Chapter 9 The Growth of Yun Duo'er

Yu Yan had already experienced the pain of losing her daughter once.

She would never allow herself to entrust her daughter's life and death to the elusive whims of luck again.

Besides her daughter, there were others she cared deeply about. Should there ever be a chance to meet them again, she wanted to be prepared with “gifts.” At the very least, she needed to stock up on Spirit Seeds or Blood Crystals.

When Yu Yan emerged from the Waterlight Butterfly instance, two fresh wounds marked her body.

Blood trickled down, but Yu Yan remained unfazed. She tore open two bandages, slapped them carelessly over the cuts, and pressed on to the next instance!

Battling and collecting all the way, two days slipped by in a blur.

Yu Yan was drenched in blood. During this time, Yunduo’er woke and slept, then slept and woke again. Aside from preparing food for her, Yu Yan barely paused in those two days. She was either fighting and collecting treasures and spiritual items within the instances or on her way to the next high-level one.

In just two days, Yu Yan had swept through all the advanced and top-tier instances near their home. Not only that, but she expanded her range to the area around Yunduo’er’s school.

Whenever Yunduo’er was awake, she would help Yu Yan in battle with her “Golden Vine,” the bloodthirsty creeper she’d named herself. With time and experience, Yunduo’er’s courage grew. She no longer panicked at the sight of the grotesque monsters within the instances.

She even managed to help Yu Yan ambush enemies from time to time.

Still, Yunduo’er was, after all, an ordinary child with almost no combat experience before the advent of the instance worlds. With the adaptation period limiting monsters to only ten percent of their power, coupled with Yu Yan’s familiarity with the local instances, it was as if she had two powerful cheats enabled.

Even S-rank instances didn’t faze Yu Yan, and the odds of getting hurt were minuscule.

But to protect Yunduo’er, Yu Yan had to face danger head-on, time and again.

Most of her wounds were the result of Yunduo’er’s slow reactions, close calls when she was nearly seized by the monsters. To save her child, Yu Yan had thrown herself into harm’s way. But her sacrifices had been worth it!

In just two days, Yunduo’er’s growth was astonishing.

From being unable to handle even a B-rank monster, she had progressed to single-handedly dispatching an A-rank foe without breaking a sweat in the most recent instance. Even with monsters operating at only ten percent power, it was testament to Yunduo’er’s determination.

“Mama, why don’t you rest for a while?” Yunduo’er’s little face was taut with worry at the sight of Yu Yan nearly falling asleep on her feet.

“Hang in there, sweetheart. There are only two hours left before the adaptation period ends. Mama can’t sleep just yet.”

Yu Yan pinched her thigh hard to keep herself awake.

She hadn’t slept for nearly three days and nights, most of that spent in high-intensity combat. If it weren’t for the moments spent riding her little electric scooter between instances—a meager excuse for rest—even Yu Yan, who had lived three years in the instance world with indomitable will, would not have been able to persevere much longer.

Fortunately, her twelfth-rank Spirit Seed was exceptionally effective.

Her spent energy was recovering at an astonishing rate.

Yu Yan stuffed a piece of noodle into her mouth, gulped down a large mouthful of water, then finished off the bread in her hand. A simple way to regain some strength. She glanced at the entrance of the next instance, a trace of relief flickering in her eyes.

Just one more A-rank instance to clear, and the adaptation period would be over.

She could finally find a place to sleep in peace!

She had considered challenging an S-rank instance for her last run, but the previous instance had cost her too much time. To conquer an S-rank instance within the remaining two hours was pure fantasy—and Yu Yan had no desire to face an S-rank foe at thirty percent power.

So she settled for the A-rank “Gu Carvernest.”

“Mama, can I take the lead this time?” Yunduo’er’s expression was serious. If she went first, wouldn’t Mama be able to rest a bit more?

In just two days, Yunduo’er had transformed from an innocent child into a small but mature adult. Yu Yan’s repeated injuries had forced this change. She had watched her beloved mother risk her life again and again to save her, powerless to help.

Now, at her tender age, Yunduo’er had developed a desperate desire for strength.

If she could become stronger—just a bit stronger—then maybe she wouldn’t be a burden to her mother any longer.

Yunduo’er’s eyes reddened as she glanced at the fresh blood seeping from Yu Yan’s arm, but she forced herself not to cry. If she did, Mama would only be distracted and try to comfort her. And Mama had said the adaptation period was precious—there was no time to waste!

“No, sweetheart…” Yu Yan instinctively refused.

Although the Gu Carvernest was only an A-rank instance, the Gu Carvers inside possessed a troublesome skill that could confuse a person’s will. Not just for a child—even adults could fall victim.

Letting Yunduo’er go first was a risk Yu Yan couldn’t take.

But seeing the instant disappointment on her daughter’s face, Yu Yan suddenly understood her daughter’s thoughts—

She only wanted to protect her mother.

Yu Yan’s heart ached, turning soft and sour as if steeped in plum wine. She tousled Yunduo’er’s messy hair, “My little Duo has grown up. All right, today you can take the lead. But you must promise Mama to protect yourself.”

“The Gu Carver’s wings are as hard as steel, extremely tough, and they fly with incredible speed.”

“Once a Gu Carver surpasses the Profound Rank and reaches the Earth Rank, grade seven, it can spit Gu poison. If that poison touches you, you’ll lose your mind and become the Carver’s prey. But there are only one or two grade seven Carvers in this nest, so don’t be afraid.”

“If we’re careful, we shouldn’t be in too much danger.”

“Okay!” Yunduo’er nodded vigorously, “Don’t worry, Mama. Even if a grade seven Carver shows up, if I can’t beat it, I can still run. I won’t let the Gu poison catch me.”

Yu Yan laughed heartily, “That’s my girl!”

Yunduo’er laughed too, “Mama, you’re the best mama in the world.”

A volley of mutual praise lightened the heavy atmosphere.

Mother and daughter took a deep breath together and stepped into the instance, one after the other.

The Gu Carvernest was dark and damp. In the past, Yunduo’er would have screamed at the thought of entering a place like this. Fragility is the common flaw of children raised in modern comfort.

After all, what child hasn’t grown up sheltered by their parents?

Let alone stepping into a nest where every stride buried her shoes in decaying muck.

Three days ago, Yunduo’er wouldn’t even step into a slightly dirty creek. She was afraid of bugs biting her toes, scared the dirty water would ruin her pretty princess shoes… But now, as the muck swallowed her feet, a look of distaste crossed her face, yet she didn’t feel the slightest urge to run.

She wanted to fight side by side with her mother.

She wanted to protect her mother, so that she would never be hurt again.