Cassie Cao held the jade in her hand, suddenly feeling an urge to take it off. It felt as if this jade had been with her for a very long time, accompanying her through countless years.
With a sigh, Cassie Cao finally resisted the urge to act. No matter what the story behind this jade is, and regardless of whether Joe Di is alive or dead, this jade will remain with him forever.
She removed the veil from her face, carefully wiped the bloodstains off the jade, and gently pressed it to Joe Di's chest.
She didn't understand medicine, and with Joe Di so gravely injured, she was helpless. Perhaps the only thing she could do was make sure Joe Di didn't die at the jaws of a Fangwolf in Tianhuang District.
Joe Di's consciousness hovered in a haze, and whenever he was lucid, he thought he was about to die.
Yet he always felt different from others, subconsciously beginning to cultivate. He had heard that cultivation involved meditation, absorbing spiritual energy, and using rare treasures.
But for him, it seemed that as long as he formed the intent, he could cultivate. In his mind, his intent created a circulation, absorbing some energy and gradually strengthening his dim soul.
At first, when Joe Di was occasionally conscious, he thought this was a last burst of vitality or just his mind searching for a way to cultivate. But as time passed and he felt his life force growing stronger with each cycle, he vaguely realized this wasn't just a final surge—he might truly be able to cultivate through the movement of his intent.
...
After resting for a while, Cassie Cao once again shouldered Joe Di and set out to find Da Mao and the others. In Tianhuang District, unable to locate them, traveling alone with a dying Joe Di was courting death.
The Tianhuang District stretched endlessly. After Cassie Cao narrowly escaped from the jaws of a horned leopard, she realized there was no point in searching for Da Mao and the others. She had no idea how far away they were, nor did she have any sense of direction.
Glancing at Joe Di on her back, Cassie Cao murmured, "Perhaps heaven has destined us to die together. If that's the case, then let's just leave it to fate."
Cassie Cao had originally come to the Tianhuang District with Da Mao and the others to seek fortune, but now, carrying Joe Di, she clearly could no longer pursue such opportunities.
Joe Di's vitality was astonishing. She had carried him for half a month; aside from occasionally feeding him some water, he hadn't eaten anything, yet life still lingered within him.
If Joe Di died, Cassie Cao might find a place to bury him. But as long as he was alive, no matter how dangerous things became, she would never abandon him. Since she couldn't leave Joe Di behind, seeking fortune was out of the question.
...
"Marlon Mao, Andy Hou, I'm afraid Sister Cao won't be coming back," Luna Cui said, her voice choked with emotion. If Cassie Cao hadn't brought her along, she might not have survived until today.
Da Mao let out a long sigh. "Sister Cao and Ah Jiu are the best friends I could ask for. I only regret that I couldn't take their place."
Little Anhou felt the most ashamed. If not for him, Joe Di probably wouldn't have fallen behind. Had Joe Di not lagged behind, Sister Cao wouldn't have gone back for him, and she wouldn't be missing now.
At last, Da Mao made up his mind. "Let's go. This is no place to linger. Staying here any longer will do us no good."
Just as Andy Hou and Luna Cui responded, a muffled boom echoed from behind them.
"Someone's there?" The three exchanged glances, quickly hiding to one side. But there was only a stone wall behind them—how could there be such a thunderous sound?
After a moment, another rumble came from deep within the stone wall behind them, as if something had fallen into water.
"There's a hollow space behind here." Andy Hou was the first to realize, his excitement evident as he spoke to Marlon Mao and Luna Cui.
Marlon Mao and Luna Cui both nodded, their eyes filled with excitement and indescribable anticipation.
Why had they come to the Tianhuang District? Wasn't it to seek fortune? Many opportunities in this place matched the rumors and situations they'd heard about. Could it be they'd truly encountered a stroke of luck?
"Let's wait before leaving. We'll dig here first," Da Mao decided at once.
Without hesitation, the three pulled out their digging tools and began to excavate the stone wall behind them. After just half a day of digging, there was a sharp crack, as if they'd broken through to a new chamber—a spacious area appeared before their eyes.
"It's really open!" Luna Cui grew excited as well. This meant they might have found the opportunity hidden in the Tianhuang District.
...
When Joe Di awoke, he was lying atop a massive stone slab. Beside him lay Cassie Cao, who still clutched a broken cup with a little water left inside. The rim of the cup was just inches from his lips—it was clear Cassie Cao had been trying to give him water.
Cassie Cao's clothes barely covered her; she must have endured great hardship. Joe Di glanced outside and quickly understood the situation.
He had stayed behind to hold off the Fangwolf. Though he managed to drive it away, he was gravely wounded and collapsed by the roadside. It must have been Cassie Cao who refused to abandon him, returning to rescue him just in time.
"Sister Cao, thank you." Joe Di was certain that without Cassie Cao, he would have ended up as food for a dire beast.
He gently helped Cassie Cao to sit up, and was stunned by her appearance. He had always thought her eyes were beautiful, but now, without her veil, he finally understood what true beauty was.
He picked up the cup and gave Cassie Cao some water. She swallowed a mouthful and slowly opened her eyes.
Seeing herself lying in Joe Di's arms, Cassie Cao seemed to relax, speaking with self-mockery: "Before, I kept thinking that once you died, I'd bury you here, stay with you for three days, and then head deeper into Tianhuang. I thought I'd die here sooner or later. But I couldn't help feeling regret that I hadn't explored the Tianhuang District before I died. Who would've thought you'd survive, and now it's me who's dying."
Joe Di gently brushed Cassie Cao's hair aside and said softly, "Sister Cao, I grew up in a small mountain village and don't know much about the world. But one thing is clear—without you, I would've died long ago. Don't worry, Sister Cao. As long as I'm awake, we'll be alright."
Cassie Cao smiled faintly. "It's no use. I'm poisoned. Even the Tianhuang Martial Hospital couldn't save me, so don't worry about me. I was born an orphan—every extra day I live is a gift. I should thank the heavens that, at the end of my life, I have you by my side so I'm not alone. Ah Jiu, can I ask you something?"
Joe Di helped Cassie Cao sit up even more, letting her rest against him as he spoke gently, "Sister Cao, ask away. If I know the answer, I'll tell you. And don't worry about the poisoning—I know something about that too."
Cassie Cao pointed to the jade on Joe Di's chest. "Ah Jiu, can you tell me where this jade came from?"
Joe Di took the jade from around his neck and held it in his hand. "When my adoptive father found me, this jade was already hanging on me. I don't know where it came from either. Sister Cao, do you like this jade?"
"Mm." Cassie Cao replied softly, "This jade feels like another part of my life. I even have a feeling that the reason I ended up here is because of your jade. I know it's just my imagination, or maybe I simply like it too much..."
Joe Di gently hung the jade around Cassie Cao's neck, speaking softly, "Since you like it, I'll give it to you."
"Ah..." Cassie Cao's pale face suddenly flushed. She looked up at Joe Di. "In my hometown, hanging jade around a woman's neck is a proposal..." (In traditional Chinese culture, gifting jade in this way is a symbolic marriage proposal, representing lifelong commitment and affection.)