Chapter 299 – The True Darling of the World

West of Tianfeng City, in the wilderness danger zone.

An off-road vehicle, like an old object weathered by time, staggered along the rugged terrain.

It swayed unsteadily as it moved, with even the driver in the seat appearing dazed, their eyes filled with lingering fear.

“Whoosh!”

A ripple of water shot through the air from afar, accompanied by a sharp whistling sound, catching up to the off-road vehicle.

“Meeling!”

Little Hai’er returned with Su Ming, descending from mid-air while gently placing him in the passenger seat, her face full of concern as she looked at him.

“Are… are you two alright?”

Only then did Chi Qian snap out of her dazed state, turning her gaze to Su Ming and Little Hai’er as she hurriedly asked.

However, Chi Qian’s eyes still held a deep sense of trepidation, and the way she looked at Su Ming was entirely different from before.

“I’m fine.”

Su Ming shook his head, appearing somewhat drained but otherwise showing no signs of abnormality.

“Meeling!”

Little Hai’er also raised her hand, indicating that she was unharmed, still the spirited mermaid girl she always was.

Chi Qian glanced at the human and the Phantom Demon, then relaxed slightly.

“What about the Poisonous Insect Queen?”

Chi Qian turned her gaze to the rearview mirror but could only see a landscape of cracked earth.

“I don’t know.” Su Ming shook his head and said, “She probably went back, right?”

Su Ming extended his Spirit Sense but could no longer detect the powerful Aura and demonic presence unique to the Nightmare Species that belonged to the Poisonous Insect Queen.

“That makes sense.” Chi Qian was momentarily stunned before letting out a bitter laugh. “After taking a hit like that, even if the Poisonous Insect Queen is a Nightmare Species, she couldn’t possibly be unscathed. If she dared to chase us in that state, the strong Professionals in Tianfeng City would likely be very pleased.”

After all, once the Poisonous Insect Queen left the Venomous Insect Cave, she would lose the advantages of timing, terrain, and support, making her far less troublesome than when she was inside the cave.

If they could lure out such a Nightmare Species—one that had holed up in the Venomous Insect Cave, established herself as a ruler, and long been difficult to defeat—the Seven-Star Professionals of Tianfeng City would surely not hesitate to personally step in and eliminate this menace.

The Poisonous Insect Queen herself was likely well aware of this and would not dare to stray too far or for too long from the Venomous Insect Cave.

Coupled with the severe injuries she had just sustained from Su Ming, unless the Poisonous Insect Queen had a death wish, she would definitely not continue pursuing them.

Thinking this, Chi Qian looked at Su Ming with a complicated expression.

“So you’re an Upper-Rank Professional, and one with such a terrifying mutation ability at that?””

Her gaze involuntarily drifted to Su Ming’s right hand.

At this moment, the abnormality of Su Ming’s right hand was unmistakably evident. The pattern of cracks covering it was clear in Chi Qian’s eyes, leaving no room to hide the fact that it had undergone a mutation.

And the ability displayed by this right hand—Chi Qian had witnessed it with her own eyes.

Thus, her look at Su Ming was not only complex but also filled with awe.

“Are you really a rookie who just debuted?”

Chi Qian was beginning to doubt whether Su Ming had concealed his age.

Although he appeared quite young, in this world of supernatural powers, there were alchemical potions and artifacts capable of preserving a youthful appearance.Su Ming’s unfathomable depth, mysterious nature, and overwhelming strength made Chi Qian suspect that this seemingly young man might actually be a veteran powerhouse who wasn’t young at all.

Unfortunately, Chi Qian was disappointed.

“I really just started my career not long ago,” Su Ming said with amusement, having understood Chi Qian’s implication. “I only received my license this month. Before this month, I was still studying at the Demon Hunter Academy—a complete rookie.”

“You must be joking?” Chi Qian found it hard to believe.

Could a newcomer who had just been studying at the Demon Hunter Academy until recently be such a terrifying powerhouse?

Though the Aura and Qi Su Ming unleashed during his confrontation with the Poisonous Insect Queen were only at the Four-Star Hunter level, the fact that a fresh graduate was already a Four-Star Hunter was shocking enough.

If Su Ming truly was a newcomer, that would mean he was at most around twenty years old.

A Four-Star Hunter at twenty?

That would break world records, surpassing the fastest historical record for reaching Upper-Rank Professional by at least two to three years.

