Chapter 62: Venturing into Stellar Rift (Part-1)
Lin Fang sat up straight, stretching his hand and widening his fingers a bit. "At least 50%."
This time, it was Li Liu who was taken aback. "Fifty? You sure about that?"
"Absolutely," he nodded. "If I want you to work with me sincerely, I need to treat you sincerely too. I must at least give you that much. But... are you sure you want to work with me? I mean..."
Li Liu stared at him for a second and then said. "It’s not like I’m investing any money, and neither do I have an obligation to any other party. I’m a free agent."
"I don’t mean money. You know what I mean..."
"It’s fine. Really. In fact, forming a professional partnership actually makes me feel less receptive to your actions."
Lin Fang stared at her in silence.
Both of them just stared into each other’s eyes for a while. Like a sheer coincidence, a melodic tune played on the television, slightly turning the mood.
Lin Fang then slowly said in a hushed tone as he blinked again. "Liu’er, can you back away a bit? You look too beautiful up close. I’m having this strong urge to kiss you..."
"Eh?" Li Liu blinked her eyes twice. She immediately backed away with a deep blush crept to her cheeks. "Can’t believe you are flirting with me, after all that talk." She mumbled quietly.
Lin Fang couldn’t help but chuckle.
The next morning, just as the first light of dawn crept across the sky, Lin Fang zipped up his jacket and stepped out of his room with a yawn. He looked freshened up but still sleepy.
Li Liu stood at the entrance door, leaning casually against the frame, still holding a coffee mug while watching the sunrise. "Morning."
"Morning..."
As Lin Fang was about to go past her, she said. "Good luck and be safe."
Lin Fang stopped a bit and then glanced at her. But he didn’t say anything and just simply nodded.
After a while, Lin Fang adjusted the strap of his backpack and left the house. Li Liu watched his back as he walked through the corridor. She watched him until he disappeared into the elevator.
Once he did, she mumbled, "Yan Yan, if you don’t hurry and return, I’m afraid you are going to miss your chance."
Exactly twenty minutes later...
The front door flung open with a bang.
Li Liu was watching a romantic drama, but without any snacks or chips on the side. Flinched by a sudden burst, she turned, and her eyes widened in shock. "Yan Yan?"
Zhi Yan stumbled in, panting heavily. Her clothes were torn in places, her sleeves soaked with dried blood, and bruises scattered across her neck and arms. Her hair was a mess, and her expression looked quite frantic.
Li Liu hurried to her and grabbed her. "What the hell happened to you? What are all these injuries?"
"I was stuck in an instant dungeon on the way," Zhi Yan snapped, her voice tight with urgency. "Where’s Lin Fang? Is he still sleeping?"
"Uhh... He left... twenty minutes ago."
"Damn it!" Zhi Yan swore, pushing past her. "Give me your phone."
Li Liu startled at her outburst, but handed over her phone immediately.
Meanwhile, Lin Fang was cruising smoothly down an empty expressway, the morning wind ruffling his hair beneath the helmet. He looked quite happy and at peace.
Buzz! Buzz!
His new phone buzzed inside his jacket pocket. He slowed down, pulled over to the side of the road, and took it out. The caller ID read: Li Liu.
"Huh? Did I forget something at home?" he muttered, then picked up. "Hello, Liu’er?"
"Classmate Lin, it’s me. Zhi Yan."
Lin Fang straightened up a little. "Oh, Classmate Zhi. You’re back? Where were you all day yesterday?"
"I’ll explain later," she said with a clipped and serious voice. "Listen, I need to meet you right now. Wait for me at the portal. Do not enter on your own. Got it?"
"Huh? Why? Is something wrong?"
"I’ll tell you when I get there."
"Alright," he said slowly. "I’ll be waiting at the entrance."
She cut the call without another word.
Lin Fang stared at the screen for a second before sighing and tucking the phone back. He put on his helmet again and revved the bike.
Something’s off.
Three hours later, the motorcycle slowed to a stop at the base of the mighty Mount Hua.
At the base of Mt. Hua, a bustling makeshift village was established in the past week. Sprawl of tents, modular cabins, gear trucks, and food stalls were all filled this place so quickly that it seemed like a real village.
People moved about in combat uniforms and their respective monster companions trailing behind or resting in the stables.
This was the Temporary Sky Hunt Exploration Base. It will be there for three weeks before the stellar rift closes and everything returns to normal.
Lin Fang parked near the designated parking area and took a slow breath. He dialed Li Xue’s number.
"Oh, Darling, you’re here?" came Li Xue’s sweet voice. Lin Fang was taken aback by her change of tone.
"Ah, Yes."
"I’m near the north tent row. Come straight in. I’ll meet you outside."
A few minutes later, Lin Fang walked past several murmuring groups, receiving a few curious glances along the way. He didn’t look like the seasoned hunters around, especially not with a Direwolf pup’s head out of the backpack.
After walking for a while, he spotted L Xue waving at him with a grin.
"Gege!"
Lin Fang smiled and walked up, noting two men standing behind her.
One of them, a buffed and broad-shouldered man, arms crossed and expression sharp, sized him up immediately. The other, a slim, fair-skinned westerner in tactical gear, glanced at him briefly with a smirk.
The buffed man turned to Li Xue and muttered loud enough for Lin Fang to hear, "This is the new guy, your boyfriend?"
Li Xue introduced them. "This is Fan Yujing, an A-rank hunter, the face of our guild. And this is Keith, a B-rank hunter."
Lin Fang nodded politely. "Hello, I’m Lin Fang."
The man, however, snorted in response, disdain clearly evident in his eyes. "A plainfolk... with a rented monster cub? Are you serious?"
He glanced sideways at Li Xue. "Seriously, you didn’t find anyone better, Sister Li?"
Before Lin Fang could react, Li Xue furrowed her brows, expressing her displeasure. "Cap, my love life is none of your concern. Moreover, Lin Fang is stronger than you think. He made it to the fourth trial of Hunter Examination, you know, under Feng Xiu’s supervision."
The other one, Keith, let out a dry chuckle. "Doesn’t that mean he is still unlicensed?"
Lin Fang’s smile thinned slightly. He didn’t speak, but something flickered in his eyes. Even Black stirred slightly inside the pet inventory, sensing his master’s rising irritation.
Meanwhile, Li Xue’s mood turned further sour. "I told you before. He is not your concern."
Silence returned to the group.
Ten minutes later, the group walked to a gray-black chopper, rotors idle and waiting. Sleek and fast, more air taxi than military-grade, but still capable of short-range vertical climbs.
"Let’s go," Yujing said. "The main entrance is on the upper plateau."