After camping in the wilderness for three days, Xiao Feng finally arrived at Qingshan Town.
Qingshan Town was built entirely against the mountainside.
Because of its close proximity to the Magical Beast Mountain Range, it was also commonly known as Magical Beast Town.
Most of the people living there were mercenaries, and the population was overwhelmingly male. As a result, the daily conversations of these rough men usually revolved around which women were the most beautiful or which liquor was the strongest.
Thanks to the nearby Magical Beast Mountain Range, materials from magical beasts were abundant in the town. This gave rise to many related businesses such as taverns, blacksmith shops, and medicinal herb stores.
Under the glow of the setting sun, a young man in white robes walked slowly along the bluestone-paved street.
His clean and refined appearance stood in sharp contrast to the rough and battle-worn mercenaries passing around him.
Xiao Feng lifted his youthful face slightly and looked around.
Mercenaries were bargaining loudly in front of shops, while burly men nearby were setting up stalls to sell magical beast materials and weapons.
Seeing the lively scene, Xiao Feng narrowed his eyes slightly, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
Just then, a young attendant wearing simple, coarse clothing suddenly jumped up from where he had been resting against a wall.
His eyes lit up when he saw Xiao Feng.
He quickly ran over with an eager smile.
"Young master, one look at you tells me you're a man of extraordinary talent," the boy said enthusiastically.
"This must be your first time in Qingshan Town, right? Would you like me to show you around?"
"I'm not expensive. Just ten gold coins."
Hearing this, Xiao Feng looked at the boy carefully.
The youth looked about fifteen or sixteen years old, with a slender build and a clever expression. His flattering smile made him appear somewhat shrewd but not unpleasant.
After a brief moment, Xiao Feng casually tossed him a small cloth pouch.
"Alright," Xiao Feng said calmly.
"Lead the way."
"And while we walk, tell me about Qingshan Town."
Although Xiao Feng wasn't carrying large amounts of money at the moment, a few dozen gold coins meant nothing to him.
More importantly, he genuinely needed to understand the current situation of Qingshan Town so he could compare it with what he remembered.
The attendant caught the pouch and quickly weighed it in his hand.
His eyes brightened immediately.
"Thank you, young master!"
He hurried forward and began walking beside Xiao Feng while explaining eagerly.
"Young master, if you came here to train in the Magical Beast Mountain Range and hunt magical beasts, you can sell the materials to Old Liu at the west end of town."
"He offers some of the best prices in Qingshan Town."
"If you need to buy medicinal herbs, I recommend Wan Yao Pharmacy."
"It's the most famous herb shop in town. They basically have every kind of herb you might need."
After speaking for a moment, the attendant suddenly glanced around cautiously.
Making sure no one was paying attention, he moved closer to Xiao Feng and lowered his voice.
"Young master, if you plan to form a team to enter the Magical Beast Mountain Range, remember this."
"Whatever you do… don't choose the Wolf Head Mercenary Group."
"Those people are not good."
Hearing this, Xiao Feng turned his head slightly and looked at the attendant.
Then he nodded calmly.
"Alright."
"I understand."
Along the way, Xiao Feng listened to the attendant's explanations, comparing them with his memories of Qingshan Town. Only after confirming there were no major changes did he inwardly breathe a sigh of relief.
This was the Fighting Qi Continent, not the peaceful city of his previous life. Here, death could come at any moment.
Although he possessed memories from his past life and was familiar with most of the plot on the Fighting Qi Continent,
this wasn't absolute and couldn't guarantee he would always stay ahead.
"Young master, we've arrived at Wan Yao Pharmacy. Do you wish to purchase any medicinal herbs?"
The attendant following Xiao Feng glanced at a shop on the right side, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes as he called out to the Youth in White Robes ahead of him.
Hearing this, Xiao Feng suppressed his chaotic thoughts and looked up at the shop by the street.
His gaze lingered on the three characters "Wan Yao Pharmacy" for a second before shifting to the long line inside the shop.
Finally, his eyes settled on a little girl in white at the end of the line. She didn't look very old, perhaps twelve or thirteen years old same age as him.
At that moment, she stood on a small stool, applying medicine to a Mercenary in front of her. Her movements were gentle, and a sweet smile graced her small face, making her resemble a little angel in white.
