91: Chapter 91 Awakening

When I opened my eyes, the first sensation I had was—my entire body felt like it had been dismantled.

"Hiss..." I gasped, wanting to move a finger, only to find I didn't even have the strength for that.

"He's awake! He's awake!"

A familiar voice reached my ears, filled with undisguised excitement. I struggled to turn my head and saw a haggard face.

Ye Liuli.

Her eyes were red, and her hair was a mess. Where was any trace of the Iceberg Empress left?

"You..." I wanted to speak, but my throat was as dry as the Sahara Desert, and I couldn't get a single word out.

"Don't talk, drink some water first." Ye Liuli hurriedly brought over a cup of water and carefully lifted my head.

I took a few sips, and feeling my throat slightly better, I finally asked, "How long... have I been asleep?"

"Three days." Ye Liuli's voice was a bit hoarse, "Three whole days."

Three days?

I was stunned for a moment, my mind slowly recalling what happened before I lost consciousness.

Light of Tianqi... Shadow World-Destroying Formation... Shadow Pavilion Master turned to ashes...

"Tianqi City... was it saved?" I asked.

"It was saved." Ye Liuli nodded, "Thanks to you."

I let out a sigh of relief and began to look around at my surroundings.

This was a secret room, its walls carved with runes that emitted a faint golden light. And on my body...

I looked down and almost peed myself.

I saw that my body was covered in golden needles, densely packed like a hedgehog.

"What... what is going on here?" I widened my eyes.

"Don't move!" an aged voice rang out, "These golden needles were condensed from my life's cultivation and are currently sustaining your life. If you move around, all previous efforts will be wasted!"

I turned my head and saw Mo Wentian standing to the side, his face pale, looking more than ten years older.

"Elder Mo..." I opened my mouth, not knowing what to say.

"You kid, you really have a tough life." Mo Wentian sighed, "After using the Light of Tianqi, your vitality was almost zero; logically, you should have died on the spot. But there seems to be a mysterious power inside you supporting you, and combined with my life's cultivation, we barely managed to pull you back from the gates of hell."

Hearing this, I felt a wave of lingering fear.

So I was almost done for?

"Then what about me now..." I checked my status.

[Player: Chen Ergou]

[Level: 30]

[Vitality: 30% (Severely damaged, needs slow recovery)]

[Mana: 100%]

[Title: Apocalypse Guardian]

[Equipment: apocalypse holy sword (Legendary Grade)]

Only 30% vitality left?

My mouth twitched; this was too miserable.

Just then, the system prompt sounded:

[Ding! Host's vitality is too low, some functions are temporarily sealed. Ways to recover vitality: 1. Use high-level recovery potion 2. Complete special tasks 3... (Information blocked)]

I: "..."

Damn it, playing hard to get at a critical moment?

"Rest well, don't think too much," Ye Liuli said softly, "Vitality can be recovered slowly, as long as you are alive, that's all that matters."

I looked at her, and a warm current suddenly surged in my heart.

For these three days, she must have been watching over me here, right?

"You... haven't slept at all?" I asked.

Ye Liuli didn't answer, but her dark circles said it all.

"Go get some rest," I said, feeling my heart ache, "Didn't I wake up? I'm fine now."

"I'm not sleepy." She shook her head.

"Don't force yourself," I frowned, "Look at you, you look like a panda."

Ye Liuli glared at me, but her eyes slowly turned red.

"Do you know..." her voice trembled slightly, "How scared I was these past three days? I was afraid you wouldn't wake up, I was afraid that you would just..."

She couldn't continue, and tears slid down her cheeks.

I was stunned.

This was the first time I had seen her cry.

The Iceberg Empress, Ye Liuli, President of the Dawn Guild... This woman who dominated the game was now shedding tears in front of me.

"Don't cry..." I was at a loss, wanting to reach out and wipe her tears, only to find I couldn't move at all, "Didn't I turn out fine? My life is tough, even the King of Hell wouldn't dare take me."

Ye Liuli broke into a smile through her tears and lightly hit me, "What time is it now, and you're still joking."

"I'm telling the truth," I looked at her seriously, "I promised you that I would take you to see the true dawn. That promise still stands."

Ye Liuli stared at me blankly, her tears flowing even harder.

"When I recover," I continued, "I will take you to do the thing I've always wanted to do."

"What thing?"

"Set up a street stall," I said solemnly, "Take you to set up a street stall together."

Ye Liuli: "..."

She was stunned for a few seconds, then laughed and cried, "You... is that all your ambition?"

"What's wrong? What's wrong with setting up a street stall?" I said unconvinced, "I, Chen Ergou, started my business by setting up a street stall! This is called not forgetting one's original intention, understand?"

Ye Liuli shook her head, but a gentle smile lifted the corners of her mouth.

"Fine, I'll accompany you to set up a street stall."

A warmth spread through my heart, and I felt the golden needles on my body weren't as painful anymore.

Just then, the system prompt sounded again:

[Ding! Volume 2: Winds and Clouds of All Worlds has begun!]

[New maps unlocked: Dragon City, Phoenix City, Netherworld City!]

[Wishing the host to create new brilliance in the new adventure!]

My eyes lit up.

New maps? New adventures?

Looks like I'm about to start making waves again!

Mo Wentian watched us from the side, stroking his beard and smiling, "Young people... it's truly enviable."

"Elder Mo, please don't tease us," I chuckled, "By the way, how is the situation in Tianqi City now?"

"Everything is fine," Mo Wentian said, "The remnants of the Shadow Pavilion have been cleared out, and Tianqi City is being rebuilt. Rest assured and recover from your injuries, you don't need to worry about other things."

I nodded, feeling much more at ease.

"Alright, I should go get some rest too," Mo Wentian yawned, "These three days have exhausted me."

"Thank you, Elder Mo, for saving my life!" I said solemnly.

"What's there to thank?" Mo Wentian waved his hand, "You are the hero of Tianqi City, it was my duty to save you. Besides, if you really died, who would inherit my mantle?"

I: "..."

This old man, still so blunt.

After Mo Wentian left, only Ye Liuli and I were left in the secret room.

"You should go get some rest too," I said softly, "I'm really fine now."

Ye Liuli hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded, "Okay, I'll be right next door, call me if you need anything."

"Mm."

Watching her retreating figure, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.

New adventure, here comes Chen Ergou!