A Brief Respite in the Cave, Undercurrents Stirring (Part 2)

Seeing this, Su Lie knew it would be inconvenient to disturb him further. He respectfully bowed, then quietly withdrew. Though they had not exchanged many words, he felt he had done his utmost to provide useful information, repaying at least part of this senior's life-saving grace.

Lin Chen truly paid no further attention to the outside world. His consciousness had already sunk into his body.

That wisp of depleted life-source energy was slowly being replenished under the operation of the Myriad Dao Furnace. The thin spiritual energy between heaven and earth, along with the energy from demon beast flesh and blood he had stored within himself but had yet to fully digest, flowed into that invisible furnace like a hundred rivers returning to the sea.

The crimson phantom of the furnace slowly rotated deep within his Dantian Sea of Qi. With every rotation, it seemed to stir the fundamental principles of heaven and earth, endlessly tempering, compressing, and purifying the absorbed energy. Impure energy was stripped away, while pure energy settled. One portion transformed into crimson Furnace True Qi, flowing through his meridians and continuously scouring and widening them; the other merged into his limbs, bones, internal organs, and even the depths of his skeleton, silently strengthening his physical body.

He could clearly feel that his strength, speed, and defense were steadily improving at a slow yet unwavering pace. His physical body in particular, after refining the scale essence of the Scaled Earth Dragon Beast, had become far tougher than that of martial artists at the same level. It faintly felt as though a treasure body was just beginning to take shape.

Still not enough... far from enough... Lin Chen murmured inwardly.

He needed stronger demon beasts and purer energy to truly unleash the Myriad Dao Furnace's power and support faster breakthroughs in his cultivation.

This Luofeng Gorge would be his first true "hunting ground."

While Lin Chen was immersed in cultivation, Su Ling'er in the carriage had not fallen asleep either.

Leaning against the cushions, she held the half-empty waterskin in her hand, while her gaze kept drifting, seemingly unintentionally, toward the figure at the cave entrance.

The strange warmth between her brows had long since faded, yet that feeling seemed branded deep into her memories.

Too alike...

Whether it was the decisiveness and dominance with which he had acted, or the aloof solitude and indifference in his present silence, both gradually overlapped with that figure in her memories.

But why did he not acknowledge her?

Was it because her current frail, sickly appearance had disappointed him? Or had he experienced some upheaval over the past three years, changing so drastically that he was no longer the Brother Lin Chen of old?

Or perhaps... he really was merely a powerful senior who happened to be passing through? Perhaps every feeling she had was only an illusion born of missing him too deeply?

All kinds of thoughts circled through her mind, tangling her heart into chaos.

She desperately wanted to ask him, even if it were only a tentative question.

But she was afraid.

Afraid that the answer would be a denial, utterly shattering the last thread of fantasy in her heart.

And afraid that the answer would be yes—then how was she supposed to face him? This man who was both familiar and unfamiliar? How was she supposed to face the distance he deliberately kept between them?

In the end, she merely let out a soft sigh, set the waterskin aside, and closed her eyes, trying to suppress her jumbled thoughts. Exhaustion washed over her like a tide, and before long, she fell into a deep sleep. Yet even in her dreams, her brows remained faintly furrowed.

Time passed little by little.

Outside the cave, the dim dawn gradually brightened into full daylight. The howling wind in the gorge seemed to have weakened somewhat as well.

Most of the guards had already treated their wounds and seized the time to recover some of their strength.

Seeing that the young lady had fallen asleep, Su Lie showed a trace of tenderness. He tucked her blanket more securely around her, then walked to the center of the cave and gathered the remaining guards to quietly discuss their next course of action.

"How is everyone recovering?" Su Lie asked.

"Reporting to Commander, the wounds have all been treated, and we've recovered thirty to forty percent of our strength," one guard replied.

"Mm." Su Lie nodded, his expression grave. "Though we're temporarily safe, this is not a place where we can remain for long. My suggestion is that once the young lady wakes up, we set out for the 'Clear Spring Eye' marked on the map. There is ample water there, and it is relatively safer as well—suitable for us to rest and recover further. Once we arrive, we can decide what to do next."

His gaze swept over the group as he asked, "What do you all think?"

The guards exchanged looks, then all nodded. Their only thought now was to survive and protect the young lady. As for searching for Purple Cloud Mushrooms, that was no longer something they had the ability to consider. Going to the Clear Spring Eye to recuperate was undoubtedly the safest choice at present.

"Good, then it's settled." Su Lie made the decision. "Once the young lady wakes, we depart."

His gaze turned once again toward Lin Chen at the cave entrance.

Would this senior... go with them to the Clear Spring Eye?

Su Lie had no answer. But he knew that if they could continue receiving this senior's protection, their chances of survival would undoubtedly rise greatly.

At that moment, Lin Chen, who had been sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, slowly opened them.

His gaze was clear and profound, as though it held the stars within it. After this period of regulating his breath, the life-source energy he had expended was fully restored, and he had even made faint progress.

He rose to his feet and stretched his limbs, producing a series of soft crackling sounds.

Su Lie's heart tightened, and he hurried forward. "Senior, you..."

Lin Chen's gaze swept across everyone in the cave before finally settling on Su Lie. "Prepare to depart," he said flatly.

Su Lie froze for a moment, then was overjoyed. "Yes, Senior! We'll make preparations immediately!"

He had not expected Lin Chen to propose setting out of his own accord, and from the look of it... he seemed to intend to continue traveling with them?

Lin Chen offered no explanation.

His senses had already detected that Su Ling'er was awake, and he had heard the discussion between Su Lie and the others.

Heading to the Clear Spring Eye held no disadvantage for him. It was close to the middle of the gorge, making it convenient for him to either venture deeper for exploration or hunt demon beasts along the outskirts, depending on the circumstances.

Moreover, traveling with this Su Family group would at least spare him some unnecessary trouble before they reached the Clear Spring Eye.

As for afterward...

Lin Chen's gaze casually swept toward the carriage, briefly meeting a complicated gaze cast from the gap in its curtain before he calmly looked away.

What came after could wait until after.

"Everyone! Pack up! Prepare to depart!" Su Lie called out excitedly.

The guards immediately sprang into action, extinguishing the torches, packing their belongings, and helping their more seriously injured companions to their feet.

Before long, this severely diminished group, having endured countless hardships, stepped out of the Shelter Cave once more and entered Luofeng Gorge, where the morning light was faint and the wind wailed mournfully.

The road ahead remained filled with the unknown and peril.