Chapter 541

"I never expected the current wielder of the Sword Spirit to have such extraordinary talent; last time I met him, his combat power was only 100,000, and he didn't even have a Sword Spirit, so I drove him out of here first."

"I never expected that in just one month, his combat power broke past 130,000 and he obtained his own Sword Spirit. Looks like I, the Slayer Apostle, must appear once more." Thinking of this, he laughed aloud.

Inside the hospital room

Lin Yu slowly came to consciousness.

Suddenly, he sensed the aura of the space ring, and in his mind appeared the image of Xiao Lan injured.

He unleashed all his strength without hesitation, flashed to the source of the aura, and didn't even notice the needle in his hand had not been pulled out, blood dripping freely.

Yet at the door, he hesitated whether to push it open.

Because it was he who left Xiao Lan alone in the Golden Space, causing her to come to the Iron Space searching for him—and end up suffering a severe injury.

After hesitating outside for a moment, the longing to see Xiao Lan ultimately overcame his fear.

He quietly pushed open the hospital room door, tiptoed inside, and the sight before him shattered his heart: Li Yanyan lay with her eyes closed, brows tightly furrowed, face pale.

Xiao Lan's bloodless face pierced his heart like an arrow, leaving him utterly heartbroken.

He clutched his chest tightly, unable to speak for a long time, as if he were dying, slowly approaching the bedside, his regret almost taking physical form in his gaze.

He gently grasped Xiao Lan's cold hand in his own, whispering softly.

"Xiao Lan, I'm sorry—I broke my promise. It's all my fault. If not for me, you wouldn't have suffered such a severe injury! I'm sorry!" Lin Yu's face was filled with guilt.

As if sensing his master's anguish, the Chaotic Sword Spirit spoke in an ethereal voice.

"Master, I can heal the woman on the bed."

"What? Really?" Lin Yu suddenly perked up.

【383】 Exchange three ten-thousand combat power!

"Hmm... but Master must give up three ten-thousand combat power to make the exchange."

"Three ten-thousand combat power? Are you kidding me?" Lin Yu frowned slightly, tone laced with disbelief; the Chaotic Sword Spirit seemed to be testing his limits in jest.

"To save a life, Master must exchange combat power—there is no other way!"

The words were spoken lightly, yet struck Lin Yu's heart like a sledgehammer; his turbulent emotions led him to make a decisive choice.

"Fine, I'm willing to exchange three ten-thousand combat power. Do it."

"Master, wise decision!" No sooner had the Chaotic Sword Spirit spoken than radiant light burst from its form.

Instantly, Lin Yu felt his inner power being drained, his combat power plummeting to 100,000—he stared in shock.

"You're really fast. All the power I accumulated through countless life-or-death battles vanished in an instant—three ten-thousand gone!"

His emotions plunged from the heavens into the abyss, filled with resentment and despair.

He sat beside the bed, staring blankly at the Chaotic Sword, his mind a hollow silence.

Meanwhile, the God-Slaying Sword, having absorbed Lin Yu's combat power, glowed brighter, slowly channeling the drawn energy into Xiao Lan's body.

In an instant, Xiao Lan's injuries healed at a visible rate, her complexion gradually flushed, wounds sealing swiftly without a trace.

Witnessing this, Lin Yu's gloom lifted, and he comforted himself.

"It's fine—losing three ten-thousand combat power doesn't matter. As long as Xiao Lan is fully restored, that's enough."

After a long while...

When Xiao Lan opened her heavy eyes and saw Lin Yu beside her, her eyes welled with tears.

"Is this... real? If this is a dream, don't let me wake up—because with you, it's beautiful."

Xiao Lan thought silently, tears shimmering in her eyes, yet refusing to fall, as if afraid this too would vanish like a bubble.

Suddenly, Lin Yu's warm, familiar voice sounded at her ear, like dawn piercing through the fog in her heart.

Her vision blurred; tears finally broke free, scalding drops falling onto the sheets. She had never wished to show weakness, but before his frail figure, all her strength collapsed.

She wanted to blame him for leaving without word, abandoning her alone in the endless loneliness of the Golden Space—but gazing at his haggard face, all her anger dissolved into tenderness.

In the end, the flood of emotion shattered reason's dam; she flung herself into Lin Yu's arms and wept uncontrollably, as if pouring out all her longing and grievance.

Lin Yu felt the trembling body in his arms; each sob hammered against his heart—painful, yet willingly borne.

Her tears seemed to pierce his chest, striking deep into his soul, making his own heart tremble in echo.

"Xiao Lan, I was wrong—terribly, unforgivably wrong. I shouldn't have pushed you away under the guise of love, causing you pain. Forgive me. Give me one more chance—I swear I'll never let go again. Please, don't cry, okay?"

Lin Yu gently stroked her back, each word laden with his deepest remorse and vow.

Xiao Lan's sobs softened to hiccups; she gazed at Lin Yu, then after a long pause, spoke hoarsely.

"You said the same thing last time. Men's words are always so easy. But I'm still willing to take the gamble—because I still can't let you go completely."

Lin Yu gripped her hand tightly, eyes gleaming with resolve: "This time, I won't let you down. I won't selfishly decide for you again—I'll respect every choice you make. Wherever you go, whatever you do, I'll support you. I'll stay by your side."

