Chapter 173: Neighbor

After training all day, Ye Xi'an felt her slightly bulging muscles and thought she was capable again.

"How about we take a four‑star mission next time?"

Bao Jing immediately replied, "No way! Even three‑star missions are hard for us, let alone four‑star. The difficulty gap between four‑star and three‑star is a chasm."

Lin Zhi Jing also thought taking a four‑star mission was risky: "Actually, Zhimeng Xing's difficulty isn't even as hard as three‑star. The dream entity itself appears to be a very weak monster, but its ability is unusual—it uses dreams to lure and kill beastmen."

"Indeed," Ye Xi'an nodded. "I killed her in one go—definitely noob."

Ji Jiangci felt a bit embarrassed; Zhimeng Xing's ability was indeed unique—not only using dreams to lure kills, but also spawning vines by absorbing dream stone energy. If not for those pesky vines, they would have killed Zhimeng Xing long ago.

But Zhimeng Xing didn't expect that, while its ability was special, Ye Xi'an's ability was even more special—she could ignore the vines and instantly teleport to its side. It was unlucky to encounter Ye Xi'an.

"Fine, then we'll stick to three‑star missions next time."

Ye Xi'an helplessly spread her hands and pressed the elevator's up button.

As her fingertips left the cold metal button, the elevator doors slid open with a soft "ding."

There was already one person standing inside the elevator.

A tall male with sword‑shaped eyebrows and star‑like eyes, dressed in a black combat suit and a head of red hair, stood silently in the center of the elevator; his strikingly beautiful features were remarkable, but the most distinctive thing wasn't his hair or face—it was the two dark‑red, flame‑patterned horns on his head, each as long as a palm.

His arms hung at his sides, and when he casually lifted his gaze, his crimson pupils burned like flames, marking him as someone not to be trifled with.

When he saw Ye Xi'an, a brief panic flickered in his cold eyes; he immediately lowered his head, awkwardly covering his horns, and then noticeably curled into a corner of the elevator.

But a towering figure huddling in a corner like a frightened cat inevitably draws attention.

Ye Xi'an, bewildered, exchanged a glance with Lin Zhi Jing, wondering if she was really that terrifying to scare such a big male like this.

She politely nodded and stepped into the elevator.

Six people were packed in the elevator; the man seemed to stiffen because of her entrance, his body instinctively shrinking toward the corner, trying to lower his presence.

Ye Xi'an pressed her floor button; no other floor lit up, yet the beastman remained unresponsive.

Ye Xi'an turned toward the corner and said, "Hey."

Hearing Ye Xi'an speak to him, the beastman shivered instantly.

Ye Xi'an awkwardly lifted the corner of her mouth and asked, "Which floor are you on?"

"18th floor," the beastman replied quickly, his voice unexpectedly pleasant.

Ye Xi'an froze, realizing he was the neighbor living opposite.

The beastman's gaze flickered, also seeing Ye Xi'an's floor; realizing they lived on the same level, he lowered his head even further.

The elevator doors closed, leaving only faint breaths and the elevator's low hum in the cramped space.

The polished metal interior reflected the silhouettes of the six occupants—handsome men and beautiful women—pleasing to the eye.

In the narrow space, Ye Xi'an felt a cautious, probing gaze from beside her, landing on her briefly before shifting away.

She tilted her head slightly, meeting the male's gaze.

It was a pair of deep eyes, now filled with panic, like a caught little beast.

The male suddenly lowered his head, his gaze landing on his worn shoe tips, a unnatural red flush spreading at his ears.

Ye Xi'an's heart skipped a beat, feeling the other person resembled the elevator pervert she had once seen.

She anxiously tugged at Lin Zhi Jing, who sensed the situation and gave a warning glance at the male.

Unexpectedly, the beastman, who was extremely insecure around Ye Xi'an, became unusually defiant when faced with Lin Zhi Jing; their gazes clashed like two bolts of lightning, crackling in the air.

But when Ye Xi'an looked over, the beastman immediately lowered his head again.

Lin Zhi Jing:? Two‑faced?

Fortunately the elevator arrived quickly, and Ye Xi'an stepped out immediately; just as she was about to open her door and go in, the beastman finally spoke again.

"You... hello."

His voice was a bit hoarse, with obvious nervousness.

Ye Xi'an froze for a moment, then gave a friendly smile.

"Hello."

Receiving the reply, the man's shoulders seemed to relax slightly, but he still dared not look up at her.

The fingers he kept at his side curled a bit, his fingertips rubbing his trouser seam, making the atmosphere a bit tense.

"My name is Gu Feng."

He seemed to summon great courage and spoke again; his voice was smoother than before, yet still tense.

"I live opposite you."

"Hmm, I know."

Ye Xi'an hesitated briefly, then told him her name: "My name is Ye Xi'an."

Ye Xi'an's tone was gentle, showing no hint of oddity.

Gu Feng's heart pounded like a drum from the simple dialogue, and they showed no fearful or disgusted expression because of his horns.

"Well, I'm leaving then."

"Goodbye."

"Goodbye, goodbye...."

Ye Xi'an forced a nervous laugh, took out her keys, and opened the door.

Gu Feng watched her silhouette until the door fully closed, cutting off his view.

He stood in front of his own door, not entering immediately.

The soft glow of the hallway sensor light spilled onto him, elongating his upright figure.

He raised his hand, and his fingertips lightly brushed his top horns.

A familiar, scorching sensation emanated from there.

These horns have accompanied him all his life, and also made him insecure all his life.

On Zhu Shen Xing, only low-ranking beastmen show beastly traits on their human bodies; such beastmen are called defectives, destined from birth to be unwanted by any female and regarded as ominous beings.

So he was bullied from a young age; to escape this situation, he began taking on desperate missions at twelve, and any beastman who gave him a strange look would be stared back at without humility or arrogance.

Weakness only invites more bullying; strength is the hard truth.

Although he appeared tough on the surface, he still felt inferior inside; the moment he saw Ye Xi'an, Gu Feng knew he was done for.

That feeling was wonderful, elusive, and he couldn't help wanting to peek at her.

He wanted to meet her, so at the last second he, who hadn't spoken to anyone in a long time, summoned the courage to call out to her.

He had expected Ye Xi'an to look at him with disdain and contempt, but she seemed not to mind.

Her eyes were a beautiful purple, like the purest gemstone, and her voice was gentle as well.

Gu Feng's mouth twitched up uncontrollably, revealing a faint, silly smile.

He quickly pulled out his key, opened the door, and slipped inside.

The door clicked shut.

Gu Feng leaned against the cold door, covering his flushed cheeks with his hand.

His heart still raced, filled with a strange, surging throb.

Ye Xi'an.

He silently repeated the name, his somewhat cold, hard features breaking into a faint smile.