Lu Wuming's question stumped Liu Buli.
Did he really want to act with others?
To be honest, he didn't really want to.
Liu Buli was indeed the type who enjoyed a lively atmosphere, but he only enjoyed watching it. He didn't like becoming a part of the excitement, nor did he like creating it himself.
The description of being outwardly warm but inwardly cold probably fit him perfectly.
Therefore, besides Lu Wuming, he didn't particularly enjoy spending extended periods with others. Or, to put it another way, most of his social interactions were driven by purpose.
However, when it came to those he genuinely considered friends, he would occasionally engage in purely unmotivated social interactions. This was most evident with Shen Muzhi and You Siqi, so it was understandable that Lu Wuming might have developed such a misunderstanding.
Thinking of this, Liu Buli suddenly found his foolish disciple's jealous expression quite endearing. He couldn't help but reach out and ruffle the young man's hair, then asked with a light laugh, "Why would Wuming have such a strange thought? To be honest, Master doesn't really like being with too many people either. Compared to them, Master prefers spending time alone with Wuming. It's been so long since this happened, doesn't Wuming understand yet?"
Lu Wuming lowered his gaze, remaining silent.
He had never felt that way.
After all, whenever they were alone, his Master was always reluctant. He would often drive him away in a short time, and sometimes even prevent him from getting close for days. How could that be interpreted as liking to spend time alone with him?
Seeing his expression, Liu Buli knew what he was thinking.
He immediately widened his eyes and denied it, "When I say spending time alone with you, I mean when we're not doing *those* things. For example, us basking in the sun together, or me teaching you to read and write – aren't these more meaningful than doing *those* things? There are many ways for lovers to accompany each other; you shouldn't always be fixated on just one. In our era, there was a great philosopher who said something, do you understand what spiritual love is?"
Lu Wuming naturally did not understand.
Liu Buli also knew this, so after a slight pause, he continued, "It means you love me, and I love you, and then we should let this love remain at this beautiful emotional level. There's no need for so much physical interaction, do you understand?"
Lu Wuming scoffed. He concluded, "Anyone who proposes such an idea probably has some sort of impediment in that area. Wuming has no such impediment, so why should I learn such strange rhetoric?"
Liu Buli: ...
You truly have no impediment.
But the problem is, you have *too much* of no impediment!
If it continues like this, I'm going to die. What else can we even talk about?
He pressed his temples forcefully, Liu Buli was very sure that trying to convince his foolish disciple from this angle was basically impossible.
So, he simply changed the subject and said, "Wuming, one reason we're not separating from Shen Muzhi and the others is that this secret realm is quite dangerous. Acting together at least provides an extra layer of security. Another reason is that the inner world below has more and more ferocious monsters, so..."
"It's fine, I can handle it."
Lu Wuming's reply was decisive.
As if worried that Liu Buli might overthink things, he paused for a moment and then added, "Shen Muzhi is also very capable. If we encounter monsters, he can definitely protect You Siqi and deal with them. So, Master doesn't need to worry about them; just focus on Wuming."
With his words, he had completely blocked off all of Liu Buli's intended arguments.
Liu Buli was left with no choice but to compromise and agree with Lu Wuming's proposal. However, he still issued a reminder, "Let's handle the smaller, easier-to-deal-with monsters ourselves; I believe in your strength. But if we find the most dangerous, powerful monster in this secret realm, you must listen to me. At the very least, we must join forces with Shen Muzhi and the others, otherwise, it will be too dangerous for just the two of us to face it, understand?"
He spoke earnestly.
Lu Wuming, however, seemed to pay it no mind.
After all, he was immortal. With his cultivation reaching this level, he didn't feel that anyone could truly kill him anymore.
Immortality was his strongest trump card.
Therefore, no matter how powerful the opponent, he didn't believe he would lose.
They dawdled like this for a while. When Lu Wuming felt it was time to separate from Shen Muzhi and the others, he finally walked over to Liu Buli.
Liu Buli glanced at him, raising an eyebrow, "What do you want now?"
"Nothing, I just want to take Master down," Lu Wuming blinked, looking incredibly adorable.
Liu Buli knew what he meant and smiled in acquiescence. He reached out and wrapped his arms around Lu Wuming's neck, letting the young man carry him in his embrace, just as Shen Muzhi treated You Siqi. Lu Wuming then leaped into the abyss with him.
His vision blurred for a moment, but Liu Buli didn't pay it much mind.
He simply curled up in Lu Wuming's arms, confident that his foolish disciple would safely bring him to the ground.
However, as the spiritual energy around them grew stronger, Liu Buli began to sense that something was wrong.
He suddenly opened his eyes and looked around. When he saw the eye, as large as his entire body, pressed against his side, he felt his heart skip a beat uncontrollably.
Could their luck really be this bad?