Chapter 10: The Cherished Darling of the Genius Summoner 10

"Instead of asking me, you would be better off studying the match."

Lu Ningshi's smile faded slightly.

Yu Xuan's eyes darkened at her icy attitude. He knew full well that she loathed him and longed to escape his reach, yet he could not help but draw closer, unwilling to let her go. This was the first time he had ever experienced such an intense desire to possess someone. He did not know how to make her willing, and he had no time to wait for her consent; he could only use threats and contracts to imprison her by his side.

Lu Ningshi ignored him, brushing past him to walk toward the group.

The scorching sun baked the ground, as if trying to roast them into jerky. The extreme temperature was a grueling trial for both humans and spirit beasts. After walking for an unknown amount of time and destroying countless monsters along the way, some of the spirit beasts, unable to bear the heat, grew increasingly irritable.

Trailing at the back of the group, Lu Ningshi saw it most clearly. She frowned slightly, trotted up to Yu Xuan, and tugged at his sleeve, signaling him to lean down.

Yu Xuan bent over and tilted his ear, asking softly, "What is it?"

Lu Ningshi gestured toward the others and the beasts, lowering her voice to explain, "The temperature is too high. Some of the spirit beasts can't handle it anymore. Should we find a cool, shaded place to rest?"

Yu Xuan scanned the group and nodded, signaling his understanding. He stopped and turned to his teammates. "Everyone, let's take a break. Replenish your fluids before we move on."

The teammates cheered in unison. Yu Xuan was incredibly capable, and to avoid holding him back, they had been gritting their teeth and pushing forward the whole time. Now that they were allowed to rest, their spirits were instantly lifted. They quickly found an abandoned stone house, and upon stepping into the cool air, they felt as though their souls had finally returned to their bodies.

Lu Ningshi sat quietly on the earthen kang. Unlike the others, she felt cool to the touch, and before long, many spirit beasts were vying to get close to her. The Flame Bird belonged to the fire element and could withstand the heat, but the White Jade Spider seemed sluggish. The sight of it curled into a ball, nestled in Lu Ningshi's embrace, made many of the other beasts green with envy. Why was it the only one allowed to be held by her? They wanted that top-tier treatment too!

"Pfft—"

Sun Le caught a glimpse of this scene out of the corner of his eye and couldn't help but laugh. He nudged Yu Xuan with his elbow and teased, "Your Poison Vine has quite the charm; more than half the beasts in our team have run over to her side, circling around her."

Yu Xuan turned to look at Lu Ningshi, a faint curve touching his lips. "She does indeed have the ability to drive others to madness."

Sun Le was taken aback, having never seen such gentleness on his face or heard him speak so generously of another. He shifted his seat to face him, propping his chin on his hand and staring intently at him.

The curve of Yu Xuan's lips flattened, and he asked coldly, "What are you looking at?"

"You've changed so much lately."

"Changed how?" Yu Xuan raised an eyebrow.

"I’m not great with words, I can't quite describe it." Sun Le scratched his head, pondering for a moment before a flash of inspiration struck. He struck his right fist into his left palm excitedly. "I've got it—it's your presence!"

"You used to be so cold you’d freeze anyone who got near you, radiating this gloomy aura that screamed, 'Touch me and die!' Now, you're much softer. If this conversation we just had happened in the past, you wouldn't have bothered to reply at all; you would have told me to shut up instead of following my lead."

Yu Xuan froze for a moment. Had he really changed that much? His dark, deep gaze flickered and drifted toward her.

Lu Ningshi felt his strange gaze on her and her slender brows knit together slightly. Catching his eye, she gave a soft, snorting sound of disdain and turned her head away.

This adorable little gesture brought a subtle, imperceptible smile to Yu Xuan's face.

"See? See that? It’s that smile—all love-struck. Yu Xuan, have you fallen in love?" Sun Le pointed at him, slapping his thigh in excitement.

Yu Xuan's gentle expression vanished, replaced by his usual cold indifference. He stood up, his face expressionless, and urged coldly, "It's time to move."

"...Oh." Sun Le wilted. He took a few deep breaths, patted his disappointed face, and then shouted with a playful grin, "Are you all ready? We're heading out!"

The rocky ground of the main road was littered with the remains of countless dismembered corpses. Yu Xuan directed his team to finish off a swarm of red ants, then scanned his surroundings, his sharp, narrow eyes squinting.

"Something's not right. It's too quiet along this path."

Sun Le turned his head upon hearing this. "What do you mean?"

"The competition area is fixed, and this road is the only way to reach the finish line. Yet, we've been walking for so long without encountering a single opponent, and there are no signs of any fighting nearby. This means there is definitely something strange going on here."

"Everyone, stop! Form a circle immediately and keep a sharp watch on your surroundings!" Yu Xuan commanded in a stern voice.

Lu Ningshi took the opportunity to quietly retreat to the center of the formation. She was only good at using poison and launching side-assaults; this kind of direct, head-on combat was not for her.

"Huh? What's this?"

One person accidentally stepped on a protrusion and, curious, crouched down to brush away the dust.

"Don't move!" Yu Xuan barked, but it was too late.

"Ah—"

In an instant, several vines burst from the ground, dragging them down into the earth. Sharp branches grazed Sun Le’s wrist, immediately slowing his movements. "Be careful, these vines are poisonous!" he shouted.

"Flame..."

Sensing the strange movement beneath his feet, Yu Xuan reacted with lightning speed, stepping back and slashing at the vines as they erupted from the soil. He had intended to burn them to nothing with his fire, but seeing that the branches had already bound his teammates together, he realized that using fire would inevitably burn them as well. Yu Xuan hesitated, defending while trying to think of a solution.

Lu Ningshi, within the circle, was also under attack. However, the eight legs of the White Jade Spider were as sharp as blades, slicing through every vine that dared to approach her. The Flame Bird circled above her head, burning the broken branches to ash with a blast of fire to prevent them from regenerating. It was only with their help that she remained unharmed.

"Find Yu Xuan."

Lu Ningshi saw Yu Xuan trapped in the thick of the fray. She approached him slowly, accompanied by the White Jade Spider and the Flame Bird.

"Yu Xuan!"

"Why did you come over here?" Yu Xuan immediately shielded her, scanning the surroundings with vigilance. "It's too dangerous here. I'll have the White Jade take you somewhere safe."

"And what about you? Do you intend to go underground all by yourself?" Lu Ningshi was not stupid; she understood his intentions immediately. She looked him straight in the eye and said firmly, "I'm coming with you."

"Little Vine, don't be difficult."

Yu Xuan reached out to soothe her, but Lu Ningshi grabbed his hand in return and said quickly, "I'm serious."

"If I take the White Jade away, you'll lose a major source of combat power. Besides, even if I go out, can you guarantee that it's safe out there?"

Yu Xuan paused.

As Lu Ningshi opened her mouth to persuade him further, he suddenly pulled her into his arms.

The next moment, they were both swept down into the earth.