Chapter 41: Forty-one spirits, you can always trust me

The gentle radiance belonging to the Top-Level Guide of the Healing Division softly settled upon Ning Li.

It was so comfortable that in the next moment, she closed her eyes and drifted into sleep.

Outside the door, just a wall away, Yin Que was discussing the current stalemate on the battlefield and the long-buried sins of Zone 53 with the current commander.

After the Top-Level Guide left, both of them looked over simultaneously.

The current commander was an elegant middle-aged man, and his spirit form was that of a Deep Sea Predator.

“How is the young lady’s condition?”

The Guide shrugged helplessly, wearing an expression of resignation.

“You could only say she’s fine for now.”

The commander glanced at Yin Que.

“Young man, you’re outstanding. How about working with me? Your sister will be well taken care of.”

From the brief conversation just now, the commander realized Yin Que’s absolute grasp of the battle situation.

This was a rare and precious ability, coupled with Yin Que’s powerful spirit form.

He was convinced that Yin Que would undoubtedly shine with unparalleled brilliance on the battlefield.

He did not hide his admiration for Yin Que and was willing to give him special promotion.

Being favored by the commander was already lucky enough, especially since this commander was kind and magnanimous.

But Yin Que didn’t immediately give an answer.

He only asked about the “God-Given Artifact.”

During the years he served as commander, Yin Que had come across all sorts of top-secret files, but there was very little useful information in them.

Hearing the words “God-Given Artifact,” the commander burst into a surprised laugh.

“There are no God-Given Artifacts here.”

Then he added a few more words, “In the long history of the World of Guides and Sentinels, only five God-Given Artifacts have ever appeared. It is said that each artifact possesses powers that transcend heaven and earth, the last gifts from the gods to this world. These treasures are rare, and each has changed hands multiple times. Only—”

He paused meaningfully before continuing, “God-Given Artifacts wait only for those destined to find them.”

The World of Guides and Sentinels has over 60 billion inhabitants, but there are only five such artifacts.

Perhaps others remain undiscovered, but this already speaks to their rarity.

Yin Que looked toward the distant horizon—not far away was the world of the Deformed Species, where humans had been gradually pushed into a corner.

“I heard there is a God-Given Artifact in the Nest of the Deformed Species.”

The commander laughed heartily, his laughter echoing far and wide.

“There was indeed a special energy fluctuation in the Nest of the Deformed Species, but no one dares to verify whether this is true.”

He turned his head toward Yin Que, kindly advising, “Young man, don’t do something foolish.”

Yin Que’s face remained calm as he expressed his wish to go see for himself.

The commander nearly lost his composure.

“Go see? That’s a suicide mission!”

Yin Que’s voice was steady, as calm as an undisturbed sea.

“No one has ever ventured deep into the Nest of the Deformed Species before. Maybe I can find some useful clues inside. The Indigenous People of Zone 63 have already endured enough from the war.”

The commander stared at him in surprise.

This young man was serious.

He was certain.

His search for the God-Given Artifact for his sister was genuine.

His wish to help the people of Zone 63 was also sincere.

So this journey into the Nest of the Deformed Species was set in stone.

He had planned it from the start.

The commander’s face revealed a smile filled with the pride an elder feels for a promising junior.

He patted Yin Que on the shoulder, his voice like a fine aged wine, filled with earnest guidance. “Young man, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Saving the world can’t rely on you alone—there are us old-timers as well.”

“You must stay alive. Only then can you fulfill a greater role. So don’t always think about sacrificing yourself; cherish the gifts this world has given you.”

This was Medical Team Leader of the Guides Caishi’s most sincere and friendly advice to Yin Que.

“Perhaps, you can love this world in a different way.”

Those words drifted on the wind, slowly carrying far away.

In the early hours, Yin Que set out on a new journey, carrying Ning Li on his back.

Caishi remained standing atop the high Watchtower, watching him slowly make his way toward the Nest of the Deformed Species.

The Medical Team Leader of the Guides asked nearby, “Aren’t you going to stop him?”

Yin Que’s spirit form was rare and powerful.

If he entered the battlefield, he could play an even greater role.

Caishi shook his head.

“I can’t stop him.”

Information on the Ranfu-Ranwu siblings had arrived at Yin Que’s desk earlier that afternoon.

After reading it, he fell into a long silence.

Ranfu’s transformation was so drastic it was like he had become a different person.

The most obvious change was his completely altered combat style.

If before he was a natural strongman, now he was a born king.

