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Gu Xiaoxi sighed and collapsed onto the ground, utterly exhausted.

At this point, she probably didn’t even have the strength to walk.

She had just drained all her inner strength battling the Giant Rat, and in an effort to heal everyone and herself, she had completely depleted it.

Now she was but an injured individual hanging on to a thread of consciousness; the moment she closed her eyes, it was likely she would pass out immediately.

"What are you looking at? Weren’t you quite capable? Heal everyone!" Gu Xiaoxi commanded sternly.

Ya glared at her, incensed that this woman dared to order him!

However, seeing the chaos all around and the wounded state of everyone present,

he reasoned that he should indeed save them all.

So, Ya picked up his flute and began to play a gentle tune.

As the melodious and soothing music rose, the beautiful notes of the flute spread throughout the entire valley.

The evening breeze fluttered across the blood-stained battlefield while Gu Xiaoxi saw spiritual energy, twinkling like fireflies in the forest, slowly converging upon everyone. In just a moment, it felt as though she was basked in sunlight, warm and comfortable.

In no time, those who had fainted began to stir awake.

Gu Xiaoxi had also regained some strength and was preparing to stand up when a pair of handsome hands reached out to her, seemingly to help her up.

Without thinking much, as she reached out her hand, she noticed it was covered in blood, contrasting starkly with his pair of jade-like, fair hands.

Midair, she retracted her hand and attempted to push herself up from the ground, still feeling shaky.

Just then, Quan Shaoqing returned and came forward to support her.

Although Gu Xiaoxi had recovered slightly, she was still weak.

She could barely walk. She knew this was a sign of overexertion, although it wasn’t as severe as the time she had overexerted herself with Mi Xi. But she was on the brink of collapse all the same.

Compared to others, Ya’s healing was extremely effective and rapidly restored their physical strength.

However, the healing effects were but a drop in the ocean for her.

Following the battle today, she must find a place rich in spiritual energy to recuperate for a few days; otherwise, she couldn’t recover to her peak condition.

"Are you alright?" Quan Shaoqing asked with concern, holding her in his embrace.

He could feel her body was so soft it was like noodles.

"I’m okay! Just a little tired, expended too much energy!"

Ya watched as Gu Xiaoxi leaned into Quan Shaoqing’s arms, feeling somehow that his hand still hanging in midair was extremely awkward.

A feeling of annoyance surged within him, prompting him to turn around and leave.

He thought there must be something wrong with his brain. Gu Xiaoxi was covered in blood and dirt, and yet he still wanted to help her up.

For Gu Xiaoxi, with Quan Shaoqing there, she felt much more at ease. All she needed to do was to lie in his arms and get some good rest.

The day’s battles had drained her completely.

She wrapped her arms around Quan Shaoqing’s neck and dozed off while nestled in his embrace.

...

When she woke up again, she found herself at Lu Xi’s house.

As she opened her eyes, she saw the playful Quan Jinling lying in front of her bed, chubby hands tousling her hair.

Gu Xiaoxi was delighted to stretch out her hand and grab his restless little one, then pulled him into her embrace, glaring at him with a smile as she asked, "Did you miss Mommy?"

"Miss!" Quan Jinling replied, squinting his dark, sparkling eyes and clapping cheerfully.

Gu Xiaoxi’s heart warmed at his response. She leaned down to gently kiss her son’s forehead and said with a smile, "Good boy! Stay with mommy and sleep a little more."

"Mommy! Eat—food," Quan Jinling, still young, had already been taught quite a bit by Lin Shu.

Hearing her precious son say this, Gu Xiaoxi indeed felt hungry.

She had no idea how long she had slept but felt refreshed upon waking, and realized she had returned to her peak condition.

This made her very curious.

Gu Xiaoxi took Quan Jinling by the hand and slowly descended the stairs.

The handsome little guy was wearing stylish bloomers and a tank top, his face bearing the aloof charm reminiscent of Quan Shaoqing.

Especially his eyes and eyebrows, which resembled Quan Shaoqing’s almost ninety percent!

Even though he was not yet a year old, his all-capable skin and mischievously adorable appearance made him irresistible to all.

"Xiao Xi, you’re finally awake. The superior officer asked me to take care of you. You’ve been asleep for two or three days. If you didn’t wake up, I was about to call the doctor," Lin Shu sighed in relief upon seeing her.

Gu Xiaoxi had not only slept deeply but was also impossible to rouse. It had scared her terribly.

"I’m fine, sorry for worrying Aunt Lin," Gu Xiaoxi replied with a gentle smile.

Quan Jinling pulled her toward the dining table, where Aunt Lin immediately brought out the freshly cooked ginseng porridge.

