CHAPTER 152: CHAPTER 152: HEARTS IN SYNC (REQUESTING FULL SUBSCRIPTION)

Looking at the pitch-black C13 street, Lu Luo had no idea how much time Qi Xinzhu had left. He didn’t want to guess, and he didn’t want to wait anymore.

WHOOSH!

The jet propulsion device was turned to maximum power, providing Lu Luo with extreme speed as numerous Exotic Species active in the night streaked past him.

During this process, Lu Luo only killed those Exotic Species that blocked his way, primarily focusing on avoidance to save time.

Even after killing these Exotic Species, he never thought of stopping to devour them.

Whether these Exotic Species were real or not, whether they could be devoured, he didn’t know, nor did he have the time to think about it.

Closer, faster.

Lu Luo continued to accelerate. In just over 30 seconds, he had reached the location of Wu Sen’s team.

BOOM!

Like a humanoid tank, Lu Luo directly smashed through the second-floor wall.

Team Lan Tian’s members watched in astonishment as he killed one with each sword stroke, not even blinking, quickly slaughtering everyone in the area.

"Ah!"

Chu Qi’s scream came from deeper within the room. Lu Luo broke through the door and saw Wu Sen, bare-chested, in front of him.

"You’re that..."

SHLICK! Wu Sen’s words were cut halfway. He suddenly felt the world spinning; where had his head gone?

Lu Luo sheathed his sword, standing with both hands gripping the hilts, his expression more solemn than ever before.

[Fifth Tier Exotic Species, Mother-Child Coypu is approaching. Please remain on combat alert, Host.]

PHEW! Got it!

Sword Heart Style, Second Form, Fu Yu Sword.

In an instant, over 40 streaks of Sword Qi burst out like a white rain of light, enveloping the narrow room.

Chu Qi looked on in bewilderment. She didn’t understand why Lu Luo, who had suddenly appeared, was striking at empty air. But the next second, her expression became even more astonished.

BOOM!

The Mother-Child Coypu burst through the wall, only to be met by Lu Luo’s Fu Yu Sword Qi.

The Fu Yu Sword Qi pierced the Mother-Child Coypu’s skin, nose, and eyes. Blood splattered everywhere.

Not renowned for its defensive capabilities, the Mother-Child Coypu was caught off guard by such a sudden and extensive attack.

Forced to retreat, it fell from the second floor, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Using Fu Yu Sword with both hands put an even greater strain on his body; even with Lu Luo’s current Constitution, he simply couldn’t bear it.

He couldn’t help but cough a few times, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

The sniper rifle bullet Gu Fangyi had fired was still lodged in his bones. Now, using such a high-consumption technique only added to the pressure on his already strained body.

Lu Luo’s wounds were oozing blood, but managing to repel the Mother-Child Coypu meant he was halfway to success.

Seizing the opportunity, Lu Luo grabbed the crippled Chu Qi, shattered a window, and started rushing through the buildings at high speed.

The environment here was even more complicated; if the Mother-Child Coypu tried to pursue them, the layers of buildings and floors would impede it.

After bringing Chu Qi to a relatively open and safe area, Lu Luo set her down.

Initially, Chu Qi’s eyes were somewhat dazed, but they quickly became clear.

Such a look was akin to the enlightenment of someone on the verge of death. However, although Chu Qi was severely injured, her condition was not fatal; displaying such an expression seemed somewhat strange.

"To be burdened by the Dark Guide and driven here... it’s unexpected that there really are beings in this world capable of manipulating the dead. Sorry for troubling you, Lu Luo. It appears I should not be alive! I regret not joining all of you when I had the chance!"

These words sounded strange, but Lu Luo instantly understood that Chu Qi had awakened.

"Rest in peace."

Chu Qi began to disintegrate, or rather, died in another form. The colors of her being gradually faded, then turned to ash and scattered into the air.

These ashes began tearing apart the space in the C13 region; the crumbling world could no longer hold Lu Luo’s body.

Soon, the ground beneath Lu Luo became a void, and he fell into the red carpet room.

Another bead appeared in his hands, but Lu Luo no longer had time to check it.

He looked towards the door in the middle, which finally showed a timer: only 34 seconds remained.

Lu Luo kicked the door, but it didn’t open.

"Fuck!"

Would Lu Luo give up? Of course not. Even if there was only 1 second left, he still had to go take a look.

So, he directly engaged the second gear of steam power. Gu Fangyi was still nearby, not yet having regained his strength, when Lu Luo took the stance for Deliberate Bombardment Fist.

[Open Sesame!]

"Open Sesame!"

BOOM.

...

「In Lu Luo’s home, Qi Xinzhu was held in Lu Luo’s embrace.」

She bowed her head, her arms shielded in front of her chest, because such a hug didn’t bring her much pleasure.

Looking at the Lu Luo in front of her, Qi Xinzhu even felt some resistance inside. She didn’t know where this resistance came from, but it was resistance all the same.

This wasn’t what she wanted. Qi Xinzhu’s gaze gradually shifted from confused to resolute.

She pushed Lu Luo away, and the infatuated expression on her face also faded.