Moreover, he possessed such fearsome power that couldn’t possibly be compared to an ordinary Four-Star Hunter.

At the very least, Chi Qian felt that if she had taken that earlier strike, she would have been utterly annihilated, vanishing without a trace on the spot.

Even the Poisonous Insect Queen, who rivaled a Seven-Star Professional, had been severely injured—how could she, who hadn’t even reached Six-Star Professional, possibly withstand it?

How could she believe or accept that a Hunter with such terrifying power was actually a fresh graduate and newcomer?

…Wait! That’s not right!

This man didn’t seem to be just a Hunter!

“You… aren’t you a Sorcerer?” Chi Qian finally remembered this crucial detail.

Indeed, Su Ming was a Sorcerer—he possessed spiritual sensitivity and could use a Spirit Energy Gun, proving he had Spirit Power.

Yet moments ago, he had unleashed the Qi and Aura of a Four-Star Hunter, using a Hunter’s unique mutation ability to repel the Poisonous Insect Queen.

What did this mean?

“A… Dual Professional?” Chi Qian found her throat dry and hoarse.

Noticing this, Su Ming suddenly grinned at her.

“Remember to keep your Commander’s secret, okay?” he said playfully.

Chi Qian fell silent.

Her gaze at Su Ming was no longer complex or astonished—instead, she looked at him as if he were a monster, a Heavenly God.

A suspected Dual Professional under twenty years old.

Possessing mutation abilities strong enough to challenge those above his Rank.

Voluntarily followed by a humanoid Phantom Demon suspected to be a Nightmare Species.

What kind of person had she encountered?

Could such a person truly exist in this world?

Was he perhaps a savior sent by heaven to rescue humanity?

Had she gained or lost by being chosen by him, joining his team, and signing a lifelong contract to serve him?

Chi Qian’s emotions were in turmoil, her thoughts hopelessly tangled.

“Alright, don’t overthink it,” Su Ming said, patting her shoulder as he recovered from his exhausted state. “None of that matters. What’s important is what comes next.”

Hearing this, Chi Qian smiled wryly once more.Only Su Ming himself could so nonchalantly utter words like “these are all unimportant.”

If someone like him were exposed and became known to the major Families and powers in Tianfeng City, it would likely trigger a massive earthquake.

Whether it was being an Upper-Rank Professional under twenty years old, a Dual Professional, or even that terrifying mutated ability—all were talents that would drive those major Families and powers to desperately pursue him.

Su Ming embodied all these advantages. If exposed, he might instantly be placed under protection by humanity’s upper echelons and groomed as a future savior—who could say?

Compared to him, even a Spirit Bearer or a high-level Spirit Bearer would pale in significance.

This was the true darling of the world, heaven’s favored child.

If he could grow and reach the Peak in the future, it would undoubtedly be a blessing for humanity.

Thinking this, Chi Qian suddenly felt that joining Su Ming’s team and pledging lifelong loyalty to him might truly be a good thing.

At the very least, she could safeguard this future superpower of humanity, witness his rise, and behold his extraordinary life.

Perhaps this was the final purpose of her wretched, barely-surviving existence?

Chi Qian was lost in these thoughts until Su Ming’s voice snapped her back to reality.

“What are you thinking about?” Su Ming gave Chi Qian a firm pat and said, “Stop daydreaming! You’re driving, you unreliable woman driver!”

Jolted by Su Ming’s pat, Chi Qian snapped out of her reverie and quickly focused on driving, setting aside her thoughts.

It was then that Chi Qian remembered what mattered most to her and urgently asked Su Ming:

“What about my frozen companions?”

The former female legend of Tianfeng City had finally recalled her most important purpose for this journey.

Instead of answering, Su Ming turned to look at Little Hai’er.

“Mi-ling!”

Little Hai’er nodded, gracefully waved her hand, and summoned streams of water from the air. The water coiled around three Ice Coffins, lowering them from the sky to land in front of the off-road vehicle.

The off-road vehicle screeched to a halt. Chi Qian, from the driver’s seat, immediately leaped out and rushed toward the three Ice Coffins.

By the time Su Ming also exited the vehicle, Chi Qian had already reached the Ice Coffins. She pressed against one, gazing at the person sleeping inside, her eyes moistening for the first time.

“I’m sorry, everyone… I came too late…”

Her voice trembled with emotion that anyone could hear.

