When Master Linkong spoke those words, Liu Buli paused. Indeed, everyone in the entire cultivation world knew his relationship with Lu Wuming, and most people were accustomed to the sight of Lu Wuming always by Liu Buli's side, no matter where Liu Buli appeared.
Even Liu Buli himself had grown used to that situation. During this period, he had been hiding in his room, and Shen Muzhi and the others would never have brought such things up with him. Now, to have someone else mention it so suddenly, even with his best efforts, Liu Buli couldn't control the expression on his face the moment he heard it.
Master Linkong was a wise man, and he was very old. Because of this, he had always been excellent at discerning people.
Liu Buli never thought that his momentary desolation would escape the other's perception. So, after a moment of silence, he simply chose to admit it and said, "He is not with me right now. He is in danger. I don't even know where he went, and I can't find him. So, naturally, I am in this state."
What he said was half true and half false. To be precise, there wasn't much of a lie involved. After all, even knowing that the other person was in the Ghost City, Liu Buli still didn't know exactly where in the Ghost City. It was precisely because he knew that most of what he was saying was the truth that Liu Buli felt more at ease, confident that Master Linkong would not detect any falsehoods in his words.
The development of events was indeed as he had expected.
As if surprised that the situation was so dire, Master Linkong was also stunned for a moment when he heard his response.
Without Liu Buli needing to explain further, Master Linkong proactively offered an excuse and asked, "Did you two get lost in the secret realm? I heard about the secret realm that opened a while ago, the one next to the Ghost Realm. However, I was in seclusion at the time, so I didn't participate in that secret realm. But I heard from my disciples that it was extremely perilous. Nine out of ten cultivators who entered perished there. The one or two who managed to escape generally didn't fare well either."
Hearing him come up with this reason on his own, Liu Buli naturally didn't offer any further explanation. He maintained his grim expression, pursed his lips, and sighed softly, saying, "After I deal with the dragon's matters, I will go look for him again. But the passage to his location is closed now, and I can't establish any contact with him. To be honest, I don't even know what to do right now."
Humans are sometimes such strange creatures. When dealing with those they are very close to, they are usually unwilling to directly express their fatigue and sadness.
For instance, during these past few days, Liu Buli knew that everyone was concerned about his emotions, and he knew that You Siqi chatted and joked with him daily, just to help him vent some of his pent-up feelings. Yet, even knowing this, when he looked at them, he would still try to maintain a smile on his face, pretending to be indifferent.
He didn't know what he was pretending for.
Was he afraid of seeing their pitying gazes? Or was he afraid of hearing their comfort?
It seemed that as soon as he saw those, as soon as he heard those, it would be like a silent declaration that Lu Wuming would never return to his side, a feeling that tore him apart and that he couldn't bear to face.
But when facing someone as close to a stranger as Master Linkong, Liu Buli was instead willing to show his vulnerable side. Perhaps it was because he knew very well that even if he did show it, the other party wouldn't offer much comfort.
So, he simply wanted to find a place to vent his emotions, and that was all. He hoped that Master Linkong would just listen and forget, not to take it to heart, and not to offer him any words of comfort. Even being mocked a little would be fine, as it wouldn't make him any sadder.
While his mind was filled with these jumbled thoughts, Liu Buli never expected that after hearing his account, Master Linkong would frown and shake his head vigorously. He lowered his voice and said, "Who told you that you two have absolutely no way to contact each other? Let me ask you a question first. You told me before that you two are truly together, that you deeply love each other. That statement is still true, and you still maintain that feeling, right?"
Completely taken aback by the question, Liu Buli was still in a state of confusion.
He subconsciously nodded, then couldn't help but sigh and say, "But what does that matter? We didn't make any vows, we are simply soulmates who understand each other's hearts. I've tried every method of communication, and those magical artifacts used for communication are all useless. We are completely isolated from each other right now; even with all my effort, I still can't sense his presence."
"How can you not sense him?" Master Linkong raised his eyebrows and replied with a tone of certainty, "Liu Buli, perhaps your sect's secret techniques do not contain such methods. However, in our Guiyi Sect's heart techniques, there might be something that can help you."
Upon hearing his answer, Liu Buli's eyes lit up.
But in the next second, they dimmed again. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Can I still communicate with him even if he is in a state where he cannot act at all, or even use his spiritual energy?"
After all, Lu Wuming had been captured by the Ghost King.
Liu Buli didn't know how the Ghost King would deal with him. However, based on his guess, the Ghost King wouldn't be foolish enough to allow a captured prisoner to freely use their spiritual energy.
If even this most basic thing couldn't be done, then what was the point of remote communication?
The more he thought about it, the more disappointed he became, and the expression on his face grew even more grim.
However, Master Linkong's answer made the hope that had long since extinguished rekindle within him. He said, "He doesn't need any spiritual energy, nor any magical artifacts. As long as you can guarantee that you are of one heart and mind, I will tell you the heart technique. After you try it and call his name, perhaps you will be able to hear each other's voices in your hearts."
He spoke with such seriousness.
Even though the statement sounded too far-fetched, Liu Buli felt a sense of trust in that moment.
As if to deepen his trust, Master Linkong paused for a moment and then added, "Dual cultivation is never about connecting two physical bodies; it is about souls. Since you have experienced it yourself, you must understand that when hearts are connected, the effect of dual cultivation is also better. With what I've said, you should believe me now, shouldn't you?"