When I Rule the World, I'll Grant You a Realm as Beautiful as a Painting!

"Hurry, hurry, faster!"

"Wait, I... I can't go on..."

Late at night, somewhere in the pitch-black Soul Hunting Forest, an exquisitely beautiful girl of twelve or thirteen ran ahead while a handsome little boy of about six chased after her.

The girl's face was filled with anxiety as she kept urging the boy onward.

But after a fierce battle, the boy's body was weak. Combined with his young age, he simply could not sustain such intense exercise for long. He was already gasping for breath.

That was right—they were Hu Liena and Zhou Chen, who had arranged to "elope."

"Run! If I stay away too long, Chrysanthemum Elder will definitely realize something's wrong."

Hu Liena stopped and looked at Zhou Chen, who was bent over and panting. In a somewhat threatening tone, she said, "If he catches up to us, I'll be fine at worst—Chrysanthemum Elder will just scold me a few times. But as for what'll happen to you, think about it yourself!"

At those words, Zhou Chen shuddered.

The thought of falling into the hands of Chrysanthemum Douluo—that dead freak who liked chrysanthemums—restored some strength to his aching, leaden legs, and he forced himself to take several more steps forward.

Yet no matter how strong one's willpower was, it would ultimately yield to the body's limits.

After running for nearly two hours, coupled with the excessive Soul Power he had consumed using his spirit skills earlier, Zhou Chen's legs finally gave out beneath him, and he fell.

However, just as Zhou Chen's handsome little face was about to make intimate contact with the dirt, a pair of jade-like arms caught him. Then, he plunged into a warm, sweet-smelling embrace. He took a deep breath and even nuzzled against it instinctively.

"You..."

Hu Liena's face flushed crimson. She glared at Zhou Chen in annoyance, hesitated for a moment, then finally gritted her teeth and said, "I'll carry you. But don't let your hands wander."

"Mm-hmm."

Zhou Chen replied vaguely.

He was so exhausted that his consciousness had grown hazy.

Seeing him agree, Hu Liena laboriously lifted Zhou Chen by the hips and carried him on her back before continuing to run.

Possessing the Demon Fox Spirit, she not only had an innate charm but also extraordinary endurance. That was why she could keep running without exhausting herself.

"Thank you."

Listening to the howling wind and watching the scenery rush backward around them, Zhou Chen buried his little face in Hu Liena's long hair. Leaning close to her ear, he whispered, "I'll repay you someday."

"You can talk after you survive this ordeal!" Hu Liena snapped.

Feeling his warm breath brush against her ear, even her originally jade-white ears turned bright red.

"Believe me."

Seeing that Hu Liena did not take his promise seriously, Zhou Chen smiled helplessly. In a quiet, distant tone, he said, "You saved my life today, so I'll protect you for the rest of yours. When I rule the world, I'll grant you a realm as beautiful as a painting!"

Hu Liena rolled her eyes.

At a time like this, this brat was still making grand promises and painting pretty pictures. He really was a child of an aristocratic family skilled in power plays.

Still, those words really did sound... warm.

She wondered whether this bad guy had used those words to fool other girls before.

The more Hu Liena thought about it, the more muddled and conflicted she became. Slowly, even her running steps began to falter.

Fortunately, they were almost at the exit...

After running for a while longer, Hu Liena finally reached the edge of the Soul Hunting Forest.

She weaved and turned, avoiding several interception squads of Spirit Hall Enforcement Team spirit masters in succession. Then, seizing a gap in the Heaven Dou Empire army's patrols, she found an opportunity to leap over the ten-meter-high iron fence and escape the Soul Hunting Forest completely.

"I'll carry you a little farther. Once we're two hundred li away from the Soul Hunting Forest, I'm throwing you down!"

Hu Liena gave him a fierce warning, then continued running with Zhou Chen on her back without complaint...

Another three hours passed.

It was now the early hours of the morning, the darkest time of the night and also the closest to dawn.

By then, Hu Liena had carried Zhou Chen for over a hundred li. Even with her remarkable endurance, she was beginning to feel tired.

"You've sweated so much. You must be exhausted. Put me down—my strength has recovered quite a bit."

Zhou Chen raised a hand and gently wiped the sweat from Hu Liena's forehead and cheeks, his tone gentle and solemn.

"No."

Hu Liena shook her head. As she ran, she instructed him, "We'll be there soon. You can run on your own in a while. Remember, you must return to your clan. Don't show your face anywhere on the continent!"

The moment he heard that, Zhou Chen's eyes reddened, and tears rolled down his cheeks.

He was truly moved.

He and Hu Liena had been complete strangers. Yet merely because she could not bear to see him harmed, this kind-hearted girl was helping him escape Spirit Hall's pursuit—and had even carried him for more than three hours!

You foolish girl!

Just as Zhou Chen secretly wiped away his tears, Hu Liena suddenly stopped. Caught off guard, his little face once again pressed into her golden hair.

"Zhou Chen, I think... we've been surrounded."