Chapter 165

Chapter 165

As they fell into the spatial tunnel, Wen Qiao immediately hugged Ning Yuzhou tightly and erected a spiritual barrier to resist the pressure from the space.

The space began to warp, and a force more terrifying than the repulsion they experienced in the secret realm pulled at them.

In front of this terrifying spatial force, Wen Qiao's spiritual barrier was fragile and shattered with a loud pop. Her body was in a place filled with countless spatial forces, and it felt as if her flesh and bones were about to be crushed by that power. Her skin cracked inch by inch, turning her into a bloody mess in an instant, and a wave of metallic sweetness surged up her throat.

Fortunately, this terrible pulling force only lasted for a moment before they were transported away again by the restored spatial tunnel.

When their bodies finally escaped the constraints of the spatial tunnel, the two people and the beast were once again thrown out and fell from a great height.

With a splash, the two people and the beast landed in the water.

"Ji ji~"

Damaoqiu emerged from the water, floating on the surface like a ball. Its silver-white long fur was wet and stuck to its body, looking like a large rice ball floating in the water from a distance.

Damaoqiu flapped around, searching for the two people who had fallen into the water.

At that moment, there was a splash, and Ning Yuzhou appeared holding Wen Qiao as they emerged from the water.

Damaoqiu chirped while moving towards them.

When Damaoqiu arrived, Ning Yuzhou climbed onto its body and lifted the person in his arms, placing her on Damaoqiu.

Wen Qiao's face was as pale as paper, and her breath was weak.

Her clothes were torn into strips by the spatial force, revealing glimpses of the cracked skin beneath. Blood dripped down from her body, not only staining Damaoqiu's silver-white fur but also dyeing the surrounding seawater red.

Ning Yuzhou looked at this scene, his eyes reddening.

He took a deep breath, stretched out his slightly trembling hand, gently brushed the black hair sticking to her face, and fed her a piece of honey fat, softly calling out, "Chui, Chui..."

Hearing the voice, Wen Qiao forced her eyes open.

Her eyes were dim, lacking the usual brightness and brilliance. After a while, her scattered gaze focused on his face, and she said weakly, "Are you okay...?"

Ning Yuzhou caressed her face, his obsidian eyes staring at her, and he replied gently, "I'm fine."

Although they were quickly transported away by the warped spatial tunnel when they were knocked into it, the warping spatial force still inflicted terrible damage on cultivators. However, Wen Qiao had protected him in the first moment, using her own body to bear the warping spatial force, so all the damage was concentrated on her.

Although Ning Yuzhou was also affected, he was not as severely injured as she was, with almost all of his bones crushed by the spatial force.

Thinking of this, he lowered his slightly bloodshot eyes.

After confirming that he was really unharmed, Wen Qiao finally sighed in relief.

She was a physical cultivator with a demon body, making her physique stronger than ordinary Yuan Kong realm cultivators. Even if her bones were crushed, it wasn't considered too serious of an injury for her. But her husband was just a delicate alchemist, and one misstep could lead to his death. She really couldn't afford not to protect him.

This time, they were ambushed by Fairy Flowing Cloud, and they didn't suffer any injuries; all their wounds came from being crushed by the spatial force in the spatial tunnel. Not only were their bones crushed, but there were also multiple ruptures in their internal organs.

Wen Qiao thought these injuries were nothing, just a bit painful and temporarily immobilizing.

"Ji ji~"

Perhaps sensing her weakness, Damaoqiu, floating on the water, chirped at her.

Wen Qiao's pale face broke into a weak smile. "Don't worry, I'm fine. Are you okay too?"

"Ji ji~"

Damaoqiu was also fine.

Although it wasn't very combat-effective when it wasn't transformed into a spiky ball, it was still a monster that grew up eating immortal spirit honey. Despite its low level, its physical body was still very strong. In that warped space, it was only squeezed by the spatial force, causing its bones to ache slightly, but otherwise, it was fine. Damaoqiu's adaptability was much stronger than theirs.

Ning Yuzhou continuously fed her several pieces of honey fat, as well as bone-shaping pills, healing pills, rejuvenation pills, and essence-nourishing pills. Finally, Wen Qiao felt much better.

However, she still couldn't move.

Although she couldn't move, she could see.

Wen Qiao lay on Damaoqiu, examining her surroundings, and realized that they were in a vast sea, with the entire world quiet as if they were the only ones left.

"Husband, where is this sea?" Wen Qiao asked. "Is it still the Thousand Islands Sea?"

Recalling what happened earlier, they were knocked into the closing spatial tunnel by Fairy Flowing Cloud. Then, due to Fairy Flowing Cloud's attack on the spatial tunnel, it caused the tunnel to warp.

Wen Qiao had heard before that opening a spatial tunnel isn't easy, and cultivators should not attack it before it closes, or it would cause the tunnel to warp, leading to bad consequences. The worst consequence would be the collapse of the spatial tunnel, tearing apart anyone inside with the resulting spatial storm.

Unfortunately, Fairy Flowing Cloud attacked the spatial tunnel of the Thousand Islands secret realm.

