Tree Gum wasn’t exceptionally rare. Over the centuries, dozens of people had consumed it, leaving behind many records.
But Ying Li wasn’t clear on the aftereffects of taking Tree Gum.
A Sentinel born at the bottom of society, even if he exhausted every means to obtain some data, that data wasn’t detailed.
Therefore, Ying Li observed Xiang Ye for an hour. Seeing no discomfort, he let Xiang Ye go rest.
Xiang Ye was actually a little uncomfortable. His stomach ached faintly. But again, that bit of discomfort was nothing to him.
That night, Xiang Ye ran to the bathroom multiple times, constantly suffering from diarrhea. After each bout, he felt hungry and raided the Nutrient Paste in the middle of the night.
Despite this turmoil lasting all night, he thought he would feel terrible the next day. But he didn’t.
When he woke up in the morning, not only was he brimming with energy, but his skin condition was also exceptionally good.
Through the network, Xiang Ye knew there were extremely rare Mutated Plants with special effects. Some could soothe a Sentinel’s Mental Power, some could enhance the strength of Sentinels and Guides, and some could even extend lifespan.
He didn’t know what Ying Li had given him to eat, but he knew it was one of those Mutated Plants with special properties.
The sour, ginger-like Mutated Plant Ying Li had given him before was probably the same.
Such Mutated Plants were incredibly expensive, and yet Ying Li fed them to him!
Xiang Ye didn’t know what to say. He just felt Ying Li was almost too kind, easily taken advantage of.
And so he latched onto Ying Li even more.
That day, Ying Li took Xiang Ye outside the city to the training field as usual and taught Luo Qiming and the others Combat Techniques.
Luo Qiming and the group also gave Ying Li food, just like the day before, but not as expensive as yesterday’s.
They had to rent the training field, buy food, and pay rent. They couldn’t afford to give Ying Li expensive food every day.
Time passed day by day. By the tenth day, the four had significantly improved their strength and learned several Combat Techniques suited to them.
These Combat Techniques were among the basic common ones in the Central District, but very few in the Upper City District knew them.
Having learned them, they could easily dominate among the C-Rank Sentinels of the Upper City District!
These four had made great progress, and so had Xiang Ye.
His weight began to increase again, his complexion looked much better, and his control over his Mental Power was now as fluid as moving his own arm.
In this world, there were always some people uniquely gifted, darlings of God.
Over a hundred years ago, several S-Rank Mutant Beasts gathered near Starlight City, specifically hunting Sentinels who left the city.
Later, a powerful S-Rank Sentinel rose to prominence, killed the S-Rank Mutant Beasts, and brought Starlight City over a century of peace.
That S-Rank Sentinel was a genius favored by heaven. And in Ying Li’s eyes, Xiang Ye was also one.
Xiang Ye learned everything fast, and his potential was immense.
If he had been born into a great family in the Central District and received the best care from birth, he might have Awakened as an infant and become an A-Rank Guide right upon Awakening.
If his family had spared no effort in cultivating him, he might even have become an S-Rank Guide.
After training that day, Ying Li took Xiang Ye to browse the Surface Exchange, introducing him to the various items sold there.
They browsed for a bit, and seeing it was already six o’clock, they entered the Underground City and headed home.
Upon arriving home, Xiang Ye started cooking while Ying Li began packing things to take outside the city.
By the time Ying Li finished packing, dinner was on the table.
“Xiang Ye, I’ll be leaving the city tomorrow,” Ying Li said. “Tonight, I’ll teach you a method to train your Mental Power. While I’m out, remember to practice it at home. Also, I’ll transfer you ten thousand Credit Points. You can browse online and buy yourself some clothes.”
These days, when Ying Li took Xiang Ye outside the city, they had encountered some Guides out on excursions.
Those Guides were all dressed brightly and elegantly, just like Wu Nian.
What about Xiang Ye? Xiang Ye was still wearing his old clothes.
