When it was time for dinner, Ning Xuan and the others had a stewed Snake Soup. Ning Xuan brought out the substitutes she had found for seasonings like chili peppers, black pepper, and ginger. Although they didn’t look quite the same as the real thing, their flavor was unique and in no way inferior to anything Ning Xuan had ever eaten before!

As the mercenaries ate the hot, fragrant, and delicious Snake Soup by the shore of the dark Ice Lake, it felt as if their entire bodies were submerged in a warm sea of energy. This was the meat of an Ice Prison Fierce Beast—an Ice Python. They felt that what filled their stomachs wasn’t just meat, but pure energy. Their depleted superpowers were rapidly replenished, becoming even stronger than before.

When the A-level team members who hadn’t participated in the fight saw their companions receive large portions of the python meat, they were green with envy. They cursed their own weakness, furious that they hadn’t been qualified to join the battle!

After taking the Healing Medicine Ning Xuan gave them, the two severely injured team members could now barely sit up. Their faces lit up with joy as they looked at their share of the spoils. "Miss Ning," one of them said, "if you ever decide to hunt an Ice Python again, please consider me, Luo Sen, first. Just say the word, Miss Ning, and I, Luo Sen, will be the first to sign up, no questions asked!"

Luo Sen had originally accepted this mission for the generous payment Ning Xuan offered. Plus, his Superpower Body, the Ice Bear, possessed the Ice Attribute, so he wasn’t as intimidated by the Black Water Ice Prison. He never imagined that the trip would yield such an enormous reward!

’Although Miss Ning’s personal strength was lacking, her medical skills were extraordinary and her plans were meticulous,’ he thought. ’If she hadn’t used that bottle of medicine to lure the Ice Python into the shallows, we couldn’t have defeated it even with several times our number.’

’Those Golden Needles Miss Ning used... she only pricked a few specific spots on my body, and I woke up from a coma. I’ve never seen such a miraculous technique before.’

’I know how bad my injuries were. If Miss Ning hadn’t found a way to wake me up so quickly, I would have been in a coma for at least three more days. During that time, my body would have had to rely on its own slow self-healing. Compared to consciously recuperating after taking medicine, that process is far slower. I wouldn’t have been able to get out of bed for at least ten days, maybe even half a month!’

’But now, I’ll be able to move freely after just two days of rest. I won’t be a major burden on the team!’

At this thought, Luo Sen’s eyes shone as he looked at Ning Xuan. "Miss Ning, where do you live? Here, this is my address in the safe zone! If you have any missions, please contact me anytime!"

"Miss Ning, I’d also be very willing to take on your missions. Here’s my address," the other severely injured patient said sincerely. "I was fortunate to receive your timely treatment. I don’t want the rest of my commission. Please just tell me the price of the Healing Potion; I’ll pay for my medical expenses separately!" 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Luo Sen quickly chimed in. Compared to the spoils they had reaped, the commission was nothing!

"You were injured while on the mission, so how could I possibly let you pay your own medical fees?" Ning Xuan said, making the final decision. "Rest here for the night. We head back tomorrow!"

Although Ning Xuan had the lowest Level among the group, Chen Nan followed her orders without question. And after spending this time together, the mercenaries had also come to trust her completely.

"Alright! We’ll follow Miss Ning’s arrangements!" Luo Sen and the others chimed in. Female Spirit Controllers were known for their poor combat abilities, making it extremely rare to see one like Miss Ning who had the courage to leave a safe zone and venture into a dangerous one. ’Still, it’s a good thing she was here,’ they thought. ’Otherwise, we probably wouldn’t have made it out in one piece, let alone reaped such a great reward!’

Ning Xuan wanted to return to the safe zone as soon as possible. She had gathered all the necessary medicinal ingredients and needed to get back to concoct the Body Refining Potion.

’I don’t know if I’ll even be able to create it successfully,’ Ning Xuan thought. ’And even if I do, I have no idea what the effects of my modified Body Refining Potion will be. Will it be enough to awaken my Companion Spirit?’

Early the next morning, Ning Xuan and her group prepared for the return journey. Ning Xuan rode in the vehicle as before, while the two severely injured patients were cared for. The other lightly wounded members were not hindered, and the uninjured members automatically took on the duty of clearing the path and killing any monsters.

Ning Xuan’s team returned the way they came. After about three days of travel, as they were nearing North City Town, Chen Nan insisted on stopping at a different supply point. Not wanting him to lose face in front of everyone, Ning Xuan agreed.

She just never expected that when they stopped for dinner at this obviously smaller, less secure supply point, that same plate of Cold Spring Moon Fish would appear again. The moment Chen Nan saw the fish, his expression changed, and he went on high alert as if facing a powerful foe.

He had been on high alert ever since they entered the supply point and hadn’t left their side for a moment while dinner was being prepared. It was as if the plate of fish had materialized out of thin air!

Ning Xuan frowned. ’The last time this fish appeared, I thought it was provided by the inn, but later found out it wasn’t. When I left, I left a few bottles of medicine with the innkeeper to pass along as a return gift. The rest of the trip went smoothly, and we accomplished our objective. I thought that would be the end of it, that we were even.’

’But now we’ve deliberately avoided North City Town and come to a completely different supply point, yet that person has somehow delivered something again, just as silently!’

A stranger she had never even met could deliver something right to her room without a sound. The thought sent a chill down her spine.

Chen Nan, however, flew into a rage. He summoned his Superpower Body, his spiritual power instantly blanketing the entire inn. Luo Sen and the others rushed over to back him up, each summoning their own Superpower Bodies. The atmosphere in the supply point became incredibly tense in an instant.

Chen Nan was using his spiritual power to create a spatial lockdown. Within this sealed area, he could detect the slightest disturbance.

"Get out here!" Chen Nan’s spiritual power seemed to have detected something. He drew his weapon and slashed through the empty air. Something shimmered, and a young man in purple robes with a head of matching purple hair appeared in the room.

He took a few nervous steps back, one hand tugging at the corner of his robes, and stammered, "Miss, I... I just wanted to treat you to some fish! I caught it myself. It’s delicious. Please... please eat it!"

"Thank you," Ning Xuan said calmly, "but how did you know I had returned?" ’This supply point is still a good distance from North City Town! And while this young man looks shy and timid, he’s clearly powerful. I can’t let my guard down.’

"A few days ago, when you left the town, I tried to follow you but couldn’t catch up," the purple-haired young man said, looking a bit embarrassed. "I’ve been wandering around this area ever since, hoping I’d find you!"

"Why were you looking for me?" Ning Xuan asked, perplexed.

"My Superpower Body yearns for you, Miss," the young man said, glancing at Chen Nan before declaring loudly, "I want to be your Contractor!"

The corner of Ning Xuan’s mouth twitched. She never in a million years expected that answer. ’I thought they said Extreme Cold City doesn’t abide by the Federation’s laws. Does the concept of a Contract even exist here?’