In the forest, because too many monsters had been attracted by the commotion, Lu Xin fled without a moment’s rest while carrying Ruilin.
After finding a tree hollow large enough for a few people, Lu Xin cast [Silence Barrier] around them.
Lu Xin glanced at the still unconscious Ruilin. This was tricky.
‘Do I really have to undress her and apply medicine?’
However, Lu Xin still cast [Nourishing Therapy] over Ruilin’s body.
A warm current flowed into her body, and Ruilin’s body trembled slightly.
Her eyelashes fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes. What came into view was Lu Xin’s hand pressed against her body.
“You… what are you doing?”
Ruilin wanted to get up and push Lu Xin away, but she was completely weak, so she could only watch him helplessly.
“Awake?”
“Don’t move for now. At least let me use my skill to make you feel better.”
Ruilin slumped in the tree hollow. She did feel less pain in her body, so she believed Lu Xin’s words.
Lu Xin felt the soft, boneless body under his hands. He squeezed it secretly.
“Mm…” Ruilin bit her lip, but she just turned her face away without stopping him.
She felt the comfort throughout her body, and with Lu Xin’s squeeze, her consciousness began to float away.
She didn’t know when she had started to enjoy the feeling of slight pain. It might have been caused by the subtle influence of her childhood experiences.
But she only liked it when Audrey did that to her. She had never allowed anyone else to touch her.
But now, with her consciousness fuzzy, she inexplicably felt a hint of sensation toward Lu Xin.
Ruilin felt she couldn’t let this continue.
“Alright… that’s enough. I can use healing magic myself. Stop.”
Hearing this, Lu Xin also withdrew [Nourishing Therapy].
Unexpectedly, when the warm comfort on her body disappeared, Ruilin felt the sharp pain from her internal organs again.
“Sigh, are you really okay?”
Lu Xin frowned, held Ruilin, and reactivated the skill.
“Hah… not really. My… magic power is a bit chaotic. It’s hard to cast healing magic.”
‘Chaotic magic power?’
Lu Xin was a bit surprised, but if he maximized [Nourishing Therapy], it seemed it could induce the flow of magic power in others.
Thinking this, Lu Xin held Ruilin tighter in his arms and used the skill with all his might.
Ruilin’s face flushed. She found that the warm current in her body was even more intense than before, giving her a feeling of bathing in a hot spring.
She lifted her head slightly, rubbed the tip of her nose against Lu Xin’s neck, and let out comfortable hums.
“Um, Miss Ruilin, please use this opportunity to channel your magic flow.”
Lu Xin was enjoying it, but this was not the time for that. He could only remind her verbally while crying inside.
Ruilin came to her senses. Thinking of her earlier actions, her delicate face turned red, and she closed her eyes, not daring to look at him.
Lu Xin was surprised to see Ruilin begin to channel her magic power.
The magic power within an elf was more pure and immense, completely incomparable to ordinary human mages.
This was the value of being naturally attuned to natural elements, though it couldn’t be ruled out that Ruilin herself was talented.
Lu Xin took a deep breath. He had thought this time he wouldn’t bleed, but now it seemed what was coming would still come.
Ruilin leaned against Lu Xin’s chest. Joyfully feeling her magic power restore its flow, she quickly began to cast healing magic.
And Lu Xin behind her was responsible for suppressing the pain. The entire process went very smoothly.
After the treatment, Ruilin looked at Lu Xin behind her with gratitude, but when she saw that Lu Xin was bleeding, she panicked.
“You… what’s wrong? Does that magic have side effects?”
“No, I just overexerted myself. Don’t worry.”
After hearing Lu Xin’s explanation, she breathed a sigh of relief, but still felt guilty.
It was the first time she had so many emotions toward someone other than Audrey. For a moment, she didn’t know what to say.
Seeing Ruilin hesitate to speak, Lu Xin sighed inwardly. The usually aloof Ruilin was quite cute when shy and nervous.
He handed the still-sleeping Fluffball Monster in his arms to Ruilin, then handed her the honey jar and added:
“Have some sugar first. When this guy wakes up, feed it some too.”
“What about you?”
“I’ll look around nearby to see if I can find something to determine our location.”
Upon hearing this, Ruilin wanted to stand up, but as soon as she did, her legs gave out and she fell again. Luckily, the Fluffball Monster underneath cushioned her fall.
“Don’t push yourself. I won’t go too far.”
After saying this, Lu Xin stepped into the mist.
Ruilin watched his disappearing figure. She felt some loss and worry, but just then the Fluffball Monster woke up.
Pjuu~
The Fluffball Monster rolled around, realized it couldn’t find Lu Xin, and was about to roll out of the tree hollow to search…
Ruilin opened the honey jar. The Fluffball Monster did a 360-degree roll to change direction and rolled toward Ruilin.
“Hehe, this little guy is pretty cute.”
Ruilin hugged the Fluffball Monster and fed it honey.
Watching the Fluffball Monster eat honey, Ruilin also dipped a bit of the golden liquid into her mouth. The sweet taste cheered her up a little.
But when she thought of Audrey, she couldn’t help but worry about her situation now.
She wasn’t worried that Audrey would encounter danger. What she was really worried about was that Audrey might use that shield.
Lu Xin leaped swiftly through the forest. They had now completely separated from the Knights Order.
There were nothing but two roads ahead: leave the forest or go deeper.
Lu Xin believed in Audrey’s strength, so she would definitely be fine.
Although leaving the forest now was the best choice, he would still feel guilty if he abandoned Audrey.
Moreover, Ruilin would definitely choose to go find Audrey. Leaving an injured person alone in the forest was no different from letting her fend for herself.
And the best way to find Audrey was to reach the central area of the Misty Forest.
He had seen Audrey’s map before. Although he didn’t understand what the four red dots on the edges meant, the circled area must be their target location.
As long as he could determine his own position, he could take Ruilin there.
Just as Lu Xin was thinking, the sound of flowing water came.
Lu Xin immediately changed direction and rushed toward the sound of water.
A few minutes later, a river appeared before his eyes. His eyes lit up. This was exactly what he was looking for.
Judging by the water’s flow, they were now downstream. If they went against the current, they would reach the central area of the Misty Forest in about two days.
Just as Lu Xin was about to go back and tell Ruilin his plan, [Air Flow Perception (Basic)] and [Silk Touch (Advanced)] immediately sent a warning.
He instantly dodged and leaped to another tree. The branch he had been standing on was shattered by a massive figure.
An owl’s head, a bear’s body, and a pair of wings—it was an Owlbear. Lu Xin’s face showed difficulty. He had just exhausted his magic power, and he didn’t expect to encounter a monster of this level.
But the other side had already locked onto him. It seemed he had no choice but to fight to the death.
Lu Xin reached out and took out a bottle, opened it, and drank it down.
His magic power was instantly replenished. As expected, it was a product of Ailya.