Chapter 38 Li Xiao's Independent Side Story - Obsession (Twenty-Three)
Perhaps because Yu Qingzhou was by his side, Li Xiao fell into a deep sleep, something he had never done before.
Then, he had a dream.
In that dream, Li Xiao seemed to see her former self.
A half-demon child of unknown parents wanders alone in a dangerous wilderness.
While carefully avoiding becoming food, they barely survived by scavenging the scraps left by other predators.
Up to this point, it hasn't deviated much from Li Xiao's own memories.
Although there may be a slight sense of incongruity at times, it is generally within an acceptable range.
After all, it was such a distant memory, presented in the form of a dream. To say that it could be a 100% replica was something even Li Xiao himself thought was impossible.
Looking back on her turbulent childhood didn't evoke much emotion in Li Xiao.
Even occasionally, when Li Xiao watched that stumbling, scrambling little brat running away in a sorry state, he couldn't help but find it amusing, even though it was his former self.
—Because he has long since moved on from that past.
Li Xiao didn't know what the others would think.
In any case, looking back on this past doesn't evoke any unwarranted pity or resentment in him; it feels more like reminiscing about past hardships and appreciating present happiness.
Why would they be chased away in such a panic by some low-level demonic beasts or even ordinary wild beasts that have not yet developed intelligence?
Because he was weak before. The weak will be beaten; it's a simple truth.
If it were Li Xiao now, he could easily defeat the opponent one-on-one, or even take them all on at once if he was in a hurry.
The problem is, he doesn't even have the interest to retaliate—wouldn't it be better to use that time to polish a piece or two of jade or polish a piece of wood?
And those two lanterns outside Yu Qingzhou's room, it's time to replace them...
That said, Li Xiao simply couldn't understand why she would have such a dream.
If he truly harbored resentment towards the past, it would make sense. But that's not the case.
If the saying "what you think about during the day, you dream about at night" is true, then the one appearing before me should be Yu Qingzhou—
By the way, Yu Qingzhou... why hasn't Yu Qingzhou appeared yet?
It was at this moment that Li Xiao realized something was wrong.
It's been too long.
He watched as his dream self grew up little by little, from a little brat who was treated as food and had to hide from others all day long, to a predator who could hunt skillfully and independently.
The person who was supposed to appear never did.
Not only Yu Qingzhou, but even the despicable demon hunter who tricked Li Xiao into going to the underground arena through underhanded means did not show up...
The world was silent, except for the distant sounds of fighting and battle.
Since Li Xiao became the best in that area, the local residents have basically started to avoid him.
Occasionally, some fools would dare to challenge him, but most of them ended up as his prey.
When no one was around, the boy sat atop a high rock, gazing up at the enormous, bright red full moon. The moon was perfectly round, and its light, like a red mist, lingered in the sky above.
Staring at something for too long can cause a strange feeling of dizziness in your eyes.
A sense of emptiness flashed through my mind.
The feeling was too fast; he didn't even have time to grasp it, let alone discern it carefully.
—Why is that?
Recalling the words that the gossipy little demons had said when they were bored, Li Xiao couldn't help but wonder if this was the kind of loneliness that comes from being invincible.
No, that doesn't seem quite right either.
I always feel like there's a void in my heart.
Li Xiao subconsciously reached up and pressed his hand to his chest, his palm first touching something hard. Upon closer inspection, he found it was a jade pendant, green in color.
The jade pendant has exquisite engravings, with the two characters "Li Xiao" written stroke by stroke.
That's his name.
That was the only thing his mother left behind.
(Li Xiao...)
Li Xiao silently recited his name in his heart, a name that had never been called since he was born.
At that moment, a strange thought suddenly arose in the boy's mind.
—I've actually been waiting for something all along.
Perhaps at some point, someone will suddenly appear, and you'll hear that person call out that name...
This idea was truly quite inexplicable.
After all, the area where Li Xiao was located had not seen any human activity for a long time.
To be honest, Li Xiao had hardly ever seen any humans; including himself, there was only one and a half.
—Should we go out and look for it?
Taking the initiative seems to be more in line with Li Xiao's style of doing things than passively waiting.
But soon, Li Xiao rejected the idea.
First of all, Li Xiao has an extremely poor sense of direction; even in this area where he grew up, he still gets lost a few times from time to time. Not to mention running out to find a human he doesn't even know.
And also—
Li Xiao had a strong premonition that he would meet that person here.
What if he leaves and the other person can't find him?
(—Won't they get anxious? They might even cry.)
When strange thoughts flashed through his mind again, Li Xiao was no longer surprised.
However, the passing monsters were greatly alarmed when they saw the boy muttering to himself and smiling under the crimson moonlight.
The next day, news spread far and wide that the leader of this area had been infected by the Blood Moon and gone mad.
Each person spoke with great conviction, but it didn't have much impact on Li Xiao himself.
Because there isn't a single gossipy guy who would dare to say that to his face.
However, Li Xiao ended up having a few extra meals because of this.
They all wanted to take advantage of his illness and kill him. Li Xiao was kept in the dark, only feeling that there seemed to be a lot more reckless people lately.
Of course, you can never have too much food.
So the teenager basically accepted everything offered, eating and killing as he pleased, which also served as a way to vent his frustrations.
As a result, his infamous reputation spread even further.
Then came a long, almost unbearable period of time.
In this place where there is no concept of four seasons, Li Xiao has no idea how many years he has waited.
Sometimes, he even forgot that he was waiting.
He had become accustomed to the form of a demon beast, and his human form became awkward and restrictive.
On an ordinary day, Li Xiao was lying on a rock, idly taking a nap.
Just then, an unfamiliar scent pulled him back from his drowsy state—it was a scent unique to humans, distinct from that of demonic beasts, and the sweet smell of flesh and blood.
Just smelling it from afar made his mouth water uncontrollably.
My heart started pounding with excitement.
Li Xiao simply took it as the excitement of sensing a rare delicacy.
Following the scent, Li Xiao rushed over without hesitation.
He could have been more leisurely, since there weren't enough competitors for food here—but the excitement in his heart seemed impossible to suppress.
He listened to his own excited breathing, the dust flying along the way, and the scenery flashing past his eyes like lightning... Finally, he saw it, a conspicuous pure white standing in the gray world.
Li Xiao felt as if his heart was about to burst out of his chest from the intense beating.
The moment he saw that figure, he suddenly wanted to laugh, and almost at the same time, something seemed to burst out from the boy's eyes, which were stained by wind and sand.
Finally, he crouched down and leaped out in an attacking stance the instant the man turned his head.
Time stretched out infinitely in his mind's eye. The instant he saw that face clearly, amidst the thunderous heartbeat and howling wind, Li Xiao seemed to hear a soft clattering sound.
He didn't immediately recognize it, but later realized that it was the rustling sound from the jade pendant engraved with his name.
—At that very moment, it seemed as if it were ordained by fate.
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