Versatile Mage: I Awakened Nine Stars

Chapter 404 Confidence? Given by the Fox Mother
It is said that all emotions are sins and all beings suffer. This bamboo forest is rumored to have the power to amplify emotions and desires, hence the name Seven Emotions Bitter Bamboo.

Many self-proclaimed experts once attempted to solve this bamboo forest, but those who were lucky enough to survive ended up insane, while those who were unlucky never saw the light of day again.

If it were located outside the borders of Angolan, it wouldn't be a problem. However, Uttar Pradesh, which borders Bihar, is the most populous region in the country. Even if the country doesn't care about human lives, it can't hold back any longer.

So when this mission first appeared on the Hunter's Alliance's bounty list, it was already an S-rank mission. It has been on the list for several years now, but fewer and fewer people dare to take on it.

The reason Asha's Ruya suggested that Xu Shen take on this mission was clearly because she was after Ding Yumin.

The victims of the spiritual path, perhaps only those with such extraordinary talent in the whole world have a chance to solve this bamboo forest problem.

Xu Shen glanced at Yu Mian and found that she was looking at him too. The two smiled at each other.

The two seemed to be enjoying themselves on vacation, but Tang Yue's expression grew increasingly serious.

Live? !
demon?!
As we all know, plants mostly play the role of producers and contributors in their ecological niches, enduring hardship and humiliation. But once these silent creatures transform into monsters, they become more and more extraordinary.

Calling them "father" within their own rank is simply not enough to describe their ferocity. They cannot be fought across ranks; among plant-type demons, they are the lowest of the low.

Plant demons covering 300,000 square kilometers of land!
It sounds terrifying.

"Xu Shen, Yu Mian," Tang Yue took a deep breath, her expression unusually serious: "Let's abandon this mission."

Yu Mian shook her head and said, "A Shen's plant system is still missing a seed."

“There are countless plant species in the world, but this bamboo forest…” Tang Yue said with a wry smile, “Because of the Oath Tree, our Judgment Council has a more detailed understanding of plant-type demons than most people. To be honest, something that can occupy nearly 300,000 square kilometers of land is definitely beyond the realm of a monarch. Even if you are a victim of the mind-based demonic path… Yu Mian, I’m not saying you’re overestimating yourself, but…”

“Sister Tang Yue, I know,” Yu Mian interrupted her with a smile, “Let me go. Even if I can’t solve it, at least I can guarantee that I will come back alive.”

Yu Mian's calm and gentle yet firm face was clearly reflected in Tang Yue's eyes.

She was suddenly stunned for a moment before realizing that this usually soft-spoken girl was actually a stubborn person who couldn't be swayed by eight oxen. The "but" that was on the tip of her tongue could only be replaced by a sigh.

Unconsciously, she looked at Xu Shen again, hoping that this guy would have a conscience and say a few words of advice, so that his girlfriend wouldn't risk her life for some worthless plant seed.

"Sister Tang Yue," Yu Mian's voice deepened, "I told you, I can get out alive."

"you……"

Tang Yue felt a pang of anxiety, but only saw Yu Mian shake her head slightly.

There's no hope for people who are obsessed with love.

Well, what can she say now that things have come to this?

Tang Yue sighed inwardly before smiling and said, "It's all up to us. Maybe there's really hope to solve this. Saving millions of people would be a great deed. Now, I'm really going to risk my life to accompany you."

“No need,” Xu Shen laughed. “Sister Tang Yue, you said it yourself, it’s just a mere plant species. What do you mean by ‘risking your life for a gentleman’? If I really had to sacrifice you, I, Xu Shen, would be too much of a beast.”

Tang Yue raised her eyebrows and said angrily, "You surnamed Xu, so what if I'm afraid of death? Do you need to provoke me like this?"

Xu Shen was taken aback, then realized that there seemed to be something wrong with his words. He couldn't help but smile apologetically, "Sister Tang Yue, you misunderstood me. What I meant was that Yu Mian and I really can come out alive..."

Tang Yue, her face cold, continued to retort, "You mean, I'm the only one who'll die inside?"

