Lin Xian remained unconscious, and it was unclear when he would wake.
However, a mysterious force seemed to circulate within his body, keeping his aura steady. If not for his earlier blood-soaked state, he would look as if he were merely asleep.
Zhu Zhuqing carefully carried him on her back, not daring to make any large movements.
Although there didn't seem to be many severe injuries on the surface, she knew he must have paid an enormous price to unleash such a terrifying attack with only a single spirit ring.
Everything would have to wait until he woke up.
Fortunately, the weather was clear. By judging the position of the sun, she could roughly determine the direction of Soto City.
Having just recovered from her own injuries, her face was still pale.
But she refused to abandon Lin Xian.
If she hadn't already taken that bottle of medicine herself, she could have used it on him now.
But regret was useless.
Her gaze hardened. With her spirit power supporting her, carrying him wasn't too difficult—
Only her pace had slowed considerably.
She had no idea how long it would take to leave the Star Dou Forest.
Walking and resting along the way, a full day passed in the blink of an eye.
Endless mountains and forests still stretched before her.
She didn't know if they would make it out tomorrow.
Fortunately, luck was on her side.
She encountered a supply caravan heading toward Soto City.
The group had even hired Spirit Master mercenaries for protection.
After revealing her strength as a two-ring Spirit Grandmaster, Zhu Zhuqing successfully joined them.
She asked for no payment—
Only that they take the two of them to Soto City.
The caravan leader readily agreed.
Another Spirit Grandmaster meant additional protection.
And since she didn't want money, it was a perfect deal.
They even cleared out a cart specifically for Lin Xian to rest in.
Two more days passed.
It had been three days since Lin Xian fell unconscious.
During that time, he hadn't eaten anything.
Zhu Zhuqing regularly fed him water, but she had no idea when he would wake.
At night, the caravan camped by the roadside.
The others gathered around the fire, drinking and chatting.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't join them.
She stayed in the cart, quietly taking care of Lin Xian.
Over the past three days, her nerves had been constantly tense.
Even after joining the caravan, she hadn't truly relaxed.
The most unpredictable thing in the world… was the human heart.
She had long learned that lesson within her own clan.
So for three whole days—
She hadn't closed her eyes once.
No matter how exhausted she was, she forced herself to endure.
Not just for herself—
But for Lin Xian as well.
Their cart was positioned at the very back, so few people came to disturb them.
The only downside was that it had no canopy and was completely exposed.
On uneven mountain roads, the jolting was especially rough.
Before she realized it, the night had deepened.
Moonlight poured down like silver, illuminating everything.
Aside from a few guards on watch, the rest of the caravan had fallen asleep.
At that moment—
Lin Xian's eyelids twitched.
Slowly, he opened his eyes.
What entered his vision…
…felt like an entire universe.
Because it was truly vast—
And dazzling.
A faint fragrance drifted into his nose.
Fresh. Gentle. Comforting.
Like the scent of an orchid hidden deep in a valley.
He also noticed that the "pillow" beneath his head was incredibly soft.
Extremely comfortable.
But in the next instant—
He snapped awake.
A pillow?
Where would that come from?
This soft, warm feeling…
Wasn't this—
Her thigh?!
Indeed, after struggling internally for quite some time, Zhu Zhuqing had finally allowed him to rest his head on her lap to reduce the bumps of the journey.
Sensing movement, she immediately opened her eyes.
"You… you're awake?"
Her voice trembled slightly.
It was a relief.
If he had remained unconscious any longer, his body wouldn't have been able to handle it.
"Cough… I…"
Lin Xian tried to speak, but his throat felt dry and painful, his voice hoarse.
"Water… do you have water?"
"Yes!"
She carefully helped him sit up and handed him a waterskin.
Lin Xian didn't hesitate, gulping it down in one go.
Only then did he feel a bit better.
But immediately—
His stomach growled loudly.
After three days without food, he felt like he could eat an entire cow.
Zhu Zhuqing had anticipated this.
From a corner of the cart, she pulled out some dry rations she had prepared earlier.
Though simple, Lin Xian didn't mind at all and devoured them eagerly.
After eating several portions, the hunger finally subsided.
He took a few more sips of water and let out a satisfied burp.
Looking at Zhu Zhuqing, he smiled.
"The feeling of being alive… is really great."
"Yes… we made it out."
"What happened over the past few days? Tell me."
Zhu Zhuqing finally relaxed and explained everything—how she carried him out, how they joined the caravan, and what had happened along the way.
"How long until we reach Soto City?"
"I asked yesterday. We should arrive tomorrow evening."
"If you hadn't woken up by then, I was planning to take you to a physician."
"I see…"
He nodded.
"You've worked hard these past few days. Get some rest. I'll keep watch."
Zhu Zhuqing paused briefly, then nodded.
Leaning against the wooden side of the cart, she closed her eyes.
She truly needed rest.
These past few days had pushed her to the limit.
Meanwhile, Lin Xian began examining his own condition.
There was still soreness in his body, but it wasn't as bad as he had expected.
His meridians had widened—and become tougher.
The only issue was—
His spirit power seemed completely sealed.
He couldn't mobilize even a trace of it.
He quickly realized—
This was likely due to the Stellar Power circulating in his body during his unconscious state.
Then it hit him.
If he couldn't use spirit power…
Could he still cultivate Stellar Power?
Without hesitation, he entered the card space and used the technique card:
[Star Attraction]
…