Chapter 27: Losing My Composure

"Water Elemental Slime (Pale Red / One-Star)"

Two identical entries appeared within his field of vision. By the creek, two spherical masses, each the size of a small dog, were bouncing toward Godalier, who was still in the water. They were translucent and milky-white, lacking any facial features or limbs, resembling nothing more than moving blobs of gelatin.

Godalier was terrified. She hugged her arms to her chest in the water, retreating toward the bank where Wang Xi stood. While the girl was far more well-endowed than Wang Xi had imagined, he had little time to admire the view, for the two slimes suddenly launched an attack.

*Pfft! Pfft!*

Contracting and expanding, they fired high-pressure, shuttle-shaped jets of water from their bodies, like arrows aimed directly at the girl.

Wang Xi splashed into the water, raising his hands to shield Godalier. The two water arrows struck his forearms, blocked by a layer of azure-blue candy coating, splashing harmlessly away.

"Get up there, now!"

With a flick of his wrists, Wang Xi dissipated the coating and water droplets into a fine mist. He hauled Godalier out of the water. With a splash, the shocked and bashful girl, sensing the urgency of the situation, didn't say a word and scrambled obediently onto the bank.

*Swish-swish-swish-swish!!*

The sound of projectiles cutting through the air echoed. Wang Xi spun around, manifesting the candy coating once more to shield his face. The water arrows were all deflected. Pushing through the slimes' barrage, Wang Xi crossed the stream and reached them.

*Clang!*

He swung his sword. It felt like hacking into mud, offering little resistance, but thanks to Wang Xi's strength, the blade sliced one slime cleanly in two.

*Gloop!*

The other slime suddenly expanded, its center caving in while its edges stretched outward. It looked like a giant jellyfish, descending upon Wang Xi—intent on engulfing him and suffocating him to death. Wang Xi backstepped to avoid the net, slashing his sword several times in quick succession. With a few dull thuds, the slime was carved into pieces.

*Splash—*

The slimes dissolved into two pools of milky-white viscous liquid. Wang Xi frowned. He hadn't received a kill notification from Chaos. The slime on the ground began to squirm, slowly gathering back together as if attempting to reform.

Recalling the fantasy stories he had read in his past life, Wang Xi guessed these monsters must have a core—a heart-like organ—and only by destroying it could they be truly killed. He squinted, observing closely, and sure enough, within each pool of slime lay a palm-sized, web-like structure. It was nearly colorless and transparent, almost impossible to spot without careful scrutiny.

Wang Xi lunged twice, piercing through both. Instantly, the pools of slime fell completely still.

[Target eliminated!]
[Capture the "Water Elemental Slime" ability?]

'Yes.'

Wang Xi sheathed his sword. Two beams of white light rose from the ground and vanished into his forehead.

[Card added to independent card pool.]

The pools of slime diluted, gradually turning into clear water that seeped into the soil, leaving behind only two small, shimmering objects. Wang Xi raised an eyebrow and bent down to pick them up. They were two pearl-like, pale blue spheres.

[Slime Pearl: A pearl containing magical energy. Clams infected by magic grow these crystals. Yearning for freedom, they escape their cramped shells, condensing water elements to form new bodies to explore the outside world.]

So... the true form of a slime is a magically-mutated pearl? What kind of fairy tale is this? It was simply absurd.

Wang Xi tossed them to Chaos, receiving 200 energy in return.

[Energy: 600]

He didn't rush to draw more cards. Instead, he waded back across the creek and called out to Godalier. Soon, the girl, her hair still damp and her clothes hastily put back on, ran out from behind the bushes.

"Gai!"

Seeing Wang Xi, Godalier hurried over and threw herself into his arms.

"The monsters are dead. Are you alright?"

"I'm fine."

Godalier shook her head, though she looked rather dejected. Biting her lip, she whispered, "You saved me again, Gai... Just as you said, I truly am too weak. Ever since we left Rendall, I’ve been nothing but a burden to you."

"..."

Wang Xi wanted to offer some comfort, but chose to remain silent. In truth, he knew from the "Retirement Preview" that Godalier was no ordinary girl; she possessed a certain trait or talent that would allow her to master magic in the future and become a "Cinderella." But if things continued like this, her feelings for him would only deepen, and Wang Xi had no desire to entangle himself in such romantic debts.

"Gai, you..."

Seeing the young man's silence, Godalier’s expression turned sorrowful. She stared straight at him and asked, "Do you think I'm a burden, too?"

Wang Xi hesitated repeatedly, ultimately deciding against harsh words. However, the inner Wang Xi in his mind quietly pulled out the *Bible of the Scumbag* and began frantically flipping through the pages, finally stopping at a specific entry—*Emotionally Oblivious.*

"A burden is a bit much. After all, you’ve helped me ask for directions, changed my bandages, and brought me food..." Wang Xi shook his head and said calmly, "It's quite alright."

Godalier felt that familiar sense of distance once more. She opened her mouth, but in the end, only murmured, "Is... is that all?"

