First Interstellar Guide Chapter 116: Extra 17: Parallel World; Protection

Chapter 116: Extra 17: Parallel World; Protection

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

In previous years, Xie Ran and Lu Zexuan always spent their birthdays with family. On their 16th birthday, they participated in a survival challenge competition in the wilderness, their communication devices confiscated, unable to receive blessings from their parents, nor did they have a birthday cake. For dinner, they only ate the fish roasted by Lu Zexuan himself.

Yet, despite such a simple birthday, the two of them didn’t feel any regret at all. Because, it was the first time they spent their birthday together. Celebrating with a friend born on the same day and month was also meaningful.

The two rested against a large tree in the wilderness. It was cold at night, and after Xie Ran fell asleep, his body instinctively sought warmth, unknowingly leaning on Lu Zexuan’s shoulder. Lu Zexuan, in his sleep, subconsciously extended his arm and gently embraced Xie Ran.

The two young men nestled together, sleeping by the tree.

On the chilly night of the wilderness, it felt particularly warm because they had each other. Xie Ran had a beautiful dream and woke up in the morning to find himself sleeping in Lu Zexuan’s embrace, unabashedly using him as a pillow. Lu Zexuan also woke up, looking down at him. Their eyes met, and Xie Ran’s ears inexplicably felt warm, quickly leaving Lu Zexuan’s embrace. He tidied his messy hair and cleared his throat, “Let’s find something to eat first, we leave at 8.”

Lu Zexuan got up to catch fish, soon returning with a few, “We can only find fish nearby, eat more to replenish energy.”

The fish Lu Zexuan roasted was tender and delicious. Even after two meals, Xie Ran didn’t feel bored. After they were full, seeing that it was 8 o’clock, they officially set off for today’s challenge area — the A+ difficulty marshland.

Xie Ran carefully examined the map, saying, “Let’s take this small path to the east. According to the map, it’s the closest route.”

Lu Zexuan agreed, “Okay.”

Xie Ran reminded him, “Put on your protective mask. The marsh gas might be toxic.”

He quickly put on his transparent protective mask. Seeing Xie Ran’s mask strap loose, Lu Zexuan reached out and helpfully fastened it. His fingers inadvertently brushed against Xie Ran’s earlobe, the warm touch making Xie Ran’s ears slightly red. It was strange, why did his ears keep getting warm today?

Xie Ran lowered his eyes and handed the coat he was wearing to Lu Zexuan, “Here’s your coat, thanks.”

Lu Zexuan took the coat and put it on, then glanced at his watch, saying, “Let’s go.” It was already daylight, so they set off fully equipped, slowly making their way into the depths of the marsh. The fog here was very strange, a dense purple, possibly poisonous, but fortunately, they were cautious enough to wear their protective masks in advance, unaffected by the marsh gas.

As they passed through a thicket, Lu Zexuan suddenly sensed some rustling around them. He immediately stopped and whispered, “Be careful.”

He shielded Xie Ran behind him, gripping the electromagnetic knife tightly, carefully observing their surroundings.

As a sentinel, his senses were keen, and soon he spotted poisonous snakes lurking in the thicket. One of them suddenly stuck its head out, spitting red venom, attempting to ambush Lu Zexuan from behind. Lu Zexuan had already detected its presence, swiftly turned around, and with a swift motion of his hand, he chopped off its head!

The path Xie Ran chose turned out to be the snake clan’s lair.

More and more snakes surrounded them, densely packed. Not only were there snakes everywhere in the bushes, but even the trees were filled with them. Xie Ran, watching this scene, felt his scalp tingle.

Lu Zexuan, knife in hand, decisively grabbed Xie Ran’s hand, saying, “Let’s go quickly!”

Xie Ran followed Lu Zexuan, running madly through the thicket. The snakes chased them closely, but Lu Zexuan swiftly slashed, creating an impenetrable circle of protection around them, preventing the snakes from getting close.

After running for nearly half an hour, they finally escaped from the snake territory.

Xie Ran, sweating profusely, stopped to catch his breath. Lu Zexuan, unfazed, looked at Xie Ran and asked, “Are you okay?”

Xie Ran shook his head, “I’m fine, just ran too fast earlier, a bit tired. A guide’s stamina really can’t compare to a sentinel’s.”

Lu Zexuan said, “Let’s rest for a bit before we continue.”

It was then that they noticed their hands tightly clasped together. Perhaps due to running too fast, both of their heartbeats were racing, and they could feel each other’s warmth clearly in their palms. It was their first time holding hands, and it felt strange, as if an electric current was flowing through the contact points of their fingers.

Both of them awkwardly let go of each other’s hands, pretending as if nothing had happened.

After resting for a while, they continued on their journey. With Xie Ran guiding the way, the rest of the journey went smoothly. By two o’clock in the afternoon, they reached the edge of the marshland.

Xie Ran stopped to look at the map, “We’re almost there, it should take no more than half an hour to get out.”

