Concerns.

After a heated argument with Liang Cheng, Xia Ruyen left the tent with a heavy sigh. Both had walked off in opposite directions, leaving behind the echo of their disagreement.

Xia rubbed her eyes, tired. The conversation had worn her out more than she was willing to admit. Liang Cheng always found a way to test her patience.

As she walked through the cave, her steps led her to where Bai Xuebing was resting.

Although the pill Xia Ruyen had given him healed all his wounds, he was still recovering from the fight.

She saw him leaning against the wall, asleep by the campfire. His serene face, relaxed by sleep, seemed to belong to someone else, someone who hadn't been on the brink of death hours before.

Even in this state, his pale skin glowed alongside a beauty that could captivate any woman or man.

Xia stopped in front of him, crossing her arms as a playful smile formed on her lips.

"He looks so cute when he sleeps… Haha, he looks like a caterpillar."

Bai, unconscious, was wrapped in his own long hair, which reached down to his feet, giving him a strange yet charming appearance.

Xia Ruyen sighed, shaking her head, but she couldn't help feeling how the fatigue in her body seemed to fade as she watched him.

Gently, she leaned down and took him in her arms. His body, though lighter than she expected, still reflected the exhaustion of the battle.

She carefully carried him to her tent. There, she laid him down in a corner, covering him with a blanket. Then, without giving it too much thought, she lay down beside him, wrapping herself in the covers as well.

While Bai Xuebing slept deeply, Xia Ruyen stayed awake, watching him silently. Despite everything that had happened, in that moment, she felt a strange calm.

"It's a shame you're asleep because, if you weren't, we would've stayed up all night," she murmured as she caressed Bai Xuebing's face.

Xia Ruyen, a woman in every sense of the word, both in age and physique, couldn't help but notice the contrast between her maturity and Bai's youth. But even so, she knew he was every bit a man.

That night, they shared the same bed, though they only slept.

At dawn, Bai Xuebing woke up, his body covered only in bandages. He felt disoriented, looking around with a mix of confusion and distrust. Noticing the absence of his clothes, he narrowed his eyes, searching for answers in his surroundings.

It was then that he saw Xia Ruyen, sitting nearby, calmly sewing.

The scene was unusual; seeing someone like Xia, always strong and dominant, focused on such a simple and tranquil task was almost disconcerting.

—Mmm? You're awake… What's wrong?

—I didn't know you were also a seamstress.

Xia let out a soft laugh without looking up.

—I had to learn. Clothes don't fix themselves, and there's not always someone willing to do it for you.

Bai leaned his back against the wall, closing his eyes for a moment.

—Thank you… for saving me.

Xia paused her sewing for a moment, raising her gaze to him.

—Does that surprise you?

—I don't understand. You barely know me.

Xia set the needle aside, resting her hands on her knees as she looked at him seriously.

—What does it matter how long I've known you? You're part of my group. I don't leave anyone behind, Bai.

Bai didn't respond immediately. His sky-blue eyes, still marked by fatigue, stared at her.

—I'm not used to that.

Xia sighed but didn't add anything else. She simply returned to her task, letting the silence fill the space between them.

A little later, Xia Ruyen finished and handed Bai his clothes, though as he received them, he noticed something about them...

Two hours later, Xia Ruyen gathered the entire group. Standing before them, with her sword at her waist and a firm posture, she began giving new instructions.

—Listen up, our next destination is Qinghe, a city that's a week away from here.

A murmur ran through the group.

The route change surprised everyone since it wasn't originally planned. However, due to recent events, the reason for heading to Qinghe was clear: it was a merchant city and the closest one along their path.

—When we arrive, we'll buy a new mount to replace the Mountain Shell Turtle. Without it, we're more exposed, so during this journey, I want everyone to be more alert.

She paused, her amber eyes scanning each of them.

—The turtle served as a natural defense for the clients, but now that responsibility falls on us. I won't tolerate distractions or mistakes. Is that clear?

—Yes, leader!—the group responded in unison, though the tension on their faces was evident.

