The Side Character Who Wins by Doing Nothing

Chapter 84: Chapter 84: Lost Desert

Lu Sangjiu wasn’t surprised at all by Shen Yuzhao’s divine-level change in demeanor. After all, having spent more than a year with him, she had basically gotten used to it.

’Hmm... Third Senior Brother is clearly super strong, but he’s also way too timid.’

But once he got frightened or saw someone he cared about being bullied, he would instantly unleash immense combat power.

Then, after the battle, he would instantly switch back to his timid mode and come over, whimpering for comfort.

Lu Sangjiu, well-practiced in this routine, patted his head and spent a good while comforting him.

After a long moment, Shen Yuzhao’s emotions gradually settled, and only then did he remember to ask, "Little Junior Sister, how are your injuries?" frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

Lu Sangjiu replied with a beaming smile, "It’s all thanks to you, Third Senior Brother, for saving me in time. I took an Elixir Pill just now, so I’m already fine."

She paused, glancing at the few piles of ash not far away, and said with a hint of regret, "It’s just a shame their storage bags got burned up too. We didn’t get any loot at all."

"Storage bags? We have them!"

As he spoke, Shen Yuzhao gleefully took out exactly four storage bags and presented them to Lu Sangjiu as if they were treasures.

"Little Junior Sister, look! I remembered what you said—to make sure to grab the storage bags before setting them on fire. I didn’t miss a single one!"

At his words, Feng Lin and Chi Yan couldn’t help but shoot Lu Sangjiu that same hesitant, speechless look again. ’She’s really taught him so many strange things!’

This time, however, Lu Sangjiu felt not the slightest bit of guilt. Her eyes lit up, and she immediately ruffled Shen Yuzhao’s hair again. "Great job, Third Senior Brother!"

Feng Lin’s mouth twitched as she watched. ’Are you sure that’s your Third Senior Brother,’ she thought, ’and not a pet you’re raising?’

Although everything about Shen Yuzhao seemed absurd, after a series of shocks, Feng Lin and Chi Yan had simply grown numb and accepted it.

After a moment’s thought, Feng Lin asked a question she was rather curious about. "That... flame you just used. Was that the Unwarranted Green Flame, ranked ninth on the Abnormal Fire list?"

Hearing Feng Lin’s words, Shen Yuzhao said in pleasant surprise, "Oh, you know Little Qing?"

Feng Lin: "..."

Her mouth twitched. ’What the hell is "Little Qing"?’

Shen Yuzhao didn’t notice Feng Lin’s speechlessness and happily told her, "Lots of people don’t recognize Little Qing. They often mistake it for some common, run-of-the-mill flame like the Qingze Fire."

The Qingze Fire was also an Abnormal Fire, but it was ranked outside the top two hundred on the list. It was naturally no match for the Unwarranted Green Flame, which held the ninth spot.

But even such a "run-of-the-mill" flame was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for ordinary Cultivators, to say nothing of the Unwarranted Green Flame.

Fortunately, it was very difficult to strip an Abnormal Fire from a Cultivator. Otherwise, possessing such a treasure would be a crime in itself; if Shen Yuzhao dared to expose the Unwarranted Green Flame in the outside world, he would likely find himself hunted relentlessly.

But only Lu Sangjiu knew the truth. ’It might be difficult for others to strip an Abnormal Fire from a Cultivator, but for Ye Zhiyao, the story’s female lead, how could that be impossible?’

In the original novel, Shen Yuzhao had tried to avenge his master and senior brothers, only to be captured and imprisoned by Ye Zhiyao’s admirers.

After countless inhuman experiments, they finally found a way to forcibly strip the Unwarranted Green Flame from Shen Yuzhao’s body and give it to Ye Zhiyao.

Of course, all of this was done while Ye Zhiyao was "unaware" of it.

When Ye Zhiyao finally learned the truth—after she had already reaped the benefits—she saw Shen Yuzhao, who was no longer recognizable as a person. The "kind-hearted" her couldn’t bear to look, so she had her admirers give him a quick, clean death.

Afterwards, she even "kindly" had him buried together with his master and senior brothers, truly showing him the "utmost benevolence."

Then, her admirers would inevitably sigh and praise her, "Ayao, you’re just too kind and soft-hearted. You’re going to suffer for it one day."

That whole pretentious "white lotus" act was enough to make Lu Sangjiu want to puke.

Hearing Shen Yuzhao gleefully discussing his Unwarranted Green Flame with Feng Lin, Lu Sangjiu couldn’t help but recall these dreadful parts of the story.

But thankfully, she had now managed to best Ye Zhiyao once on her own. Even though it was over something small, it gave her boundless confidence.

’At the very least, it’s definitive proof that the path I’m on is viable!’

’That means both Li Qiancheng and Shen Yuzhao can completely break free from their destined fates and embrace lives that are truly their own.’

Shen Yuzhao seemed to have taken a liking to Feng Lin and Chi Yan.

So, he generously declared, "Everyone who was here gets a share. There’s a lot of good stuff in these storage bags, let’s split it all!"

Feng Lin and Chi Yan glanced at each other, looking a bit embarrassed.

Just as they were about to refuse, Lu Sangjiu said, "Go on, take it. My Third Senior Brother is loaded."

The two were slightly surprised to hear that. To be called "loaded" by a True Disciple of the Seven Emotions Sect meant he was far from ordinarily rich.

However, it was a private matter, so despite their curiosity, they didn’t pry. After a moment’s thought, they accepted Shen Yuzhao’s kind offer.

The four of them then continued down the mountain, encountering no further trouble along the way.

With Chi Yan leading the way, they continued onward from the Qishan Plain. After a full day and night, they finally reached the edge of the Lost Desert.

The Lost Desert. As its name suggested, it was a place where Cultivators could easily lose their bearings.

Stepping inside revealed an endless expanse of yellow sand. Unlike other areas in the Secret Realm, there was no distinction between day and night in the desert—a single sun hung perpetually in the sky.

This meant Cultivators couldn’t use the sun to determine direction. On top of that, the prolonged, scorching heat would cause their bodily functions to gradually deteriorate.

This was to say nothing of the frequent sandstorms, quicksand, and elusive poisonous insects that lurked within.

It was this terrifying Lost Desert that blocked most Cultivators from reaching the inner region.

Anyone who entered without real skill was simply asking to die.

Therefore, before they entered, Lu Sangjiu asked Feng Lin, "Feng Dao You, do you still wish to travel with us?"

Feng Lin nodded without hesitation, smiling as she said, "It’s rare to come across such powerful teammates. If I don’t take this chance to brave the inner region, when will I ever get another?"

For one thing, they had Chi Yan’s Guiding Treasure, so they had no need to worry about getting lost.

That alone was an advantage others didn’t have. How could anyone with even a shred of ambition be willing to pass up such an opportunity?

Feng Lin had no intention of stopping, and Chi Yan had his own objectives as well.

As for Shen Yuzhao, he only felt secure when surrounded by people he knew.

Compared to being alone, the dangers of the desert seemed trivial to him.

And so, without a single one of them looking back, the four of them resolutely walked into the desert together.

Not long after they had departed, a figure materialized out of thin air where they had just been standing.

"Tsk... The people around that little lass are more troublesome than the last."

Xie Ningyuan muttered to himself as if nursing a slight headache, but a moment later, he chuckled softly.

"Good thing she’s got a real knack for making enemies. I’m not the only one after her now..."