Chapter 168: Controversy

Having eaten and drunk her fill, Zhao Tong immediately scurried over to Qin Yu like an eager puppy, staring straight at her with bright, sparkling eyes.

Looking at her with bemused confusion, Qin Yu tilted her head and asked, "Xiao Tong, what is it?"

Zhao Tong pouted, seemingly frustrated that Qin Yu hadn't caught on to her unspoken plea. She tilted her head slightly, her eyes brimming with accusation.

Seeing Zhao Tong like this, a flash of realization crossed Qin Yu's mind. She twitched the corner of her mouth and praised, "Xiao Tong is amazing! You're the first among us to reach the fourth tier! I'll be counting on you to take care of us from now on!"

Hearing this, Zhao Tong beamed instantly. She giggled and declared, "Mm-hmm! I'll definitely protect everyone!"

Qin Yu smiled with affectionate indulgence. *Xiao Tong really is still the same old Xiao Tong.*

At that moment, Xia Cheng also chuckled and said, "My wife needs to protect me too, you know."

Zhao Tong nodded firmly, her gaze fixed on Xia Cheng full of unwavering resolve!

"Ahem, ahem!" Xue Qi gave a fake cough, then rolled her eyes at Zhao Tong. "Xiao Tong, stop showing off! We all know you're amazing!"

Zhao Tong tossed her head proudly. "Well, of course!"

"Alright, let's get down to business," Qin Yu said, poking at the campfire as if speaking offhandedly. "Even though we've parted ways with Hu Ke and the others, that mission is probably a lost cause anyway. Still, I'd like to check out City S. What about you guys?"

To everyone's surprise, Feng Ji was the first to voice his stance. "I'm going!" His unwavering and unquestionable tone made Qin Yu cast a few extra glances his way.

*It seems Feng Ji must have someone very important in City S! Otherwise, he wouldn't be so adamant,* Qin Yu thought thoughtfully.

As for Zhao Tong, she firmly declared that wherever Qin Yu was, she would be too! And Xia Cheng, naturally, would follow wherever his dear wife went.

The others also agreed to head to City S. After all, they were already quite close, and having made the trip, it would feel a pity not to reap any rewards!

With that, the group's itinerary was officially settled.

Qin Yu called for everyone to get some rest early, as they would need to continue their journey tomorrow. Moreover, since Hu Ke had blown out one of the tires on their vehicle and they didn't have a spare, everyone would have to squeeze into a single car tomorrow.

Fortunately, the vehicle Qin Yu had been riding in was relatively spacious. By squeezing in a bit, they would all fit, though it might not be the most comfortable arrangement. Therefore, it was best to make the most of tonight to rest properly, as tomorrow would likely bring another bumpy ride.

Hearing Qin Yu's instructions, the group immediately prepared for bed. Exhausted from a day of hardship, they quickly drifted off to sleep. Some even let out soft snores, adding a touch of vibrant life to the silent night.

Looking at her sleeping companions, Qin Yu carefully stepped over and walked toward Murong Yi.

Ouyang Jue raised a barrier, isolating them from the rest of the group.

Qin Yu drew the Five-Elements Gu from her bosom, placed it in the palm of her hand, and held it out in front of Murong Yi. In a low voice, she asked, "Take a close look at what's going on with it. Ever since it drank my blood, it's maintained this exact posture."

The little white worm lay flat on the center of Qin Yu's palm, occasionally wriggling its body or blowing tiny bubbles. Anyone could tell at a glance that it was fast asleep.

Murong Yi's mouth twitched, seemingly failing to reconcile the arrogant and domineering Five-Elements Gu from her memories with this plump, bubble-blowing, somewhat foolishly adorable little chubby worm in front of her.

Intending to take the Five-Elements Gu from Qin Yu's hand for a closer inspection, she reached out and poked it with her finger to nudge it onto her own palm. However, the moment she touched it, the Five-Elements Gu suddenly sprang up and bit her straight on the finger.

Instantly, blood gushed from Murong Yi's finger. Panicking, Ouyang Jue immediately retrieved a pill from his storage ring and fed it to Murong Yi.

One had to admit that the medicinal pills of the cultivation world were truly peerless; the bleeding stopped instantly. Yet, the wound on her finger remained stark and clear, serving as a vivid reminder of the Five-Elements Gu's ferocious nature.

Having bitten Murong Yi, the Five-Elements Gu did not linger. It bounced right back into the center of Qin Yu's palm. Though a trace of blood still stained its pure white body, it resumed its deep sleep as if nothing had happened, making one suspect that the entire episode was merely an illusion.

Glancing at the Five-Elements Gu in Qin Yu's hand and ignoring the injury on her finger, Murong Yi said to Qin Yu, "Kill it! This creature is a disaster waiting to happen! Just that tiny bite was enough to pierce my physical body—it's extraordinary!"

Qin Yu pressed her lips together slightly, still seemingly unable to fully process what had just transpired. She felt the tender, soft texture of the chubby white worm's body against her palm and felt a pang of reluctance. Yet she also knew that the Five-Elements Gu seemed volatile and fiercely dangerous; if they didn't eliminate it while it was still weak, the consequences down the road would be unimaginable!

Qin Yu sighed softly and asked, "Is there really no other way?"

Murong Yi clutched her finger, which was still smeared with her warm blood. A trace of flicker crossed her eyes, but it was overwhelmingly overshadowed by her firm determination to eradicate the Five-Elements Gu.

"Other than that, there is no other way!" She stared fixedly at Qin Yu, wanting her to understand the gravity of the situation.

Meeting Murong Yi's gaze, Qin Yu froze. Then, she lowered her head slightly, making it difficult for the other two to read her expression.

Ouyang Jue and Murong Yi exchanged glances, knowing that Qin Yu's heart had softened. Qin Yu did not understand the true terror of the Five-Elements Gu, but for the two of them, who had once fought a life-and-death battle against it, they knew all too well the horrifying power it possessed—an entity they had only managed to destroy after a desperate battle involving all four of them.

In this current era, their cultivation levels had plummeted and would take centuries to recover, whereas the Five-Elements Gu could rapidly grow its power through unorthodox means. If the Five-Elements Gu truly turned violent, this world would likely come to an end!

Therefore, no matter what, they had to persuade Qin Yu to eliminate the Five-Elements Gu!

Meanwhile, Qin Yu knew in her heart that the Five-Elements Gu would ultimately prove to be a curse. Rationally speaking, she had spent less than a day with the little creature, yet she felt a peculiar sense of intimacy toward it.

Perhaps it was because the little thing had absorbed her blood. However, judging by Murong Yi's attitude, it seemed she had no choice left but to destroy the Five-Elements Gu.

Qin Yu tightened her left hand slightly while her right hand trembled minutely. Seeming to sense Qin Yu's tremor, the Five-Elements Gu wriggled its body, inched its way up to Qin Yu's thumb, and nuzzled against it, as if offering comfort.

Feeling the movement of the Five-Elements Gu, Qin Yu's previously depressed mood suddenly lifted. Perhaps things weren't as bleak as she imagined; there had to be another way!

With this thought in mind, Qin Yu raised her head and looked at Murong Yi with a resolute gaze, as if she had just made a momentous decision.