Chapter 129 Something Is Different

Chapter 129 Something Has Changed

As Fu Zhangzhou recalled Fang Ran's demeanor in the car earlier today, he couldn't help but grin.

Something has changed.

Not only their relationship, but Fang Ran's attitude toward him has also shifted.

Even though he sometimes remains stubborn with his words, deep down, he’s actually very attached.

The look in his eyes when they parted—flustered, reluctant, yet full of longing and dependence—it made it hard for him to walk away; he completely didn't want to leave.

His possessiveness was immensely satisfied, and a wild urge clamored inside him.

*Go back.*

*Now.*

Right now, Fu Zhangzhou only wants to return to Fang Ran's side as soon as possible.

He grinned smugly at Lu Wenchuan, "Didn't Zhong Wan send you a message?"

"......"

"Man, that won't do. You gotta stay close to him day-to-day. What if your guide runs away on you? If he doesn't message you, you should take the initiative and message him. Haven’t you picked that up after all I’ve taught you?"

"......"

"I'm leaving. If Lu Wenshan asks, just tell him my energy is depleted and I need to go back for Purification."

Lu Wenchuan paused, somewhat shocked, and said, "Fu Zhangzhou, but you’ve only been here for an hour."

Who would believe that a *3S Sentinel’s* energy could be depleted in just an hour?

Fu Zhangzhou tilted his head, "So what? My condition is often unstable—doesn’t he know that already? When a Sentinel’s condition is unstable, of course, he’s gotta go back to his guide."

He turned to leave but suddenly halted mid-step.

Huh?

Some very faint sounds, accompanied by almost undetectable energy waves, reached his ears. His Sentinel instincts immediately reacted.

These might go completely unnoticed by others, but the senses of an S-class Sentinel are extremely acute.

Fu Zhangzhou didn’t turn around but shot Lu Wenchuan a sidelong glance.

Lu Wenchuan had clearly noticed it too and gave a slight nod in response.

In an instant.

The ground behind them suddenly cracked, a web of cracks spreading rapidly in all directions.

Lu Wenchuan quickly crouched down, pressing one hand lightly against the ground. Bluish-white ice energy emanated from his palm, coiling around a nearby fir tree’s trunk like a swift serpent.

At the same time, countless tentacle-like roots burst from the soil, jabbing ferociously toward the two, carrying mud and stones.

Fu Zhangzhou turned, a flaming sword forming in his hand. With a single slash, sparks sprayed everywhere.

*Crack!*

A huge clump of the writhing roots got lopped off, falling to the ground and twitching helplessly.

The Sentinel’s eyes flashed as he slammed the sword into the ground.

*Boom!*

Red flames burst from the fissures, followed by thick, billowing black smoke rising from within.

The roots thrashed wildly but, surrounded by the Sentinel’s raging energy, had nowhere left to run.

The flames rapidly spread along the cracks to the trunk wrapped in icy energy.

The conflicting forces of ice and fire violently fought for control over the trunk until, finally—*Boom! Craack!!!*

The trunk exploded, tilting and crashing to the ground with a loud thud, kicking up clouds of dust.

Fu Zhangzhou brushed the wood chips off his shoulder. "Damn nuisance."

Lu Wenchuan stood up and headed over to the trunk.

Beneath the frost-covered bark, a layer of green, oozing substance had solidified.

"This monster... tried to attack us with poison first, then with the roots."

Fu Zhangzhou walked over upon hearing this. "It actually used a feint?"

The two exchanged a glance, both seeing the same doubt in each other's eyes.

Generally, *mutated plants* aren’t as cunning as animals; they mostly attack based on instinct.

This tree monster attacking them was somewhat out of the ordinary.

Fu Zhangzhou kicked the fallen trunk. "Back out in the wilds of DT332, I was once trapped in a forest for several hours."

"The magnetic field there is peculiar, and these kinds of fir trees are everywhere."

"You suspect this tree came from there?" Lu Wenchuan asked.

Fu Zhangzhou glanced at the fissure not far away. "Could be, but it could also be controlled by someone."

Lu Wenchuan looked down and pulled up his terminal. "According to the data Huayan just submitted, they grow five types of mutant plants here, but *mutated spruce* isn’t among them."

"Mm, let’s clean this up first."

Fu Zhangzhou casually released a burst of energy.

Flames immediately burst over the trunk, rapidly turning it to ash and embers.

Just then, the rush of footsteps grew closer.

Two teams showed up in quick succession.

Lu Wenshan, accompanied by several Lu family Sentinels, hurried over.

Cui Ming and his Guardians Team C were trailing right behind them.

Lu Wenshan’s eyes coldly scanned the pile of charred ashes on the ground.

*"Is it over?"*

"We detected strong energy fluctuations as we passed by, so we came to check," said Cui Ming behind him.

"It's over," Lu Wenchuan replied. "This mutated spruce suddenly attacked us, but it's been dealt with."

Lu Wenshan frowned. "But the mutated plants cultivated by Hua Yan don’t include mutated spruces."

"It could have been infected by other mutated plants," Cui Ming chimed in. "I work with mutated plants often, and that does happen."

"I don’t have time to discuss this with you," Fu Zhangzhou said impatiently. "Lu Wenshan, I’m out of energy and need to go back to rest and undergo purification."

"Fu Zhangzhou, the field cleanup has only just begun," Lu Wenshan clearly disapproved.

"No choice," Fu Zhangzhou shrugged, with a 'what-are-you-gonna-do-about-it' look. "If I snap, I’d be far more terrifying than these monsters. We could all end up dead today."

With that, he turned and left, completely ignoring Lu Wenshan’s frosty, skeptical stare.

"Fu Zhangzhou!"

Lu Wenshan took a step forward, about to chase after him, but was stopped by his brother.

Lu Wenchuan looked at him seriously. "Brother, I’m out of energy too. I request to return to the guides’ waiting area for purification."

Lu Wenshan: "......"

Meanwhile, in the mountain foot cabin.

"Fang Ran, your face is still so red," Zhong Wan frowned, seeing his friend fidgeting and uncomfortable. "I think you have a fever."

......

"How about this—I’ll go with you to the medical team to get some medicine."

"No need," Fang Ran waved his hand. "I’ll just rinse my face with cold water."

As he stood up, he immediately got Lu Wenbai’s attention.

"Guide Fang Ran, are you going out?" He paused. "Why is your face so red?"

"......"

"I’m fine. I’ll just go wash up."

"Should I come with you?" Lu Wenbai asked nervously.

Fang Ran glanced at Shen Ke, who was pale and resting in the corner, then shook his head.

"No, I can go by myself. Keep watch over them."

With that, he walked out of the lounge.

The lounge was located in a corner with not many people coming through, and the hallway was empty at that moment.

Fang Ran looked around, spotted the bathroom, and was heading that way.

Suddenly, someone grabbed his wrist.

Someone came up behind him.