Killing the Owl, Shui Bing'er's Bond Value Soars

The Owl's talon pierced Chu Xiu's chest. Blood sprayed from his back, splattering across Shui Bing'er's face.

Shui Bing'er froze on the spot.

The bloody sight drained the color from Ning Rongrong's face too.

Chu Xiu was soaked in blood, but it only brought out his ferocity. Eyes red, he roared, "Die, you bastard!"

He forced the Bone Dagger in his right hand deeper into the Owl's skull.

The iron-hard talon through his chest twitched twice. As the Owl lost its strength and fell, it dragged Chu Xiu down with it, its talon still hooked through his chest.

"Chu Xiu?!"

Seeing him fall, Shui Bing'er finally snapped out of it and rushed forward to help him up.

"Don't... don't move me."

Chu Xiu groaned in pain.

The talon had gone straight through his chest and out his back, leaving a wound two fingers wide.

For now, the talon plugged the wound, keeping the bleeding light. If they pulled it out, blood would gush free, and he could bleed to death.

Ning Rongrong shook off her terror as well.

She knelt beside Chu Xiu. At the sight of his blood-soaked body, tears spilled down her cheeks.

"Chu Xiu, don't die. I'll never yell at you again."

"If you live, I'll... I'll let you watch me bathe every day."

Ning Rongrong wiped her tears as she spoke.

She was willing to promise anything to keep him hanging on.

Chu Xiu's cheeks flushed, and hot air rushed through his nostrils. He nearly sat up in excitement.

Don't just say it—do it!

He shouted it in his mind, but the moment he opened his mouth, he coughed up a huge mouthful of blood.

The Owl's talon had pierced his lung. Even breathing had become difficult.

Seeing how close Chu Xiu looked to death, Shui Bing'er's eyes filled with tears. He had been struck saving her. If he died here, she would carry the guilt for the rest of her life.

"Chu Xiu, stay still. I'll find a way to cut through the Owl's talon."

Shui Bing'er struggled to calm herself.

If she could sever the talon, Chu Xiu could move again. Once they found a way to stop the bleeding, they could carefully remove the part left inside him. Then he would have a good chance of surviving.

She pulled the Bone Dagger from the Owl's skull and swung it hard at the talon embedded in Chu Xiu.

But after several strikes, she had barely scratched it. The Owl's talon was too tough for her to cut through so easily.

"I'm sorry. This is my fault. I'm useless."

Tears rolled down Shui Bing'er's face, and she broke into sobs.

"If I'd reacted faster, you wouldn't have been hurt saving me."

"I did this to you."

Shui Bing'er was overwhelmed with regret. Worse still, she could do nothing about Chu Xiu's injury.

If only I could use my Martial Soul.

She could have frozen Chu Xiu's wound shut for the time being.

But now...

[Shui Bing'er feels grateful to you. Bond Value +20]

[Shui Bing'er feels guilty toward you. Bond Value +20]

[Current Bond Value: 60]

Three notifications sounded in quick succession.

Chu Xiu, weak a moment ago, suddenly felt a surge of energy. He was so excited he could barely feel the pain in his wound.

Her Bond Value had reached 60—ten points higher than Ning Rongrong's.

This wound was worth every bit of pain.

"Fool. I was the one who insisted on killing the Owl. How could I blame you?"

Chu Xiu gazed at Shui Bing'er with burning eyes.

Across two lifetimes, he had never had a girlfriend.

Now that Shui Bing'er's bond with him had reached a whopping 60 points, surely she wouldn't refuse if he made a slightly outrageous request?

Ning Rongrong noticed the change in the way Chu Xiu looked at Shui Bing'er and couldn't help feeling annoyed. But this was no time for jealousy. "Could you two stop talking? Is there a way to get that talon out or not?"

Shui Bing'er shook her head. She couldn't think of one.

Chu Xiu, however, knew how to save himself.

The others brought to the Deserted Island couldn't leave whenever they wanted, but as its owner, he had no such restriction.

He only had to leave the island and find a Soul Master with a healing Spirit Ring to save his life.

But that would expose his identity to Ning Rongrong and Shui Bing'er.

Better to tell them about the Mutated Plants instead.

"Rongrong, Bing'er, my Martial Soul is actually a Body Martial Soul—my eyes. I can see what makes certain plants special. Maybe because it's a Body Martial Soul, the ability still works on this island."

Chu Xiu made up the lie on the spot.

Under their puzzled gazes, he continued, "I wanted to kill the Owl because I could tell this rice was special. Eating it can ease my injury."

Only then did Ning Rongrong and Shui Bing'er understand.

No wonder Chu Xiu had insisted on killing the Owl. This rice wasn't an ordinary crop.

Neither of them blamed him for hiding his Martial Soul. If anything, they were relieved.

Whatever else happened, having someone among them who could use a Martial Soul was wonderful news for everyone.

"Quick, Rongrong. Pick some rice."

Shui Bing'er was holding Chu Xiu and had no free hand to gather any.

Ning Rongrong hurried over to the Spirit Rice, grabbed several ears, and stuffed the grains into Chu Xiu's mouth without even removing the husks.

Chu Xiu couldn't afford to be picky. He chewed hard, taking big mouthfuls.

The husks made the rice terribly dry and rough. It took all his effort to swallow it.

As the Spirit Rice reached his stomach, warmth rose within him.

Part of it flowed through his limbs and body, while the rest gathered at the spot in his chest pierced by the talon.

"Well? Is it working?" Shui Bing'er asked urgently.

Ning Rongrong watched him anxiously too.

"Yes. The wound itches. I think it's healing."

Chu Xiu struggled upright. Gritting his teeth against the pain, he told Shui Bing'er, "Go on. Help me pull the talon out."

"All right. Bear with it."

Shui Bing'er didn't dare yank it free. She eased it out a little first. When the bleeding remained light, she slowly drew the entire talon out.

The Mutated Plant's effects were remarkable.

Once the talon was gone, a wound two fingers wide ran straight through Chu Xiu's chest, but almost no blood flowed from it.

"You scared me to death. It nearly pierced your heart."

Shui Bing'er gently touched the wound on Chu Xiu's chest, relief showing on her face.

A prodigy since childhood, she had always been the one standing in front of her teammates. This was the first time she had felt what it was like to be protected.

As she relaxed, Shui Bing'er slowly rested her head on Chu Xiu's shoulder.

She caught the scent of his sweat, strangely mingled with blood.

It was almost intoxicating.

Before she knew it, Shui Bing'er's heart was pounding faster and faster.