Those clothes were very old and hung a bit too loosely on him. He could only roll up the sleeves and cuffs, revealing his thin arms and looking quite pitiful.
Ying Li had wanted to take him to buy a few outfits, but they left early and returned late every day, leaving no time. Plus, since they went out to train, new clothes couldn’t really be worn, so the matter was delayed.
Now that Ying Li was going out and remembered this, he decided to let Xiang Ye buy some online.
Xiang Ye immediately refused upon hearing this. “Big Brother Ying, you don’t need to give me money. I don’t need to buy clothes. I have clothes to wear.”
Eating Ying Li’s food and drinking Ying Li’s drinks every day, yet still unable to repay him, he was already very embarrassed. How could he take Ying Li’s money too?
“Your clothes don’t fit well. You can buy some good-looking ones,” Ying Li said, transferring ten thousand credits.
Food in the Underground City was expensive, but the price of clothes was manageable. As long as Xiang Ye didn’t buy luxury goods, ten thousand credits would buy him plenty.
Xiang Ye looked at the message on his Communication Terminal, and suddenly his eyes sparkled as he looked at Ying Li. “Big Brother Ying, let’s go form a Guardian Contract.”
“Why are you suddenly bringing this up?” Ying Li asked.
Xiang Ye looked resolute. “You gave me money! Without a Guardian Contract, I’d be too embarrassed to take it.”
“Kids shouldn’t overthink things. Eat up!” Ying Li picked up a piece of fried mushroom and put it in Xiang Ye’s bowl.
Xiang Ye saw Ying Li’s demeanor and knew he wasn’t taking his words seriously.
He sighed, then brought up something he’d been pondering all this time. “Big Brother Ying, can I go hunting outside the city with you guys?”
Ying Li was shocked. “You want to go hunting outside with us?”
Xiang Ye going to the training field with him every day and persisting in physical exercise had already astounded him.
He hadn’t expected Xiang Ye to actually want to go hunting outside the city with him.
Seeing Ying Li so astonished, Xiang Ye felt his suggestion might be inappropriate. “Big Brother Ying, would I just be a burden if I followed you? Just pretend I didn’t say anything.”
He was too weak right now. If he followed Ying Li out, Ying Li would have to trouble himself looking after him—that indeed wasn’t good.
Xiang Ye was ready to drop it, but Ying Li said, “If you stayed in the vehicle, you wouldn’t be a burden. If you’re willing, you can come with us.”
Xiang Ye was truly outstanding. Although his physical stamina wasn’t great, everything Ying Li taught him about using Mental Power, he picked up instantly.
Ying Li liked this student very much and also wanted to see if, by teaching Xiang Ye diligently, he could become even stronger than in his previous life.
Getting stronger was a good thing for Xiang Ye.
If Xiang Ye became strong enough, the Shen Family wouldn’t be able to use him for research. He would just leave their ranks soaked in blood!
“Really?” Xiang Ye was overjoyed.
If he could follow Ying Li outside the city, he could stay by his side every day!
How wonderful that would be!
“Really. We won’t be going to dangerous places for a while, so you can absolutely come,” Ying Li said.
He planned to use a few months to train Luo Qiming and the others and simultaneously raise his own rank to A-Rank.
During these months, he wouldn’t go to dangerous places. Xiang Ye coming with them posed no problem.
As for Xiang Ye training his Mental Power… the wilderness was also suitable, perhaps even more so.
“Then what should I bring?” Xiang Ye asked.
Ying Li thought for a moment. “Just bring several sets of clothes. I’ll prepare everything else. Actually, go buy some clothes now.”
Xiang Ye shook his head. “You don’t wear new clothes outside the city. I won’t buy any.”
Ying Li considered this, found it reasonable, and didn’t press him further. Instead, he started telling Xiang Ye about various aspects of the wilderness.
“This time, we plan to go to a valley and catch a type of Flying Mutant Beast there. The eggs of that beast contain relatively little Corrosive Energy and can be eaten in small quantities. I’ll roast one for you to try then…” Ying Li spoke at length.
