Chapter 336: Finally Safe

Judging from the marks on the entrance, this opening was dug out, and at most it couldn't be older than a year!

Lin Yifan recalled Ling Ling's earlier words, compared the marks on the entrance, couldn't help glancing at its claw, and sighed in his heart:

Playing the pig to eat the tiger, the companion truly looks like the real thing!

Because the marks on that entrance are exactly the claw's marks.

So there's no doubt; that opening was dug out by Ling Ling's claw.

Lin Yifan observed carefully; the stones here are extremely hard, even a regular hammer would hardly make a dent.

Yet Ling Ling managed to carve a passage here; fatigue aside, the time it took is already a problem.

Considering Ling Ling's size, digging such a hole must have taken a lot of effort; no wonder it could only be trapped inside a cave when it was young.

Although the interior is pitch black, on the stone walls one can always see tiny specks of stone that catch a faint glimmer.

These tiny stones, compared with genuine spiritual crystals, are far inferior in both luster and contained energy.

But Lin Yifan knows that in the Intermediate Domain, these crystal offcuts are also a form of currency.

Even without the crystals themselves, just gathering these offcuts would be enough for him to become rich after leaving the Initial Domain.

However, Lin Yifan didn't start mining immediately; after a quick glance, he paid no further attention.

Inside the whole cave, aside from the massive skeleton, the mysterious azure cocoon, and the walls covered with spiritual crystals, there was nothing else.

The air contained only pure spiritual energy flowing, and the breathing‑like pulse of the azure cocoon, making the place utterly silent.

Safe!

At least temporarily safe!

Lin Yifan let out a long sigh, his tense nerves suddenly relaxed like a snapped bowstring.

The constantly suppressed wounds, the mental scar, the clash with the Bloodsucking Vine's dark power, and the terror from the beast's roar deep in his soul erupted instantly like a breached dam!

Puff!

Lin Yifan could no longer hold on, he violently spewed a gush of dark‑red clotted blood, his vision went black in waves, his body lurched backward uncontrolled, and he crashed heavily onto the cold crystal floor.

He had already been gravely wounded, and the injuries were internal!

He had always known this, but never had time to heal or rest; otherwise, he would have collapsed long ago.

Lin Yifan's consciousness was like a candle in the wind, fading fast.

Just before total darkness claimed him, the last thing he saw was the vine bracelet on his wrist, covered in dark‑gold patterns.

However, perhaps his eyes were playing tricks, Lin Yifan felt the azure cocoon cradled by the massive skeleton, its surface silver patterns like a galaxy vortex, seemed to flicker extremely faintly—accelerating—for an instant as he fell.

But before he could look again, he slipped directly into sleep.

Darkness, like viscous ink, enveloped Lin Yifan's consciousness.

He felt his body as if its framework were being taken apart, each bone moaning, his meridians like a dried, cracked riverbed; every faint attempt of Yuan force to circulate brought tearing agony.

Deep in his soul, exhaustion was overwhelming; the clash with the Bloodsucking Vine's core savage dark will had nearly drained his spirit.

Yet, within this painful darkness, threads of warm, pure energy, like a trickling stream, stubbornly seeped in, moistening his nearly exhausted body and soul.

It was the ever‑present pure spiritual energy of the cave, which, even while he was unconscious, continued to nourish him spontaneously.

He couldn't tell how long had passed—perhaps a moment, perhaps ages.

Lin Yifan's eyelids trembled heavily, and he struggled to pry open a slit.

What met his eyes was still the dreamlike crystal cavern. The soft light was no longer blinding, but instead gave a sense of peace after the calamity.

He found himself still lying on the cold crystal floor, but his body felt somewhat better than before he passed out.

Although the excruciating pain persisted, the sense of utter depletion had lessened, and a faint, newly‑born Yuan force seemed to circulate extremely slowly within him.

He suddenly recalled Ling Ling!

He struggled to sit up, aggravating his injuries, and was seized by another violent cough.

"Squeak..." a weak yet clear whimper came.

Lin Yifan followed the sound, his heart instantly relaxed, then a huge joy surged.

Not far away, on a warm white crystal, Ling Ling's tiny body was curled up.

Its blood‑stained and ashen fur seemed purified by some force, and the fiery red coat regained its sheen.

What delighted Lin Yifan most was that her twisted, broken foreleg, though still bound with a hastily tied cloth strap, no longer bled.

The surrounding swelling had subsided by more than half, faintly revealing a silvery‑white halo like moonlight.

Her breath was still weak, but far steadier and stronger than when she was unconscious; her small chest rose and fell rhythmically, and one could even sense that the aura on her body had become considerably stronger,

thanks to the cavern's crystal energy!

and... the homogenous aura emitted by that massive moon‑shadow fox skeleton!

They are spontaneously nourishing and healing Ling Ling, even enhancing her strength!

"Ling Ling!" Lin Yifan's hoarse voice rang with post‑catastrophe relief.

The little fox's long eyelashes fluttered a few times, and she slowly opened her eyes.

Those big, jet‑black eyes were initially a bit dazed, but the moment they saw Lin Yifan, they lit up instantly, full of dependence and joy.

"Yifan brother..." her voice remained tiny, weak from injury, "How are you?"

Lin Yifan struggled, propping his upper body with his still functional right arm on the cold crystal floor, and managed to sit up with difficulty.

Each tiny movement tugged at his broken ribs and damaged organs, sending searing pain and causing fine cold sweat to bead on his temples.

He forced himself to endure, his gaze fixed tightly on Ling Ling.

"I'm fine, just felt a bit weak earlier, now much better..." his voice was hoarse and dry, carrying post‑catastrophe relief and deep fatigue.

After recovering a bit, he felt much better, stood up and moved for a moment, then asked:

"How do you feel? Does your leg still hurt?"

"I'm okay too, the leg doesn't hurt anymore, and my body is filled with strength, as if I've become stronger than before."

The little fox's pair of jet‑black big eyes blinked, and it said excitedly.

Lin Yifan also noticed at this moment that Ling Ling's body was undergoing a slight change.

Originally its fur color was that ordinary gray‑yellow, but now it had turned into a dark red.