Calamity Messenger

Chapter 442: Chapter 370: What Is Our Relationship Now?

"Finally, the calamity befell Ye Si from the heavens, angry and sinister..."

The lunchtime conversation naturally revolved around the experiences of Yan Qing and Ying Rushi in the Demon Gathering Land over the past six days, though most of the talking was done by Ying Rushi. Yan Qing would chime in with a couple of sentences, only to be promptly interrupted by her. According to her account, the trio operated seriously, acted decisively, and were emotionally detached. They were like three bloodless and tearless combat machines.

While cleaning up after lunch, Shang Xinlei passed by and suddenly nudged him with her elbow.

Then he felt a chill down his spine as he turned to see Pharmacist’s Wish already looking away.

Yan Qing looked at Ying Rushi, who deliberately avoided his gaze, allowing him to freely admire the fullness of her figure hidden beneath her inner armor clothing, causing her to turn away.

Being bullied by Shang Xinlei and Pharmacist’s Wish without daring to speak, he vented his frustration on Ying Rushi.

Back in his room, Yan Qing changed into a set of casual clothes, pondering what to do in the afternoon.

Should he log onto the Rabbit Heroine’s account and try out the Yanzi Military Town’s Secret Realm, or continue using the Mouse Monk’s account to grind at Xuanwu Lake Military Town? Yet neither option seemed particularly appealing, as Yan Qing no longer needed these second and third-turn resources, and accumulating more felt meaningless.

In gaming forums, this situation was known by a specific term: ’logging wood threshold.’ Many players at the Sixth-Turn Foundation Establishment encounter this threshold, where their cultivation and equipment reach top-tier status, and the gains from logging (farming/grinding resources) become negligible, yet they still can’t grasp the next stage of advancement. This is where players are most tempted to quit, unless they take risks by joining the path-seeking great battles which could offend other players, or hire a Golden Core Immortal Monarch to protect them.

But for others, this threshold hits when they are seeking gold; Yan Qing shockingly encountered it at the Foundation Establishment stage... Essentially, the so-called logging wood threshold is the inability to acquire higher-level resources, while lower-level resources fail to propel advancement.

Knock knock, the door was knocked, and Yan Qing opened it to find a puffed-up snake.

Without a word, Shang Xinlei pulled him back into her room, closed the door, and questioned:

"Didn’t I just tell you to come find me?"

Yan Qing was speechless: "Didn’t you just elbow me in anger a moment ago?"

"Do you think I’m that easily angered!?" Shang Xinlei waved her small fist: "Believe it or not, I’ll hit you!"

Yet after saying that, she laughed, gently tapping Yan Qing: "You promised me that when you returned, you’d go strolling with me in Jiangnan City."

"Go now?" Yan Qing asked.

Shang Xinlei felt a bit tempted but still shook her head: "You may not fear death, but I’m still cautious. Right now, we’re pushing for Foundation Establishment. If I accidentally get injured, it’ll be over for me. I need to quickly grasp a new secret technique in the next five days; it’s a movement secret technique."

As she spoke, she suddenly became displeased, pouting, and said, "It’s all your fault, I’ve been waiting for you for the past couple of days... Had I known the task was this tough, I’d have focused more on cultivation."

"This time I’ll protect you all during the mission, as I’ve already reached Foundation Establishment first—"

"Does Black Wolf even need your protection?" Shang Xinlei rolled her eyes at him: "I don’t need your protection either."

Over time, one might forget that Shang Xinlei is also a very strong-willed girl, strong enough to dare attempt an assassination on the Emperor. That’s the way it is for the young ladies of noble families: they love luxury and never lose in work, wanting everything while standing still to seize all advantages. So even when she’s heavily criticized by Pharmacist’s Wish, she won’t escape... She’s just temporarily not strong enough, but she’s absolutely not inferior to anyone else.

Yan Qing clasped her hands, placing two things in them.

Shang Xinlei looked down to see a stone seal and a bell, from which a pulsation that exhilaratingly invigorates the Qi Blood Divine Soul emanated.

"Whip Mountain and Move Stone Seal and Exorcism Bell," Yan Qing asked, "Do you want me to act as your Guardian... huh?"

Just as he hesitated, Shang Xinlei had already absorbed the Celestial Spirits and Earthly Fiends. She closed her eyes to feel it, smacking her lips: "Quite interesting." Anyone unaware might think she had just tasted something delicious.

"Then I won’t disturb your cultivation further, go adapt well to the changes in your Qi Blood and Divine Soul. If possible, try grasping the Celestial Spirit Skill and Earth Demon Technique."

