"How are you feeling? Any discomfort?" Li Chang'an asked.
"I... I'm fine." Mu Xi wiped the sweat from her forehead and gave Li Chang'an a reassuring smile.
"That's good. How's your first soul skill?" Li Chang'an cursed her foolishness in his heart, but with Xiao Wu present, he couldn't say too much.
"My... my first soul skill is healing. It's a non-level-restricted healing ability, but the healing strength depends on my soul power, and it only works on external injuries. Internal damage and mental trauma are unaffected..."
As she spoke, Mu Xi shyly lowered her head again. Deep down, she felt a little weak — after all, the guy in front of her had a thousand-year soul ring as his first soul ring...
But Li Chang'an saw it differently. Regardless of how limited Mu Xi's healing was, the fact that it wasn't restricted by level was already incredibly powerful — an absolute god-tier support ability!
With Mu Xi having completed her soul ring absorption, they had already stayed here for about two days. Though there was still a bit of time left before their agreed three-day limit, Li Chang'an knew he couldn't delay any further.
Three days was the absolute max. If Duolong started to worry and brought people in, things could go south fast — and he didn't want to ruin things with Xiao Wu.
"Xiao Wu, it's time for us to go." Li Chang'an looked at her and sighed.
"Huh? Can't you stay just a bit longer?" Xiao Wu was caught off guard, and her eyes immediately welled up with tears.
"I'm sorry, Xiao Wu. If we stay any longer, we'll only bring trouble to you. But don't worry — I'll come find you when the time is right, okay?" Ignoring Mu Xi for a moment, Li Chang'an gently reached out and wiped the tears from Xiao Wu's face.
Truth be told, this trip had been incredibly rewarding. Not only had he obtained a great soul ring, but he'd also won over Xiao Wu in record time. Looking back, Li Chang'an couldn't help but feel grateful — luck really had been on his side.
If he'd come just a year later, who knows how things would've turned out?
"Then... okay. But you have to come find me in the human world. I'll wait for you." Xiao Wu nodded, her voice hoarse with emotion.
Since her mother's death, the time she'd spent with Li Chang'an had been the happiest days of her life. Though it was barely two days, this boy had already taken root in her pure heart.
"Alright. Wait for me, be good." Li Chang'an patted her head gently, also feeling reluctant to leave.
"Senior Er Ming, if possible, I'd like to ask you to escort us out." Li Chang'an cupped his fists in respect toward the nearby Er Ming.
After all, this was the inner region of the Star Dou Great Forest. Without Er Ming, there was no way he and Mu Xi could safely make it out.
"Sure. Let's go," Er Ming nodded. His figure transformed once again into the massive Titan Giant Ape, extending his massive palm toward them.
Before leaving, Li Chang'an took the chance to leave all the food from his storage soul tool with Xiao Wu. Only then did he climb into Er Ming's hand, with Mu Xi joining him on the titan's shoulder.
"Goodbye! Wait for me, Xiao Wu!" Li Chang'an waved down at her and shouted with all his might.
"Big Brother Li, I'll wait for you!" Xiao Wu leapt up and waved back, her voice catching with emotion.
---
Er Ming only escorted them as far as the outskirts of the forest. This was at Li Chang'an's request — he was concerned that if the Spirit Hall had any ambushes or surveillance set up outside, it might cause unnecessary conflict.
Most of the soul beasts in the outer forest were around the hundred- to thousand-year range. For Li Chang'an, they posed no threat. He took Mu Xi's hand and began walking outward.
"Umm... that girl — does she like you?" Mu Xi suddenly asked from behind as she followed his lead.
Li Chang'an's heart skipped a beat. As he suspected, Mu Xi might appear quiet on the surface, but when it came to matters like this, she definitely cared.
He stopped and looked at her lovely, delicate face. Raising one hand solemnly, he swore, "Mu Xi, please believe me. The only person I like is you. Didn't you hear her call me 'brother'? I only see her as a sister. If you don't believe me, I swear to the hea—"
Before he could finish, Mu Xi hurriedly shook her head and covered his mouth with her small hand, face flushed red as she whispered, "Don't... don't say that. I believe you."
In this world, people still took oaths very seriously — after all, gods once truly existed.
"Hehe, good girl." Li Chang'an grinned. Taking her by surprise, he gently lifted her chin and, gazing into her enchanting peach blossom eyes, leaned in and kissed her lips.
"Mmm—"
"There, that was our first kiss. You'll have to take responsibility now." Li Chang'an teased her after the light kiss, his tone playful.
"Oh… ah, okay..." Mu Xi's mind went blank for a moment before she finally nodded dazedly.
"What a silly girl. Come on." Li Chang'an smiled warmly and continued leading her out, his heart also feeling lighter and warmer than before.
"Can I... can I call you Xiao Li from now on?" Mu Xi asked shyly from behind.
"Sure, if you like it." Li Chang'an answered without hesitation. As long as it wasn't a matter of principle, he always treated his girl well.
"Heehee, okay! Xiao Li, do you want some gold soul coins? I brought some with me," Mu Xi asked in a small voice.
In her mind, taking responsibility for a man meant giving him her money first.
"I don't need them. Just take good care of yourself." Li Chang'an replied gently.
"Oh… okay..."
---
As soon as they exited the Star Dou Forest, Li Chang'an saw a group waiting for them. Who else could it be but Duolong and the others?
"Chang'an, you're finally out. If you hadn't come out soon, I was really going to report this to Her Holiness the Pope," Duolong rushed over, clearly relieved to see Li Chang'an unharmed.
"I'm sorry, Vice Dean. I made everyone worry," Li Chang'an said sincerely, giving a deep bow while holding Mu Xi's hand.
"No matter. As long as you're both safe. By the way, your soul ring…" Duolong asked with concern, finally able to relax.
"I've already acquired my soul ring, Vice Dean. Please don't worry." Li Chang'an didn't display his second soul ring just yet. With so few people present, there was no audience for a grand reveal — and showing off wouldn't be as satisfying.
"Good. Let's move out!"
After the two boarded the carriage, Duolong gave the order, and the group finally left the Star Dou Forest — bringing an end to this thrilling and nerve-wracking journey.
As for Li Chang'an, the one who gained the most from this trip, he was busy tallying his gains: two new "girls" added to his harem, soul power upgraded to level 24, time to begin cultivating spiritual power, luck stat still under observation, and his points inventory was… completely empty.
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