"The way things are now is already good. I never expected to end up in this ridiculous place. I’m still too greedy, after all. This place has become an obsession I can’t shake off, don’t you think, Lu Luo?"

The expression on the Lu Luo in front of her was a bit strange, as if he didn’t quite understand why Qi Xinzhu was pushing him away.

"What’s wrong, Xinzhu?"

The eyes of this Lu Luo before her showed no sharpness, no selfishness, not even lust—only endless gentleness for her.

Looking at this Lu Luo, Qi Xinzhu shook her head with a self-deprecating smile.

"Xinzhu? I quite like this nickname, but he only called me that once, and it was when he needed a favor from me. Usually, he just calls me by my full name.

He would take advantage of me, or rather, use my abilities. He would bully me and even curse at me, but he would never hold me with genuine emotion.

He speaks unpleasantly and irritatingly, even swearing at me. Only when he needs my help would he say a few sweet nothings to appease me.

What’s more, this guy only pays me a salary of 200 yuan for my help. There’s probably no boss in this world more outrageous than him."

"Don’t worry, I’ll change in the future."

It was only now that this Lu Luo realized Qi Xinzhu was talking about him. He tried to grab Qi Xinzhu’s hand, but she rejected him.

"No, he won’t change. If he changed these bad habits, he wouldn’t be Lu Luo."

Qi Xinzhu’s gaze turned cold.

"So, you are not him either. You’re nothing."

Qi Xinzhu suddenly stretched out her hand, grasping at the void. Her Alloy Sword appeared in her hand as if an illusion, and she thrust it out.

DING!

The sword blade was caught single-handedly by the Lu Luo in front of her. In Qi Xinzhu’s mind, Lu Luo was stronger than her, so this Lu Luo here must be stronger as well.

Qi Xinzhu executed more than ten strikes, but they were all easily blocked by this Lu Luo.

He transformed his hand into a blade and slashed down on Qi Xinzhu’s wrist. Wincing in pain, she had no choice but to let go of the sword and retreat.

But this Lu Luo was quicker. He moved after her yet arrived first, grabbing Qi Xinzhu by the neck and lifting her up.

This Lu Luo put away his previous gentleness, his expression turning blank as he raised his arm high, purple-black energy beginning to gather.

In his eyes, there was no longer any emotional color, only endless gloom.

"Time’s up, woman. Accept the Dark Guide."

But his aloofness didn’t last long, because suddenly, a leg stretched out from behind him—apparently a man’s.

WHAM!

The "Lu Luo" in front of Qi Xinzhu was kicked away.

The strength of that kick was evident from the hole it tore in the wall and the "Lu Luo" figure that was sent flying over 100 meters.

"You’re hurt?"

At this moment, Lu Luo’s body was still covered with many bloodstains, some belonging to others, some his own.

Lu Luo was indeed injured, and the wounds were not light; his physical strength was also enormously depleted.

But now was not the time to discuss injuries. He directly grabbed Qi Xinzhu’s hand and pulled her into his embrace.

"Damn it, messing with my woman? You don’t want to live!"

Hearing Lu Luo’s somewhat crude way of speaking, Qi Xinzhu smiled and lowered her head. She thought that "my woman" probably referred to herself.

Actually, whether it was Lu Luo or Qi Xinzhu, the moment they grabbed each other, a kind of understanding bloomed in their hearts.

The person before them was real. This was probably what they called a telepathic connection.

No hints needed, no verification required. Even if they were worlds apart, with countless obstacles, they could still feel this telepathic connection.

The person in the previous dreams might have been depicted favorably, with all flaws compensated for. However, this sensation of a telepathic connection was something no dream could ever simulate.

"Seems like we can’t get out. Looks like we have to kill that impostor, what do you think?"

Lu Luo’s gaze shifted evasively. He was puzzled. Why was Qi Xinzhu’s body so hot? It was only spring, after all. You’re so hot, it’s making me suddenly embarrassed...

Qi Xinzhu chuckled. It was rare to see Lu Luo feeling awkward, which made him seem very cute.

"Alright!"

The impostor charged again, his arms circulating with a purple hue. The first glance Lu Luo had of it sent shivers down his scalp.

"What kind of trick is this?"

[The power of the Dark Guide, only recorded within the Church’s "Limits of the Dead." Ultimately, you’ve read too few books; you know nothing.]

Lu Luo pulled Qi Xinzhu behind him, sword ready.

He felt it: this world was becoming increasingly unstable, and the opponent’s aura was growing more formidable.

According to the rules of time, it should have been over by now. But since Qi Xinzhu and he were not dead, it meant there was still a chance.

He had to deal with the impostor in front of him; he had to kill with one strike.

Lu Luo raised his greatsword high. Incredibly, a stream of Holy Radiance burst forth from his body, followed by poison, and finally merging with Steam Qi He.

This was all the energy he had!

Wielding my resentment, defending my glory, slaying the enemy in my heart, guarding the thoughts within.

One sword, one thought.

Sword Heart, Final Form: Soul Sunder Strike.

Lu Luo’s Soul Sunder Strike was vastly different from Qiao Xing’s dazzling gold and Qi Xinzhu’s pure white sanctity.

