Otherworldly Desert Dust

Wu Hen sat across from the awakened girl.

It was as if there was some kind of electric frequency, Wu Hen could see from her eyes that she might be from the same hometown.

"Sing, dance, rap..." Wu Hen uttered a phrase only those from his hometown would understand.

The awakened girl stared blankly at Wu Hen, and after a long pause, she responded with a phrase ingrained in her bones: "Basket...ball?"

Connection successful!

His guess was not wrong.

She was indeed from the same hometown.

But she seemed completely unprepared.

When he first put on the helmet to enter the Otherworldly Dust, at least he knew his consciousness would leap to another world. But she was different, more like she had been forcibly brought here.

"Did you also put on the virtual iris?" Wu Hen asked.

"I don't know what you're talking about. We were a group of people in the library, I was just too tired and took a nap, and when I woke up, I was here..." the girl explained.

"Where are you from? What's your name?" Wu Hen asked.

"Li City, Lixue High School, my name is Yang Qin." The girl showed a bit of trust, probably because they had a common idol.

"Ah?" Upon hearing this, Wu Hen's brain CPU started to run so fast it almost smoked.

Wasn't this his high school classmate of two and a half years??

Could it be that she was also a selected Dimension Pioneer??

But looking at her panicked and anxious demeanor, it didn't seem like it at all.

"You must have heard the global announcement, our previous world was virtual, nestled in the Nuwa God End. Now, you should have awakened in the real world." Wu Hen explained to Yang Qin.

"I know that much, but... why me? I don't want to be in some real world!" Yang Qin was clearly falling apart.

She had no mental preparation at all.

She even thought the global announcement was a conspiracy, absolutely impossible.

Until she was suddenly abandoned by the Nuwa God End, awakening her consciousness and soul in the hellish otherworld.

"Face reality." Wu Hen said.

"Can...can you take care of me? I don't know where this is or anyone else here. I... I don't know what to do... I heard, I heard that walking here can easily get you killed." Yang Qin showed some fragility, speaking in a delicate voice.

Hmph.

Longjing Tea girl, I've known you for two and a half years, do you think I don't know what kind of tea you are?

Don't try that with me!

"I can't even protect myself. I suggest you find some stronger man to talk to." Wu Hen said.

"Please, I'll do anything if you take care of me!" Yang Qin was very scared. Her current host already had an instinctive fear buried in it.

Wu Hen gave Yang Qin's host a once-over. The host looked somewhat similar to Yang Qin in appearance, somewhat attractive.

But unfortunately, Wu Hen was currently very averse to her inner qualities.

...

"If everyone could awaken without discrimination, it's possible Yu Yu also experienced this." Wu Hen began to ponder this matter.

He had entered the otherworld voluntarily.

But because the Nuwa God End could no longer sustain the human shared dream, some people would be forcibly dragged into the real otherworld. They weren't mentally prepared at all, nor did they have any self-protection abilities...

If no one took care of them, they wouldn't survive long.

Fortunately, Wu Hen was lucky this time. His host had a strong friend. Before fully understanding the quirks and rules of this area, clinging to Su Li's thigh wouldn't be a mistake!

Su Li had already assigned tasks.

Naturally, Wu Hen stayed next to this little aunt, hoping to learn more from her.

"Auntie, do you have any weapons I can use?" Wu Hen asked.

"Weapons are scarce, especially after this Evil Soil infiltration. This gun I have is made of special material, and the bullets have Ghost-shattering Bullet fragments." Su Li explained to Wu Hen.

"Why does it feel like everything revolves around Yuan You?" Wu Hen said.

"Of course, Yuan You is the only material in this Desert Dust that won't be contaminated. It is the source of primordial strength." Su Li said.

"How are we supposed to survive? This soil is filled with those strange powers and evil spirits." Wu Hen asked.

"Becoming a Spirit Awakener would give you the ability to contend with the Black Sun Evil Spirit and Midnight Mass. By the way, it seems your listening sense is already tuned, you have met the first requirement to become a Spirit Awakener!" Su Li said.

Listening sense?

Wu Hen did notice that his hearing had become extraordinarily sharp. Even the whispers in the subway could be heard clearly if he listened closely.

Apparently, the strong points of Graceful Eyes and Harmonious Sound were hearing. Could it be that by defeating them, he inherited their abilities?

"Take this gun." Su Li took out a handgun from a leg holster and handed it to Wu Hen.

"It only has three Ghost-shattering Bullets inside. Use them wisely."

"Okay!" Wu Hen nodded.

"A qualified Spirit Awakener has both extraordinary perception and an actively triggered superpower. The former is the hardest, while the latter can be compensated with specially equipped weapons like customized firearms." Su Li said.

"Is Auntie one?" Wu Hen asked.

"I don't have synesthesia, and my weapon is the lowest level of Elemental Energy Weapon... but having one or two pieces helps you somewhat in self-preservation." Su Li patiently explained.