Xiao Lan was skeptical, yet the tiny flame of hope in her heart reignited: "Really?"

Lin Yu nodded firmly, his gaze gentle yet unwavering: "Absolutely. Your world—I will be your most steadfast shield, offering you peace, shielding you from storms."

After inner struggle, Xiao Lan finally nodded, silently whispering.

"Lin Yu, even if the path ahead holds deceit, I still choose to believe. Because in this world full of lies, your existence is my most real longing."

When she noticed Lin Yu's weakened state, worry surged within her: "Lin Yu, what's wrong? Why are you so pale?"

Lin Yu smiled, trying to sound casual: "Just exhausted my aura energy. Rest for a while and I'll be fine."

"Aura energy exhausted?" Xiao Lan's eyes suddenly lit up; she pulled from her bosom a carefully preserved glass vial containing a milky-white liquid.

Seeing Lin Yu's confusion, she smiled through tears, deeply relieved: "This is Control-Magic Fluid—it rapidly restores aura energy and boosts combat power. With your strength, it won't affect you at all."

Seeing the joy in her eyes, Lin Yu couldn't refuse; he took the vial, yet gently shook his head: "Let me recover a bit first, then I'll try it."

He knew his body was utterly drained and couldn't handle this power—he could only make an excuse to delay.

"No, I can't let my combat power drop—I must restore it!" Lin Yu silently vowed within.

"Lin Yu, what are you thinking about? Some deep problem?" Xiao Lan asked softly, puzzled.

"Nothing much, just thinking randomly." Lin Yu brushed it off lightly, his attention lingering on her slightly disheveled appearance, jokingly adding—

The main base was destroyed, but the Xia family remains unscathed!

"Look at you, your tears have smeared your face—you're such a little spotted cat!" With these words, he gently cradled Xiao Lan's face, his delicate fingers softly wiping away the tear tracks on her cheeks.

"I didn't smear my face—you're the one with the smeared face!" Xiao Lan's cheeks flushed crimson, half shy, half protesting.

Lin Yu gazed at her shy expression, his heart filled with tenderness; unconsciously, he reached out and stroked her head.

Yet, perhaps due to Xiao Lan's prolonged unconsciousness and lack of grooming, his fingers encountered a slight greasy texture, causing a faint, almost imperceptible flicker of discomfort to cross his brow—yet this subtle expression was caught by Xiao Lan.

"Stinky Lin Yu, do you hate me? Hmm?" Xiao Lan feigned anger, though her voice carried a hint of real irritation.

Hearing this, Lin Yu's eyes flickered with mischief as he spoke sweetly: "You're so beautiful, how could I possibly hate you? Absolutely impossible!"

"I saw it—you definitely hate me!" Xiao Lan rubbed her cheek against his neck like a child trying to scrub away her grievance, muttering under her breath: "Do you still look down on me? Hmph!"

Faced with this childish behavior, Lin Yu merely smiled in silence, pulling her tightly into his arms and letting her have her tantrum.

Yet this sweetness was shattered by an unexpected visitor—Huyan Jue Luo Ai's arrival was like a bucket of cold water, jolting the two out of their happiness.

Huyan Jue Luo Ai awkwardly witnessed the scene, his smile stiffening; he cleared his throat and forced a laugh: "Carry on, pretend I'm not here."

Saying this, he turned to flee, but Lin Yu seized him by the arm.

Xiao Lan's face burned crimson; she buried her head deep into Lin Yu's chest and whispered softly: "So embarrassing…"

Lin Yu chuckled softly and comforted her: "It's fine, Xiao Lan—he's from my squad, Huyan Jue Luo Ai. Call him Huyan Jue Luo Ai." Turning to Huyan Jue Luo Ai, he added: "Huyan Jue Luo Ai, this is my girlfriend, Xiao Lan."

After the introduction, a subtle awkwardness hung in the air; none of them knew what to do.

Lin Yu broke the silence at once: "Huyan Jue Luo Ai, you came all the way—why bring gifts?" Without hesitation, he took the gift from Huyan Jue Luo Ai's hands.

Huyan Jue Luo Ai smiled wryly and shook his head: "You really are something else."

"Um, Huyan Jue Luo Ai, did you come because something happened?" Lin Yu asked curiously.

"Almost forgot—I came to tell you about the current state of Iron Space."

"Ah! Then let's sit down and talk properly!"

"Mm-hmm!"

The three sat down; Lin Yu and Xiao Lan cheerfully picked up the fruits Huyan Jue Luo Ai had brought, showing no restraint.

Huyan Jue Luo Ai then said seriously: "According to Xiu's report, the Xia family was invaded by the Demon Lord, the Four Strongest Demon Kings, and the Ten Demon Generals."

"What? The main base was destroyed!" Lin Yu was stunned.

"Don't panic yet—though the Xia family was surrounded, they ultimately repelled the demons."

Lin Yu found it hard to believe: under such overwhelming odds, the Xia family should have been annihilated. He said nothing, waiting for Huyan Jue Luo Ai to continue.

"At the critical moment, a man named Shuo Jin appeared—he not only saved the Xia family, but also scared off those demons from the Demon Realm. So Iron Space has caught its breath—the danger is temporarily over!"

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