His Soul Sunder Strike initially displayed a rainbow of chaotic, disorderly colors.

But gradually, a black color began to overpower all others, consuming the other energies and forming a pure black Sword Qi.

If Qiao Xing’s and the others’ Soul Sunder Strike represented Holy Light and dawn, then Lu Luo’s Soul Sunder Strike, no matter how one looked at it, represented evil and darkness!

As Lu Luo unleashed his Soul Sunder Strike, the purple blade of light also flew towards them.

The black and purple did not collide as Lu Luo had imagined. The Soul Sunder Strike, with its unstoppable force, instantly engulfed the "Lu Luo" opposite them.

The intense energy tore him to pieces, leaving not even scraps behind, completely obliterated by the black Slash Strike.

[It’s over! He’s been hit!]

And that Dark Guide purple blade had also entered Lu Luo’s body.

"Lu Luo!"

Qi Xinzhu cried out in alarm just as the dream world collapsed with a roar. Both were pulled into the chaotic turbulence of tearing space, landing in the red carpet room.

"Finally back, huh!" Lu Luo finally heaved a PHEW! of relief.

"Lu Luo, that purple light blade just now?" Qi Xinzhu looked at Lu Luo with some concern.

But Lu Luo waved his hand, indicating he was fine. Although he claimed to be alright, he was actually just putting up a brave front.

His body had endured a tremendous burden: continual high-speed movement, using second gear steam power, executing the Spiral Sword, Fu Yu Sword, and Soul Sunder Strike, being shot, and forcefully resisting Soul Sunder.

Not to mention that Dark Guide technique.

"Is there something wrong with my body?" Lu Luo asked the Observer.

[Currently, your body shows no particular changes. However, your Devourer has undergone a change.]

"Devourer?"

Lu Luo immediately looked at his Devourer. All its effects were unchanged, except for the Variant Seed effect.

Effect 2 - Variant Seed: During the devouring process, copy energy to form a Variant Seed, up to two types. Currently saved energies: (Fire Poison) (Dark).

Is this a blessing in disguise?

Lu Luo knew that previously the Variant Seed had only one effect, Fire Poison, but now it seemed he had gained another—Dark!

He wasn’t quite clear on the specific function of Dark, and now was not the time to experiment.

Qi Xinzhu noticed something was off with Lu Luo. She quietly placed her hand on his back, about to heal him, but Lu Luo stopped her.

"Wait, the bullet hasn’t been extracted."

"Bullet?"

"Yes."

Lu Luo took out a hook, reached directly into the bullet hole, and forcefully scraped out Gu Fangyi’s bullet.

Gu Fangyi looked at the blood-stained bullet in astonishment.

"Brother Luo, is this bullet mine?"

Lu Luo glanced at him irritably.

"You just realized? Thankfully it didn’t hit my head."

Actually, even a shot to the head wouldn’t have killed him. Lu Luo only said so out of annoyance.

The moment Gu Fangyi heard this, he immediately felt guilty.

"Sorry, it’s my fault."

"Hey, hey, hey, I’m just teasing you, and you’re taking it seriously? What’s the point? Let’s all hurry up and rest! Gu Fang, Qi Xinzhu, does this place look like C04 to you? Our journey is far from over."

He didn’t know what path lay ahead or what might happen, but it was certainly time to recover from their injuries.

Qi Xinzhu quickly began treating Lu Luo. Although she couldn’t restore his stamina, the strength of the Healer was high enough to allow Lu Luo to recover from most of his injuries in a short time.

"Lu Luo, what is this?"

In Qi Xinzhu’s hand, a purple bead had somehow appeared.

Lu Luo wasn’t surprised that Qi Xinzhu had a bead, as she had apparently seen through her dream.

What did surprise him was that after Qi Xinzhu acquired a bead, he had received one as well.

These five beads were worth 10,000 energy in total. Amassing such an amount would require killing approximately 70 to 90 ordinary Second Tier Exotic Species.

For Lu Luo, this was undoubtedly a huge fortune, but the issue now was: were these beads really safe to consume?

What exactly was this Dark Essence, of which even the Observer was unaware?

The Devourer could devour the Dark Blade; could it also devour this Dark Essence?

[Based on the energy reactions of both, the feasibility is very high.]

"Is that so! Qi Xinzhu, give me the bead first."

"Okay."

Lu Luo squeezed the bead in his hand. Instantly, the Devourer’s tentacle, hidden within his flesh, pierced the purple bead. Life Energy flooded into Lu Luo’s body like a spring gushing from the sea.

His energy surged. Lu Luo’s remaining energy had been over 1,500; after devouring the five beads, his energy had reached 11,533.

This tremendous energy was even enough to allow him to enhance one of his attributes to 50 points.

Moreover, in addition to the energy amplification, the Devourer also stripped out the Dark Essence from the beads.

[The Devourer has devoured the Dark Essence; your Dark was slightly supplemented.]

This message appeared five times, but the last one came with a new change.

[The Devourer has devoured the Dark Essence; your Dark was slightly supplemented. Your Dark has developed a new derivative state - Flame.]