Chapter 26: Sisterly Affection and… Pre-Battle Preparations

After Li Jiayu sent several student representatives to fetch the Awakened individuals, he swept his gaze around and saw that everyone in the entire hall had their eyes focused on him, their expressions extremely complicated. If it weren't for Li Jiayu's aloof and cold demeanor, they probably would have surrounded him to express their gratitude.

(Ugh… What a headache. In my previous life, I was slandered, my evil reputation widespread, practically a street rat everyone wanted to beat. No one gave me a pleasant look, even three-year-old children threw eggs at me when they saw me… In this life, I never intended to be a good person. Everything I did was just for Big Sister Xiao Wanqing and a few Awakened… The life and death of these ordinary people is none of my damn business; I just saved them incidentally… Why are you all looking at me like I'm some hero idol? Is there something wrong with all of you? Hilarious. Someone like me, selfish and full of bad intentions, actually has people admiring him? This kind of fervent gaze really makes me uncomfortable…)

Li Jiayu had tasted the warmth and coldness of the human world in his past life. He spent his days mixing with undead creatures, hiding and skulking, not daring to expose himself to sunlight, living a very hard life. In this life, being relied upon as a pillar by a few friends was one thing, but suddenly having hundreds of people looking at him fervently – the contrast with his past life was simply too great. Like darkness suddenly turning into light, Li Jiayu couldn't accept it right away.

Shaking his head with a headache, Li Jiayu decided to divert their attention. Pointing at the half-dead Dark Octopus, he said:

"Don't just stare at me, go care for the octopus. It's seriously injured right now and urgently needs nurses to take care of it. Hmph, don't you think? If the octopus hadn't desperately protected you, how would it have suffered so many corrosion wounds from the Acid Bugs…"

These words stunned the students. Only then did they shift their attention from Li Jiayu to the Dark Octopus. In fact, the attraction the Dark Octopus held for them was no less than Li Jiayu's.

Not only could it speak human language, but it also possessed extremely high intelligence, and even had formidable combat abilities like Li Jiayu – most magically, this octopus could actually move freely on land! Damn, truly incredible! Don't octopuses have to live in water?

Where did this octopus come from, and how did it become Li Jiayu's pet?

Everyone was filled with curiosity about it. Some people finally couldn't hold back and walked over to the Dark Octopus, observing it cautiously. They didn't find its ferocious and ugly appearance particularly scary; instead, they felt this octopus fighting for humanity was very imposing.

"Octopus, can you really talk?" a girl asked tentatively.

"Of, of course… Most… most like… chatting… with… pretty ones…" The Dark Octopus was half-dead, breathing out more than in, but still mustered the energy to talk to the girl – this idiotic octopus that would give up its life for women!

"You're so smart! Never thought there were other intelligent creatures besides humans in this world that could talk… You're much better than apes and parrots," a male student from the biology department with glasses said excitedly.

The Dark Octopus snorted and ignored him.

"Octopus, you lost several tentacles, it must hurt a lot, right? Will they grow back later? I'm sorry, you got such a big wound on your head saving me…" A girl who had been saved by the Dark Octopus earlier knelt beside it, wanting to touch its wound but afraid of hurting it, her eyes red with tears from anxiety.

"Doesn't hurt… You guys… okay… I… happy…"

The Dark Octopus enjoyed the girl's concern, feeling that in its decades of octopus life, it had never been this happy. Its voice softened as much as possible:

"Don't cry… You cry… I sad… You guys… rest assured… as long as… I not dead yet… definitely will… protect you…"

Li Jiayu, standing aside, felt his mouth twitch – he originally thought the Dark Octopus was just a pure pervert, but unexpectedly, this idiotic octopus truly possessed the precious spirit of a gallant protector. It was truly dumbfounding.

And the surrounding students naturally felt their hearts warm upon hearing this, their favorable impression of the Dark Octopus increasing significantly. They felt it became more pleasing to the eye the more they looked. A freckled girl with average looks said:

"Octopus, is what you said true… I'm so touched. Please protect me more in the future."

"Touched… my ass! Who wants to protect you… I only protect pretty ones… beautiful ones… unless you… get rid of your freckles successfully… otherwise… I don't care if you die…"

The Dark Octopus bluntly stated its thoughts, instantly choking the freckled girl until her face turned purple, as if someone was squeezing her throat. The surrounding boys and girls also looked at each other, speechless, never imagining this octopus was such an oddity, practicing blatant lookism…

"Octopus, can you tell me where your hometown is? Do you have any other companions?" asked a handsome boy wearing gold-rimmed glasses.

"None of… your damn… business… Males don't bother me…"

The Dark Octopus said irritably, once again rendering numerous boys speechless – Lookism was one thing, but damn, also gender discrimination? You're pickier than humans!

Compared to the boys who were choked with embarrassment, the girls were amused and laughed, temporarily forgetting their worries, asking:

"Do you have a name? How did you meet Li Jiayu? Are you his pet?"

"I… have no name… but… you can call me Twelve… because I have twelve tentacles… Li Jiayu is my master, but he's very fierce and doesn't like me much…"

"How could that be? Li Jiayu is quite nice, why would he be fierce to you…" The girls secretly glanced at Li Jiayu, who was watching coldly from the side, then quickly looked away, blushing slightly.

