Little Pear's Departure, Ai Li's Painstaking Efforts

Little Pear swallowed the pill without hesitation. Soon after, green light radiated from his entire body, and he began screaming in agony. The plants around him gradually withered, and before long, Little Pear collapsed to the ground.

Shangguan Li stood nearby. Although she knew nothing should go wrong, she could not help worrying that something might happen to Little Pear, so she could only remain at his side and guard him.

After the poisonous mist dispersed, the man who had delivered the medicine stepped forward to confirm that Little Pear was indeed dead, then took Little Pear's "corpse" away. In the instant the man relaxed his guard, Shangguan Li sent a pill into Little Pear's body, protecting his life from danger.

Following the man, Shangguan Li once again arrived at the territory of the Magic Serpent Tribe. Unlike the bleak, chilly night, the tribe's territory was somewhat lively during the day. Perhaps because they were serpent beastmen, the men and women here were all exceptionally beautiful, possessing a charm that enticed others.

Many men and women walked through the streets. When they saw the man carrying Little Pear, they began discussing it among themselves. Suddenly, a woman boldly stepped forward and asked, "Lord Envoy, is this person the calamity foretold in the prophecy?"

The envoy said, "This is indeed the calamity foretold in the prophecy. But there is no need for anyone to be afraid. The Clan Leader has already sentenced him to death, so rest assured. I am now taking the criminal's body to report to the Clan Leader."

The people in the streets were delighted upon hearing this. Someone from one shop suddenly shouted, "Now that the criminal is dead, all goods are half price today!" The neighboring shop immediately chimed in, "My goods are seventy percent off today!" Then someone said, "Since the criminal died today, why not make it a commemorative day?" "Agreed, agreed!"

Watching these people who feared death so desperately, Shangguan Li's heart turned cold. She felt that it was not worth it for Little Pear. Sure enough, no matter where one went or what race one belonged to, there were always so many people who clung to life and feared death.

Before long, Shangguan Li followed the envoy into Demon Snake Hall. However, after entering Demon Snake Hall, she did not continue following him and instead headed directly for Ai Li's room.

Ai Li had also sensed Shangguan Li's arrival. "Wait a little longer. Once the clan meeting ends, I will cremate Little Pear's fake body. Then you can take him and leave."

Ai Li's entire demeanor was sorrowful as she spoke. She had not expected the elders to refuse to spare even the body, leaving her no choice but to prepare a fake corpse at the last minute.

The meeting ended soon after, perhaps because everyone had unanimously agreed to the decision. Ai Li entered the room carrying a box. "Shangguan, you can show yourself now."

Shangguan Li appeared in Ai Li's room and asked, "How did the plan go?"

"Very successfully. Take him and leave." After saying that, Ai Li brought out Little Pear's body. "Remember, do not leave the room during this month. When that day arrives, leave immediately and never come back."

"This is what I promised you. I, Shangguan, never break my word." Shangguan Li took out the Earth Dragon Golden Melon and gave it to Ai Li. Ai Li hesitated, but still accepted it.

Without looking back, Shangguan Li carried Little Pear's body back to the small courtyard. After sensing that Shangguan Li had left, Ai Li's gaze did not become relaxed. Instead, it concealed complexity and faint relief. Yet even after the two returned to the courtyard, Little Pear had not awakened.

A week later, Little Pear finally woke up. But the moment he opened his eyes, he began to cry. Little Pear remembered everything that had happened after he lost consciousness. It turned out that his clansmen did not simply dislike him—they feared him and loathed him. They had wanted him to disappear so badly.

When Little Pear woke up, Shangguan Li was outside playing with Qiao Di, Xiao Lu, and Snow Lion. Hearing faint sobs from the room, Shangguan Li hurried inside.

Shangguan Li asked anxiously, "Little Pear, are you all right?" The moment Little Pear saw Shangguan Li, he got up and hugged her. "Sister, we have to stay together forever. We can never part."

Shangguan Li hugged Little Pear back. "Isn't that obvious? Of course we'll always be together."

Just like that, Little Pear let go of the knot in his heart. A month later, he signed a Master-Servant Contract with Shangguan Li and left the Misty Forest.

Ai Li sighed in relief after sensing that the two had left. How could there be such coincidences in this world? For thousands of years, no one had entered the forest, yet Shangguan Li had been drawn inside just like that.

In truth, Shangguan Li had been lured into the forest by Ai Li using a special method. After Ai Li inherited the position of Clan Leader, she had thought every day about how to protect her younger sister Jasmine's child. Ai Li's greatest talent was neither combat nor medicine, but divination.

About ten years after Little Pear was born, Ai Li sacrificed half her lifespan and finally divined that Little Pear would leave the forest with a human who had accidentally entered it, and that human would bring him happiness. Therefore, every time the forest barrier weakened, on the following day Ai Li would send clan members to search every house in the clan, all to find the human who might bring hope to Little Pear.

On the night Shangguan Li infiltrated Demon Snake Hall, after she finished discussing her departure with Ai Li, Ai Li collapsed to the ground. No one knew whom she was murmuring to. "I did it. Little Pear can live happily from now on. Little sister, you can leave without worry."

The subsequent actions proceeded smoothly, all thanks to Ai Li's careful calculations. But no one knew any of this.

Today was the day the forest barrier weakened, and also the day Shangguan Li would leave with Little Pear.

Qiao Di said, "Miss, everything here has been packed up. Rest assured, there are no traces of anyone having lived here."

Shangguan Li nodded. She had complete confidence in Qiao Di's work. "Then let's go, A'Qiao, Little Pear, and Xiao Xue."

And so, three people and one snow lion set off on the road out of the forest. With Ai Li's secret help, they safely passed through the Misty Barrier surrounding the forest.

When Little Pear was about to leave the forest, he turned back to look at the place where he had lived for a hundred years. Yet not long after they left, the Misty Forest actually vanished.

Little Pear still bowed in the direction of the vanished forest and murmured, "Thank you for taking care of me all these years, Misty Forest. I'm leaving now. Goodbye."

Seeing Little Pear bid farewell to the Misty Forest, Shangguan Li shouted, "Little Pear, hurry up! We need to go."

Little Pear shouted back, "Sister, I'm coming!" He ran quickly toward Shangguan Li.

Although this place gave me nothing but unbearable memories—Mother's death, my clansmen's wariness, the bullying from those my age, and my family's neglect—I don't think any memories can truly be forgotten. Every little thing from my life here, though they were all bad memories, is still precious to me. Now that I am leaving, I still feel a little reluctant. When I am by Sister's side, my heart feels warm. Mother, Auntie, I feel that I will definitely live happily from now on.

Little Pear looked at Shangguan Li walking beside him and wrapped his arm around hers. "Sister, it's wonderful that you're my master."

Shangguan Li rubbed Little Pear's head. "I'm also glad that Little Pear was willing to follow me. After all, I like Little Pear very much too."

Little Pear released Shangguan Li's arm and instead took her hand. "Sister, where are we going? Three months ago, you said we were going to the seaside. Is that true? I've never seen the ocean."

Shangguan Li said, "That's right, we're going to the seaside. I haven't seen it either, so let's go take a look together."