before I leave.”

A smile immediately reappeared on Xiao Luowei's face. “Benefactor, recover from your injuries first. Once I've regulated my breathing for a bit, I can cast my innate Divine Ability again. This time... the interval will only be fifteen minutes at most.”

“No need.” Chu Xuan waved his hand and asked directly, “What do you need me to do by staying? You've helped me quite a bit. As long as it's within my capabilities, I will fulfill your request.”

Xiao Luowei didn't answer directly; her smile only deepened as she said, “Benefactor, in these final moments, I only want you to walk with me for a bit.”

As faint golden light particles fell upon her, she guided the Golden Tortoise to crawl up her palm. With graceful steps, she led the way, walking straight toward the small log cabin.

Chu Xuan followed her.

Xiao Luowei, dressed in red ahead of him, was like a carefree young girl, lightly jumping and weaving through the sea of flowers.

Her blood-stained red robes actually became less conspicuous against the backdrop of the Red Fuluo flowers everywhere.

Even the thick scent of blood was significantly diluted by the rich fragrance of the flowers.

Continuing along the smooth, jade-like, and colorful stones, they soon reached the temporary log cabin, the air still filled with a faint woody fragrance.

At this moment, a morning breeze blew gently, and sunlight filtered through the window frame, casting dappled shadows on the rough wooden floor.

Several kinds of colorful fruits were placed on the table.

As Chu Xuan looked around, he felt as if he were in a fantasy scene from a fairy tale.

“Benefactor, I cannot repay you for saving my life.”

Xiao Luowei stood at the door and said with a light smile, “Luowei has nothing better to entertain you with, only these mundane fruits and the beautiful scenery before us. I hope you can feel my sincerity. I also hope...”

A hint of bitterness gradually appeared in Xiao Luowei's smile. “I also hope you won't blame me for being too murderous. I am not a bloodthirsty Devil Head; I was truly forced into it...”

“I've never taken it to heart. Whether you kill or not has never been my concern. However, I have always adhered to one principle...” As Chu Xuan walked over, his face remained calm and indifferent from start to finish.

“If someone wants to kill me, I will kill them! It's the same whether it's one person, a hundred, or a thousand—even if the whole world wants me dead...”

Chu Xuan suddenly laughed softly. “Then I can only find a way to slaughter them all within my lifetime!”

“However, in reality, it doesn't need to be that troublesome. When you kill enough people and display enough strength, those voices that once called for your death will naturally vanish.”

“Those who once viewed you as an enemy will either be dead, fled, or... become your admirers.”

“You'll find that there are very few sinister people around you anymore; instead, there will be many more singing your praises.”

“In short, when you have enough strength, whatever you do is right, and everyone must revolve around you.”

“Conversely, having great treasures without the corresponding strength—isn't that the greatest sin?”

As he spoke, Chu Xuan sat down, picked up a strangely shaped fruit from the wooden plate on the table, and took a bite.

It offered no special benefits and was no different from ordinary fruit, except that its juice was exceptionally sweet.

“What are you standing there for? Come, let's drink!”

Chu Xuan took two wooden cups from the table and filled them with life essence. When he looked at Xiao Luowei again, she was already covered in tears.

“Alright!”

Xiao Luowei walked over with large strides and drained the cup in one gulp.

Crystal tears fell to the ground, yet she smiled.

This smile made her look like a completely different person, as if she had cast off all her mental burdens and was no longer constrained in the slightest.

The two sat by the window like this, slowly sipping life essence while enjoying the beautiful scenery outside.

“Benefactor, please let me say I'm sorry here.”

After three cups of wine, Xiao Luowei stared blankly at Chu Xuan, her gaze gradually becoming blurred.

“Actually... I intentionally hid the duration and interval of my innate Divine Ability's release earlier. I just... I just wanted you to stay a little longer.”

“In these past two years, I don't know how much intrigue and deception I've experienced, or how many dangerous assassinations I've faced...”

“I don't know when it started, but I've developed a mental block.”

“I want so badly to find someone to confide in, but in this vast world, who isn't coveting my Xiao Family's Spirit Treasure?” Xiao Luowei gently toyed with the Golden Tortoise on the table, which had long since gotten drunk again and was lying spread-eagle.

