Chapter 276: Death

"This isn't working." Ye Qingfeng scrambled to get up, stumbling to create distance, and urged, "Xiao Zhi, what other hidden skills do you have? Tell me quickly!"

【Does credit count? Want to borrow an Ether weapon for one last fight?】

"Borrow! Give me any sword, spear, halberd, or axe!"

Ye Qingfeng felt like he couldn't catch his breath, his steps staggering as he nearly fell. Behind him, the Ethereal was biting like a mad dog. He ran for his life while holding his head and shouting.

【Oh, oh! Okay. Do you have any requirements for the style?】

"No! Stop asking, I'm feeling it—!"

【An Ether longsword has been sent to the host's spatial backpack. Please check it. This sword was forged at a master level.

Simple sword-body enchantment, the ability to swing sword energy, and other basic abilities are all included. The most critical point is that this weapon will increase in power along with the user's level of erosion.】

"So fierce? Are there any other usage drawbacks?"

Ye Qingfeng struggled to dodge the Ethereal's repeated attacks, taking a moment to take the longsword from his spatial backpack. The blade shimmered with silver light, and the edge was extremely sharp.

"Good sword—!"

The moment he gripped the sword, his mind inexplicably went into a trance, and he took a heavy blow from the Ethereal, flying backward and smashing into a wall to the side, only stopping after shattering three walls in a row.

It hurts, it hurts, it hurts!

"Sss—!"

Ye Qingfeng gritted his teeth, trying to get up three times before barely managing to do so. His already meager stamina was now completely exhausted, and he fell again with a "thud."

His already injured body suffered secondary damage.

"Your grandfather—! I... *&%&*&%￥%*Y... &!"

Ye Qingfeng couldn't help but let out a muffled groan, followed by cursing loudly regardless of his image.

He seriously suspected that if it weren't for those few bottles of physical enhancement and advancement potions, he might have died from that one punch.

Next time, just kill me directly; why make me suffer before I die...

Saying that aside, Ye Qingfeng suppressed his anger and asked about the situation.

"Can you please explain what's going on?!"

【Hehe~ Using this sword will also accelerate the speed at which the user is eroded by Ether.

If it weren't for the host's 99% Ether adaptability, you might have skipped directly to the second stage of erosion the moment you gripped the sword.】

"I really... eh..."

Ye Qingfeng sighed. He didn't know if he was used to it or what, but compared to anger, there was more helplessness.

"Next time, please tell me the drawbacks first, okay?"

【Sure, but there has to be a next time. After all, the Ethereal big brother is already here.】

The Ethereal waved its large hand, brushing aside the smoke and dust as it pressed down like a mountain.

Ye Qingfeng spun to avoid the sweeping giant claw, the longsword slashing at the joint and sparking.

He was quite clear that if he fought a protracted war, he would definitely be the one to lose. Only by going all out would there be a glimmer of survival.

It roared, shattering the ground, and its tail spikes poured down like a rainstorm. As he rolled and dodged, he left a bloody gash on the monster's abdomen.

The Ethereal was furious, opening its giant mouth full of fangs to swallow him. A fishy wind wrapped in rot swept over.

Ye Qingfeng swung his sword in a fierce stab. Taking advantage of the Ethereal's pain and loosening its mouth, he stepped on its upper jaw and leaped into the air. The blade ignited with purple flames, and the longsword stabbed fiercely into the core.

The Ethereal opened its giant claws regardless of anything, swinging them fiercely. Ye Qingfeng's chest was hit by the sharp claws, opening three bloody gashes, which spread like ferocious red patterns.

He flew backward and hit the ground. The blood gushing from his mouth drew an arc in mid-air, and his clothes were soaked in scarlet.

The weak human body couldn't withstand a casual blow from an Ethereal. If he didn't treat the wounds as soon as possible, he would likely bleed to death.

The scorching, sharp pain poured into his nerves like magma along the wounds. Ye Qingfeng let out a muffled groan from his throat. His internal organs felt as if they were being stirred by a blade, and every breath carried deep, stinging pain.

Miraculously, his final thought wasn't about survival, but about forcing his body up to confirm whether that Ethereal was dead.

The Ethereal collapsed with a crash. His heavy breathing mixed with the monster's final wail, turning into Ether particles drifting in the air.

Is it finally dead? That's great...

This way, Ling and the others will be safe...

He finally couldn't hold on and fell to the ground. The gaping wounds on his chest were shocking, and thick blood gushed out.

The pain gradually went numb, and his consciousness was like a dandelion blown away by the wind, his thoughts myriad yet blurred.

Will they be sad because of this?

Will they still remember him in the future?

It doesn't matter...

Why? Why did he do this? It would be one thing if he could become a hero in the spotlight, but did a second person even see what he did?

So stupid—!

They had only spent half a year together, and he was going to give up his life for them?

They might just think he was killed in the Hollow; no one would think it was him who stopped this Hollow expansion.

A year later? Two years?

They would forget him sooner or later. After all, to them, he only occupied half a year in the long river of time.

That's right—why on earth did he do this—!

He doesn't understand—he really doesn't understand!

They say that when a person faces death, the memories of a lifetime play rapidly before their eyes like a lantern.

The facts were the same.

Birth—abandoned.

First year—struggling to survive.

First ten years—can't remember clearly.

Last ten years—a pile of dog shit.

The scenes from before his transmigration appeared frame by frame, but Ye Qingfeng felt no ripples in his heart, until a familiar face appeared before his eyes.

Pink hair, twin tails, chest like thunder, "My name is Nico, remember that."

Figures flashed through his mind: Anbi, Zhu Yuan, Mao You, Ling, everyone from Victoria Housekeeping, and Senior Qing Yi.

Ye Qingfeng raised the corners of his mouth, already understanding the reason for doing so in his heart, but his eyelids grew heavier and heavier. He only felt like a falling fledgling, his life dissipating along with the loss of blood.

Ether activity dropped in a straight line, and the Hollow returned to calm.

The Hollow Stabilization Scroll was lifted, and his life also ushered in a countdown.

So a person can live so brilliantly...

【Ding—Ding ding! Detected that the host's vitality is in critical condition. Sending rewards for the mission of saving Senior Qing Yi and rescuing the Bangboo.】

【Congratulations to the host for obtaining the following rewards.】

【S-rank reward: Young Senior Qing Yi Puppet Body.】

【Detected no healing or composite rewards, automatically starting to draw the remaining 30 draws.】

【A-rank reward: Ether Affinity Potion.】

【A-rank reward: Dennies (automatic debt repayment).】

【S-rank reward: Dennies (active debt repayment).】

【Detected no healing or resurrection rewards in the first 29 draws, starting the final draw.】

【Obtained S+-rank reward: Advanced Artificial Intelligence YOUKAI (Monster).】

【Ding ding! Error! Error! An error occurred!】

【Reward sending error, ding! Correct! Ding! Error**********】

【Reward is correct! Detected that the host's life is about to hit zero, the system is starting to de...】

【Error—! (Child's voice)】

(Finishing tomorrow. If there are any typos, @ the author quickly, otherwise I can't change them after it's finished.) ===== CHAPTER 277 =====