Lin Qingyue flopped onto the bed in a spread-eagle posture, feeling like she had turned into a puddle of mud.
Her waist was continuously transmitting distress signals to her brain, warning that it was on the verge of snapping.
A vixen... truly a vixen who has lived for hundreds of years...
She buried her face in the soft pillow, this single thought being the only thing left echoing in her mind.
However, although the price of asking for time off was heavy, the thoroughly satiated and languid look Ilanier wore at the end—with sweet satisfaction practically dripping from the corners of her eyes and brows—actually gave rise to an incredibly bizarre sense of accomplishment in the bottom of her heart.
Whatever, she would just treat it as paying "maintenance fees" to The Queen in advance.
Waves of exhaustion crashed against her nearly shutting-down nerves.
Just a moment before her consciousness was completely submerged by sleepiness, she instinctively circulated the [Adeptus Breathing Method].
The next second, the technique unexpectedly began to circulate on its own with an unprecedented ferocity.
The normally docile aura was now roaring madly through her nearly depleted Meridians, forming a massive vortex that greedily tore at and devoured the external energy particles.
Every single drained inch was being rapidly repaired under the scouring of this majestic air current.
That feeling of depletion after being completely hollowed out had actually become the best catalyst for this adeptus technique.
Oh? There's actually such a good thing?
Lin Qingyue's spirit suddenly jolted, her drowsiness largely dissipating.
She immediately focused all her attention, guiding that stream of energy—which far exceeded its usual volume—to circulate repeatedly within her body.
The sensation was like installing a top-tier liquid cooling system on an overclocked CPU that was on the verge of burning out.
Performance was instantly maxed out, and the efficiency reached an outrageous level.
Suddenly, a bold idea popped into her head.
And so, that very night, she appeared right on time in the bedchamber of the Elven Royal Capital once again.
When Ilanier saw her, those breathtaking wine-red eyes were filled with pure astonishment.
Soon after, that astonishment melted into an inseparable sweetness and teasing banter.
"Are you here for another 'advance payment' today?"
It was another night of violent storms.
When Lin Qingyue returned to her dorm via the teleportation light, her condition had gone from feeling like her waist was about to snap the last time, to her legs turning completely to jelly.
And when she appeared in the bedchamber for the third time on the third night, the look in Ilanier's eyes already carried a hint of incredulous awe.
The early hours of the next morning.
Lin Qingyue stepped out of the teleportation light. Aside from a slight weariness, the soreness and weakness in her body had vanished without a trace.
Her physique, through this extreme process of "breaking down and rebuilding," had genuinely taken a small step up.
Sustainable draining of the pond... This deal is an absolute steal!
Feeling refreshed and energized, she listened to the even breathing of her sister next door, her mood reaching the absolute peak of delight.
-
Expedition Day, Tianshu University, South Gate Teleportation Array Plaza.
The early morning sunlight dyed the open stone-paved ground a warm gold.
Dozens of students were already waiting here, distinctly divided into a dozen or so squads.
When the "Quantum Battleship" squad appeared, dozens of gazes from across the plaza simultaneously darted over, instantly making them the center of the storm.
"Sis, they're all looking at us."
Lin Xiyue lowered her voice, her tone filled with unconcealed excitement.
Continuous days of hearty meals and high-quality sleep left her so full of energy right now that she felt she could slap a cow to death with her shield.
Su Wan stood with her arms crossed, her demeanor remaining aloof as she calmly stated the fact: "To be accurate, they're looking at the Captain."
Xia Lian followed at the very back and softly added, "It's not just us; every squad is scrutinizing each other."
Lin Qingyue's gaze swept across the crowd.
As expected, they were exclusively sophomore and junior senior brothers and sisters.
They carried the iron-blooded calmness of battle-hardened veterans. Their equipment might not be flashy, but every piece was meticulously maintained, exuding a cold and reliable luster.
The gazes directed at them were a mix of curiosity, scrutiny, and even a bit of well-deserved recognition.
Whether it was the Maid Knight who one-shot Guo Tao with a single sword strike at the opening ceremony.
Or the silver mech that crushed an elite monster with a single stomp in the Ancient Martial Arts class.
These battle records had already earned their team of first-year freshmen enough respect.
