CHAPTER 76: CHAPTER 76: HE IS ALREADY FATALLY ILL, ONLY RUAN RUAN CAN SAVE HIM

The Level 1 Energy Stone isn’t much use to Lu Shinian because he himself possesses 3S Spirit Power. To completely cure the Ancestral Stage phenomenon, he’d need at least a Level 5 Energy Stone.

Not to mention how rare Level 5 Energy Stones are; even Energy Stones with low impurity content are exceedingly scarce.

Even with several mines, he can’t find an Energy Stone with only 1% impurity content.

The Energy Stone in front of him, although only Level 1, is precious in a certain sense.

His Ruan Ruan spent a hefty sum to auction it off, just to give it to him.

This feeling of being cared for made Lu Shinian’s Adam’s apple move slightly, and he uncontrollably pulled her into his embrace.

"So obedient."

Su Ruan snuggled against his chest, her long lashes trembling lightly, "Will this be useful to you?"

She wasn’t very sure.

Although the last time Lu Shinian unconsciously absorbed a purified Energy Stone and came out of the Ancestral Stage phenomenon, the last time he was in the Imperial Palace during the Ancestral Stage, he still exhibited beastified wolf claws.

"Useful," Lu Shinian said lowly, "As long as it’s given by Ruan Ruan, it’s useful."

Su Ruan looked up at him against the light.

"Really, does a Level 1 Energy Stone help?"

"It can temporarily suppress," Lu Shinian said truthfully as he looked down, "But it can’t relieve or reverse."

The effects of the Level 1 Energy Stone are still too limited.

"What about Level 2?" Su Ruan pressed further, "Is Level 2 useful to you?"

Lu Shinian raised his hand, ruffled Su Ruan’s hair, his eyes deep and profound.

"No use."

He lowered his voice, "As long as Ruan Ruan obediently stays by my side, things won’t get out of control."

But if she were to leave him, he couldn’t promise he wouldn’t do something crazy.

Su Ruan bit her lip lightly, wrapped her arms around Lu Shinian’s waist, her head resting against his heart, listening to his heartbeat, softly saying, "I won’t leave you."

She has missed him for so many years, how could she leave him?

Lu Shinian smiled satisfactorily, placing the Level 1 Energy Stone into Su Ruan’s palm.

"Ruan Ruan, you can play with this."

Su Ruan looked at him surprised, "You don’t want it?"

"I don’t need it," Lu Shinian curved his lips, "Ruan Ruan being by my side is enough."

Su Ruan: ...

She seemed to detect a hint of unusual air.

"Ruan Ruan can calm me down," Lu Shinian’s smile deepened.

Although he has no memory of the Ancestral Stage, every time he wakes up Ruan Ruan is in his arms.

Sometimes with reddened eyes, sometimes emitting soft charming sounds, sometimes... Well, generally speaking, very beautiful.

Perhaps only in times like these does his Ruan Ruan allow him to touch her?

Lu Shinian’s eyes darken, deep and profound as if something is lurking inside, appearing calm yet hiding the potential for a storm to burst forth at any moment.

His smile deepened, unaware of his own greed, his Adam’s apple rolling, he murmured, "So as long as Ruan Ruan is by my side, that’s all that matters."

Everything else isn’t important.

He’s already sick to the point of no return; only Ruan Ruan can save him.

Su Ruan increasingly felt that he was using the Ancestral Stage as an excuse to stir things up; she twitched her mouth, placing the Level 1 Energy Stone back into his palm.

"My D-level spiritual power won’t benefit from this."

"Either you keep it yourself, or give it to your subordinates who might need it."

"In any case, I wouldn’t use it."

"I won’t," Lu Shinian said firmly, "This was given to me by Ruan Ruan, I won’t give it away to anyone."

He quickly stowed that Level 1 Energy Stone away, wrapped his big hand around Su Ruan’s slender waist, letting out another low laugh.

"Is Ruan Ruan feeling sorry for me now?"

His thumb caressed her soft waist, while the other hand unbuttoned the first two buttons of the shirt, revealing a sexy Adam’s apple.

"The room seems a bit warm."

"Is Ruan Ruan hot? Should I help Ruan Ruan take off the clothes?"

Su Ruan slapped away Lu Shinian’s wandering hand.

"The system has privacy settings; you won’t be able to take it off."

Lu Shinian regrettably withdrew his gaze.

He was determined to negotiate with the main system to remove those privacy settings.

How could being honest with one’s wife in a private space be wrong? The main system was truly tactless.

Lu Shinian had already made up his mind, but on the surface, he calmly said, "Ruan Ruan misunderstood me."

"I just feel a bit hot."

"I’m not hot," Su Ruan said, picking up her military uniform design drawings, "I need to work now."

Lu Shinian’s eyes flickered with amusement, "Perfect, I’m heading to the black market."

"What are you going to the black market for?" Su Ruan asked curiously.

"To make a deal with Second Master," Lu Shinian’s lips curled, "He should be interested."

Su Ruan knowingly nodded.

Lu Shinian quickly left for the black market, while Su Ruan devoted herself to designing her second set of military uniforms at home.

————

In a certain room in the black market, Lu Shinian wore a mask and found Second Master.

Second Master glanced at him, let out a mocking laugh, "What? Commander Lu doesn’t dare to show his true face?"

Lu Shinian lightly raised an eyebrow, removed the mask, and sat opposite Second Master.

"Second Master, you are true to your reputation."

Second Master shrugged, "Commander Lu, what business brings you here today?"

"I’m here to discuss a deal," Lu Shinian took out the Energy Stone Su Ruan gave him and placed it on the table, "This is a Level 1 Energy Stone with only 1% impurity content."

He paused meaningfully, "I presume Second Master is already aware?"

"If you’re referring to the auto-selling zone," Second Master lightly raised an eyebrow, an aura of mischief about him, "Then I probably knew before Commander Lu."

"Exactly," Lu Shinian said gravely, "I know Second Master has his own channels, and I’d like you to help me acquire Energy Stones with less than 5% impurity content, regardless of level, regardless of price."

Second Master’s eyes flickered, as if he guessed something.

But instead of stating it directly, he asked another question.

"Why did Su Ruan escape marriage back then?"

He had to know why his sister fled the marriage to decide whether or not to help Lu Shinian.

If it was because she was afraid of Lu Shinian or he treated her poorly, he wouldn’t help him no matter what.

Lu Shinian’s eyes condensed, a coldness emerging.

A chill seeped into his gaze, edges sharpened, even his demeanor growing colder.

"Second Master doesn’t feel that caring about another’s wife is over the line?"

Second Master felt stuck, almost revealing he’s her brother, but recalling that his sister doesn’t know about her three brothers, he dismissed the idea.

"I know where the line is."

Second Master clicked his tongue lightly, "Commander Lu need only answer this question, then I’ll help you without considering payment, deal?"