Chapter 15 My Guide

Chapter 15 My Guide

Fang Ran stared at the person before him in terror, blurting out:

"Why..."

"Because I only want you." Fu Zhangzhou seemed to anticipate his question. He tilted his head slightly, his tone playful yet his gaze unwavering.

For a moment, silence hung between them.

The faint scent of oranges began to waft through the air again, gradually intensifying.

Fang Ran could clearly see his own reflection in the sentinel's eyes.

Though the original host bore a 70-80% resemblance to him, it was no longer the original "Fang Ran"—it was him.

Fang Ran sighed softly, as if a decision had been made.

He took Fu Zhangzhou's hand.

If he couldn't avoid it, he had to face it.

"You absolutely cannot seize control of the Purification again."

The sentinel smirked triumphantly and nodded seriously.

"Your wish is my command."

Fang Ran closed his eyes.

After the Spiritual Sea connection was established, it was still that same black desert.

But unlike last time, a small patch of green, no larger than a square foot, now lay at its center.

That tiny green spot stood out vividly against the endless barrenness.

Fang Ran's spiritual energy anchored itself on that hint of green.

Dark energy surged back violently, carrying with it Fu Zhangzhou's flood of emotions.

Disgust, suspicion, terror, loneliness, and a trace of...

Jealousy?

Fang Ran's eyes flew open.

Fu Zhangzhou's expression was intense. "I've been thinking about you these past few days during my mission."

"Thinking about why you won't accept me, wanting to return to your side immediately."

"But you Purified someone else."

"And you let him embrace you."

The tall sentinel suddenly lowered his head, leaning it gently on Fang Ran's shoulder.

Fang Ran trembled slightly.

The emotional backlash was too intense; he didn't push the person in front of him away immediately.

The sentinel's warm breath brushed against the nape of his neck as his voice was muffled: "At that moment, I thought..."

"Maybe I should just kill him."

"What are you talking about?" Fang Ran quickly interrupted him.

He really is a villain, casually uttering such insane things.

"It was just an accident. I didn't even speak to him." He blurted out, then caught himself.

Why did he bother explaining himself to this person?

The sentinel rested his forehead on Fang Ran's shoulder and chuckled softly.

"Is that so?"

Fang Ran's feelings were mixed.

Since arriving in this world, he had always hoped to avoid the main storyline and live a peaceful life.

But fate had other plans—he encountered this person and then met the protagonist.

If he was destined to be entangled in the plot, this person might be a viable option.

The storyline hadn't fully developed yet, and Fu Zhangzhou might not necessarily become a villain.

Fang Ran had considered transferring to another region before, but now it seemed impossible.

Not to mention whether this person would persist, Jin Ming, that old fox, wouldn't approve his application anyway.

These sentinels' inexplicable possessiveness was enough to give anyone a headache.

"Fu Zhangzhou, if..."

"Shh." The sentinel lifted his head, a wide grin spreading across his face as if he had guessed what Fang Ran was about to say.

"Let me say it."

Fu Zhangzhou's eyes locked onto his, as if making a solemn promise.

"Fang Ran, become my Guide."

"You can use me, control me."

"They say I'm a mad dog, so I'll hand you the leash."

"Wouldn't that be good?"

There was a turbulent, almost crazed emotion in his eyes, and Fang Ran was temporarily speechless.

A Class S Sentinel, a predator who had stood at the top of the food chain since differentiation, and this one before him was even among the highest, overseeing from the peak.

Such a person seemed to be "begging," and for a moment, Fang Ran couldn't bring himself to refuse.

Anyway, that temporary contract was only for three months.

Should he... agree now?

Just as Fang Ran was battling his emotions, the hovercar's system suddenly activated automatically, beginning its automated landing sequence.

"What's going on?"

Over a dozen figures had surrounded the vehicle outside. Though the night was dim, the Center’s uniforms were still clearly visible.

Fang Ran glanced at the man beside him.

Fu Zhangzhou’s gaze flickered slightly, his tone still unhurried: "What does it matter?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the lights inside the car flickered on and off, and the front screen began to glitch with strange-colored patterns.

It was likely that the Sentinels outside had launched a mental attack—an irresistible wave of energy surged into Fang Ran’s Spiritual Sea from all directions.

A wave of dizziness rushed to his mind, and Fang Ran’s expression stiffened.

Fu Zhangzhou, who had been sitting calmly beside him, instantly lost his smile when he saw this.

A semi-transparent Psychic Shield unfolded behind him, fanning out like wings to shield the two of them.

Fang Ran felt as though a feather had brushed across his face, and the pressure on his mind lifted instantly. He gasped and opened his eyes, finding the Sentinel still watching him.

This man was waiting for his answer.

Fang Ran glanced again at the group of Sentinels outside the window and sighed inwardly.

"I need time to think. Could you—"

"Go back and wait for your answer?" Fu Zhangzhou tilted his head, looking at him. "You want me to go with them?"

Fang Ran nodded, then, fearing he might cause trouble again, added after a moment's thought, "You... don’t hurt anyone."

"Alright."

Fang Ran hadn’t expected him to agree so readily, as if without a second thought—docile, like an obedient student.

By then, Fu Zhangzhou had already stood up. Before getting out of the car, he turned back to look at Fang Ran once more.

The red glow in his eyes had faded considerably. The flickering lights cast shadows across his features, making his gaze seem even deeper, as if hinting at profound emotions.

"We’ll meet again soon."

"My Guide."

......

Fang Ran’s gaze drifted involuntarily out the window, his mind lost in the night along with the retreating figure of the Sentinel. Fu Zhangzhou’s words echoed in his thoughts.

"Because I only want you."

"My Guide."

He raised a hand to rub his face, as if trying to clear his head.

This man’s influence on him was more than he’d expected.

But so what?

Both "Fang Ran’s" memories and his own experiences told him that "destiny" was nothing but a bunch of lies.

What would happen if he met a more suitable Guide in the future?

Would he, like his former self’s ex-boyfriend, say, "Sorry, his compatibility rate is three percent higher"?

Fang Ran shook his head, slumping back in the seat as he stared out at the night.

He needed to be more clear-headed.