Chapter 25: The Miraculous Effects of the Wife’s Ability
Ahhh~
A heart-wrenching scream shattered the silent forest, echoing with visceral pain.
Moments later, several figures materialized beside Li Jian, whisking him away from the snake swarm, marking his exit.
As he was taken, the spirit snakes in the forest’s depths paused, sensing no kin were harmed. They soon slithered back to their branches, resuming shallow sleep, restoring the forest’s tranquility.
Having witnessed Li Jian’s challenge, Su Qi was intrigued. ‘There are so many ability types! His teammates were hidden nearby, and I didn’t even notice.’
“I’m starting my challenge now,” she declared, bolstered by Li Jian’s example. Puffing out her slightly raised chest, she stepped toward an undisturbed section of the snake forest, her white-stockinged feet moving cautiously.
“Su-jie, you got this! Spirit snakes are slow and clumsy off the trees. I’ll be your guardian knight from above! Hmph!” An Xiao Ling cheered.
“Go, Boss Su!” Da Shan rumbled.
“Go… yawn… go!” Wei Mian mumbled sleepily.
“Boss Su, shout if you’re in danger. Your delicate skin can’t handle a bite!” Haozi warned.
“Don’t worry, Boss Su, my saliva has antiseptic properties~” Lin Xue teased.
The team’s encouragements warmed Su Qi, but Lin Xue’s final remark sent a shiver through her. ‘No matter her intentions, I cannot get bitten. It feels like big trouble otherwise!’
Resolved, she ventured alone toward a towering tree laden with spirit snake fruit. Without the team’s presence, the chilly night breeze and the crunch of leaves and mushrooms underfoot heightened her unease. The snakes’ pulsing purple glow, synced with their breaths, made her feel like a horror movie protagonist.
Though her 50 agility assured her she could dodge the snakes, the reality of walking alone in the eerie purple forest—only fifty meters in, with twenty meters to the target tree—left her drenched in nervous sweat.
The breeze carried her faint, feminine fragrance, stirring nearby snakes. Their slit pupils opened, red tongues flicking as they slithered toward her.
With her heightened agility, Su Qi sensed their approach instantly, spotting snakes converging from all directions.
Panicking, she thought, ‘Why are they coming now? Li Jian only triggered them when he climbed! Is this targeting me?!’
Unbeknownst to her, the snakes moved slower and without hissing, lacking the aggression shown toward Li Jian. Her panic blinded her to this.
Anyone would falter facing a swarm of crawling snakes, missing subtle details in the moment.
Using her light frame and agility, Su Qi dodged the snakes, leaping onto a tree. Her black shoes gripped a branch two meters up, a height that unnerved her usually homebound self.
But the fear of heights paled against the hundreds of snakes slithering up the trunk. ‘The best way to conquer fear is to face a bigger one!’ she realized.
Dodging another snake from above, she grabbed a branch with her soft, pale arm, pulling herself to the tree’s top.
There, she discovered the trees bore many spirit snake fruits, often mistaken for snakes due to their similar appearance. Only misshapen fruits stood out.
With snakes climbing toward her, Su Qi hopped to a ripe fruit, reaching out.
Hiss~
The “fruit” opened slit pupils and lunged. Too close to dodge and hidden by branches, it coiled up her arm before she could react.
((ᵒꈊᵒ᷅ ू‖))՞
Feeling the cool, rough snake skin, her strength of 6 was futile—like massaging it. In seconds, it reached her shoulder, its glowing head raised.
Close enough to smell its faint, natural fragrance, Su Qi braced for a bite, closing her eyes in fear.
But no pain came. Instead, an itchy sensation brushed her cheek, like the team’s cats nuzzling her earlier.
Clenching her fist, she peeked. The snake was rubbing its head against her cheek, purring like a cat seeking affection. Despite its slit pupils, she sensed no hostility.
Tentatively, she touched its glowing head. It hissed contentedly, wriggling in comfort.
‘Huh?’ Su Qi blinked, confused.
More snakes climbed up, some nuzzling her stockings, others mimicking the first, seeking her touch. The team, poised to intervene after her fruit-snake mix-up, froze at the sight—an “idol meet-and-greet” with snakes.
Even with diverse abilities, they’d never seen someone bond so harmoniously with spirit beasts without enslavement or hypnosis skills.
Su Qi, equally baffled, chalked it up to her Crisp Wife ability. Checking her panel, she ruled out Crisp Wife’s Bento and Crisp Wife’s Armor. But Crisp Wife’s Sweetness caught her eye:
Crisp Wife’s Sweetness: In female form, your charm, aura, and beauty surge, exuding a subtle fragrance that soothes others. (Note: May trigger special events.)
The note, paired with the cats and now snakes, confirmed this was one of those “special events.” Recalling the ability’s goal—to heal the world with warmth—Su Qi wondered, ‘Do the snakes see me as their… wife?’
Hiss~
The first snake, content from her touch, plucked a large spirit snake fruit and placed it in her hand.
Holding the juicy fruit, Su Qi’s emotions were mixed. She’d imagined many ways to complete the mission, but this cheat-like method was beyond her expectations.
‘Does this even count as passing?’ she wondered.