Chapter 335: Rescue

Long Yifan's body ached with every step as he sprinted through the dense forest.

The faint glow of the absorbed core crystal in his chest kept him moving, its warmth battling the creeping exhaustion in his limbs.

Gu Jin rested in his arms, her breathing shallow but steady.

Behind him, the sound of someone stumbling over roots and leaves made him grit his teeth.

"Long Yifan! Long Yifan, stop!" Gu Aihan's shrill, desperate voice echoed through the trees.

He didn't slow. The weight of her words carried nothing but irritation for him now.

"Did you hear me? I said STOP!" she screamed, her voice breaking. Her ragged breaths signaled how hard she was pushing herself to keep up with him.

When it became clear he wasn't going to respond, Gu Aihan stumbled closer and shouted, "I'm your fiancée! Do you understand what that means? You have to protect me! You made a promise to your mother—don't forget it!"