Chapter 153
Su Ci was quite satisfied with the Water Demon’s newfound obedience. Seeing A-Yan’s cheerful expression, he paused for a moment before reaching out to ruffle his hair vigorously.
Then he turned his attention back to the unconscious giant panda.
The panda’s fur, now completely dry, had fluffed up, making it look less emaciated than before. After being cleansed by the river water, it looked significantly cleaner as well.
Moreover…
Su Ci crouched beside the panda, placing his hand on its large head. Stroking its soft, dense fur and two round black ears, he couldn’t help but admit the texture felt quite nice.
A-Yan, who had been quietly pleased by Su Ci’s earlier gesture, pouted when he saw this scene.
Looking at the panda’s fluffy form, A-Yan suddenly realized he had gained yet another rival for Su Ci’s attention. Unable to resist, he said, “Since it’s a human who beastified, should we hand it over to the base?”
If it was sent to the base, it wouldn’t be able to hang around Su Ci anymore, right?
However, Su Ci shook his head and said, “It ate several spirit fruits earlier.”
Although Su Ci didn’t elaborate, A-Yan immediately understood what he meant and nodded. “True, it should work to repay what it consumed first.”
Su Ci’s lips curved slightly, pleased with the tacit understanding he shared with A-Yan.
At the same time, a faint glow emanated from his hand as he continued stroking the panda’s head. He channeled soul power and purification energy into the panda’s body.
The soul power helped regulate and suppress its beastly bloodline, while the purification energy began dispelling the resentment that had invaded its body.
However, the panda had lived in the red mist for far too long. The resentment within it had accumulated to such an extent that it had seeped into its very bones and bloodline. Restoring its rationality would be much harder than it had been with Ran Lie.
After injecting just a small amount of energy, Su Ci sensed the panda’s limits and withdrew his hand.
“Let’s go. Let it rest here for now.”
The riverbank was rich with food and safe enough that the panda likely wouldn’t wander off—even if it did, Su Ci had ways to bring it back.
He and A-Yan stood up and began walking downstream along the river. Eventually, they arrived at the base of the waterfall and gazed into the distance.
The river water roared onward, flowing with unstoppable momentum, carrying the promise of renewal.
The plain below was still shrouded in red mist. Even with a water source, it remained uninhabitable for most forms of life.
Of course, beyond the pervasive resentment in the atmosphere, the real issue lay in the resentment buried within the land itself.
Land tainted by resentment was nearly incapable of growing vegetation. Unless this resentment was completely removed, the half of Su Ci’s soul currently suppressing the seal would remain trapped forever.
Relying on purifying monsters to summon heroic spirits for protection, or using the Little Spirit Garlic to drive resentment from the soil, were both imperfect solutions.
The number of heroic spirits was limited, and while the Little Spirit Garlic could expel resentment, it didn’t eliminate it. The expelled resentment would simply gather elsewhere, potentially causing new disasters and creating further complications.
Su Ci frowned. Unable to think of a better solution for now, he set the problem aside and asked A-Yan to bring out the Water Demon from the spiritual storage bag.
The Water Demon, still in the form of a small water droplet, lay nervously in A-Yan’s hand after being retrieved.
Although it wanted to escape at the sight of the waterfall, past experiences had taught it that running was futile. Obedience was its safest bet.
“Do you see the plain down there?” Su Ci didn’t waste words, pointing to the vast expanse below as he addressed the Water Demon.
The red-tinged water droplet opened two tiny, bean-like eyes, glancing downward before letting out a soft, bubbly sound as a response.
To be honest, seeing the rushing river below made the Water Demon feel like its entire essence was trembling.
That was its water source!
It had worked so hard to defeat and consume other Water Demons to claim those waters, and now, after just a few years, all of it had been taken away. The mere thought made it want to cry.
But before it could dwell on its grievances, Su Ci spoke again:
“From now on, your job is to water this plain every day.”
In truth, the land of Prison Star didn’t lack nutrients for vegetation. The main reasons for the barren soil were threefold: resentment, extreme weather, and insufficient water.
While resentment and extreme weather couldn’t be resolved for now, water was something that could be managed.
However, hearing this, the Water Demon froze.
Did it hear that right? After surrendering its water source, it was still being tasked with watering the plain every day?
Su Ci considered for a moment and added, “You don’t have to water it every day. A-Yan will let you know the specific rainfall schedule.”
He then looked at the Water Demon and asked, “Understood?”
The Water Demon: “…”
Despite Su Ci’s calm and harmless demeanor, and the gentle warmth of his black eyes, the Water Demon felt immense pressure whenever it met his gaze.