Logically speaking, that spatial tunnel connected the secret realm to the outside world, allowing only exit and not entry. But due to Fairy Flowing Cloud, the spatial tunnel warped and generated suction, drawing them in.

Fortunately, Fairy Flowing Cloud was injured at the time and lacked the strength to cause the spatial tunnel to collapse. Instead, the tunnel normalized after warping for a few moments, allowing them to be transported out in time. Although the process was short, it was indeed perilous, and they almost died there.

Wen Qiao believed that since the spatial tunnel only allowed exit and not entry, it wouldn't pull them back into the Thousand Islands secret realm. They should still be on the outside.

Ning Yuzhou looked at the surrounding sea with a dark expression. "If I'm not mistaken, we should have arrived in the Outer Sea."

"The Outer Sea? You mean the Endless Sea?" Wen Qiao looked surprised.

Ning Yuzhou nodded.

Wen Qiao fell silent.

The Endless Sea was divided into the Inner Sea and the Outer Sea. The Inner Sea had many islands, dividing the area into various factions; the Outer Sea was a vast ocean, and cultivators who entered it never returned, lost in the boundless sea.

One could say that the Outer Sea was the true Endless Sea.

The Endless Sea, a metaphor for an ocean without end.

Typically, cultivators who come to the Endless Sea mostly operate within the inner sea and rarely venture into the outer sea.

If they were truly in the outer sea... Wen Qiao was somewhat at a loss.

Ning Yuzhou said, "Don't worry. Although the outer sea is vast, it has its limits. We will return."

Wen Qiao turned to look at him, meeting his determined gaze, and suddenly felt a surge of confidence.

She had great faith in Ning Yuzhou's abilities, always feeling that there was nothing in this world that could trouble him. Even if they were in the Endless Sea, as long as he said they could leave, she believed they certainly could.

Wen Qiao smiled at him and said, "Yes, I believe you! It doesn't matter even if we can't leave. As long as we're together."

Ning Yuzhou's eyes softened, and he gently kissed her pale face.

Feeling better, Wen Qiao slowly got up, changing from lying down to sitting. Seeing that Ning Yuzhou was still soaking in the water, she couldn't help but say, "Husband, would you like to come up and sit?"

The large ball of fur floating on the water also turned to look at him, chirping at him.

Although the big ball of fur was large, the space became cramped with one person on it. Ning Yuzhou didn't agree; instead, he took out a small boat from his storage bag and threw it onto the sea.

Ning Yuzhou first carried the immobile Wen Qiao onto the small boat before getting on himself. The big ball of fur followed, rolling onto the boat.

This boat was a Profound-grade spirit artifact, not very large. With two people and a big ball of fur on board, there wasn't much space left.

The big ball of fur was very curious about this small boat, rolling from the bow to the stern, occasionally emitting a chirp, as if inspecting its territory.

Wen Qiao, who understood the "chirps" of the big ball of fur, remained silent: It really was checking its territory!

Ning Yuzhou ignored the big ball of fur. He reached out and pulled Wen Qiao, who was leaning against the side of the boat, into his embrace, checking her physical condition.

After consuming the Bone Shaping Pill, the crushed bones had almost fully regrown, but the pain of bone regeneration was unbearable, akin to being bitten by countless insects.

As for the originally ruptured skin and internal organs, they had been replenished by Honey Lip Balm and were almost completely healed, no longer bleeding.

Sweat beaded on Wen Qiao's forehead, and she bit her lip, not making a sound.

However, Ning Yuzhou looked extremely distressed. He wondered whether he should try to develop some pain-relieving spirit pills.

Cultivators defied the heavens, facing countless dangers and injuries. Alchemists had created many spirit pills for cultivators, but there were none specifically for pain relief. It wasn't that alchemists couldn't create them, but rather that cultivators felt that such pain was insignificant and could be endured without needing to consume pain-relieving pills.

To divert her attention, Wen Qiao looked at the big ball of fur rolling around on the boat and said, "Husband, why don't we give it a name?"

Ning Yuzhou said indifferently, "You name it."

"How about 'Wen Jiji'?"

Ning Yuzhou: "…It's good."

Ning Yuzhou had already given up hope regarding his little wife's naming ability. However, when he heard this name, he could only praise it insincerely. Sure enough, she smiled happily.

"Big ball of fur, come here." Wen Qiao said to the big ball of fur, which was staring at the seawater at the bow of the boat. "From now on, you'll be called Wen Jiji. How about it?"

"Jiji." The big ball of fur rolled over and chirped at them.

The big ball of fur accepted the name Wen Qiao gave it with great joy. Its carefree appearance showed no indication that it knew what the name meant.

The surrounding sea was very calm. It was daytime, with clear skies and calm waters. No sea beasts appeared.

The small boat drifted leisurely on the water, with neither Ning Yuzhou nor Wen Qiao controlling its direction.

After resting for a while, Wen Qiao finally managed to stand up.

Looking at the big ball of fur, she thought of Wen Tutu and Wen Guangun, feeling somewhat relieved that the beasts had been recuperating in the space recently. If they had fallen into the spatial passage with them, wouldn't they have suffered again?

"Husband, how are Wen Tutu and the others now?"

