With just a fleeting glance, Zhang Nu immediately sensed that something was wrong with Lin Xiao.
Lin Xiao, of all people, shouldn’t look this frail. Yet now, he appeared utterly exhausted, almost as if he needed someone to protect him.
Liu Hai noticed it too. “Zhang Nu, what’s going on with Lin Xiao? Why does he look so weak?”
Zhang Nu shook his head, frowning. “I don’t know.”
Lin Xiao, clearly unwilling to explain, kept silent. Even if they asked, he wouldn’t reveal anything.
Lin Xiao’s cultivation path was entirely self-made, forged through sheer determination and relentless effort. Any backlash or consequences from using his powers, he shouldered alone. Even though Zhang Nu seemed trustworthy, Lin Xiao maintained a wall of caution, unsure of how to completely trust anyone.
Zhang Nu and Liu Hai exchanged a brief glance before rushing to Lin Xiao’s side, each taking a position to support him.
Lin Xiao looked at them, puzzled. He couldn’t understand why they were acting this way. He had never been particularly close to either of them, yet now they were showing him concern. It made him feel strangely uncomfortable.
“I can walk back on my own. Let me go,” Lin Xiao said coldly.
But Zhang Nu and Liu Hai grinned and ignored his protest.
“Lin Xiao, you saved us,” Liu Hai said with a laugh. “Of course, we’re going to take care of you. You must’ve used up a ton of energy—you’re barely standing. Don’t worry, we’ll help you get home.”
Lin Xiao sighed in exasperation. Liu Hai’s chatter was insufferable. He tried to push their hands away, but his strength had waned too much. With no other option, he allowed them to help him back to his home, where he collapsed onto his bed to rest.
Every time Lin Xiao overused his power, it left him drained for days, requiring a long recovery period. For this reason, he avoided using such abilities unless absolutely necessary.
Meanwhile, Zhang Nu and Liu Hai remained outside in the courtyard, keeping watch.
“What do you think happened to him?” Zhang Nu asked, breaking the silence. “Why is he suddenly so weak?”
Liu Hai shook his head thoughtfully. “It’s like something backfired on him. Could it be that Lin Xiao used a power he wasn’t meant to?”
Zhang Nu’s eyes lit up as if a realization had struck him. “You might be right. I saw him drawing energy from the Tree of Life to shield us from the explosion. Could that power have backfired on him?”
Liu Hai’s expression darkened. “If that’s the case, the backlash must be unbearable, especially with a force as powerful as the Tree of Life. What should we do? How can we help him?”
Liu Hai shook his head again, frustration evident in his voice. “I don’t know. If only some of the village elders were still around, we could ask them for advice.”
Unbeknownst to Zhang Nu and Liu Hai, a woman dressed in red appeared silently nearby. Her eyes gleamed with intrigue as she observed the two men, her interest evident.
The woman studied them intently, clearly fascinated by their strength and eager to learn more. Yet, she knew it wasn’t the right time to reveal herself—she still had matters to attend to at Jiuhu Ridge.
“Who would’ve thought you two had such potential,” she murmured, a sly smile playing on her lips.
“I’m looking forward to what happens next.”
With that, she vanished, only to reappear moments later near the Tree of Life.
Her eyes swept across the area until they landed on the severely injured tree spirit. She approached it, gently helping it to its feet. In the next instant, both of them disappeared into the shadows.