Chapter 276: Death

“Not good enough.” Ye Qingfeng scrambled to his feet, stumbling backward to create distance, urging: “Xiao Zhi, tell me your hidden skills right now!”

【Can I go on credit? Borrow an Ether weapon for one last gamble?】

“Credit it! Give me any weapon—sword, spear, axe, whatever!”

Ye Qingfeng felt his breath catch, his legs buckling as he nearly fell; behind him, the With Hai tore at him like rabid dogs. He covered his head and fled, shouting all the while.

【Oh oh! Got it! Any preferences on the style?】

“No! Don’t ask—just feel it—!”

【An Ether longsword has been sent to your inventory. Please check. This blade was forged by a master-level artisan.】

【Its simple blade is enchanted with basic abilities—generating sword qi, and more. Most crucially, its power increases with the user’s level of Ether corruption.】

“That powerful? No other drawbacks?”

Ye Qingfeng dodged the With Hai ’s relentless attacks, snatching the longsword from his inventory. The blade shimmered with silver light, its edge razor-sharp.

“Perfect blade—!”

The instant he gripped it, his mind went hazy—he took a direct hit from the With Hai and was flung sideways, smashing through three walls before finally stopping.

Pain! Pain! Pain!

“Ss—!”

Ye Qingfeng gritted his teeth, struggling three times to rise before finally standing—his already depleted strength gone. He collapsed with a thud.

His already injured body bore a second blow.

“You son of a bitch—I…*&%&*&%￥%*Y……&!”

Ye Qingfeng let out a muffled groan, then erupted into a furious, unbecoming tirade.

He seriously doubted he’d still be alive if not for those few Tizhi enhancement and advanced potions—he might’ve died from that punch alone.

Just kill me outright next time. Why make me suffer before I go…?

He held back his rage, asking instead: “What’s going on?”

“Can you please explain this situation?!”

【Hehe~ Using this blade accelerates the user’s Ether corruption.】

【Had your Ether adaptability not been 99%, you’d have skipped straight to Corruption Stage Two the moment you grabbed it.】

“I really… eh…”

Ye Qingfeng sighed. Whether from habit or resignation, he felt more helplessness than anger.

“Next time, warn me about the drawbacks first, okay?”

【Sure—if there’s a next time. But the With Hai ’s already here.】

The With Hai swept its massive hand, clearing dust as it advanced like a mountain descending.

Ye Qingfeng spun aside, avoiding the sweeping claw; his longsword scraped against the joint, sparking.

He knew well—he’d lose in a prolonged fight. Only a desperate gamble offered any chance.

It roared, shattering the ground; its tail stinger rained down like a storm. He rolled and dodged, carving a bloody gash across its belly.

Enraged, the With Hai opened its maw, lined with fangs, and swallowed him whole. Foul, rotting wind surged toward him.

Ye Qingfeng thrust his blade hard, and as the With Hai recoiled in pain, he leapt upward, stepping on its upper jaw. The blade ignited in violet flame, driving deep into its core.

The With Hai ignored the pain, swinging its claws wildly. Ye Qingfeng’s chest was raked—three deep gashes opened, spreading like jagged crimson veins.

He was flung backward, crashing to the ground. Blood spurted from his mouth, arcing through the air; his clothes were soaked crimson.

Human flesh could not withstand even a casual blow from the With Hai . If he didn’t treat the wounds soon, he’d bleed to death.

Searing agony, like molten lava, poured into his nerves through the wounds. A muffled groan escaped his throat; his organs felt shredded by blades. Every breath brought sharp, stabbing pain.

Yet strangely, his final thought wasn’t about survival—but forcing himself upright to confirm whether the With Hai was dead.

The With Hai collapsed with a crash. His heavy breathing mixed with the monster’s final cry, dissolving into Ether particles in the air.

Is it finally dead? Good…

Now Ling and the others are safe…

He finally collapsed, his chest wound gaping hideously, thick blood gushing out.

The pain grew numb. His consciousness scattered like dandelion seeds in the wind—thoughts swirling, blurred, indistinct.

Will they be heartbroken?

Will they remember him?

Doesn’t matter…

Why? Why did he do this? Even if he became a hero admired by all, had anyone else even seen his actions?

So stupid—

They’d only known each other half a year—was it worth giving his life for them?

Maybe they’d just assume he died in the Hollow. No one would ever guess he was the one who stopped its expansion.

A year? Two years?

They’d forget him eventually. After all, to them, he’d only occupied half a year in their long, endless lives.

Right—he really had no idea why he did this—

I don’t understand! I really don’t understand!

They say that when facing death, one’s entire life flashes before their eyes like a rapid slideshow.

It was true.

Birth—abandoned

First year—barely surviving

First decade—hazy memories

Second decade—a pile of dog shit

Scenes from before his transmigration flickered one by one—but Ye Qingfeng felt nothing, until a familiar face appeared before him.

Pink twin-tails, chest that could thunder—I’m Nico, remember me.

Figures flashed through his mind: Anbi, Zhu Yuan, Mao You, Ling, the whole Victoria household, and Qingyi.

Ye Qingfeng smiled faintly. He finally understood why he did it. His eyelids grew heavier. He felt like a fledgling falling—his life draining with every drop of blood.

Ether activity plummeted. The Hollow fell still.

The Hollow Stability Scroll deactivated. His life entered its final countdown.

So this is what it means to live vividly…

【Ding—Ding! Detected critical decline in host’s vitality. Reward for rescuing Qingyi and saving Bangbu has been issued.】

【Congratulations, host. Rewards received:】

【S-Rank Reward: Juvenile Qingyi Jade Puppet Body】

【No healing or revival reward detected. Automatically initiating remaining 30 draws.】

【A-Rank Reward: Ether Affinity Potion】

【A-Rank Reward: Ding Ni (Automatic Debt Repayment)】

【S-Rank Reward: Ding Ni (Voluntary Debt Repayment)】

【No healing or revival reward in first 29 draws. Initiating final draw.】

【Obtained S+-Rank Reward: Advanced AI YOUKAI】

【Ding! Error! Error! System error!】

【Reward delivery error. Ding! Correct! Ding! Error**********】

【Reward confirmed! Detected host vitality nearing zero. System initiating detachment…】

【Error—! (Child’s voice)】

(Tomorrow’s final chapter. If you spot typos, tag the author now—can’t fix them after the finale.)