This news delighted Lu Zexuan, “Then let’s speed up and aim for first place.”

The two exchanged a glance and walked briskly forward. However, they didn’t expect that countless crocodile-like beasts would suddenly emerge from the swamp pool! These beasts were covered in thick armor, their colors indistinguishable from the surrounding mud. They had been lying silently on the ground, so Lu Zexuan and Xie Ran did not notice their presence.

But as the two passed by the swamp pool, the beasts suddenly collectively awakened. They bared their sharp fangs and viciously lunged towards Xie Ran!

“Watch out!” Lu Zexuan almost reflexively pulled Xie Ran behind him, simultaneously drawing out his electromagnetic knife and slashing at the beast’s neck! He cleanly killed the beast, but his leg was bitten, blood flowing profusely.

Xie Ran looked at the blood on his leg, his heart tightening, and trembled, “Zexuan, your leg…”

Gritting his teeth, Lu Zexuan said, “It’s fine, let’s go!”

He endured the intense pain from his wound, pulling Xie Ran forward.

The two were surrounded by the herd. Seeing Lu Zexuan’s pale face, Xie Ran felt extreme heartache. He extended his red mental tendrils, connecting to Lu Zexuan’s mental landscape, and said in the spiritual world, “I’ll help block the pain for you. Let’s fight our way out together, then deal with the wound!”

Although Xie Ran was a guide, he had also received combat training under Marshal’s arrangement.

Now, with Zexuan injured, he had to step up to protect his friend. Thinking of this, Xie Ran’s eyes suddenly sharpened, decisively drawing his weapon from his waist and swiftly killing the beast that was about to attack Lu Zexuan.

The two fought side by side, sprinting forward.

Lu Zexuan’s leg hadn’t been treated yet, blood staining the ground. But Xie Ran had blocked his pain perception in the mental landscape, and he didn’t feel any pain. Dragging his injured leg, he still fought at an astonishing speed, swiftly killing several beasts in the blink of an eye!

On the patrol helicopter in the sky, the assistant examiner worried, “Oh no, Lu Zexuan and Xie Ran are surrounded by beasts. Should we go and rescue them?”

The chief examiner shook his head, “Let’s wait and see. After all, they are both S-class sentinel and guide. Perhaps they can overcome this on their own.”

The beasts, smelling blood, collectively surged towards Lu Zexuan.

Lu Zexuan’s face turned pale, fingers tightly gripping the electromagnetic knife. The number of beasts around them increased, and if he fell, the herd would frenzy towards Xie Ran and injure him. He was the fastest graduate in the history of the Federation, an exceptionally talented S-class sentinel.

How could he allow even the slightest harm to his guide by his side?! With a determined gaze, Lu Zexuan’s courage erupted in an instant, every cell in his sentinel body seemed to be replenished with formidable strength, surging through his body like a tidal wave. That power finally converged at his shoulders, as if something was about to break out.

Sensing Lu Zexuan’s change in the mental landscape, Xie Ran looked at him in amazement. With a soft click, Lu Zexuan’s shoulder suddenly opened up into huge white wings!

The examiners in the helicopter were shocked as they looked at each other. “Th-those are eagle wings?” 

“He awakened flight ability!”

Lu Zexuan’s left hand suddenly reached out, tightly pulling Xie Ran into his arms, then he leaped upwards suddenly, his pure white wings carrying him and Xie Ran like lightning into the sky. The ferocious beasts on the ground looked up at them, but they couldn’t reach them anymore.

Finally out of danger…

Lu Zexuan breathed a sigh of relief, continuing to fly with Xie Ran.

Xie Ran looked at the sentinel beside him with complex emotions. Lu Zexuan actually awakened S-class spirit body flight ability in a critical moment! He’s only 16 years old… In the history of the Federation, the earliest awakeners of flight ability were 18 years old, and Lu Zexuan once again broke the record.

It’s said that when a sentinel’s guide is threatened, their energy suddenly erupts. Xie Ran clearly felt Lu Zexuan’s physical eruption just now, which clearly indicated how important Xie Ran was to Lu Zexuan. Feeling both moved and uncomfortable, Xie Ran didn’t know what to say for a moment.

Lu Zexuan, you treat me so well, what am I going to do if I can’t bear to let you go? Legion heirs can’t marry. Someday, you’ll have your own exclusive guide, and I’ll have my own sentinel… But just thinking about the possibility of a third or fourth person appearing by our side, Xie Ran couldn’t help but feel upset. He didn’t want to see Lu Zexuan with another guide.

He couldn’t imagine Lu Zexuan being gentle with another guide, letting them enter his mental landscape, even kissing and making love with them, getting married and having children… Would he attend Lu Zexuan’s wedding as a friend then?

Absolutely not! A strong possessiveness rose in Xie Ran’s heart as he looked at the injured Lu Zexuan. There was only one thought in his mind – This excellent Lu Zexuan, he won’t belong to anyone else!