In a Fantasy World as Cannon Fodder, I Got Entangled with the Heroine - Chapter 52

Chapter 52: The Mist-Crystal of Xiashui

Translation by: Weebsread👹

Chen Xiaoxiao approached the crystal, heart hammering in her chest. She couldn’t tell if her nerves were because of the foreign memories now swirling in her mind, or for some other, deeper reason— 

But before she could gather herself, the crystal began to drift toward her, drawn by some unseen force.

Startled, Chen Xiaoxiao instinctively threw up her hands to shield her face.

In that instant, the crystal erupted in a burst of misty vapor, water-tinged fog billowing out to shroud her in a swirling cocoon. The haze moved almost like it was alive, curling around her body in gentle whorls.

From a distance, Jiang Qian watched with narrowed eyes, a low mutter on his lips. “The crystal’s actually coming to Chen Xiaoxiao by itself... Is it because she carries that woman’s memories?”

He frowned. “No, that doesn’t make sense. With just the memories, she’d know how to control it—she wouldn’t draw its attention like this.”

“Unless… there’s something unique about her physique?”

A suspicion flickered in Jiang Qian’s mind. Could Chen Xiaoxiao possess some special constitution? Something on the level of a Sacred Physique?

...

...

With his current cultivation, however, Jiang Qian knew he didn’t have the power to unravel her secrets.

Time trickled by. Gradually, the mist dissipated.

Chen Xiaoxiao emerged, completely unscathed, and the crystal now floated obediently at her side—docile as a tamed demonic beast, quietly circling her.

“Senior Brother, I can control this ruin now,” Chen Xiaoxiao breathed, awe coloring her words. “I never would have guessed it was actually the corpse of a Heaven-grade artifact—just damaged beyond recognition!”

“This is a first for me, too.”

She gazed at the crystal in disbelief, unable to hide her joy.

Jiang Qian nodded, then fixed her with a serious look. “Xiaoxiao, you must never tell anyone I’m a demonic cultivator. Promise me.”

“Mhm! Even if you walk another path—even if you’re a demonic cultivator—you’ll always be my Senior Brother Jiang! I swear, I won't tell a single person!” Chen Xiaoxiao grinned, utterly unfazed by his secret.

Whew... At least rescuing her wasn’t a waste, Jiang Qian thought, finally letting himself relax a little.

“Oh, right—Xiaoxiao, is your real name actually Chen Xiaoyan?”

“Yup, Senior Brother! Didn’t you know?” Chen Xiaoxiao blinked in surprise, then added, “My given name is Chen Xiaoyan, but you can call me whichever you like.”

Chen Xiaoyan... Why does that sound so familiar? Am I just imagining it?

Jiang Qian pushed the thought away with a shake of his head. “Come on, Xiaoxiao, let’s head out.”

“Okay!” Chen Xiaoxiao replied with a buoyant nod.

—

Outside the now-vanished ruins, only Bai Piaoxue and Jiang Zixuan remained behind, waiting patiently for Jiang Qian’s return. The clearing was otherwise empty.

“Jiang Zixuan, why are you still here?” Bai Piaoxue asked, raising an eyebrow.

Jiang Zixuan kept her composure. “He’s my cousin. Shouldn’t I wait?”

“I see.” Bai Piaoxue didn’t press.

But truthfully, Jiang Zixuan just wanted to see for herself if Jiang Qian was really still alive.

At that moment, two figures appeared at the edge of the clearing.

“Finally out! I thought I’d never see daylight again!” Jiang Qian stretched, grinning with relief.

Chen Xiaoxiao trailed behind, puffing indignantly, “Senior Brother, slow down! I could barely keep up!”

“Hahaha, sorry! Guess I got a little too eager!” Jiang Qian laughed sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head.

“Senior Sister Bai? You’re still here waiting for me?” Jiang Qian called, genuine surprise in his voice.

The moment Bai Piaoxue saw Jiang Qian step out, safe and sound, her eyes filled with tears. Without a word, she darted forward and hugged him tightly, clinging as if she never wanted to let go.

Watching that, Chen Xiaoxiao felt a prick of jealousy, but Bai Piaoxue had clearly arrived first, so she could hardly say anything.

Jiang Zixuan also approached, her expression softening. “So, how did you two make it out?”

“Well, you could say Junior Sister Xiaoxiao received an inheritance,” Jiang Qian replied offhandedly.

Chen Xiaoxiao nodded in agreement. “Mmm, just as Senior Brother said. Now I control the entire ruin.”

“I never would’ve guessed that, out of everyone who entered, it would be you, Junior Sister, who claimed the greatest prize!” Jiang Zixuan said with a gentle smile.

Chen Xiaoxiao’s cheeks pinked with shy delight.

Eventually, Bai Piaoxue released Jiang Qian and stepped quietly beside him.

“By the way, can anyone tell me why this place turned into a desert?” Jiang Qian asked, confusion creasing his brow.

Not long ago, this place had been a dense stretch of forest—now there wasn’t so much as a weed left. As far as the eye could see, just barren sand.

Bai Piaoxue ducked her head, embarrassment coloring her face, and reluctantly explained.

It turned out that the other day, she and Duan Yuqing had gotten into a fight. Jiang Zixuan tried to break it up—but somehow, she got dragged in, too.

A simple argument turned into a three-way brawl, none of them holding back. In the end, their combined powers reduced the landscape to empty wasteland.

Jiang Qian felt the corner of his mouth twitch.

So in the end, I was the catalyst for this disaster...

“By the way, Senior Sister Jiang, how long until the secret realm closes?” Chen Xiaoxiao piped up.

Jiang Zixuan thought for a moment. “About one more month before it collapses.”

“Then we have time for more treasure hunting! Let’s not waste it!” Jiang Qian urged, spurring the group onward.

“Wait, Senior Brother!” Chen Xiaoxiao called, sprinting to the ruined entrance. She raised her right hand.

Responding to her will, the crystal shot out from the ruins, settling gently in her palm.

The next moment—

The crystal emitted a swirling mist that covered the whole ruin. Under the stunned gazes of Jiang Qian and the others, the enormous site began to shrink, growing smaller and smaller, until it was tinier than the crystal itself—then disappeared entirely, swallowed by the crystal.

Chen Xiaoxiao closed her hand, and the crystal vanished from sight.

“Xiaoxiao, what exactly is that crystal?” Jiang Zixuan asked, her curiosity barely contained.

“Oh, you mean the Xiashui Mist-Crystal? It’s inside me now!” Chen Xiaoxiao grinned, rolling up her sleeve to show her right forearm. There, a faint, shimmering crystal mark gleamed on her skin.

Even Jiang Qian—who prided himself on knowing the ins and outs of this world—was left momentarily speechless. This definitely hadn’t happened in the novel!

A few minutes later, the four of them left the area behind.

Jiang Qian walked with his hands behind his head, scanning the unfamiliar wilderness. He sighed in resignation.

After all this time in the secret realm, what did I even gain? Just one close call after another! If I don’t find some proper treasures soon, I’ll go mad!

Suddenly—

A blood-soaked figure crashed out of the brush, clutching desperately at Jiang Qian’s leg.

“Holy—!” Instinctively, Jiang Qian kicked the man away.

What the hell? Is this a corpse puppet? Get lost, evil spirits!

Wait... isn’t his robe from the Beast Taming Sect?

Jiang Qian crouched for a closer look. The battered figure was, indeed, a Beast Taming Sect disciple.

He knelt down and asked, “Tie Zhi—no, I mean, fellow cultivator—you’re still breathing, right?”

“Help... please... save us... our... our Young Sect Mistress…” the disciple gasped out, barely conscious.