"Fellow Daoist Lin, something's not right."
As they flew, Fang Qingzhu suddenly spoke to Lin Jichen.
"Just now, I felt the aura of our Mysterious Medical Sect's heart technique," Fang Qingzhu said with a frown.
Lin Jichen was startled. Could it be that Liang Baiye had arrived?
"Let's go down and check it out!"
Lin Jichen decisively abandoned flying and returned to the ground. The two of them found a tree hollow and hid inside.
The hollow was small, barely enough for both of them, forcing them to squeeze together.
Fang Qingzhu was pressed against Lin Jichen's chest, her soft bosom making contact with his chest, causing Lin Jichen to feel a sense of unease. This... this was going to give them away!
Fang Qingzhu's face was flushed with embarrassment. Just as she was about to suggest finding another hiding spot, a streak of light flashed across the sky.
They held their breath, not daring to move.
Liang Baiye had caught up. He noticed the sudden disappearance of their aura and stopped mid-air to carefully inspect the ground.
The dense forest below aroused Liang Baiye's suspicion. He guessed that Fang Qingzhu might be hiding there and planned to destroy the entire grove.
Lin Jichen and Fang Qingzhu's expressions changed. They could sense the energy fluctuations above; Liang Baiye was about to make a move!
"We should split up. His target is me; he won't chase you," Fang Qingzhu said, her shyness gone, replaced by urgency.
Lin Jichen hesitated. To be honest, sacrificing himself for an NPC seemed too much of a loss. After all, even though he was a player, his death would result in a decrease in innate attributes, which was unacceptable to him.
Moreover, even if he stayed, the two of them together couldn't possibly defeat Liang Baiye.
So, the best choice for Lin Jichen was to abandon Fang Qingzhu and escape.
However, looking at Fang Qingzhu so close in his arms, he remembered her heroic act of saving Jiangling City years ago.
"No, I can die, but you must live!" Lin Jichen said resolutely.
No matter what, he couldn't abandon Fang Qingzhu and run away, nor could he watch her die prematurely because of his interference with the storyline.
Such a great woman deserved his sacrifice...
Before Fang Qingzhu could respond, Lin Jichen said firmly, "I'll go out and distract him. You take the chance to escape. Don't worry, I won't die."
Even though this meant certain death for him and a drop in his innate attributes, it wasn't irrecoverable.
After all, once his cultivation improved, he could find Immortal Pills to restore his innate attributes.
Using a bit of innate attributes to save a hero who once saved Jiangling City was worth it!
Though Lin Jichen had been cautious and steady since his rebirth, he didn't want to save himself in this situation.
Fang Qingzhu stared at Lin Jichen, her eyes misting. She never expected a stranger to save her repeatedly, even choosing to sacrifice himself for her escape.
[Ding! Fang Qingzhu's affection level towards you +20! Current affection level: 55 points (Intimate)]
At this moment, Liang Baiye had summoned his umbrella sword and started bombarding the grove, though he hadn't hit the tree hollow where Lin Jichen and Fang Qingzhu were hiding yet.
But judging by his actions, Liang Baiye clearly intended to destroy every tree, leaving no place untouched.
Lin Jichen knew they couldn't wait any longer. Just as he was about to crawl out of the hollow, Fang Qingzhu suddenly hugged him, her voice filled with emotion and a hint of tears.
"Lin Daoyou, I can't repay your kindness, but I can't watch you die for me. Otherwise, I will never be at peace. I'll buy you some time; you must leave quickly. Meeting you is the luckiest thing in my life..."
Before she could finish, she turned to leave, but Lin Jichen grabbed her.
Lin Jichen held her tightly, urgently persuading, "Listen to me, I might not die if I go. But if you go, you'll surely die. You stay."
As they argued, Liang Baiye suddenly stopped his attack.
He took out a communication talisman, and a voice came through, "We've found the Thunder Dragon. The Young Sect Leader wants you to come and help capture it!"
Hearing this, Liang Baiye immediately ceased his bombardment and left reluctantly.
After a long while, Lin Jichen and Fang Qingzhu finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"It's over. We don't have to die," Lin Jichen said with relief.
"Yes, the virtuous are blessed," Fang Qingzhu said, her worry turning to joy.
Only then did they realize their awkward position, tightly embracing each other, their breaths almost mingling.
Lin Jichen's hands were still around Fang Qingzhu's slender waist, feeling her soft, delicate body through her dress.
At that moment, Lin Jichen's natural reaction kicked in.
Earlier, he had been too tense and focused to think about it, but now, with the danger gone, he couldn't help but react.
Fang Qingzhu felt something pressing against her stomach. Realizing what it was, her face turned crimson, and she quickly scrambled out of the hollow.
"Uh... I didn't mean to. Really... it just happened," Lin Jichen said, embarrassed, as he climbed out to explain.
Fang Qingzhu's face was as red as blood. She bit her lip, both shy and annoyed, and stomped her foot, "Don't say another word!"
Seeing she wasn't angry, Lin Jichen finally relaxed.
"Alright, alright," Lin Jichen said with an awkward smile. "We should leave here quickly. If Liang Baiye comes back, it'll be trouble."
"Mm," Fang Qingzhu replied softly.
They immediately left the area, only stopping at a safe place to rest and recover.
Both of them quickly took the time to replenish their strength. Fang Qingzhu shared her elixirs with Lin Jichen, and after taking them, he quickly recovered.
Fang Qingzhu was still meditating.
Lin Jichen didn't disturb her but turned his attention to the spoils from the Hell Boar God.
The loot was luxurious!
He first took out a flower-like plant. It had a green cylindrical stem, tendrils, and five high-petal flowers with green and white stripes, emitting a strange fragrance.
[Treasure · Evening Flower]: Also known as Moonlight, a rare treasure in the Tale of Immortal. When a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator uses it to break through to the Crystal Realm, it significantly enhances their attributes.
Strength/Mental Power +15, Defense +15, Speed +15, Vitality +2000, Mana +2000.
Just this treasure alone made the battle with the Hell Boar God worthwhile.
This Evening Flower was the most cost-effective treasure Lin Jichen had obtained so far.
It boosted almost all combat attributes!