Parting

"You little brat actually brought a blanket with you?"

Qian Renxue watched in surprise as Mu Chen took a blanket from his Soul Tool. It carried Mu Chen's scent and a faint fragrance.

It was the medicinal fragrance left behind whenever Mu Chen tempered his body. It smelled quite pleasant.

Qian Renxue and Mu Chen lay together atop a pile of dry leaves and sweetgrass. Though it was somewhat uncomfortable, they could still fall asleep.

"Little Chen, if only I could always live like this in the future. I wouldn't have to wear a mask all day, wouldn't have to carry such heavy schemes and burdens. I don't want to be like this either, but it feels as though I have no right to choose between heaven and hell. I only have the fate of being chosen.

"If I could be like an ordinary girl, I would be willing to become ordinary."

Qian Renxue murmured softly, but Mu Chen could still hear her. His heart ached for her. It was truly hard to imagine how this girl had spent her childhood.

Without his presence, this tragedy would likely have run through Qian Renxue's entire life.

But since he had come here, things would definitely not develop as they had in the original story! Qian Renxue had wanted to tell Mu Chen what was in her heart, but her identity and the mission she bore were far too important. In the end, she said nothing. So be it.

The two of them lay quietly in the cave. Only the fire continued to burn slowly, but as its heat faded, its light gradually dimmed as well.

At first, Qian Renxue still blushed shyly. This was her first time lying beside someone of the opposite sex.

Though she repeatedly told herself that he was only a child, and though there was still some distance between them, this had nevertheless exceeded what she could accept.

If she had known this would happen, she might as well have left directly, or taken this child away with her, regardless of whether they encountered danger.

Mu Chen, however, was different. He fell asleep very quickly. After the events of the day, he was truly exhausted.

Even breathing sounded around her, and Qian Renxue could not help feeling deeply at ease. In the end, she too fell asleep without realizing it.

Although the conditions were crude, this was the first time Qian Renxue had felt so at peace. Perhaps it was because of the person beside her, or perhaps it was the vitality, innocence, and romantic nature a real girl ought to have.

Qian Renxue eventually fell asleep as well, and the two spent the night in this tranquil setting.

The next morning, Qian Renxue sensed someone secretly watching her and immediately woke with a start. A dagger slid from her sleeve, and she was about to stab the person before her.

But when she saw that it was Mu Chen, she let out a breath and withdrew it.

Mu Chen, who had been admiring the sleeping beauty, shuddered in fright.

What exactly had this girl experienced to become like this?

Mu Chen rose with pity in his eyes, then walked outside to look for something for breakfast.

Qian Renxue bit her lip, unsure what to say. This was indeed a habit of vigilance she had developed over the years. She had not expected it to be triggered instinctively.

Soon, Qian Renxue noticed that Mu Chen had not returned even after some time had passed. Feeling puzzled, she walked around, only to discover that Mu Chen was no longer there.

Only a roasted rabbit remained on the grill, along with a message. It was not hard to tell that the words had been carved with a sword, each stroke forceful and vigorous.

"Big Sister Xue'er, meeting you truly was a blessing and a destined encounter bestowed upon me by heaven.

"Although we have known each other for less than two days, I seem to have fallen for you. Is it the kind of liking between a man and a woman?

"I don't know, but I only know that my heart was moved.

"I know you have many secrets, and I never took the initiative to ask. After all, I have many secrets of my own as well.

"Your actions just now did not make me afraid. They only made my heart ache.

"Forgive me for leaving without saying goodbye, but my teacher is already looking for me.

"If we meet again within the next three years,

"Then no matter what you become, I will definitely recognize you! When that time comes, don't think about anything else. After all, you are the first person I have ever spent a night sleeping beside! (Note: I think you are a cute angelic girl. Don't lose that temperament, at least not in front of me.

"Otherwise, I'll get angry!

"(^_-))!"

