Ning Li had said several times that she would teach her Spirit Entity a lesson, but every time it was all thunder and no rain—she never really went through with it.
After a few rounds of this, Xiao Hei figured it out: as long as what he picked up wasn’t too outrageous, his master wouldn’t get mad.
Hearing those words, four characters floated in Ning Li’s mind—
“Just as I thought.”
From Xiao Hei’s description earlier, combined with the current environment, the answer was almost certain.
This time, what Xiao Hei had picked up was a pearl.
After reminding Xiao Hei to stay safe, Ning Li’s attention was drawn to Bai Lang and the other White Wolf Sentinels.
Previously, the darkness of night and the dangerous surroundings had prevented her from noticing his appearance, but now, under the pale morning light breaking through the clouds and illuminating his face—revealing eight shining white teeth—she saw a young man with a smile that was truly infectious.
His skin was wheat-colored, his eyes single-lidded.
He wore a short-sleeved work uniform suitable for movement and stood about 1.8 meters tall.
At his side lay a majestic white wolf Spirit Entity with long fur.
“The safe passage is open, and the reward for defeating the guardians has been distributed. Now it’s time to say goodbye. Friends, until we meet again!”
Ning Li waved to the six of them.
Yin Que nodded lightly, “Until we meet again.”
Bai Lang scratched his head, looking like he wanted to say something but hesitated, “Brother, has anyone ever told you that you really look like…never mind, it’s nothing. Time to go, bye-bye.”
After bidding farewell to Bai Lang and the others, Ning Li rubbed her tired eyes, sore from a sleepless night, looking exhausted.
“Let’s head back to the convenience store.”
Seeing her so worn out that tears were about to spill, Yin Que pulled out a tissue from a pack he had grabbed at the convenience store and handed it to her.
“You should make sure to get enough sleep, kid.”
At those words, Ning Li’s fatigue vanished immediately.
“Says the one who’s so old.”
“Me?”
Yin Que’s gaze drifted somewhere distant.
“I’m 29.”
“29?”
Ning Li was honest.
“You don’t look it.”
No matter how she looked at him, he seemed like he was barely in his early twenties.
Yin Que smiled—a clean, pure smile that still carried a hint of youthful innocence.
It was the kind of smile that seemed out of place in this world, full of vibrant life.
It was as if no matter how the world changed, he still deeply loved this place and held the best hopes for it.
The crisis would pass.
The Era of Peace would return once more.
Yin Que’s eyes were gentle.
In terms of real age, he was indeed 29, but he had “slept” for five years in between.
He didn’t dwell on his age any longer.
“The current year in the Forbidden Zone is the 279th year of the Era of Peace. In the third year after that, Guides and Sentinels gradually awakened, and Abnormal Species began to appear. Humanity officially stepped into the New Era. But judging by the situation inside the Forbidden Zone, Abnormal Species appeared even earlier than the records indicate.”
“Humans always thought Abnormal Species appeared at the same time as Sentinels and Guides.”
“But it seems that’s not the case.”
It turned out that by the 279th year of the Era of Peace, humans had already started encountering Abnormal Species.
Perhaps back then, they weren’t even called Abnormal Species.
They were known as “Wishing Stones.”
For various personal reasons, humans made wishes to these “Wishing Stones.”
They didn’t understand the danger of Abnormal Species and only saw them as entities that could grant wishes.
“A woman gave birth to a child who died shortly after, but later the child came back to life—indistinguishable from ordinary children.”
“A boy had a car accident and lost a leg, but later the leg grew back, looking just like anyone else’s.”
“A middle-aged man was born bald, but one day he suddenly had a full head of hair—no wig, no transplants—just overnight, thick black hair sprouted.”
At the first story, Ning Li’s heart jumped heavily.
Wasn’t that the very gift her Spirit Entity had?
But as the stories went on, they took on an increasingly mysterious air.
“Are these events true?”
Yin Que pondered, “It can’t be confirmed. The convenience store staff all believe them to be true and provided concrete details. But how accurate they are requires further investigation.”
Ning Li sighed, “You managed to dig up all this info while I was resting in the staff dormitory?”
And now, he shared everything without reservation.
“So, are we going to find these people now?”
Yin Que headed for the exit, “You need rest right now.”
Ning Li blinked in surprise, “So we’re not looking for them?”
“They’re not in this Forbidden Zone.”
Ning Li understood.
The Forbidden Zone’s information was limited.
She already knew everything she could, and it was time to leave.
The two passed through the Old Town, walking past people living as they had thousands of years ago.
The steam rose from bun shops, and handmade crafts hung at the entrances of artisan stalls.
Everyone’s faces bore peaceful smiles, smiles only possible in times of peace.
They certainly would never have imagined that a crisis was looming.
Leaving the Forbidden Zone, after another three kilometers of walking, Ning Li finally boarded a bus with her new teammate.
Once on the bus, she immediately closed her eyes, falling into a deep sleep.
When she woke, her head was resting on her teammate’s lap, and outside the window, night had fallen.
They were still on the bus.
She must have slept for at least six or seven hours.
[Hehe.]
[Hehe.]
[Master, you’re awake.]
[Did you sleep well?]
If she hadn’t slept well, could she really sleep that long?
