93: Water Jade

Lingchuan University Base, in front of the school gate.

Yan Shi and his group's scarred school bus finally drove into the base's safety zone. Logistics Officer, who had already received the news and was waiting anxiously, came forward immediately. When she saw her companions getting off the bus one after another—almost everyone injured, looking exhausted and even shaken—her pale blue eyes filled with worry.

"What happened? Why are so many people injured?!" Logistics Officer's voice carried a hint of imperceptible trembling. She stepped forward quickly, a soft blue water light already condensing in her hand, preparing to treat the most severely injured.

"We... encountered an attack by a pack of Mutated Beasts at Shuoguo Supermarket. There were too many of them! They might have escaped from the nearby zoo!" Li Mu's face was pale as he clutched a deep, bone-deep claw mark on his shoulder, explaining while gasping for breath.

While Logistics Officer quickly stopped Li Mu's bleeding and treated his wounds, her eyes scanned the crowd eagerly. The injured supported each other as they got off the bus, carrying precious supplies. However, the most familiar figure, the one she cared about most, was nowhere to be seen!

Her heart sank suddenly, and a strong sense of unease seized her instantly!

"Yan Shi!" Logistics Officer turned abruptly and rushed to Yan Shi, who was directing the transport of supplies. She grabbed his blood-stained sleeve tightly, her voice turning sharp with extreme anxiety. "Where is Senior Tang Qi?! Where is he?! Why didn't he come back with you?!"

Yan Shi was taken aback. Looking at Logistics Officer's pale blue eyes that seemed ready to spit fire and the crystal tears shimmering in the corners of her eyes, his face was instantly filled with guilt and pain.

"Junior... you... don't worry..." Yan Shi's voice was dry and hoarse as he spoke with difficulty. "Old Tang... he stayed behind to cover the retreat... and... there's a mysterious expert riding an Ice Dragon helping him..."

Yan Shi briefly recounted the encounter with the Zombie Horde and the Mutated Beast siege, as well as the Ice Dragon Mage descending from the sky and Tang Qi staying behind to cover the retreat.

"Covering the retreat?! You... you actually let Senior stay behind alone?! And with someone of unknown origin?!" Logistics Officer's knuckles turned white from the force of gripping Yan Shi's sleeve. She was trembling with rage, her originally soft and beautiful face now flushed red, and tears could no longer be held back as they welled up in her eyes. "Senior is the backbone of our base! If anything happens to him... I... I'm not finished with you!"

Her words were like a knife stabbing into Yan Shi's heart. This tower of a man's eyes also turned red instantly. He opened his mouth, but felt as if something was blocking his throat, unable to utter a single word of defense. He, Tang Qi, and Li Mu—starting as just a few Evolvers in the early days of the apocalypse—had fought their way through to build this base sheltering thousands. They were brothers who shared life and death! How could he possibly want to leave Tang Qi behind? The pain and self-reproach of being forced to evacuate and leave a brother in a desperate situation almost tore him apart!

At this moment of heavy atmosphere, with Logistics Officer in tears, Yan Shi in pain, and everyone silent and suppressed—

A huge shadow, carrying a cold aura, slowly covered the open space in front of the school gate.

Everyone instinctively looked up.

In the sky, that majestic and beautiful Frost Giant Dragon was slowly descending. On its broad back, two figures were clearly visible. One was leaning against the dragon's neck, covered in blood and exhausted—it was Tang Qi! The other stood against the wind, his blue robes fluttering—it was the mysterious The Dashing Brother!

The Frost Giant Dragon landed steadily on the open ground in front of the school gate, bringing a cold breeze.

"Senior!" Logistics Officer let out a cry with a sob, and like a swallow returning to its nest, she rushed forward recklessly! In her eyes, there was only that figure covered in wounds; she could see nothing else. She threw herself into Tang Qi's arms, her arms tightly encircling his waist, burying her face deep in his blood-stained chest. The long-suppressed worry, fear, and lingering dread instantly turned into a surge of tears, soaking his clothes.

"Wuwu... Senior... you scared me to death... I thought... I thought..." She sobbed uncontrollably, her petite body trembling violently in his arms.

Tang Qi was a bit at a loss by this sudden embrace. He stood stiffly in place, his blood-stained hands raised and then lowered, finally just gently patting Logistics Officer's trembling back, clumsily comforting her: "Lingyu... I... I'm fine... don't cry... haven't I come back safe and sound?" His voice carried the hoarseness of a survivor and a hint of imperceptible tenderness.

The Dashing Brother watched this "heart-touching" scene with great interest, a playful smile on his lips, teasing: "Tsk, tsk, tsk. Brother Tang is indeed a dragon among men, ruling a base and yet having such a peerless beauty so concerned and devoted! Such luck is truly enviable!"

Only then did Logistics Officer realize she had lost her composure, and in front of her savior no less. Like a startled fawn, she abruptly backed away from Tang Qi's arms, her cheeks instantly flushing red, spreading all the way to the tips of her ears. Even her pale blue hair seemed to brighten a bit. She lowered her head, not daring to meet The Dashing Brother's playful gaze, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz: "Senior... you... your injuries are very serious. Let me treat you first..." Looking at the hideous wounds on Tang Qi and his almost blood-soaked clothes, her heart ached beyond measure. She hurriedly took Tang Qi's hand, and soft blue water light surged from her palm, covering Tang Qi's wounds and beginning to heal him. Her focused expression was as if she were repairing a rare treasure.

Tang Qi scratched the back of his head a bit awkwardly, getting blood on his hair: "Lingyu, let me introduce you. This is the great benefactor who saved all of us, The Dashing Brother!"

Only then did Logistics Officer realize she had completely ignored her beloved's savior, making her even more embarrassed. Her cheeks turned so red they almost seemed to drip blood. She quickly let go of Tang Qi's hand and gave The Dashing Brother a deep bow, her tone filled with sincere gratitude and lingering fear: "Thank you! The Dashing Brother! Really... thank you so much! It's thanks to your timely rescue, otherwise... otherwise our Linguan University Base might have... been finished..." Her voice trembled with the relief of a survivor.

"It was just a small matter, no need for such formality." The Dashing Brother waved his hand casually, a calm smile on his face. He habitually flicked his signature bangs again with a dashing and unrestrained motion.

"Brother Tang, since I've safely delivered you, my mission is complete." The Dashing Brother cupped his fists toward Tang Qi, making a move to call the Frost Giant Dragon to leave. "This place isn't suitable for a long stay, and I should continue my journey."

"Wait! The Dashing Brother!" Tang Qi hurriedly took a step forward, grabbing The Dashing Brother's sleeve, his tone earnest. "How can I let you leave like this before repaying such a great debt? A visitor is a guest! Stay at our base for a few days, rest up, and let us host you properly to show our gratitude! It won't take much time; let me fulfill my duties as a host!"

The Dashing Brother looked at Tang Qi's sincere eyes, then glanced at Logistics Officer, who was hesitant to speak and full of worry and gratitude, and the students around them who had survived and were looking at him with awe. He pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled brightly, a flash of battle intent in his eyes: "Very well! It would be rude to refuse such hospitality. Then I shall trouble you for a few days. It's also a good opportunity to learn a thing or two from Brother Tang and have a spar. I'm quite curious about the power of your Thunder Dragon!"

Hearing this, Tang Qi's spirits lifted, and the pain in his body seemed to lessen. He laughed heartily: "That's wonderful! I couldn't ask for more!"