Chapter 11: She Surely Didn't Mean to Harm Me

Panic paralyzed Gu Sihui's limbs; she thought she was going to die.

No one noticed a pale golden begonia flower quietly blooming within Gu Sihui’s wide-set pupils. Its vibrant petals unfurled in layers, and a formidable psychic force, obeying its master’s will, instantly shattered the exotic beast's entire mental system.

The beast, drooling as it stared greedily at Gu Sihui and Dai Yeliu, bared its blade-like teeth—razor-sharp fangs capable of slicing through a human’s fragile neck with ease.

Is this the end again?

Tears welled up in Gu Sihui’s eyes, staining her eyelids red.

"Boom—"

The beast’s massive body crashed heavily to the ground, coinciding with the shout of Bai Nanyan.

"Little Liu, don't be afraid! I'm here to save you!"

***

Bai Nanyan had long since completed her Level 3 pharmacist assessment. With the system’s help, she had infiltrated the Level 5 pharmacist exam hall, silently waiting for the perfect moment to appear.

Watching Dai Yeliu pick up the Four-Life Grass and place it into the medicine pot just as the plot dictated, Bai Nanyan curled her lips into a smirk of anticipation.

When the beast went berserk, that idiot Gu Sihui would surely just stand there screaming like a fool, providing the perfect contrast to her own heroism.

Bai Nanyan held her breath, her eyes filled with malice as she looked at Gu Sihui—*You fool, just spend your whole life being the stepping stone for my happy ending!*

【System, redeem an offensive item.】 Bai Nanyan commanded.

The system replied coldly: 【An offensive item costs 30 points. You currently have only 1 point; redemption is impossible.】

【What?】 Bai Nanyan pulled back the step she had taken, her face darkening. 【Then why did you give me this mission? Do you want me to throw my life away?】

【The host can redeem a basic sedative, which can control the beast for about five seconds.】 the system suggested.

Bai Nanyan rolled her eyes: 【What can I do in five seconds?】

【If the host has a better plan, feel free to resolve it yourself.】 the system replied.

Bai Nanyan: ...

She was fuming, but she was powerless against the system. If she truly severed their bond, she would have no support at all in this dangerous world.

【Redeem it!】 After several deep breaths, Bai Nanyan squeezed the words through her teeth.

【Redemption successful.】

Following the system’s prompt, a crumpled paper bag containing the sedative—a crudely manufactured product—appeared in Bai Nanyan’s hand.

Having spent her last precious point on such a shoddy item, Bai Nanyan wanted to cough up blood, but she held it in. She consoled herself: *It’s fine. Once I save Dai Yeliu and complete this conquest, will I be short on points?*

***

【Host, why did you stop?】 the system asked, puzzled by Bai Nanyan’s sudden halt.

【Wait a moment longer.】

Bai Nanyan gazed ahead.

There, a heart-stopping scene was unfolding: The massive beast had smashed through the iron cage, its shadow looming like a mountain, suffocating Dai Yeliu and Gu Sihui. Compared to the beast, the two of them were as insignificant as plankton in the water.

Gu Sihui did not freeze in terror as Bai Nanyan had expected. Instead, she immediately identified the source of the danger and bravely lunged toward Dai Yeliu, trying to pull her away to safety.

But the beast was too large and too fast. Its oppressive shadow followed them like a curse; no matter how they ran or where they went, they could not escape that dark expanse.

With a single leap, the beast blocked their only path of escape. The floor shattered under its weight, and its sharp claws gouged into the hard bricks. It opened its massive maw, and foul, stinking drool rained down.

Excitement surged in Bai Nanyan’s eyes—*Hurry, eat her! Eat Gu Sihui!*

【Host, a friendly reminder: Gu Sihui is an important supporting female lead in this novel. Her premature exit won't benefit you.】 the system warned: 【If you lose your foil too early, your protagonist halo might fade along with her.】

【Got it, I’m moving now.】 Bai Nanyan was forced to abandon her plan to let Gu Sihui die, and she rushed forward, clutching the sedative.

***

"Little Liu, let’s go!"

She scattered the sedative, but the effect would last only five seconds. Bai Nanyan didn't dare hesitate; she grabbed Dai Yeliu’s arm to flee, but Dai Yeliu shouted to Gu Sihui, "Run!"

Gu Sihui jolted and instinctively reached out toward the person closest to her.

At that same moment, a gap opened in the exam hall’s protective barrier, and a golden-haired young man stepped inside, raising his blade toward the beast.

*How did rescuers arrive so quickly?*

A flash of annoyance crossed Bai Nanyan’s eyes—*Will Dai Yeliu still think it was me who saved her?*

In a split second, Bai Nanyan devised another plan. She leaned into the hand Gu Sihui had extended, then staggered and fell backward.

Looking up at Gu Sihui with accusatory eyes, Bai Nanyan asked in disbelief, "Sister, I came to save you—why would you do this to me?"

Events happened too fast and too violently for Gu Sihui to explain herself. A sword glowing with holy light descended, severing the beast’s head.

***

The golden-haired youth’s eyes were devoid of emotion, as if he had sliced a watermelon rather than a head.

***

"Thank you for saving my life, sir." Bai Nanyan lowered her head shyly, looking up at the youth.

"No need for thanks." The youth’s voice was cold, which unexpectedly made him seem even more attractive.

Bai Nanyan grew even more interested in him and invited: "Please don't refuse my gratitude; it would make me feel uneasy. May I ask your name? If you are willing, I would like to invite you to my home so I can cook a meal for you in thanks."

As she spoke, Bai Nanyan tilted her head slightly, revealing the left third of her profile. This was an angle she had practiced repeatedly. From this perspective, she looked delicate and pitiable, a sight no one could refuse.

***

"No need."

Zhu Musheng replied coldly, "I don't have the habit of dining at strangers' homes, and what I just did was not for your sake."

He cast a glance at Dai Yeliu: "Are you alright?"

Dai Yeliu shook her head slightly and looked at Gu Sihui with anger: "You went too far!"

Gu Sihui: ?

"Who?" She pointed to herself, full of confusion: "Me?"

"Yes, you!" Dai Yeliu said, "You almost got Little Yan killed! I thought you were a good person, but I never expected you to be capable of such vicious behavior!"

After finishing her angry outburst, Dai Yeliu walked over worriedly and took Bai Nanyan’s hand: "Little Yan, are you okay? Are you hurt?"

Bai Nanyan let her gaze linger on Zhu Musheng for a moment before shaking her head with reddened eyes. She forced a nonchalant smile and shook Dai Yeliu’s hand gently: "Little Liu, don't say anything more. Aren't I fine? Just now..."

Bai Nanyan paused deliberately, mist gathering in her eyes, yet she struggled to lift the corners of her mouth: "Just now, maybe it was... maybe Little Gu was just too scared, and that’s why she accidentally pushed me toward the rampaging beast."

She gripped Dai Yeliu’s hand excitedly, emphasizing, "Really, I believe Little Gu didn't have any bad intentions. She definitely didn't mean to kill me!"