Chapter 150: Ji Jiangci Ran Away

Bao Jing's voice was very soft; as a male, he could deeply empathize with Ji Jiangci's current feeling—if he were in his prime, his hair would suddenly turn white, wrinkles would appear on his face, and he would probably even wish for death.

Ye Xi'an watched Ji Jiangci worriedly; Ji sat on the ground, like a lifeless puppet.

They still came back too late; if she had woken Ji Jiangci earlier, he wouldn't have become like this.

She said blankly, her expression almost breaking into tears: "Is it because we stayed in the dream too long?"

Lin Zhi Jing's voice sounded in her ear: "Hmm, this is the special aspect of Zhimeng Xing's second evolution. The earlier Zhimeng Xing also caused beastmen to fall into pleasant dreams that would devour them, but at that time it only consumed the beastmen's internal abilities; when they woke up, as long as they recovered promptly, it wouldn't threaten their lives, so Zhimeng Xing's difficulty rating is two stars."

"But now," Lin Zhi Jing frowned, clearly the matter was more serious: "The dream no longer consumes abilities but the very source of life; the longer you stay inside, the more life is lost, especially since it seems to cause double the loss of vitality."

Otherwise, given a beastman's thousand-year lifespan, it wouldn't turn into this state in such a short time.

Each of Lin Zhi Jing's words hit Ye Xi'an's heart like a hammer; the double loss must be because she entered Ji Jiangci's dream.

Ye Xi'an choked, blaming herself: "Ji Jiangci… it's because of me that he became like this."

She moved close to Ji Jiangci, intending to embrace him.

Sensing Ye Xi'an's approach, Ji Jiangci jerked his head up, meeting her concerned violet eyes, then flicked his gaze away like a shock, landing on his own wrinkled back of the hand, and hurriedly stepped back, not wanting Ye Xi'an to see his current state.

"Is there a mirror?" Ji Jiangci suddenly asked. It's fine if his hair turned white, or his skin wrinkled; as long as his face remains, everything can still be salvaged.

Ye Xi'an and Bao Jing exchanged a glance and, in perfect sync, answered together: "No!"

They truly had no mirror; even if they did, they'd say they didn't.

But the more they said that, the more panicked Ji Jiangci became; he looked around and finally fixed his gaze on the gem on Lin Zhi Jing.

The gem's facets were smooth and flat, barely reflecting an image.

Lin Zhi Jing sensed Ji Jiangci's intention, immediately covering himself with his clothing, awkwardly adding: "What are you looking at? Even if you like me more, I won't give it to you."

But Ji Jiangci acted as if he hadn't heard, shuffling like a walking corpse toward Lin Zhi Jing, eventually seeing his own face.

He trembled, covering his face with his hands, his face full of despair.

Ye Xi'an, seeing such a vulnerable Ji Jiangci for the first time, called out to him hoarsely.

"Don't look at me."

His voice was hoarse and raspy, completely lacking its former warmth.

"You…" Ye Xi'an still wanted to say something.

Ji Jiangci didn't wait for her to finish, turned and rushed outward.

His speed wasn't fast, even a bit stumbling, but his silhouette exuded an indescribable resolve and panic, as if a flood of ferocious beasts pursued him from behind.

"Ji Jiangci!" Ye Xi'an immediately tried to catch up.

Bao Jing grabbed her, brow furrowed, his voice also a bit deep: "Let him calm down alone; maybe he'll come back right away."

"Let go!" Ye Xi'an shook his hand away, "In his current state, do you think he can accept it? If you get destroyed...."

She stopped mid‑sentence before saying "appearance"; though she didn't finish, Bao Jing understood, his expression grew even worse.

Lin Zhi Jing pushed up his silver‑wire glasses on his nose, the lenses reflecting light: "The loss of vitality caused rapid aging; the drastic change in appearance triggered severe psychological stress. His emotions are now highly unstable; he feels he has lost his worth, especially his value as a spouse."

Yi Yang pursed his lips, his sky‑blue eyes filled with moisture, his voice trembling: "Brother Ji looks so sad… he must think his wife has abandoned him…" If that day he lost his appearance and his ability level is so low, he'd surely be abandoned; thinking this, Yi Yang couldn't hold back tears.

Ye Xi'an heard Yi Yang's words, her heart felt clenched. "It's all my fault," she whispered, "If I had gotten him out sooner, this wouldn't have happened…"

"That's not your fault," Lin Zhi Jing interrupted, "What happened after you all passed out? Why did it take so long to wake up?"

That day he killed the male beastman, turned his head and saw Ji Jiangci and Ye Xi'an collapse simultaneously; his heart nearly stopped.

When he rushed to Ye Xi'an's side it was already too late; he couldn't wake her no matter what. If he hadn't reminded Bao Jing to use wind abilities to disperse those dream particles, perhaps even Bao Jing and Yi Yang would have been affected.

Ye Xi'an probably recounted the dream scene, everyone suddenly understood; no wonder Ji Jiangci didn't want to wake up, becoming Ye Xi'an's only husband—the temptation was too great; if they guessed, they'd also fall into it.

But Yi Yang didn't understand: "What? Why is Brother Ji so hopeless? Staying inside can only accompany his wife for a while; only by coming out can he be with her forever."

Bao Jing and Lin Zhi Jing both turned to look at him: "You don't understand!"

Bao Jing later added: "Little dumb dog, go play by yourself."

"Alright, the most urgent thing now is to find Ji Jiangci," Ye Xi'an said, looking toward the direction Ji Jiangci fled, trying to teleport, a pain struck her brain; she held her head, her face full of anguish.

"An'an, you just came out of the dream, your spiritual power is weak; don't use abilities for now."

Ye Xi'an looked at Bao Jing, pleading: "Then Bao Jing, could you go find him?"

Bao Jing saw Ye Xi'an's expression, felt a pang, no longer hesitated; his gray‑brown wings instantly unfolded, turning into a massive hunting falcon soaring skyward, his sharp brown eyes scanning below: "I'll search from the air!"

"I'll follow the scent!" Yi Yang sniffed hard, pointing toward Ji Jiangci's direction, "This way!" He planted his limbs on the ground, instantly transforming into a sturdy Labrador, chasing after the scent.

"The ground traces are clear; no wood‑based abilities were used; the stamina consumption must be huge."

Lin Zhi Jing quickly examined the marks Ji Jiangci left when he left, looked up at Ye Xi'an and said, "We follow Yi Yang."

Ye Xi'an nodded, suppressing her bitterness and guilt, and followed Lin Zhi Jing swiftly. Ji Jiangci's run wasn't fast, but his direction was clear: to get away from them, away from this place that embarrassed him.

After passing through a not‑too‑dense forest, Yi Yang stopped by a small creek, reverted to human form, and anxiously pointed across: "The scent ends here; he must have crossed the river."

The creek wasn't deep but a bit rapid. Lin Zhi Jing observed: "The opposite bank's vegetation is denser, suitable for hiding. Bao Jing!" He shouted upward.