Xiao Jietian accepted the wine cup. Han Xue deliberately lowered hers slightly so their glasses could meet with a gentle clink. She tilted her head back and drained the cup in one smooth motion.
Xiao Jietian looked at her with open appreciation. Instead of drinking immediately, he brought the cup close and inhaled the aroma. His eyebrows lifted slightly.
"Is this brewed from liuli grass?"
Han Xue was momentarily taken aback. She hadn't expected him to identify the main ingredient so easily. A trace of admiration rose in her heart for the man before her.
Xiao Jietian then drank the wine in one go. He closed his eyes briefly, savoring the lingering aftertaste. A moment later he opened them again and spoke softly:
"Good wine. Mellow yet potent, smooth on the tongue without losing strength… much like Miss Han herself—cold on the surface, but warm and soft at the core."
Han Xue's cheeks flushed faintly. She hadn't expected him to not only appreciate fine wine but to compare it to her character so directly. A touch of shyness crept into her voice as she replied:
"Young Master Xiao flatters me. I truly don't deserve such praise."
"Miss Han, you misunderstand." Xiao Jietian's eyes curved with a gentle smile as he looked at her bashful expression. "I, Xiao Jietian, have always been straightforward. I never offer empty praise. You say you don't deserve it, yet the taste of this wine is right here, and the lady herself sits before my eyes. I can read people well—how could I be mistaken?"
His direct yet teasing words made Han Xue even more embarrassed. She lowered her head slightly.
"Young Master… you may simply call me Han Xue."
The surrounding guards overheard the exchange. Their expressions turned strange—some were openly gossiping with raised brows and knowing smirks.
Only Zi Yao remained completely focused, tearing into large chunks of roasted meat and gulping down wine, utterly uninterested in the romantic atmosphere.
Han Xue took several deep breaths to steady herself and quickly changed the subject before she died of embarrassment. She produced several more wine pots and placed them on the low table.
"Young Master, if you truly enjoy this wine, I still have several pots here. Please help yourself to as much as you like."
Xiao Jietian waved his hand lightly and smiled.
"Fine wine is beautiful, but one cup is enough to appreciate its essence. This was not easy for Miss Han to obtain. I appreciate your hospitality, but I won't be greedy."
"Miss Han Xue, why waste such fine wine on this pretty boy? Why not give it to the two of us instead?"
An old voice suddenly cut through the night. Several figures rose into the air from the base of the hillside. Leading them were two elderly men dressed in light red robes. Identical red emblems were embroidered on their chests.
Xiao Jietian had already sensed their approach long ago—which was precisely why he had chosen to descend to this caravan in the first place.
"Master, shall I handle them?" Zi Yao asked through spiritual transmission. Though he was a magical beast, he wasn't foolish. In such a situation he still needed to seek permission.
"No need. Just keep eating," Xiao Jietian replied calmly in the same way.
"Damn it—it's people from the Hong Family!" Han Chong instantly moved in front of Han Xue, glaring warily at the two old men.
Han Xue stood up slowly. Her cold gaze locked onto the newcomers.
"What do you want?"
The old man who had spoken earlier stared at Han Xue with a faint, sinister smile.
"The two of us are here… for you."
"I didn't expect that capturing a mere young woman like me would require both Elder Hong Mu and Elder Hong Lie to personally act. What an honor," Han Xue said mockingly.
Even as she spoke, her heart gradually sank.
Both Hong Family elders were four-star Dou Huang. Even one of them would put her in grave danger—two at once left almost no hope.
She turned her head slightly and looked at Xiao Jietian, who remained seated, then at Zi Yao, who was still eating meat.
"Young Master Xiao… they are here for me. Later, find an opportunity—have him take you away."
Even though the other party had a Tier 6 magical beast mount, facing two Dou Huangs was still far too dangerous. She couldn't bear to drag him into this.
