As the words “Loading…” disappeared, a pool of clear spring water materialized out of thin air within the space.
Although Shang Yueli was astonished, she didn’t forget to remain vigilant.
The space ring was something she had possessed in her previous life, but she had never heard of it containing any System or Spirit Spring.
“What are you?”
[Honorable Bronze Host, greetings! I am Merit System 8301, devotedly at your service!]
Shang Yueli adapted well, after all, what could possibly shock her more than transmigrating into a book?
“What is the use of this Spirit Spring?”
[The Spirit Spring can improve physical constitution and prolong life.
The System levels are divided into Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond… and the top Supreme VIP.
The Bronze level privilege is: 1L of Spirit Spring daily.
As the System upgrades, the Spirit Spring limit increases, along with effects such as cleansing the marrow and meridians, curing diseases, and neutralizing hundreds of poisons.]
“Then how can I upgrade?”
[The Host can upgrade the System by accumulating merit through actions like healing the sick, saving lives, aiding the poor, and helping those in distress.
It is also possible to purchase upgrades with currency. It’s not expensive, just five million…]
Shang Yueli asked uncertainly, “Silver?”
[Gold.]
“…Can it be upgraded to the top Supreme VIP?”
[Silver.]
Shang Yueli: “.”
Alright, you don’t need to say anymore.
[Host, don’t be discouraged. As long as you accumulate merit, the System will upgrade quite quickly.]
Although the voice was emotionless, Shang Yueli still felt like it was mocking her.
Shang Yueli closed her eyes in despair.
Despite possessing the entire Da Qing national treasury and the general’s estate’s private treasury, she appeared so impoverished when faced with upgrade costs!
After understanding everything, Shang Yueli withdrew her consciousness and returned to reality.
She got down from Mu Yunsheng’s back and added some Spirit Spring to the water flask.
Taking a small sip, the taste was sweet, and even her fatigue vanished completely. She felt refreshed and invigorated!
Shang Yueli’s eyes sparkled as she quickly urged Wang Shi and Xiao Fu to each take a sip.
Compared to Shang Yueli’s joy, Mu Yunsheng appeared exceptionally distressed.
Watching his wife and mother become so happy over having a drink of water filled him with deep guilt.
If only he weren’t so incompetent, failing to protect them properly…
Mu Yunsheng lowered his head, his eyes tinged with red, and clenched his fists tightly.
“Husband, what are you thinking about?”
Shang Yueli crouched down and looked up to meet Mu Yunsheng’s despondent gaze, feeling puzzled.
In such a short time, what had he been imagining again?
Shang Yueli handed him the water flask, “Want a sip?”
Mu Yunsheng initially intended to refuse, but Shang Yueli’s gaze was so clear it made his imagination run wild, suddenly making his mouth feel parched.
Seeing him take the flask and drink modestly, his Adam’s apple bobbed with his swallowing motion, looking extremely attractive.
“How is it? Do you feel any different?”
Mu Yunsheng immediately felt his back no longer aching, his legs no longer hurting, as if reborn, walking with renewed vigor!
“What is this?”
“Shh!”
“Husband, be good, don’t ask too much. I’ll tell you later~”
Shang Yueli winked at Mu Yunsheng, who blushed as red as a ripe apple.
Lin Zhiman sneered, “Getting this excited over a drink of water? Have you all gone mad?”
Shang Yueli ignored her attempt to converse, snuggled close to Mu Yunsheng, and they continued on their journey.
After walking for another afternoon, the sky turned gloomy and was about to darken.
Lin Zhiman was utterly exhausted from the journey. When she looked up and saw the main household members all looking refreshed and walking with vigor, she nearly choked with frustration.
“Everyone, move faster!”
The sharp crack of a whip startled Lin Zhiman, causing her to stumble and fall to the ground.
She decided not to get up, panting as she pleaded, “Officer, it’s already dark. Can we rest? I truly can’t walk any further!”
Everyone had reached their physical limits and joined in requesting the officers to let them rest on the spot.
The officers themselves were tired and were about to agree when a rustling sound suddenly came from the forest.
Mu Yunsheng’s ears twitched slightly. His eyes snapped toward the dense woods ahead, and he instinctively moved to shield Shang Yueli and his mother behind him.
Lin Zhiman also sensed something amiss and shakily got to her feet.
“Awooo!” A wolf’s howl echoed from nearby, scattering the birds in the forest.
It was too late to flee.
If they turned their backs to the wolves, the pack would only grow bolder and attack more fiercely.
Shang Yueli retrieved a dagger from her space, concealing it in her sleeve as she prepared for the unexpected threat.
But as she raised her hand, she suddenly remembered the ropes binding her wrists.
Glancing at the panicked officers, she raised her voice, “Officer, why not untie us first? Otherwise, we might all end up as the wolves’ dinner.”
“No way! What if you escape?”
“If we run, you’ll die. If the wolves attack, you’ll die too. Why not take a chance? At least there’s a slim hope of survival.”
The officer hesitated, watching as the wolves drew closer.
Shang Yueli could wait no longer. She sliced through the ropes with her dagger, kicked the officer to the ground, and snatched the keys.
“Mu Yunsheng, catch!”
Mu Yunsheng caught the keys, freed himself, and flexed his limbs briefly.
The other men were also released and began searching for sturdy objects to use as weapons.
Suddenly, a robust black wolf burst into view.
Mu Yunsheng moved swiftly, seizing a sword from an officer. He stepped back, leaped, and drove the blade deep into the wolf’s abdomen!
Blood gushed out instantly.
The others weren’t idle either—wielding sticks and stones, anything they could get their hands on, they hurled them at the wolves, creating a scene of chaos.
Shang Yueli kept busy as well.
She shielded the women and children behind her, armed with a slingshot she had retrieved from her space—one she had specially modified.
One after another, she took them down.
“Yelp, yelp, yelp!”
The wolves yelped in pain, nearly beaten into submission like dogs.
Soon, the pack was too intimidated to advance.
Shang Yueli spotted a one-eyed wolf at the rear—strong and imposing, likely the alpha.
It breathed heavily, crouched on its front legs, and let out a long howl before preparing to charge.
Mu Yunsheng noticed it too. Quickly assessing the terrain, he stepped onto a tree trunk just as the alpha lunged, using the momentum to thrust his sword and blind its remaining eye.
The alpha collapsed instantly.
Mu Yunsheng finished it off with a swift strike, severing its head.
The women from the estate had never witnessed such a scene. They covered their eyes and huddled behind the flatbed cart, trembling.
With their leader dead, the remaining wolves glared resentfully but, left without direction, eventually tucked their tails and slunk away.
Mu Yunsheng casually twirled the sword, sheathed it, and picked up the shackles to put them back on himself.
He walked over to Shang Yueli, picked up the ropes, and grinned, “My lady, shall I tie you up myself?”
Shang Yueli wiped the bloodstains from his face, raised his clean hands, and revealed dimples as he said:
“Granted!”
Lin Zhiman watched them and, for some reason, felt full despite not having eaten.
After holding back for a long time, she only managed to utter: “In broad daylight, such disgraceful behavior!”
Just as everyone breathed a sigh of relief, someone exclaimed: “Boss, what’s wrong with you!”
Hearing this, Shang Yueli looked over.
The man referred to as “Boss” was lying on the ground, covered in blood, though no one knew when it had happened.
A large gash from a wolf bite on his arm was bleeding profusely.
He struggled to open his eyes, trying to say something, but instead spat out a mouthful of blood and completely lost consciousness.
“Boss!”
Several officers hurried over to check on him.
“This is bad! The boss was bitten by a wolf—what should we do now!”