Transmigrated into a Total Shou Novel as a Cannon Fodder, but Ended Up 1v1-ing the Male Lead | Chapter 73 | A Modern Illusion | Novela.app

“It’s you!” Duan Mingyu cried out in surprise as he recognized Du Zhi’s face. “Huh? You know me? Who the hell are you!” Du Zhi asked suspiciously, stepping in front of Qi Xuan’er to shield her. Duan Mingyu choked on his words. Indeed, back then, he and this youth had only crossed paths briefly and exchanged a few words before being interrupted by Nie Shiyun; they hadn't even exchanged names. But seeing the other party now standing resolutely against him for the sake of the Qi sisters—and even having no memory of him at all—he couldn't explain why his heart felt so heavy. Seeing that the other man didn't answer, Du Zhi became even more convinced that he had mistaken him for someone else. He decisively summoned the Golden Neon Blade and the Golden Light Mirror—treasures he had refined himself during the entrance trial for the Yunqing Pavilion—and launched an attack on the trio. “Watch out!” Rong Lü grabbed Duan Mingyu, who had frozen for some reason, and pulled him back just in time to dodge the golden blade that swept past like a bolt of lightning. He held Duan Mingyu as they retreated to a safe distance. “Ah, thank you...” Duan Mingyu snapped back to his senses. Realizing he had nearly been hit by Du Zhi’s fierce attack, he felt even more aggrieved. “Du Zhi, don't you remember me? I helped you once back at the Cultivation Conference. You should know I’m not a bad person! I had no intention of starting a fight with Qi Miaohan. She was the one who started it... she called me a... a harlot for no reason...” Duan Mingyu hesitated, seemingly finding the word too difficult to utter, only managing to force it out after a struggle. Du Zhi gave him a bizarre look, and after a long moment, he finally recalled something. “Oh, it’s you! You’re that guy who seemed really popular. But so what?” “...” Seeing the lack of concern in Du Zhi's eyes, Duan Mingyu was left speechless. Ignoring the two of them, Xu Yehua raised his Crimson Yin Double-Bladed Polearm and charged forward. He asked with a sneer of contempt, “The few of you aren't enough to make a difference. Where is that Nie Shiyun hiding?” Just as Qi Xuan’er was agonizing over how to respond, Qi Miaohan, who had taken the opportunity to swallow a Spirit-Restoring Pill, immediately roared, “None of your damn business!” She wiped the blood from her face. The falling snow stung her wounds, making her grit her teeth in pain. However, as the pill took effect, her wounds began to heal along with her recovering spiritual power. Qi Miaohan quickly lunged forward again, whip in hand. “Sister, be careful!” Qi Xuan’er called out. As Qi Miaohan looked back, Xuan’er gave her a meaningful look, signaling her not to get bogged down in the fight and to take any chance to escape. The two sisters didn't need words to understand each other. Qi Xuan’er held her Emerald Sword for self-defense, but she primarily stayed in the rear, casting Earth Prison techniques to coordinate with Du Zhi and Qi Miaohan, helping them pin down their opponents. They didn't need to worry about Du Zhi; he held his own against Xu Yehua without falling into a disadvantage. Perhaps fueled by a small desire to show off in front of his crush, he fought with increasing vigor. Xu Yehua was exceptionally infuriated that he was actually being held back by a half-demon cultivator like Du Zhi. He cursed inwardly; it seemed that ever since the Cultivation Conference, nothing had gone his way. If this continued, everyone would be stepping over his head! Seeing Xu Yehua’s mounting rage and noticing that Duan Mingyu in the rear seemed to be dazed for some reason, Qi Xuan’er seized the moment. She raised a several-foot-high earth wall between the two parties. Qi Miaohan was already prepared; she grabbed Qi Xuan’er and pulled her onto her Lotus Platform, shouting to Du Zhi, “Let’s go!” Du Zhi had no personal grudge against the trio and naturally had no desire to linger. He turned and retreated, acting as the rearguard for the sisters. Xu Yehua shattered the earth wall in a few strikes, cursing the Foundation Establishment junior for using such annoying little tricks. He was about to pull out a flying magical treasure to give chase when he heard Duan Mingyu’s voice dissuading him. “Forget it. She didn't really want to kill me. It was just a verbal spat; let’s not drive them to a dead end...” Xu Yehua frowned. “If we defeat her, that Glacial Sword will be yours. Didn't you like it very much? Didn't you feel it should have belonged to you? It’s a perfect opportunity, so why not take it?” “This...” Duan Mingyu was actually a bit moved by the idea, but he still felt it was morally unjustifiable. Seeing his hesitation, Rong Lü spoke up. “Never mind. Whatever Mingyu wants, we’ll just find something similar and better. There’s no need to snatch second-hand goods from that madwoman.” Seeing that these two had no heart for a pursuit, Xu Yehua hesitated before finally giving up. So much time had been wasted that they likely wouldn't catch up anyway. “Phew... we should be safe now,” Du Zhi reported after sweeping the area with his divine sense. After flying for over a kilometer in one breath and seeing that no one was following, the three finally