Stepping on the Demoness to become the strongest

Xie Ruoxi started crying again.

If Yan Yu wasn't a battle-hardened warrior, seeing the delicate, teary-eyed look on the fair and tender little Ruoxi's face, he might have questioned whether he had been too rough — and then turned bestial.

Haha, what I savor is this particular expression of yours! The reluctant, powerless-to-resist look of grievance, truly delicious!

Of course, the Yan Yu of today is experienced, thinking to himself, "I haven't even exerted force, why are you crying already?"

Feigning, really good at feigning! Expecting me to show mercy because you pretend to be pitiful? If you had the guts to face me head-on, I might respect you and let you off; but you, acting like a useless crybaby begging for mercy, I will certainly not show mercy!

Half an hour later, Yan Yu was being chased in anger by Xie Ruoxi, forcing him to jump out the window and soar into the air using sword control.

"What am I supposed to do if mom and dad find out you messed up the bed sheets like this?" Xie Ruoxi angrily transmitted her voice from the window's edge, questioning Yan Yu.

"Just secretly wash them and make sure not to get caught." Yan Yu responded.

"They would still need to be dried after washing!" Xie Ruoxi got even more agitated, "We can't keep them from coming in forever! How do I explain this to them if they see the sheets?!"

"Then don't wash them." Yan Yu suggested, "Just wipe them clean with wet wipes and blow dry them with a hairdryer."

"Enough! Stupid captain, bad captain, always bullying me!" Xie Ruoxi started crying again, tearfully rummaging through drawers for wet wipes.

"What does this have to do with me? Most of it is obviously your own..." Not even halfway through his sentence, Yan Yu saw a ball of thunder light heading straight for him, which startled him enough to dive and dodge swiftly.

Oh no, the big rabbit's going to bite, I better leave quickly!

After getting Xie Ruoxi's signature, Yan Yu did not rush back to the base but first sent a message to Yun Jin, and upon finding out her location, he flew directly northwest through sword control.

The northwest of Lu Country is generally arid and water scarce. There were original plans to divert water from the Yangtze River to the northern Yellow River to replenish water resources in the northwest. However, the construction in plateau regions faced difficulties, had geological instability, and high costs, with unpredictable negative impacts on the Yangtze River, leading all previous cabinets to drop the discussion eventually.

Su Yunjin's Southern Dipper Galaxy Secret Art excelled in creating something out of nothing. As long as True Yuan was endless, the amount of Tianhe Water transported could be near limitless. The only limitation was the efficiency of water release; it wasn't effective enough at the Foundation Establishment stage but became considerable at the Golden Core stage.

When Yan Yu arrived, he saw Su Yunjin standing high in the sky, with massive torrents of water materializing, transforming into over a dozen enormous waterfalls that cascaded into the reservoir below.

Speaking of which, continuously stealing water from the void like this, wouldn't it cause the sea levels on Earth to rise?

Yan Yu wasn't a professional technician, but he thought if experts had calculated that it was fine, he wouldn't casually speak, lest making a fool of himself.

Seeing the captain's sword light approach, Su Yunjin stopped her spellcasting, descended near the reservoir dam, and called out to the workers stationed there:

"That's it for today, we'll continue tomorrow!"

Saying this, she did not wait for their response and directly turned her sword light to meet Yan Yu.

"Captain, you came to see me?" Su Yunjin's smile was like a flower.

"Yes." Yan Yu said, "This isn't the place to talk, let's find a place to land."

They flew to a nearby city, with Yan Yu casually asking during the journey:

"How long are you staying here?"

"Originally about 20 more days." Su Yunjin blinked, smiling, "If the captain misses me, I can come back earlier."

"Ah, that wouldn't be good, right?" Yan Yu asked in surprise, "The reservoir isn't full yet, leaving early? Wouldn't the higher-ups have opinions about it?"

"Definitely not." Su Yunjin was confident, "Currently in Lu Country, I'm the only one who can release water like this."

"Impressive." Yan Yu exclaimed, "Your unique value in this area is an expression of a different kind of strength."

"After all, I want to become a girl deserving of the captain." Su Yunjin gently said, "I can't do that without working to explore my strengths."

Yan Yu felt a bit proud. Yes, in the past, I had said countless times to them, "Are you worthy?" "You're not worthy," not for the sake of crushing their self-confidence, but to push them to strive and grow!

Yun Jin's current strength and status are closely linked to my encouragement and discipline!

