The Soaring Innate Dark Inner Spiritual Power

Cai'er spoke softly, her voice growing louder.

"I've already looked around."

"There are berries in the woods to the east, the kind Xuanye used to like. They're very abundant. I remember Mom used to make jam, I can try... to make it for Xuanye."

"Animals often come by the stream to the west, we can hunt."

"There are several kinds of seasoning herbs growing on the nearby slopes, and three clean mountain springs nearby for water... It doesn't matter if my eyes can't see."

"I can take good care of Xuanye too."

"Don't worry, I'm fine."

Long Xuanye was stunned.

He hadn't expected Cai'er to wake up so early, just to... do these things?

Long Xuanye didn't know what to say for a moment, only feeling a sourness in his heart...

He looked at Cai'er. The little girl's pupils were a bit gray, a bit blurry, but it seemed she could still see Long Xuanye's reflection...

Cai'er's words weren't finished. She wasn't usually one to ramble, but now she was getting more and more excited.

"We can cultivate a small plot of land in front of the house, like we can grow our own vegetables."

"I also know a little Disguise Technique. When things settle down, I can put on makeup for us, and then we can go to Odin Town together to buy some new furniture and quilts."

"Oh, and there's a very beautiful garden in the back mountain. At night, we can go for a walk there together."

"And then..."

She was planning, then felt a little shy.

"Xuanye, there might be a period of time later when I won't be able to see you."

"If we have to go on a long trip, I'll have to rely on you to guide me."

"But this feels a bit... selfish of me."

"Selfish?"

Long Xuanye blinked.

Cai'er leaned on his shoulder, her warm breath coming in waves as she spoke.

"We should be decorating this home together."

"If I can't see, I'll have to rely on Xuanye even more."

"Moreover, Xuan Ye's methods are so quick. By the time I recover my sight... it will be months or even a year or two later."

"Every corner of the house should be set up by now."

"I think, as soon as I recover my sight, I'll see our already set-up home..."

"Xuan Ye, I'm sorry..."

"It's going to be hard work for you."

Cai'er stroked Long Xuanye's head, very gently, very lightly, it was even ticklish.

"Hmm? Xuan Ye, what's wrong?"

Seeing that Long Xuanye didn't reply for a long time, she tilted her head and asked.

Sigh...

My Cai'er is really so cute.

After a long while, Long Xuanye finally squeezed out a word from his throat.

"Okay."

"Cai'er, I will, before you recover your sight..."

His words were cut short.

"Ah!" Saint Cai'er suddenly exclaimed, broke free from his embrace, and ran into the house, "The breakfast porridge is going to burn!"

In the evening, they indeed went to see the garden behind the mountain.

"Xuan Ye, what do you think of this place?" Cai'er asked.

Long Xuanye looked at her profile and said softly, "It's beautiful."

Late at night.

Long Xuanye's eyes suddenly snapped open.

[God-Tier Choice System triggered--Fixed Mission Mode]

[Choice One: Take Cai'er and escape immediately]

[Reward: 2 points of External Spirit Power]

[Choice Two: Annihilate the Devil Race squad]

[Reward: 0.5 points Innate Dark Inner Spiritual Power]

[God-Tier Choice System triggered - Fixed Mission Mode]

[Choice One: Immediately flee with Cai'er]

[Reward: 2 points External Spirit Power]

[Choice Two: Annihilate the Devil Devil Race squad]

[Reward: 0.5 points Innate Dark Inner Spiritual Power]

Huh?

Two prompts?

So that means...

Two teams.

He glanced at Cai'er sleeping beside him, got up silently, picked up his Short Blade, and his figure, like a Ghostly apparition, melted into the night.

The battle in the woods ended quickly.

[System Prompt: Choice "Annihilate the Devil Race" completed.]

[Reward: Innate Dark Inner Spiritual Power +1.]

Long Xuanye didn't linger at all, and quietly returned to the cabin.

He didn't lie down immediately. Instead, he rummaged through his pack for a clean, long-sleeved shirt and quickly changed into it.

The new clothes completely covered the several hideous Wounds on his arm, the back of his hand, and even his chest.

He didn't want her to see them.

Fortunately...

"Cai'er probably can't see much now anyway."

Long Xuanye lay back down beside Cai'er, listening to her steady breathing, and sighed softly.

The night outside the window was as black as ink, and the breathing beside him was even and long.

Yet Long Xuanye had no intention of sleeping.

The new wound beneath his changed clothes sent waves of burning pain through him, but he was more concerned about something else.

Something's wrong.

When did the Devil Race's patrols become so exaggerated?

He had lived in this borderland for several years and knew the Devil Race's modus operandi all too well. This kind of carpet-style search, regardless of casualties, was far from ordinary.

He remembered how Cai'er's eyes had sparkled during the day as she excitedly planned their home, planning that vibrant wildflower garden.

A wry smile touched Long Xuanye's lips.

He couldn't give up.

He couldn't give up on this home that had just begun to take shape, nor could he give up on everything Cai'er had joyfully envisioned.

The problem was, he was only third-tier.

Although his mastery of combat techniques had reached a state of perfection, the gap in raw strength was an insurmountable chasm.

Last night, if he hadn't resorted to using "Chaos Begins" out of desperation, forcibly converting dark spiritual power for his own use, the outcome against those few fearless devils would have been uncertain.

What if the enemy's strength increased further...

Long Xuanye slowly closed his eyes, suppressing this worry in the depths of his heart.

He would endure for now.

The next day.

As dawn broke, a gentle call sounded in his ear.

"Xuanye, time to get up!"

"Xuanye!"

Long Xuanye opened his eyes.

The first rays of morning sunlight filtered through the dilapidated window frame, falling precisely on Saint Cai'er, gilding her with a warm golden edge. She was bent over, her hair falling, a smile on her face.

She seemed so happy.

In an instant, the heaviness and bloodshed of last night were completely washed away by this scene.

Long Xuanye's heart warmed.

Sigh...

Cai'er is so cute.

The Devil Race...

Forget it, what's there to be afraid of!

I'm a man with a cheat!

He sat up.

"Okay, let's eat first, then cultivate together."

The third day.

"Xuanye, I found a cellar!"

Saint Cai'er said excitedly, pulling his hand like a little squirrel who had discovered treasure, "There are still usable furniture inside, and some sealed food! Let's go take a look together!"

Long Xuanye nodded and followed her.

The things in the cellar indeed solved their urgent need.

As evening fell, Long Xuanye used the ingredients he found to roast two sweet potatoes over the fire.

The smell of scorched fragrance filled the small cabin.

"Mmm, delicious!"

Saint Cai'er ate little by little, hissing to cool the hot food. A little black charcoal ash smudged her lips and cheeks, paired with her satisfied expression...

Ah... she's really adorable.

Long Xuanye looked at her, his gaze softening unconsciously.

"Eat slowly, no one's going to snatch it from you."

He started gnawing on a sweet potato himself.

The taste was alright... eating with Cai'er made it passable.