Yu Mian blinked, remaining silent, a slight smile appearing at the corner of her eye.

“You do have some self-awareness,” Xu Shen muttered under his breath, then added, “Sister Tang Yue, what I mean is, just Yu Mian and I can go in. We both have ways to protect ourselves, and even if we can’t handle it, we definitely won’t die inside. But we can’t guarantee that we can protect you inside, so…”

"So, I traveled all the way from China to Tiandu just to be your driver?"

Xu Shen remained silent, unsure how to respond.

This woman, it's not that she insisted on coming along.

You come and say these kinds of things again...

Sigh, women are so annoying, except in bed, even in bed. Yu Mian couldn't help but glare at Xu Shen, her fingers already expertly twisting around his waist.

Xu Shen slapped his forehead, realizing he had forgotten about the mind-reading bug beside him.

"Pfft," Tang Yue suddenly laughed, "Alright, I'm not one to hold grudges. Since you two have ways to protect yourselves, then you two go ahead and don't worry about me."

Even if I, Tang Yue, am a burden, I still have my self-awareness. We've built a friendship by sleeping together, so what can't we say directly? It's not like we've run all the way to this bamboo forest to say it now, wasting your time and mine."

"I'm sorry, Sister Tang Yue," Yu Mian said, pulling on her arm.

"Don't say sorry," Tang Yue said softly. "It's my fault for insisting on coming along. Alright, that's enough. You two go ahead."

"Then we'll be off, Sister Tang Yue, you stay here and wait for us."

Xu Shen gently patted her head, which made her beautiful eyes reproach her, before pulling Yu Mian into the bamboo forest together.

Tang Yue watched the two leave before letting out an envious sigh, her eyes filled with loneliness.

If possible, she doesn't want to be the one who holds everyone back.

but……

The bright red flame in his mind flickered silently.

She herself didn't even realize it.

……

Xu Shen and Yu Mian walked hand in hand into the bamboo forest.

The bamboo shadows swayed, creating an unnatural silence; even the sound of the wind had eerily disappeared.

Xu Shen subconsciously slowed his pace.

The bamboo grove was so quiet, it seemed as if something was brewing within it.

A flash of silver light appeared on Yu Mian's coral antler bracelet, and a dark purple umbrella suddenly opened and hung above her head; it was the Ten Thousand Souls Banner obtained from the Demon Cave.

The soul banner was shrouded in purple mist and shimmered with starlight. Phantom ghostly figures drifted out and disappeared into the bamboo grove.

"Huh, it seems like a lot of these main souls have changed?"

Xu Shen was somewhat surprised. If he remembered correctly, those 500 main souls were officials from the Illusionary Realm, most of whom had intricate connections with the Black Church. But today, there were quite a few unfamiliar faces.

"Because of the oath in the divine language, Remiel did not take away my magical artifact back then. Many powerful people died in the Holy Judgment Prison, and many souls were taken away by it."

Xu Shen teased the little ghost sitting on his shoulder and said, "You could say this is a blessing in disguise."

Yu Mian couldn't help but smile: "Who says otherwise?"

As she spoke, she took out the Pipa Heavenly Jade, and even her ordinary windbreaker was replaced by the magnificent and elegant Glazed Phoenix Feather Robe.

Having brought out all its hidden treasures, Yu Mian clearly showed the utmost respect to the Seven Emotions Bamboo, which could potentially be the domain of an emperor.

As for Xu Shen...

What a joke! You expect a high-level noob to defeat an emperor?

Rather than letting all those magical artifacts be ruined by this broken bamboo, it's better to conserve your energy so that you can swiftly shout "Help!" when the crucial moment arrives.

Fox Mother, whether we can survive depends entirely on you!

　The reason I haven't updated these past few days is because it involves a major foreshadowing element: the truth behind Xu Shen's "rebirth." I've written so much, but I'm not satisfied with any of it. I've been struggling to rewrite it, and it's been incredibly frustrating... I need to think carefully about how to write it. Sorry...

　　
　
(End of this chapter)