The conversation had reached its end, and the foreign invaders had been dealt with. Liu Buli chatted with Xi Yu for a few more moments, and it was time for them to part ways.
However, having seen other cultivators, Liu Buli couldn't help but ask Xi Yu with some concern as they said goodbye, "Master, if other people who mean you harm enter here after we leave, what will you do? You can't attack them, so do you have any defensive measures?"
Xi Yu smiled and shook her head.
Judging by her expression, she didn't seem worried at all. In fact, she appeared very relaxed, saying, "Of course, there's nothing like that. From the moment we first met, I told you I have nothing here except for some gold and jewels, and myself."
Hearing this, Liu Buli became worried. "Then, Master, you..."
"But you don't need to worry about me," Xi Yu reached out and ruffled Liu Buli's hair. She said, "Buli, you truly are a gentle child. I told you long ago that I am dead. What you see now is just a wisp of my lingering spirit. Do you understand what a lingering spirit is? Unless I choose to touch you, like I am now, and I try very hard to do so, I can barely touch you. If I don't want to, they won't even have the ability to touch me, so how could they possibly harm me?"
As Xi Yu spoke, as if to demonstrate to Liu Buli, she withdrew her hand. Then, as she reached out towards Liu Buli again, her body became semi-transparent. The hand that reached out naturally passed through Liu Buli's body, making Liu Buli once again clearly realize that Xi Yu was indeed a ghost, not someone he knew.
With this realization, his worries subsided somewhat. Liu Buli breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Master, if that's the case, I won't worry about you anymore. It should be fine, right?"
"Of course, it's fine. But if you can remember that you once had me as your master after you leave, I will be very happy."
Xi Yu said this, then withdrew her hand once more.
Then, looking into Liu Buli's eyes, she was silent for a moment. Finally, she took a step forward and, returning to her corporeal form, embraced the man before her.
Then, leaning close to Liu Buli's ear, Xi Yu sighed softly and said, "Buli, if I were not in this state, I might truly have fallen for you. You are a very intelligent child, and a very gentle child. Perhaps many people will like you. You must treat Wu Ming well. He is very pitiable, and he truly likes you. Do not betray his love for you."
These words sounded like a confession, and even more like advice from a senior to a junior. Liu Buli felt a peculiar sensation hearing them and could only smile and nod. He said, "Master, please rest assured. In this life, I will only love this one person. I will dedicate all my energy, all my thoughts, to him alone. How could I possibly have the heart to love anyone else?"
What he said was the truth.
In fact, Liu Buli sometimes felt that his habit of not letting Lu Wuming learn too many things, making him habitually dependent on him, might indeed be a constraint on Lu Wuming, but it was also a constraint on himself.
Lu Wuming had no skills other than killing. When Liu Buli was not around, Lu Wuming would become a monster acting on instinct. Therefore, for Lu Wuming, Liu Buli was an indispensable presence.
But for Liu Buli, if he didn't want the man he loved to become a beast devoid of reason, he had to stay by his side at all times, constantly paying attention to his emotions, helping him think about the path ahead, and the direction of his life.
The consequence of this was that he dedicated all his time and attention to Lu Wuming, leaving him no time to consider anyone else, and thus no possibility of straying.
Ultimately, he had personally chosen a very good chain to bind himself and Lu Wuming tightly together. If they maintained this state, with neither of them making any changes, their feelings would last for thousands upon thousands of years, never to change.
Of course, this was his best hope.
As for whether any unexpected situations might arise in the future, that was a matter for later consideration.
With these thoughts in mind, after Xi Yu voluntarily ended the embrace, Liu Buli took a step back and bowed deeply to Xi Yu once more. He said, "Master, I will never forget your teachings. After we leave, I will tell those outside that I have found a very good master, the best master in the world."
He spoke sincerely and earnestly.
This made Xi Yu unable to help but laugh.
Waving her hand, she sighed and murmured, "I don't know if you will encounter any other divine lingering spirits after leaving me. But if you meet Xi Chi, can you tell him I'm sorry? Although... forget it, perhaps he won't care even if I say it. However, I do hope you meet him. If he can offer you some guidance, perhaps your future path will be smoother."
After all, that was the God of Slaughter, the one who defeated countless gods alone.
If they could truly meet him, perhaps Lu Wuming could become much stronger than he was now.
Liu Buli also looked forward to such an event.
However, he also knew that one should be content.
That they had met Xi Yu and resolved the issue of his current primary concern, the dual souls, had already made him very happy.
As for the God of Slaughter, it would depend on their destiny. If their destiny was sufficient, he wouldn't mind Lu Wuming improving significantly.
With this thought, the two exchanged a look and shared the same smile.
Then Xi Yu urged Liu Buli, "Alright, since you have things to do, don't waste time here with me. Remember everything I've taught you, and be meticulous when searching for materials. When you refine your own soul, remember to have Lu Wuming watch over you, and find a substitute vessel to house the soul you refine. I've written all of this down for you. You are a careful child, so don't forget at the critical moment. Do you understand?"
Liu Buli patiently listened to Xi Yu's instructions. He suddenly realized that it had been a long time since he had heard such concern from an elder.
What had once felt like bothersome words now, after so many years, only evoked an indescribable sense of attachment and emotion.
When Xi Yu finished speaking, Liu Buli nodded in agreement. He then called out to Lu Wuming, who was standing nearby, and had him bring the thoroughly bound man along. Then, following Xi Yu's instructions, the two walked to the exit of the palace.
"I can only see you this far," Xi Yu waved to Liu Buli and said, "Remember what I told you, and live happily. You are a disciple of a god, you absolutely cannot be bullied by others, do you understand?"
Only at times like this did Xi Yu so openly refer to herself as a god.
Liu Buli couldn't help but smile, his eyes crinkling. He nodded and said, "I will always keep Master's teachings in my heart. I will live very happily. Please rest assured, Master."