"I just finished cooking it, have some while it’s hot. You haven’t been gone long, but you seem to have lost a lot of weight," Lin Shu said as she served Gu Xiaoxi, her voice laced with worry. "How did the International Alliance’s assessment go? Was it too exhausting?"

Gu Xiaoxi wasn’t sure what to say, as she was unclear on many things after her long sleep.

As Gu Xiaoxi sipped her porridge, she picked up her phone and said to Lin Shu, "I’m not sure about the assessment. I need to ask Aunt Jing first. Also, has anything significant happened in Lan State Country recently?"

Although everyone had been physically depleted, their spirits were uplifted after being rescued.

However, she had noticed the escape of the Giant Rats and Black-furred Rats.

The consequence of so many rats fleeing the Barrier was imaginable.

If they were struggling to deal with them, ordinary people would certainly get hurt upon encountering them.

When Gu Xiaoxi asked this question, Lin Shu remembered, "A few days ago, there was news about a rat plague in Lan State Country! Many people died! They didn’t give the specifics, probably to avoid panic."

This was entirely within Gu Xiaoxi’s expectations.

At the same time, she also dialed Jing Rui’s number.

The call was answered, and Jing Rui’s voice came through, "Xiao Xi, are you well-rested? The situation here is urgent; come back quickly!"

Feeling a bit excited, Gu Xiaoxi responded, "Aunt Jing, you’re telling me to come back. Does that mean I can stay with the International Alliance?"

She was expecting it, but still anxiously sought confirmation.

Upon hearing this, Jing Rui let out a relieved chuckle and said, "Of course! And there is even better news!"

"Better news?" Gu Xiaoxi asked with surprise.

Jing Rui’s voice was full of joy, "The great news is: not only can you stay, but all five of you can remain. And headquarters has officially appointed you as the team leader of the International Alliance’s 71st Small Squad. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

"Yay!" Gu Xiaoxi seldom got so excited. At that moment, her expression showed genuine exhilaration as she kissed her playful son who was beside her.

Quan Jinling, though confused by the kiss, loved it as long as it was from Mommy.

"Back in the day, I struggled for ten years to become the team leader. Now you’ve become one as soon as you arrive, ranking alongside me, which is honestly quite enviable.

But I’m also happy for you. Once the matters in Lan State Country are resolved, I’ll treat you to a lobster feast to celebrate," he said.

Gu Xiaoxi nodded her head eagerly and said, "Great! I’ll be waiting! And about the situation in Lan State Country... exactly what..."

Her voice took on a serious tone as she spoke.

Jing Rui explained with a cool tone, "The situation is not that simple! If you’re rested, come back quickly. We have an important task to assign to everyone."

"Roger that! I’ll be there in two hours!"

After hanging up, Gu Xiaoxi poked her son’s chubby cheek and said with a grin, "Mommy is a team leader now. Come on, congratulate Mommy!"

"Xiao Xi, are you serious? Not only did you pass the assessment, but you also became a team leader?"

"Of course!"

Lin Shu cried out in disbelief, "Xiao Xi, you’re amazing!

Very few people are recruited by the International Alliance.

Their requirements are peculiar; some even lose their lives during the assessments.

Almost no one from our country can stay with the International Alliance, and yet you’ve become a team leader!

Quick, I’ll cook some red eggs to celebrate. "

"Cough!" Gu Xiaoxi looked at the excited Lin Shu, who was at a loss for words, and was speechless. Clearly, she was even more excited than Gu Xiaoxi, the person involved.

While Lin Shu busied herself cooking the eggs, Gu Xiaoxi called Quan Shaoqing.

"Awake!" The call had barely connected before Quan Shaoqing’s voice came through.

Gu Xiaoxi’s lips turned upward in a small pout, somewhat unhappy, "How come? You calculated so precisely?"

"Of course! It’s good that you’re okay, wife. I’m a bit busy now, but just give me a moment, and I’ll come to see you," Quan Shaoqing explained soothingly.

Upon hearing this, Gu Xiaoxi shared her thoughts with him, "Aunt Jing is urging me to come back. I’ll wait for you to take me there!"

She was accustomed to the free chauffeur service, and not having him felt uncomfortable!

"As you wish, my dear wife!"

Hearing Quan Shaoqing’s voice, which was a mixture of delight and formality, Gu Xiaoxi arched her eyebrows and said, "You talking like this somehow makes me uncomfortable. The distinguished General of the Eight Divisions has become so polite?"

The sun rising in the west.

This was unprecedented! Even in the past, he had never spoken to her like this face-to-face.