Rest

After Xiao Yan finished marking the spot, Li Tianlan quickly left and ran straight in one direction.

When he reached a cave and entered it, he saw some simple wooden furniture and a fire that had not yet burned out.

After entering, Li Tianlan turned around and moved a massive boulder over the entrance to serve as a door.

This was where Li Tianlan had been staying for some time, a shelter of sorts. Since he would be remaining here for a while, having a safe refuge was naturally a good thing.

This had originally been the dwelling of a thousand-year soul beast, a Clear Wind Eagle.

But Li Tianlan had taken a liking to the place, driven it away, and claimed it for himself.

Li Tianlan walked over to the wooden bedframe he had made. It was covered in the fur of some unknown soul beast, soft and warm, and he lay down on it.

In truth, only when he returned here could his mind truly relax. Whenever he stepped out of this cave, he remained constantly tense.

But staying wound too tight was exhausting as well.

Xiao Yan looked at Li Tianlan lying on the bed and said, "Tianlan, I think it's about time we left. It's been nearly a month already."

Li Tianlan did not answer. He merely stared quietly at the stone ceiling, his mind filled with countless thoughts as he considered whether he should return.

"Teacher, let's stay another fifteen days. After fifteen days, we'll set off back to Nuoding City."

Xiao Yan was inwardly astonished upon hearing that. In the end, Li Tianlan was still only a six-year-old child. Being able to stay alone in Sunset Forest for an entire month was already beyond what ordinary people could imagine.

And he had even proposed staying another fifteen days. Xiao Yan's expectations for this child could not help but rise even further.

After remaining silent for a while, Li Tianlan asked, "Teacher, what was that strange mark you used just now? Teach me."

"That? You can't learn it yet."

"I can't? Why?"

Xiao Yan had always praised Li Tianlan's talent, saying that no cultivation technique was a challenge for him.

"To use that mark, you must first learn Buddha's Fury Lotus Flame."

"Uh... alright, then."

Li Tianlan immediately felt rather awkward. He clearly knew and understood how to make Buddha's Fury Lotus Flame, but he simply could not produce it. Fusing two flames was far too difficult!

"Don't be discouraged, kid. Fusing two flames—especially powerful Heavenly Flames—is as difficult as ascending to heaven. It isn't something that can be achieved through comprehension alone. It also requires tremendous luck. Don't rush it. I believe you can do it."

Li Tianlan fell silent again. After staring blankly for quite some time, he picked up an envelope from a stone table beside him. It was Xiao Wu's reply. Whenever he was bored or missed her, he would take it out and read it over several times.

"Tianlan, is everything alright? I miss you so much. I received the clothes you gave me, as well as the money you sent.

The clothes you sent are very pretty, and I really like them. Actually, I miss you very much and hope you can come back soon. When that time comes, I'll wear the clothes you bought for me and play with you.

My Soul Power has improved a lot. When you come back, let's spar again and see who's stronger. Let's see whether you've improved.

I did what I promised you. I applied to the school to live in a private dormitory. There's only one big bed inside, and I live there alone.

I also haven't had much contact with boys. I miss you every day. When will you come back? I want you to comb my hair for me."

When Li Tianlan had first received this reply, his eyes had even grown a little moist. He felt that Xiao Wu was very sensible, and he truly liked her. He genuinely wanted to return soon and see her again.

But he could not return yet. He had to become stronger, stronger and stronger. Only then could he protect Xiao Wu and prevent that tragedy from happening later on.

Li Tianlan stared at the letter and read it over and over. Seeing this scene from within the Golden Body Pool Sea, Xiao Yan lowered his head and sighed. "Ah, what a deeply devoted couple. It's making me miss my two wives too."

Li Tianlan, lying there, unexpectedly drifted into a deep sleep without realizing it. Xiao Yan did not wake him, because Li Tianlan truly needed rest. He really was too exhausted.

Li Tianlan slept straight through until the following afternoon.

When he woke up, even he found it unbelievable. Why had he suddenly slept for so long?

He sat up and stretched. His bones crackled loudly, and a blissful smile spread across his face. After a long sleep, his body felt light and his mind tranquil.

"Teacher, that sleep was so comfortable."

"Sleep on. Sleeping a little more is good too, but actually, that isn't called sleeping."

Li Tianlan was deeply puzzled. "Hm? Why not? If it isn't sleeping, then what is it called?"

Xiao Yan gave a mischievous chuckle from within the Sea of Consciousness. "Hehe, it takes two people for it to be called sleeping. When you're alone, it's called resting."

At those words, Li Tianlan's face immediately reddened. After all, he was still only a six-year-old child, even though he knew everything.

"Old pervert."

"Tch. Who knows which one of us is the pervert? You went and stole Xiao Wu's First Kiss at such a young age."

Li Tianlan's face flushed slightly at that, and he stopped paying attention to the old fellow. After washing up simply in the cave, he suddenly heard the sounds of fighting outside.

Li Tianlan approached the entrance and nudged the boulder open slightly. Peering through the gap, he saw two black-clothed men chasing and trying to kill a little girl dressed in a dark green skirt.

The little girl ran swiftly, constantly tossing bottles and jars behind her.

After those bottles and jars shattered, they released clouds of green and other colored gas, giving the two black-clothed pursuers a terrible headache as they hurriedly avoided the fumes.

"Damn it, Old Poison's granddaughter is weak as hell, yet she's carrying so much poison on her. That Old Poison has really gone all out for his granddaughter's safety."

Li Tianlan secretly watched through the crack. When he saw this scene, fury immediately surged within him.

Two Four-Ring Soul Sect Masters were actually chasing down a little girl. She was not much older than Li Tianlan himself, and his sense of justice instantly flared up. He wanted to rush out and save her.

At that moment, Xiao Yan shouted from within the Sea of Consciousness, "Kid, don't rush. Let's first see what exactly is going on here. It won't be too late to go out and save that little girl afterward. What are you so anxious for?"