Crisis Descends

At dawn, Blanche opened her eyes and found herself lying in that magic tent, covered by a comfortable blanket.

The half-elf girl vaguely remembered that while she had been playing her tune last night, her forbidden left eye had suddenly flared up. After that... she could not remember much. The one sensation she remembered most clearly was a very warm embrace—a warmth she had not felt in a long time.

At a glance, Blanche spotted the human outside the magic tent, tending a fire and cooking food. For some reason, her heart suddenly began to race. This strange feeling was something she had never experienced before—not only toward this human, but toward any other man.

Chen Rui was sitting outside, with a pot set up before him. Beside him was little Phoenix Dodo, flapping her wings. Dodo was especially restless today, and her cries were full of agitation.

"Daddy! Daddy!"

Through the Analytical Eye, the little Phoenix's voice carried a sobbing tone.

"You're not allowed to leave Dodo!"

"Dodo wants to go with you!"

"Dodo hates Daddy!"

Chen Rui gently caught the little Phoenix, placed her in his arms, and stroked her head with a sigh. "Daddy can't bear to leave Dodo either. But Daddy isn't strong enough yet, and I can't take Dodo away with me. Daddy swears upon his life that he'll come back to take Dodo home. By then, Dodo will meet several mommies too, and we'll all live happily together. All right?"

Chen Rui truly wanted to take Dodo back to the Demon Realm, but unfortunately, he really could not bring the little Phoenix through the Stellar Gate. She would be rejected and left behind. This had already been confirmed before they came to the Emerald Forest.

The little Phoenix was deeply attached to Chen Rui,