She murmured softly, her voice thin as silk, “I always think, how wonderful it would be if I could return to the beginning and still be that carefree girl of the Xiao Family.”

“Back then, I could chase butterflies in the courtyard and listen to my mother singing softly by the window. I didn't have to worry about survival, nor did I have to lick my wounds alone in the dark night.”

“I also always think, how nice it would be if there were still someone to shield me from the wind and rain.”

“Just like my father used to; his harshest criticisms only came when I was slack in my martial arts cultivation. But now I understand that my father's painstaking efforts back then were so that if one day I had to venture into this dangerous world alone, I would have more capital to save my life.”

“I'm always thinking of finding something to lean on, a harbor... I don't know when it started, but in my heart, I've already taken you, the Benefactor who saved me once, as that support.”

“Because it was you who, when I was already in despair, opened a path of life for me in the darkness with a single finger of Sword Qi.”

Xiao Luowei suddenly looked up and smiled with relief. “But now, I understand!”

Xiao Luowei stood up abruptly, the daze in her eyes vanished, replaced by an unprecedentedly firm and sharp light.

“Instead of relying on others and fantasizing about someone clearing the path for me, it's better to rely on myself! Instead of depending on someone else's protection, it's better to find a way to use my own hands to carve out my own path...”

“I have already changed long ago, so why cling to yesterday?!”

As she spoke, a surging and majestic power erupted from Xiao Luowei's body. The aura she had been struggling to hide and suppress was now completely released without any reservation.

The scent of blood became even thicker.

Her tied-up black hair billowed out, and her blood-red robes moved even without wind, as a faint sense of blood-lust surged toward him.

“Is this the real you?” Chu Xuan laughed softly and drank alone.

“Yes, this is who I should truly be. I should have accepted it long ago.” Xiao Luowei's red lips curled into a smile in return.

The two conversed casually.

The air was filled with a woody fragrance, a faint floral scent, and the aroma of wine that invigorated one's vitality.

One could also hear the chirping of birds in the distant forest and the rustling of the wind through the leaves.

From time to time, agile little beasts scurried past the window.

In the distance were gentle breezes and warm sun, blue sea and sky, and silver-white beaches.

Everything seemed so peaceful and beautiful.

Unfortunately, these were all fleeting, like a reflection in a mirror or the moon in water.

Chu Xuan, after all, still had to return to where he belonged.

Another System extension notification arrived.

[The time limit for your Talent skill is approaching. Do you wish to spend 700 spirituality value to extend it for 1 hour? Please make your choice within ten seconds.]

[Ten!]

—No!

Chu Xuan didn't plan on staying any longer and had already made his choice.

[Nine!]

The countdown continued; when the time was completely up, he would wake up from the dream.

Just then, several bursts of wild laughter rang out.

“The guidance from the Three Sects was indeed correct; the female devil has fled to the Tianxing Sea Area!”

“She's indeed here! Witch, prepare to die!”

“...”

A majestic pressure descended from the sky, and the roof of the log cabin was directly ripped off.

“Courting death!” Xiao Luowei looked up abruptly, killing intent flashing in her eyes.

Bloody Rain and Windy Storm, a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood rose again!

“Benefactor, my whereabouts are no longer a secret. If The Dragon Turtle stays with me, I fear it will be snatched away. Rather than letting others profit, I'd rather give it to you. Please take The Dragon Turtle with you!”

Xiao Luowei raised her hand and threw the Golden Tortoise to Chu Xuan, then leaped up, turning into a streak of blood-red light and flying away.

“In that case, I'll leave this for you.”

Chu Xuan had previously tried to use the System to authenticate the Golden Tortoise, but the prompt said it could not be authenticated or stored in the biological space.

Although he had now obtained the Golden Tortoise, the authentication was still unsuccessful and remained invalid.

Nevertheless, Chu Xuan still put it away.

[Three!]

[Two!]

After a brief thought, Chu Xuan had a sudden whim; he opened his mouth wide and stuffed the Golden Tortoise inside.

Immediately after, with a wave of his hand, the greed tank he had just put away reappeared on the table.

Inside the tank, more than half of the life essence remained.

[One!]

The final second of the countdown appeared, and countless white lights burst forth, swallowing everything between heaven and earth.