We agreed to seek enlightenment together, but how did you end up seeking enlightenment for my mother

Ancient trees are lush and green, and fallen petals are everywhere.

Sunlight filters through the layers of branches and leaves, scattering dappled gold across the forest.

Little Black darted back and forth among the branches, occasionally letting out strange cries as it guided the two.

After leaving the white-haired loli's residence, Wu Lulu's condition finally improved, but she did not loosen her grip on Xu Zhou's arm at all.

It seems the child was really frightened.

"Waaaah, when she was thrown into the sky, Wu Lulu thought she was going to die... Waaah..."

The wolf-like girl, with tears in her eyes, relieved her inner pressure by confiding in others.

Xu Zhou resisted the urge to tease him and comforted him:

"Even though you looked pathetic when you fell to the ground, you were also adorable when you hugged me and trembled at night."

"Promise me you won't comfort people anymore, okay? This werewolf can't stand it."

After saying that, Wu Lulu gave a haughty snort, let go of her hand, and quickly walked to the front.

Judging from her gently swaying tail, she must have fully recovered.

Recalling the oppressive feeling brought by the white-haired loli, even though he was far away from that area, Xu Zhou still felt a bit of fear.

Come to think of it, why do I always feel like I've seen that loli old monster somewhere before?

Where exactly is it?

After pondering for a moment, Xu Zhou had no recollection of the matter, so he simply stopped trying to think about it.

"I wonder if I've seen it in some anime in my past life. There are quite a few characters with white hair and red eyes."

While traveling, Xu Zhou decided to examine the two items the white-haired loli had given him.

[Creation: Multi-purpose Metal Care Agent]

[Note: This is an industrial product primarily designed for rust removal, lubrication, cleaning, and moisture prevention. It has expired but is still effective.]

【Creation: Universal Energy Pack for Infinite Worlds】

[Note: Redstone industrial product, disposable consumable, provides a large amount of energy.]

The rust remover looks ordinary, with a built-in atomizing nozzle at the top of the bottle, making it easy to use without instructions.

In contrast, the energy pack was much more novel; Xu Zhou had never seen such a technological creation before.

What surprised him even more was that he was actually able to absorb the energy within and convert it into reserves for the "Rotten Wood Blossoms" technique!

What else is there to say?

I'm so excited!

Since his own true essence can also power the iron golem, what reason does he have not to use his own product?

[Currently absorbing the "Infinite World Universal Energy Pack" of creation energy; energy conversion is ongoing; current reserves are abundant.]

To Xu Zhou's surprise, this single energy pack actually filled the small gap in his reserves, giving him a choice.

[The reserves for "Rotten Wood Blossoms" are full, meeting the conditions for active activation. Please make your choice as soon as possible.]

After weighing the pros and cons, Xu Zhou chose to condense an additional natal essence, and now he has two in reserve.

One was naturally used for self-destruction, while the new one could not only charge the iron golem but also indirectly replenish the mysterious energy within its body. The remaining energy would be converted back into reserves for the "Rotten Wood Blossoms" technique.

Aside from not being able to directly affect himself, Xu Zhou could hardly find any other flaws in his innate true source.

"This trip has been quite fruitful. Once we get back to the village, repair the iron golem, collect our reward, and sell the fireproof robe, our equipment will be upgraded on the spot."

Xu Zhou was thinking that if they still lost this all-out attack, he would eat ice cream.

Wu Lulu, who was walking in front, heard no movement behind her. She first turned her ears to the back of her head, and then quietly looked back to observe. She saw Xu Zhou frowning and deep in thought, as if he had endless worries.

For some reason, she couldn't look away from the man who was so focused on his expression.

Being prepared for a rainy day seems to be an inherent trait in this man's character.

She didn't say anything to disturb him, but silently followed Xiao Hei with her hands behind her head, leading the way.

Only when the person behind him relaxed his breathing and calmed his thoughts did he speak up.

"Xu Zhou, I have something to ask you."

"What's wrong, Wu Lulu?"

"How did you manage to accept all of this so calmly? You were clearly forced into this, yet you seem to have found a clear goal. On the contrary, I, who participated voluntarily, still don't understand what I should do."

This question was truly unexpected for Xu Zhou. He never imagined that Wu Lulu would start to reflect on herself and even use him as a reference.

What exactly changed her?

Pressure from the strong?

"I don't have a specific goal, but after thinking it over repeatedly, I feel that I still have some ability and should do something."

"Focusing on the present... I feel like you're the one who's truly stepped onto the path of transcendence." Wu Lulu sighed, looking up. "I don't even know what my own path means."

"Is that so? If there is no clear obsession in one's heart, how does one awaken to the path? I have personally witnessed a person who was almost insane because he had no way to seek the truth."

The person Xu Zhou was referring to was naturally Father Chifeng of the Zoroastrian Church.

He absolutely does not condone this interpretation of supernatural power, which treats human life as worthless and is selfish and unscrupulous in its pursuit of the so-called path of fire worship.

Of course, because he did not yet have the means, he only thought these words in his heart and did not say them out loud.

Without investigation, there is no right to speak.

"My path is: [Destruction - Chaos]."

Wu Lulu swayed her tail and suddenly exposed herself.

Xu Zhou was taken aback, and unconsciously stopped in his tracks, looking at her with a complicated expression.

"Shouldn't this be highly confidential information? You're just telling me like this?"

"Because I trust you, I will not hide anything from my fellow community members."

Wu Lulu also stopped and turned around, answering frankly and directly, her eyes full of sincerity as she looked at Xu Zhou.

Xu Zhou could feel the weight of this sentiment, but he could never completely lower his guard, since the two were ultimately on different teams and had fundamental conflicts.

This is also one of the things he doesn't understand about her; the girl seems to genuinely regard him as a trustworthy partner, completely forgetting the competitive relationship between the teams.

But looking again at those seemingly genuine eyes, Xu Zhou couldn't quite tell anymore.

Does absolute loyalty and righteousness truly exist in this world?

He couldn't help but fall into self-doubt.

Seeing that Xu Zhou didn't respond for a long time, Wu Lulu twitched her nose and understood.

"I can sense your hesitation. Perhaps you won't listen to what I'm saying, but in my eyes, you are different from others. You are truly unique."

"Even more handsome?" Xu Zhou joked.

"There is some truth to that, but more importantly, everything about you in my senses has not been disturbed by my methods."

Xu Zhou tilted his head, looking puzzled; it was the first time he had ever heard such a statement.

Wu Lulu leaned against the tree trunk beside her, her toes lightly touching the soil, and then she said softly:

"The [Destruction-Chaos] path will subtly distort the holder's consciousness. To put it more bluntly, I can't distinguish the true feelings of others at all. In my perception, someone who was smiling and greeting me one moment will be full of murderous intent towards me the next, wishing they could devour me alive."

"So your sense of smell is so sensitive because you were actually trained to eliminate the influence of the pathway?" Xu Zhou suddenly realized.

"Wow! That's amazing! How did you figure it out?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Wu Lulu suddenly realized something, her face flushed slightly, and she quickly changed her words.

"Hmph, hmph~ Xu Zhou, that nobody, really knows Wu Lulu well. You really do like me, don't you~?"

"Is it okay if I only like the ears and the tail?"

"Pervert! Die!"

Wu Lulu picked up a pebble and raised her hand as if to throw it.

Xu Zhou instinctively twisted his waist to dodge, only to find that the other party hadn't thrown it at all; they were just playing him.

"Pfft~ Hahahaha~"

The wolf-like girl immediately burst into laughter, her body bending forward and backward with laughter, her thighs shaking as she was slapped.