Chapter 253
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Chapter 253: Stepping Down for the Next Generation
“Woof!”
The nameless extraordinary beast, now the left guardian of the Holy Fire Meow Meow Cult, let out an excited sound.
Its thinking ability did not quite match its physical form, so it couldn’t yet grasp the meaning of "left guardian."
However, this did not dampen its genuine joy, even as another question arose in its mind:
What should I do now?
Through the local network established by Fulan, the left guardian transmitted this message.
Fulan, for once, read it but did not respond.
Because she didn’t know the answer either.
Though Fulan’s intelligence surpassed that of ordinary extraordinary beasts and humans, she lacked significant experience in leadership.
And this left guardian, who could even lose its head during battle, was hardly a formidable combatant.
Sending it out to assist in spreading the teachings would likely end in failure and might even alert the external mycelium biological field.
After much deliberation, Fulan finally issued her command:
“Your task is to obey my commands and follow me in spreading the teachings. Of course, all you need to do is carry me; nothing else is required.”
The left guardian saw no issue with this command, as it still couldn’t comprehend what spreading the teachings entailed.
This dog-like extraordinary beast quickly adapted to its new role as a mount, silently carrying Fulan wherever she needed to go.
Not all extraordinary beasts were suited to become followers of the Holy Fire Meow Meow Cult; otherwise, Fulan would have prioritized converting the three wolves that had once defeated her.
At her current level, Fulan could only purify injured extraordinary beasts with her blood. Their infections were relatively mild, and their spirits were low, making them more susceptible to her illusions and blood manipulation.
Riding on the left guardian, Fulan roamed through the Beast Pack, searching for her next target…
—
Inside Hope City, Lin Qingliu was conducting psychological counseling for the Fresnel team.
The five individuals in the team were somewhat unremarkable; Lin Qingliu was already familiar with the general situation and had even offered some advice.
Though the members of the Fresnel team had narrowly escaped death multiple times, they hadn’t faced the kind of moral dilemmas that Ink Drench had endured. As a result, they hadn’t accumulated much psychological pressure and were simply longing for a peaceful life.
In a private room, Lin Qingliu and Wang Xiao exchanged smiles, sharing some known information.
Not much time had passed since their last counseling session, and Lin Qingliu could sense a newfound drive in Wang Xiao.
As for other aspects, despite having reached the Third Level, Wang Xiao’s outward appearance showed no significant changes.
Already quite muscular, any further increase in his build might stray from conventional human aesthetics.
Shi Jin was meeting her superior’s superior for the first time.
Though she was completely unaware, Lin Qingliu clearly knew a great deal about this young woman.
This made his work proceed exceptionally smoothly; similarly, his interactions with the Puppet Master and Beacon were equally seamless, as everyone had met before. This familiarity allowed them to skip many of the usual preparatory steps for psychological counseling.
Finally, Lin Qingliu entered the room where Fresnel was waiting.
Unlike the other four teammates, this superpowered individual, who could control light, appeared unusually pale at the moment.
He reclined against the bed, his lips slightly chapped, and his eyes still bore noticeable traces of bloodshot.
This was the aftermath of the Puppet Master’s Possession—a profound, inescapable weakness that permeated from within, not something that could be alleviated by mere rest or medication. Only quiet recuperation could offer any relief.
“Mr. Ethan, we meet again.”
Lin Qingliu set his bag down beside the single sofa, which was naturally left for him as Fresnel was currently bedridden.
“It’s been a while, doctor. I’m truly glad to be alive to see you.”
“Likewise. How is your writing coming along?”
As they touched upon the subject of their last session, a wry smile crept onto Fresnel’s face:
“To be honest, I’ve even resorted to using a dictionary again these past few months. The last time I used one was probably back in elementary school…”
“So, how’s the progress on your book?”
“Well, I’m still in the first major chapter…”
“I’m pleased to hear that. I’ve always believed that slow and steady work yields the finest results.”
Lin Qingliu maintained his signature smile:
“When your book is finally complete, do send me a copy. I’d be honored to read it and immerse myself in the spirit of the Old Era.”
Lin Qingliu’s polite remarks had their intended effect; Fresnel, lying in bed with his eyes half-closed, seemed to drift into a reverie about his future as a celebrated author.
In truth, Lin Qingliu had prepared for this topic before even entering the room.
If Fresnel’s writing was progressing slowly, he would emphasize the value of patience and meticulousness. On the other hand, if Fresnel was writing at a rapid pace and nearing completion, Lin Qingliu would commend his brilliance. As the one steering the conversation, he was always prepared.
Thus, the two of them meandered through discussions about writing and the Old Era, and the distance between them seemed to shrink, allowing for deeper and more meaningful exchanges.
As the conversation grew more serious, a look of resolve settled on Fresnel’s face:
“Dr. Lin, there’s something I’d like to seek your opinion on. Of course, it might fall outside your area of expertise, but…”
“I understand. Please, go ahead.”
Lin Qingliu’s tone was gentle, and he already had an inkling of what Fresnel might say.
Without the ability to read minds, Lin Qingliu couldn’t precisely predict the focus of Fresnel’s thoughts based solely on his micro-expressions and the flow of their conversation.
But he knew well enough that when Fresnel wore such an expression, it signaled that he had already made a firm decision about something.
What Fresnel sought from a psychologist wasn’t so much advice as it was unwavering support.
“During this recent expedition, I came to deeply realize my own shortcomings.
“In the dead of night, as we fled, I often fantasized about enhancing my abilities at night, even if it meant weakening my daytime strength.
“But the world doesn’t work that way. If it hadn’t been for the others helping me hold on until dawn, the entire team might have…
“After this experience, I’ve come to feel that I’m no longer fit to continue as Captain. Once I’ve recovered a bit more, I plan to report this to the higher-ups.”
“Oh?”
Lin Qingliu raised an eyebrow at the unexpected response and asked:
“Though it might touch on confidential matters, I’d still like to know—who do you hope will succeed you as Captain?”