Su Ming didn’t disturb her. Even Little Hai’er quietly swam to Su Ming’s side, resting on his back as she cautiously watched the scene.

Chi Qian seemed to have countless words for her three companions in the Ice Coffins, murmuring softly for a long time without regaining her composure.

Su Ming showed no impatience, simply waiting.

He waited a full half hour.

Only after thirty minutes did Chi Qian finally collect herself.

“Let’s go back,” Chi Qian said solemnly, bowing deeply to Su Ming and Little Hai’er. “Thank you for your trouble.”

“Just honoring our contract,” Su Ming shook his head and signaled to Little Hai’er.

Little Hai’er waved her hand again, summoning water to coil around the three Ice Coffins and lift them into suspension.

Su Ming and Chi Qian reentered the off-road vehicle and started the engine.”Let’s go, back to Tianfeng City.”

Su Ming said so.

“Mm, back to Tianfeng City.”

Chi Qian nodded heavily.

The off-road vehicle then slowly began moving, heading toward Tianfeng City.

“Meeling!”

Little Hai’er swam freely in mid-air for a while, circling around the off-road vehicle and stirring up ripples of water, before finally disappearing amidst the water mist, concealing her form.

Three ice coffins entwined with water currents floated in the air behind the off-road vehicle, as if being pulled by invisible ropes.

Su Ming had successfully accomplished the goal of this trip, returning fully laden.

……

Tianfeng City, suburbs of Dragonheart District.

In the small forest cabin, Su Ming sat in the main hall, waiting somewhat bored.

The depleted magical power within his body was slowly recovering, restoring Su Ming to his original state after catching his breath.

Little Hai’er no longer revealed her form easily, to avoid being discovered.

Outside the cabin, the sky gradually turned crimson with sunset glow, heralding the arrival of dusk.

“Click.”

It wasn’t until this moment that one of the cabin’s rooms finally opened.

Chi Qian emerged from it, carefully closing the door while walking toward Su Ming.

“Sorry to keep you waiting so long.”

Chi Qian spoke to Su Ming with deep apology.

“No problem, I understand.” Su Ming waved his hand dismissively. “Do you need me to help unseal your companions?”

With Little Hai’er’s innate ability to control icy power, removing a few ice coffins and thawing several people would be effortless.

“No, not yet.” Chi Qian shook her head. “Before being frozen, they all suffered fatal injuries. If we don’t prepare recovery methods in advance, recklessly unsealing them would only cause them to lose the lives they barely managed to preserve.”

“That makes sense.” Su Ming suddenly understood, looking at Chi Qian. “So have you prepared the means to restore and treat them?”

“Of course.” Chi Qian replied without hesitation. “All these days, I’ve been constantly taking on missions, working hard to accumulate Contribution Points, just so I could use them to save them someday.”

For this purpose, Chi Qian had been living frugally throughout the year, saving almost all her Contribution Points, unwilling to even spend them on treating her own injuries.

Compared to herself, Chi Qian naturally preferred to reserve the precious Contribution Points for her companions.

Otherwise, with her abilities and savings accumulated over a full year, she could have acquired some extraordinary items for her own recovery and treatment.

She didn’t do this not because she couldn’t, but because she felt she didn’t deserve such treatment.

These treatments should be reserved for her surviving companions to use.

As the one who caused the team’s near-destruction and almost got all her companions killed, she should just continue dragging along this broken body, barely surviving.

This was Chi Qian’s self-imposed punishment.

Only this way could Chi Qian alleviate the guilt and remorse in her heart.

“I’ll immediately prepare their treatment. Once everything is ready, I’ll proceed with their unsealing.”

Chi Qian gazed at Su Ming, making a plea.

“So, could you grant me some extra time to handle my companions’ matters first?”

After Su Ming fulfilled their agreement and helped Chi Qian rescue her former companions, the previously signed contract had officially taken effect.From this moment on, Chi Qian belonged to Su Ming. She would join his team and serve him for life.

As such, Chi Qian had to conduct herself as a member of Su Ming’s team.

Therefore, whatever she wanted to do, Chi Qian needed Su Ming’s approval first. She could no longer act recklessly as she had before.

Su Ming thought for a moment, but wasn’t in a hurry.

“Since it can’t be rushed anyway, you should finish handling your own matters first.”

Hearing this, Chi Qian nodded.

“Thank you.”

“Commander.”

Only then did Su Ming smile.

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(End of Chapter)