Standing on the edge of Sunset Forest, Li Si gazed speechlessly at the sky. Even the wind tastes bitter today.
After transplanting the Blue Silver Emperor into the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Tang Hao had wasted no time in escorting Li Si to the outskirts of Sunset Forest. Perhaps it was to avoid any of Li Si's "nonsense" reaching the Blue Silver Emperor's ears.
"My son, you've grown up. It's time you face the world of spirit masters on your own!" Tang Hao said solemnly.
"I failed to take care of you before. That's my fault. I'm sorry."
"And… thank you."
With those words, Tang Hao vanished.
That "thank you" came from seeing how carefully Li Si had transplanted the Blue Silver Emperor, even placing the ten-thousand-year spirit bone at its base.
Li Si had done so without hesitation. His gaze lingered not even for a second on that precious bone.
To Tang Hao, this was unimaginable—sacrificing such a treasure for the revival of the Blue Silver Emperor. Even he couldn't make such a resolute decision.
After a moment of reflection, Li Si shook his head and turned to leave the forest.
He had agreed with Xiao Wu to return in six months, but with Tang Hao's help, the task had been completed in just over a month.
Even so, traveling alone back to Notting City would take significant time.
Without delay, Li Si began his journey.
More than half a month later, he returned to Notting City, dusty and worn from travel.
At this point, the graduates of the Notting Academy had only recently left the school.
Before he left, Li Si had rented a small house near the academy for Xiao Wu. He headed straight there.
Soon, he stood at the door of the house.
The door was closed. Li Si didn't push it open immediately. Instead, he knocked.
"Knock, knock, knock..."
Inside, Xiao Wu, who had been sitting in low spirits, suddenly perked up. The familiar rhythm of the knocks was unmistakable—it matched his habit perfectly.
Without a word, Xiao Wu instantly activated her martial spirit. Her third spirit ring glowed as she dashed to the door and flung it open.
Their eyes met, and for a moment, neither spoke.
Seconds passed. Then Xiao Wu launched herself at Li Si, embracing him tightly as her shoulders trembled.
After a while, Li Si patted her gently on the shoulder and spoke softly.
"There, see? I'm back now."
Xiao Wu, all alone in the human world, had no friends apart from Li Si.
Loneliness was the most unbearable feeling of all.
After some time, Xiao Wu wiped her eyes and released him.
"Hmph, who cares about you?"
Despite her words, she instinctively grabbed Li Si's hand and led him inside.
Sure, she didn't care—she'd only used her third spirit skill just to open the door.
Li Si shook his head with a wry smile and followed her into the house, closing the door behind them.
"Xiao Wu, this is for you," Li Si said, pulling out a "stone" from his storage pouch and handing it to her.
The pouch itself had been "graciously gifted" by Dugu Bo.
Xiao Wu froze, staring at the stone in confusion. Then she glanced at Li Si and back at the stone.
What a weirdo—giving me a stone as a gift!
She pouted slightly. Even a bunch of Blue Silver Grass would have been better!
Still, despite her disappointment, she nodded and gave Li Si a sidelong glance before carefully putting the stone away.
After all, it was from him. Even if it were just a stone, she'd treasure it.
Li Si scratched his head. Xiao Wu's reaction was understandable—after all, the Acacia Heartbroken Red didn't look like much before it bonded with blood.
"Xiao Wu, this isn't an ordinary stone. Try dripping a bit of blood onto it," he suggested with a faint smile.
He didn't explain the flower's origins or its incredible properties. Love wasn't something that needed validation through a gift.
Xiao Wu trusted him completely. Without hesitation, she bit her lip and drew a small amount of blood, which she allowed to drip onto the stone.
"Whoosh!"
The moment her blood touched the Acacia Heartbroken Red, it began to bloom.
A massive pink flower unfolded, filling the room with a dazzling pink glow.
Xiao Wu's eyes sparkled with surprise and delight. This miraculous flower—where had Li Si found such a treasure?
"Xiao Wu, quickly eat it—just the petals," Li Si said.
Her joy turned to confusion as she looked at him. Such a beautiful and magical flower, and he wanted her to eat it?
"Do I have to? I'd rather keep it," Xiao Wu murmured, her cheeks turning red. She couldn't bear to destroy it.
Li Si shook his head, deciding it was time to reveal the truth. Some secrets could be kept, but this was not one of them.
"Xiao Wu, if you eat it, no one will ever discover your true identity," he said calmly.
The room fell silent as Xiao Wu trembled, almost dropping the flower.
"You… you knew all along?" she asked, her voice shaking.
"From the moment I first saw you," Li Si replied with a gentle smile, his tone and gaze as warm as ever.
He stepped closer, reaching out to lightly touch her rabbit-ear hair ornament.
Xiao Wu blushed. "They're not ears; they're part of my disguise!"
She'd only fully transform into human form once she reached Spirit Sage level. Until then, the ornament would remain.
"Xiao Wu, the Acacia Heartbroken Red is the king of flowers. Once you eat it, its aura will mask your own, even from a Titled Douluo," Li Si explained as he ruffled her hair affectionately.
Placing the flower in her arms might achieve the same effect, but what if she lost it?
Li Si didn't want to end up in a situation where he had to shout, "Revive, my beloved!"
That would be mortifying—and Lin Fan would never let him live it down!
Xiao Wu's restless heart calmed. Li Si hadn't offered long explanations, but his actions made it clear that he cared for her deeply.
That was more than enough.
And besides, Li Si had gone to such lengths to find this miraculous flower for her. It was impossible not to feel moved.
Acacia Heartbroken Red…
During the time Li Si was gone, Xiao Wu had come to understand the meaning of longing and heartache.
She gazed at him with her pink eyes, her heart full of emotion. To others, he might look plain and unremarkable, but to her…
(To be continued)