Hearing her words, Xiao Jietian gently set down his wine cup. His expression remained calm. Slowly he rose and brushed the dust from his robe in an unhurried motion.
"Boy, you want to play the hero and save the beauty? Be careful you don't lose your own life in the process," Hong Lie sneered cruelly at Xiao Jietian.
"With just the two of you ants?"
Xiao Jietian raised his hand casually. His fingertip lifted slightly, then clenched gently in the void.
The surrounding space twisted grotesquely—like paper being crushed by an invisible giant hand. A grating, tearing sound filled the air.
The space around Hong Mu and Hong Lie shattered instantly. Thousands of invisible spatial blades shredded their bodies. The two elders tried to resist, but before they could even circulate their Dou Qi, they disintegrated into a fine mist of blood that scattered into the night wind.
The spatial cracks continued to spread outward. The rest of the Hong Family members who had come with them were also annihilated in an instant—leaving not even bones behind.
The entire process lasted less than a breath of time.
Everyone stared blankly at the blood mist drifting in the sky.
Two four-star Dou Huang powerhouses… gone… just like that.
Han Xue stood frozen in place, mouth slightly agape, eyes wide with disbelief. Her expression looked as though she wanted to permanently etch this impossible scene into her memory.
Xiao Jietian glanced at her stunned face, then beckoned lightly to Zi Yao.
Zi Yao transformed back into his original beast form with a flash of purple light, swallowed the remaining meat in one gulp, and rose into the sky above Xiao Jietian. Xiao Jietian flashed onto his back.
Only then did Han Xue snap out of her daze. Her body trembled slightly. She turned her head, only to see that Xiao Jietian had already begun to leave.
She summoned her Dou Qi wings, wanting to chase after him to express her gratitude properly.
But before she could even take off, an invisible force locked her in place.
Han Xue clenched her fists tightly, struggling to control her surging emotions. She shouted toward the departing figure:
"Young Master Xiao! I thought I was finished this time. Thank you for saving my life! Xiao Jietian… how can I ever repay such a great kindness?"
Xiao Jietian waved his hand casually. His eyes remained calm and indifferent.
"It was merely a small effort. I didn't save you expecting repayment. Perhaps… you will understand later."
Han Xue was slightly stunned by his words, not quite grasping his meaning. She bit her lip and shouted again toward his vanishing silhouette:
"Xiao Jietian! Even so, I, Han Xue, will never forget this kindness! In the future, no matter what, I will repay you a hundredfold! If there is ever anything you need—be it a mountain of blades or a sea of fire—I will not hesitate!"
"Take this. It will be beneficial to you. Consider it repayment for your roasted meat and fine wine tonight."
As his voice fell, a jade bottle slowly descended from the sky and landed gently in front of Han Xue.
She reached out and caught it. Her gaze remained fixed on the direction in which Xiao Jietian had disappeared. Thousands of words welled up in her heart, but by the time she opened her mouth, he was already gone. In the end, she could only stare silently after him.
Han Xue's fingers unconsciously tightened around the jade bottle.
"Xiao Jietian…" she whispered his name softly. Her fist clenched slightly, and her eyes gradually became resolute.
She slowly opened the jade bottle. A line of text floated out, describing the pill's effects.
From the information, she learned that this single pill could help a half-step Dou King break through to the full Dou King realm.
Her expression became complicated. Carefully, she placed the jade bottle against her chest, feeling its slight warmth.
Han Xue took a deep breath, raised her head once more, and made a silent vow in her heart:
"Xiao Jietian… no matter where you are, no matter how the future unfolds, I, Han Xue, will remember this grace forever."
Then she turned to the Han Family guards and issued a cold, captivating command from within her carriage:
"Pack everything up. The caravan departs immediately—we return to Tianbei City overnight."
Everyone moved quickly. They packed all belongings, erased the remaining traces of the camp, and set off at once.
High on a distant tree trunk, two figures stood silently, watching the caravan leave.