The dying embers of the campfire still held a trace of warmth. Morning mist draped the Icebound Forest like a gauzy veil, and the air carried the fresh scent of grass, trees, ice, and snow. Zhang Bufan and Huo Wu had long since packed up and were ready to continue their journey.
After last night's heart-to-heart talk by the campfire, their relationship had clearly grown closer. Huo Wu no longer looked at Zhang Bufan with the hedgehog-like wariness she once had. Her gaze now held a hint of dependence and gentleness that even she herself had not noticed. Zhang Bufan, meanwhile, still looked lazy as ever, but his grip on Huo Wu's hand was firmer than it had ever been.
Zhang Bufan's inner thoughts: Affection level UP! UP! Looks like the heartfelt approach really was the right one! Next up is... well, I haven't figured that out yet. I'll just play it by ear!
Huo Wu's inner thoughts: This guy... when he's quiet, he doesn't seem quite so annoying. That world he talked about is truly unbelievable...
"According to the map, once we cross this core region and head east, we'll reach a small human settlement," Zhang Bufan said, spreading out the crude map he had traded for from the caravan and pointing at a vague mark on it. "We can restock there and ask around for anything fun to do."
"Fun?" Huo Wu raised a brow. "We're here to train, not sightsee."
"Training and having fun don't conflict." Zhang Bufan grinned as he put away the map. "You need to balance work and rest for sustainable development. Besides, when you're with me, everywhere is training, and everywhere is fun."
Huo Wu rolled her eyes. She had long grown used to his ability to spout nonsense anytime and anywhere, but