Seeing this, his eyes narrowed slightly as he sighed inwardly. Who would have thought this little angel in white would become the later, fear-inspiring leader of the Poison Sect?!
"How unpredictable life is!"
Xiao Feng sighed with emotion. Just as he was about to look away, he saw her glance in his direction. Her limpid, autumn-water-like eyes met his, offering a gentle, polite smile as she gave a slight nod.
In response, Xiao Feng returned a polite smile and said to the attendant beside him,
"Let's go. Take me to the largest inn in Qingshan Town."
"Yes, young master."
The attendant's eyes lit up as he replied respectfully.
Meanwhile, the little angel in white had just finished bandaging a burly man's wound.
She looked up toward the entrance again but didn't see the youth who, like her, favored white robes. However, she didn't dwell on it and continued treating the wounds of the Mercenaries before her.
And those usually decisive, battle-hardened Mercenary men now showed their kindest sides in front of Xiao Yi Xian.
That's right! The little girl before them had no name.
Her only title: Xiao Yi Xian.
It was a name the Mercenaries had given her based on her identity as a medicine practitioner and her fondness for white robes. Over time, the people of Qingshan Town also affectionately called her Xiao Yi Xian.
After entering Qingshan Town, Xiao Feng rented a quiet room in a small inn to rest.
Sitting cross-legged on the bed, he slowly exhaled and looked out of the window toward the distant mountains.
"The cave…" he murmured softly.
According to the original timeline, Xiao Yan would eventually discover a hidden cave containing the Flying Dou Skill and several treasures. That opportunity had greatly helped him in the early stages of his cultivation.
Xiao Feng tapped his finger lightly on the table.
"I'll borrow it for now… I can compensate Xiao Yan later."
He wasn't someone who would take another person's opportunity without returning the favor. But right now, that Flying Dou Skill would be extremely useful for his future plans.
With that thought settled, he prepared to search the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
For the next two weeks, Xiao Feng searched almost the entire outer region of the mountain range.
Every day he ventured deeper into the forest alone.
Cliffs… valleys… caves…
Anything that looked even remotely similar to the cave from his memories, he inspected thoroughly.
Although he hadn't yet found the cave he was searching for, the trip wasn't fruitless.
Inside one hidden cave, he discovered a low-level profound formation skill manual.
In another area, he found several Tier-5 and Tier-6 medicinal plants, along with a rare soul-nourishing herb.
Though it wasn't as valuable as the Seven Colored Soul Flower, it was still extremely beneficial for strengthening the soul.
Xiao Feng stored the items inside his storage ring.
"These alone make the trip worthwhile," he muttered.
Still…
The cave remained unfound.
Standing on a cliff edge after another failed search, Xiao Feng sighed softly.
"Did I remember the location wrong?"
Just as he was about to leave—
Voices suddenly echoed through the forest.
Looking down from the trees, Xiao Feng saw a group approaching.
It was the Wan Yao Pharmacy herb gathering team, escorted by several mercenaries.
Among them was a young girl dressed in light white clothing.
Her delicate face carried a gentle smile, and her calm demeanor stood out among the rough mercenaries.
Xiao Yi Xian.
Xiao Feng recognized her instantly.
"So she's here as well…"
He silently observed from the trees.
"Maybe following them will lead me to the cave."
But before he could continue thinking—
A sudden rustling sound erupted from the bushes.
Three First-Tier Venomous Forest Snakes suddenly shot out.
"Hiss!"
"Snakes!"
The mercenaries immediately reacted.
"Protect Miss Xiao!"
Steel flashed as the experienced mercenaries quickly killed two of the snakes.
However, the third snake struck before dying.
"Ah!"
Three mercenaries were bitten.
Within seconds their faces turned pale as dark veins appeared under their skin.
"Poison!"
Xiao Yi Xian quickly rushed over.
"Lay them down!"
She checked their wounds with a serious expression.
"The poison is spreading too fast…"
One mercenary asked anxiously,
"Miss Xiao, can you cure them?"
She bit her lip.
"I can… but I don't have the correct herbs with me right now."
The mercenaries grew worried.
If the poison spread further, those men would die.
At that moment, a calm voice sounded from the forest.
"Let them take this."
Everyone turned sharply.