slowed down. “Sister! You...!” The first thing Qi Xuan’er did was glare at Qi Miaohan with fury in her eyes. “I know, I know, I was too careless...” Qi Miaohan felt incredibly guilty, rarely bowing her head in submission. “How did you two even end up fighting them?” Du Zhi asked curiously. Qi Miaohan took a sharp breath as she looked at Qi Xuan’er’s stern face, then recounted the events from start to finish. “...So you see, it wasn't entirely my fault. Right...?” Hearing her story, Du Zhi nodded hesitantly. Qi Miaohan indeed hadn't done anything truly excessive, though her provocations were certainly real. Qi Xuan’er remained silent for a long time. When Qi Miaohan and Du Zhi looked at her lowered head, they were shocked to find that she was silently weeping. “Senior Sister Xuan’er...! It’s okay now!” Du Zhi hurriedly tried to wipe her tears, but then realized his sleeves were filthy. He searched his person but couldn't find a handkerchief or anything of the sort, feeling a wave of regret. “Sister, you knew you were outnumbered, so why couldn't you just back down? You’re strong, but you’re not invincible! If I hadn't come to this secret realm, if Senior Brother hadn't given us these bracelets, if Du Zhi hadn't arrived... would you really have let him kill you like that...” Recalling the situation just now, Qi Xuan’er was filled with lingering fear, unable to stop herself from sobbing and complaining. “Xuan’er...” A trace of genuine remorse finally appeared in Qi Miaohan’s voice. Du Zhi looked between the two, hating his own clumsiness and lack of words to comfort them. After a while, he interjected awkwardly, “Let’s find a safe place to rest and recover first. Look on the bright side—so many coincidences lined up today! Doesn't that mean the Heavens are looking out for us?” Qi Xuan’er finally stopped her tears and nodded vigorously. “You’re right. It’s all thanks to you this time. Let’s not delay; let’s go.” The group traveled for several more days until they found a hidden cave. They sat down to check the damage to their magical treasures and took pills to treat their injuries. Once Qi Xuan’er had finally calmed down, she looked through the communication crystals in her storage bracelet. Remembering something, she said to the other two, “Sister, Du Zhi, I’m actually a bit worried.” “About what?” Qi Xuan’er sighed. “In my haste earlier, I sent a distress signal to Senior Brother via a communication crystal. He didn't reply immediately, and I thought maybe he was busy or in the middle of cultivation. But so many days have passed...” “You’re worried... he’s in danger?” Qi Miaohan frowned. But when it came to danger, they all knew that Nie Shiyun had already reached the Great Perfection of the Golden Core stage before entering the realm. They truly couldn't imagine what could put him in peril. Qi Xuan’er nodded hesitantly. “My tone was extremely panicked back then. If Senior Brother heard it, there’s no way he would remain silent.” The three fell into a momentary silence. Having just escaped a fight with Duan Mingyu’s group only to receive such unsettling news, everyone felt a bit melancholy. “He’s very capable. He’ll definitely be fine,” Qi Miaohan said softly after a while. “I hope so...” Qi Xuan’er nodded. Even if they wanted to search for him, they had no idea where to start. Furthermore, they had now made enemies of Duan Mingyu’s group and had to be even more cautious. For now, they could only hope it was a false alarm and that their Senior Brother would reply in a few days. ... “Ugh...” Nie Shiyun’s sleep was restless. A sudden flash of light pierced his vision, making him knit his brows. He clearly hadn't had enough sleep and felt incredibly drowsy, yet he couldn't sleep any longer. *Beep-beep-beep-beep—* Nie Shiyun rolled over, fumbling around until he finally grabbed his phone from the nightstand and habitually silenced the alarm. “...!” Nie Shiyun suddenly sat up, startled awake from his dream. He looked at the familiar room and the familiar ceiling, feeling that something was off. It felt as though he had forgotten something today. The sound of footsteps approached, and the slightly ajar door was pushed open. Nie Shiyun turned his head. Zhai Bairong entered in a bit of a hurry, adjusting his tie as he picked up his briefcase. Seeing Nie Shiyun’s dazed expression, he asked, “Not fully awake yet? Even if your company is closer than mine, it’s about time you got up.” “Ah, yeah. I think I slept myself into a stupor.” Nie Shiyun yawned and threw back the covers, catching a glimpse of the alarm memo on his phone: *“Early meeting today.”* “Crap, crap.” Nie Shiyun was now fully awake and scrambled out of bed. “I’ve already hung your clothes on the back of the chair for you. I have to head out now.” Zhai Bairong watched his rare moment of panic with an amused smile and walked over. Nie Shiyun understood and leaned in for a natural, practiced kiss. “See you tonight.” “Yeah, see you tonight.” As always, the two bid each other farewell before heading to work. Nie Shiyun glanced at the memo on his phone again, thinking that it was indeed the early meeting that had made him so restless in his sleep. After a hurried wash, he ate a few bites of the breakfast Zhai Bairong had left on the dining table, grabbed his car keys, and headed straight for the garage.