Female Protagonist Assistance System

Chapter 99 : . Eldest Brother

The dungeons of Soul Hall were no pleasant place. As they descended, a foul stench permeated the pitch-black cells. Xiao Han saw many people imprisoned, most with severe injuries left untreated, their wounds festering. They were covered in blood, with white bones visible through rotting flesh—a horrifying sight.

This place was like hell, devoid of any human warmth.

Gu Xun'er's heart tightened at the scene. It was her first time witnessing such a sight. Though not a sheltered young miss, and having seen death and even killed before, she couldn't help but tremble inwardly at this hellish scene.

Xiao Han showed no reaction, having seen worse in some demonic cultivators' dungeons.

Noticing Gu Xun'er's discomfort, she embraced her from behind, gently covering her eyes and whispering in her ear, "Don't look."

Gu Xun'er didn't try to act tough. She nodded and buried her face in Xiao Han's embrace, letting Xiao Han guide her forward.

Qin Tian walked trembling at the front. Yao Chen had been placed by Xiao Han into a jade stone to nurture his soul. Xiao Han had a decent impression of Yao Chen, so she didn't mind lending a hand.

Following Qin Tian downwards, they soon reached the twelfth level.

"This... this is the twelfth level," Qin Tian swallowed hard, stammering, "There are ninety-nine cells in total. I'm not sure... where that... Young Master Xiao is imprisoned."

Xiao Han swept her gaze over the oppressively silent and dark prison, her eyes cold.

Seeing Xiao Han's attention elsewhere, Qin Tian inwardly relaxed slightly, his hands behind his back secretly forming a seal. He had once learned a secret technique allowing instant space tearing for spatial transfer. Though the cost was high, it was nothing compared to losing his life.

As he formed the seal, space began to distort. But before Qin Tian could rejoice, the warping space suddenly froze without warning.

His blood ran cold. Qin Tian looked at Xiao Han in terror, the last thing he saw being those emotionless silver eyes.

"Bang—"

Qin Tian fell, still wearing his final terrified expression. As he collapsed, his body turned to ash, dissipating into the air.

Xiao Han withdrew her gaze, snapping her fingers. The next instant, the distorted space returned to normal.

"Is this the power of a peak Dou Sheng?" Gu Xun'er curiously took Xiao Han's hand that had snapped, gently squeezing the pad of her index finger. It was soft and cool. "Even Father doesn't seem capable of this."

Xiao Han patted Gu Xun'er's head, saying, "Xun'er will be able to do this too in the future."

She had never intended to spare Qin Tian, whose karma was too heavy. Sparing him would only harm more people. Who knew he would be so reckless, skillfully rushing towards his own doom.

Hearing this, Gu Xun'er smiled charmingly, not letting go of Xiao Han's hand. "Can Senior Sister use spiritual power to search for Cousin Xiao Ding's location?"

Xiao Han frowned slightly, shaking her head. "Something here seems to be blocking my divine sense."

Otherwise, why would she have bothered having Qin Tian lead the way?

Scanning the seemingly bottomless dark corridor, Xiao Han gripped Gu Xun'er's hand, saying, "Let's search."

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Finding Xiao Ding didn't take long. Checking cell by cell, they soon found him barely alive in one of the middle cells.

The once refined, cunning youth now sat wounded in a corner, his long hair matted and unkempt. His formerly handsome face was covered in stubble, making him look not like a man in his prime twenties, but a middle-aged man in his twilight years.

Xiao Ding's eyes were closed. If not for his faintly rising chest and weak life force, Xiao Han would have thought him long dead.

Xiao Han's heart tightened slightly. She stepped forward, and with a boom, the iron door before her was blown away by a powerful force.

"Eldest Brother!" She quickened her pace to Xiao Ding's side. His wounds had festered, mixed with dirt and filth—a pitiful sight. She took his hand, confirming he was only extremely weak, not in mortal danger. Relieved, she slowly channeled her spiritual power into Xiao Ding's body.

Under Xiao Han's control, the spiritual energy transferred to Xiao Ding was powerful yet gentle, carefully protecting his fragile meridians and vital organs. After this, she fed him a bottle of seventh-grade healing elixir.

Gu Xun'er stood behind Xiao Han, silently watching her actions, trying not to disturb her.

Under the combined effect of spiritual energy and medicine, Xiao Ding's external wounds visibly healed. Though his damaged heart meridians couldn't be instantly repaired, they were much better than before.

"Mmm—"

With an unconscious murmur, Xiao Ding slowly opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was a silver-eyed woman bearing a slight resemblance to himself.

Just awakened, Xiao Ding's mind was fuzzy and dull. He instinctively called out softly, "Han'er?"

Hearing Xiao Ding's hoarse yet familiar voice, Xiao Han's heart, which had remained unmoved since leaving the tower except when facing Gu Xun'er, suddenly felt a slight twinge. She responded, "Mm, Eldest Brother, it's me."