Xiang Ye listened, swallowing his saliva involuntarily.
He had eaten fried egg before and found it exceptionally delicious.
He wondered if the eggs of that Mutant Beast tasted as good as fried eggs.
The next day, Ying Li took Xiang Ye outside the city again.
He set the meeting point at the warehouse he rented. By the time they arrived, Luo Qiming and the others were already there.
Seeing Xiang Ye following behind Ying Li, the few were shocked. “Captain Ying, why did Xiang Ye come?”
“He’s coming with us,” Ying Li said.
Luo Qiming couldn’t believe it. “Captain Ying, am I hearing right? Xiang Ye is coming hunting with us? The wilderness is very dangerous. Is it really okay for a Guide to come along?”
“It’s fine. I’ll protect him,” Ying Li stated.
Recalling Ying Li’s strength, Luo Qiming ultimately said nothing more.
But the look he gave Xiang Ye was complicated.
These past days at the training field, Xiang Ye constantly praised Ying Li, his gaze practically glued to him.
At first, they didn’t think much of it, but after a few days, they realized: Xiang Ye liked their Captain Ying.
Indeed, if he didn’t like Ying Li, why would a Guide not stay in the city but instead follow them to the training field every day?
Xiang Ye even exercised on the side!
That was so tiring!
However, although they noticed Xiang Ye’s crush on Ying Li, Luo Qiming and the others didn’t think Xiang Ye had a chance to be with Ying Li.
Ying Li was a B-Rank Sentinel. What about Xiang Ye? He was D-!
Xiang Ye couldn’t soothe Ying Li’s Mental Sea, so Ying Li definitely wouldn’t be with him.
Ying Li’s attitude toward him also showed this.
He relentlessly trained Xiang Ye and didn’t even buy him new clothes, making him wear old ones every day.
Only with food was Ying Li more generous, giving Xiang Ye expensive Water Chestnuts as if they cost nothing.
Ying Li was indeed outstanding; it was normal for Xiang Ye to like him. But to like him enough to follow him out hunting…
Was Xiang Ye too much of a lovestruck fool?
Luo Qiming thought Xiang Ye was hopelessly romantic, and the teachers at the Upper City District Guide Academy thought so too.
For five years after Guides graduated and left the academy, the teachers periodically checked on their situations.
If someone ran into trouble, the academy would provide some help. If a Guide needed it, the academy would even arrange matchmaking events to introduce them to suitable Sentinels.
Today was their day to check on the Guides who graduated early this year.
They had the authority to view partial Guide information. Not detailed, but enough for a general understanding.
The first they noticed while reviewing was Wu Nian.
Wu Nian’s address showed he was living in a cheap Daily Rental Room and taking on numerous Mental Guidance jobs. Was his life not going well?
Recalling that some students reported Wu Nian borrowed money and never repaid it, the teachers applied to check his credit situation.
The report from the Bank showed Wu Nian had not only maxed out his credit limit but also taken out a loan with the Bank.
The teacher immediately contacted Wu Nian, asking if he needed help.
Wu Nian refused.
The teachers couldn’t understand his choice. “What’s wrong with this child? His father is gone, and his mother is an ordinary person. If he wanted to live well, he should have picked a Guardian for himself long ago. If he really doesn’t want to choose one, then he should spend his money frugally. How did he end up deeply in debt?”
“His expenses are indeed quite high.”
“I couldn’t understand when he rejected Ying Li back then. Ying Li might not have a background, but he’s very strong—a pretty good choice.”
…
They chatted for a bit but got nowhere, then continued reviewing the others’ situations.
After checking all the students, they remembered there was now an additional one: Xiang Ye.
Xiang Ye’s address showed he was still living at Ying Li’s place. He hadn’t spent a single point these days… wait, he went outside the city every day?
Wasn’t this frequency of leaving the city too high?
