Walking past the checkpoint, Betty slid into the driver's seat, muscles taut and aching with exhaustion.
"Ahh… in novels, cultivators don't get tired. So why am I feeling it?"
"Master, should I repeat myself—"
Betty groaned at Calista's voice, resting her forehead against the steering wheel, eyes closed. "Calista, you don't have to. I know. I'm not using spiritual energy. I get it."
A flicker in the side mirror caught her attention. She squinted. Her eyes, once red and blue, were now almost entirely red.
What…
"Calista, why are my eyes turning red again? I didn't even touch that water this time."
Calista began speaking—but there was an odd, hesitant note in her voice that made Betty's brow furrow. "Master, it's because… the effect of that water is… now taking… yep."
Betty's face darkened. "Do you take me for a fool?"
"Yes…"
Her teeth ground together. "What did you just say?"
Silence.
