I Became the Alchemy Master by Picking Up Trash-Chapter 307 - 305: I Like You

These circumstances are roughly what Li Xing anticipated, but what she cares most about is the situation in Harass.

"What about the school? Are there any casualties among the teachers and students?"

"There were no deaths, and not many people were injured. Although quite a few teachers and students were controlled as puppets, luckily, the three big heads of Harass were not affected. Under their command, the clear-minded teachers and students managed to control most of the puppets. The most seriously injured students were those trapped under the collapsed training building during the battle, but they are now out of danger."

The military academy, which gathers the best Elemental Spirits from across the Qianyuan Continent, became a major disaster site for the parasitic three-eyed bugs.

Take Harssas Academy as an example, where seventy percent of students and teachers were infested by the three-eyed bugs. Before Mingzhen gave the order to attack weak spots, these puppets received instructions to indiscriminately attack civilians and Elemental Spirits, causing chaos.

With Luo Jun, Jin Hua, and Zhou Song as stabilizing forces, the teachers and students of Harass quickly reversed the situation, preventing the puppets from causing serious consequences. In fact, Harssas had the fewest number of puppets moving toward weak spots among all military academies.

Ye Qingting cleared his throat and continued, "After the incident, Yang Dawei took out all the Red and Blue Medicine in stock from the store, giving them away freely to those seriously injured in Harass City. He asked me to apologize to you, saying he’d deduct the losses from his dividends, and if one year isn’t enough, he’ll continue for two years until it’s paid off."

Li Xing smiled, "Look at that, even the miser is moved, I can’t be small-minded either. Let him do what he needs to do. In the face of national calamity, what’s a little personal gain worth? I probably won’t be able to refine any pills recently, so once the stock runs out, hire someone to make more. It just so happens that Ning Zhun and Ning Yao can take charge now, let them guide the newcomers."

Ye Qingting nodded, "Rest assured, I’ve got all these matters arranged."

Seeing the unmistakable fatigue on Li Xing’s face, Cui Tianxiao tugged at Ye Qingting’s sleeve, whispering:

"Ah Xing, after Qingting and I were released from puppet status, we haven’t reported to higher-ups yet. We won’t bother you for rest today, we’ll come to visit in a few days!"

Li Xing originally planned to have dinner with the three of them, but hearing Cui Tianxiao say so, she didn’t want to delay their important work. She prepared to see them off, but was stopped by the three in a flurry, asking her to rest properly.

Ye Qingting and the other two left the reception room, exchanged greetings with Chu Yunyi, and swiftly exited the Heaven-Reaching Tower.

Cui Tianxiao looked up at the sky, the splendid sunset reflecting onto his eyes until his tears were held back. He rubbed his nose and said in a hoarse voice:

"Xing Er has white hair now, that bastard Mingzhen really hurt her badly."

Ye Qingting sighed, even the thick-skinned Cui Tianxiao noticed Li Xing’s poor state, how could he not?

"Grandfather and others have reached the outskirts of the Dark Moon Forest, let’s hurry over there too. The more power we have, the greater our hope in finding the Boundary Heart Stone."

"Okay!"

——————

In an effort to save Li Xing, almost all the Elemental Spirits across the Qianyuan Continent searched for the location of the Boundary Heart Stone. Though vast, with so many people dispatched, some places of chaotic power were discovered. Unfortunately, after Li Xing’s confirmation, none were where the Boundary Heart Stone lay.

In the blink of an eye, the seven-day deadline was down to its last half day. Even if a miracle occurs now and the Boundary Heart Stone is found, with Li Xing’s weak state, she lacks the strength to absorb chaotic power.

As the deadline approached, Li Xing remained surprisingly calm, lying in a rocking chair serenely, counting stars one by one in the night sky.

Chu Yunyi stayed by Li Xing almost unfailingly over the past days, seeing her lost in thought gazing at a dim star, he asked, "Ah Xing, what are you thinking?"

Li Xing smirked slightly, her gaze tenderly saying, "I’m wondering which one of the many stars is Blue Star."

Li Xing turned to Chu Yunyi, whispering, "Chu Yunyi, I miss home."

Li Xing’s eyes remained clear, shimmering like myriad stars reflected in them.

"It is said that the soul stays at the Immortal Gaze Platform for a moment before reincarnation to glimpse their loved ones in this lifetime. If only it were true, I could see Blue Star again, see my parents and family. Sadly, I won’t have a chance to say goodbye."

Chu Yunyi’s heart felt as if it were torn, his eyes reddening, almost shedding tears.

"Don’t talk nonsense, you’re not going to die!"

Li Xing replied with a smile, "Even immortals face their decline, let alone me?"

Chu Yunyi’s hair fell, just touching the back of Li Xing’s hand. She turned her hand to grasp it, experiencing the touch of the hair greedily yet cautiously, as if through it she could feel Chu Yunyi’s exuberant life force.

Such a wonderful person, a pity I won’t see him anymore. Li Xing pursed her lips, lightly twirling the silky black hair between her fingers.

Chu Yunyi held Li Xing’s hand, once delicate and fair now aged like dry branches, wrinkled and spotted. Yet still he cradled it like precious treasure.

"Ah Xing, do you remember at the Chu Family clubhouse, you asked me if there was anything special I wanted to do before dying? I said I didn’t know, but actually, I lied."

"I particularly want to be with you! Even just quietly staying by your side makes me feel happy."

"But back then, my days were numbered, fearing my words would burden you, I hid this love in my heart."

"Now I don’t want to hide my feelings anymore, Ah Xing, I like you, I want to spend my life with you, would you—be willing?"

The sudden confession took Li Xing by surprise, her eyes wide open, Chu Yunyi meeting her glistening gaze, heart pounding wildly like a rabbit.

Seeing Chu Yunyi’s anxious and shy appearance, Li Xing’s heart softened completely, yet she shook her head: "I’m not willing, I can’t share my life with you."

Chu Yunyi’s grip on Li Xing’s hand tightened unconsciously, his voice revealing urgency: "If time could turn back and you weren’t like this, if I weren’t dying, would you be willing to be with me?"

Though sleepless for days, Chu Yunyi’s face remained exceptionally handsome. Having grown accustomed to this handsome face, Li Xing had to admit her tastes had grown picky. If she were to find a life partner, someone less appealing than Chu Yunyi wouldn’t suffice.

Ah, if only that were true.

With the kindness of someone at death’s doorstep, Li Xing decided to follow her heart: "If that were the case, why not give it a try!"

Chu Yunyi’s eyes lit up instantly, joyfully embracing Li Xing, his voice gentle as a spring breeze: "Ah Xing, I’m so happy! Thank you, thank you."

The warm embrace made Li Xing’s lids grow heavier, knowing this sleep would be a long and final one. She reluctantly succumbed to the exhaustion from her body’s decline.

In the final moment before darkness, Li Xing summoned all her strength to lean toward Chu Yunyi’s ear, whispering softly: "Chu Yunyi, don’t be sad for me..."

A tear rolled down Chu Yunyi’s cheek, his voice tender and assuring: "Don’t worry, I’m always here."