Chapter 1078: Giant CP~

"Alright, let's put the past behind us and not dwell on what's unnecessary." Xu Xiaoshou saw that the Void Attendant had finally been thoroughly convinced, so he decided to temporarily set the matter aside.

He was confident that after this "brainwashing," the giant in front of him would no longer hold any grudge about the faint aura emanating from the Shennong Medicine Garden on his person.

With the last possibility of the Void Attendant attacking him eliminated, Xu Xiaoshou could finally proceed confidently with his next plan.

"Death Countdown: Eight days!" This ticking time bomb had been fixed in his mind ever since he emptied the Shennong Medicine Garden, entered the Yuan Mansion, and then emerged.

No matter how his appearance changed, this persistent countdown remained, impossible to shake off. To claim he wasn't panicking would be a lie.

However, panic was useless. Having done something wrong, he had to find a solution.

Based on the limited information he had about Void Island, the only solution Xu Xiaoshou could identify was the "Death Exemption Token" that the Void Attendant had mentioned during their previous encounter.

This was a special resource on Void Island, redeemable only at the "Hall of Sin One." The currency required for redemption was "Void Crystal."

How could he acquire Void Crystals? Xu Xiaoshou didn't know any other methods; the only way he knew was to extract them from the Void Attendant. As for how to "extract" them — well, directly asking certainly wasn't an option!

After allowing the Void Attendant enough time to process the previous... *incident*, Xu Xiaoshou patted its shoulder, looked up at the sky, and spoke with a touch of melancholy in his voice.

"Time really flies, doesn't it..."

"Huh?" The Void Attendant looked up, puzzled.

"I vividly remember those times we played and tumbled together as children. Looking back now, they're truly beautiful memories," Xu Xiaoshou said, his voice full of nostalgia, though he caught a glimpse of the Void Attendant's bewildered expression from the corner of his eye.

"Hmm." The Void Attendant nodded absently, its mind beginning to feel muddled. What was happening? Why the sudden trip down memory lane? And wait, he still didn't know his life-saving brother's name, or even who he truly was.

Just as the Void Attendant was about to speak, it glanced back and saw the look of profound joy on its "brother's" face, who was lost in his memories. Its words caught in its throat, and it quickly swallowed them.

Was this an illusion? It seemed like this "brother" had known him before. But he couldn't recall ever having a friend like this.

He spoke of "childhood"... The Void Attendant's heart sank. It quickly rummaged through its memories: it had childhood playmates, but this "friend" wasn't among them!

No way. Could it be that he had slept for so long that he had forgotten his "brother"?

"Do you remember, back then..." Xu Xiaoshou suddenly gestured vaguely in front of him, without specifying what he was indicating, nor a particular time or event. He simply smiled and said, "It was so comical; you actually cried! It was so embarrassing, and it's a good thing I was there, otherwise, I don't know how you would have recovered!"

The Void Attendant was dumbfounded.

"When did I ever cry?" It desperately wanted to ask, but for a moment, it found itself unable to.

Even if the Void Attendant was simple-minded, it could deduce at this moment: either it had slept too long and forgotten some childhood memories, or its "brother" had mistaken it for someone else. Could it be that he had mistaken it for a friend, which was why he had risked his life to save it?

The Void Attendant desperately wanted to ask for specifics, hoping to awaken its dormant childhood memories. But it truly didn't dare!

Without even asking, it could already guess the outcome of such questions: "What? You've forgotten me? I risked my life to save you, and you've forgotten all the beautiful times we shared as children?"

Or even worse: "What? You're not my friend? I risked my life to save you, and you're telling me I mistook you for someone else? Then what was the point of saving you?" The resulting awkwardness would be unbearable.

After just three seconds of stunned silence, the Void Attendant found the perfect solution. It too looked up at the sky, following its "brother's" gaze, a nostalgic expression appearing on its face as it exclaimed, "Yes, back then, it was all thanks to you, my friend..."

Whatever his "brother" said, he would simply agree! Since this misunderstanding was a beautiful one, it should be allowed to continue, never to be unraveled!

"Suspicion received, passive value +1.""Affirmation received, passive value +1.""Followership received, passive value +1."The information panel flashed wildly. Xu Xiaoshou nearly burst into laughter but managed to hold it in.

It was good that it didn't ask. There were many ways to foster closeness, but everything risked falling apart under scrutiny. As long as it followed his lead, the situation wouldn't become awkward. His savior wouldn't lash out in anger and choose to strike him — though, truthfully, he wouldn't dare.

Xu Xiaoshou composed himself, regaining his composure slightly, and sighed deeply:

"Yes, the past was truly beautiful, but this slumber has been so long. I only just awoke, and I nearly witnessed your demise, my brother." He continued, "Fortunately, the fluctuations from the Holy Power War couldn't conceal the connection of our shared bloodline. I managed to find you at the very last moment."

