Beast God
Chapter 28: To Give or Not to Give

"The teleportation array that leads out of here is located beneath the sea on the island's west coast. There is a reef shaped like an old man, and if you dive near that reef, you can see the underwater teleportation station," Wang Lian paused briefly before continuing, "I’m not from the Tianqiu Wang family, and I’m just an insignificant member of my clan. But as long as you don’t kill me, you will be richly rewarded once you get out."

"Are you trying to warn me not to kill you?" Chen Guan saw through Wang Lian’s true intentions. Even if she wasn’t from the Tianqiu Wang family, her clan definitely wasn’t ordinary.

Wang Lian’s face darkened. Coming here was her last desperate gamble; she had already accepted that if she failed, death would be a mercy. Now, everything was over. Given Chen Guan’s personality, if he worried about her family background and tried some underhanded trick against her, it would only make her life worse than death. It was better to just die quickly.

So Wang Lian’s subtle warning about the teleportation array was actually a death wish. She was resigned to her fate.

If Chen Guan truly killed her, and the Wang family never found out, that would be one thing. But if the Wang family learned of it, Chen Guan would surely meet a terrible end.

As long as there was a witness, the Wang family would be able to uncover the truth. That was why Wang Lian had no hesitation revealing the teleportation array’s location. She cared more than Chen Guan did that Gongsun Zhuo and Qin Ziyu escaped alive.

Unexpectedly, Chen Guan had seen through her thoughts.

Chen Guan had no time to say anything further to Wang Lian because Qin Ziyu’s situation had become dire. Rouge and Qin Ziyu were barely holding on, both suffering varying degrees of injury. Water Burial Buddha was slaughtering mercilessly, his attacks growing more frenzied.

"Chen Guan, give the Spirit Energy Capsule to Qin Ziyu. This is our only chance now," Gongsun Zhuo urged from the side.

"The Spirit Energy Capsule’s side effects are severe. Qin Ziyu has already overexerted himself. If he forces his body by taking the capsule now, his foundation will be damaged, and it will be difficult for him to achieve any future breakthroughs," Chen Guan said thoughtfully.

"But if we can’t kill Water Burial Buddha, none of us will survive," Gongsun Zhuo said helplessly.

Chen Guan said nothing and looked at Qin Ziyu in the fight. Qin Ziyu was already scratched in many places by Water Burial Buddha’s claws; his clothes were soaked in blood and looked terrifying.

However, Chen Guan could tell those were only superficial wounds. They looked frightening but weren’t fatal. It was just that Qin Ziyu had been fighting nonstop, bleeding heavily, and his energy was clearly failing. It was only a matter of time before Water Burial Buddha killed him.

Rouge was in slightly better condition. It had tough, thick skin, and the Mystical Spirit’s stamina was incomparable to human cultivators. Rouge’s combat power was much stronger than Qin Ziyu’s at the moment.

Now Chen Guan faced two choices: use Cheerleader’s Soul on Rouge or on Qin Ziyu.

Rouge had previously received a boost from Cheerleader’s Soul, which enhanced its quality and growth rate. Chen Guan had also tried boosting it again with Cheerleader’s Soul, but the motivational words that once encouraged Rouge no longer had much effect.

He tried other motivational phrases, but they also had limited effect. However, there was still some reaction, meaning Cheerleader’s Soul still worked on Rouge. It just seemed to have developed a kind of resistance.

The previous boost was too strong; to have an effect again, an even stronger motivational phrase was needed—something that would truly resonate with Rouge and encourage a significant increase in strength.

Unfortunately, Chen Guan couldn’t think of better words to motivate Rouge.

By contrast, motivating Qin Ziyu was easier.

Qin Ziyu hadn’t been affected by Cheerleader’s Soul before, and Chen Guan understood why.

Warring States was easily motivated, but Rouge was difficult to encourage. The same applied to people—some are easily lifted by a few compliments, others remain indifferent to flattery.

Rouge and Qin Ziyu clearly belonged to the latter category. To activate Cheerleader’s Soul’s power, the encouragement had to truly reach their hearts.

"Even without the Spirit Energy Capsule, it’s not impossible to kill Water Burial Buddha. You’re underestimating Qin Ziyu. He’s the strongest student in our academy and one of only two people in the world who have mastered the Purple-Green Dual Qi Profound Skill," Chen Guan quietly used Cheerleader’s Soul to try motivating Qin Ziyu.

He didn’t give Qin Ziyu the Spirit Energy Capsule primarily because he wasn’t sure if Qin Ziyu was willing to take it. If Qin Ziyu wanted it himself, Chen Guan would have no objections.

But from Chen Guan’s understanding of human nature, many people would rather die together than pay a personal price to save others. He didn’t know what kind of person Qin Ziyu was.

"I’m not underestimating Ziyu, but with the current situation..." Gongsun Zhuo said helplessly with a bitter smile and didn’t continue.

If Qin Ziyu still had strength, he wouldn’t be in such a dire state.

Chen Guan kept observing Qin Ziyu and noticed that the words he spoke hadn’t taken effect. Clearly, such praise wasn’t enough to trigger Cheerleader’s Soul in him. His willpower was far stronger than ordinary people’s.

"What kind of praise can truly touch his heart?" Chen Guan wondered silently. He had to resolve this quickly. If Qin Ziyu died, Rouge would stand even less of a chance.

"Give me the Spirit Energy Capsule," Qin Ziyu suddenly said coldly in the middle of battle.

Chen Guan was slightly stunned. He hadn’t expected Qin Ziyu to voluntarily ask for the capsule. This was the best option right now, so Chen Guan naturally wouldn’t stop him.

Just as he was about to find an opportunity to toss the capsule to Qin Ziyu, Wang Lian sneered beside him, "Are you sure you want to give Qin Ziyu the Spirit Energy Capsule? Given his current condition, taking it will trigger the worst side effects. His foundation will be damaged, and he might never awaken again in the future. He’s someone who has mastered the Purple-Green Dual Qi Profound Skill. You know what status that holds in the Qin family. I don’t need to say more. If you destroy him with the capsule, do you think the Qin family will let you go? If I were you, I definitely wouldn’t give him the Spirit Energy Capsule."

Chen Guan’s hand paused as he was about to throw the capsule. He knew why Wang Lian said those words—not for his benefit but to sow doubt, making him hesitate and not give the capsule to Qin Ziyu.

Qin Ziyu was already at the end of his rope, and the battle could turn in an instant. Water Burial Buddha could kill Qin Ziyu at any moment. Hesitating might mean Qin Ziyu’s sudden death, and then everyone would die. Wang Lian wanted to drag them all down with her.

But what she said was true. Even if Qin Ziyu didn’t blame Chen Guan, would the Qin family let him off?

Even if they did, they would first investigate his background to see if anyone deliberately set Qin Ziyu up.

Chen Guan wasn’t intentionally sabotaging Qin Ziyu, but his family situation couldn’t be discovered by those with ill intentions. If it was found out, it would be very troublesome.

"I will take full responsibility. It has nothing to do with you," Qin Ziyu said calmly. Despite the terrible situation, his voice remained steady without much fluctuation.

"Hurry and give it to him," Gongsun Zhuo urged anxiously, seeing Chen Guan hesitate.