Huang Xinyi shook her head. "No, it doesn't bother me. It seems that the World's Will helps the challengers deal with this problem."
She then took a deep breath, feeling exhausted but satisfied. "I am tired, but I know I need rest to regain strength."
Xu Qianghua smiled at her, understanding her situation. He did not discuss about the third challenge as he knew she could not do the last one right now.
"That's good," he replied, then added, "Let's go. I will take you to a nice place where you can relax and lift your spirits."
Although confused, she did not refuse, but then she realized that she could not move her body much because she had been away from it for so long.
This made her blush a little, and she did not know what to say to Xu Qianghua, but before she could think of anything, she saw him crouch down with his back facing her.
"Climb up," he said as he looked back.
She did as she was told and climbed onto his back, holding onto him tightly.
"Hold on, this will be quick," he said, smiling at her.
Huang Xinyi blushed even more as she held onto his muscular back. She had never experienced anything like this before, and her heart raced.
Xu Qianghua then used the Spiritual Qi in his body and focused it on his legs, increasing his speed exponentially.
He rushed out of the library without making any noise as he left. Then, after some time, they were near the city gates.
As they left, Huang Xinyi thought about all that had happened over the past two days.
The past two days were something she did not expect when she was first summoned to this world.
She thought that her summoner, Xu Qianghua, would treat her like a disposable summon and use her for his own gain.
However, he treated her as part of his family, which made her heart open up to him even though they had only spent two days together.
And even though he made her take part in the City Lord's challenges, he did not force her; instead, he asked for her opinion, which she had never experienced.
In her last life, her parents made her become the country's ruler even though she did not want to be.
After she became ruler, she had to make decisions that could affect the daily lives of many people.
This led to her maturing at an alarming rate, and due to this, she never had a family or even a friend who she could call on if needed.
But she did not mind this. Instead, she overcame this and used the time she would have spent on them to serve her country better.
And now she was in a different situation. She felt she could trust him and his family.
"It seems like I have gotten soft," she thought. "I hope I don't regret this."
However, they were outside the city, and before she could continue thinking about this, she saw him still going somewhere without stopping.
They spent around 30 minutes with Xu Qianghua, who still did not tell her where they were going despite her asking him many times.
Soon, they arrived near a forest, but he did not enter the forest; instead, he ran alongside its edge.
He did not stop until she could see something simmering. Soon, she got a clear view and saw that it was a massive lake.
The lake was so massive that it could house many cities from the Old World. The water was crystal clear, and many fish were seen.
In some places, many small animals who have not yet become wild beasts are leisurely drinking the lake water as they ignore them.
She was shocked when she saw the lake as she had never seen such a big one in her last life.
But she quickly recovered, as Xu Qianghua had already told her about how the world's size had increased by hundredfold.
"This is one of the most beautiful places near the city, so I thought bringing you here could help you relax and recover your strength," he said as he asked the system to bring out some chairs and tables along with some food and water for them to enjoy as they took in the view.
She did not respond as she sat down on the chair and took a deep breath, feeling the air refresh her.
The maids made the food and drink, which they then delivered to him while he protected Huang Xinyi during the second challenge.
As they ate, Huang Xinyi and Xu Qianghua kept bringing up new topics to discuss as they enjoyed their time together.
Soon, they finished eating, and Huang Xinyi started to feel better as her body recovered from its state of exhaustion.
"Feeling better?" he asked as he saw her expression.
"Yes, I am," she replied, nodding slightly.
He then got up from his seat and helped her get up before he spoke.
"Let's go for a walk. It will help you relax and get your mind off things that are bothering you," he said with a smile.
Huang Xinyi blushed a little, but she knew that he could see something in her mind, so she did not refuse.
She was feeling better and knew a walk would help calm her mind.
And so, they walked along the shore of the lake, enjoying the fresh air and calm water.
After some time, Xu Qianghua looked at Huang Xinyi, who was lost in her thoughts.
"What are you thinking about, Xinyi?" he asked.
She sighed and shook her head. "I was just thinking about what happens next."
"You do not need to worry about the future because, as cultivators, we are meant to go against our destiny," he said as he looked into her eyes.
Then he continued, "You should take things one step at a time. Do not think about what comes later, or you might get sick with stress."
He had read the same line in books before.
"Okay," she responded, nodding.
"Well then, let's go back to the city. It is almost dinnertime, and we should go back soon," Xu Qianghua said as he walked to the chair.
However, she did not move.
Instead, she stood where she was, looking down at the ground, lost in thought.
"What's wrong?" he asked, confused.
She didn't respond for a moment as she struggled to say anything.
"Master, why did you summon me here?" she asked, finally turning around to face him.
"Why did I summon you here?" he replied with a smile. "I summoned you here to gain a trusted helper who can grow alongside me and my family."
He sighed. "I know you must have had a hard time in your last life, but all you need to know is that what you remember is the past, which will remain your past.
You must remind yourself that you are in a new world with unlimited possibilities, so you do not need to be bound by your past."
He could see that she had a tough life before and knew that he had to address this, or else her past would become her 'Heart Demon,' which would always haunt her.
And he did not want to see this as he could see that she was someone who would reach great heights in the future, and all she needed to do now was let go of her past and embrace this new one.
Huang Xinyi sighed, knowing that he could see right through her.
"But, Master, I do not know how to get close to people," she said. "I am always tense when around others, which makes me feel awkward and uncomfortable.
Even now, I don't know what to say to you."
Xu Qianghua smiled at her, seeing the truth behind her words.
"It is okay. I won't force you to get close to them if you do not want to," he said as he approached her.
She blushed as she looked down at the ground, trying to hide her face.
Then, he continued, "You can take all the time you need to get used to everyone. They are nice people who care about each other."
He took another step forward. "But I will not leave your side until you feel comfortable with them."
Huang Xinyi blushed even harder as he approached her, but she did not move away. She was too focused on his words to think about anything else.
She knew that he would not force her to get close to him and his family and also that she could trust him.
But it is not easy to let go of one's past and embrace a new world, so she had to take her time to understand this fully.
However, this made her happy as she knew he cared for her, which made her feel relaxed.
"Alright," she said, looking into his eyes.
"Good, now let's go back," he replied, smiling at her and stretching his hand out.
She blushed again and took his hand, and they walked back to the city together.