Ning Yuzhou took a moment to check the situation in the space and said, "Their injuries have healed. Do you want to enter the space and see them?"

Wen Qiao thought about it and agreed.

Then they entered the space together.

Upon entering the space, Wen Qiao immediately felt a wave of spiritual energy dozens of times denser than the outside world. Then, she was covered in fur by two balls that pounced on her.

Wen Tutu and Wen Guangun climbed onto her shoulders, rubbing against her vigorously to show their affection. Their injuries had healed a few days before the secret realm closed, but since Ning Yuzhou hadn't let them out, they had to stay in the space.

The space was nice, but they missed Wen Qiao very much.

The two Yellow Crystal Ants clinging to the Ant Fragrance Tree also flew over, landing on Wen Qiao's hair, resembling two golden ant-shaped hairpins.

Ning Yuzhou glanced at the beasts, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Chui is injured. Behave yourselves."

The space belonged to Ning Yuzhou, and all creatures entering the space were suppressed by the owner. The beasts in the space didn't dare to disobey Brother Ning and quickly chirped at him, indicating that they were well-behaved and would not let Sister get hurt again.

As for Wen Qiao, since Ning Yuzhou never used the space to suppress her, she had never felt the space's restrictions on her.

Wen Jiji was currently stunned.

Suddenly transported from the vast sea to a place filled with many spirit herbs, with such abundant spiritual energy, Wen Jiji's mind couldn't keep up. However, it didn't affect its enthusiasm.

Wen Jiji wandered around, chirping as it went, as if inspecting its territory.

Indeed, Wen Jiji considered the space its territory.

Only now did Wen Tutu and Wen Guangun notice this big ball of fur. Wen Tutu immediately exploded with anger.

Another beast had come to snatch Little Seedling. They had to drive it away!

Wen Tutu leaped onto one of the Stone Python Creeper’s vines and ground its teeth loudly at the big fluff ball Wen Jiji from a height, the threat implicit.

However, this big fluff ball reacted even more despicably than the cub Wen Guangun. It not only ignored Wen Tutu but also went to find Wen Qiao, asking her to help it plant flowers.

The big fluff ball wanted to cultivate a sea of Zhusen Spirit Flowers in the space, giving birth to a group of little fluff balls. This would be its territory from then on!

Upon hearing Wen Jiji’s idea, Wen Tutu immediately transformed into a ball of fur, ready to pounce on it!

"Wen Tutu, you can't fight in the space!" Wen Qiao warned.

The space was already small, and with so many spirit herbs planted, if Wen Tutu were to start a fight here, who knew how many spirit fields would be destroyed. Wen Qiao could not allow such a thing to happen.

Wen Tutu had to abandon the idea of fighting but did not stop being repulsed by the big fluff ball.

Once they were outside, it would definitely drive this big fluff ball away!

Wen Guangun harbored no animosity toward the big fluff ball. Holding a section of Purple Jade Bamboo, he curiously watched the big fluff ball while munching on it.

The Yellow Crystal Ant calmly returned to the Ant Fragrance Tree nest.

When the big fluff ball rolled over, Wen Guangun jumped onto its back and sat calmly amidst the fluff, continuing to chew on his bamboo.

Wen Qiao: "…"

Wen Qiao felt that Wen Guangun must have done the same to the polar bear before, which explained why the action was so practiced. Fortunately, Wen Jiji was already used to the little fluff balls always climbing onto it, so it did not mind Wen Guangun's actions. With a black-and-white glutinous rice ball on its head, it continued to patrol the space.

Ning Yuzhou ignored the three beasts and helped Wen Qiao rest under the Stone Python Creeper. He took out the pill furnace and began to refine pills.

Wen Qiao sat on the vine chair made by the Stone Python Creeper, drinking the Jade Bamboo Nectar as she surveyed the space.

Because there were two more beasts and their diets were different, not only did they need to set aside an area to grow Purple Jade Bamboo, but they also needed to allocate land for Zhusen Spirit Flowers.

Looking at the spirit fields in the space, Wen Qiao sighed again. There just wasn’t enough space.

After Ning Yuzhou finished refining a batch of spirit pills, he handed them to her and watched her eat them.

Wen Qiao keenly sensed that his mood had been bad since earlier. After some thought, she said earnestly, "Husband, don’t worry. I’m a body cultivator, so these injuries are nothing."

Ning Yuzhou stroked her head and smiled, humming in agreement.

Wen Qiao stared at his face but couldn’t discern the mood behind the extremely gentle smile. She could only assure him repeatedly.

She wanted him to be happy all the time, not like now, where he was smiling but not truly happy.

Ning Yuzhou still smiled, kissing her serious face, making her blush slightly. Finally, she looked away and stopped staring at him.

Once her injuries had healed sufficiently, Wen Qiao ran to the spirit field and transformed into a small sprout to begin cultivation.

This would speed up her recovery.

Seeing the little sprout, the three beasts hurriedly rolled over, huddling close to her side, as if they wouldn’t leave her side.

Standing outside the spirit field, Ning Yuzhou looked at the tender green sprout inside and sighed softly in his heart.