Shí Jīngxián still hadn’t sorted out the strange emotions swirling in his heart when he heard a commotion not far away. 

The confinement room where Lán Luòhǎi was located lit up from the first to the third floor, as if a lot of people had walked in. 

“What’s over there?” he pointed to the brightly lit confinement room. 

Lán Luòhǎi looked over and composed himself. 

“Someone is looking for me.” 

The two of them went down from the top floor of the castle, and when they reached the hall on the first floor, they ran into the guards who were looking for Shí Jīngxián. 

Seeing Lán Luòhǎi appear, the guards were surprised, but no one spoke out of turn. They only reported to Lán Luòhǎi that due to the disturbance caused by the Lièchǐguǒ, the core country had decided to send the extermination team ahead of schedule, which was why they had come to notify him at this time. 

Lán Luòhǎi nodded and planned to prepare to set off with Shí Jīngxián. 

The previous items were all stored in the storage ring, so Shí Jīngxián only needed to organize the new potions he had completed over the past two days. Just before leaving, he called Lán Luòhǎi and found a quiet place where no one would disturb them, handing him a batch of detoxification agents. 

“This is a high-level detoxification agent that I developed with Teacher Fēndélín at his research institute. However, due to time constraints, I didn’t have the chance to conduct repeated tests, so it can’t be called a finished product yet,” Shí Jīngxián said. 

“However, the raw materials for the potion were derived from the Lièchǐguǒ trunk that was previously exterminated in Country A. If anything unexpected happens during this extermination, you can use it directly; it will definitely save your life.” 

Lán Luòhǎi nodded and carefully stored the detoxification agent. 

The two of them left the castle together, and not far along, they encountered the large troop preparing to set out. Lán Luòhǎi joined his subordinates to get ready to put on combat gear, and he didn’t plan to let Shí Jīngxián return to the team from Country A, directly instructing him to stay with his people. 

However, their joint appearance had already attracted quite a bit of attention. Just as Shí Jīngxián finished putting on the protective robe that Lán Luòhǎi had prepared for him, he heard a noise coming from not far away. 

A tall horse emerged from among the soldiers, and on its back sat Yuán Xiāo, his expression unreadable. The horse stopped in front of Shí Jīngxián, and Yuán Xiāo looked down at him from above. 

“Xuān Rán, where have you been these past few days?” 

Yuán Xiāo’s address hadn’t changed, but his tone carried an obvious air of superiority. 

Many people around had noticed, and Shí Jīngxián glanced at Yuán Xiāo before lowering his head. 

“Marshal, I was preparing the potions needed for the extermination.” 

Before the other party could speak, he continued, “But I didn’t make many potions, and I also took some time to rest and adjust. Otherwise, I would end up like last time, collapsing from exhaustion before the marshal set out and unable to help on-site.” 

Before the extermination of the Lièchǐguǒ in Country A, Yuán Xiāo had once made Jì Xuān Rán work overnight to produce a large number of potions, causing Jì Xuān Rán to severely overexert himself and even faint beside the experimental table. 

Most of the people present were from the core country, and upon hearing this, they all frowned. 

A potion maker is not a factory assembly line; overexerting oneself to rush the production of potions can lead to very dangerous consequences. 

Yuán Xiāo naturally didn’t want to hear such words and impatiently said, “Then why did you leave the team for so long and even come with Prince Lán?” 

He had indeed seen Lán Luòhǎi and Shí Jīngxián coming together. 

However, just as Yuán Xiāo finished his question, a cold voice interrupted from not far away. 

“The two of you have already dissolved your marriage, Mr. Yuán; your concern is quite unnecessary.” 

Dressed in military uniform, Lán Luòhǎi stepped forward, his fitted military attire accentuating his perfect physique. Even though it was still dark, his aura was still incredibly striking. 

Seeing him step out, Yuán Xiāo, who had been displeased at being interrupted, slightly softened his expression. 

But he still said, “Xuān Rán is from Country A; he left the team without permission, and I can’t just ignore it…” 

Before Yuán Xiāo could finish, he was interrupted by the sound of the remaining ability users arriving. 

This time, the core country was very well prepared for the extermination of the Lièchǐguǒ. They had been holding back until recently when they finally got the chance to strike while the Lièchǐguǒ was weakened, planning to completely eradicate it. 