"Don't know… Master he… said I… am pervert, tarnished his lifetime reputation…"

"Maybe, uh, maybe Li Jiayu isn't satisfied with your appearance… Twelve, don't be sad. Even if he misunderstands you, you still have us. We will take good care of you."

Watching the Dark Octopus chatting happily with some girls, Li Jiayu couldn't help but shake his head. He was initially worried the Dark Octopus might become dispirited due to severe injuries, but now seeing it rejuvenated as if on drugs, its face gleaming – mm, seems like no need to worry about this octopus for now, let it be.

Standing up from the chair, Li Jiayu looked at Xiao Wanqing's breathtakingly beautiful face. A restlessness surged within him, a fierce smile touching the corner of his lips:

"Principal Xiao, do you want to be active, or passive?"

"..."

Xiao Wanqing, as the Vice Principal of Xijiang University, being forced in broad daylight to hug an unfamiliar student – how could she endure this? Even though she usually commanded respect and displayed heroic demeanor, at this moment, her heart was in turmoil, unsure what to do.

"Is there no other way to recover? Or... we could go to the storage room too. Anyway, don't let them see me hugging you in public, the impact will be very bad..."

Xiao Wanqing said softly, a hint of pleading in her voice. After all, she had held a high position for a long time and cared greatly about her reputation. Plus, she was a married woman; physical contact with other men was absolutely forbidden...

"What if I say no?"

For some reason, seeing Xiao Wanqing's hint of pleading and shame, Li Jiayu felt a cruel sense of satisfaction. True, Li Jiayu indeed cherished this big sister who cared for him meticulously. But she carried too many burdens; she could drive Li Jiayu away to protect Yang City... Although her actions were justifiable, Li Jiayu felt very unhappy whenever he recalled it.

In your heart, am I forever less important than the things you protect?

Fine!

In this life, I will tear down your dignity step by step, let's see how you maintain that high-and-mighty saintess image!

You only need to be good to me alone! Those irrelevant people are absolutely not worth you giving so much for them!

"Why must it be here? What are you thinking?"

Xiao Wanqing had already sensed Li Jiayu's determination, but she still couldn't understand why he insisted on hugging here. Logically... if Li Jiayu had malicious intentions, the storage room should suit his purpose better, right?

"Principal Xiao is hailed as the number one young beauty of Xijiang City, naturally reserved. But you should also consider those students who haven't escaped danger yet. I just don't want to go to the storage room, what can you do about it?"

Li Jiayu whispered close to Xiao Wanqing's round, fair ear. The warm breath on her earlobe sent a tingling sensation through her, making her whole body tremble. Her willow-leaf eyebrows immediately knitted, unsure whether she was angry or amused:

"Who told you I'm still a young beauty? I'm already thirty-two... Also, you're just a teenage kid, still playing at manly vanity? Stop messing around. If you have any romantic inclinations, you should use them on Ran Hongxia. She's the most beautiful woman at Xijiang University, probably the one most suited for you too, right, Great Hero Li!"

"You..."

Li Jiayu's face stiffened. What he hated most was Xiao Wanqing always treating him like a teenage kid, constantly putting on an older sister air, and desperately trying to introduce other women to him. Didn't she know how annoying that was?

"Hmph! Enough talk! I need to recover my stamina now!"

Li Jiayu stopped wasting words, tucked Hyorinmaru into his belt, then moved forward, and under Xiao Wanqing's astonished gaze, opened his arms and suddenly pulled her mature, delicate body into his embrace!

"Wait... too hard, hugging hurts..." Li Jiayu's doubled strength was quite astonishing. Even without using much force, it still made Xiao Wanqing feel suffocated, like being bear-hugged.

"Big Sister... I'll never let go again!"

Li Jiayu's heart surged. How could he care what Xiao Wanqing was saying? He was even so excited that he mistook the Xiao Wanqing in his arms for the one from his past life, unconsciously calling her Big Sister.

At this moment, the surrounding boys and girls had long noticed the commotion here. Their eyes widened one by one, watching Li Jiayu hold their respected and beloved principal tightly in his arms!

"Holy crap!"

"Is something going on?"

"How can this be? Li Jiayu is mine..."

"Is this... beauty and the hero? Because Li Jiayu saved us, Principal Xiao is offering herself? What about Principal Xiao's husband then?"

"What to do? Deal with it later! The entire Xijiang City has fallen under the claws of monsters now, who cares about a husband far away in Yong City..."

"Principal Xiao is smart... snatched Li Jiayu early. With his protection, her safety is guaranteed."

"What nonsense! It's clearly Li Jiayu forcing Principal Xiao!"

Seeing the students discussing animatedly, Han Xiaoqi standing next to Li Jiayu couldn't bear it anymore. She didn't want others to misunderstand Li Jiayu, so she explained:

"Don't guess randomly... You all saw earlier, white light came from Principal Xiao's body. That light can help Li Jiayu recover stamina... So, that's how it is!"

