As soon as they heard they could rest, everyone immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thud!"
"Thud!"
Most of the disciples couldn't even stand, collapsing weakly to the ground. After walking through the night for over an hour, their nerves taut, and if they relaxed, their whole bodies would collapse.
Only a little over five hundred people could still stand where they were. Though they looked exhausted, they still had strength and hadn't overexerted themselves.
Among these more than five hundred people, the main disciples Long Chen selected were all standing firm. Mu Qingyun, Zhong Ling, Zhong Xiu, and the others were utterly impressed by Long Chen's judgment—truly ruthless.
Mu Qingyun took out the flying boat. Some mobile disciples eventually climbed onto the vessel themselves, while some who were already unconscious were carried aboard by the elite disciples.
Li Cai was the most enthusiastic, being the first to kindly carry a disciple on his back toward the flying boat. As he passed by Long Chen, Long Chen just stared at him without saying a word.
"Helping others is the foundation of happiness." Under Long Chen's gaze, he felt a bit uneasy, but still spoke with great pride.
"From now on, when you go out and get around, don't say I taught you this shameless skill." Long Chen said disdainfully.
Mu Qingyun, Zhong Ling, and Zhong Xiu all laughed, because Li Cai was carrying a female disciple. Although it couldn't be called sinister intent, it was certainly open and aboveboard.
"You really are the source of happiness in helping others. Just look at your expression." Zhong Xiu said with a grin.
Li Cai's little scheme was exposed, and his face immediately turned embarrassed. He hurriedly carried the person onto the flying boat.
Soon, everyone boarded the flying boat, and the moment the door closed, everyone finally felt at ease.
With the flying boat's defensive array activated, everyone's safety was ensured, and there was no longer any worry about being eaten by wild beasts.
Here, no one dared to turn on the lights, fearing they might attract terrifying beasts. In this wild land, even flying boats might not be safe, so everything had to be handled carefully.
In the darkness, in less than the time it takes to burn an incense stick, everyone fell asleep because their mental energy was severely drained, and sleep was the best way to restore their spirit.
Long Chen sat against the wall, Mu Qingyun to his left, and Zhong Ling and Zhong Xiu, like kittens, curled up to Long Chen's right side and fell asleep. After a while, they seemed uncomfortable and even used Long Chen's thigh as a pillow.
In the darkness, Long Chen saw something shiny dripping from Zhong Ling's small mouth. This girl was actually drooling in her sleep.
"No wonder this girl is always chattering. That 'eloquent' skill seems to be inherited from the family." Long Chen shook his head.
"Pfft."
Mu Qingyun, standing next to Long Chen, was amused and couldn't help but laugh. Her spiritual power was strong, but she was only slightly tired, showing no sign of sleepiness.
"Third Brother, you really are such a strange person. One sentence can make people cry, one sentence can make people laugh. When kind, you're like the neighbor next door—warm and safe. When you're fierce, it's like a demon possessed—even you don't dare look into your eyes." Mu Qingyun said softly.
Maybe it was too dark here, giving Mu Qingyun a sense of security, allowing her to dare to speak her mind.
Everyone else was asleep, except Long Chen and her. In a dark space, the atmosphere seemed somewhat enchanting. Unconsciously, Mu Qingyun's pretty face flushed slightly, and his heartbeat quickened.
"Third Brother, I've never heard you talk about your history. Would you like to tell me about it?" I'm very curious about your past. Mu Qingyun said softly.
"Actually, there's not much to say. It's just all the fighting and killing all the way, dull and boring." Long Chen shook his head and said.
Hearing Long Chen say this, a trace of disappointment appeared in Mu Qingyun's eyes. She knew that Long Chen was essentially refusing to let her get close.
Mu Qingyun was also considered a strong woman. Under Chu Kuang's suppression, she never yielded. She had her own pride. Since her cultivation, she had bled countless times, but rarely shed tears.
But Long Chen's words made her eyes redden and her nose tingle. Fortunately, in the darkness, she quietly adjusted her mindset, not wanting Long Chen to notice her abnormality.
"Have you ever liked someone?" Long Chen suddenly asked.
The question was extremely abrupt. Mu Qingyun was taken aback for a moment and shook his head, saying, "It wasn't before." Long
Chen was silent for a moment before saying, "Actually, liking someone is like a flying bird trapping itself in a cage, a nimble cheetah shackled, and a hedgehog pulling out all its spines." "
Why?" Mu Qingyun was puzzled.
"Because falling for someone means giving them the right to hurt you, while also letting go of all defenses.
Breaking wings to fly, giving up the ability to run, just to stay by his side, to endure a hundred deaths without regret, and through countless tribulations without regrets. Long Chen sighed, his voice low and tinged with sorrow.
Because Long Chen remembered Dan Fairy, remembered her words from the past: she had reincarnated for a thousand lifetimes, just to awaken him in the mortal world.
Every time she reincarnates, she dies before Long Chen's eyes. Long Chen owes her, and it feels like he can never repay it.
Although Long Chen still didn't know his true identity, the look in Dan Xianzi's eyes before death revealed her unforgettable love for him. Yet he still didn't know where she was, or if she had already reincarnated.
If he were reincarnated, would he have grown up because of the different time and space? Would he appear here for just one day? Half a year had passed on her side. In any case, Long Chen's heart was filled with longing and unease.
It had been more than two months since he ascended to the Immortal Realm, but his cultivation had not improved much. Being with these greenhouse-like flowers brought no sense of crisis; instead, he felt somewhat uneasy. He needed to become stronger faster and seek out his parents, relatives, brothers, and close friends.
After hearing Long Chen's words, Mu Qingyun fell silent. Because Long Chen had just been unwilling to reveal her past, she found it hard to accept and almost burst into tears.
"So, don't try to like someone lightly. You can treat me like your big brother, like a real big brother. Maybe this way, we'll get along better." Long Chen reached into the darkness and gently patted Mu Qingyun on the shoulder.
Long Chen was a seasoned man in love. He knew this strong girl was beginning to fall for him, and he wanted to nip this feeling in the bud. His heart was already riddled with holes and could no longer withstand the impact of love.
He could face thousands of armies and slay billions of evil demons. He had invincible ambition and a heroic spirit to look down on the world, but when it came to love, he no longer dared to touch it.
Fortunately, Mu Qingyun was still somewhat vague about emotions and hadn't gotten too deeply involved. Hearing that Long Chen could be his brother eased his previous disappointment a lot.
Then she linked arms with Long Chen, and soon fell asleep, her lips still wearing a satisfied smile.
As the sun quietly rose, Long Chen called everyone to get up, ready to set out again.
"This is ..."
Li Cai suddenly noticed something placed in front of him.