Xia continued giving specific instructions, assigning watch shifts and distributing caravan positions. Liang Cheng remained silent, arms crossed, while Ren Jihao glanced at Bai Xuebing out of the corner of his eye, his expression unreadable.

Bai, for his part, stayed on the sidelines, observing silently as Xia spoke. His physical wounds were healed, but his mind was still processing recent events.

—Alright, we leave in ten minutes.

With that, the meeting ended, and the group began dispersing to prepare their belongings.

Bai Xuebing remained leaning against a tree, staring at his ring with a thoughtful expression.

"One week, huh... Counting yesterday, I have six days left before the stellar core fades. I need to find the right moment to use it."

He knew he didn't have much time. A stellar core, without an artifact or proper preservation technique, was destined to disappear within seven days. This was basic knowledge for any cultivator.

Stellar cores not only contained a potential link to a star or stars but also held residual natural energy. By absorbing the core, the cultivator could connect with the star it harbored, and the residual energy helped assimilate its nature, facilitating integration with their core and inner domain.

However, this process wasn't simple. If the absorption failed, the core and the star would vanish.

Bai Xuebing clenched his fist slightly, feeling the weight of the core inside his ring. It wasn't just a unique opportunity; it was also an immense risk.

"If I fail… I won't get another chance like this."

He looked up at the group, still busy with preparations. No one seemed to be paying him much attention. Xia Ruyen was assigning the final tasks, while Liang Cheng stood apart, muttering something to himself.

Bai closed his eyes for a moment, exhaling slowly.

"First, I need to regain all my strength... then I'll find the moment."

While the group remained occupied with their preparations to leave, Liang Cheng moved to a secluded area of the camp, where Shen Mei sat under a tree. Her elegant figure and veiled face made her seem like an ethereal presence.

Liang Cheng stopped a few steps away from her, taking a deep breath before speaking.

—My lady, may I approach?

Shen Mei nodded slightly without raising her gaze. Liang Cheng bowed slightly before sitting in front of her, careful not to invade her personal space.

—Everything that happened… it was a complete disaster—his voice was filled with frustration, but also carried a note of concern.—I lost the turtle Lady Lihua gave me to protect you.

Shen Mei didn't respond immediately, her jade eyes remaining fixed on the forest. Liang Cheng clenched his fists, trying to contain his anger.

—And then there's that… brat, Bai Xuebing—he continued, his tone more bitter—Not only did he attract the attention of that demonic beast, but he also uses demonic techniques. Even Leader Xia is on his side, ignoring everything we've lost because of him. I still don't understand why you sided with him too.

—I know it was your decision to hire them, but...

Liang Cheng was interrupted by a gesture from Shen Mei.

For a moment, Liang Cheng seemed lost in thought. His hands trembled slightly, and his face reflected helplessness.

—My lady, I can't help but worry. All of this puts your safety at risk.—He raised his gaze to Shen Mei, his expression softer but filled with seriousness.—No matter what happens, you must stay safe.

Shen Mei finally shifted her gaze to Liang Cheng, her eyes shining with an enigmatic calm behind the veil.

—I will—she replied, her voice calm but carrying a firmness that allowed no doubt.

Liang Cheng pressed his lips together before bowing slightly toward her.

—My lady, I can't help but wonder… why, with your condition, do you insist on taking this risk? If something were to happen to you...

Shen Mei raised a hand to stop him.

—That's not something you need to worry about. Just make sure we reach our destination.

Liang Cheng nodded, though the weight of his thoughts kept him restless. He didn't fully understand the importance of this journey, but he knew that Shen Mei's safety was the only thing that truly mattered.

When he looked up again, Shen Mei had already turned her gaze toward the sky. Liang Cheng couldn't help but think of everything at stake.

"She must arrive safely, no matter the cost… No one can discover her."

That thought remained etched in his mind as the forest wind whispered.

—Sigh, Lady Lihua, your daughter truly resembles you; both of you do reckless things and make me worry—he muttered to himself.