Chapter 06
Know Your Place
Lu Qianchuan suddenly realized something and shouted, “We’re also living humans in this city!”
Before he could finish, Chu Zilan had already drawn her sword and scattered the incoming lights. She turned back and quickly tossed something to Ding Li.
Ding Li caught it—it was a silk handkerchief.
Chu Zilan said, “Cover your face!”
Ding Li immediately tied it over her face, leaving only her eyes exposed, even covering her ears tightly.
Chu Zilan added, “Stay close to me.”
Ding Li felt both touched and emotional. Chu Zilan is so perfect! If not for the system malfunction, she’d happily follow her forever.
But just as she was basking in the warmth of the female lead, she suddenly felt a chill and slowly turned her head.
Xiao Wenjing was looking at her.
When their eyes met, his gaze made her shudder.
What the hell, can you not look so sinister?! Chu Zilan is the female lead—she’s practically untouchable! Didn’t you see how powerful she is?
What kind of look is that? Just because the handkerchief was given to me, she’s suddenly vulnerable?
Or should she have given it to you instead, caring for you and telling you to cover your face?
What’s wrong with this guy—seriously, know your place! You’re just a cannon-fodder second male lead, not the main love interest!
Ding Li rolled her eyes internally and clutched Chu Zilan’s robe, sticking even closer behind her.
Chu Zilan wielded her sword, its light flashing.
But the green glow in the air did not lessen—instead, it grew more intense.
They were the vine tendrils of the demon vine, surging toward them after sensing living humans.
Meanwhile, the parasitized townspeople’s veins grew even more prominent, writhing as if they were about to burst out of their skin.
Their limbs flailed wildly in agony.
Some even began bleeding from their seven orifices.
Seeing that the vine threads were increasing, nearly flooding the entire street, Lu Qianchuan raised his hand and slashed out a powerful stream of sword energy, forming a solid barrier in front of them.
Chu Zilan looked at Xiao Wenjing. “Split up!”
If they followed the vine threads, there was a high chance they could find the demon vine. Rather than struggling pointlessly here, it was better to break through the situation amid the chaos.
Xiao Wenjing acted decisively. He turned the tip of his sword and was about to rise into the air—
But at that moment, he paused and glanced at Ding Li behind Chu Zilan.
…
Ding Li instantly had a bad feeling.
Sure enough, in the next second, Xiao Wenjing curved his lips slightly and smiled at her.
Before Ding Li could react, Xiao Wenjing grabbed her and pulled her onto his sword. The blade shot upward, and in an instant, the two of them were in the air.
Chu Zilan’s gaze sharpened. “Xiao Wenjing!”
Xiao Wenjing sneered. “Senior Sister, no need to worry. I’ll take care of Miss Ding for you. Once this is over, I’ll return her immediately!”
It’s over…
Ding Li trembled. If I die right now, can I watch a 30-second ad to revive?
If not 30 seconds… what about 60?
The wind in the air was fierce. Ding Li didn’t know how to control a sword and stood unsteadily.
While fending off the incoming vine threads, Xiao Wenjing occasionally had to reach out to steady her.
Ding Li couldn’t help but think of Chu Zilan—her slender waist and steady posture—and sighed. We just separated, and I already miss her…
As Xiao Wenjing rushed forward against the incoming vines, he glanced back at Ding Li. “Figure out how to stand properly yourself. If you fall now, I won’t guarantee you won’t be smashed into a pile of meat.”
Ding Li was too numb to complain. She decisively grabbed Xiao Wenjing’s waist sash.
Xiao Wenjing, suddenly yanked backward: “……”
Xiao Wenjing: “…If you don’t want both of us to fall, let go.”
Ding Li loosened her grip slightly—but immediately tightened it again. “But Immortal Xiao, if I don’t hold on, I’ll definitely fall. If Immortal Chu asks later, won’t she blame you?”
Xiao Wenjing: “……”
Ding Li continued, “If I turn into a pile of meat, that’s one thing—but what if I end up crippled? Wouldn’t that be even more trouble for you?”
A vein throbbed at Xiao Wenjing’s temple.
Ding Li asked, “Immortal Xiao, how much longer until we arrive?”
Xiao Wenjing: “…Before you strangle me to death.”
As the green lights ahead grew denser, the barrier in front of them shone brighter and brighter, almost sparking in midair.
Xiao Wenjing shouted, “Hold tight!”
The next second, they dove sharply downward. Moments later, two dull thuds echoed from the ground.
“……”
Xiao Wenjing struggled to push Ding Li off himself and stood up.
Ding Li, who had used him as a human cushion, felt like all her bones were about to break. She slowly got up, grimacing.
Xiao Wenjing glanced at her. “Why are you so heavy?”
Ding Li: “……”
You’re heavy! Your whole family is heavy! Not only are you heavy, your bones are hard as hell!
But considering he had just cushioned her fall… fine.
Ding Li rolled her eyes silently and looked ahead.
Before them stood a massive tree, its dense canopy blocking out the sky. Twisted vines covered it entirely, lush and overwhelming.
Around it stretched a vast forest, filled with mist and darkness—eerily sinister.
“So this is the Soul-Devouring Demon Vine you mentioned?” Xiao Wenjing asked.
Ding Li replied, “…I’ve only heard of it. I’ve never seen it.”
“Makes sense,” Xiao Wenjing said.
He sent his sword flying upward. A brilliant flash cut through the sky, dispersing the thick mist above. The green vine threads could be seen rushing toward the sky—heading straight toward Cang City.
“Then that confirms it.”
He recalled his sword, and in the next instant, it shot forward, piercing directly toward the demon vine—
…
So direct? So reckless?
Ding Li stood there, stunned.
The massive tree, struck suddenly, seemed to come alive. Its vines began writhing violently.
In the next moment, all the vines attacked them at once!
Xiao Wenjing frowned. “Tch. Troublesome.” He quickly retreated, pulling Ding Li behind him.
The vines attacked fiercely. Xiao Wenjing wielded his sword, cutting down the ones in front—but more surged from the sides.
He spun midair, releasing a sweeping arc of sword energy that cleanly severed the surrounding vines.
The tree began to tremble violently, almost as if roaring.
In the next second, the vines attacked wildly—
At the same time, countless green threads shot out from them, rushing forward so densely they seemed frozen in midair.
It’s over.
