The calls continued for some time, yet Liu Buli received no response. He didn't know if the information in the book was flawed, or if Lu Wuming's situation was so dire that he couldn't even spare a moment to reply.
If it were the former, he felt he could still study the book carefully.
But if it were the latter…
Liu Buli had never imagined things would unfold this way.
For a fleeting moment, he admitted he was truly panicked.
Utterly unsure of what to do, Liu Buli bit his lip. He thought hard for a long time, and finally, he mentally recited the incantation again.
This time, he didn't speak the words aloud.
He feared that if he made a sound, his friends watching his situation would detect the tremor in his voice.
So, maintaining his fear, panic, and a sense of inexplicable sadness, Liu Buli called out in his mind, "Wuming, if you can hear me, please give me a response… I'm begging you…"
When his thoughts ended, he was still met with silence.
Liu Buli finally felt disheartened.
However, just as he was about to give up, the voice he had been searching for appeared in his mind. But it was filled with intense annoyance, and even a coldness he had never felt from him before.
Lu Wuming's voice rang out, "Are you not annoying? How many times have I told you all, stop trying to trick me with these methods. My Master would never cry, nor would he say such weak words! You can't even act convincingly, and you're disturbing my sleep. Are you sick!?"
Completely taken aback by this response, and judging by the tone and voice, Lu Wuming's physical condition seemed to be far from good.
Coupled with his words…
Liu Buli couldn't hold back this time and let out a chuckle.
Upon hearing this light laugh, Lu Wuming's incessant complaining abruptly stopped.
As if he had been pressed with a pause button, this silence lasted for a few seconds before the other's voice, filled with tentative probing, reappeared in Liu Buli's mind. He said, "You… are you really Master?"
This response was completely different from what he had imagined.
Therefore, Liu Buli was certain he had indeed contacted his foolish disciple.
The questions he wanted to ask, the words he wanted to say, flooded his mind in an instant. Liu Buli didn't know where to begin, so after a long hesitation, he let reason prevail. "Wuming, listen to me carefully. I found a way to contact you, but I've realized this connection doesn't require spoken words. Whatever you want to say, just think it in your mind. We are connected in spirit, so I can sense whatever you're thinking. Don't make a sound, and don't act too strangely. Just chat with me in your consciousness, and absolutely don't let anyone notice."
His steady and firm tone, along with his rational statements, clearly proved that the person he was conversing with was indeed Liu Buli himself, and no one else.
This time, Lu Wuming's reply was swift, like a pet finally finding its owner. Lu Wuming wished he could pounce on Liu Buli. His voice was filled with extreme excitement as he exclaimed, "Master, I wasn't making a sound from the beginning! I thought I was dreaming. They've been doing all sorts of strange things lately. Although they haven't truly invaded my dreams, someone did impersonate you before. But they were so fake, I saw through them immediately! How could a fake compare to the real thing? I could tell at a glance that it wasn't you! Only they thought they were convincing, how embarrassing!"
Lu Wuming chattered on, completely oblivious to the sheer amount of information he was revealing. Instead, his words dripped with a desire for praise, making Liu Buli find it incredibly amusing, and at the same time, feel that this was exactly how their foolish disciple should be.
Just listening to his voice, Liu Buli desperately wanted to reach out and ruffle his hair. However, they were not in a position to touch each other, so he had to suppress his desires. Taking a few deep breaths, Liu Buli tried to make his voice sound calmer. "Wuming, tell me how you've been lately. Master is really worried about you, and I truly miss you…"
Upon hearing this, Lu Wuming's words of seeking praise paused. His tone then lowered. "I miss you too, Master, and I regret it more each day. I should have let Master kiss me properly back then, a real kiss, and for a long time too. Actually, not just a kiss, I wanted to do other things too. Or spending more time in your consciousness world would have been good. I want to spend more time with Master, so even if we have to be apart for a while, with those memories, I can force myself to persevere."
Listening to his voice, Liu Buli felt as if he could see Lu Wuming's current state. His big dog ears and tail must be drooping, and his beautiful eyes filled with grievance. Moreover, even though his tail was dragging on the ground behind him, it would still instinctively wag left and right. This was so that the moment they met, Liu Buli could see his most obedient demeanor.
As this image formed in his mind, Liu Buli couldn't help but chuckle again.
As for the things Lu Wuming had said…
To be honest, his worry for Lu Wuming had been so overwhelming these past few days that he hadn't had time to consider other matters. Now, hearing his words, he felt that Lu Wuming had a point.
They should spend more time together, so even if they were separated for a period, their emotions could still be managed.
Liu Buli thought this, but ultimately shook his head, negating his idea.
No matter how inseparable they were, no matter how clingy, and no matter how profound their communication before parting, any separation would be something they could not accept, nor would it feel good.
So, there were no "ifs."
However…
Taking a deep breath, Liu Buli spoke in his mind again, his tone carrying a hint of a smile. He comforted Lu Wuming, "How about this, when you return, Master will give you a good reward. A reward that will satisfy you completely. Think of it as for this reward, don't you think this short period of separation is something you can endure?"