Chapter Twenty-One: No Need to Consider My Feelings

But things rarely go as simply as Mu Yang imagined. After neutralizing the toxins, the soul masters immediately took out soul tools for a sweeping attack. Although the simplified version of Dust Sanctuary protected Mu Yang and the Snow Empress from harm, activating the defense would inevitably slow Mu Yang’s speed.

Mu Yang’s current speed barely matched the soul masters pursuing him; any reduction could prove fatal. At that moment, the Snow Empress retrieved the simplified Dust Sanctuary from her spatial ring, infused it with soul power to activate its shield, and told Mu Yang, “Fly with focus. If the consumption is low, it should hold and won’t affect you.”

Mu Yang said nothing more. After all, the simplified Dust Sanctuary had its own internal supply. Though some had been used up defending against the poison mist last time, plenty remained.

Seeing the pursuers gradually gaining ground, Mu Yang had no choice but to release poison mist.

Mu Yang hadn’t intended to harm the soul masters chasing him—only to slow them down. But he forgot about a power he’d fused long ago in the Far North: the Spoon-Bender, which grants tracking effects to attacks.

Because the poison mist counted as an attack, it inherited this tracking power. The result: once it touched the soul masters, it broke the delicate balance between toxin and soul power, instantly triggering the poison and causing death. [Note: The toxins in Mu Yang’s body are not singular—each cell develops in a different direction, creating unique poisons. Some toxins can catalyze, some suppress, and others fuse to become even stronger.]

Except for the leader, the other soul masters died instantly, while the leader stubbornly fought to stay alive.

This scene stunned not only the Snow Empress, but Mu Yang as well. What was happening, little brother? Didn’t every skill become countered after its second use? How did it turn into a surprise attack?

The deaths of the soul masters made Mu Yang stop in his tracks.

With everyone dead, what was the point of running? Time to go back and loot the bodies.

After collecting a few spatial rings, Mu Yang once again took the Snow Empress and flew toward Shrek City. Compared to the urgent retreat earlier, his pace was now much more relaxed.

The Snow Empress looked at Mu Yang and asked, “If your soul power had burned out just now, but the soul masters survived, what would you have done?”

Mu Yang heard her question and replied with a smile, “Of course, I’d have you run while I held them back with the toxins in my body.”

“Are you not afraid of dying? Why do you protect me so much?” The Snow Empress was slightly moved by Mu Yang’s unwavering answer.

“Because I’m confident in my recovery ability. And besides, you’re my sister now. If I don’t protect you, you’d certainly die, but as your younger brother, I only have a chance of dying. No matter how you look at it, it’s worth it for the brother to take the risk.” Mu Yang spoke lightly.

“Sometimes, death isn’t the most terrifying thing. What’s truly frightening is not even being able to die.” The Snow Empress was quietly moved by Mu Yang’s words.

“I used to have very few friends. Even now, not many. For this reason, I cherish every friend I make. Unless I’m completely disappointed in someone, I’ll help them, even if they don’t always consider my feelings. That’s my principle,” Mu Yang said.

Just as the Snow Empress was about to speak, Mu Yang continued, “Sister, you don’t need to worry about my feelings most of the time—just do what you need to do.”

Then Mu Yang silently added to himself, “As long as you don’t utterly shatter my heart.”

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Vote if you can—the new term is about to begin, and the author is feeling miserable.