Chapter 98: Chapter 98: My Mother would love...
Xiu Ying anxiously waited by the shore, her gaze fixated on the vast expanse of blood-stained ocean. Despite having sent the protective spirit to watch over Eren, a sense of worry remained in her heart.
"She hasn't contacted me yet, so everything should be fine," she reassured herself, though her restlessness remained unaffected.
The thought of personally going to Eren's location had crossed her mind, but hesitation always gripped her in the end. Uncertainty clouded her thoughts, leaving her torn between her desire to be by his side and the fear of affecting him.
Lost in her internal struggle, Xiu Ying's attention was abruptly drawn to a sight on the distant horizon. A blood-red serpent soared through the sky, its giant body advancing towards her.
Initially mistaking it for a dragon, Xiu Ying soon realized that this creature was not a Dragon. It was unmistakably a sea serpent.
Xiu Ying steeled herself for the imminent battle that lay ahead, ready to face this beast. But as the beast came closer, she saw someone standing atop the Sea Serpent's head.
She also noticed the Phoenix, whose figure was hidden by the Sea Serpent previously. The Phoenix was carrying the giant serpent and Eren stood on the red serpent's head with his hands behind his back.
Xiu Ying rose to the air, not even waiting for him to get to her. She flew straight to Eren, wondering if he was just.
Even though he was standing fine, she was able to see blood on his clothes and face. Even though he had wiped his face, the blood remnants could not be removed easily.
"I am not hurt!" Seeing Xiu Ying flying to him, that was the first thing Eren said.
He understood that she was worried, so he first tried to solve her worries.
"It's not my blood either. It's the blood of the ocean, so I am perfectly fine."
He reached out his hand, trying to calm Xiu Ying. However, a sweet scent rushed to him. Before he could react, Xiu Ying was already in his embrace.
Even though she said nothing, he could feel that she had been worried.
Eren placed his hands on Xiu Ying's back.
"You shouldn't have approached me. Now the blood will stain your clothes as well."
"You are really fine, right?" Xiu Ying asked.
"I am doing much better than the serpent under me at least," Eren jokingly answered.
The Phoenix soon reached the island and put the body of the giant serpent down. The body of the red snake was so huge that it covered almost half the island.
Eren jumped down the body of the sea serpent. Unlike before, he did not need Phoenix Wind to land safely.
He patted the head of the Phoenix. "You worked really hard tonight. Rest for now..."
The Phoenix nodded, as if it could understand Eren. It curled its mighty wings and settled down on the sandy beach, its radiant feathers glowing in the moonlight.
Eren also took off his blood stained clothes. After cleaning his body with water he had stored before, he changed into new clothes.
After changing clothes, he sat beside the phoenix, feeling a sense of peace wash over him in the presence of such a magnificent creature.
Not far from him, the lifeless body of the giant creatures remained still.
He wanted to do a lot of things, but he had neither the strength nor the courage. He felt extremely tired and all he wanted was to sleep for now.
He had thought about telling Xiu Ying everything that he did. He wanted to tell her about his battle with the Sea Serpent, and to exaggerate some things.
However, as soon as he tested his head on the soft feathers of the phoenix, he fell asleep because of exhaustion, without even realizing.
Xiu Ying sat next to him, having a lot of questions. She did not understand why he wanted to kill this thing alone? Was this the only reason he told her to not follow him?
She rested her head over his shoulder and covered him in a blanket.
Xiu Ying couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions as she watched Eren sleep peacefully. Her worry for him still lingered, but seeing him finally find some rest eased her heart.
"That pendant...?"
As she was about to close her eyes, she noticed a green pendant around Eren's neck.
She remembered that he loved wearing pendants, but she was certain he did not have any green pendants. At least she did not see one before.
She subconsciously reached out her hand to touch it.
"I wouldn't do it if I was you."
A voice came, making Xiu Ying stop.
"You know what this is?" Xiu Ying asked the Spirit which had returned.
"I don't know what that thing is, but even I feel danger when looking at it. The only other time I get this feeling is when I'm next to my mother. It is enough to prove how dangerous that thing can be..."
She also wanted to know more about that green pendant. And not just the green pendant but the white pendant next to it. Both these pendants looked out of place in this place.
"What an interesting man. Would you mind if I take him to my mother?"
"I will kill you if you try anything with him!" Xiu Ying snapped back. She was not joking either.
"Calm down! I was just joking!" The Spirit lazily answered. However, in her eyes, something entirely different was visible.
She had started paying a lot of attention to Eren, the man who possessed such peculiar items. Even she could not see through this man for some reason.
"Since I'm not needed anymore, I will be taking my leave."
A return formation appeared under her. Behind her, the door to her world opened. The spirit stepped back, but just as she was about to enter, she stopped.
"Before I leave, I have to remind you... In a few months, there is something really special going to happen. I will send you an invitation. If you want, you can come with that man. I'm sure my mother will treat you well..."
As soon as she finished, she entered the portal and disappeared with the gate.