Wu Hen glanced at the other unarmed individuals in the subway.

It was evident that the Elemental Energy Weapon Su Li gave him was very precious. When she handed it to him, the others' eyes were filled with envy and jealousy.

"Get some rest. We'll start the train and leave early in the morning." Su Li said.

"Okay." Wu Hen nodded.

Uncertain of where to lie, Wu Hen glanced around the carriage.

Each spot seemed occupied.

Seeing Wu Hen in this state, Su Li couldn't help but smile and say, "Come here. You always used to sleep next to me."

Hiss~~

Could there be such a good thing?

Wu Hen timidly followed Su Li, entering a simple tent with a curtain.

The tent was narrow, and fitting two adults in it was a bit crowded. Fortunately, Su Li's petite frame left some space for him.

Blushing, Wu Hen lay down as well.

Not because he had other thoughts, but mainly to avoid making Su Li uncomfortable.

After all, the real Xiao Yun might have already dissipated.

"You know, back when I was your age, it was your father who relentlessly protected me, allowing this wanderer to survive in this world. I owe him a great debt of gratitude..." Su Li said.

Her cheek faced Wu Hen, while he lay on his back, feeling the warm breath brush against his face. It felt ticklish, weird.

But as soon as she finished speaking, Wu Hen let out a long breath.

Oh, not a blood-related aunt.

Wu Hen's tense body naturally relaxed a bit, no longer having to contort uncomfortably.

"Do you feel uncomfortable?" Su Li moved closer.

At this moment, her previous firm and decisive demeanor vanished, replaced by the tenderness of an older sister. Even a small scrape would make her heart ache for a long time.

"No... nothing, just my arm feels a bit sore." Wu Hen said nervously.

He couldn't possibly say his crotch was too tight.

"Our little Yun is becoming quite the young man." Su Li seemed to notice something, but she just smiled gently. The charm in her eyes made Wu Hen's heart flutter.

What did that mean??

He was still young.

Why was the atmosphere so ambiguous?

Could it be the host and this aunt had a relationship like Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü?

Too... too wonderful!

Wu Hen instantly became a shy young boy, mumbling vaguely, not saying much else.

At this moment, Wu Hen felt a warm hand on him. It was Su Li's. Her natural movement sent electric shocks through Wu Hen's body.

"Shall I help you?" Su Li whispered seductively in Wu Hen's ear.

Wu Hen didn't know how to refuse.

He really didn't want to expose himself. He needed Su Li's care.

But if he didn't make things clear, he might end up doing things he shouldn't.

Eventually, reason won over.

Wu Hen kept silent, closing his eyes and reluctantly accepted it.

One has to survive, after all.

He needed to secure a home in the otherworld!

Feeling that warm and gentle touch, gazing at the beautiful face inches away, Wu Hen's struggle wasn't about can or can't, but about holding out a bit longer as a man.

Yet, just as Su Li's charm was overwhelming him, she abruptly stopped.

In place of her gentle caress was a domineering grip, making Wu Hen furrow his brows.

"You are not my Xiao Yun, are you?" Su Li's dreamy eyes turned cold.

"Uh..." Wu Hen's expression froze.

Why!!

Just a little more!

Wasn't this pure torture!

"I... I don't know how to explain." Wu Hen said hoarsely.

"I'm not a Lost One. Just tell me the truth." Su Li fixed her gaze on Wu Hen, her body half-pressing him.

"My name is Wu Hen. I just awakened in this host not too long ago." Wu Hen knew he couldn't hide anymore.

"Very well, I'll call you Little Hen from now on." Su Li nodded.

Wu Hen was a bit puzzled. Honestly, he feared Su Li would kill him once she found out!

After all, who could accept someone else's soul inhabiting their friend's body?

"Auntie, I didn't mean to." Wu Hen said awkwardly.

"No need to explain any further." Su Li said.

"I have some memories like dreams about this body, but they are fading." Wu Hen said.

"As an Awakener, the host's memories will only partially remain, not fully retained." Su Li explained plainly.

"But the feelings persist, the sense of security when I'm with you..." Wu Hen admitted honestly.

Su Li didn't respond this time.

She no longer pressed down on him but lay beside him, shoulder to shoulder, watching the fireflies flutter inside the tent.

The weak firefly light reflecting in her obsidian eyes showed a hint of sorrow.

"We are still family, a reformed one too." Su Li said.

"Oh, uh, okay!" Wu Hen responded.

Then can we continue?

"Go to sleep." Su Li said.

"Alright... um, can I ask one more question?" Wu Hen asked timidly.

"Go ahead."

"How did you see through me?" Wu Hen felt a bit unwilling, thinking he could've fooled her a bit longer.

"Even half-lost Xiao Yun wouldn't let me do that to him." Su Li said, giving Wu Hen a flick on his body.

Wu Hen winced in pain.

What a disaster!

It was his own perverted nature that gave him away!