This special change reminded Caishi of a legendary God-Given Artifact—the Reincarnation Sphere.

But during the reincarnation period, he could not reveal anything related to the sphere to others.

That night, Caishi talked with Yin Que for a long time.

During their conversation, it was as if he saw through Ranfu into another soul ablaze with light.

Even with a different body, that scorching brilliance could not be hidden.

It was that dazzling.

This junior was truly exceptional.

He was broad and profound, deeply loving this world and every life within it.

Perhaps in some timeline, they had once walked together.

Because most people cannot keep up with his pace; only those who have reached the same height could.

Caishi quietly repeated the words he had told Yin Que, “God-Given Artifacts wait only for those destined to find them.”

But who was the destined one?

Ranfu?

Or his seemingly unremarkable sister?

Ning Li lay on Yin Que’s back and looked back toward the high Watchtower.

She knew a large group was watching them from above, including the current commander, the Top-Level Guide who treated her illness, and many others.

Ning Li wrapped her arms around Yin Que’s neck, her voice muffled, “Brother, maybe you shouldn’t go. They really might die there.”

Yin Que’s steps were steady.

The night was deep, but the bright moon hung high, casting gentle moonlight.

“Don’t be afraid.”

Soon, the commander would launch another major offensive against the Deformed Species.

By then, there would be far fewer enemies on the path to the Nest.

They had a 99% chance of reaching it safely.

But that was only the first step.

Every step inside the Nest would be fraught with danger.

Ning Li said, “I just think you don’t have to go this far.”

She was used to Ning Ke’s coldness.

Ranfu’s sincerity was what unsettled her.

Yin Que’s calm voice came through the evening breeze into her ear.

“You don’t need to bear any psychological burden. I’m not doing this just for you.”

“If we can destroy the Nest from within, then the Indigenous People of Zone 63 will finally have lasting peace.”

But Ning Li knew very well: the Indigenous People of Zone 63 were only incidental.

The main goal was to find the God-Given Artifact for her.

Ning Li found it hard to describe the complex, unspeakable emotions swirling inside her at this moment.

Her heart was in turmoil; it felt as if it had been soaked in lemon water—bitter and sour.

She started rambling, not even knowing what she was saying.

“Brother, you don’t have to choose to die with me.”

“Don’t you really regret doing this?”

“It must be terrifying inside the Nest, right?”

“Actually, it’s okay if you don’t care about me. I never wanted to drag you into death. This world is so beautiful. You really don’t have to be in such a hurry to die.”

“What I said before was true—I hope you live well.”

“There might not even be a God-Given Artifact inside. Please don’t act rashly.”

At the end, Ning Li’s voice trembled with sobs.

“Brother, why do you do this?”

Why were you really willing to go deep into the Nest?

Everyone, including those on the Watchtower, knew this was a one-way journey.

The odds of coming out alive were almost zero.

Why could you go to your death so calmly?

Are you not afraid at all?

Do you not feel any resentment?

Do you not blame me?

Shouldn’t you be cursing me as a burden who causes so much trouble?

How can you still be so peaceful and forgiving?

Did you know that from the beginning until now, all my fear has been an act?

Pretending to be weak, pretending to be innocent—it was all to help me survive.

I’m not that weak, not that scared.

From the moment I crossed over, I have been quietly observing this world.

Everything I said and did was to protect myself.

Even if I didn’t awaken a spirit form, so what?

Even if my body is weak, so what?

I have always been struggling to survive.

Those fragile, desperate words were just survival tactics.

At first, I only used you.

But now, even I find it hard to define these complicated feelings I have toward you.

Disbelief?

Gratitude?

Maybe both.

I lied to you at first, but you gave back so many precious things.

Those things are so heavy they terrify me.

Since becoming Ranwu, every tear I shed was fake, an act.

My tears are precious—not everyone can have them.

But for some reason, now I truly feel the urge to cry.

I have said so much to you, but only the last sentence was true:

“Brother, why do you do this?”

Why are you so good to me?

A person who lies constantly—do I really deserve it?

Yin Que’s hands, steady as he carried Ning Li, replied, “Because I promised you.”

After saying this, he chuckled softly.

Ning Li had never heard such a beautiful laugh before—soft, soothing.

She thought to herself that she would never forget this moment, this second, nor those words.

She heard him say, “I want to tell you that you can always trust me.”

“So you don’t need to worry about being abandoned.”

“Nor should you fear.”

“Because you are not alone.”