Xiao Ding suddenly jolted, eyes widening. He struggled to grasp Xiao Han's wrist, anxiously speaking rapidly, "What are you doing here? It's extremely dangerous... There are Dou Emperor level experts everywhere. Quick... leave this place immediately!"

Xiao Han was slightly taken aback, saying, "Eldest Brother, I'm here to rescue you."

Xiao Ding looked somewhat angry, scolding, "Han'er, don't be foolish. Listen to your brother, leave quickly! Before they discover you..."

His agitation accidentally disturbed his not fully healed wounds. He clutched his chest, coughing a few times, but remained urgently concerned.

Xiao Han gently patted Xiao Ding's back, helping him catch his breath. Gu Xun'er, her toe lightly tracing the ground, spoke up, "Cousin Xiao Ding needn't worry about this branch hall's guards. Senior Sister has dealt with them all."

"Dealt with...?" Xiao Ding's expression was somewhat dazed. "You are... Xun'er?"

Gu Xun'er reached out, embracing Xiao Han's neck from behind, her tone light, "Cousin, long time no see."

Xiao Ding's gaze turned to Xiao Han, somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected his sister to be acting together with Gu Xun'er, and they seemed to be on good terms.

When Gu Xun'er had come to the Xiao Family years ago, Xiao Ding was already in his teens. With his precocious wisdom, he could tell Gu Xun'er had a deep background, at least far beyond what the Xiao Family could compare to.

"Let's get out of here first," Xiao Han said, gently patting Gu Xun'er's hands on her back, indicating she needed to stand up. After Gu Xun'er let go, she stood and bent down to help Xiao Ding up.

Thanks to the seventh-grade elixir and Xiao Han's spiritual energy, Xiao Ding could barely walk, not unable to stand at all.

Gu Xun'er moved to lend a hand, but Xiao Han stopped her.

"I can manage alone. You rest a bit," Xiao Han said. Though her words were such, in reality, she just felt uncomfortable with her girlfriend touching other men, even if it was her important Eldest Brother.

Poor Xiao Ding, unaware of Xiao Han's true thoughts, felt his sister was right. Men and women should keep their distance, and he wasn't close to Gu Xun'er, so it wouldn't be appropriate for her to support him.

Due to Xiao Ding's weak condition, they moved slowly. By the time they left the Soul Hall branch, Xiao Ding still felt it was unreal. He turned to look at the place that had imprisoned him for four years, a complex emotion suddenly welling up in his heart.

Had he really just escaped like this?

Seeming to sense Xiao Ding's inner thoughts, Xiao Han said softly, "Eldest Brother needn't worry. I've dealt with all the guards and elders here."

Hearing this, Xiao Ding gave her a shocked look. Imprisoned for four years and subjected to inhuman torture, he was well aware of the guards' strength. Yet his sister claimed she had dealt with all of them?

Xiao Ding now noticed that the once small, soft little ball who always wore a serious expression on her cute face had grown into a tall, beautiful woman exuding a powerful aura.

He was stunned for a moment before slowly nodding, his face showing pride and gratification: "Han'er has grown up."

Without inquiring about her level, he simply uttered these words. Xiao Han felt a warmth in her heart and, extremely rarely, showed a faint smile to someone other than Gu Xun'er.

When they reached a more spacious area, Gu Xun'er took out a bone whistle from her storage ring. After blowing it, in about two breaths, a clear cry resounded from the sky. Xiao Ding suddenly noticed a black dot in his vision. In an instant, a gust of wind blew towards them, and a giant eagle-like magical beast flapped its wings, slowly descending before the three.

Xiao Ding's face stiffened slightly. He could certainly feel the powerful aura emanating from this magical beast.

As Xiao Han helped Xiao Ding onto Little White's broad back, he still felt somewhat dazed.

He never imagined he, Xiao Ding, would one day ride such a powerful magical beast.

Due to his weak condition, Xiao Ding soon dozed off again. Xiao Han took out a robe from her system space to cover him before sitting beside Gu Xun'er.

As Xiao Han sat down, Gu Xun'er softened, leaning into Xiao Han's embrace, her voice becoming languid: "Senior Sister, we've rescued Cousin Xiao Ding. Where shall we go next?"

Xiao Han raised her hand to pat Gu Xun'er's head, thought for a moment, and said, "Let's return to the Xiao Family."

Hearing Xiao Han's answer, Gu Xun'er was somewhat surprised: "Return to the Xiao Family? I thought Senior Sister would take Cousin Xiao Ding back to the Ancient Clan for treatment."

Xiao Han said softly, "The Ancient Clan's environment isn't suitable for Eldest Brother. It's better to take him back to the Xiao Family. As for healing medicines, we don't lack those. Moreover, I need to check on the Jia Ma Empire."

Gu Xun'er shifted to a more comfortable position, lazily responding.

Xiao Han lowered her head to gently kiss Gu Xun'er's hair, then looked up, her gaze distant. She had a premonition that this commotion caused by Xiao Yan and the killing qi would soon end.

Little White let out a cry, suddenly accelerating.