So this time, not only were there the core country’s troops and the team from Country A led by Yuán Xiāo, but also ability users from Country B and Country C who had been attracted by the summons. However, because these two countries also lacked experience dealing with high-level plants, the core country hadn’t sent out official invitations, only recruiting some outstanding individuals. 

Since Yuán Xiāo had just exterminated the Lièchǐguǒ, he was the only one on the continent with victory experience against high-level plants, making him the leader of the team this time. Time was of the essence, and after gathering the team, they set off without delay. 

The group traversed mountains and valleys, and after about two hours, they finally arrived at the area invaded by the Lièchǐguǒ, not far from the royal city. 

This place was desolate, and the previous inhabitants had collectively evacuated. The deeper they went into the destination, the more obvious the signs of destruction became, with ruins constantly reminding the team to stay vigilant. 

Before arriving, Yuán Xiāo had already arranged the formation. The core country’s army was positioned as the backbone force. As the highest commander of the core country’s army, Lán Luòhǎi was also kept by Yuán Xiāo’s side. 

When they reached the previously planned safe position and needed to send someone to continue scouting, Yuán Xiāo didn’t let the core country’s people go. 

“The team from Country A has experience in direct combat with the Lièchǐguǒ; they will go ahead to scout.” 

Seeing someone willing to take on the task of stepping on mines, the others naturally had no objections. 

However, not all the people from Country A went to scout; under Lán Luòhǎi’s objections, besides the stationed Yuán Xiāo, Shí Jīngxián was also not sent out. 

Surprisingly, this time Yuán Xiāo was unexpectedly agreeable; he didn’t make much fuss and quickly agreed to let Shí Jīngxián stay behind. 

About half an hour later, the team from Country A successfully returned, having located the position of the Lièchǐguǒ core trunk. Although someone had accidentally been injured, there was no danger to life. 

Yuán Xiāo immediately ordered preparations for marching, and the large troop set off. However, the injured from Country A needed treatment, so Shí Jīngxián, who had no experience dealing with the Lièchǐguǒ, was left behind. 

There was no real safe zone here, so Yuán Xiāo didn’t send anyone to stay behind. Only a few injured and Shí Jīngxián remained, and after treating their wounds, they would need to catch up with the main force. 

Among the three injured, two had abrasions, and only one had actually been bitten by the Lièchǐguǒ and was poisoned. Shí Jīngxián first treated the first two before taking out the healing agent from his storage ring. He hadn’t planned to expose the half-finished detoxification agent in front of others yet. 

However, when Shí Jīngxián approached the third injured person, he sensed something was off. 

The attacking power of intelligent plants is strong, and being bitten by a high-level plant usually results in unbearable pain, toxins, and festering wounds. But the expression of the person in front of Shí Jīngxián was quite strange; as time passed, the person’s face turned pale, sweat poured down, and he trembled uncontrollably, shaking like a leaf. 

Seeing him like this didn’t seem like he was in pain from the wound; rather, it looked like… he was afraid of something. 

Shí Jīngxián tightened his grip on the crystal vial and half-squatted down in front of the injured person. He slowly reached toward the wound on the person’s abdomen, his gaze seemingly focused but actually on high alert. 

Just as his fingertips were about to touch the fabric covering the wound, Shí Jīngxián suddenly noticed the injured person’s clothing moving on its own. 

In the next second, a brown, curved vine suddenly shot out, lunging straight at Shí Jīngxián! 

Shí Jīngxián had anticipated this but barely managed to dodge in time. The missed Lièchǐguǒ quickly and nimbly changed direction and charged at Shí Jīngxián again. 

The injured person was conscious and able to move on his own, but he had a living Lièchǐguǒ vine hidden in his clothing—one could easily guess that this person wasn’t actually injured; he was terrified because he had been closely lurking with the Lièchǐguǒ. 

Shí Jīngxián had seen how Yuán Xiāo “exterminated” high-level plants in the plot supplement, so he knew this was definitely part of Yuán Xiāo’s plan. 

Sure enough, the two recently treated injured individuals quickly pulled the now limp injured person away and retreated to a distance, leaving Shí Jīngxián alone to face the menacing Lièchǐguǒ. 

The ambushing Lièchǐguǒ vine had already formed a ball-shaped fruit covered in fangs at its tip, but the fruit didn’t hinder its agile movements. Moreover, it quickly summoned many companions, with the curved, soft branches attacking Shí Jīngxián like countless water snakes. 

