Chapter Seventy-Seven: Unusual Friends

Although Zizi was surprised that the Black Demon Sword had a name, she quickly caught on and smiled, saying, “Qin Chuan, I hope we can be friends. Would you like that?”

“What? This beauty named Zizi actually wants to be friends with me?”

Qin Chuan was shocked as well. Looking at the lively and beautiful girl before him, with her flawless figure and features, and even an air of ethereal grace, she was the very image to fulfill any bachelor’s fantasies.

For a moment, he felt a bit dazed.

In his previous life, as a die-hard bachelor, he’d had very few chances to interact with girls—let alone one of such extraordinary beauty.

Opportunities like this could only be stumbled upon by chance. If he could turn this down, he would truly be single by sheer force of will.

Although Qin Chuan was now a sword spirit, who could guarantee he’d never become human again? The future was always unpredictable, after all.

“If we cultivate a bond now, perhaps one day we’ll become a couple!”

Qin Chuan’s heart blazed with excitement, and without a shred of principle, he replied, “Friends? Of course, I’d like that.”

At this, Sleepybug grew anxious. “Boss, shouldn’t you think this through? She’s from the Violet Spirit Sect.”

“The Violet Spirit Sect? Oh, that’s nothing. We’ll just become friends with them, too, understand?”

Qin Chuan, quite shamelessly, gave Sleepybug a gentle knock, as if he’d forgotten all loyalty in the face of beauty.

Sleepybug blinked his blue eyes innocently, and said in a cute tone, “Boss, don’t hit me. I get it.”

“Wow, what an adorable little bug! Let me give you a hug!” Zizi, seeing Sleepybug’s cute appearance, was delighted and tried to rush forward for a cuddle.

Unfortunately, she forgot she was still badly injured, and nearly stumbled to the ground.

“Ahem…”

“Zizi, you should tend to your wounds first. We’ll keep watch for you.”

“All right, thank you.”

Zizi flashed a sweet smile, making Qin Chuan’s head spin.

He couldn’t help but groan inwardly, “I’m doomed. I’ve discovered my resistance to beautiful women is practically nonexistent.”

Being a former pure-hearted nerd, Qin Chuan’s reaction was hardly unusual. Who hasn’t been beset by youthful longing at some point?

To fill the regrets of his past life in this one was, without a doubt, a comforting thought for him.

Suddenly, a delicate fragrance wafted over, and even Sleepybug stared wide-eyed, drooling uncontrollably.

“Ding! Superior Violet Spirit Pill detected. Experience +1,000,000, Origin +100,000.”

“Wow, what a treasure!”

Even Qin Chuan was tempted, but seeing Zizi’s deathly pale face, he quickly dismissed the thought.

“Since I’ve saved her, I shouldn’t harm her now.”

“This is the healing sacred medicine of our Violet Spirit Sect. I only managed to steal one this time, and now it’s just what I need.”

Zizi explained with a smile, then swallowed the pill and began to refine its power.

A few moments later, Sleepybug gave Qin Chuan a sly look and whispered, “Boss…”

Clang!

Qin Chuan, instantly understanding his meaning, knocked Sleepybug lightly on the head.

“Boss, why’d you hit me?”

Qin Chuan replied righteously, “Brother, a gentleman loves wealth, but takes it with honor. Besides, Zizi is our friend now—you mustn’t have any wicked thoughts.”

Sleepybug grumbled in protest, “Boss, aren’t we bandits? When did we become gentlemen?”

“Little brother, you don’t understand. We are gentlemen among bandits. This is the way of noble thievery. You should learn.”

“Oh, all right, Boss.”

With Sleepybug’s worldview, he could hardly grasp Qin Chuan’s reasoning, but he was always obedient.

About ten minutes later, Zizi’s complexion returned to normal, tinged with a healthy blush, making her look even more enchanting.

She opened her violet eyes, a smile playing on her lips, and said softly, “Thank you for protecting me. I’m all right now.”

Qin Chuan glanced around; the multicolored poisonous miasma in the air had thinned considerably, and he could vaguely make out a passage.

“Good, as long as you’re fine. Soon we’ll have to brave the Path of Life and Death. What are your plans?”

Zizi had no idea what the Path of Life and Death was, and looked bewildered. “Huh? What’s the Path of Life and Death?”

Qin Chuan explained patiently, “See that passage ahead? That’s the Path of Life and Death.”

“Oh, I see! Since you’re heading in, I can’t be the one to slow you down. As the saying goes, we share blessings and hardships together—that’s what friends do!”

Who knew where Zizi had picked up such lines—she recited them like a pro.

“All right, since you want to join us, get ready.”

“Mm.”

Zizi agreed obediently, unconsciously treating Qin Chuan as the team leader.

After all, among the trio—a man, a sword, and a bug—Qin Chuan was the strongest.

Soon, the poisonous haze had dispersed, and the passage ahead was lush with vegetation, dotted with vibrant, dewy flowers, resembling a splendid avenue.

“Ding! Level 22, Tier 3 Low-Grade Spirit-Devouring Flower detected. Outstanding quality, two-star elite.”

…

“No wonder it’s called the Path of Life and Death. With so many Spirit-Devouring Flowers, it would be nearly impossible for ordinary beings to get through.”

“But for me, it’s all experience and origin! Ha ha!”

After quietly rejoicing, Qin Chuan warned, “There are many Spirit-Devouring Flowers ahead. Be careful, don’t let yourselves get swallowed.”

“All right.”

The passage was seven or eight meters wide, and the Spirit-Devouring Flowers swayed in the breeze, their fragrance intoxicating.

They didn’t appear aggressive—in fact, they looked quite beautiful.

“Let’s go. Little brother, slow down.”

“Mm-hmm.”

Qin Chuan continued to “ride” on Sleepybug’s back, taking the lead.

As they advanced, the fragrance grew heavier, making it hard to resist falling under its spell, as vivid fantasies began to cloud their minds.

In Qin Chuan’s vision, an indescribable scene appeared.

A flawless, curvaceous, snow-white beauty, her exquisite jade face blooming with a seductive smile.

“Qin Chuan, come here…”

The voice was sweet and enchanting, filled with endless allure.

Meanwhile, Sleepybug saw an endless supply of rare treasures and spiritual herbs, drooling as he ran unguarded toward the Path of Life and Death.

In Zizi’s mind, she found herself gently embraced by an impossibly handsome man, her own smile sweet as she leaned on his broad shoulder.

“Ding! The Spirit-Devouring Flowers have unleashed their group skill—Bewitching Fragrance.”

Hearing the crisp system alert, Qin Chuan snapped out of it.

“Damn, I nearly got enchanted! But why did I just think of Zihan Yu?”

At that moment, Sleepybug, carrying Qin Chuan, was gleefully dashing forward, about to enter the Path of Life and Death.

Clang!

Qin Chuan quickly knocked Sleepybug on the head, jolting him awake.

Sleepybug yelped from the pain, then roared, “Hey! Who hit me?”

“I did. Any problem?”

“Oh, it’s you, Boss. I think I just saw countless rare treasures—so it was all an illusion!”

“Exactly. We were all caught by the Spirit-Devouring Flowers’ Bewitching Fragrance.”

Meanwhile, Zizi, her gaze vacant and lips curled in a smile, continued to walk forward in a daze.

“Boss, Zizi’s been hit too. Should we wake her up?”

“Of course. Shout for her. If she doesn’t wake up, give her a knock.”

“Okay.”

Sleepybug immediately shouted at the top of his lungs, “Zizi, wake up!”

But despite his calls, there was no response.

Seeing Zizi continue forward, Qin Chuan let out a resonant sword cry.