Chapter 122: Lin Shuang is "Sick"

"Does life have anything to do with this?" Xi Yan looked at Qing Yan, feeling utterly dejected. It was like suddenly becoming rich overnight, only to wake up and realize it was all a dream.

"Don't be too upset..." Qing Yan said, suppressing a smile as she looked at him.

Xi Yan sighed, deciding to stop dwelling on it; after all, there was no point in overthinking it.

"Ugh..."

At that moment, Lin Shuang, who had been unconscious on the side, suddenly let out a pained moan. Qing Yan immediately went to her side. "Lin Shuang, how are you feeling?"

"So hot... so uncomfortable..." Lin Shuang could barely open her eyes. She described her sensations in a muddled state, unable to remain fully conscious.

Hearing this, Qing Yan turned to Xi Yan with a puzzled look. "Her symptoms seem to be exactly the same as yours were just now. Did something happen?" Her gaze flickered between Lin Shuang and Xi Yan.

"I can't remember clearly. I think I felt much the same—just incredibly uncomfortable and feverish. Other than that... I have no impression," Xi Yan answered honestly.

This set Qing Yan to thinking, though she didn't forget to help lower Lin Shuang’s temperature using the same card she had used on Xi Yan. Under the effect of the card, Lin Shuang’s condition gradually stabilized until she finally drifted into a deep sleep.

Looking at the unconscious Lin Shuang, Qing Yan and Xi Yan began to speculate. "Do you think it could be the issue with that black crystal? After all, you two were the only ones who came into contact with it, weren't you?"

Xi Yan had considered this possibility, but ultimately dismissed it. He shook his head and replied, "I don't think so. Even if Kela wanted to kill Lin Shuang and me, he wouldn't need to use such methods."

Qing Yan nodded in agreement. While she didn't like Kela, she knew him to be a man who was always "upright and forthright." If Kela had a grudge, he never resorted to underhanded tactics; he always settled scores on the spot.

If it wasn't the black crystal, then what could it be?

Unlike Qing Yan, Xi Yan was currently thinking about himself. According to what she had said, no one had ever reacted like this after absorbing a black crystal. Could it be that his own "near-miss" ability was the cause? Could he have indirectly affected Lin Shuang?

After much hesitation, Xi Yan decided to share this thought with Qing Yan.

Qing Yan looked confused after hearing him out. She knew a little about his ability, but she thought it was related to luck, which shouldn't have anything to do with this...

"Are there any doctors here? Let's find one to check on Lin Shuang; I don't want her to suffer any lasting harm," Xi Yan suggested.

However, hearing his proposal, Qing Yan let out a cold laugh, which left Xi Yan bewildered. "What's wrong? Is there a problem with what I said?"

"What you said isn't wrong, but it’s unrealistic. Finding a doctor in the Land of Survival is harder than reaching the heavens. And even if you found one, they wouldn't necessarily treat you."

Xi Yan was stunned; he hadn't expected that he would one day find it impossible to locate a doctor.

"Then what about Lin Shuang? Are we just going to leave her be?" Xi Yan frowned.

Qing Yan sighed and looked at him as if he were a fool. "Have you forgotten about the little sprite I used to check your body earlier?"

"Ah... that... heh heh..." Xi Yan scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. *Sigh, it seems my IQ has suddenly taken a nosedive.*

Qing Yan ignored him and deactivated the card, then began to examine Lin Shuang. The result, however, caught her completely off guard: there was nothing wrong with Lin Shuang’s body.

But then, what was the cause of these symptoms?

"Qing Yan, how is it? You look so solemn," Xi Yan asked.

Qing Yan shook her head, sat down on the nearby sofa, and rolled her neck. "No issues. Lin Shuang is perfectly healthy."

"But then, her condition..."

"I suppose only those old monsters in the Main City would know what's going on; they are knowledgeable and experienced. Anyway, let’s stop talking about this. My card indicates that Lin Shuang is fine, which means she definitely isn't in any life-threatening danger."

Qing Yan changed the subject, fearing that Xi Yan might start asking about the Main City.

"I'm leaving now since there's nothing else to do. I’m taking Lin Shuang with me. You should get some rest; who knows what might happen tomorrow."

Without giving Xi Yan a chance to object, she hoisted Lin Shuang onto her back and left the room.

In an instant, the room felt empty. Xi Yan suddenly felt a sense of loneliness. He slumped onto the sofa, running his fingers through his hair, head bowed, lost in thought.

After a while, Xi Yan summoned A-Yuan. This time, she was wearing a white fluffy dress, but her complexion was pale, and she looked quite unwell.

Seeing her like this, Xi Yan asked with concern, "A-Yuan, what's wrong? Are you sick?"

A-Yuan forced a weak smile and replied listlessly, "Brother... have you ever seen a card get sick?"

"Then what is this..."

A-Yuan shook her head and sat on the sofa beside him. "I... it's nothing... I just didn't rest well."

Xi Yan didn't believe her. "A-Yuan, if you say cards don't get sick, then is there even such a thing as a card not resting well?"

Hearing his words, A-Yuan bit her lower lip, hesitating and failing to explain. Xi Yan gently stroked her head. "A-Yuan, you can tell me anything. Can't you trust me?"

"Of course not! A-Yuan trusts Brother the most," she said eagerly.

Xi Yan smiled at her. After a moment of hesitation, A-Yuan finally told him the truth. "I felt the space was very strange just now, and then... I became like this."

Her explanation was vague, so Xi Yan pressed on, "How exactly was the space strange?"

"The entire space suddenly became very oppressive and stifling, and then I felt the power within the space rapidly diminishing." A-Yuan paused, as if searching for the right words. "It was as if the power in the space wasn't enough for me to use, so my body became weak, and then it turned into what you see now." She nervously twisted her hands, worried that Xi Yan would be concerned for her.

"You mean the space suddenly felt stifling? I never asked you before, but does your space have a connection to me?" A realization dawned on Xi Yan.

A-Yuan nodded. "It does, Brother."