Chapter 15

In Hu Wu's view, if that existence was present in Bu Li's soul, no matter what kind of savage beast, it would not be able to devour Bu Li's soul. If not, what did Bu Li's life and death have to do with him? Indeed, upon testing, the existence that he had longed to worship for so long awoke a thread of consciousness just as Bu Li's soul was about to be devoured. Although it was only a thread of consciousness, and although the existence had suffered severe injuries, its current power was almost non-existent. Bu Li still safely passed the hardest stage, and even Hu Wu made significant progress.

Feeling the enhancement of his own power, Bu Li instantly adjusted himself and took large steps toward Hu Wu. His gait was like that of a dragon walking and a tiger pacing, the wind rising with the earth.

Under the black hood, a smile appeared on Hu Wu's face as he said, "Indeed, it is as I thought. You must carefully study the three pages I gave you."

"Okay," Bu Li nodded.

"If it still doesn't work, there must be some problem. After you win the top place in the Remnant Clan Grand Trial, we will go to the Henshan Sect to find their cultivation techniques," Hu Wu said. "In the Soul Wave Continent, I am just a lonely ghost. If it weren't for the lack of options, who would stay in such a small place for over a hundred years? I also want to see the outside world."

"What if the Henshan Sect doesn't have it either?" Bu Li asked, not understanding why Hu Wu regarded those three pages as treasures.

"Then we will continue to seek out even more powerful sects. That great battle of the past had its reasons. I will arrange for you to participate in the Remnant Clan Grand Trial. Try to familiarize yourself with the changes in your body. There are still three days left. We will meet at the Heavenly Gift Platform then." He took another deep puff of his pipe, reluctantly throwing the butt to the ground. The remaining stub was already so short that it would have burned his fingers if he didn't throw it away.

"Do you want some more? I have more," Bu Li said with a smile.

"No, an occasional puff to recall the past is enough. I have many things to do, unlike you, who has so much free time," Hu Wu replied.

"Alright," Bu Li said, suddenly remembering something and asked, "We'll meet at the Heavenly Gift Platform then."

Hu Wu looked into Bu Li's eyes and said out of the blue, "Don't make it a bloodbath."

Bu Li was taken aback, then chuckled and said, "I won't."

Cai Xiaoxian didn't know what the two were talking about. After this experience, Cai Xiaoxian was no longer as afraid of Hu Wu as before. She even felt a sense of closeness to Hu Wu's aura. She blinked her big eyes and looked at Bu Li and Hu Wu, completely puzzled.

"Let's go!" Hu Wu said and left, his figure fleeting, blending into the night and the forest, disappearing in an instant.

"Brother, what are we going to do?" Cai Xiaoxian clung to Bu Li's arm, pouting.

Bu Li gently stroked Cai Xiaoxian's black hair, feeling an overwhelming tenderness. In the dream, although Bu Li was wrapped in vines, his senses were not sealed; they were even more acute. He saw every move Cai Xiaoxian made, and it was etched in his heart. Her reckless and unwavering dedication, the many years they had relied on each other, flowed like a stream in Bu Li's heart, gently opening his lonely soul.

"Stupid Xiaoxian, why did you go so far?" Bu Li gently hugged Cai Xiaoxian, placing her in front of him, their foreheads touching, their breaths mingling, both feeling immense joy. Bu Li said earnestly, "Xiaoxian, if this happens again, remember to leave first. As long as you are safe, I can use some techniques."

Cai Xiaoxian seemed to enjoy this intimate moment, closing her eyes slightly, her long lashes fluttering. She murmured, "I know, I know. I always knew Brother is the strongest."

The forest was quiet. Bu Li held Cai Xiaoxian, recalling the near-death experience, the current tranquility and beauty seemed like a dream. But what about that dream? The existence in the dream that was so powerful Bu Li couldn't even imagine? The lost memories? Countless questions echoed in Bu Li's mind.

After a long while, Bu Li nudged Cai Xiaoxian's nose with his own. Her nose was soft and warm.

"Xiaoxian, I'm going to practice soul techniques, and then we'll see how strong that vine is. You rest for a while," Bu Li said gently.

Cai Xiaoxian nodded obediently, "Brother, go ahead."

"Get some sleep, don't run around."

"Brother, I know, you're so naggy."

Bu Li found a large tree nearby, leaped onto a branch, and sat cross-legged. He took out the three pages Hu Wu had given him and read them carefully again. He closed his eyes and focused, sensing the soul power around him. The Soul Wave Continent had no so-called elemental energy, or at least, what was called elemental energy here was called soul power. Bu Li understood it this way, and it was no different from the internal cultivation techniques he had read about in martial arts novels as a child. Bu Li even subconsciously used his favorite method of five-point heavenward posture to practice soul techniques, always feeling that this made him seem like a true expert.

Cai Xiaoxian rested her chin on her wrist, watching Bu Li practice for a long time, seemingly never tiring of it. After a while, she suddenly remembered something and dragged the snow wolf's corpse from the grass, skinned it, and began roasting the meat and rubbing the skin with leaves. When tanning animal hides in the forest, a small grass called Lanxiangcao was used to keep the hide soft and prevent it from deteriorating. Cai Xiaoxian had been familiar with this since childhood, and she had sewn both of their clothes. Though her needlework was not exquisite, it was sufficient.

Humming a tune Bu Li often hummed, she occasionally looked up at Bu Li's focused face, feeling immense joy. If they could stay like this forever, how wonderful it would be.

As the sun rose in the east, the red sunlight filtered through the leaves, and Bu Li opened his eyes. He could feel that he could practice soul techniques, but it still felt a bit strange, not as obvious as a physical enhancement. Bu Li shook his head, not thinking about it. Just take it step by step; why worry so much?

Jumping down from the tree, he saw that Cai Xiaoxian had already sewn the snow wolf's hide into a coat.

"Uh..." Bu Li looked speechlessly. He had told Cai Xiaoxian to use the snow wolf's hide to make a mat for Hu Wu, as the weather would soon turn cold, and Hu Wu, being frail, needed to avoid the cold. But Cai Xiaoxian, though she had agreed, always made clothes for Bu Li, as if she had one ear in and the other out. Fine, he would just catch another snow wolf for that old ghost.

Bu Li and Cai Xiaoxian had been busy for a long time and were hungry. They devoured half of the snow wolf like a whirlwind. Surprisingly, Cai Xiaoxian ate much more than Bu Li, with most of the snow wolf's meat ending up in her stomach. As they were eating, the leaves in the forest rustled, and the ground trembled slightly.