Chapter Ninety-Three: The Pursuing Man-Eating Flower

Qin Yu and her companions appeared to be quite relaxed along the way, at least on the surface. With Zhao Meng and Xia Cheng, two lively souls, constantly joking and making merry, the cheerful atmosphere made Qin Yu wonder if they were truly in the apocalypse, or simply enjoying a holiday in peaceful times.

Yet the desolate surroundings served as an ever-present reminder that this world had irrevocably changed.

“Xiao Yao, can’t you teach me some magic? You look so cool wielding that sword!” Zhao Meng leaned against Xia Cheng, speaking to Nangong Yao, who was busy inspecting himself in the mirror.

Nangong Yao glanced at her, his tone tinged with arrogance, “No.”

“Xiao Yao, you’re the coolest and the best! I won’t ask for too much, just teach me enough to cleave a third-tier zombie in half with one strike!” Zhao Meng pleaded with exaggerated flattery.

Qin Yu broke into a cold sweat. Wasn’t killing a third-tier zombie with a single blow a rather high demand?

Nangong Yao snorted, “The sect forbids passing on our arts to outsiders! Besides, with your talent—”

Zhao Meng grew anxious, “What’s wrong with my talent? I’m a rare gem, a one-in-ten-thousand prodigy! Fine, if you won’t teach me, just wait till my abilities strengthen. Then I’ll blast you to smithereens with a fireball!”

“You? You’d better practice for a few hundred more years,” Nangong Yao laughed.

“Alright! Xiao Yao, today I’ll show you what I’m capable of!” Zhao Meng declared as she lunged at Nangong Yao, her hands tickling him mercilessly.

Watching this, Xia Cheng’s eyes clouded over. When had her little Meng stopped seeing only him?

Qin Yu noticed Xia Cheng’s lowered head and silent contemplation, then glanced at Zhao Meng playfully tormenting Nangong Yao, who was begging for mercy. She sighed inwardly. It seemed she needed to have a talk with Zhao Meng soon.

Suddenly, Tao’s abrupt voice cut through their laughter. Everyone turned to her as she lifted her head and said, “Someone’s coming. Southeast.”

Qin Yu frowned, looking toward the southeast, but saw only barren wasteland. She trusted Tao, though, and seeing Tao’s certainty, Qin Yu realized Tao had broken through once again.

She spoke gravely, “Prepare for battle.” Then, gripping her dagger, she stared toward the southeast.

About two minutes later, several disheveled figures appeared from that direction. Qin Yu narrowed her eyes, observing them from several hundred meters away, her expression growing solemn.

The approaching group, seeing Qin Yu’s team still at a distance, began waving frantically and shouting, “Run! Run!”

Xia Cheng noted their gestures and said to Qin Yu, “They seem to be telling us to run?”

“I heard it too!” Zhao Meng replied seriously.

Qin Yu nodded in acknowledgment, but as they spoke, the group quickly closed the gap, stopping about fifty meters from Qin Yu.

Qin Yu’s eyes sharpened, her pupils contracting—it was Wang Bing and his men!

Wang Bing spotted Qin Yu and, gasping for breath, called out anxiously, “Boss Qin, run! There’s a man-eating flower behind us!”

Qin Yu did not move at his words. Though the man-eating flower was a tyrant among plants, transformed by the apocalypse and likely formidable, she believed that opportunity and danger went hand in hand. Her strength had grown, and with Nangong Yao, the great immortal, fortune outweighed peril this time. She wondered what the crystal core of a man-eating flower might look like.

Her companions, seeing Qin Yu unmoved, understood her intent and readied themselves for battle. Wang Bing and the others hurried to her side, and seeing their leader’s calm smile, felt instantly reassured. Wang Bing lowered his head and called out, “Boss Qin!”

Qin Yu nodded, signaling Wang Bing and his men to stand behind her. Then, they waited for the legendary man-eating flower.

A storm of dust swept toward them, within which a gigantic figure ambled forward. “Ambled” was not quite accurate, for each step it took was equivalent to dozens of theirs.

When the man-eating flower stopped about a hundred meters from Qin Yu’s group, everyone tensed, bracing for its attack.

But after a moment’s pause, as the dust settled, they finally saw its true form.

A massive flower head yawned wide, bubbles occasionally emerging from its maw. It shook itself, and somehow summoned water to cleanse the dust accumulated during its run.

Wang Bing watched as the flower, now washed clean, looked fresh and radiant, its mouth agape. But what followed left him utterly dumbfounded.

Apparently satisfied with its cleanliness, the man-eating flower shook off the water droplets, then transformed—turning into a little girl wearing a red belly band and sporting two pigtails!

The girl dashed toward Qin Yu’s group, or more precisely, toward Nangong Yao, who was already gaping in shock.

As she ran, she cried out happily, “Master Nangong, mwah mwah! Ruoruo missed you so much!”

Nangong Yao felt a sudden weight—Ruoruo had leapt onto his neck, smothering his face with saliva.

He hurriedly pulled her away, trembling, “You—you died, didn’t you? The kind of death with soul and spirit scattered.”

Ruoruo counted on her fingers, then looked up wide-eyed, “I died, then came back to life! Hehe, Master, Ruoruo missed you, mwah mwah!” With that, she clambered back onto his neck, showering his face with kisses.

Nangong Yao’s face darkened as he addressed the others, “I need to speak privately with this creature. Do as you please!” With that, he dragged Ruoruo aside.

Zhao Meng twitched her lips, “The man-eating flower lives up to its reputation—truly a face-devouring fiend! But it’s the first time I’ve ever seen Xiao Yao’s face so dark—hilarious!”

Xia Cheng, seeing Zhao Meng’s gaze fixed on Nangong Yao, walked over, wrapped an arm around her waist, and whispered, “Wife, I need to talk to you too. Let’s go over there.” With that, he led Zhao Meng away.

Qin Yu, Tao, Wang Bing, and the remaining group exchanged glances. Qin Yu was the first to speak, “Eat something first, then tell me about your recent situation.” As she spoke, she handed out food.

Wang Bing and the others nodded eagerly and began devouring the food—they had been starving for far too long. With Boss Qin here, they could finally eat their fill. It was wonderful!

Qin Yu observed their bedraggled state, her eyes swirling with emotion. She did not believe that a single man-eating flower could drive them to such desperation, and knowing Wang Bing’s temperament, he would never allow a sentient flower to relentlessly pursue him. Was there some misunderstanding behind all this?