Chapter 667: On the Road

The atmosphere in the room was just right, but as Li Huowang leaned in for another kiss, Yang Na suddenly burst out laughing.

"What are you laughing at?" Li Huowang asked, puzzled.

"I'm just happy, Huowang," she replied. "The thought of you really being discharged from the hospital fills me with such heartfelt joy, I just can't help but laugh."

Yang Na kissed Li Huowang's face enthusiastically. Seeing the expression on his face, she cleared her throat, composed herself, and slightly closed her eyes.

"Alright, alright, let's not talk about it anymore," she said. "Let's start over. Let's just pretend that last part didn't happen."

Gazing at Yang Na's delicate face, Li Huowang gently leaned closer. Just then, he felt a gaze from outside the window.

When he turned his head to look, he saw old Auntie Qi holding a pair of binoculars with both hands, looking directly at them.

Seeing her elderly face, Li Huowang instantly lost all interest. "Auntie Qi!" he called out. "Is it a good show? Want to join us? I don't mind!"

Yang Na, barely suppressing a laugh, lightly punched his chest, then walked to the window and drew the star-patterned curtains.

"She's so old," she chided. "How can you make such jokes with her?"

"If she weren't so old, I'd be swearing my head off," Li Huowang grumbled. "She's practically guarding me now; I can't even leave the complex." He pulled up his pants with both hands, revealing electronic monitors on both ankles.

"Why?" Yang Na asked. "Haven't you recovered and been discharged from the hospital? Why are there still so many restrictions?" She squatted down, curiously examining the devices on Li Huowang's ankles.

"It's all because of what happened before," Li Huowang said, sitting down on a nearby stool. With a hint of frustration, he recounted everything he had experienced.

"I clearly provided evidence; those two severed fingers definitely belonged to the kidnappers. But they said the blood on me was my own, and those two severed fingers didn't have any DNA match, nor did any injured person claim them. So, they still can't fully believe what I said."

"My illness has clearly improved, and even the doctors have issued certificates, but they still don't believe it," he continued. "They still think it's possible I had a breakdown."

Yang Na sat on the bedsheet, leaning back on her hands, patiently listening to Li Huowang's account.

"You just saw the devices on my feet," he added. "They claim it's to protect me and prevent me from being kidnapped, but I know they're just playing it safe, taking double precautions."

"Huowang, did someone really kidnap you? Who were they?" Yang Na asked, tilting her head with a worried expression, trying to see the situation from his perspective.

Hearing Yang Na say this, Li Huowang recalled what the delusional Qian Fu had said in the mental hospital, and a shadow fell over his heart.

"How should I know?" Li Huowang replied, casually changing the subject. "Who knows what crazy ideas those people had, wanting to kidnap me of all people? Heh, maybe my 'type' is just rare."

He didn't want to dwell on whether it was truly linked to Qian Fu or the bizarre "Leo aliens" Qian Fu talked about. He didn't want to involve Yang Na in such matters, especially since she had been ill before. If things became too complicated and caused her illness to relapse, it wouldn't be worth it.

It would be best to wait until he had a bit more freedom, then personally ask Qian Fu.

Yang Na used her pinky finger to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, revealing her delicate emerald earrings. "Huowang," she said, "since that's the case, you should stay home for now. It'll be safer, at least."

"I wasn't planning on going out anyway," Li Huowang replied. "I've been taking online classes lately, trying to catch up on the basics I missed. It's just incredibly difficult."

"Online classes? Why..."

As she said this, Yang Na's eyes welled up. Even after all this time, he still remembered their promise on the rooftop: to get into the same university.

"Huowang, I really, really like you." Moved, Yang Na hugged Li Huowang again, gently holding him close as they enjoyed this brief moment of warmth.

However, it wasn't long before Li Huowang's words interrupted the tenderness. "Nana," he asked, "did your aunt and uncle know you were coming here?"

"They don't know," Yang Na replied, her expression dimming considerably. "If they knew, how could they let me come see you?"

But soon, Yang Na's spirits lifted again. "Forget it, let's not talk about that," she said. "Aren't you taking online classes? Then let me, the study expert, help you!"

"You? Are you sure you can?" Li Huowang teased. "I heard online that once you enter university, much of what you learned in high school gets forgotten at an even faster pace."

"Don't look down on me!" she retorted. "So, where are you in your studies?"

Yang Na picked up Li Huowang's phone, skillfully entered her own birthday as the passcode, and opened the newly downloaded educational apps. Headshot videos of various instructors kept popping up.

With Yang Na's guidance, it was much better than fumbling around alone. At least he didn't have to struggle like before, when studying felt harder than conquering a fortress.

Li Huowang first took a deep breath, closed off his five senses, guided the divine light from his eyes with his mind, and slowly wrapped his primordial qi (Xiantian Yiqi) within his body as much as possible.

He then painstakingly pushed the wrapped primordial qi towards the Dulu (belly wheel) located in his abdomen.

The cultivation technique had seven levels in total. Li Huowang had already cultivated the first two levels and was currently attempting to break through to the third.

Although this so-called cultivation technique came from the memories bestowed upon him by Doumu, its origin seemed somewhat suspicious. But Li Huowang didn't care. Since both the true and false Heavenly Daos now belonged to Ji Zai, he believed that regardless of whether the technique was true or false before, it was certainly real now.

Beads of cold sweat appeared on Li Huowang's forehead. He controlled the wrapped primordial qi as much as possible. But it was incredibly difficult; every slight push felt as heavy as a thousand catties.

He kept pushing like this for an unknown duration. When he felt he had no strength left, Li Huowang instantly released all his effort and slowly opened his eyes.

He was still a little short, but it was much better than before. He was progressing every moment, and it wouldn't be long before Li Huowang could break through to the third level of cultivation.

As he opened his eyes, various objects that had been floating in the air fell to the ground. At that moment, the sky had just begun to lighten.

They would soon reach Qingqiu. Since Ji Zai couldn't help, the stronger he became, the better his chances would be against the Dharma Sect.

It wasn't long before Li Huowang saw a convoy. Most of the people in it had conjoined lotus symbols drawn on their foreheads with red ink. Many also had tattoos on their exposed skin, but because of their clothing, it was impossible to tell what the tattoos depicted.

Li Huowang ignored their gazes and walked directly into the largest carriage, which was pulled by four horses.

As soon as he entered, Bai Lingmiao handed him a steaming hot meal.

While Li Huowang was eating, Bai Lingmiao took off his shoes and socks and brought a basin of warm water to wash his feet.

After Li Huowang quickly finished eating, he wiped his face with a towel and lay down to rest.

He had been operating primarily at night recently, because of the anomalies around him when he practiced his cultivation technique. Now, only when the carriage bound for Qingqiu stopped for the night could he find an uninhabited place to cultivate.

"Nana, thank you. You've helped me a great deal," Li Huowang said softly, his eyes closed.

"Brother Li," she replied, "there's no need for thanks between us."