Chapter 442: Chapter 94: Starting the Adventure_3
Sheng Xie’s size made his strides significantly larger. In a mere two hours, they were already out of the Illusive Forest. Ah Dai glanced at Xuan Yue, sighed in relief and said, "Brother, it seems our worry was unnecessary. The assassins must have left."
Xuan Yue had been constantly casting a detection spell, which could provide the caster with information within five hundred meters around their body, it was most effective on living creatures. Two hours of continuous casting had left Xuan Yue a bit tired. She cast a vigilant look around and said, "Brother, we should be careful anyway. It’s no easy task to deal with assassins on our tail. Their ambushes are unpredictable, so we must always stay on alert."
Ah Dai grumbled, "I even hope they’d appear right now, so long as they dare to come, I’d make sure they can’t leave." Having grasped the basic usage of several divine artifacts had boosted Ah Dai’s confidence. Assisted by the divine artifacts, plus Xuan Yue’s magic and Sheng Xie’s dragon power, he was fully confident he could contest against the remaining eight assassins.
"Roar--" A roar suddenly sounded from behind them. They turned around and saw White Tiger standing outside the forest, staring fixedly at them with big eyes. Ah Dai had treated White Tiger’s injuries which led to its deep gratitude. Moreover, the dominant strength Ah Dai had displayed completely tamed this king of the forest. It had always wanted to approach Ah Dai to show its goodwill, but with Sheng Xie’s overwhelming draconic aura, it didn’t dare to approach them. Seeing them leaving the Illusive Forest, it couldn’t help but roar out.
Ah Dai chuckled, "Look, our friend from the forest has come to see us off. Let’s go over and say hello." He held Xuan Yue’s hand and, surrounded by his True Qi, jumped off Sheng Xie’s back. Ah Dai knew the White Tiger was afraid of Sheng Xie, thus ordered it to stay put while he and Xuan Yue walked over to the White Tiger. The Tiger looked at Ah Dai and Xuan Yue with no viciousness of a wild beast, and lightly roared, seemingly reluctant to part from Ah Dai.
"Tiger brother, we’re leaving. You are the King of the Forest, you must protect the Illusive Forest well!" Ah Dai gently stroked the large ’king’ character on White Tiger’s forehead, the soft and thick fur felt extremely comforting to his touch.
The White Tiger gently nodded its head, its large eyes brightened considerably and appear to brim with teardrops.
Xuan Yue also walked over to the White Tiger. With Ah Dai there to protect her, she didn’t worry about any danger to her. White Tiger didn’t reject her either, letting her slender, fair-skinned fingers caress its fur.
Ah Dai looked at Xuan Yue and said to the White Tiger, "Brother Tiger, we really have to go now. The care of the Illusive Forest is on you; you have to take good care of it. When I come back, I’ll bring you some delicious food. Go now, return, the forest is your territory."
White Tiger licked Ah Dai once, then reluctantly turned around and disappeared into the depths of the forest. Looking at White Tiger’s retreating back, Xuan Yue said, "No wonder you said animals are better than humans. At the very least, they know how to return favors, whereas humans would repay kindness with ingratitude. Let’s go, it’s really comfortable to travel on Sheng Xie’s back!"
Ah Dai smiled, "From now on, we can only rely on our own feet for walking. Have you forgotten? Sheng Xie is a dragon after all, he shouldn’t appear in public."
Only then did Xuan Yue remember, her face flushed with embarrassment. "I forgot. But Sheng Xie might not be willing to return to the Dragon’s Blood."
Ah Dai and Xuan Yue walked over to Sheng Xie. Just as Xuan Yue had said, after experiencing freedom for so long, Sheng Xie certainly didn’t want to go back into the Dragon’s Blood.
"Little Xie, be good and go back in, okay? Your presence outside is too eye-catching. It will hinder our journey."
"Little Xie, be good and go back. When brother brings you good food, I’ll let you out. You’re not listening, are you? If you keep this up, I’ll be angry."
Sheng Xie lay on the ground, its golden eyes filled with a pitiful look. No matter what Ah Dai said, it refused to go back. Ah Dai didn’t want to force it, leaving him in a predicament.
Xuan Yue watched Ah Dai with a smile and said, "How is it going? No luck, huh? Brother, do you believe that I can make Little Xie go back to Dragon’s Blood?"
"You have a way? I don’t believe you. Little Xie always listens to me, but refuses now. What can you do?"
Xuan Yue mysteriously smiled and said, "Don’t worry about what I’ll do, I just can do it. Let’s make a bet, if I get Little Xie to obediently return to the Dragon’s Blood, you carry me to the first city. Deal?"
Ah Dai scoffed. "Are you not embarrassed to ask someone else to carry you, as a grown man?" The words ’carry’ reminded Ah Dai of when he’d carried Xuan Yue up Mount Tian Gang. The memory of that intimacy made a warmth rise in his heart.
Xuan Yue’s face turned slightly red, "I am a mage. How can my physical strength compare to yours? You are not afraid that I will delay our journey, are you? Let’s bet, you have no way to make Little Xie go back anyway."
Ah Dai looked at Xuan Yue’s slender figure. She didn’t seem too heavy. Feeling helpless, he said, "Alright, I’ll bet with you. But what if you lose? Are you going to carry me to the next city? I don’t think you’re that strong."
