Chapter 67: The Snow Empress's Repayment, the Awkward Atmosphere in the Dawn
When the first ray of dawn pierced through the dense leaves, turning into mottled golden shadows that fell upon Lin Sheng's face,
he slowly opened his only remaining right eye.
The cold dew was slightly chilly; a plain-colored coat with a faint fragrance slipped from his shoulder.
"This is..."
Lin Sheng was slightly stunned; turning his gaze, he saw Zhang Lexuan sitting by the embers of the campfire.
Shrek's Senior Sister was currently closing her eyes quietly, a result of her night-long vigilant watch.
A hint of unmaskable fatigue showed between her brows.
Yet, under the outline of the morning light, that pure and refined face appeared exceptionally soft.
"Really..."
Lin Sheng slowly stood up.
His movements were light, without making a single sound.
He leaned over to pick up the coat from the ground, his fingertips brushing against the delicate fabric, his gaze lingering on Zhang Lexuan's peaceful sleeping face for a moment.
Recalling the conversation from last night about the extermination of her clan,
his heart, which had been frozen by hatred for years, actually felt a touch of softness at this moment that even he hadn't noticed.
"Truly foolish enough."
"Shrek may have suddenly saved you, but... who says you need to follow Mu En's arrangements and be raised as Bei Bei's child bride?"
Lin Sheng sneered.
He detested having his fate decided by others.
But...
It seemed Zhang Lexuan wasn't that bad.
"Forget it, why should I care about Shrek's business?"
A faint, almost imperceptible arc hooked at the corner of his mouth.
He then collected his thoughts and sat cross-legged, intending to circulate his Sharingan Pupillary Technique for his routine morning cultivation...
But then, he suddenly sensed a strange vibration within his Sea of Consciousness.
...
With a thought, Lin Sheng's consciousness instantly sank into his Sea of Consciousness.
In the center of the golden lake, a massive ice lotus was slowly blooming.
The phantom of the Snow Empress, which had originally been nearly transparent,
was now emitting a faint glimmer, and her tightly closed eyes were trembling slightly...
then, they slowly opened, like ice crystals beginning to melt.
"Snow Empress, you're awake."
Lin Sheng's consciousness landed beside the ice lotus, watching the Far North Dominator with concern.
The Ice Empress and Tianmeng Iceworm had also long since noticed the Snow Empress's condition.
"Xue'er, are you alright?!"
The Ice Empress asked with concern.
The Snow Empress's gaze still showed extreme weakness, but she no longer looked as if she would dissipate at any moment.
She saw Lin Sheng clearly.
Her gaze revealed a complex emotion—there was gratitude, as well as recognition of this human boy's strength.
"Lin Sheng... thank you for saving this sovereign's life once again."
The Snow Empress's voice was ethereal and weak, like an ice bell trembling in the wind.
"No need for thanks. Since I promised the Ice Empress, I will see it through to the end."
Lin Sheng shook his head, his tone serious.
"Although your Origin is stable now, your Physical Body and mental force are still extremely fragile."
"Until you can completely withstand the next Heavenly Tribulation, it's best if you stay here."
"That is indeed the case."
To the side, Electrolux slowly manifested his figure, his black-and-white robe fluttering without any wind, emitting a peaceful and sacred aura.
"Child, her situation is not bad."
"Here, with my nourishment and the protection of your extraordinary pupillary power, she can accumulate her strength in peace."
"When the next Heavenly Tribulation arrives, her chances of success will surely double."
The Snow Empress turned her head to look at Electrolux.
Although this elder was merely a wisp of Divine Sense, that lofty and unfathomable sacred pressure
made even her, the Lord of the Far North, feel a sense of heartfelt awe.
She bowed slightly, performing an elegant ancient salute: "Thank you for the guidance, Senior."
Subsequently.
The Snow Empress looked back at Lin Sheng, her gaze falling upon his grayish-white left eye.
"Since I am residing within your Sea of Consciousness, I should naturally offer some repayment."
The Snow Empress lightly opened her vermilion lips.
"Lin Sheng, I am from the Far North, a being born of heaven and earth, condensed from the essence of ice and snow."
"Within my Origin lies the purest Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi. This power, though it follows a different path from Tianmeng's Heaven and Earth Origin Qi, can complement it."
The Snow Empress paused before continuing.
"As long as I can be nourished here, that Spiritual Qi will spontaneously nourish your eyes through our contract."
"In time, perhaps your left eye can see the light again."
"I will also definitely cooperate fully to help you recover!"
The Ice Empress said hurriedly, her originally cold eyes now filled with excitement.
"Lin Sheng, as long as the three of our powers are combined, I don't believe we can't break through the cost of this Pupillary Technique!"
Tianmeng Iceworm also became serious for once, patting his belly and shouting, "That's right, Lin Sheng!"
"With my Heaven and Earth Origin Qi as the foundation, plus the Snow Empress and Bingbing, and with Elder Yi presiding, we will definitely find a way to restore your eye to normal!"
Sensing the sincere gratitude and promises from these three powerful beings, a warm current surged in Lin Sheng's heart.
He bowed slightly to everyone.
"Thank you, everyone. Then let us witness together the moment these eyes see the light of day once more."
...
His consciousness returned to reality, and Lin Sheng slowly opened his right eye, only to happen upon a pair of eyes filled with astonishment and embarrassment.
"Uh?"
Zhang Lexuan had already woken up.
She was staring blankly at Lin Sheng, who was looking straight at her, and her fair neck instantly flushed with an unnatural hint of red.
She subconsciously tucked a strand of hair.
Her gaze dodged his, and her speech was a bit faster than usual...
"You... why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?"
Seeing her slightly panicked appearance, Lin Sheng couldn't help but chuckle.
He stood up.
His tone was still as flat as ever, but compared to before, it seemed to have a bit more warmth in it.
Without realizing it,
Lin Sheng's attitude toward Zhang Lexuan also seemed to have changed along with it...
"Nothing, I just wanted to say, last night... thank you."
Zhang Lexuan was stunned, clearly not expecting this cold-faced killing god to be so blunt.
She tilted her head with a puzzled look: "Thank me for what?"
"For keeping watch for me, of course."
Lin Sheng stretched, casting his gaze toward the official road at the edge of the forest that was now fully bright, his expression returning to that indifferent look.
He turned his head to look at Zhang Lexuan.
"Let's go. Since we've rested well, we should continue our journey."
"Star Luo City isn't far now."
"Mm."
Zhang Lexuan replied softly, reaching out to straighten the coat on her shoulder, feeling the faint residual body temperature belonging to the boy.
"Let's go."
She followed behind Lin Sheng, stepping on the soft fallen leaves as they walked toward the unknown path ahead.
The morning breeze swept past.
Carrying away the residual chill, the corners of Zhang Lexuan's mouth curled up slightly, and her heart felt as if it were stuffed with a piece of melted candy.
A long-lost, sweet, sugary joy surged within her.
"Did he... just smile?"
Zhang Lexuan smiled gracefully, suddenly feeling that Lin Sheng wasn't actually that difficult to communicate with...
The silhouette of Star Luo City's walls was already faintly visible in the distance; the game that belonged to them had only just begun.
Loving Book So Far! check Out 30+ Advanced Chapters
patreon.com/HehBoy