You Must Not Become a Soul Five

Jack was dead.

The Slave Contract transmitted the last scene Jack saw before his death to Gong Qiying.

The killers were two aggressive-looking young human men. Their actions appeared premeditated: one stabbed a knife through Jack's heart, while the other cast some kind of soul-affecting spell to prevent resurrection.

The two were knocked to the ground by helpful bystanders, then taken under control by the guards. The final image showed Jack lying on his back, surrounded by a crowd of onlookers.

Perhaps it was an illusion, but Gong Qiying saw two transparent threads flash behind Jack's killers. They appeared so briefly that he wondered if he had seen them wrong.

"..."

But no matter what, he was a little angry.

He had no idea whether those two had a grudge against Jack or what resentment had driven them to murder him. He only knew that a subordinate he had just cultivated had been killed. It was practically a slap in his face.

Once he got out, he had to find those two and beat the hoods off them.

He still had plenty of plans he had yet to put into action. Did he have to cultivate another one of his own people?

"Forget it."

Gong Qiying lay flat on the Shrine and muttered to himself,

"It's more reliable to do things myself."

With Jack dead, no one would help him gather the magical materials needed for the ritual.

Contacting adventurers was something he had no choice but to do. Thinking it over, was there anyone he had met so far whom he could trust?

He glanced at the image in the Crystal Ball and nodded.

You it is!

Swamp Area, before the Gargoyle.

After using the Crooked Finger Summoning Potion, Si Telan stared expectantly at the ground. However, things did not go as she wished—the familiar Summon Sign did not appear.

"Not here today either."

She said it with a trace of disappointment.

Ever since Gong Qiying had helped her that day, she often came to the dungeon and used the Crooked Finger Summoning Potion, hoping to see him again.

It was not that she had a crush on him. She was simply curious—curious how he could move through the dungeon so effortlessly, curious about his background, and curious why he helped people in the dungeon.

She was absolutely just curious!

Yet ever since then, she had not seen the Summon Sign even once. She had started wondering whether the Crooked Finger Summoning Potion in her hand had expired.

Fortunately, as long as she did not summon a helper, the Crooked Finger Summoning Potion would not be consumed. Otherwise, at her rate, she would have run out long ago.

"I should go back and find Ai Li and the others." Si Telan sighed.

She and her companions had heard that Zane Dungeon contained a hidden map capable of producing special ingredients, so they had agreed to explore it together. She had merely come ahead of them to see whether she could run into Gong Qiying.

Just as she turned to leave, golden light flickered behind her!

"Huh?"

It was the familiar summoning symbol!

Overjoyed, Si Telan pressed the summon without a second thought.

The next moment, Gong Qiying, under the alias "Ma Lei Da," made a dazzling entrance amid brilliant golden light.

"Long may the sunshine!"

He raised both hands and struck an energetic-looking pose. Although Si Telan could not understand what he said, she somehow found it incredibly imposing.

"It's you. We meet again."

Gong Qiying put on a surprised expression and smiled. "What is it? Do you need my help again?"

Her heart raced and her hands trembled. Si Telan calmed herself and said, "I still have so, so many questions about what you taught me before. Excuse me, do you have time?"

"Of course I do."

Hearing his affirmative answer, Si Telan could not help but breathe a sigh of relief. She had been afraid he would think she was being ridiculous and leave immediately.

"I came looking for you several times, but I could never find you." She naturally walked ahead toward Plague Village. She had already killed the Gargoyle in advance.

As for the companions waiting to explore with her.

They would forgive her.

Gong Qiying walked alongside her and said, "I only come here occasionally, to help people who are in trouble."

The moment he said that, his image in Si Telan's heart became a little brighter.

"I remember you said you were traveling to train yourself. Is it really okay to stay here all the time?"

She regretted saying it the moment the words left her mouth, because it sounded as though she were trying to chase him away.

Did I really establish that kind of persona before?

Gong Qiying had genuinely forgotten. After a moment of silence, he said, "I was planning to leave, but I have seen too many people stumble over the difficulties here. So before I go, I intend to help others here."

No matter what, there was nothing wrong with building himself up as a good guy. Most people liked good people.

For some reason, Si Telan's eyes sparkled as if stars were hidden inside them, and she unconsciously edged closer to him.

