Xiao Wu's Realization and Lin Yi's Home

The night passed without a word.

As the morning sun filtered through the gaps in the vines at the cave entrance, Lin Yi slowly opened his eyes.

He discovered that Xiao Wu was already awake, sitting on the bed of hay with her chin resting in her hands, watching him.

"You're awake?" Xiao Wu said with a beaming smile. "How did you sleep last night?"

Lin Yi sat up and stretched. "Not bad, though the ground was a bit hard."

This little rabbit woke up quite early; it seems the energy of a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast is truly boundless.

Then again, I kept watch until midnight, and this little rabbit woke up once and insisted on taking over the shift. She's quite sensible.

Hearing Lin Yi's inner voice, the corners of Xiao Wu's mouth curled upward slightly.

Although Lin Yi always complained with his mouth, his internal assessment of her was actually quite positive.

No, wait—when he was changing shifts last night, he seemed to complain about her being useless, saying things like how she was supposed to be a transformed beast seeking revenge, yet she was always thinking about dating Tang San and had forgotten her true purpose.

And he said that if it weren't for Tang San having cheats, Twin Martial Souls, and a good father, someone like her would have died a thousand times over.

Although it was infuriating, when she thought about it carefully, it really seemed to be the case, leaving her unable to refute him.

Because of that, she had thought about a great many things last night. Although Lin Yi didn't look ordinary either, he was at least low-key. Since she was going to follow him, she should try to cause him less trouble and be more sensible.

Having figured things out, Xiao Wu was in a great mood today.

She looked at Lin Yi and smiled. "Lin Yi, when are we setting off?"

Lin Yi checked the sky. "We'll leave after breakfast. At this pace, we should reach my home before noon."

Actually, my home isn't far from Nuoding City; we just took a detour yesterday to hunt for a soul ring.

If we walk normally today, we should arrive by noon.

However, I need to find a way to make Xiao Wu feel bored so she'll go back to the academy as soon as possible.

He calculated in his heart, took the remaining wild fruits and dry rations from his pack, and handed a portion to Xiao Wu.

The two ate a simple breakfast, packed their things, and left the cave.

On the way, Lin Yi deliberately walked very slowly, stopping from time to time to observe the flowers, plants, and trees, acting as if he were interested in everything.

"Lin Yi, where exactly is your home?" Xiao Wu couldn't help but ask.

"It's not far ahead; we'll be there once we cross this mountain," Lin Yi said, pointing forward.

Actually, it's just at the foot of the mountain, but I have to walk slowly.

It would be best if I could make her feel this journey is incredibly boring so she won't want to come out with me again in the future.

Xiao Wu chuckled inwardly, but on the surface, she pretended to be very interested. "Then let's hurry up; I can't wait to see what your home looks like."

Hearing this, Lin Yi scratched his head in frustration and had no choice but to quicken his pace.

The two crossed the mountain peak, and sure enough, a small village appeared at the foot of the mountain.

The village was not large, consisting of only a few dozen households, and the houses were built of mud and wood, looking very crude.

"That's it," Lin Yi said, pointing at the village.

She'll definitely think this place is too shabby and want to go back, right?

Lin Yi felt a secret joy, but on the surface, he acted naturally. "Let's go, my house is at the very end."

He led Xiao Wu into the village.

When the villagers saw Lin Yi return, they greeted him one after another.

"Little Yi is back?"

"Is it vacation time?"

"Is this your classmate? She looks so bright and lovely."

Lin Yi responded to everyone with a very polite attitude.

Xiao Wu followed by Lin Yi's side, carefully observing the village.

She discovered that although the villagers here were poor, they were very simple and honest, and their relationships with one another were quite harmonious.

Moreover, she could feel that Lin Yi was very popular here.

But that made sense; after all, these people could also hear his inner voice.

"Lin Yi, where are your parents?" Xiao Wu asked.

Lin Yi's footsteps paused, and he replied in a calm tone, "They aren't home. In any case, I haven't seen them more than a few times throughout the year."

Actually, I don't know where my parents went either. The last time I saw them, I only remember their eyes glowing, and they left in a huge rush.

The way they looked, it was as if they had encountered some incredible stroke of luck, to the point where they didn't even care about their son.

But this is also fine; I can do whatever I want when I'm alone.

Hearing this inner voice, Xiao Wu felt a stir in her heart.

So, Lin Yi is also all alone?

No, according to what he said, it should be that his parents are alive but don't care about him.

To some extent, she and Lin Yi were both lonely.

After all, in the Star Dou Forest, although Daming and Erming both cared for her, they couldn't be by her side every moment.

Looking at it this way, Lin Yi's situation was much better than hers, since her parents were already...

Sigh...

She shook her head, not letting herself think any further.

The two soon arrived in front of a small hut at the very back of the village.

The hut was more dilapidated than the surrounding houses; the wall plaster was peeling, and the thatch on the roof was somewhat sparse.

"This is my home." Lin Yi took out a key to open the door.

The interior was simply furnished with a table and two chairs, and some sundries were piled in the corner.

There were two other rooms, which were likely for Lin Yi and his parents.

"It's a bit humble, please don't mind," Lin Yi said.

Xiao Wu shook her head, "Not at all, it's very cozy."

She walked into the house, curiously looking around.

Although it was humble, it was kept very clean and looked quite comfortable.

[Cozy? This little rabbit really knows how to talk.]

[But since she said that, she isn't actually planning on staying here, is she?]

Lin Yi groaned inwardly, but on the surface, he could only maintain a smile: "You sit for a while, I'll go boil some water."

"I'll help you." Xiao Wu followed him.

The kitchen was even smaller, containing only an earthen stove and a few clay pots.

Lin Yi started the fire, and Xiao Wu helped fetch water; the two worked together quite tacitly.

[This little rabbit really doesn't treat herself like an outsider.]

[But then again, as a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, why is she pestering an ordinary human like me?]

[Could it really be just because I'm handsome?]

Lin Yi muttered to himself, completely failing to notice Xiao Wu rolling her eyes when she heard this.

After the water boiled, Lin Yi poured two cups.

The two sat by the table, and the atmosphere fell silent for a moment.

[I really don't know what this little rabbit is after by following me.]

[If you followed Tang San, he would at least have the strength to protect you. I'm just an auxiliary-type Soul Master, what could you possibly want?]

Lin Yi complained in his heart, while Xiao Wu pursed her lips, thinking that his second Martial Soul was certainly not simple.

Of course, that wasn't the point; the point was that following you can change my destiny.

As for you being an auxiliary-type Soul Master who can't protect me?

That doesn't exist; I'll just protect you instead.

Xiao Wu thought to herself, then suddenly spoke up, "Lin Yi, when you're home alone, don't you feel lonely?"

Lin Yi came back to his senses upon hearing this and smiled: "I'm used to it. Besides, the villagers are very kind and occasionally come over to visit."

[Lonely? Of course I do, but what can I do?]

[I don't have a golden finger, no system, no cheats like Tang San; I only have a Twin Martial Souls that is barely passable.]

[But it's useless, and I don't dare to expose it too early. I have to be careful just to get by.]

[Living like this, it would be a lie to say I'm not lonely.]