After reading through the words Mu Chen had left behind, Qian Renxue's emotions became complicated. What did a little brat know? Those final words... had he still left?

She then erased the words Mu Chen had left behind.

But soon, Qian Renxue heard two familiar voices.

"Young Lady, are you all right? We searched for you all night!"

A voice filled with surprise and exhaustion came from nearby. Qian Renxue saw Snake Lance Douluo and Porcupine Douluo, who had finally arrived late.

The two panted heavily as they flew to Qian Renxue's side. Once they confirmed that she was unharmed, they finally let out sighs of relief.

Though they looked somewhat bedraggled, with numerous tears in their clothes and fine wounds on their bodies, they had not suffered any serious injuries.

If anything had happened to Qian Renxue, the two of them would not need to return to Spirit Hall.

"I'm fine. Elders, why didn't I see either of you yesterday?"

Qian Renxue resumed her cold demeanor, her golden eyes fixed on the two Titled Douluo as she questioned them.

If Little Chen had not appeared, she would probably have died at the hands of that Man Faced Demon Spider. If they could not provide a reasonable explanation for such a grave failure, she would have a proper talk with Grandfather about this matter.

"Young Lady, it was because Sword Douluo appeared in Sunset Forest for some unknown reason. We were worried that Sword Douluo might discover your identity and affect the plan, or harm you.

"So we acted first. The outcome was inconclusive, but Sword Douluo later left Sunset Forest of his own accord. We then came to look for you, but only found a ten-thousand-year Man Faced Demon Spider that had been killed.

"We were worried that you had been injured, so we searched all night..." Snake Lance Douluo said quietly.

"Sword Douluo?

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? Sword Qi? Teacher?"

Qian Renxue muttered softly to herself. So that was it? Shouldn't she have guessed long ago that Mu Chen's teacher was Sword Douluo? That meant Mu Chen was from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?

Qian Renxue understood everything, then closed her eyes in pain.

If that was the case, then it would have been better if they had never met. They had fate, but no destiny. It would have been better if they had no fate at all.

She never imagined that the first person she had been able to talk and play with in more than ten years would turn out to be her destined enemy...

Just forget about these past two days, Qian Renxue. You and he are not on the same path. You are destined to be enemies.

Qian Renxue turned around, wiped away the few tears in her eyes, and silently walked deeper into Sunset Forest alone.

Snake Lance Douluo and Porcupine Douluo had no idea what was going on, but they still followed her.

"Young Lady, where are you going?" Porcupine Douluo asked.

"To obtain my fifth soul ring," Qian Renxue replied indifferently.

"Huh, Young Lady, you can roast rabbits too? It looks and smells delicious. I..." Snake Lance Douluo rubbed his hands together as he looked at the roasted rabbit before him.

But Qian Renxue immediately returned and took the rabbit away, even glaring at Snake Lance Douluo. The two were left confused, but they still followed her.

"Ding! System notification: Congratulations, Host, you have successfully shown off before Qian Renxue.

Character: Qian Renxue (calculated in units of ten)
Character importance: Four stars (After all, she only appears in the later stages and has little page time)
Strength/Potential: Five stars
System overall evaluation: Nine stars. Host may receive a 9x Cool Points bonus, gaining 90 Cool Points. Host's current Cool Points: 2090."

Elsewhere, Mu Chen saw Sword Douluo hovering in the air with an anxious expression and shouted, "Grandpa Sword! I'm here!"

When Sword Douluo followed the voice and saw Mu Chen, he too let out a sigh of relief. Thankfully, this boy was unharmed.

"Little Chen, didn't I tell you beforehand to go outside?

"You have no idea how anxious I was while searching for you! But thankfully, nothing happened to you. We're returning to the sect immediately. This place is still too dangerous."

Sword Douluo grabbed Mu Chen's little hand and led him straight out.

Thankfully, it had not been a scheme to lure the tiger from the mountain. Sword Douluo still felt lingering fear, telling himself that he needed to consider more possibilities before acting next time.