In the League, but with the Taiwan Server System

If they openly organized an army to intercept them, their movements might be leaked directly to the enemy by traitors, ultimately causing the mission to fail.

There were too few people she could trust completely... and their combined strength was insufficient. They probably could not accomplish such a difficult task.

She could only go herself—after all, this was her specialty.

Sometimes, after being a leader for so long, she forgot that she herself was the strongest warrior in the entire Resistance Army.

And Chen Ce, who had completely defeated Third Legion Commander Glick, was undoubtedly the second strongest in the Resistance Army.

"The enemy does not have many men, and Dragonspine Canyon's terrain is also very favorable to us," Irelia added. "What this mission requires from the team is not quantity, but quality."

"I understand." Chen Ce asked no further questions—he decided to trust Irelia completely.

A moment later, Karma, who had been sitting nearby without saying a word, spoke.

"Mr. Chen Ce, before you depart, I will give you a little insignificant help."

She rose to her feet, and bursts of brilliant green energy suddenly flashed across her graceful body.

"You are one of the fortunate ones guided by the Spirit of Ionia. I will do everything I can to bless you—I believe in the Spirit of Ionia, and I believe in you."

As soon as she finished speaking, waves of green energy surfaced around Chen Ce as well.

Karma began her chant:

"SaeEleisaTeraVi..."

Chen Ce blinked in confusion.

Sae... and Sae pdd?

Irelia Invites You to Sleep

As Ionia's representative of spiritual tradition, Karma's strength was beyond question.

She had once reduced everyone aboard an entire Noxian warship to ashes in holy fury within a single breath. It was even rumored that her immense magic was connected to the Spirit of Ionia.

And this was not even the clearest demonstration of Karma's immense power.

What best demonstrated her strength was actually her "blessings."

She could guide enlightened cultivators who had entered the Spirit Realm to explore deeper layers of the "Spirit of Nature," then use that as a foundation to create a rock-solid magical shield for them.

Protected by such a magical shield, one could nearly become impervious to blades and spears, ignore attacks, and even withstand volcanic lava without suffering the slightest injury for a short time.

Just like now, Chen Ce was protected by this magical shield—a blessing from Karma.

By comparison, Irelia, who had never set foot in the Spirit Realm, did not receive such treatment—Karma could only use her own power to create a magical shield for her that was far less effective, unable to borrow the power of the First Lands to protect her.

"This magical shield can last three to five days if it is not attacked..." Karma looked somewhat weakened after casting the shields for them, her face visibly paler.

The expenditure had been considerable for her—especially Chen Ce's magical shield.

"The magical shields can help you offset quite a bit of damage... this is all I can do for you..."

"Thank you deeply. I will forever remember your generous assistance," Chen Ce said with heartfelt gratitude.

Irelia was deeply grateful as well, helping Karma sit down and rest.

After a brief silence, she turned to Chen Ce again.

"Let's prepare to depart."

"Prepare to depart... now?" Chen Ce was a little surprised.

"When else did you want to leave?"

Irelia pointed to the luggage she had prepared in advance and placed to one side.

"We need to reach Dragonspine Canyon ahead of time, then spend more time surveying the surroundings—about two days, I estimate. That means we need to arrive before tonight, then camp there for two nights."

"Understood." Chen Ce nodded, having no objections.

He was fairly experienced when it came to spending the night in the wilderness. Just two nights would be easy for him.

It was just that...

This would be his first time spending the night alone with Irelia.

At noon, Chen Ce set out with Irelia.

To keep anyone from discovering their tracks, Irelia deliberately chose a secluded path. The undeveloped rocky ground and thorny brush were truly difficult to traverse.

Fortunately, Irelia was fairly familiar with this route.

The two pressed onward, crossing countless treacherous stretches of terrain and walking from daylight into night. They did not even have time to eat a meal along the way.

Finally, when the moon hung high overhead and the stars spilled across the Milky Way, they saw that incomparably narrow and deep canyon.

Chen Ce considered himself physically fit, but his legs now felt like they were about to break—Irelia's stamina was simply too good. Keeping pace with her on the journey was practically torture.

Even fighting Noxian soldiers had not exhausted him this much...

"We can rest now." Irelia set down the cloth bundle in her hands. Not a bead of sweat could be seen on her delicate face. "It is too late to survey the area now, so let's rest for the night first."

"Thank heavens..." Chen Ce smiled bitterly.

He really wanted to lie down and rest immediately, but reality did not permit it—he still had to clear away the loose stones around them and set up camp.

"Miss Irelia, please pass me the tent. I'll set it up."

"Oh, all right." Irelia handed him the large cloth bundle on the ground.

Chen Ce rummaged through it.

Then... he found only one tent.

"There's only one?"

"Yes." Irelia nodded as if it were only natural. "Is there a problem?"

"But... aren't there two of us?"

"Yes, so bringing one is enough."

