Comforting Words for the Weary Phoenix · Startling Thunder Breaks the Peaceful Time

Under the continuous infusion of massive life energy, the gray, deathly pallor of Tuoba Xi's complexion began to regain a hint of color at a visible rate, and his weak, shallow breathing gradually stabilized into a steady, rhythmic pattern.

Although he had yet to regain consciousness, his vital signs had finally stabilized.

Long Jinyu let out a sigh of relief, withdrawing his palm and ceasing the flow of soul power.

Yet, before that breath could even fully leave his lungs, a critical question slammed into his mind—

Wait! System! Since this person was summoned here, will he listen to me? Is he loyal? He won't wake up and immediately stab me in the back, will he?

He immediately interrogated the System in his mind.

[Host, please rest assured.]

The System responded swiftly.

[For targets summoned via this System's channel, their core programming has been inscribed with an absolute loyalty directive, with the default loyalty level locked at 100%.]

[Specifically: they are incapable of actively harming the Host, nor can they perform any action that directly violates the Host's explicit will. This is a fundamental rule that cannot be bypassed.]

Forced 100%?

Long Jinyu paused for a moment.

This... how does that make me sound like some cult leader? It's like mental conditioning.

[This is the minimum insurance measure to ensure the Host's safety.]

The System added.

[Furthermore, considering that this System typically selects targets in a state of near-annihilation for "emergency rescue" summons, it is equivalent to granting them a second life.]

[Therefore, most summoned individuals will subjectively feel varying degrees of gratitude toward the Host. Even if there are a few arrogant ones who might be dissatisfied internally, under the constraints of the rules, any resentment must be suppressed; they cannot put it into action.]

Near-death rescue? So you do know you've done enough shady things that you're trying to accumulate merit by doing good deeds?

Long Jinyu curled his lip.

Next time, could you at least include a healing session or give me a heads-up? Throwing a half-dead person at me so suddenly is terrifying, you know!

Complaints aside, he agreed that this "forced 100% loyalty" insurance was absolutely necessary. He didn't want to exhaust himself only to end up raising an ingrate.

Of course, as a well-educated liberal arts "turtle" who believes in "winning people over with virtue," he hoped deep down to truly earn the recognition and willing allegiance of these summoned individuals through his own charisma and capability. He hoped for a harmonious and pleasant future, rather than relying solely on rule-based constraints.

Well, taking history as a mirror, one can understand the rise and fall of dynasties. Combining the Kingly Way with the Hegemonic Way is the only path to long-term stability...

He unconsciously began to let his liberal arts student (chuunibyou) mind wander again.

Shaking his head to clear these thoughts, Long Jinyu condensed pale golden soul power at his fingertips, wrapped it around Tuoba Xi's shoulders and back, and steadily lifted him off the ground. He personally escorted him to the Medical Pavilion and arranged for an examination.

"This person is Tuoba Xi... he is one of my subordinates."

He gave brief instructions to the medical staff who hurried over to meet him.

"Examine him thoroughly and check for any hidden injuries. Have two Yanhuang Guard members stand watch outside the door. Notify me immediately once he wakes up."

Although the medical staff were surprised by the sudden appearance of this heavily injured Title Douluo, no one dared to ask questions, simply bowing respectfully:

"Understood, Master!"

In their hearts, the Master's decisions must have profound meaning! They only needed to execute them strictly.

After making the arrangements, just as Long Jinyu was preparing to check on Ma Xiaotao's condition, a nurse hurried over to report: "Master, Miss Ma has awakened and is asking about your whereabouts."

"Awake? So soon?"

Long Jinyu was somewhat surprised, followed by a surge of joy, and immediately turned to head toward Ma Xiaotao's ward.

Pushing open the door, he saw that Ma Xiaotao had already sat up, leaning against the headboard. She had changed into a clean hospital gown, her long, fiery red hair draped over her shoulders, making her complexion look even paler by contrast.

She was gazing out the window, her eyes unfocused, only slowly turning her head when she heard the door open.

Seeing Long Jinyu enter, her gaze immediately locked onto him. Those beautiful phoenix eyes didn't blink, her vision seemingly glued to his face, lingering for a moment on his lips before she unconsciously bit her own.

Long Jinyu felt his heart skip a beat under her strangely heated gaze, feeling a bit flustered.

This look... why does it feel a bit like that "Little Ma Xiaotao" in the Spiritual Sea who relied on me? It's... actually kind of cute.

He forced himself to remain calm, walked to the bedside, and asked softly: "Senior, how are you feeling? Why are you looking at me like that?"

Ma Xiaotao seemed to want to be habitually stubborn, but the words died on her lips. She turned her head slightly, her voice much softer and lower than usual:

"It's... it's nothing. It's just... I don't know why, but seeing you makes me feel incredibly at ease."