As he spoke, Xu Xiaoshou took the Void Attendant's hands, his gaze burning with sincere emotion. "So many years have passed, old friends have fallen one by one, but you are still here... It's truly wonderful."

The Void Attendant didn't even know where this surge of emotion came from, its eyes simply welling up slightly as it mumbled, "Mmm..."

"Enough of that," Xu Xiaoshou said, feeling a touch of self-induced nausea. He released the Void Attendant's hand, looked away, and asked, as if casually, "Since your guarded item no longer exists, where will you go now?"

The Void Attendant finally felt like a question it could actually answer had been posed. It had been dreading its "brother" remaining lost in past memories, which would have left it utterly bewildered.

Yet, when faced with the question, the Void Attendant found itself momentarily unable to formulate an answer. "I don't know," it murmured, shaking its head slightly.

The loss of the Shennong Medicine Garden this time wasn't just about a few missing spiritual herbs; the entire garden had vanished. The culpability for this was immense!

The Void Attendant figured it would have to visit the Hall of Sin One to confess its wrongdoing, and perhaps even proceed to the Holy Execution Ground afterward. But these hardships... it would bear them alone!

Its "brother" had risked his life to save it. There was no reason for his own negligence to be shared by his "brother."

The Void Attendant believed that if it revealed everything, given his "brother's" affection, he would certainly choose to share its fate, but it didn't want that. Its mistakes were its own to bear. His "brother" had only just awakened; he should take his time exploring Void Island, revisiting his former home.

"What about you?" The Void Attendant returned the question, wanting to use a name but finding none, "...Friend, where do you plan to go?"

"Me?" Xu Xiaoshou had been anticipating this question. Hearing it, he turned to face the three humans behind him. "I already have a mission. I'll likely have to part ways with you soon. Though I'm reluctant, it must be done."

The "mission" he referred to was, of course, the "slay the two duds" task that the Void Attendant had assigned him that day.

However, when these words reached the Void Attendant's ears, they carried a different connotation entirely. "A mission?" The Void Attendant was momentarily stunned, then suddenly understood: its recently awakened "brother," perhaps having been noticed by the Spirit of Void Island for saving it, was about to be entrusted with a great responsibility.

"Is it related to those three humans?" The Void Attendant followed his gaze.

"Yes," Xu Xiaoshou nodded. He naturally intended to take Mr. Jiren and the others with him, and using the mission as a pretext was perfect.

He also trusted the Void Attendant to be discreet and not inquire about the mission's specifics. Even if it did ask, Xu Xiaoshou had contingencies in place.

The Void Attendant ultimately did not ask. It understood that the missions assigned by the Spirit of Void Island to each guardian were unique and confidential. At that moment, it was still deep in thought, its sole consideration being...

"My brother just saved my life, and I haven't had a chance to repay him before we part ways. Now he's taken on a mission from the Spirit of Void Island and will be traveling with these three humans, which means he'll definitely need to issue missions and give instructions to them."

In that instant, the Void Attendant realized how it could repay the favor.

"Friend, you've only just awakened, your belongings..." The moment these words left its mouth, Xu Xiaoshou was so excited he nearly picked up the giant's adorable head and gave it two quick kisses.

*How are you so cooperative? I haven't even started guiding you, and you've already thought of repaying the kindness and giving me treasure?* Xu Xiaoshou suppressed his inner glee and lamented, "Humans! Confound them! After awakening from my slumber, everything I owned was stolen..."

*Just as I thought!* The Void Attendant's heart swelled with delight; it knew its "brother's" plight must mirror its own. Void Island had been far from peaceful in recent years, with humans constantly sneaking in and plundering treasures from various locations.

Who knew how many treasures had been lost from the Nine Great Desolate Lands? His "brother" had been in slumber for so long; even if the restrictions of his sleeping place were strong, they couldn't surpass those of the Nine Great Desolate Lands, so his accumulated possessions must certainly have been plundered!

"Friend, since you're traveling with humans, you'll undoubtedly need to assign them tasks." The Void Attendant paused, then continued, "Void Island operates on the principle of equivalent exchange. Since you're currently without funds, you can't issue missions. Although my own reserves aren't vast, you absolutely must accept these."

As it spoke, it turned its hand, revealing a small pile of black, hexagonal crystals in its immense palm.

Xu Xiaoshou's eyes instantly lit up. Void Crystals! This was exactly what he wanted!

With a quick "Perception" scan, Xu Xiaoshou instantly tallied the Void Crystals in the Void Attendant's hand. —Fifty pieces!

