Xiao Wu smiled at that. Even if they went to the core region, nothing would happen, right?
But she only thought that to herself. On the surface, she looked casual as she asked, "But speaking of which, Lin Yi, are we really just walking all the way to Star Dou Forest?"
"Otherwise?" Lin Yi nodded and made a rough estimate. "At a normal pace, we'll get there in seven or eight days. But we're not in a hurry, so we can take it slow."
"Seven or eight days..." Xiao Wu drew out the words. "Won't the journey be boring? Shouldn't we find something fun to do?"
"What fun is there in traveling?" Lin Yi shot her a glance. "Do you think we're out sightseeing?"
[This Little Rabbit really has endless energy. We've been walking for half a day, and she hasn't complained about being tired at all.]
[An ordinary girl would've been clamoring for a rest by now, right?]
[Then again, with the constitution of a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, this distance really is nothing.]
Upon hearing Lin Yi's Heart Voice, Xiao Wu's eyes shifted. Looking at a large tree not far away, she said, "Lin Yi, let's have a competition!"
"A competition? Competing over what?"
"Let's see who can run to that tree first!" Xiao Wu pointed at a crooked old tree around two hundred meters ahead. "The loser... has to give the other person a back massage when we rest. How about it?"
Lin Yi looked at the tree, then at Xiao Wu's eager expression, and shook his head. "No."
"Why?" Xiao Wu was thoroughly puzzled.
[I may have Twin Martial Souls, but I only show level nineteen to outsiders.]
[Besides, support-type Soul Masters are naturally physically weaker. Competing in speed against a level twenty-nine assault-type Soul Master?]
[Isn't that obviously setting myself up to lose?]
[This Little Rabbit definitely wants to trick me into giving her a back massage again.]
Lin Yi calculated inwardly, but outwardly gave a lofty excuse. "We're traveling, not having fun. Conserving our strength is what matters most."
Xiao Wu curled her lips. "Boring."
But she clearly had no intention of giving up.
Before long, she came up with another idea. "Lin Yi, look, there are wildflowers over there. Let's pick some and weave a flower crown."
"Wildflowers attract bugs. No."
"Then let's play a question-and-answer game. I ask you one question, then you ask me one. Whoever can't answer loses."
"Not interested."
"Lin Yi!!!"
Lin Yi said, "Don't call me. I can't hear you."
And so, Xiao Wu kept trying new ways to entertain herself along the way, while Lin Yi rejected every single one.
As a result, the contrast between them became especially obvious: one was overflowing with energy, while the other was lazy and perfunctory.
It was only when they caught sight of the Outer Perimeter of Star Dou Forest that Xiao Wu finally reined in her urge to fool around.
Out of habit, she looked at Lin Yi and asked, "Lin Yi, what do you think the first thing we should do after entering the forest is?"
"Find a safe place to set up camp." Lin Yi answered without hesitation. "Then figure out the surrounding area before deciding which direction to go."
[According to the original setting, the Outer Perimeter of Star Dou Forest is mostly inhabited by ten-year and hundred-year Soul Beasts. We should be able to handle them easily enough.]
[But caution keeps one safe. If we run into some mutant or something that slipped out from the core region, that'll be troublesome.]
[The safest option is to find high ground. We can observe the surroundings and retreat easily if necessary.]
Xiao Wu secretly nodded as she listened to Lin Yi's orderly plan.
Although this guy always acted like he just wanted to coast through life, whenever something actually happened, he considered things more thoroughly than anyone else.
She asked again, "Then how long are we staying?"
"That depends." Lin Yi glanced at her with a thoughtful expression. "Your Third Soul Ring should ideally be over a thousand years old, but thousand-year Soul Beasts aren't common in the Outer Perimeter. We may need to go deeper in."
[The third soul skill of the Soft Bone Rabbit Martial Soul is Teleportation.]
[But in the original story, she obtained it after Erming took her away and she returned. I just don't know whether the plot has gone off course now, and whether that will still happen.]
[If that really is the case, I won't have to rack my brains trying to shake her off.]
Xiao Wu's heart stirred at that.
Teleportation?
That sounded pretty good.
But when she thought of being taken away by Erming, her gaze could not help dimming.
So that was why Lin Yi insisted on bringing her to Star Dou Forest?
Still, she did not overthink it. Even if she was taken back, it would only be to obtain her Third Soul Ring. She could just come back and find him afterward, couldn't she?
She knew what Lin Yi was thinking and was familiar with his aura. Finding him would be easy.
Xiao Wu shook her head, no longer dwelling on it. A smile soon reappeared on her face. "All right, we'll do as you say."
The two chatted idly as the smooth official road beneath their feet gradually turned into a dirt road, then finally into a path through the woods.
The trees around them grew taller and taller, the sunlight dimmer and dimmer, while the air became moist.
"We've entered the Outer Perimeter of the forest." Lin Yi stopped and surveyed the area. "From now on, stay alert. We could encounter Soul Beasts at any moment."
Xiao Wu nodded. She also knew when it was time to play and when it was not.
The two slowly advanced along the edge of the forest, keeping an eye out for a suitable place to stay.
After walking for about half an hour, Lin Yi spotted an open area on higher ground, backed by a rock face.
It had a clear view, and the natural stone wall could block the wind.
More importantly, the vegetation around it was sparse, without any bushes. That reduced the places where Soul Beasts could hide, making it ideal for spending the night.
Lin Yi pointed to the clearing and said to Xiao Wu, "Let's use that spot. It looks quite suitable for setting up camp."
Xiao Wu nodded without objection. Along the way, aside from encounters with Soul Beasts, when had she not listened to Lin Yi?
No, even when they encountered Soul Beasts, she found their weaknesses through Lin Yi's Heart Voice.
The two quickly reached the clearing and began tidying it up.
However, just as they finished clearing the campsite and had lit the fire, Xiao Wu sensed an aura approaching them.
She immediately became vigilant, quietly circulating her Soul Power.
Naturally, Lin Yi sensed it as well.
[What's going on? We've barely set up camp, and we're already getting attacked by a Soul Beast?]
[What a coincidence. Could this place be its territory?]
[No, that Soul Power fluctuation is too steady. It doesn't feel like the violent aura of a Soul Beast.]
Xiao Wu froze upon hearing his Heart Voice, then lowered her voice. "Lin Yi..."
Lin Yi made a silencing gesture, rose to his feet without a sound, and already had the Myriad Star Core in his hand.
Although it was only a support Martial Soul, it could provide decent illumination in the evening. At a critical moment, it could also confuse an opponent.
The footsteps drew closer and closer, stopping roughly ten meters from the campsite.
Lin Yi could sense that the other party seemed hesitant.
[Who could it be at this time?]
[Could it be Tang San?]
[No, he and I aren't even traveling together, are we?]
[Then who could it be?]
No matter how hard Lin Yi thought, he could not figure it out. He exchanged a glance with Xiao Wu before asking in a low voice, "Who's there?"
Meanwhile, upon hearing that voice, the black-clad figure was instantly dumbfounded.
He had clearly only heard the other party's question.
What had that string of doubts just now been?
Had he developed auditory hallucinations from traveling too long?
The man in black shook his head slightly, but still decided to walk toward them.
After all, it was already evening. He needed a place to stay, and that spot really was quite good.
Before you continue