Rubbing her temples, Ning Li got up from her teammate’s lap as if nothing had happened.
“Why didn’t you wake me?”
He had been quietly watching the passing scenery outside the window, easing her embarrassment with a gentle tone.
“Two Universal Coins for two full rounds around District 191—that’s a good deal.”
“So you actually profited.”
“Yes.”
District 191 was just as remote and backward as she remembered.
Passersby wore numb expressions, and the environment was filled with the stillness that comes from being accustomed to life and death.
When would their faces ever show the peaceful smiles like those ancient people in the Forbidden Zone?
They got off at the next stop and transferred to a bus heading back to the Guide Academy.
It was an hour later by the time they returned to their dormitory.
Neither of them mentioned whether the new teammate would stay or leave.
That wasn’t urgent.
After a good rest, Ning Li felt full of energy and planned to go next door to Yuan Zi’s place to pick up the kittens and puppies.
But before she could get there, Yuan Zi came knocking.
Hearing the knock, Ning Li glanced at Yin Que and gestured for him to hide.
He cooperated, slipping into the bathroom.
Ning Li opened the door, and Yuan Zi gave her a big hug.
“Li Zi, you’re finally back! You even kept your trip to the Forbidden Zone a secret from me! Do you know how I felt when I opened the door this morning and saw your two little cats and dogs waiting?”
Ning Li dodged the question lightly, “I’m back safe and sound, aren’t I? Anyone who comes back alive from there can get ten thousand Universal Coins!”
Yuan Zi exhaled, “Don’t take such risks next time. The Forbidden Zone isn’t something to mess with.”
She pulled Ning Li down to the sofa with a curious look.
“What’s in the Forbidden Zone anyway?”
Ning Li thought for a moment.
“People living in ancient times.”
“And?”
“Abnormal Species.”
“That’s it?”
Ning Li relayed everything her new teammate had told her.
“If one day you accidentally enter the Forbidden Zone, don’t reveal your identity to the locals. Don’t let them realize you’re an intruder. If you do, it triggers a death sentence.”
That was likely the cause of death for those ordinary people before.
Yuan Zi looked pale after hearing this.
The Forbidden Zone was even more dangerous than she imagined, and she was frightened.
“How could you be so bold to just go in like that?”
Ning Li said, “It’s fine. I was lucky and didn’t encounter any real danger.”
Yuan Zi didn’t believe her, but as long as she came out safe, that was enough.
After the Forbidden Zone talk, Yuan Zi shifted the subject to the Mourning Gathering for the Former Commander.
“I almost thought you wouldn’t make it. Luckily, you came back today.”
Yuan Zi sighed, “The Guide Association doesn’t support memorials for the Former Commander. As long as his body isn’t found, we can’t hold any public commemorative events.”
“I heard the Association’s President can’t even bear the words ‘Former Commander is dead.’ So our Mourning Gathering has to be done secretly.”
“You went to the Forbidden Zone, so your info was delayed. The day after tomorrow, we plan to visit the Martyrs’ Cemetery to pay respects, then go to the Public Cemetery to leave some offerings for the Former Commander.”
Ning Li nodded.
“Got it. I’ll go with you.”
Yuan Zi cuddled the kittens and puppies wildly, scratching their chins as she spoke.
“I took good care of them while you were gone.”
“Thanks, Yuan Zi. Once I get that ten thousand Universal Coins, I’ll treat you to a nice meal.”
Yuan Zi refused, “Just treat me to some wontons, I’m not picky.”
Just then, a puppy licked her hand, slobbering all over it.
Yuan Zi got up and headed toward the bathroom.
“Let me wash my hands before I go.”
“Yuan Zi!”
Ning Li jumped up from the sofa.
Yuan Zi was startled by the sudden shout, turning back in confusion.
Ning Li looked calm.
“I have wet wipes here.”
“For what?”
“Wet wipes aren’t as good as washing hands.”
Yuan Zi’s eyes flicked toward the bathroom door, suspicious.
“What’s in there?”
“Nothing, just that I haven’t cleaned it for a long time.”
“That’s irrelevant. What kind of relationship do we have?”
Yuan Zi joked, “Li Zi, your reaction is like you’re hiding some wild man no one’s supposed to see.”
Ning Li: ……………
Isn’t he a wild man?
She still didn’t know his name or background.
They were temporary partners.
Now that the Jellyfish Commander was dead, their cooperation was nearly over.
Yuan Zi smiled mischievously and unexpectedly flung open the bathroom door.
As expected, there was nothing inside.
Only the wind blew in through the open window, lifting the curtain high.
Yuan Zi washed her hands and left.
Ning Li waited a moment before her new teammate climbed in through the bathroom window.
[Hehe.]
[Secret rendezvous.]
[Hehe.]
“Xiao Hei!”
Ning Li snapped angrily.
This Spirit Entity really was a disaster three days without a beating.
Ning Li planned to take the time now to properly discipline Xiao Hei—teach him what could and couldn’t be said, and to check out the new pearl he’d picked up.
After her teammate returned, Ning Li told him about the Former Commander’s Mourning Gathering.
“The day after tomorrow, I’ll be going to the Public Cemetery, where countless brave martyrs are buried. Do you want to come?”