The situation became tricky; Shí Jīngxián had no weapons and could only take out some aggressive potions specifically designed to deal with plants for defense. Fortunately, potion makers generally have decent physical fitness, and Shí Jīngxián had practiced martial arts during previous missions. Coupled with his prior precautions, the Lièchǐguǒ couldn’t truly harm him. 

In a short time, Shí Jīngxián managed to hold his ground, but he was hesitating whether to let the Lièchǐguǒ bite him. 

—According to previous research, to awaken abilities, one must endure a certain level of stimulation… 

Shí Jīngxián’s mind was racing with thoughts, but to outsiders, his current situation looked extremely dangerous. Surrounded by so many Lièchǐguǒ vines, a slight misstep could lead to him being torn apart. 

At a critical moment, several silver beams of light appeared out of nowhere, directly severing the surrounding Lièchǐguǒ branches entangling Shí Jīngxián. 

Shí Jīngxián looked up in surprise: “…Your Highness?” 

The person who arrived was Lán Luòhǎi, who should have been leading the team away. He didn’t say much, forming water blades to clear a safe space amidst the encroaching Lièchǐguǒ. 

“Go.” Lán Luòhǎi reached out to pull him out of the encirclement. His gaze shifted to Shí Jīngxián, fearing that the other might have even the slightest mishap. 

But he didn’t notice the fruit behind him suddenly lunging at him with its jagged mouth. 

Shí Jīngxián grasped Lán Luòhǎi’s hand and pulled him over with all his might. The following Lièchǐguǒ opened its toothy maw— 

“Xuān Rán!!” 

A tearing pain shot through Shí Jīngxián’s right arm, accompanied by Lán Luòhǎi’s incredulous voice. Shí Jīngxián trembled in pain, unable to utter a single comforting word. 

He knew he wouldn’t be in danger; besides the detoxification agent, Shí Jīngxián had also been preparing for the awakening of his healing ability these past few days—if he wasn’t mistaken, the awakening of the healing ability must be stimulated by the toxins of high-level plants. 

Sure enough, the pain couldn’t overshadow other sensations, and Shí Jīngxián quickly felt the changes within his body. However, the awakening process was truly painful, and everything around him became blurry. 

In his dazed state, someone pinched his chin and fed him a bit of sweet liquid. 

The familiar scent allowed Shí Jīngxián to barely identify the type of liquid—it was the detoxification agent he had given to Lán Luòhǎi earlier. 

The detoxification agent alleviated his pressure to a certain extent, making the awakening process smoother. His research over the past few days had indeed not been in vain; before long, the almost unbearable pain gradually weakened. 

However, the awakening process would consume physical strength, and even if he successfully awakened, it would leave him extremely weak. When Shí Jīngxián finally regained his senses, he found himself being cradled horizontally by Lán Luòhǎi, who gently placed him on a soft pile made of dry grass. 

This place… seemed to be a cave. 

Seeing him awake, Lán Luòhǎi’s voice was low and hoarse. 

“Xuān Rán? How are you?” 

Shí Jīngxián still felt very weak and tried to speak several times but couldn’t make a sound. 

Noticing this, Lán Luòhǎi directly pressed his finger against Shí Jīngxián’s lower lip. 

“Lie still; don’t worry, it’s very safe here.” 

As he spoke, Lán Luòhǎi’s expression had calmed down, showing no trace of the shock and excitement from before. 

However, Shí Jīngxián could see a chilling fierceness beneath his calm demeanor. 

“Wait for me. After I deal with the Lièchǐguǒ and Yuán Xiāo, I will be back soon.” 

Shí Jīngxián: …?? Wait, what did he say? Deal with the Lièchǐguǒ and Yuán Xiāo? 

He struggled to reach out and grab Lán Luòhǎi’s sleeve. 

“Don’t….” 

Shí Jīngxián’s weak voice was barely audible; the little strength he had accumulated was not enough to hold onto an ability user. Even an ordinary person could easily shake off his hand with a single step forward. 

But unexpectedly, Lán Luòhǎi was indeed held back by that little bit of strength. 

Shí Jīngxián’s voice was faint: “Don’t go… it’s dangerous.” 

Lán Luòhǎi turned his head, and in the dim light, Shí Jīngxián clearly saw the redness in his eyes. 

Like blood-stained vast seas, turbulent waves surged. 

This wouldn’t do. 

“Cough, cough…” Shí Jīngxián struggled for a long time before finally squeezing out a sentence from his blood-tasting throat: “I have a way…”