“Ploop…” It obediently responded with a soft bubble.
“Good,” Su Ci said with a satisfied nod.
Su Ci nodded, eyeing the Water Demon’s blood-red form with some distaste. He gestured for A-Yan to put it away.
Noticing the late hour, Su Ci decided not to linger outside any longer and returned to the nursery with A-Yan.
The cubs had already entered the nursery building. After dinner, they had gone back to their respective rooms. Zhuan Shisong and the others, who usually arrived at the nursery in the afternoons, had been unable to come since the blood mist and monsters had swept through the base.
A-Yan went to prepare dinner while Su Ci brought the Water Demon to the purification pool on the side of the nursery building and tossed it into the water.
As soon as the blood-red water droplet hit the surface, it triggered the purification array etched at the bottom of the pool.
While the Water Demon normally enjoyed being in water, it immediately sensed something was wrong. Just as it prepared to leap out, Su Ci’s voice rang out from the shore.
“Water Demon, transform into your liquid state and merge with the pool. Without my permission, you are not allowed to leave.”
The moment Su Ci spoke, the Water Demon felt its body lose control, forcibly turning into a puddle of water and dissolving into the pool.
The once-clear pool instantly turned blood-red.
The purification array, initially only faintly activated, now lit up brilliantly, running at full capacity. It began to purify the resentment, converting the pool water into spiritual water.
The previously calm pool started to bubble violently, as though the Water Demon were screaming in agony.
As a demonic being, spiritual energy was deeply repellent to it. Not only did it fail to strengthen the Water Demon, but it also actively weakened its power.
Su Ci was aware that if the purification continued indefinitely, it might kill the Water Demon outright. So, after observing for a while, he adjusted the array at the bottom of the pool.
He set it to activate every hour for ten minutes, giving the Water Demon enough time to recover in between.
If it were an ordinary demonic creature, Su Ci might not have gone to such lengths. Unlike demonic beasts or plants, once a demon’s bloodline was corrupted, it couldn’t simply be purified and transformed.
Demonic creatures were even more extreme. Without demonic energy or resentment, they often ceased to exist entirely, much like the monsters Su Ci had purified earlier that were formed from condensed resentment.
But the Water Demon was unique. Water, being a neutral and lifeless element, should have become a Water Spirit upon gaining sentience.
However, the environment in which it was born was so harsh that it fell into corruption immediately after awakening, transforming into a demon—what Su Ci referred to as an Evil Spirit.
Had Su Ci not intervened in time, the nascent Book Spirit might have met the same fate, eventually turning into a demon. But now, the situation was different.
That was why Su Ci hadn’t completely given up on the Water Demon.
For a lifeless entity to gain sentience was already rare. Since it was possible to save it, he decided to lend a helping hand. After all, there wasn’t much more he could do. Whether the Water Demon could fully purify the resentment within itself and transform into a Water Spirit depended entirely on its own destiny.
The Water Demon, of course, was unaware of Su Ci’s “well-intentioned efforts.” Enduring the agony of purification, it finally couldn’t contain its extreme anger and resentment.
If it had a mouth, it would surely be shouting curses by now.
But Su Ci remained entirely unmoved.
“Behave yourself and stay here; don’t cause trouble,” Su Ci said to the Water Demon before turning his attention to the plants in the green area.
Today’s battle hadn’t affected the nursery, and the blood mist couldn’t invade this sacred ground. As a result, the plants in the green area were thriving, completely untouched.
The green area had already doubled in size, now covering previously barren spots as well.
“Grow! Grow! Grow!”
Whether it was due to the influence of the surrounding greenery or the increased nutrients in the soil, the two Little Spirit Pear trees planted earliest were also growing significantly faster.
As Su Ci approached, one of the Spirit Pears emitted a noticeable wave of emotions, as if trying to show off. Its leaves swayed enthusiastically.
Su Ci bent slightly and tapped its tender leaves with a touch of disdain.
“You’re growing a bit faster now, but compared to the Star-chain Spiritual Fruit, your pace is still far too slow.”
“Hmph!”
Sensing Su Ci’s disapproval, the “fussy one” of the Spirit Pears emitted a wave of defiant emotions. It then bent its branch to nudge its companion.
The “lazy one,” which had been dozing off, woke up in confusion.
“Grow! Let’s grow—grow! Grow!” the fussy one chanted its slogan again.
Though the lazy Spirit Pear didn’t quite understand, it slowly joined in with a weak wave of emotion: “Grow… grow… grow…”
Watching these two Spirit Pears with their contrasting personalities, Su Ci couldn’t help but smile. Although their growth was slow, their budding intelligence was progressing nicely.
