“Wangzhongneijing!?”
Shen Ji’s pupils contracted violently, and he shouted in surprise.
Murong Xiaoxiao asked suspiciously, “Have you heard of it before?”
Shen Ji rubbed his temples as memories from his previous life began to well up.
In his past life, there was a book called the “Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon” that discussed traditional medicinal theories and health preservation.
Now that the “Wangzhongneijing” had appeared in this world, Shen Ji felt as though this world was a closed loop.
While pondering, Shen Ji reached out to flip through the pages, but Murong Xiaoxiao pressed her hand firmly onto the book.
“You can read it, but only on the condition that you agree to my terms.”
Shen Ji rolled his eyes, a plan already forming in his mind.
‘I can deal with experiments and such later. I’ll just get the crucial information first. I can always just slip away later.’
“Fine, fine, I agree.”
Murong Xiaoxiao seemed to see right through Shen Ji’s thoughts, saying word by word, “You cannot run away. I have already remembered your scent this time.”
Shen Ji nodded impatiently, pulled the book away, and began to read.
“The King Seed is blessed by the heavens, appearing generation after generation without end. Seeking its roots and investigating its secrets is why I have authored this book.”
Shen Ji scratched his cheek.
As a poor student, he could grasp the general idea, but the further he read, the more his head ached.
He finally handed it to Ye Xi.
He said sheepishly, “Why don’t you take a look?”
Ye Xi cast an speechless glance at Shen Ji, took the book, and flipped through a few pages. Her pupils constricted.
Soon after, she accelerated her reading speed.
Finally, she stopped at one page and remained frozen in place for a long time.
Anxious and frustrated, Shen Ji asked, “What on earth did you see!?”
Ye Xi took a deep breath and said with a solemn expression, “She was not wrong; it truly is possible for you to find Xiao Wan’s current location through telepathic resonance.”
“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s start right now!”
Murong Xiaoxiao smiled and said unhurriedly, “No rush. She hasn’t finished speaking yet.”
Ye Xi’s eyes narrowed as she stared intently at Murong Xiaoxiao, squeezing out a few words through her teeth, “However, it requires your soul to be completely honest with her.”
Shen Ji was stunned.
He muttered, “How can a soul be completely honest?”
Murong Xiaoxiao took the “Wangzhongneijing” back, placed it under the tray, and said slowly, “Let me explain it.”
“In other words, you need to strip your soul from your current physical body. Doing so will maximize your resonant abilities and pinpoint Shen Wan’s location.”
Shen Ji swallowed reflexively.
His soul did not belong to this world.
Even if he could detach it, how could he be sure this theory would work for him?
Moreover, there was an even bigger problem: once stripped away, how would he return?
“Shen Ji, let’s go. We can find Xiao Wan without her.”
Ye Xi pulled Shen Ji’s hand toward the door.
Murong Xiaoxiao did not stop them; instead, she smiled calmly, certain that Shen Ji would return.
Shen Ji looked back with a complex expression, his gaze meeting Murong Xiaoxiao’s calm, clear eyes.
Murong Xiaoxiao’s lips moved, and a voice sounded with crystal clarity in Shen Ji’s mind.
“See you in a moment.”
Shen Ji froze.
He was certain that only he could hear that voice.
It seemed Murong Xiaoxiao’s talent was far from as simple as she had claimed.
Noticing Shen Ji stopped in his tracks, Ye Xi grew anxious and whispered, “Don’t you dare listen to her seduction! That book is aimed at King Seeds! Don’t forget that you are still a human!”
Ye Xi’s words were like a massive boulder thrown into the lake of Shen Ji’s mind, instantly awakening his sense of caution.
That was right; fundamentally, he was still human.
Who could guarantee he wouldn’t suffer a disaster?
But what about Shen Wan?
The Midnight Society’s operation was tonight.
Should he cooperate with Ye Hai’s scheme?
He wanted to live a peaceful life as well.
He had died once before; he could not afford to waste his life like this again.
Although Shen Ji kept thinking about giving up, the look of struggle on his face intensified.
“Shen Ji, are you alright?”
Ye Xi cupped Shen Ji’s face, her concern impossible to hide.
“I… I want to try.”
Upon hearing this, Ye Xi felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar.
She did not want Shen Ji to take this risk.
She wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her body tightly against his.
“There must be another way; you don’t need to take such a risk!”
Shen Ji closed his eyes slowly.
Ye Xi was right; he didn’t need to risk it, and even a voice in his heart told him it was unnecessary.
Yet he knew that if he chose not to take the risk today, he would be consumed by self-reproach forever, even if Xiao Wan returned safely in the end.
He would never forgive himself because he could never get past the barrier of family in his heart.
“Ye Xi, trust me, I’ll be fine.”
Ye Xi’s body couldn’t stop trembling.
If Shen Ji had suffered a fatal physical wound, she would have healed him without hesitation.
But now that it involved the level of the soul, she was completely ignorant.
What’s more, she knew Shen Ji was merely human.
The combination of multiple risks and the feeling of total helplessness left her distraught.
“Is it really necessary?”
Shen Ji furrowed his brows and remained silent.
At this moment, silence was the best answer.
Looking into Shen Ji’s incredibly firm eyes, Ye Xi could no longer bring herself to stop him.
This was the man she loved.
He knew the dangers ahead were unknown, yet he was still willing to plunge in, much like last time in the tavern when he faced danger despite only being a First Evolution.
Ye Xi wiped away a falling tear and clenched Shen Ji’s hand.
“Come back alive.”
—
Murong Xiaoxiao flipped the “Open” sign on the door to “Closed.”
The few customers left in the shop looked on with confusion.
Murong Xiaoxiao explained with her trademark smile, “Everyone, the shop has an urgent matter to attend to today. Please do come back and visit us next time.”
“Madam boss, my coffee hasn’t even arrived yet, and you’re already chasing us away? Aren’t you afraid of losing us regular customers?”
Murong Xiaoxiao bowed deeply and responded patiently, “The next time you come, I will treat everyone for free. I hope you can do me this favor.”
Seeing this, the remaining few looked at each other and felt they couldn’t make it difficult for Murong Xiaoxiao any longer, so they left.
Just as they had walked a short distance away, Shen Ji dragged his heavy footsteps back into the shop, accompanied by a furious-looking Ye Xi.
If she hadn’t met this woman here today, she would never have let Shen Ji take such a risk.
“I told you, you would return.”
“Cut the crap and start already.”
Murong Xiaoxiao snapped her fingers, and all the roller shutters outside the glass windows were lowered.
The room was immediately filled with dim light.
Ye Xi’s gaze was sharp, her tone as calm as if she were discussing something insignificant.
“If anything happens to him, I guarantee you won’t live to see tonight’s moon.”
“Don’t worry. If he dies, I’ll accompany his soul on the journey.”
“You…”
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