Chapter 53 The Gate of the Spirit World

"I heard you went to the nuclear wasteland last night?"

Chen Xiao asked suddenly, his mind wandering to something.

Jiang Chuxue put down her wine bottle and leaned back casually.

Her graceful movement carried a hint of intoxicating languidness and allure.

"Not quite a nuclear wasteland. The Tang family is preparing to establish a base in another district."

Chen Xiao nodded. "Did you see her?"

At this, a complex emotion flashed across Jiang Chuxue's slightly flushed cheeks.

Her bright eyes instantly brimmed with tears.

"I saw her..."

"Sister Tang has been placed in solitary confinement. I spent less than ten minutes with her."

Chen Xiao said, "She has suffered."

Jiang Chuxue suddenly leaned forward slightly, resting her hands on the table.

This instantly closed the distance between her and Chen Xiao.

Her face appeared even more touching and delicate under the soft lighting.

Her tear-filled eyes looked straight into Chen Xiao's.

Her slightly wine-scented breath, mingled with a faint fragrance, washed over him.

"Chuxue..."

Chen Xiao was momentarily caught off guard. Was this really the cold, proud, aloof sheep goddess from his past life?

Why did she feel somewhat proactive?

Chen Xiao could even see, after she leaned forward...

"Brother Chen Xiao."

"The Tang family..."

"We cannot fight them."

"Although Sister Tang is not here."

"Whatever Sister Tang left unfinished, I can take her place."

Jiang Chuxue's strands of hair swayed gently beside her flushed cheeks, a few stray locks inadvertently slipping down to her shoulders.

At that instant, Chen Xiao could clearly feel the temperature in the air rise abruptly.

The fire within Chen Xiao began to rage uncontrollably.

"Chuxue... you are playing with fire."

The next day.

[Gate of the Spirit Realm - SS-Rank Creation Talent]

Description: All things possess a spirit; they slumber or awaken within the endless spirit realm. This gate is the crucial channel where the real world and the mysterious spirit realm intertwine.

Effect: The user can, by sheer willpower, create a Gate of the Spirit Realm and summon a compatible spiritual creature to descend.

Note: Only one summoned creature can exist in reality at a time.

He never expected that the S-rank [Sheep Spirit] talent,

through the promotion of [Propagation], would undergo a direct qualitative change!

It was even more outrageous than the upgrade of [All-Things Water]!

It actually turned him directly into a summoner-class mage!

Of course, Chen Xiao hadn't had the chance to showcase this talent yet; he feared it was too earth-shattering and would invite unnecessary trouble.

However, after this eventful night, the puzzle that had once troubled him was solved.

He would not have the opportunity to acquire rewards during the third Blood Moon.

Yet his potential was infinite!

As long as he could continue dual cultivation with powerful individuals and gain even more terrifying talent blessings!

He might just be able to contend against nuclear weapons!

He might just be able to forcefully snatch someone away from the capital!

For instance, that young man who had led him underground previously—his talent was exceptionally well-suited for countering thermal weapons.

Pity that he was a male.

Putting aside whether that could even yield a talent, the threshold alone was not something he could accept.

"Brother Chen Xiao, you're awake?"

The door was opened by Jiang Chuxue, whose gait appeared slightly awkward at the moment.

She had changed into a decent white long dress, looking cold, proud, and aloof once again.

The outfit she had so obviously premeditated last night was nowhere to be found.

It was probably destroyed by Jiang Chuxue to eliminate the evidence this morning.

Chen Xiao smiled gently and pulled her into his arms. "I'm awake. Call your brother, we're having hotpot."

"Yay!"

Jiang Chuxue giggled. "I'll go get them right now!"

After a short while, Chen Xiao walked into the reception room, where Jiang Huhan and the others were already seated.

"Oh my, everyone arrived so early, I'm starving!"

"This morning we have to demolish half a sheep!"

Jiang Huhan hadn't expected Chen Xiao to look in such high spirits today; it completely exceeded his expectations.

"Chen Xiao, why are you so happy today?"

The question naturally came from the straightforward little monk, who stood on his chair staring intently at the sliced mutton in the pot, drool practically pouring onto the table.

Chen Xiao walked over and sat down beside the little monk, noticing that the boy was no longer wearing his hat, exposing the burn scars on his smooth, perfectly round scalp.

"I'm happy because I'm naturally cheerful."

"Pfft."

Jiang Chuxue let out a shy giggle, looking at Chen Xiao with eyes brimming with tenderness.

This time, everyone was harmonious and joyful.

It seemed Chen Xiao had truly moved on from the matter concerning Tang Shirou.

This allowed everyone to breathe a sigh of relief.

They were genuinely afraid that Chen Xiao would do something foolish and go risk his life against Tang Xianggui again.

They could save Chen Xiao once, but who knew if they could save him a second time?

After the meal, Chen Xiao watched them all leave.

He kept Jiang Huhan behind alone.

Jiang Huhan seemed to have guessed something and sighed. "You still haven't let it go..."

Chen Xiao did not answer that remark, instead saying earnestly, "I am going to Cangzhou."

Jiang Huhan asked in confusion, "Cangzhou City? Do you have family there?"

"No," Chen Xiao replied. "I have other business. I just want to tell you, if you encounter any problems here that you cannot solve, send someone to find me at Cangzhou's largest faction."

Jiang Huhan nodded. "Then you..."

Chen Xiao interrupted him.

"Seven days from now, I will go to the capital."

"To snatch the bride!"

Jiang Huhan: "..."

So everything we said these past two days went in one ear and out the other?

Yet he understood Chen Xiao's temperament.

If he said he was going to snatch the bride, he would definitely go.

As for the outcome, however, he dared not guess.

At worst... he would just have to go save him again, right?

After all, who made him claim to be a doctor?

"I suppose I can't stop you, but you must know that the Yang family wedding will involve far more than just the martial might of that day."

"It's entirely possible that the top three families will all attend to show their support."

"The lineup by then can practically be called the apocalypse's strongest roster."

"If you can't beat them, make sure you run. While there's life, there's hope!"

Chen Xiao nodded, the chill in his eyes threatening to spill over.

"When do you set off?"

"Now."

With that, Chen Xiao slowly stood up, walking toward the tightly closed door on the other side, and said gently, "Wait for my return."

Immediately afterward, he leaped lightly, his figure instantly vanishing from the rooftop of the Jianghe Granary.

He melted into the hazy white city skyline before him.

Behind that door, Jiang Chuxue quietly poked out half of her pretty face. When she confirmed Chen Xiao had left, a complex glimmer flashed through her eyes.

Then, she walked with soft steps to her brother's side and stood quietly beside him.

"Brother, has he left?"

"Mhm... went to Cangzhou."

Jiang Huhan leaned against the railing, letting the rooftop wind blow past—a wind that seemed to carry a certain coldness and vicissitude.

"If your future husband can treat you like this,"

"I, as your brother, can finally let go and rest easy."

Hearing this, Jiang Chuxue's pretty face suddenly flushed red as she recalled last night.

With an awkward, dry cough, she hurried to flee the scene.

Jiang Huhan couldn't understand why this child's skin was so thin.

What he said was perfectly reasonable, wasn't it?