Chapter 99: Embarking on the Journey Again

Chapter 99: Setting Out Again

It was time to leave. Lin Xing had finally made up his mind.

Over the next few days, Lin Xing spent every day with Caroline, going out together. He wanted to spend as much time as possible with her. After all, the Kasla Continent was so vast, and after this parting, he didn’t know if there would be another chance to meet again.

Caroline didn’t sense anything amiss either. Although she was clever, she was still just a girl. Her thoughts were uncomplicated, her mind simple.

“Caroline,” Lin Xing said, gazing into the distance at the girl beside him.

“What is it, Brother Gu Xing?” Caroline asked, her big eyes fixed on Lin Xing.

“I think… I think it’s time for me to leave,” Lin Xing mustered his courage and finally got the words out.

“What? Brother Gu Xing is leaving?” Caroline was taken aback.

“Yes,” Lin Xing turned to face Caroline, speaking seriously. “Yes, I’m leaving. After all, this place isn’t my home, and my injuries are all healed now.”

“Why? Why does Brother Gu Xing have to leave? Isn’t it good to stay here? Did I do something wrong? Have I made you dislike me?” Caroline was on the verge of tears.

“Caroline, don’t think that way. My leaving isn’t because I dislike you; it has nothing to do with you,” Lin Xing hurried to reassure her.

“Then why are you leaving?” Caroline suddenly felt very sad, as if something dear was being taken from her.

“I told you before, Brother Gu Xing needs to venture out into the continent to train. Staying here for so long was only because I was injured,” Lin Xing explained.

Caroline bit her lip. “But can’t you just stay? I’ll be so sad if you leave,” she said, her face full of sorrow.

Looking at Caroline’s sad expression, Lin Xing felt a twinge in his heart. He didn’t want to leave either, but it was impossible; he couldn’t stay.

Lin Xing shook his head. “I’m sorry, Caroline. I can’t stay any longer. I’ve already lost too much time. A year is time enough to accomplish much.”

“Actually, I’ll miss you too. But I have to leave. Don’t you want your Gu Xing gege to make something of himself?” Lin Xing tried to comfort her but didn’t know how to put it.

Caroline shook her head. “But I really don’t want you to leave.” As she spoke, the tears that had been gathering in her eyes finally spilled over, streaming down her cheeks and dripping to the ground, shattering into tiny droplets with a soft *pat*.

Watching Caroline cry so sadly, Lin Xing felt sorrowful and his heart ached for her. He reached out and gently wiped the tears from her cheeks.

Lin Xing forced a smile to comfort her. “Silly girl, Brother Gu Xing isn’t leaving forever. I’ll come back one day. When I do, I’ll come to see you right away, okay?”

“Really?” Caroline smiled through her tears, looking up at Lin Xing.

Lin Xing nodded firmly. “I will definitely come back to see you. But by then, you’ll have grown up. Don’t go forgetting your big brother, okay?”

Caroline quickly shook her head, speaking in a rush. “I won’t! I won’t forget Brother Gu Xing. I’ll wait for you to come see me. But you have to come back quickly, okay?”

“As soon as my journey is over, I’ll come see you right away. I promise!” Lin Xing said earnestly.

“Brother Gu Xing, you have to remember that. Otherwise, Caroline won’t forgive you,” Caroline said, her sorrow lifting a little.

“Oh, Caroline, there’s one thing I hope you can forgive me for,” Lin Xing suddenly said nervously, as if worried she might not forgive him.

Lin Xing suddenly remembered that throughout the past year, he had always appeared under the identity of Lone Star, never revealing his true identity to her. He suddenly felt a pang of guilt. He had been deceiving this pure-hearted girl all along.

Seeing Lin Xing’s nervous expression, Caroline was puzzled but still answered without hesitation. “What is it? I’ll definitely forgive you.”

“Well…” At this moment, Lin Xing hesitated, unsure whether he should say it.

“What is it, Brother Gu Xing?” Caroline asked, her innocent big eyes fixed on him.

“Actually, I have another identity,” Lin Xing said cautiously, watching Caroline’s reaction. Seeing that she didn’t seem upset, he continued, “Lone Star is just another identity of mine.” Afraid Caroline might not accept it, Lin Xing could only say that Lone Star was another identity of his, not a fake one.

“Then what’s your other identity?” Caroline asked with great interest.

“My other identity is Lin Xing! Well, from now on, you can call me Brother Lin Xing, or you can still call me Brother Gu Xing,” Lin Xing said.

“Lin Xing? Brother Lin Xing? That name isn’t as good. I still prefer calling you Brother Gu Xing,” Caroline said, as if she had discovered something amusing, giggling, which left Lin Xing feeling rather exasperated.

Seeing that Caroline didn’t have any particularly strong emotions, Lin Xing breathed a sigh of relief. If Caroline had kept crying, he would have been at his wit's end, Lin Xing thought to himself.

“Caroline, I plan to set out tomorrow.” “So soon? Stay a few more days, please, Brother Gu Xing,” Caroline pleaded.

Seeing the pleading look on Caroline’s face, Lin Xing’s heart softened, and he agreed.

Over the next few days, Lin Xing and Caroline made the most of their time together—shopping, sightseeing, and cherishing their last moments before parting.

A few days later, in the morning, Lin Xing left a letter on the table in his room and slipped away quietly.

“Grand Steward, Lin Xing has set out, heading south,” an old man said mysteriously into a crystal ball from a hidden location.

This old man was clearly the one who had appeared last when Lin Xing destroyed the Divine Wind Sect branch in Carlisle City.

“Hmm, keep a close eye on him,” a voice came from within the crystal ball. “Is there anything else? If not, we’ll end the call.”

“Nothing else,” the old man said. As soon as the words left his mouth, he put away the crystal ball. With a *whoosh*, his figure vanished from the spot.

Leaving without saying goodbye again wasn’t because Lin Xing was impolite, but because he couldn’t bear the sad and reluctant atmosphere of a farewell. So Lin Xing chose to leave without saying goodbye. Although there was still reluctance, it was much better than a face-to-face parting.

Putting aside sentimental attachments, Lin Xing once again took steps into the Monster Beast Forest.