Return to the Assassin Temple

Around seven in the morning.

The airship Lin Feng was riding arrived at the Assassin Temple.

Sensing the two of them returning, Xia Ying One had waited for them at the docking area in advance.

"Lin Feng, you and One should head back first. I have some matters to handle. I'll come pick you up in two days," Ying Suifeng said as he looked at them.

"Alright, Teacher. Go take care of your business first."

After Ying Suifeng left, only Lin Feng and Xia Ying One remained.

Lin Feng looked around, then asked Xia Ying One curiously, "Where's Cai'er?"

At the mention of Cai'er, Xia Ying One visibly paused before changing the subject. "Let's talk as we walk. Did everything go smoothly at Knight Sacred Mountain this time?"

"It went pretty smoothly." Lin Feng asked again, "Uncle Shadow Warrior, you still haven't answered my question."

After hesitating for a moment, Xia Ying One said, "Regarding Cai'er, there's good news and bad news. Which one do you want to hear...?"

Hearing that, Lin Feng complained, "Why are you just like Teacher...?"

"Tell me the good news first."

"The good news is that Cai'er can speak now."

Lin Feng froze slightly, then smiled. "That really is good news."

Cai'er had regained her ability to speak even earlier than he had expected.

He hadn't expected her to complete the Taste Trial of the Reincarnation Saintess Trial so quickly.

Cai'er had fused with the Reincarnation Spiritual Furnace and the Reincarnation Sword.

Under the effects of the Reincarnation Spiritual Furnace, Cai'er's Innate Inner Spiritual Power had risen to one hundred points. However, such an improvement did not come without a price.

To truly control the Reincarnation Spiritual Furnace, she needed not only constant cultivation, but also for her body to endure continuous trials.

That was the Reincarnation Saintess Trial.

During the trial, the participant had to endure the pain of losing the Six Senses. The six senses were smell, hearing, taste, feeling, touch, and sight.

In other words, Cai'er had already completed the first three trials. Only feeling, touch, and sight remained.

"Come on. Let's go see Cai'er first."

Seeing Lin Feng walk ahead on his own, Xia Ying One asked curiously, "Aren't you curious what the bad news is?"

"Are you going to say that Cai'er lost 'feeling' among her Six Senses?"

Xia Ying One was stunned. Somewhat puzzled, he asked, "How did you know?"

"I already asked Teacher while I was on the airship."

"Then aren't you worried that Cai'er might have already lost her feelings for you?" Xia Ying One continued. "I came over this time because I wanted to tell you in advance, so you could be prepared."

"I can handle that much pressure. Besides, Cai'er and I are still young. It'll be fine once she completes the trial."

This was good too. In any case, he would be going to the Assassin Temple headquarters at Devil Expulsion Pass in two days, and he might not return for quite some time.

"I originally thought you wouldn't be able to accept it. Since you're alright, I'm relieved."

Training Ground.

The moment the two drew near, they heard the sound of mechanisms activating inside the Training Ground.

From afar, they could see Cai'er's petite figure nimbly dodging through the stone forest.

The Assassin Temple had many Training Grounds, each with different facilities tailored to different needs.

Quite a few of them simulated real environments. The hidden weapons inside were genuine, sharpened weapons, and a moment of carelessness could result in severe injury.

The one before them was of that level.

After the two waited nearby for a quarter of an hour, the mechanisms in the Training Ground finally stopped.

Cai'er stood in the middle of the Training Ground, taking small breaths. She looked utterly adorable.

But the icy expression on her face was like a bucket of cold water poured over Lin Feng.

It gave off a feeling of keeping everyone a thousand miles away.

To be honest, Lin Feng felt a little upset. After all, he had returned this time because he wanted to spend two good days with Cai'er.

Still, he was quite happy at the thought that Cai'er could complete the trial ahead of schedule.

Just as Lin Feng was wondering whether he should take the initiative to greet her, Cai'er unexpectedly waved at him. There was even a trace of joy in that iceberg-like expression.

Then she jogged over.

Seeing this, Xia Ying One was dumbfounded.

Ever since Lin Feng had left, Cai'er had not shown anyone a pleasant expression these past two days. She had spent every day immersed in the Training Ground.

Yet what truly made his jaw drop was—

Cai'er jogged all the way to Lin Feng, then actually took his hand on her own initiative.

Lin Feng was also somewhat surprised by Cai'er's behavior. He had already prepared himself for the worst.

"Um, is there something on my face? Why are you looking at me like that, Lin Feng?"

Seeing Lin Feng stare at her without saying anything, Cai'er asked in confusion.

"No, it's just that Shadow Warrior told me you might be a little cold toward me."

Cai'er glanced at Xia Ying One beside them and said calmly, "Is it possible that I simply never liked them very much to begin with?"

"I only lost feeling. I didn't lose my memories."

Hearing that, Xia Ying One felt as though his heart had been ruthlessly stabbed. So Cai'er had ignored him for all these years because she disliked him.

But that was understandable. If it hadn't been for them, Cai'er would not have suffered so much over the years. Perhaps it was Lin Feng's arrival that had brought more smiles to Cai'er's face over the past month.

That had given him the mistaken impression that Cai'er did not dislike him.

Seeing that the two had no trouble communicating, Xia Ying One quietly left.

"Lin Feng, let's spar. I've been so bored these past two days without you," Cai'er said, holding Lin Feng's hand.

"Cai'er, there's something I need to tell you." After thinking it over, Lin Feng decided to tell Cai'er about going to Devil Expulsion Pass now.

"Mm. Go ahead, Lin Feng."

"I'm planning to go to Devil Expulsion Pass with Teacher in two days. I might be gone for quite a long time."

"How long..." Cai'er asked after a moment of silence.

"...Five years."

Cai'er, who had been holding Lin Feng's hand, suddenly let go. Her gaze gradually dimmed.

My heart hurts...

She did not understand. Ever since she had lost "feeling," she had experienced no emotional fluctuations no matter what happened.

The reason she had taken the initiative to greet Lin Feng was because her memories told her that she should interact with the person before her. Yet she herself did not know why she had to interact with Lin Feng.

Until just now, when she heard that Lin Feng was leaving again, Saint Caier felt terribly upset.

Should I reject him?

Didn't he say he would protect me?

Would it be better if I rejected him?

Yet just as Saint Caier was about to reject Lin Feng, her answer was, "Alright."

Her reply was as calm as ever.

But for some reason, she felt extremely restless inside.

"Come on, aren't there still two days left? Stay and spar with me today. I happen to feel like I've improved quite a bit these past few days."

Lin Feng nodded.

For some reason, he felt that something was off with Cai'er, but he still agreed to her request.