Chapter 80: Zizi Begins to Find Her Path

Watching the soul-hunting beasts charging in from all directions, Qin Chuan couldn’t help but feel secretly delighted: “Come on, let me send you on your way.”

Swish, swish, swish!

Cries of agony echoed.

Qin Chuan’s figure moved like a phantom, weaving ceaselessly among the soul-hunting beasts. Each flash of cold light was accompanied by several screams of pain.

Clearly, this was another massacre.

In just two minutes, every soul-hunting beast had become a cold corpse, their eyes still filled with shock and terror.

Those who haven’t experienced Qin Chuan’s might cannot fathom his terror; those who have, are now nothing but lifeless bodies.

Last time, Qin Chuan had slain nearly a hundred severely wounded spirit creatures—an impressive feat.

But this time, he faced soul-hunting beasts of even greater strength, all vigorous and ferocious.

Zizi thought Qin Chuan would be hard pressed in battle, even ready to step in and help.

But to her surprise, Qin Chuan handled it all with ease and grace.

Once again, she was left in awe.

Qin Chuan quietly absorbed the purest essence, feeling his entire spirit core brimming with vitality.

“This spirit core is truly wondrous, almost like a human soul.”

Meanwhile, Zizi murmured to herself, “So everything he said was true; these are mere trifles to him.”

Unconsciously, Zizi found herself admiring and trusting Qin Chuan even more.

At that moment, Sleepy Bug hurried over, eager to flatter: “Haha, big bro, when you make a move, it’s clear who’s the real deal!”

Zizi also stepped forward with a smile: “Qin Chuan, I mean it—you’re truly incredible. I’ve never admired anyone before, but you’re the first.”

Hearing the genuine praise from such a beauty made Qin Chuan dizzy with delight.

“Haha! Stop flattering me, or I’ll get conceited!”

“Ha, what a sight!”

In this relaxed atmosphere, their friendship deepened.

Sleepy Bug’s adorable eyes sparkled with excitement as he grinned: “Hehe, big bro, shouldn’t you go harvest the spoils of battle?”

“Right, let’s see if these fellows have anything worth collecting.”

Zizi, hearing the two intent on looting the spoils, couldn’t help but chuckle behind her hand: “So you two are both bandits, huh!”

Sleepy Bug quickly corrected her: “No, we’re gentlemen among bandits.”

Zizi scoffed, “Isn’t that still being a bandit? What’s the difference?”

Sleepy Bug shook his head eagerly, explaining: “No, it’s not the same—we believe in honor among thieves. We only rob enemies, never friends.”

Seeing Sleepy Bug’s earnest expression, Zizi burst out laughing and gave him a hug: “Who’d have thought you, little bug, actually have principles. You’ve really surprised me.”

“Zizi, let me go! It’s too ticklish! Actually, big bro taught me all this. If you want a hug, go hug him!”

Zizi’s hair brushed across Sleepy Bug, making him squirm with ticklish delight.

“Qin Chuan? Forget it, his body is cold and hard—not nearly as comfortable as your soft, squishy one.”

Zizi paused, glancing at the black long sword ahead, feeling a strange distance from Qin Chuan.

Because his actions were more like those of a human, not a spirit creature.

Amidst their playful banter, Sleepy Bug easily found the soul-hunting beasts’ treasure.

There was a foul-smelling green pool, a heap of spirit cores, and a pile of refined Cold Jade stones.

Cold Jade was far superior to Cold Iron, able to increase the chance of freezing.

“Big bro, that pool is full of poison—let me have it. After refining it, my poison skills will be much improved.”

“Hmm, looks like the soul-hunting beasts turned all their collected rare herbs into poison. But these Cold Jade stones are rather odd—perhaps there’s a Cold Jade mine nearby?”

“Big bro, I think that’s entirely possible. Let me search carefully later—maybe I’ll find it!”

At this, Zizi wrinkled her nose and said, “The smell here is awful. I’ll go get some fresh air while you two feast.”

Qin Chuan, not wanting Sleepy Bug to feel offended, explained, “Little brother, girls like cleanliness. Don’t mind it!”

“No problem, big bro, I understand. Time to get to work!”

Sleepy Bug’s mind was utterly fixated on the pool of poison, paying no attention to Zizi’s reaction.

“Alright, refine it quickly, then we’ll search for Cold Jade stones.”

“Mm-hmm.”

With a shout, Sleepy Bug dove into the poison, while Qin Chuan began devouring the pile of spirit cores and Cold Jade stones.

“Ding! Devouring successful, gained 10,000 evolution points.”

“Ding! Devouring successful, gained 12,000 evolution points.”

“Ding! Devouring successful, freezing chance increased by 0.8%.”

...

“Not bad. Overall freezing chance has reached 35%; combined with 40% slowing, it’s quite impressive.”

Now Qin Chuan could envision—if his sword struck, even the fastest would be reduced to a snail’s pace.

Of course, his experience and essence had also grown greatly.

Evolution Points: 22,002,000 / 26,208,000

Experience: 12,300,000 / 208,000,000

Rage: 90 / 100

Kill Count: 2,975 / 5,000

“Haha!”

“Unaware, I’m nearly ready to evolve again.”

The soul-hunting beasts’ habit of collecting spirit cores was truly commendable—something worth encouraging.

After savoring his triumph, Qin Chuan looked at Sleepy Bug, who was now bathed in a green glow. It seemed his poison skills would undergo a dramatic transformation.

Indeed, ten minutes later, Sleepy Bug opened his adorable eyes in excitement, though his body remained gold and white, showing little visible change.

“Ding! Discovered Level 21 Mutant Golden Lotus Poison Bug, outstanding quality, one-star elite.”

“Big...bro, I’ve leveled up and evolved again—and I’ve successfully condensed a poison pellet.”

Qin Chuan was pleased to hear it; Sleepy Bug’s evolution was accelerating rapidly.

“What’s the use of this poison pellet?”

“It’s extremely useful! I can emit poisonous gas and automatically absorb other toxins!”

“Excellent. It’ll be a huge advantage in large-scale battles.”

Now, Qin Chuan imagined Sleepy Bug darting into enemy ranks, spreading a cloud of toxic mist with his astonishing speed.

Such an effect would be terrifying, like a moving poison bomb.

Sleepy Bug was equally thrilled; this ability was something he’d never dared dream of.

Once a harmless little insect, he now possessed deadly power to harm countless foes—it felt like a dream.

Not only could he protect himself, but unleashing his poison would send weaker spirit creatures fleeing in terror.

Of course, as long as Sleepy Bug was toxic enough, nothing was beyond reach.

“Alright, time to get down to business. There’s a wealth of Cold Jade stones waiting for us.”

“Mm-hmm.”

Sword and bug emerged from the cave to find Zizi idly tossing pebbles.

“You’re finally out. Isn’t it time to seize the Cold Jade mine?”

Surprisingly, Zizi was even more eager than Qin Chuan.

It wouldn’t be long before she became a promising and ambitious bandit.

Qin Chuan was a bit surprised by her words, but soon grinned: “Exactly. Let little brother search for it—we’ll be in for a big haul soon!”

“Alright, little bug, hurry up and find it. Sister will reward you with something delicious!”

Zizi produced a fragrant pill, waving it in front of Sleepy Bug, making him drool and cry out in longing.

“Ding! Discovered Rejuvenation Pill—grants 10,000 experience, 1,000 evolution points.”

Watching Zizi tease Sleepy Bug, Qin Chuan couldn’t help but laugh.

But such interactions among friends were perfectly normal.