Less than half an hour after Ling Xiaoxiao woke up, an emergency situation arose on the transport plane, and it was related to Xueji.
“What’s going on? What happened to Xiaoji?”
Ling Xiaoxiao asked about Xueji’s condition even before entering the room.
She saw the inexplicable black handprints appearing on Xueji’s body and frowned slightly.
Ailiya was closer. From these handprints, she sensed a dark aura no less potent than what Cain had displayed earlier.
“Is… is she sealing an evil god within her?” Ailiya’s voice trembled uncontrollably. She didn’t dare imagine the disaster that would befall the world if someone so powerful were to fall into demonhood.
A faint black smoke seemed to emanate from the areas on Xueji’s body marked by the black handprints. Left with no choice, Ailiya used holy light to isolate her.
“Nothing of the sort,” Ling Xiaoxiao replied flatly, her words carrying an unconditional trust in Xueji.
“But… she really is no different from someone corrupted right now. Don’t go near her.”
Ailiya instinctively blocked Ling Xiaoxiao’s path, but was unceremoniously pushed aside by the other woman.
Ling Xiaoxiao paid her no mind and walked straight to Xueji’s bedside.
“She’s just someone who loves to meddle in other people’s business,” Ling Xiaoxiao said, her tone inexplicably tinged with a trace of pride and doting affection.
She sat by Xueji’s bed and took out a set of golden needles, adopting the air of a seasoned traditional doctor.
Just as she was about to start the acupuncture, feeling the gaze of the large crowd behind her, she turned her head back somewhat impatiently.
“My being here is enough. All of you, leave.”
Ailiya still wanted to say something, but the moment she opened her mouth, Ling Xiaoxiao’s threatening glare landed squarely on her.
“I… I understand.”
Ailiya, like a scolded child, left with her head bowed. Seeing this, the others didn’t dare invite trouble either and quickly vacated the temporary sickroom.
Calling it a sickroom was a stretch—it was really just a few curtains blocking the view, given they were on a transport plane.
Ling Xiaoxiao gently removed Xueji’s clothes. The girl’s exquisite figure was fully revealed before her eyes, truly as pure and white as snow.
Due to the loss of control over her internal energy, Xueji was now in a state similar to having a fever. Her cheeks were flushed, and with each breath, soft moans tugged at her heartstrings.
Ling Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but swallow. After all, she was no saint. If it weren’t for the inconvenience of being on a plane, she wouldn’t mind testing the feel.
‘Have they gotten bigger?’
She meticulously observed Xueji’s body, noticing that it was even fuller than when they had last met naked.
‘Wake up! You’re doing acupuncture!’
Ling Xiaoxiao snapped herself out of it. Using Chongming’s fire to heat the golden needles, she applied them with practiced skill, protecting Xueji’s heart meridian.
In this situation, even if Ling Xiaoxiao didn’t intervene, Xueji probably wouldn’t be in life-threatening danger. However, she would be in for a rough time upon waking up.
For Ling Xiaoxiao, having a legitimate reason to feast her eyes was a rare opportunity. How could she possibly let it pass?
Hehe, ahahaha~
Ailiya heard Ling Xiaoxiao’s silly giggles, and her thoughts descended into chaos.
‘Is Sister Ling really that kind of person? Does this count as taking advantage of someone?’
The golden-haired, blue-eyed saint was now both curious about the scene behind the curtains and condemning her own thoughts.
…
Within Xueji’s consciousness space, in the boundless darkness, Xueji had no idea how long she had been groping around.
A sudden anxiety rose in her heart. She began to fear, her mind involuntarily jumping to the worst possible scenario.
After entering this “sea,” the faint, almost imperceptible connection between her and Lilith had completely vanished.
It was as if Lilith had been swallowed by this sea.
Just as panic was setting in, several weak points of golden light ignited on her body. Seven points of light were scattered across her like the Big Dipper.
But this bit of light seemed to anger the sea. Suddenly, undercurrents surged, and an underwater maelstrom swept Xueji into its depths.
Xueji had no time to ponder the reason. She went with the flow.
Amidst the currents, she closed her eyes.
‘If this makes you feel better, then go on.’
Xueji completely abandoned any self-protection, allowing the pitch black seawater to flood her mouth and nose.
She remembered the time in the ancient forest when Lilith had made a deal with her, taking control of her body. Everything Lilith did while recklessly venting her emotions wasn’t truly done in happiness.
After a whole day of playful antics, her smile had been so empty. Only that one time, after Xueji had scolded her and embraced her while helping her bathe, had she laughed genuinely from the heart.
She appeared whenever Xueji might be in danger, becoming Xueji’s most reliable blade, gradually not even requiring payment anymore.
So, was the payment truly no longer needed, or had Lilith borne the cost herself?
That time with the Evil-toothed Beast, it overdrafted blood and soul power.
That time with the Black Mage, the price was just a hug from her.
And this time, with the imitation Gungnir…?
“It’s just a bout of complaints. What does that even count as?”
A wave of unwillingness rose in Xueji’s heart. She cried out recklessly.
“Lilith! I’m right here! If you don’t come out, I won’t leave! I’m giving myself to you!”
Her consciousness grew hazy. After losing the ability to resist, Xueji struggled like a true drowning person.
“Trash-tier sage, what an idiot.”
‘You’re the idiot, you little brat.’
In reality, the shadows on Xueji’s body even began eroding the floor of the plane’s cabin.
With a uneasy heart, Ailiya approached Ling Xiaoxiao again.
“Sister Ling, is it really okay?”
“Fine.”
Behind the curtain, on the stretcher bed, Xueji had needles inserted from head to toe, looking like a porcupine.
“If it’s fine, then it’s fine,” Ailiya murmured as she walked away.
…
Xueji’s consciousness returned. After a fit of violent coughing, she regained clarity.
It was still pitch black. The feel of the ground told her this was a beach.
“Lilith, are you there?”
“No.”
“Then I’ll go back into the sea to find you.” With that, Xueji started running towards the sound of the waves.
“Here I go.” Xueji walked into the sea, the water already reaching past her waist.
“Have you gone crazy from drinking seawater?! Get back here!” Lilith’s characteristically coy voice now carried panic.
Tangled by something, Xueji was dragged back onto the shore.
Xueji couldn’t see the person before her, but could clearly sense their presence.
“It’s so dark.”
Xueji reached out, wanting to touch the other. The sensation under her hand was slippery.
“Sister, don’t touch me. It’s disgusting.” Lilith finished, then quickly added, “I mean I’m disgusting.”
“Nonsense. No matter what form you take, you’re my Lilith.” Xueji opened her arms and embraced the figure before her.
A ray of sunlight appeared where the sea met the sky. This purely black world began to dissipate.
Even if the girl in her arms had transformed into a non-human state, Xueji would not let go again. Never again.
“Come back, Lilith. Let’s be together forever.”
“You said it yourself. It’s useless even if you regret it later, you know?” Lilith’s girl’s voice, choked with tears, was mixed with some strange, discordant noises.
“Mm.”
Xueji’s entire body was enveloped by something slippery. Lilith returned to her consciousness space.
Along with Lilith came this mysterious dark dimension and some memories deeply buried within Lilith’s heart.