Chapter 194: The Frigid Realm 11

At night, the cave was eerily silent, only the crackling of the flames could be heard, and the red firelight turned the faces of the few people a deep red, casting heavy shadows on the sides of their noses.

Ji Jiangci cradled Ye Xi'an on his lap, quietly awaiting news from Zhu Shen Xing.

"If we can all return safely, may I join you?" Gu Feng lowered his head, his black‑red horns glimmering faintly in the darkness.

Ji Jiangci looked up at him: "We can't be the masters, but if you promise not to vie for favor later, I can give you a hand."

Gu Feng and Ji Jiangci met each other's gaze, then smiled at each other: "That's what you said."

Back on Zhu Shen Xing, Lin Zhi Jing rushed into the lab with a group of researchers; the researchers immediately extracted blood samples and various tissue cells from Yi Yang's body.

The institute mobilized almost all its researchers to hunt for viral antibodies in the cell samples.

After three days of nonstop research, a miracle occurred.

In his blood, they discovered a brand‑new special antibody that could perfectly counter the unknown virus.

With the antibody found, the vaccine could be produced soon; after three days, Lin Zhi Jing, eyes blood‑red, ran to the lab's monitor to check on Ye Xi'an.

Fortunately, Ye Xi'an seemed not to exhibit the typical beast‑person condition; only the vessels under her skin were slightly bulging and twisted, her skin constantly oozed blood droplets, and she fell into a dormant state.

Time passed second by second, Lin Zhi Jing stared unblinking, and finally good news arrived.

"The vaccine development succeeded!"

"The first batch of vaccine has already been sent through the emergency channel to the Frigid Realm!"

Lin Zhi Jing's heart trembled, his tightly coiled spirit suddenly released, his legs went weak, he staggered, grabbed the bedside frame, a grin broke free at his mouth, then he pushed off the headboard and, using the momentum, ran out.

Researcher Su, carrying equipment, hurried with the other researchers to the Frigid Realm, and the hard‑won vaccine, locked in a top‑secret safe, was escorted by a troop to the Frigid Realm.

"Xi'an!"

The males in the cave looked up toward the entrance male, it was Lin Zhi Jing.

Bao Jing hurried forward, a little flustered: "Why are you back so quickly? Weren't you off developing the vaccine?"

Lin Zhi Jing wore a smile: "The vaccine development succeeded!"

"So fast!" Bao Jing's eyes widened, a hint of disbelief.

"It's true."

Researcher Su hurried over, passed four rounds of identity verification, opened the safe in her hands, and retrieved the vaccine inside.

She then slowly infused the milky white serum, bearing everyone's hope, into Ye Xi'an's body.

Everyone held their breath, waiting anxiously.

One minute.

Five minutes.

Ten minutes.

Ye Xi'an's body stopped trembling, and her temperature began to rise slowly.

The twisted vessels under her skin gradually steadied, and the oozing blood droplets ceased.

"Effective!" Researcher Su's voice trembled with a hint of relief.

A few more hours passed, and Ye Xi'an's vital signs gradually stabilized.

Though still comatose, a faint flush finally appeared on her pale face.

The inspecting officer approached again with a device; the warning light had been green the whole time, indicating safety.

"The infection is gone."

In an instant, everyone in the cave erupted in cheers.

Tears welled up in Lin Zhi Jing's eyes—he had never cried before—as he knelt beside Ye Xi'an and pressed his face into her chest.

He had been terrified during this time, unable to see Ye Xi'an; every moment felt like living in unknown mud, unable to see the future, unable to retreat.

Now he finally could release his inner fear, smelling the milky scent at his nostrils, and indeed it seemed less terrifying.

"What is that?"

Ye Xi'an, just waking, felt as if her whole body had been crushed and reassembled; besides pain, there was that odd sensation on her chest, so she pushed at her chest uncomfortably.

"Xi'an, you're awake!"

Ye Xi'an weakly blinked, her vision clearing from blur; Lin Zhi Jing's overly handsome face loomed before her, his gray phoenix eyes now brimming with elation and lingering fear.

"Lin Zhi Jing…"

Her voice was hoarse and dry, as if sanded by sandpaper.

The strange pressure on her chest turned out to be Lin Zhi Jing.

Lin Zhi Jing, excited, grasped Ye Xi'an's hand and kept kissing it: "I'm here, I'm here."

Ji Jiangci's gentle voice sounded beside them, carrying a barely perceptible tremor.

"Wife, how does it feel?"

Bao Jing's tense facial lines relaxed, though his brows still habitually furrowed, his eyes revealing concern.

Yi Yang, excited, thrust his tail out behind him, swishing back and forth, but thinking he had caused his wife's plight, he dared not approach.

"It hurts..."

She frowned slightly, letting out a soft whimper.

Lin Zhi Jing clumsily tried to help her, fearing he might hurt her, his movements appearing awkward.

"Where does it hurt? Let me see."

He examined carefully, that pair of eyes usually focused only on lab equipment now fixed entirely on Ye Xi'an.

Researcher Su timely walked over, a professional smile on her face, though her tone could not hide the fatigue after...

"Miss Ye, your body has basically escaped danger, but still needs some time to recover."

She paused, looking toward the cave's exit.

"The vaccine has been proven effective, and over at Zhu Shen Xing preparations for mass production have already begun."

The Extreme Cold Realm will be temporarily sealed off, awaiting the widespread distribution of the next vaccine, and will be reopened only after safety is ensured.

The news made the atmosphere in the cave grow even more lively.

That means they will have a new home.

Ye Xi'an gazed at the familiar buildings outside through the subway's window, her heart a swirl of emotions.

I'm alive again; this time I'm truly back.

Lin Zhi Jing carried Ye Xi'an back to the room, and she collapsed onto the bed almost as soon as she touched it, utterly exhausted.

The others each went to rest as well; days of tension had left them physically and mentally exhausted.

After an unknown amount of time, Ye Xi'an was awakened by a low, hushed voice.

She groggily opened her eyes and saw Ji Jiangci standing at the bedside, a bowl of lotus seed porridge in his hand.

"Get up and have something to eat."

Ye Xi'an hadn't felt hungry at first, but when Ji Jiangci said that, her stomach began to rumble.

During the meal, Ji Jiangci suddenly brought up Gu Feng.

His tone carried a hint of resentment, yet helplessness; lately the insect clan has been stirring, and with only the few of them they simply couldn't protect Ye Xi'an. Otherwise, he truly didn't want another powerful rival in the family.

"Honey, what do you think of Gu Feng?"