Faye cut in with a dramatic sigh. "You're truly heartless. You made us suffer through that praise lecture while we were secretly searching for a picnic spot… one where you could find herbs for your Earth-rank breakthrough."
Lana's eyes widened.
Betty nodded firmly. "There are two herbs there. As long as you come, we'll help you search."
That was the final blow.
"I'm in," Lana agreed instantly.
Her response made everyone burst into laughter.
It might have looked like teasing, even bullying, but in truth, they were helping her, forcing her to rest, to breathe, to live.
Because all of them had realized something.
Lana had walked so far ahead that they felt unworthy of calling themselves mystical cultivators.
While they ate, chatted, and relaxed, she cultivated. While they immersed themselves in entertainment, she cultivated.
They couldn't compare to her. And yet… her life looked painfully bleak.
It was as if she never allowed herself time to rest.