Any servant could do those things! She felt a strange sense of grievance; it seemed there was no place for her in Gai's heart. Perhaps the warmth and sweetness she had felt before were merely her own wishful illusions.

"You're done washing, right? Wait for me here."

Wang Xi glanced at the dazed girl and headed toward the creek on his own. He took off his leather armor, cotton tunic, and silk undershirt, jumping into the cool water naked to calm himself down.

In truth, it was hard not to be moved by a good girl like Godalier, especially knowing she would possess considerable strength in the future. It wasn't that Wang Xi hadn't considered stringing her along—to have a beautiful companion and simultaneously capture her extraordinary abilities—but if he really did that, wouldn't he just be returning to the kind of person he had loathed in his past life?

*Learn from the mistakes of the past.*

'May you be like the pine in winter, and avoid being like the fleeting peach blossom!' he told himself, diving underwater to steel his resolve.

...

By the campfire that night, only two figures remained. Steward White and the guards had already gone to sleep, and Wang Xi had volunteered for the night watch. Godalier sat on a log nearby, seemingly keeping a deliberate distance from him. Her hair was dry, and she stared blankly into the fire, her cheeks flushed red by the flames.

"Go to sleep. I'll keep watch," Wang Xi said softly, glancing at Godalier.

The girl raised her eyes listlessly, then quickly lowered them again.

"Okay."

Her voice was as faint as a mosquito's hum. She stood up slowly and lay down on a cloth spread out near the fire, curling into a ball with her back to Wang Xi. Wang Xi glanced at her briefly before looking away.

In the quiet night, only the faint, intermittent chirping of insects could be heard. He scanned his surroundings, and after confirming that everyone in the caravan was asleep, he whispered in his mind:

'Draw.'

[Energy cost: 100 (Remaining: 500)]

The two white light orbs in his mind began to spin. One flew out. Wang Xi vaguely heard a bubbling sound, as if the dead slime were crying out.

*"Comfy, comfy, so comfy... cuddle..."*

He managed to interpret the strange intent.

Well, it wasn't a lament after all. With a flash of white light, a card appeared in his hand.

[Water Spray (Utility Card)]
[Quality: White One-Star (Non-upgradable)]
[Description: An instinctive reaction of the Water Elemental Slime. They lack gender and reproductive capabilities, but they instinctively approach their own kind, attempting to merge into one. Upon use, you will gain a portion of this instinct; whenever you feel joy, your body will spray water. This card will disappear after use.]

Wang Xi held the card, his composure shattering once again.

*Joy makes me spray water?*

So, if he were on a train scrolling through his phone and saw a funny short video, he would spray water in public. Or if he were hanging out with Chu Nai and chuckled, he would spray water right in front of her... Spraying water at work... Spraying water on the street... Spraying water everywhere...

*Who the hell wants this kind of pathetic ability?! Get out of here!!*

Wang Xi took a deep breath and thought:

'Draw again!'

[Energy cost: 100 (Remaining: 400)]

Another bubbling sound echoed in his mind.

*"Shoot... spray..."*

The final orb of light emerged. Wang Xi looked at the card with a sour expression, but then he paused.

[Water Arrow (Skill Card)]
[Quality: White One-Star (Upgradable)]
[Description: A hunting method of the Water Elemental Slime. They compress water within their bodies and, after infusing it with a trace of magic, fire a shuttle-shaped jet to pierce their prey. Upon use, you can condense and fire a high-pressure jet of water. Each use will consume a certain amount of magic (if lacking magic, it will consume double the stamina).]

Another active spell-type skill card! It was very similar to "Blueberry-Flavored Candy Coating," both requiring magic. Since Wang Xi had no magic, he would simply use more stamina instead.

'Good, another combat option.'

Wang Xi was quite satisfied with this versatile card and tucked it away securely. He then shredded the bizarre "Water Spray" card, gaining 15 experience points, which he fed into his body-tempering technique.

[Rendall Body-Tempering Technique (Cultivation Card)]
[Quality: White One-Star (Upgradable)]
[Experience: 98/100]

Only 2 experience points away from leveling up!

Wang Xi felt a surge of anticipation. He checked the status of his other cards:

[Elite Soldier (Skill Card / Green One-Star): 22/200]
[Blueberry-Flavored Candy Coating (Skill Card / White One-Star): 13/100]
[Listen to the Heartbeat (Skill Card / Green One-Star): 2/200]

"Water Arrow" and "Chekhov’s Gun" were both at 0 experience, as he hadn't used them yet. And as a black card, "Chekhov’s Gun" required a staggering 1,000 experience points to upgrade! As for the other utility cards, they were non-upgradable and displayed no experience values.

Wang Xi thought for a moment, then raised his left hand, manifesting the candy coating over his palm. He held it for about ten seconds before dissipating it. He switched to his right hand and repeated the process. Back and forth, left and right. He began to pant and finally stopped his training.

His internal data showed he had gained 1 experience point. After resting for a while, Wang Xi activated the body-tempering technique. His facial muscles twitched, and a sharp pain wracked his body, as if he were being beaten by invisible fists.

'I'll make sure to level up this cultivation card within the next two days!'