Chapter 158: Ability Awakening

Li Qingxuan listened attentively to everyone's remarks, occasionally nodding in agreement, then he summarized: "Everyone's summary was spot-on; Wang Hongmei and Chen Xiulan have become more coordinated in their cooperation, but sometimes they overly pursue attack continuity, neglecting defensive timing; Qingge and Xinxin, though newly awakened professions, can quickly find their positions in battle, and their healing and melee coordination are decent, only lacking in experience, their response to sudden situations is not swift enough."

The ladies all nodded, noting down the problems Li Qingxuan pointed out.

Li Qingxuan then said: "To address these issues, we will devise a specialized training plan. Wang Hongmei and Chen Xiulan can do more defensive counterattack drills to improve adaptability during attacks; Qingge and Xinxin should participate more in simulated combat to gain experience handling sudden situations."

Wang Hongmei said: "Junior Brother Qingxuan, when will we start the new training?"

Li Qingxuan smiled and replied: "We'll start tomorrow; today everyone should rest well and adjust their condition. Moreover, after this battle and summary, I believe everyone now has a clearer understanding of their own strength, and while resting they can also ponder how to better exert themselves."

Chen Xiulan laughed and said: "Alright, then we'll go back and think it over, striving for greater progress in tomorrow's training."

Li Qingge and Li Xinxin also said they would think seriously and strive to improve themselves.

Li Qingxuan saw the ladies' enthusiastic attitude, feeling more relieved, and said: "With this spirit, our future path will surely become smoother."

Upon hearing this, the ladies' eyes sparkled with hopeful light, as if they had already seen a brighter future.

Afterwards, everyone returned to the fortress together, each going to their bedroom to rest; Li Feifei took her two little sisters with clothes to the bathroom.

Wang Hongmei and Chen Xiulan went to prepare dinner, entering the kitchen and beginning to work busily.

Wang Hongmei skillfully rinsed the rice, preparing to cook a pot of fragrant rice, and while rinsing she said: "Sister Xiulan, everyone's strength has increased today, we should make something delicious to celebrate."

Chen Xiulan nodded with a smile, took fresh vegetables and meat from the fridge, and said: "Of course, I'll go stir-fry some tasty dishes so everyone can enjoy their meal."

Saying that, she began washing the vegetables, her chopping motions very practiced.

After Wang Hongmei finished rinsing the rice and put it in the steamer, she walked over to Chen Xiulan and said: "Xiulan, let me help you."

Chen Xiulan waved her hand, saying: "No need, just rest beside me; I can handle this small task alone."

Wang Hongmei insisted: "Xiulan, don't be polite with me; let's do it together, it'll be faster."

Seeing she couldn't be persuaded, Chen Xiulan laughed and said: "Fine, then help me cut the meat."

Wang Hongmei cheerfully agreed, picked up the kitchen knife, and began cutting meat.

The two cooked while chatting, the kitchen filled with a warm and joyful atmosphere.

Soon, a pot of fragrant rice was cooked, and several dishes with perfect color, aroma, and flavor were also brought to the table.

Wang Hongmei and Chen Xiulan looked at the fruits of their labor, both showing satisfied smiles.

At this moment, Li Qingxuan in the bedroom, after a quick wash in the bathroom, lay on the bed leisurely viewing the messages in the area chat channel.

The channel was bustling, with everyone sharing interesting events and gains from their respective fortresses.

Someone mentioned discovering a hidden treasure chest while exploring outdoors, containing many precious supplies; another recounted the perilous experience of battling monsters.

Li Qingxuan looked at these messages, the corners of his mouth slightly rising, occasionally replying a few lines to interact with everyone.

At that moment, a light knocking came from outside the door; Li Qingxuan responded, the door was slowly pushed open, and Wang Hongmei entered, smiling: "Qingxuan, dinner's ready; today's meal is abundant, celebrating everyone's increased strength."

Li Qingxuan sat up, followed them downstairs, saw the table full of delicacies, and said: "Thanks for your hard work, just smelling it is fragrant."

Chen Xiulan then brought a few people over; once everyone was gathered, they all sat around the table, eating while continuing to discuss today's battle, the atmosphere relaxed and cheerful.

The blood-red setting sun plated a layer of eerie red glow onto the steel outer walls of the Rune Fortress.

Li Qingxuan had just put down his bowl and chopsticks, his fingertips still retaining the warmth of hot soup noodles, when the evening's tranquility was suddenly shattered by an abrupt anomaly.

His heart was suddenly gripped by an invisible giant hand, his body instantly turned scorching, a azure rune on his forehead lit up, and his bones emitted a series of crisp cracks.

The surrounding ladies also sensed the abnormality, all showing shocked expressions, their gazes simultaneously fixed on Li Qingxuan.

Li Qingxuan endured the bodily discomfort, quickly rose, his eyes revealing solemnity and resolve, and said: "Don't worry, everyone; it seems to be the effect of the mysterious fruit."

"A low hum resonated within his chest, like a dormant volcano about to erupt."

"This…" Li Qingxuan's words caught in his throat.

Countless memory fragments surged into his mind like a tide—frozen altars, writhing tentacles, the murmurs of ancient deities.

He saw his shadow twist on the ground into a massive dark silhouette, twelve rune chains sprouting from his spine, emitting in the air a dragon-like roar.

When he finally lifted his head, his eyes flickered with inhuman golden flames, behind him floated enormous wings formed of runes, each feather disrupting the surrounding physical laws.

Outside the window, a sudden howling wind rose, and the icefield demon wolves beyond the fortress let out fearful howls.

At this moment, Li Qingxuan's consciousness gradually returned to his body; the nearby ladies rushed over, examining him carefully, fearing some unknown change, but everything was normal except a golden divine pattern had appeared on his brow.

Li Qingxuan lightly waved his hand, indicating he was fine; he took a deep breath, striving to calm the still-surging power within him, and said: "I'm alright; it's just that the changes brought by the mysterious fruit far exceeded my imagination—just now many strange images appeared in my mind."

Wang Hongmei asked with a worried face: "Junior Brother Qingxuan, could those images be an ill omen?"

Li Qingxuan slightly furrowed his brow, pondered a moment, then said: "I'm not sure either, but judging from those images, they seem related to some ancient and powerful entity."

Chen Xiulan said with a solemn expression: "This mysterious fruit is so miraculous, bringing about such an anomaly; we don't know whether it's a blessing or a curse for us."

Li Qingxuan said with a determined gaze: "No matter what, since we've chosen this path, we can only press forward. Moreover, judging from the current situation, although this anomaly came suddenly, it hasn't caused us substantive harm; instead, it may harbor some opportunity."

Li Qingge and Li Xinxin also gathered around; Li Qingge whispered: "Brother Qingxuan, what should we do now?"

Li Qingxuan looked at the ladies and said: "Let's not panic; this anomaly has already subsided. Everyone should return to their rooms to rest and recuperate. I need to carefully sort through these memory fragments in my mind to see if I can extract any useful information."

The ladies all nodded; although they still felt some worry, seeing Li Qingxuan's composed demeanor, they gradually felt relieved.

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