She paused, as if it were difficult to say, but added in a small voice, "And... the more I look at you, the more pleasing you seem. You even... smell quite nice..."

Long Jinyu's ears burned. He understood—she clearly only retained fragments of memory from the Spiritual Sea. Her impression of that kiss was hazy, leaving behind mostly a sense of closeness and comfort. This was a good thing; otherwise, given her personality, she might have "exploded" on the spot.

Just as he was thinking about how to respond, Ma Xiaotao looked around the room and asked in confusion: "By the way, where is this? Why am I here?"

Long Jinyu was about to explain, but Ma Xiaotao realized it herself, her tone filled with surprise: "Wait... the layout of this room... could it be the 'Yanhuang Lingyun'?!"

She looked at Long Jinyu, her eyes seeking confirmation: "That top-tier Medical Pavilion on the continent? I came here for treatment before when my Evil Fire was unstable. The facilities and medical skills here are super amazing!"

Long Jinyu was stunned: "Senior... you've been here?"

"Of course I have!"

Ma Xiaotao seemed to have regained some of her spirit.

"This place is quite famous! Both Mu En and Elder Zhuang speak highly of it. However..."

She furrowed her brows slightly.

"The medical staff here seem to have a special restriction; they cannot leave the grounds of the Medical Pavilion. Elder Zhuang once tried to invite the dean here to join the Sea God Pavilion, but unfortunately, it was politely declined."

As she spoke, she looked at Long Jinyu with a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "Come to think of it, that dean's life energy felt a bit like yours, and she helped me suppress my Evil Fire as well. It's a pity that later, for some reason... she went missing."

Having said that, she recalled the key issue and returned to the present: "But why was I sent here? Where is Xuan Zi? Shouldn't we have returned to the Sea God Pavilion? I remember you and Xuan Zi having... a bit of a dispute over how to handle the Evil Soul Master earlier?"

Long Jinyu felt a sudden wave of awkwardness. He couldn't exactly tell her the truth—that he had used his Dragon Might to scare Xuan Zi into silence and then forcibly carried her away, could he? That would be far too shocking!

He coughed twice and came up with the simplest excuse: "Ahem... well, the situation was urgent at the time. You were unconscious, Senior Sister, and everyone was panicking. I saw that this place was nearby and had excellent medical facilities, so I... I just brought you here first. Yes, it was just because it was close!"

He hurriedly changed the subject, his tone filled with sincere relief. "Regardless, it's just great that you're alright, Senior Sister! Are you hungry? I'll go call someone to bring you some food!"

He started to make his move to slip away, hoping to ease the somewhat delicate atmosphere.

"Wait a moment!"

Ma Xiaotao reached out almost subconsciously, gently tugging at the corner of his robe.

"You... you don't have to leave..."

She paused, seemingly feeling that the words were a bit too direct, and awkwardly corrected herself.

"...Can't you just call someone to bring it over?"

Long Jinyu: "???"

Seeing Ma Xiaotao reveal such a rare display of dependence and vulnerability, his heart softened.

This... this feels exactly like coaxing Little Ma Xiaotao!

It seems the mental impact was still too great, leaving her feeling subconsciously insecure.

While using his soul power to send a message for the nurses to prepare a meal, he sat back down on the chair by the bed, his tone growing even gentler. "Alright, I won't leave. How about I stay and have a nice chat with our Fire Phoenix Heavenly Maiden?"

Ma Xiaotao gave a soft "Mn," and the hand gripping his robe quietly loosened. The unknown restlessness in her heart seemed to settle down significantly.

This feeling... is truly wonderful~

Long Jinyu thought to himself.

The usually formidable Senior Sister Ma Xiaotao of the Inner Court is now like a little kitten that has retracted its claws~

He found himself enjoying this sensation, and deep down, there was even a sense of satisfaction. But his reason told him this was a relationship born only under special circumstances.

Once she fully recovers and the proud, confident Ma Xiaotao returns, I wonder if she will still...

Just then—

"BOOM—!!!"

A dull yet incredibly piercing roar, accompanied by a distinct tremor of the ground, arrived without warning!

The walls and ceiling seemed to shudder in response, and the soul guidance lamps on the roof emitted a buzzing sound of unstable current, their light flickering twice.

Almost the very next second after the tremor hit—

"BEEP—! BEEP—!!!"

A sharp, shrill soul guidance alarm, like an Owlman with its throat constricted, instantly tore through the tranquility of the entire Medical Pavilion, shattering the bit of warmth that had just sprouted in the ward into pieces!

Long Jinyu stood up abruptly, a cold, sharp glint erupting from his heterochromatic eyes.

An enemy attack?!