Free Web NovelChapter 409: Chapter 339: Leveling Up
In food videos, there is a major category called Big Eater type, which doesn’t even require the consumption of very exquisite and high-grade food. Just watching the streamer take big bites of food, noodles, and skewers gives the viewers immense satisfaction.
Yan Qing feels that way now.
Every time he uses a card called [Blood Sacrifice], the "Qiongqi" opens its mouth wide and swallows a random puppet card from his hand, increasing its attack power and health tremendously.
Accompanied by the sound effects of ’whoosh whoosh whoosh’, Yan Qing feels as though the "Qiongqi" is simply sucking on jelly. Compared to the Dragon Attendant, which requires repeated summoning for growth, the growth of the "Qiongqi" is undeniably more tangible, almost addicting.
The effect of [Blood Sacrifice] is already very apparent. He has used five [Blood Sacrifice] cards, and all puppet card attributes have increased by 500/500. The trait of "Six-Eared Ascension" causes monsters to double absorb puppet stats, meaning the "Qiongqi" can increase by at least 1000 stats with one bite!
However, "Six-Eared Ascension" is already dead, and Yan Qing only has three puppet slots; neither "Six-Eared Ascension" nor "Qiongqi" can move, so Yan Qing can only keep changing the third card to help "Qiongqi" share the pressure. But obviously, it’s just a drop in the bucket.
The "Qiongqi" must not die; it must personally slay demons to trigger the slaughter trait. Without the [Blood Sacrifice] it generates, the snowball cannot roll.
Even though the "Qiongqi" will increase its health by devouring puppets, the added health can never keep up with the expended health, so Yan Qing and his team must not only assist in the battle but proactively block the damage!
When the last demon fell, Yan Qing immediately absorbed Spiritual Jade to replenish the barrier.
Luck was not on their side this time; of the six demons they challenged, two had splash damage (normal attacks with area damage), and one was ranged; kite tactics were useless, and "Qiongqi" got hit multiple times. With an attack power reaching eight thousand, "Qiongqi" could instantly kill any demon, but when it attacked the demon, the demon attacked back, forcing Yan Qing’s team to rush in and block some damage to prevent "Qiongqi" from dying easily.
Hiding within the cover of a building, Yan Qing raised his bracelet to check the loot from this round. Perhaps due to the slaughter trait, demons killed by "Qiongqi" rarely drop puppet cards, and the drop rate for transformation cards has become very low, likely a hidden mechanism or maybe the official way to balance powerful puppet cards.
Suddenly, Yan Qing discovered a very interesting puppet card:
"Third Transformation of the Mysterious: Unjustly Deceased Ghost"
"Initial Attack Power: 700"
"Initial Health: 300"
"Trait: Death Words - Vengeful Spirit’s Demise: Deals 5000 damage to the enemy that killed this puppet."
Very interesting card, completely worthless for development, but as a surprise troop, it might have an unexpectedly significant effect. He got another [Blood Sacrifice] from this battle, and after using it, "Qiongqi" absorbs and its stats skyrocketed by two thousand, successfully breaking through five digits.
It looks very strong; the normal Third-Turn Demon King has about this level of health. If it could be taken outside, a single "Qiongqi" could tear through the Third-Turn Secret Realm; but it’s also very weak, as in the Demon Gathering Land, it’s not enough to dominate. With damage surpassing ten thousand, two hundred Baibao only need to take fifty points each, whereas their area attack can melt "Qiongqi".
"Yellow Dog," Murong Hui bent over, looking like a candle in the wind: "I’m hungry."
"Let’s find something to eat on the road, and maintain the tokens," Yan Qing looked at Ying Rushi: "Your barrier just broke, are you okay?"
"I’m fine," Ying Rushi’s expression was calm: "I dodged in time."
"Qi doesn’t die easily; even if it does, it’ll revive tomorrow. You don’t need to risk so much," Yan Qing advised, "These battles have been too risky for you."
"But every battle Qi fights means one more growth opportunity and brings you closer to your goal, right? Plus, it concerns the quality of your Foundation Establishment Pill," Ying Rushi looked at him and smiled, "I want to help you more, don’t you think that’s good?"
Yan Qing’s tone was slightly halted. Although Ying Rushi was calmly speaking, beneath the calm felt like muddy and massive undercurrents; if one inadvertently got swept in, there’d be nothing left.
He vaguely sensed something different about Ying Rushi, but couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was, and didn’t even know how to start the topic to ask about it. While he was pondering, Ying Rushi grabbed Murong Hui and left. Originally not one to stay put, Murong Hui obediently led the way at this moment, almost wagging his tail obediently.
Ah, this little mischievous cat isn’t stupid, knows when to not mess with things.
Arriving at the snack shop, Ying Rushi took a bottle of water and drank it, swallowing it all down her throat in one breath even as it leaked from the corner of her mouth down her neck, but she didn’t care. Even without turning around, she could sense Yan Qing stealing glances at her from time to time; women are always sensitive in these aspects.
But she didn’t care.
During times she hid to shed tears and feel sad, somehow her tears dried up, and her heart no longer felt pain. She became devoid of emotions, devoid of feelings. She felt as if her body and soul were somewhat separating; sometimes her body walked up to stand beside Yan Qing, but her soul languidly stayed behind, unwilling to move; sometimes even during combat, her soul just numbly watched Yan Qing.
Body and soul seemed to belong to two different people, the body still responded to everyone’s trust as Ying Rushi, while the soul belonged to a cold and apathetic Ying Rushi.
"White Fox."
Ying Rushi turned to Yan Qing: "What’s up?"
"Are you staying at Thief’s House after the Demon Gathering Land ends?"
"Probably."
"If you don’t have anything planned," Yan Qing said, "want to come to Jiangnan City for a trip together? I have a way to take you there."
Ying Rushi raised an eyebrow, hinting, "I think Red Snake might have opinions."
"I can accompany her for a day, then we can take a tour together," Yan Qing smiled, "How about we revisit the places Heaven-Swaying Sword traveled? Feels like it would be interesting."
Ying Rushi gave him a look, softly saying, "Let’s see then, maybe we’re too tired after leaving the Demon Gathering Land."
Yan Qing also found it reasonable, as coming to the Demon Gathering Land had used up his energy for outings, and he might not have the motivation for two days of touring Jiangnan City when he returns, "Then let’s decide when the time comes."
Watching Yan Qing’s back as he left, Ying Rushi suddenly felt a stabbing pain like a needle in her heart.
From beginning to end, he never thought of spending a day alone with me.
He truly cares for me, but this concern is shared by everyone. The ones occupying a special place in his heart are only Red Snake and Black Wolf.
Perhaps there was a moment when he genuinely considered me the most important; what he said last night might not be false. Just like the ripe fruit on a tree, truly sweet and delicious when ripe, but the moment the fruit leaves the tree, it rapidly heads towards expiration. So Yan Qing wasn’t lying; it’s just that his promise expired after he fell asleep and woke up.
Maybe he thought it through and weighed the pros and cons, and still found Red Snake and Black Wolf preferable. If it were me, I’d probably make the same choice, but, but...
"Did he really love me?" Ying Rushi murmured softly and quietly, as if asking or pleading.
Beside her, the cold and apathetic Ying Rushi made a mocking, ironic laugh with all the world’s harshness.