The teachers applied to view the entry and exit registration information, and then saw the photos taken by the machines when Xiang Ye entered and left, timestamps included.
From the photos, Xiang Ye was dressed in grimy clothes. He followed Ying Li outside the city early each morning and returned dirty in the evening.
It was obvious Ying Li wasn’t taking him out to play. Given their understanding of Ying Li, he was likely going to the outside training field.
It made sense for Ying Li to train. But why was Xiang Ye, that skinny Guide, tagging along every day?
Ying Li wasn’t his Guardian, hadn’t taken him shopping, so why was he happily trotting after Ying Li all the time?
Teacher Zhou, who wasn’t very fond of Xiang Ye, immediately declared, “He’s a lovestruck fool, isn’t he? But his rank is too low; Ying Li definitely won’t fancy him.”
The other teachers remained silent.
Compared to Xiang Ye, that overly romantic Guide who got himself all dusty and dirty, was Wu Nian actually doing okay?
Although Wu Nian owed money, he had enjoyed himself!
Wu Nian was living quite comfortably!
What about Xiang Ye? He looked more shabby than an ordinary person.
They tried contacting Xiang Ye but couldn’t reach him—probably out of the city again.
Xiang Ye’s rank was very low; he wasn’t worth their excessive attention. So, they set the matter aside.
Ying Li’s character was decent enough. Even if he didn’t like Xiang Ye, he wouldn’t deliberately hurt him. That much was clear from how Xiang Ye, after being picked up by Ying Li, had put on over ten jin in a month.
Looking at the recent photos, although Xiang Ye wore shabby clothes, his complexion was ruddy. He was definitely getting enough to eat.
As for the future… Ying Li would eventually find another Guide. When that happened, Xiang Ye would certainly come to his senses.
Xiang Ye had no idea he was being labeled a hopeless romantic. At this moment, he was sitting on the back of Ying Li’s motorcycle, hugging Ying Li’s waist, using his arms to feel Ying Li’s abdominal muscles.
The roads in the wilderness were uneven. Riding the motorcycle over them caused jolts every now and then, pressing him closer and closer to Ying Li until they were completely flush against each other.
He and Ying Li were pressed tightly together!
The surrounding Mutated Flora was colorful, beautiful as a painting, but Xiang Ye couldn’t spare any attention to admire it.
At this instant, neither the roar of the engine nor the howl of the wind could drown out the fierce pounding of his heart.
Xiang Ye felt an indescribable joy, paired with the feeling that he was taking advantage of Ying Li.
Since Ying Li didn’t take advantage of him, he would take advantage of Ying Li!
He truly loved riding on Ying Li’s motorcycle and wished he could hug him like this forever.
But that was obviously impossible.
Three hours later, the motorcycle arrived at their destination, and Ying Li stopped.
Getting off the bike, Ying Li noticed Xiang Ye’s face was extremely red. He asked, “What’s wrong with your face? Why is it so red?”
Xiang Ye had imagined many things during the ride but had actually done nothing. Now, being questioned by Ying Li, he lowered his head a bit guiltily. “The wind was a bit strong.”
Hearing this, Ying Li said, “You could try condensing a layer of Mental Power in front of your face next time. Use Mental Power to block the wind, and you can train your Mental Power on the side too.”
“Alright,” Xiang Ye replied, but he felt he couldn’t possibly do that.
While hugging Ying Li, how could he have the mind to use Mental Power to block the wind?
Actually, a little wind was good; it helped him stay clear-headed.
Taking a deep breath, Xiang Ye pulled out a water bottle for Ying Li. “Big Brother Ying, you must be tired from driving. Have some water, and I’ll get you something to eat.”
Seeing Xiang Ye fussing around Ying Li, Luo Qiming felt all the more convinced Xiang Ye was a lovestruck fool.
They were in this dangerous wilderness, and instead of being scared, Xiang Ye was only focused on fawning over Ying Li.