To avoid drawing attention, they landed on the outskirts of the city, donned masks to cover their faces, and then took public transportation into the urban area.

Su Yunjin brought Yan Yu to a café, reserved one of the enclosed private rooms, only then removing her mask, letting out a long breath, and said with a smile:

"Once I came here to buy some food after work. Despite wearing a mask, the staff recognized me just by my voice, scaring me into flying off with sword light, almost getting captured on camera."

"Your voice is indeed very distinctive, Yun Jin." Yan Yu said, "If you need anything in the future, it's best to arrange for an assistant to do it."

"I'm not used to others doing things for me." Su Yunjin shook her head.

The assistant assigned to Yun Jin had the surname Shi, a young woman who was efficient and decisive, with deep academic achievements in botany. Oddly enough, despite them theoretically having a lot to talk about, Yun Jin's attitude toward her was only so-so.

"You should still pay attention." Yan Yu reminded, "If the higher-ups think you are dissatisfied with this assistant, they might find an excuse to replace her and keep doing so until you're satisfied."

"Can't I do without an assistant?" Su Yunjin sighed and asked.

"The assistant is the liaison between you and Lu Country." Yan Yu said, "You wouldn't want to deal directly with the Privy Council, would you? If there's any miscommunication, there's no buffer zone, which is what the assistant is for."

"I know." Su Yunjin said faintly, "The so-called buffer, in reality, is a scapegoat. If there's a serious communication problem with me, the Privy Council would directly let the assistant take the blame, clearing themselves completely — that's one of the reasons I don't like having an assistant."

She extended a fair hand, gently laying it on the back of Yan Yu's hand, and said:

"I don't need an assistant as a spokesperson. I prefer it if, just like before, you tell me what to do, and I'll do it."

"You want me to be your liaison?" Yan Yu was amused.

"Why not?" Su Yunjin widened her eyes slightly, showing a hopeful and pleading expression.

"Of course not." Yan Yu said, "The team structure has already been abolished, there will be no more captains. A Golden Core True Man obeying another Golden Core True Man's orders, do you think the Privy Council would feel secure knowing that?"

"I don't care about whether they feel secure." Su Yunjin said seriously, "To me, the team will never disband, and you will always be my captain."

Her resolute expression, as if saying "I want to rebuild the Zhenhai Team," made Yan Yu feel sentimental, thinking Yun Jin was probably afraid that without the team relationship, he would reduce their daily interactions. So he kindly persuaded:

"Well, I'm not against your nostalgia, but life has to move forward. The old must go for the new to come."

"New clothes are not as good as old ones, people are not as good as old acquaintances." Su Yunjin argued, "New ones might not necessarily be better than old ones."

"Take a look at this." Yan Yu passed the application document over.

Su Yunjin continued to maintain her exceptionally resolute expression, her gaze falling on the paper document as she continued:

"The fate of the Zhenhai Team should be decided by us, its members. A piece of paper stating that it's disbanding shouldn't dictate anything. To me, the team is for life... Hmm?!"

She stared at the "couple relationship" on the application document, stunned for quite a while.

"Does a couple relationship suit better than a comrade relationship?" Yan Yu intentionally pretended to be hesitant and said, "Yun Jin, I didn't know you cherished the team so much. Maybe privately, we should continue as captain and team member..."

"No need." Su Yunjin quickly revealed a beautiful smile, gently saying, "Captain, no, Yan Yu, you are right, life has to move forward. Clinging to the past and standing still would be bad."

"But you just said the team is for life." Yan Yu pretended to be puzzled and continued asking, "Did I hear it wrong?"

"In my heart, the Zhenhai Team will never disband." Su Yunjin smiled gently, placing her right hand lightly on her chest, softly saying, "But business is business and family is family. As the captain's girlfriend, I can't let business hinder the growth of our family, otherwise, wouldn't that be putting work before love?"

"Uh, putting work before love, is that the right choice?"

"Yes." Su Yunjin held his hands again, smiling, "If I have to choose between the two, I will choose the family without hesitation."

"You, to me, are far more important than the Zhenhai Team, my dear."

Changing faces so quickly, you really are something, Yun Jin...

But Yan Yu knew well enough that Su Yunjin's spirit and mindset were actually quite free from attachment. She had no obsession with fighting, cultivation, or fame and riches, displaying utmost enthusiasm only in her pursuit of her own matters.

In that sense, her nostalgia for the Zhenhai Team was the odd thing.