"By the way, what was it you wanted to ask me?"

They had chatted idly for quite a while, and they were practically wandering into the Giant Curse Frog's boss room when Gong Qiying could not help asking.

"Ah, what?" Si Telan tilted her head blankly, as if she had only just come back to herself.

"I said, what was it you wanted to ask me?" Gong Qiying helplessly repeated himself.

"Oh, right." Si Telan nodded and stared at him. "What did I want to ask?"

"..."

Gong Qiying's gaze grew increasingly strange. Did you come here just to mess with me?

"Ahaha." Si Telan laughed awkwardly. She also realized her behavior was rather strange, but in truth—

She really did not have anything she wanted to ask! Even if she did, it would be about Gong Qiying himself, such as being curious about his experiences. But given their current relationship, would it not be inappropriate to ask such suggestive questions?

Coming here to use the Crooked Finger Summoning Potion had been purely out of habit. After seeing Gong Qiying, her delight had overwhelmed everything else. How could she still have remembered to ask questions?

"Um, uh, right! I still don't really understand how to exert force with Shield Poke!" She could only come up with something on the spot. "Please teach me."

"That's easy. Let's use that Fat Brother over there as the target."

Gong Qiying naturally moved behind Si Telan, reached out and held her wrist. "You need to exert force like this. Don't keep your wrist too stiff. Why are you gripping tighter the more I explain?"

Si Telan glanced somewhat unnaturally at the hands where Gong Qiying was touching her. In the end, she said nothing and adjusted her posture as he instructed.

We're completely innocent. What am I even thinking?

Fat Brother was quickly drawn over, then quickly killed. Only then did Gong Qiying let go of her hand and ask, "Got it?"

"Mhm." Si Telan only felt the armor pressing painfully into her back. The two of them had practically been pressed together just now.

"I will cherish this technique you taught me," she said. "I want to use Shield Poke as skillfully as you do!"

She had only meant it as a polite remark, but unexpectedly, Gong Qiying suddenly said sternly,

"No need!"

Si Telan's body stiffened. She did not understand why his tone had abruptly changed. Had she said something wrong?

Gong Qiying said, "You don't need to imitate me. Just be yourself."

"Ah..." Si Telan immediately understood. He seemed to have misunderstood something, but before she could explain, Gong Qiying continued,

"You're clearly a ranger specializing in agility. High mobility and attack power are your strengths. Shield Poke is completely opposite to what you excel at. I taught you Shield Poke only to provide one line of thought, another way to deal with enemies—not to make you tie yourself down with it."

Once he started, he could not stop. One lecture followed another, like an experienced player frantically trying to save a newbie who had gone down the wrong path.

Si Telan stared at him blankly. A moment later, a small smile curled her lips.

It felt pretty nice to have someone worry about her.

After who knew how long, Teacher Gong's little lesson finally ended.

"Do you understand what I said?" Gong Qiying wore an expression of disappointed frustration. He had seen all kinds of people go astray while guiding newbies in games—for example, a newbie who had been a little knight just days ago would suddenly turn into a Soul Five wielding a Wet Sickle in one hand and parrying with the other. It pained him deeply, to the point that he had developed a habit of lecturing people.

He knew this habit was annoying most of the time, but he could not help saying a few words. It would be enough if a newbie could take in even a little of it.

"I understand, I understand."

Si Telan's expression suddenly brightened. She abruptly grabbed his arm and said,

"I still don't quite understand Shield Poke. Teach me again like you did just now."

"Didn't I just teach you once?!" Gong Qiying sighed repeatedly.

This generation of reincarnators—ptui, this generation of adventurers—really lacked talent.

No matter how it happened, in the end, he finally told Si Telan about his request for her to purchase magical materials. Though puzzled, she agreed, and they arranged to make the exchange in the dungeon a few days later.

A joyous occasion, truly a joyous occasion.

A story cannot be without female characters. I think it is best to keep things restrained.

After all, heroes always have beauties who love them. Even a despicable Soul Five has Fang Huo Nv, Doll Girl, or Little Wood loving him, doesn't he?

(In reality, I'm here to stack shields. I promise there will not be any lame, brainless plots involving female characters. Please don't flame me.)