The thick canopy of the Star Dou Forest filtered the sunlight into pale green hues, dappling across the forest floor as Li Wei and Xiao Wu walked in silence. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves above, and the distant call of spirit beasts echoed through the woods. Yet between them, the silence was far from peaceful—it pulsed with quiet uncertainty.
Li Wei walked beside her with a calm composure, his spirit power replenished just a half, enough for the travel. His right shoulder still ached faintly from his spar with Er Ming, the scars of that brutal exchange hidden beneath his robe. Xiao Wu, nimble and graceful, walked with a bit more distance than usual, her fingers interlocked behind her back. Her gaze lingered not ahead, but occasionally to the side—on him.
She opened her mouth once to speak but hesitated. After another minute, she finally whispered, "Li Wei… do you think Tang San will notice anything different about me?"
He glanced her way, noting the faint worry in her eyes. "You've done well so far to hide it, Xiao Wu," he said gently. "Don't worry, I believe that none of them have even the faintest idea about who you truly are. Like I said before."
Xiao Wu lowered her gaze. "Even Tang San… he doesn't know."
"You don't have to tell him until you're ready."
She smiled bitterly. "Will I ever be ready?" Her voice trembled slightly. "Back then, I used to believe I could trust him with anything. But now…"
She nodded faintly. "He means a lot to me. He always has. But... when you told me he stopped to get stronger instead of chasing me... I felt something inside my heart hurt, I remember that he promise to protect me but now. I tried to make an excuse for him, but... it still hurt."
Li Wei didn't press. Instead, he stepped closer, letting their shoulders almost brush. "Even if that belief changes," he said quietly, "you're not alone. I'll be right here. Also you don't need to explain his actions to anyone. Not to me. Not even to yourself. You know what you want and what you feel. That's what matters."
A flicker of warmth passed through her crimson eyes, quickly followed by guilt. "Thank you," she said softly. "Even though you shouldn't have to carry this with me."
"I chose to," Li Wei replied simply. "And I'll keep choosing to."
Xiao Wu looked at him, her eyes glimmering with something between sorrow and gratitude. "Thank you, Li Wei."
He gave a slight nod. "I promised I'd protect you. That includes your secret. You're not alone. That is what it meant by a friend."
The tension loosened just a little between them. Not gone, but acknowledged. They continued walking, the silence now companionable. Somewhere up ahead, Li Wei could feel the subtle stirrings of soul power—power he recognized well.
"Tang San," he murmured.
Xiao Wu stiffened at the name. "Is he... still absorbing the ring?"
"Seems like it. Let's hurry."
Xiao Wu didn't reply, but her steps faltered briefly. She adjusted her rabbit-ear headband, perhaps out of habit, perhaps to hide her nervousness. Her hands clenched and unclenched at her sides.
"Do I look strange?" she asked suddenly.
He glanced at her. "You look like Xiao Wu. That's all that matters."
The forest finally gave way to a clearing, and voices reached their ears—familiar ones.
"I told you they'd be fine," Oscar said, though his voice wavered with relief.
"You didn't sound so confident ten minutes ago," Ning Rongrong replied.
Zhao Wuji was the first to notice them. The burly figure stood up, eyes wide. "Li Wei! Xiao Wu!"
Oscar sprang to his feet. "You're back!"
"Xiao Wu!" Ning Rongrong cried, rushing forward. Zhu Zhuqing followed more quietly, though the concern in her eyes was no less.
The girls embraced Xiao Wu before she could react. She stood stiffly for a second before slowly returning the gesture. A tiny, thankful smile played at her lips, though it didn't reach her eyes.
Then she saw him.
Tang San had just finished absorbing his third spirit ring. The purple ring still shimmered faintly behind him, and his clothes were damp with sweat. He looked exhausted—but his eyes locked onto Xiao Wu the moment she appeared.
"Xiao Wu..."
His voice trembled. It was filled with relief, but also guilt and confusion. He took a hesitant step forward.
Xiao Wu lowered her gaze.
Tang San moved toward her, but before he could speak again, Li Wei stepped between them casually.
"She's safe," Li Wei said, his tone neutral. "That's what matters."
Tang San stopped, startled by the interjection. His eyes shifted from Li Wei to Xiao Wu.
"I... I came after you," he said. "But I encountered a spirit beast... a Poison Silk Ghost Spider. It was perfect for my third ring, so I—"
"Chose to get stronger first," Li Wei finished for him, his tone unreadable.
Tang San's mouth opened, then closed. He couldn't argue with that.
Zhao Wuji intervened, clapping his hands together. "Good. Since everyone's accounted for, let's regroup and rest. We'll depart once Tang San's energy stabilizes."
As the others began to settle down, Oscar handed out water and dry rations. Ning Rongrong tried to coax Xiao Wu into sitting beside her, but the latter excused herself and instead sat down beside Li Wei, who leaned against a tree.
Tang San watched from afar. His expression was a mix of confusion and something else—jealousy, perhaps.
As the camp settled into relative calm, conversation faded. The forest returned to its tranquil state, birds chirping in the distance and leaves rustling in the soft wind.
Li Wei closed his eyes, allowing his body to rest. The recovery was nearly complete to just a little more than half spirit power he had, but the emotional weight of the day still lingered. Xiao Wu, sitting just a short distance away, watched him in silence.
Eventually, she whispered, "Why didn't you tell them? About me."
"Because it's not my secret to tell," Li Wei replied without opening his eyes.
A long pause followed.
Then, she murmured, "I'm glad it was you who found me, not him."
He opened one eye and looked at her.
"That's a dangerous thing to say," he teased lightly.
She smiled, but it was tinged with melancholy. "Maybe. But it's how I feel."
They sat like that for a while longer, until eventually, the sounds of breathing around the camp grew steady and slow. The others had begun to doze.
Li Wei glanced around the group. Ning Rongrong had curled up against a tree, Oscar snoring lightly beside her. Even Zhu Zhuqing seemed at ease, arms crossed but eyes closed.
Only Tang San remained awake, sitting apart from the others. His gaze was distant, fixed on Xiao Wu, who didn't look back.
Li Wei sighed inwardly.
He knew this peaceful moment wouldn't last.
Secrets had a way of surfacing, especially when feelings were involved.
But for now, at least, Xiao Wu was safe.
And he intended to keep it that way.