You’ve Pissed Me Off

Watching the mysterious and slightly unhinged girl disappear into the mist, Qin Gou stood in silence for a long time.

What a person full of stories, he thought.

Glancing at the crimson strand of hair in his hand, he noticed it still pointed in a general direction, occasionally shifting slightly. It seemed Gu Feiyan and her group were still moving, though not in a hurry. This likely meant they hadn’t encountered any major danger.

Summoning his Dreamwalker Lantern in one hand and holding a high-grade spirit stone and the crimson hair in the other, Qin Gou sighed deeply and continued his journey.

—

“Ah! It’s… the Stone Spirit!”

“No, don’t kill me!”

“The Stone Spirit is here! Run!”

“Mercy, Stone Spirit!”

—

The next few encounters left Qin Gou both amused and exasperated. Each time he thought a fight was inevitable, his opponents would take one look at his face and flee in terror. Qin Gou, ever the opportunist, played along, adopting a stiff, emotionless expression and even letting out a few eerie howls. It worked like a charm, scaring them senseless.

I guess this is a blessing in disguise? he thought.

—

Suddenly, the crimson hair in his hand began shifting directions rapidly. Qin Gou’s eyes narrowed in alarm. In the gray mist maze, Gu Feiyan was undoubtedly one of the strongest. The only thing that could force her into such a panicked retreat was… the Stone Spirit.

Throwing caution to the wind, Qin Gou sprouted two green leaf-like wings and raced toward Gu Feiyan’s location.

***

“Damn it!”

Blood trickled from the corner of Gu Feiyan’s mouth. Her eyes glowed a dreamy pink, her black whip now shortened by a significant portion. Behind her stood Liu Ying, holding a vase-shaped life-bound spiritual tool. A steady stream of blue energy flowed from the vase into Gu Feiyan, replenishing her spiritual energy.

Not far away, the Stone Spirit loomed, exuding a chilling aura. Its voice was dry and raspy as it spoke: “Your mom… dead.”

“You bastard! How can a Stone Spirit even insult people?!” Gu Feiyan snapped, gritting her teeth. “So rude. The real Qin Gou would never say something so vulgar!”

Though he’s pretty shameless when it comes to scaring people off, she added silently.

Despite its dull demeanor, the Stone Spirit’s attacks were swift and deadly. A powerful punch shot toward Gu Feiyan. While her Piercing Illusion Eyes allowed her to predict its movements and dodge, the Stone Spirit’s speed far exceeded her expectations.

—

“Buzz!”

A silver pendant on Gu Feiyan’s chest emitted a blinding light, absorbing the brunt of the Stone Spirit’s attack before shattering. Even so, the force sent Gu Feiyan flying like a broken kite. She spat blood, her eyes dimming with despair.

—

“Little Yan!”

Qin Gou arrived just in time to see Gu Feiyan struck down. His voice cracked with rage and panic as he called out to her.

Gu Feiyan turned toward him, her voice trembling. “Stone Spirit? No… Qin Gou! Qin Gou, don’t come closer! Run! Get out of here! You’ll die if you stay!”

The Stone Spirit, however, ignored Qin Gou. Its cold, mechanical gaze remained fixed on Gu Feiyan as it raised its hand for a lethal strike.

—

“No!”

Qin Gou roared, his heart breaking. Channeling every ounce of his spiritual energy, he dashed forward like a shadow in the wind, placing himself between Gu Feiyan and the Stone Spirit.

A Senluo Seed transformed into a Spring Grass at lightning speed, but it wasn’t fast enough. With a sickening squelch, blood sprayed everywhere, staining Gu Feiyan’s vision and her tears.

Qin Gou’s right arm was severed at the shoulder, the limb flying through the air. The Spring Grass finally activated, pushing Qin Gou, Gu Feiyan, and Liu Ying away from the Stone Spirit.

“Idiot!” Gu Feiyan cried, cradling Qin Gou’s fallen body. Tears streamed down her face as she sobbed, “Your arm! I told you to run! Why didn’t you listen? Do you want to die with me?!”

“You’re crying,” Qin Gou said weakly, his voice tinged with wonder. “It’s the first time I’ve seen you cry. You look surprisingly beautiful when you cry.”

Gu Feiyan’s tears fell like rain as she choked on her sobs. “I told you to leave! Why didn’t you listen?”

“Leave?” Qin Gou smiled gently. “How could I leave? You’re here.”

“Idiot,” Gu Feiyan muttered, wiping her tears and forcing a smile. She wanted to leave him with a perfect image of her. “You’re still trying to act cool at a time like this.”

“How cool? Am I super cool?” Qin Gou teased, blood dripping from his mouth.

Through her sorrow, Gu Feiyan let out a soft, bittersweet laugh. Holding him tighter, she whispered, “You couldn’t be cooler.”

—

The Stone Spirit’s footsteps grew louder, signaling its approach.

Qin Gou looked up at the emotionless creature. Gently wiping the tears from Gu Feiyan’s face, he said, “Now, let me show you something even cooler.”

“Who gave you permission to hurt her?”

Though bloodied and battered, Qin Gou’s sharp gaze radiated an unyielding authority, reminiscent of the revered master of Arc Moon Mountain. Even lying on the ground, he exuded a commanding presence, as if he were looking down from the heavens.

“You bastard. You’ve really pissed me off this time.”

—

As the Stone Spirit charged, Qin Gou raised his legs. His plain black boots gleamed with a blinding light as he shouted, “Divine Speed Boots, self-destruct!”

—

“Boom!”

The explosion was deafening, shaking the entire gray mist maze as if the world were collapsing. The eerie fog was torn apart by an invisible, godlike force, leaving nothing behind.

Everyone in the maze was thrown to the ground by an overwhelming shockwave, their cries of pain echoing through the air.

A faint, unstable voice—Forgotten Self’s remnant soul—resounded.

“Due to… unknown reasons… the Stone Spirit has been… completely destroyed… The second trial… ends prematurely…”