In this world where the strong were revered, strength was the best pass.
Hmm, not bad, saves a lot of wasted time.
Lin Qingyue was very satisfied with this professional atmosphere.
She hated those brainless, provocative mob tropes the most; there was zero fun to be had in them.
Just then, a burly young man with a buzz cut and a giant battleaxe on his back took the initiative to walk toward them.
His aura was as steady as a mountain, and his level was an impressive 39. He was exactly one of those "unlucky ones" who were just one step short of the required Contribution Points.
Lin Xiyue reflexively took a half-step forward, shielding Lin Qingyue behind her, her shield raised slightly.
The young man stopped three meters away, raised a hand to show he meant no harm, and revealed a mouthful of white teeth with a very frank smile.
"Don't be nervous, junior. I'm Zhou Yi, a junior Berserker, and the Captain of Tianshu's 'Mountain-Cleaving Axe' squad."
He nodded to Lin Qingyue in greeting.
"I've heard a lot about you, junior Lin Qingyue. Please look out for us during this mission. If we run into each other in the Dungeon and can lend a hand, we absolutely won't hesitate."
Lin Qingyue raised an eyebrow.
Showing goodwill in advance to establish a potential alliance?
Quite a smart guy.
She returned a polite smile. "You're too kind, Senior Brother. It's only natural for schoolmates to help each other out."
Just then, the atmosphere in the plaza suddenly condensed.
A sharp figure appeared before the crowd.
It was Chu Jingya.
She was wearing a form-fitting black combat suit today, outlining athletic curves that were brimming with explosive power. Her long hair was neatly tied into a high ponytail, making her look like a completely different person from the intellectual professor she was in the classroom.
"Time's up. Fall in."
Her voice was clear and cold, her words concise.
The students quickly formed up into neat square formations, organized by their squads.
Chu Jingya's gaze was like a knife, sweeping across everyone, finally lingering on Lin Qingyue's team for an extra second.
"You all know the nature of the mission."
"High risk, high reward, and highly competitive."
"I will only emphasize three points."
She held up one finger.
"First, you represent Tianshu, and you represent Huaxia. Backstabbing your own people is forbidden; otherwise, it will be treated as treason."
She held up a second finger.
"Second, there are no other rules in the Dungeon. What you need to do is survive and snatch Contribution Points. Don't trust those 'allies' who smile the sweetest at you; their knives are often the fastest."
Finally, she held up a third finger, her expression becoming extremely solemn.
"Third, and most importantly. You only have one life."
As soon as she finished speaking, she flipped her wrist. Dozens of paper talismans carved with complex runes appeared out of thin air and flew precisely into everyone's hands.
"Return Talismans. In this kind of high-risk Dungeon, they take one second to activate, and they might fail in areas with spatial turbulence. Don't rely on them; rely on your own brains."
Chu Jingya finished her instructions, turned, and walked toward the Teleportation Array in the center of the plaza.
Her hands formed a complex seal, and archaic syllables escaped her lips.
Hum—!
Across the plaza's ground, countless ancient array patterns lit up one by one, emitting a low rumble.
The air began to tremble. The space before her was torn open by an invisible, massive force, as a pitch-black rift towering ten meters high slowly expanded.
Within the rift lay twisted light and shadow, along with the churning colors of chaos.
An aura of desolation and antiquity, carrying a faint scent of blood, seeped out from the rift.
"The entrance will remain open for ten minutes."
Chu Jingya's voice rang clearly in everyone's ears.
"Move out in order!"
Zhou Yi's "Mountain-Cleaving Axe" squad was at the very front. Without hesitation, they were the first to step into the chaotic Portal, their figures instantly swallowed up.
Immediately after came the second squad, then the third...
Soon, it was the "Quantum Battleship" team's turn.
"Let's go."
Lin Qingyue called out casually.
Lin Xiyue took a deep breath and clenched her fists, her eyes brimming with fighting spirit.
Su Wan and Xia Lian exchanged a glance, both seeing the tension and anticipation in each other's expressions.
The four of them walked side by side toward the massive rift that devoured all light.
Lin Qingyue was the last to step forward, entering that bizarre, multicolored chaos.
The moment their vision was swallowed, the world began to spin.