A young man in white robes stepped out from behind the trees.
The mercenaries instantly became vigilant.
"Who are you?"
Xiao Feng didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he took out a jade bottle and tossed it gently toward Xiao Yi Xian.
"Poison-detoxifying pills," he said calmly. "They should work."
Xiao Yi Xian caught the bottle, slightly surprised.
She opened it and smelled the pill.
Her eyes widened.
"This…"
Without hesitation, she fed the pills to the poisoned mercenaries.
Moments later—
The dark veins on their skin slowly faded.
Their breathing stabilized.
"They're recovering!"
The mercenaries were overjoyed.
The three poisoned men slowly sat up, their faces filled with relief.
"Thank you, young master!"
"If not for you, we would have died today!"
The mercenary captain stepped forward and cupped his fists respectfully.
"May we know your name?"
"Xiao Feng," he replied calmly.
"I'm heading to Qingshan Town to replenish some supplies."
The captain smiled warmly.
"You saved my brothers. Allow us to repay the favor."
"We're also heading back to town soon. Why don't you travel with us?"
Xiao Feng glanced at the group.
He knew exactly what they were thinking.
If a similar situation happened again, they hoped he could help with more pills.
But his gaze briefly shifted toward Xiao Yi Xian.
After a moment, he nodded.
"Alright."
That evening, the group set up camp.
After dinner, the mercenaries quickly fell asleep.
Xiao Feng didn't sleep.
Instead, he sat on a tree branch, quietly meditating.
Late in the night—
A faint rustling sound reached his ears.
His eyes slowly opened.
Using his soul perception, he scanned the surroundings.
Then he saw her.
Xiao Yi Xian was quietly leaving the camp.
"Going on a midnight adventure?"
Curious, Xiao Feng silently followed her.
The moonlight illuminated the forest.
Xiao Yi Xian wandered around quietly, occasionally stopping to pick certain herbs.
Xiao Feng watched carefully.
"Poison herbs…"
He understood immediately.
She was collecting ingredients to prepare poisons for self-defense.
Just then—
"Eee!"
A First-Tier Giant Rat Beast suddenly rushed out from the bushes.
Xiao Yi Xian panicked.
She turned and ran.
The beast chased her relentlessly until she reached a cliff edge.
There was nowhere left to run.
Just as the beast lunged—
A flash of white appeared.
Slash!
Xiao Feng's sword cut through the beast in one clean strike.
The rat beast collapsed instantly.
Xiao Yi Xian breathed heavily.
"T-Thank you…"
But she quickly noticed something strange.
Xiao Feng wasn't looking at her.
His gaze was fixed on the cliff behind her.
Curious, she asked,
"Is there something down there?"
Xiao Feng clicked his tongue softly.
"So this is fate…"
He had searched for two weeks without success.
Yet Xiao Yi Xian stumbled upon it accidentally.
He sighed helplessly.
"Some things really belong only to the destined."
Turning to her, he said,
"There's a cave below this cliff."
Her eyes widened.
"A cave?"
He nodded.
"I'm going down to check it out."
Then he asked calmly,
"Are you coming with me, or staying here?"
Xiao Yi Xian looked down into the dark abyss.
A cave hidden beneath a cliff…
It could very well contain treasures.
Her curiosity quickly overcame her hesitation.
She looked at Xiao Feng and smiled.
"Well… if you're not afraid, why should I be?"
"Let's go together."
Xiao Feng smirked slightly.
"Alright."
He pulled out a rope and tied it to a sturdy tree.
"Stay close. The cliff is steep."
Xiao Yi Xian nodded.
"Don't worry. I trust your skills."
As they began descending into the darkness below, Xiao Yi Xian suddenly asked,
"By the way… how did you know there was a cave down here?"
Xiao Feng paused slightly before answering.
"Just a feeling."
She blinked suspiciously.
"A feeling?"
He smiled faintly.
"Sometimes intuition is more reliable than searching blindly."
Xiao Yi Xian laughed softly.
"You're a strange person, Xiao Feng."
"Maybe."
"But strange people usually find the best treasures."
She grinned.
"Then I guess I made the right choice following you."
Together, the two slowly descended toward the hidden cave below the cliff.
Neither of them knew that the discovery waiting inside would soon change their fates.