After inspecting the green area, Su Ci returned to the dormitory, where A-Yan had already finished preparing dinner.
In addition to their usual dishes, A-Yan served Su Ci a steaming bowl of lotus seed soup.
The fresh lotus seeds exuded a faint fragrance, cooked to soft perfection with a smooth, sticky texture. Combined with the subtle sweetness of Demon Flower Honey, the soup was a delight, leaving a lingering flavor on the palate.
Su Ci took one sip, his eyes lighting up, and soon finished the entire bowl.
“Would you like more?” A-Yan asked.
“Yes!” Su Ci nodded.
A-Yan served him another bowl and then sat down to eat with him. The two sat face-to-face, quietly enjoying their meal, as if it were just another ordinary day.
The faint tension that had lingered between them during the day seemed to gradually dissolve.
After dinner, Su Ci lounged lazily on the sofa, unwilling to move. He listened to the sounds of A-Yan clearing the table, placing dishes in the dishwasher, and finally returning with a pot of hot tea to sit beside him.
The tea, of course, was a gift from Xue Wei.
After taking a sip, Su Ci heard A-Yan ask, “Su Su, do you want to drink wine?”
Wine?
“Sure!” Su Ci’s eyes sparkled with interest.
Seeing his excitement, A-Yan smiled and said, “Then we’ll wait a bit longer. While we don’t grow rice for sake, Star-chain Fruits can be used to brew fruit wine.”
The main issue was that the Star-chain Fruits were being produced in such abundance that they couldn’t possibly eat them all. So why not brew some fruit wine instead?
“Sounds good,” Su Ci nodded and slouched back onto the sofa.
He closed his eyes to rest, but after a while, he suddenly opened them and turned his head to look at A-Yan.
The young man was sitting on a single-seat sofa, bathed in soft light that highlighted the platinum sheen of his hair. A teacup sat on the table beside him, untouched. Instead of drinking, he was staring into the air, his brows furrowed in deep thought.
Su Ci felt a stirring in his heart and asked, “What are you doing?”
Startled by Su Ci’s sudden question, A-Yan pulled himself out of his thoughts and looked over. “I’m sorting out the chaotic rules,” he replied honestly.
Extreme weather occurs due to disruptions in the rules—a domain within the abilities of the Spirit of Rules.
“If the problem of extreme weather can be resolved and the climate returns to normal, the process of reviving the land will speed up significantly,” he explained.
Hearing this, Su Ci felt both a sense of relief and an inexplicable emotion in his heart.
A-Yan had truly grown up, just as Su Ci had hoped, becoming his most reliable partner. But now that the moment had arrived, Su Ci realized…
It’s actually nice to have someone to share the burden with.
“Mm.”
He nodded briefly to mask his thoughts, then stood and headed toward the bathroom. “Don’t push yourself; take it slow,” he said as he walked.
“Alright, I know,” A-Yan replied.
He watched Su Ci’s figure disappear into the bathroom. Thoughts swirled in his mind, but he eventually shook his head, clearing away the distractions, and returned to sorting the rules.
Yet, some questions couldn’t be ignored.
For instance…
Where would he sleep tonight?
*
That evening, when Su Ci returned to his bedroom and lay down to sleep, he immediately sensed something was off.
Looking at the empty space beside him, his brows furrowed. Moments later, there was a knock at the door. He turned his head to see A-Yan standing in the doorway.
The young man’s fluffy tail drooped low behind him, his beast ears flattened against his head. Despite this, his handsome face still carried a smile.
“Su Su, I know you’re not used to how I look now, so… I’ll sleep in the dorm next door tonight.”
The adjacent rooms, 301 and 302, were unoccupied and cleaned daily by nanny robots, so there was no issue with finding a place to stay.
Su Ci stared at him, saying nothing.
A-Yan met his gaze for a few moments but, seeing no sign of Su Ci asking him to stay, lowered his head, clearly disappointed. He turned and left the room.
This seemingly considerate gesture, which was really just a retreat to advance, didn’t escape Su Ci’s notice. This time, however, he didn’t soften his resolve.
After A-Yan left, Su Ci lay back down, closed his eyes, and prepared to sleep.
The room dimmed, enveloped in silence.
It was unclear how much time had passed, but in the darkness, Su Ci suddenly opened his eyes, staring blankly at the ceiling veiled by the night.
For someone who usually cherished sleep above all else, tonight…
He couldn’t fall asleep.
He reached out to the space beside him, but there was no soft, furry ear to touch, no fluffy, warm tail to hold. All that met his hand was the cold, empty bed—just like the emptiness in his heart at that moment.