"..." Chen Ce was momentarily speechless.

"What is it? Is one tent not enough? But I already calculated the dimensions. In theory, two people should not need much space, right?" Irelia tilted her head in confusion, looking as innocent as a blank sheet of paper.

"I even deliberately chose a larger tent. By my calculations, it can fit three people."

"Perhaps this is not a question of whether there is enough space..." Chen Ce shook his head helplessly.

"Then what is the problem?"

"It's... forget it, nothing..."

"Hm? You are really strange."

"..."

Just over ten minutes later, a genuinely rather large tent had been erected in the canyon.

Chen Ce lit a campfire in front of the tent. Its warm flames drove away the chill of the early winter night and illuminated the two figures in the darkness.

Irelia took out a large bag of jerky and two cans of water from the cloth bundle. This was their food supply for the entire day.

"Beef jerky?" Chen Ce stuffed a piece into his mouth, deeply satisfied by its rich, salty aroma. "It's been a long time since I had this... Honestly, military rations are really awful."

"If you like it, I'll give you more when we get back. Then you can have beef jerky the next time you go on a mission." Irelia ate as she spoke. "As for the military rations... I'm sorry, I truly have no way to improve them right now. I can only ask you all to endure a little longer..."

"Uh... there's no need to apologize. I was only mentioning it casually..." Chen Ce was startled by her seriousness and hurriedly waved his hands.

At the same time, Irelia's kindness and thoughtfulness moved him once more.

There were not many leaders who cared so much about their soldiers—even across all of Runeterra, they could be counted on one hand.

This was probably why so many people followed her with such unwavering loyalty.

"In any case, I will work hard to give everyone a better life." Irelia looked up at the stars filling the sky. Every glittering jewel hanging high in the heavens was as bright as her azure eyes. "Just like Ionia used to be..."

"I believe in you." Chen Ce smiled.

"Really?"

"If you don't believe me, we can make a pinky promise."

"Pfft, I'm not a child anymore."

"Aren't you?"

"Huh?"

"You are not even twenty yet. Why are you not a child?" Chen Ce smiled and held out his little finger. "No matter how high you stand, you will always be a little girl worth protecting in someone's heart."

At his words, Irelia froze slightly before revealing a warm smile.

She extended her little finger toward him as well. "If you see me as a child, then you are looking down on me far too much—I'm a leader, you know. Your lead-er."

"I wouldn't dare, my respected leader." Chen Ce hooked pinkies with the girl. "I only meant... the second half."

"..." Irelia suddenly fell silent.

Feeling the warmth from his fingertip, her fair cheeks quietly grew hot beneath the cover of darkness, even turning faintly red.

After a long while, she stood up. "It's getting late. Hurry and rest. We still have work to do tomorrow."

"Okay." Chen Ce nodded. "You should sleep inside the tent. I'll sleep outside."

"Huh? Why?"

"Why do you think?"

"Hm?" Irelia still did not quite understand for a moment.

Until Chen Ce directly pointed at the only bed inside the tent.

The tent was large enough to house two people; the bed was also large enough for two people.

But... were they supposed to squeeze into that enclosed tent and sleep on the same bed in each other's arms?

Irelia finally understood.

Her fair, lovely face instantly turned red.

"I... I'm sorry... I didn't think of that..."

"It's fine. I'm already used to sleeping outdoors." Chen Ce waved his hand, smiling as he comforted her. "Go sleep first. If I really cannot fall asleep tonight, I'll come in."

"I..." But Irelia truly could not get past her conscience.

Finally, after a fierce internal struggle, she still blushed and loudly voiced her suggestion.

"If you don't mind... we... we can sleep together...!"

Top Lane Sisters, Assemble!

Chen Ce ultimately slept in the same tent as Irelia.

Even on the same bed.

Though the two were not exactly "sleeping in each other's arms," there was only so much room to sleep, and the distance between them could never be very great.

Chen Ce could even smell the faint fragrance emanating from Irelia—it was the unique scent of a young girl, as refreshing as jasmine yet as subtle as lavender.

At first, he could not fall asleep no matter what—beside him lay such a beautiful girl, and any man with normal bodily functions would probably struggle to sleep.

But he was simply too exhausted in the end.

After hearing the girl's steady breathing, he gradually drifted into sleep as well.

And when he woke the next morning, Irelia happened to open her eyes too.

The two woke almost simultaneously—though it was also possible that Chen Ce's movements upon waking had disturbed Irelia.

Their eyes met, and Chen Ce suddenly felt a little embarrassed.

Naturally, Irelia did not sleep in her armor. Her thin red bodysuit clung closely to skin as fair and delicate as snow, perfectly outlining the curves of her figure.

Although her chest had not fully developed and the bodysuit covered her tightly, Chen Ce still caught a glimpse, with just one look, of the enticing snowy whiteness exposed at her collar.