*Damn it, I only got two crystals for killing two "duds"... And now, just by sweet-talking, you're giving me this many?! What is this? Is this really Void Crystal? No! This is the equivalent of twenty-five Grand Void Realm lives!*

*And that's for a two-person team. If someone were to take on your Void Attendant mission alone, this would be worth fifty Grand Void Realm lives!*

However, thoughts were one thing, actions another. "No, no, brother, you're treating me like a stranger," Xu Xiaoshou protested, desperately trying to push the Void Attendant's hand away. "I didn't save you just for these things..."

A dignified Giant, capable of crushing a Grand Void Realm expert with a single kick and demolishing a mountain with a punch, was now seemingly as weak as if it hadn't eaten or drunk in trillions of years. Its hand simply wouldn't budge, no matter how hard Xu Xiaoshou pushed!

The Void Attendant feigned exasperation. "Friend, no matter how close we were before, you just saved my life. I have no way to repay you. If you don't accept my gift now, I won't be able to face you in the future."

"I..." Xu Xiaoshou's hand went limp; he nearly instinctively reached for a pocket that wasn't there. *Damn this Void Attendant, why doesn't it have pockets?*

"No, that's not how it works," Xu Xiaoshou stammered. "While it's true I saved your life..."

"That," the Void Attendant interrupted, "is the greatest kindness of all!"

The Void Attendant cut off its "brother," decisively took his hand, and placed the pile of Void Crystals into his palm.

After a moment's thought, it gritted its teeth. "Friend, you've only just awakened and have a mission ahead of you. You'll definitely need these more than I do..." It flipped its hand again, adding another ten Void Crystals to the pile.

Xu Xiaoshou, who had been trembling with emotion and was about to pocket the crystals, suddenly froze, his hand becoming remarkably steady. *More?* His features contorted, and tears almost spilled from his eyes.

Then, fighting back the overwhelming emotion, he stubbornly kept his hand, cradling the Void Crystals, trembling slightly in front of him. He bowed, his eyes shimmering with tears, "You're doing this..."

"Keep them safe," the Void Attendant said, releasing his hand and grasping his "brother's" shoulder.

*Of course, I'll keep them safe, but what I meant was, are there more? A lot more...* Xu Xiaoshou hadn't retracted his hand, still holding it to his chest. "Brother, I..."

"This is what you deserve, and it's my gratitude!" the Void Attendant interrupted again, its expression solemn.

*If it's gratitude, then more please...* Xu Xiaoshou waited a moment longer, finally realizing that the Void Attendant likely couldn't produce any more. He understood that "Void Crystals" might not be items to be counted in hundreds or thousands; perhaps these sixty were already the highest possible amount.

—In the Void Attendant's eyes, this was even enough to repay a life-saving favor!

Knowing when to stop... Xu Xiaoshou was well-versed in this. With a swift motion, he tucked the Void Crystals into his Yuan Mansion World, then clenched his fist tightly and thumped his chest.

"Brother, I've only just awakened, and indeed, I need these. So, I won't stand on ceremony with you, but I will forever cherish this bond."

"Mm-hmm." The Void Attendant nodded emphatically, then took a booming step back, extending its fist with an incredibly serious expression. "Good brother."

Xu Xiaoshou paused for a moment, then also took a resonant half-step back, sincerely extended his fist, and lightly tapped it against the Void Attendant's. "For life!"

As the two fists met, a wave of air surged outwards. What was a negligible gust for a Void Attendant of such massive size appeared to humans as a fierce gale creating significant ripples. As for the sight itself... it was utterly baffling!

Mei, Xiao, and Ye were utterly transfixed. Even as wind and sand swirled, kicking dust into their eyes, all three stared wide-eyed, disbelievingly at the scene before them.

The daytime brilliance of Void Island cast its light upon the two dark Void Attendants on the chaotic battlefield of the Forest of Miracles. Their fist bump seemed like an eternal bond, witnessed by heaven and earth alike.

This scene, almost as if viewed in 3D, rotated from large to small, without a single blind spot, imprinting itself deeply into the minds of Mei Jiren and the other two.

"Damn it!" Xiao Kongdong was the first to blurt out.

If the two in front were indeed both Void Attendants, then even such theatrics might be understandable. The problem was, all three of them knew that one of those giants was Xu Xiaoshou in disguise!

How could this fellow blend in so seamlessly and so harmoniously uphold such a bizarre scene? *Are you two becoming sworn brothers?*

No, wait, was the other one male or female? If it was female, would they both kneel down next and perform a matrimonial bow?

Everyone enjoyed imagining romantic pairings, even Sword Immortals and Grand Void Realm experts; it was only human nature. Xiao Kongdong himself found it sweet to imagine his teacher and his wife together. But right now...

*Was he going insane? Or had the world gone mad? The whole situation had taken an incredibly bizarre turn!*

The three exchanged glances, their words seemingly caught in their throats, gurgling and unvoiced.

Yet, despite their silence, they all understood the profound shock churning in each other's minds... "Xu Xiaoshou... and the Void Attendant... they're *together*?"