These words quieted the students. Whatever thoughts they had, if the situation concerned their safety, then everything was different. It had already risen to a serious level. Only when Li Jiayu recovered to his optimal state could their lives be guaranteed.

"I see... I see..."

"In that case, Li Jiayu can have more stamina and kill more insects, right?"

"Principal Xiao is truly selfless, sacrificing herself for others..."

"Yeah, Principal Xiao is truly great..."

Li Jiayu couldn't care less what others were saying. He closed his eyes, nuzzled into the snowy white space between Xiao Wanqing's neck, contentedly sniffing the orchid-like scent of a mature woman from her hair, his hands tightly holding that slender waist that seemed barely graspable, while feeling the curves of Xiao Wanqing's mature, enchanting body. After a long pause, he said:

"Relax your body, don't be so stiff... Isn't it just a hug? Nothing else happened, why be so nervous? If you don't relax soon, your Holy Light won't emanate... Then everything you're doing will be meaningless."

"You're so rough! And you have the nerve to say... hugging too tight, I can barely breathe..."

"Ah, really? Got too excited for a moment..." Li Jiayu said awkwardly.

"What's there to be excited about? I thought you'd be an experienced hand in romance, didn't expect you don't even know how to hug. Are you like a lotus bud just revealing its tip?... Your body is so cold, completely without warmth, how can this be?" Xiao Wanqing had already adjusted her mindset, regaining some calm, though she still kept her head lowered, not daring to let the students see her face.

"Can't be helped. Too much frost aura has invaded my body, can't be warm even if I wanted to... So quickly discard distracting thoughts, feel the Holy Light within your body, slowly guide it out. Oh, right, specifically, you can visualize the red sun rising slowly from the east, emitting ten thousand golden rays..."

"Mm, visualizing..."

Xiao Wanqing truly deserved to be the future Light Priestess, the spokesperson of light for the southern provinces. She possessed unparalleled talent for light. With just a slight reminder from Li Jiayu, she immediately gathered her mind, simulated a scene internally, and then her body once again bloomed with warm, gentle white light!

Li Jiayu, in close contact with her, felt a stir in his heart. He immediately infused his remaining mental power into the gentle white light, adjusting the light's properties. Then he felt the vitality in his body awaken like willows touched by a spring breeze; a warm current flowed into his already frozen flesh.

Very comfortable, like soaking in a hot spring.

"Is this right? Feeling any better?"

Xiao Wanqing saw the slight pallor on Li Jiayu's face gradually turn rosy and only then asked softly.

"Yes, just like this... much more comfortable. Don't move yet, my stamina consumption was too high, probably need a few more minutes to fully replenish."

Xiao Wanqing nodded silently. Faintly, a flush also crossed her fair, tender cheeks. Naturally, she wouldn't have any special feelings for this somewhat unfamiliar man, Li Jiayu. She just felt a little heartache. Li Jiayu was once an immature youth. She really didn't know what experiences he had gone through to possess such superb skills. He must have paid a great price, right? That kind of sharp swordsmanship couldn't be achieved without killing dozens of people.

"Your arm is injured? There's also a bloody scratch on your face... Don't you feel it?"

"How could I not feel it... It's just that I'm used to such minor injuries, so it doesn't matter." Li Jiayu looked at his left elbow; it was actually still bleeding. He could only offer a wry smile in response.

"Then can my Holy Light help your arm wound recover quickly?" For some reason, Xiao Wanqing felt bitterness in her heart.

"It can, but... your newly awakened Holy Light is still very weak. It would probably take an hour for the wound to fully heal. In your current state, maintaining continuous release of Holy Light for ten minutes is already your limit."

"Then let's take it slow... The injuries you received for Xijiang University, I will definitely heal them!" Xiao Wanqing said softly, yet with unshakable determination.

"Li Jiayu, the people you were looking for, have all been brought over..."

The student representative Li Jiayu had sent to find people earlier called out to him.

"Oh, thank you for the trouble."

Li Jiayu had no intention of letting go of Xiao Wanqing. He faintly raised his head and saw several men and women standing before him – precisely those Awakened individuals. At this moment, their expressions varied.

The Dragonoid Chu Xiang had black scales emerging all over his skin, a thick lizard tail trailing behind his buttocks. He was naturally restless and uneasy.

The Shapeshifter Lan Xiaoyue looked completely bewildered, still fiddling with her hair, unable to understand why her hair had grown longer earlier.

The Sonic Warrior Chen Kun kept his mouth tightly shut, not daring to make a sound, even breathing as lightly as possible, because he found something was wrong with his throat; a slight carelessness would cause thunderous muffled sounds.

The Fire Mage Feng Liaoyuan looked extremely excited, constantly looking at his hands, occasionally grinning foolishly, clearly very proud of becoming a "Fire Man."

The last one, Sword Saint Ran Hongxia, looked at Li Jiayu with a complicated expression, lost in thought.

"You came just in time. I have something to say to you,"

Li Jiayu took out a Red-Crested Beetle's Insect Crystal from his pocket, looked at Ran Hongxia, and said stiffly:

"This is for you. Take it. It can increase your arm strength. If used properly, it should help your Sword Qi."