Journey to become a God

Su Mengxin gently rested against Ye Chen's back, feeling a rare sense of safety and comfort. Ye Chen, on the other hand, was acutely aware of the soft warmth pressing against him. To prevent her from slipping, he instinctively placed a steadying hand on her thigh.

Su Mengxin's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but she said nothing. Instead, she murmured under her breath, "A man's back is so wide and comforting..."

Ye Chen caught her words and turned his head slightly. "Did you say something?"

Startled, she quickly denied it. "N-No! Nothing at all."

For half an hour, Ye Chen carried Su Mengxin effortlessly through the dense forest. She closed her eyes, savoring the moment, though she remained fully awake. Suddenly, Ye Chen halted.

"Tired?" Su Mengxin asked, looking up at him.

Ye Chen's gaze sharpened. "No... but I hear helicopters approaching."

Su Mengxin frowned in confusion. She strained her ears but heard nothing. "Helicopters? Are you sure?"

"Very sure," Ye Chen replied calmly.

A minute later, she finally heard the faint hum of rotor blades slicing through the air. Soon, multiple helicopters appeared overhead, their insignias unmistakably belonging to the government's military forces.

"Ye Chen, let's move to an open area so they can see us," she suggested.

"Alright." Ye Chen carried her to a clearing and gently set her down.

Su Mengxin immediately began waving her arms. "Over here! We're here!"

Ye Chen observed her reaction closely. She seems to know these people. He decided there was no need to make his presence known and silently withdrew, slipping into the cover of the trees.

"Ye Chen, we're safe now—Eh?" Su Mengxin turned around, only to find that Ye Chen had vanished without a trace. She glanced around frantically, but there was no sign of him. It was as if he had disappeared into thin air.

"Ye Chen? Where are you?" she called out, but received no reply.

The helicopters descended, their rotors kicking up dust and leaves. The doors slid open, revealing a striking woman in a military uniform, followed closely by several armed soldiers.

Ye Chen, hidden behind a tree, observed them carefully. Their disciplined stance and sharp eyes told him they were well-trained. His gaze settled on the woman leading them—she exuded an aura of authority. More than that, he could sense her cultivation level—she was at the early Earth Realm stage, similar in age to Su Mengxin. The dragon emblem on her uniform caught his eye. The Dragon Unit... he mused.

He had heard rumors about China's elite special forces known as the Dragon Unit, said to be led by a mysterious, powerful woman. According to whispers in the underground world, she had single-handedly dismantled a terrorist organization with thousands of members. However, no one had ever seen her face or knew her real name. If she was truly a part of that unit, it meant Su Mengxin's background was far more powerful than he had assumed.

The woman stepped forward, her expression softening at the sight of Su Mengxin. "Miss Su, your grandfather has been worried sick about your disappearance."

She studied Su Mengxin, noting that despite only being covered by a blanket, she bore no signs of injury. Satisfied, she removed her military jacket and draped it over Su Mengxin's shoulders.

"Did something happen to you?" the woman asked gently.

Su Mengxin ignored the question, her eyes darting around the area, searching for Ye Chen.

"Miss Su, we should leave. This place isn't safe for you," the woman insisted, gently pulling her toward the helicopter.

Su Mengxin resisted. "Wait a moment!"

Taking a deep breath, she called out, "Ye Chen, I know you're still here! Come with me. Let's leave this forest together!"

Silence.

The female officer furrowed her brows. She was a cultivator and should have been able to detect any nearby presence. Yet, she sensed no one other than her soldiers.

"Miss Su, there's no one here. Perhaps you're imagining things," she said carefully.

"No! It's not my imagination!" Su Mengxin protested. How could I be mistaken? I felt his warmth, his care... something I've never received from anyone—not even my own family.

Since childhood, Su Mengxin had been alone. Her family, consumed by work and responsibilities, had never truly been there for her. For the first time in her life, she had experienced something different—affection, comfort, and security.

"Miss, we need to go. Your grandfather will be furious if we delay any longer."

Su Mengxin's heart ached. She knew Ye Chen was intentionally avoiding her. Clenching her fists, she whispered, "Are you hiding from them, Ye Chen? Fine... but one day, I will find you."

With one final glance over her shoulder, she stepped into the helicopter.

As the aircraft lifted off, Ye Chen emerged from his hiding place, his gaze following its retreating form.

"So, Su Mengxin's background is more powerful than I expected. Even her grandfather commands an elite military force," he murmured to himself.

He had chosen to disappear because joining her would only invite suspicion. The Dragon Unit wouldn't simply let an unknown man walk away without questioning him, and he had no interest in getting tangled up with them.

Watching the helicopters vanish into the distance, Ye Chen exhaled. "Well, it's time to head home. It's been over two years since I last visited Grandpa's grave."

With that, he turned and disappeared into the night, flying towards his hometown, leaving the forest behind.