Chapter 75 Do You Want to Come In and See?

Chapter 75: Care to Step Inside?

The two were still playfully bickering when they suddenly noticed Wen Qi, who had been seated by the door, rise to his feet.

He had spent the entire afternoon performing emergency purifications and seemed to be seeking a moment of relaxation.

Fang Ran watched as Wen Qi stretched his shoulders and neck a few times before slowly ambling towards them.

"What are you two discussing? You both seem quite amused."

The corners of his eyes curved slightly, a hint of laughter dancing within them, like a person brimming with curiosity, casually introducing a topic to join their conversation.

Fang Ran and Zhong Wan ceased their playful antics and exchanged a glance.

"Oh, just some… harmless jokes," Zhong Wan replied.

"Is that so?" Wen Qi smiled gently, then leaned over the coffee table in front of the sofa to pick up a nutrient supplement.

He unscrewed the cap, and the green liquid swirled within the glass bottle.

Wen Qi tilted his head back and chugged it down.

"Isn't that a nutrient drink specifically for Sentinels?" Zhong Wan asked, intrigued.

Wen Qi paused briefly, then offered another smile. "I personally prefer this flavor."

He then turned his head to gaze out the floor-to-ceiling window, sighing, "The battle today is truly fierce. It still hasn't concluded."

"Indeed," Fang Ran echoed.

He, too, directed his gaze towards the vast expanse of ocean outside.

Flashes of explosive energy erupted intermittently, and the roars and snarls of monsters rose and fell in a cacophony.

It seemed Fu Zhangzhou had been held up somewhere.

As he was lost in thought, Wen Qi's voice suddenly reached his ear.

"Hello, my name is Wen Qi. May I know your name?"

Huh?

Fang Ran turned his head and realized Wen Qi had actually seated himself beside him.

This had originally been Fang Liyu's spot, left vacant after logistics had called her away earlier.

Wen Qi's smile was gentle, his eyes clear and guileless, betraying not a hint of malice.

Fang Ran was momentarily stunned before responding, "I'm Fang Ran."

"Guide Fang Ran," Wen Qi extended his hand, "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"It's a pleasure... to meet you too, Guide Wen Qi." Fang Ran also extended his hand.

Wen Qi's hand was slightly larger than his and remarkably firm.

Fang Ran's heart inexplicably skipped a beat, and his gaze instinctively returned to the face of the person before him.

There was no beauty mark beneath this person's left eye.

Though his features were strikingly handsome, a sharp edge lay concealed beneath his gentle demeanor.

Ever since Wen Qi had appeared, Fang Ran had been comparing him to the protagonist in the book, but as of yet, nothing significant stood out.

In any case, it was always better to be cautious.

Zhong Wan and Zhao Fan also exchanged names with Wen Qi one after another. Shen Ke, who already knew him, simply observed from the sidelines without uttering a word.

By this point, most of the Sentinels in the room had completed their purification and departed, and many of the idle Guides had also gathered around.

To Fang Ran's surprise, Wen Qi proved to be quite adept at enlivening the atmosphere.

Under his guidance, many Guides began to speak freely, sharing amusing anecdotes about headquarters or the Sentinels around them, and the room gradually grew more animated.

On several occasions, the conversation veered towards Fang Ran, but he merely smiled and skillfully deflected with a word or two.

"Guide Fang Ran, you seem distracted," Wen Qi suddenly turned and asked, "Could it be... you're waiting for someone?"

Just as Fang Ran was about to respond, he caught sight of a familiar figure at the door out of the corner of his eye.

Fu Zhangzhou stepped into the room.

His hair was somewhat disheveled, but his combat uniform had been changed and was relatively neat, though there were still traces of blood on his left arm.

"Are you injured?" Fang Ran frowned, abruptly springing up from the sofa.

Fu Zhangzhou looked at him, his gaze flickering restlessly, but he offered no reply.

Fang Ran's heart tightened, and he quickly strode over to the Sentinel.

Fu Zhangzhou still carried the fierce, battle-hardened aura of someone who had just emerged from combat, mingled with the distinct scent of blood. He was as sharp as a blade.

Many Guides in the room recoiled, seemingly intimidated by the oppressive aura emanating from him.

Fang Ran, however, was accustomed to it by now, but he still had to consider others' feelings, so he led the Sentinel to the farthest corner to sit down.

Zhong Wan then approached, carrying a medical kit.

He handed it to Fang Ran. "Let's just do a quick patch-up for now."

"Thank you."

Fang Ran took it and glanced at the Sentinel again.

"If you're injured, why didn't you go to the medical team or a healer first?"

Fu Zhangzhou still remained silent, only staring at him with an intense gaze.

Fang Ran sighed and didn't press further. He lowered his head, opened the medical kit, and retrieved some basic disinfecting and bandaging supplies.

A cotton ball soaked in alcohol glided across the Sentinel's arm.

The blood wiped away instantly, revealing no wound underneath. His skin was even smoother than Fang Ran's own.

"......"

Zhong Wan, who had been trying to stifle a laugh, walked away, chuckling to himself. Fang Ran's hand paused, and he slowly returned the supplies to the medical kit.

"Fu Zhangzhou, you're not injured? Why didn't you say so earlier?"

The Sentinel shifted, leaning closer to his ear, and whispered softly, "Because the way you worry about me... is truly beautiful."

"......"

"Fu Zhangzhou!" Fang Ran pinched his arm hard. "You are truly... impossible."

"You two," Wen Qi walked over at that moment. "Do you need any assistance?"

He glanced at their intertwined hands and continued,

"If Sentinel Fu Zhangzhou needs to return to the scene... I can help."

"Emergency purification can be done with two Guides working together..."

"No need!"

"Not needed."

They spoke in unison.

Fang Ran looked up at Wen Qi, but Fu Zhangzhou remained motionless, not even sparing him a glance.

"Alright then." Wen Qi nodded, unfazed by their attitude, still smiling as he said, "If you need anything, feel free to call on me anytime."

With that, he walked away, surprisingly taking Fang Ran's original seat, seemingly intending to strike up a conversation with Zhong Wan.

Fang Ran withdrew his gaze and glared at Fu Zhangzhou.

"What took you so long to get back?"

The Sentinel tilted his head. "I was delayed... by some unimportant individuals."

Unimportant individuals?

Was he referring to Lu Wenshan?

That guy had been competing with someone earlier, setting off explosions across the sea.

Judging by the situation, he was probably having a spat with Lu Wenshan.

Their behavior in the elevator this morning was already somewhat childish—I truly don't understand the thought processes of these Sentinels.

"Aren't you afraid of going berserk... releasing your energy so recklessly?"

"Berserk?"

Fu Zhangzhou's gaze slowly roamed over his face, and he curled his lip.

"Fang Ran, it's been a long time since you last entered my Spiritual Sea, hasn't it?"

"Huh?"

Fang Ran was slightly taken aback by the question.

It truly had been a long time.

The last time he purified him was back in that wild cave.

At that time, because the Sentinel had forcibly burned his Spiritual Sea, it was like a wasteland, permeated by a desolate, scorched scent.

Had this person's Spiritual Sea undergone a change during this time?

"Fang Ran."

The Sentinel shifted again, moving a little closer to him.

They were now seated extremely close, and the Sentinel's gaze lingered on his face.

"Care to step inside and see?"

His voice was both tempting and inviting.

Fang Ran nodded instinctively.