"Hold on," Shang Xinlei flipped his hand over, "as expected, this is a new injury, how did you get hurt again?"

"It’s like this when fighting Baibao Guards."

"Why didn’t you apply medicine?"

"I did once, felt it might heal slowly so I got lazy and didn’t reapply..."

"That’s not acceptable, you need to apply it until it’s completely healed. Honestly, can’t you take better care of yourself?"

"Mm-hmm."

"How’s the outfit feeling?"

"Make a few more for me, I’ve run out of clothes and even ruined one set."

"Humph, depends on my mood."

...

...

Yan Qing walked out of Shang Xinlei’s room, feeling his hands were all slippery.

He opened his room door but didn’t enter, hearing a door open behind him, thinking Shang Xinlei might have more to say, but when he turned around, he saw Pharmacist’s Wish opening her door. She stood side-on in the doorway, seemingly surprised to see Yan Qing, and immediately withdrew, but peeked back out, as if displaying a meme that said ’I’ll be watching you.’

Yan Qing blinked and proactively walked into her room. Pharmacist’s Wish pulled out a chair and sat down, asking: "Did the props come in handy?"

"Of course, they were a great help."

"Then take these as well." From the drawer, Pharmacist’s Wish took out a bunch of Vajra Unbreakable Talismans and Fire Papers among other items. After all, they’re benefits from the Zhou Kingdom, free to take.

"There’s one thing I’d like to discuss with you," Yan Qing said, "There’s a chance for an opportunity, beneficial for the Rabbit Heroine, but it also poses certain risks. Do you want her to pursue it?"

"You should ask her, not me."

"But this opportunity also concerns you," Yan Qing said, "Do you know where True Man of Locking Dragon is now?"

"At the Medicine King Valley Secret Realm, where she’s been diligently training."

"How far is the Medicine King Valley Secret Realm from where you are?"

"At top speed, I can get there in a day."

"Alright, I need you to head over there first, I’ll explain the details tomorrow," Yan Qing pondered, "To be honest, I’m still unsure myself, undecided if I should involve you..."

"If you’re worried about me, you shouldn’t be. I can always retreat to the Thief’s House when needed; as for Wuqiu and Shidong, there’s still room in the Natural Disaster Organization, right? If anything happens, they can teleport to Red Snake’s side, serving as maids isn’t really fragile work for them."

"Are you willing to forgo Ba River Pharmacist’s family name?" Yan Qing asked.

"I was once insistent and momentarily impulsive because I wasn’t sure how far I could go. But now, having the Celestial Spirits and Earthly Fiends, once I return post-Foundation Establishment, the Ba River Pharmacist line will start with me. Why care about titles now?" Pharmacist’s Wish laughed.

"Aren’t you curious about what it is?"

"Would you really come bother me for something trivial? Your priority must be reaching Foundation Establishment Fourth Transition." Pharmacist’s Wish stood up: "No time to waste, I’ll head back and start the journey. I’ll tell people I’m out for some leisure, won’t disclose my whereabouts."

That’s how conversations with Pharmacist’s Wish are—no questions, no doubts. Share with her, and it’s all settled, straightforward like nails driven into wood, covering all the omitted parts for you.

"I thought you came to read with me," Yan Qing chuckled.

"Maybe another time then," Pharmacist’s Wish seemed indifferent about the small commitment.

However, she paused before leaving, glanced at Yan Qing: "Are you really tired? You fell asleep slumped on the lobby table last night."

Yan Qing nodded, yet Pharmacist’s Wish just stood there looking at him, something stirring within Yan Qing, so he stepped forward to hug Pharmacist’s Wish. Pharmacist’s Wish wrapped her arms around his waist, asking: "What’s wrong?"

"I’m a bit tired and just wanted a hug," Yan Qing said, "I can always trouble you for something like this."

"If you’re really this tired, then okay," Pharmacist’s Wish nuzzled her cheek against his neck: "Since you’re the leader."

...

...

Yan Qing left Pharmacist’s Wish’s room, took a few steps, and suddenly remembered, turning his gaze toward Ying Rushi’s door.

*Stare~*

No one answered the door.

So Yan Qing simply went over to knock.

Knock knock, no response, knock knock, still nothing.

Is she really not home?

Just then, the door unexpectedly opened a crack, and Yan Qing felt himself being pulled inside, finding himself pressed against the door with an angry Ying Rushi before him.

"What on earth are you thinking!?" Ying Rushi seemed ready to hit him: "How dare you come knocking like this? Aren’t you afraid of Black Wolf and Red Snake finding out? You almost exposed our relationship during the meeting just now!"

"What relationship do we have now?" Yan Qing asked in return.