For a long time, Xiao Feng had been thinking about the strange flame marked on the map.
The symbols… the beast, the fire, the cave—everything pointed to something extraordinary.
But he didn't act immediately.
Standing outside the thatched hut that evening, Xiao Feng quietly looked at Xiao Yi Xian, who was busy sorting medicinal herbs.
His gaze softened slightly.
"…Not yet," he murmured.
If he left now… there were too many uncertainties.
If something happened while he was gone—if she encountered danger…if Mu Li found her…or worse—if her Calamity Poison Body activated…
He couldn't accept that outcome.
That night, under the faint moonlight, Xiao Feng sat beside her as usual.
For once, neither of them spoke immediately.
The silence felt different.
Xiao Yi Xian clenched her fingers slightly, as if making a decision.
"Xiao Feng…" she called softly.
"Hmm?"
She hesitated, then finally looked up at him.
"I… I have something to tell you."
Xiao Feng turned his head, meeting her eyes. "Go on."
Her heart was beating fast.
"I don't know when it started…"
"…but I don't want to leave you."
Xiao Feng froze slightly.
Xiao Yi Xian bit her lip, but continued,
"I know I'm dangerous… I know my Calamity Poison Body could hurt you one day…"
"But still…"
Her voice trembled.
"I… like you."
The valley fell silent.
Even the wind seemed to stop for a moment.
Xiao Feng looked at her quietly.
Then he suddenly let out a soft breath.
"You took your time saying that."
Xiao Yi Xian blinked. "What…?"
Before she could react, Xiao Feng reached out and gently pulled her into his arms.
"I thought you would say it earlier," he said softly.
Her eyes widened.
"Then you—?"
Xiao Feng lowered his gaze slightly, a faint smile appearing.
"What do you think?"
Then, after a brief pause, he added in a softer voice—
"I don't like uncertainty."
"But with you… I don't mind it."
Those simple words carried more weight than any confession.
Xiao Yi Xian's eyes trembled slightly.
"…Idiot."
Xiao Feng gently lifted her chin.
Their eyes met for a brief moment—
And then he leaned in.
Their lips touched softly.
For a moment, everything else faded away.
After a long while, they separated.
Xiao Yi Xian's face was completely red, but she didn't pull away this time.
She simply leaned against him quietly.
Xiao Feng held her, his expression becoming more serious.
"Xiao Yi Xian."
"Hmm?"
"We won't stay here forever."
"I know…" she said softly.
"I'm planning to go after something… a strange flame."
She tightened her grip slightly. "Is it dangerous?"
"It is," Xiao Feng replied honestly. "Which is why…"
He paused.
"I'm not taking you there right now."
Xiao Yi Xian lowered her head. "…I understand."
Xiao Feng continued,
"I'll take you to my place first."
"From there, I'll help you improve your strength… and find ways to control your Calamity Poison Body."
"There's a place—Jia Nan Academy."
Hearing this name, Xiao Yi Xian looked up.
"It's a place full of geniuses. If you enter there, your talent will be recognized."
"And with their resources… plus what I know…"
"We can find a solution."
Xiao Yi Xian listened quietly.
"I'll help you reach the standard to enter the outer academy first."
"And later…" Xiao Feng's eyes sharpened slightly,
"I'll take you into the Inner Academy if possible."
Xiao Yi Xian looked at him for a long time.
Then she smiled.
"Alright."
"As long as I'm with you… anywhere is fine."
The next morning, Xiao Feng made his decision.
He walked over to her and asked,
"Is there anything you need to pack?"
Xiao Yi Xian shook her head gently.
"…No."
She didn't need anything else.
As long as she had him—that was enough.
However, after taking a few steps, Xiao Yi Xian suddenly paused.
"…Wait."
Xiao Feng turned slightly. "What is it?"
She hesitated for a moment before speaking softly,
"I still have some things left at Wan Yao Pharmacy… my herbs, tools… and some clothes."
Hearing this, Xiao Feng waved his hand casually.
"No need."
Xiao Yi Xian blinked. "No need?"
Xiao Feng looked at her calmly.
"It's just some ordinary items."
"If you really need them, I can have people bring them over."
"And if not…" he paused slightly, then said indifferently,
"I'll just buy everything new for you."
Xiao Yi Xian was slightly stunned.
"That's… too wasteful…"
Xiao Feng shook his head.
"It's not worth the trouble going back for small things."
"Besides," he added lightly,
"I don't want any unnecessary variables."
Hearing this, Xiao Yi Xian understood immediately.
He was worried about running into the Wolf Head Mercenary Group… or something unexpected happening.
Her heart warmed slightly.
"…Alright."
She didn't insist anymore.
Because she knew—
It wasn't about the items.
It was because he didn't want to take even the slightest risk… when it came to her.
Xiao Feng nodded.
"Then let's go."
During these past days, Xiao Feng had not only been stabilizing his cultivation—he had also taken time to comprehend and practice the Flying Dou Technique.
Although he had just broken through to Dou Spirit, with the help of the technique, he could already barely sustain flight for a period of time.
Standing at the edge of the valley, Xiao Feng slowly circulated his Dou Qi.
A moment later—
Whoosh!
A pair of illusory wings condensed behind him, shimmering with energy.
Xiao Yi Xian's eyes widened slightly. "You can already use it?"
Xiao Feng smiled faintly. "Barely."
He then calmly stored all their belongings into his storage ring and turned toward her.
"Come here."
Xiao Yi Xian walked over without hesitation.
Xiao Feng wrapped one arm around her waist, pulling her gently into his embrace.
Her face flushed slightly, but she didn't resist.
"Wait," Xiao Feng added, "call Xiao Lan as well."
"It's safer for it to stay with you than wandering outside."
Xiao Yi Xian nodded.
She took out her flute, placed it near her lips, and played a soft, clear melody.
The sound echoed through the valley.
Soon—
A sharp cry resounded from the sky.
A large eagle swooped down from above—it was Xiao Lan.
It circled around them once before landing nearby, looking at Xiao Yi Xian affectionately.
"Come with us," she said softly, stroking its feathers.
"Hold tight," Xiao Feng said.
The next moment—
Boom!
His wings flapped, and the two of them shot into the sky.
Xiao Yi Xian instinctively tightened her grip around him.
"This is… flying…" she whispered, a mix of nervousness and excitement in her voice.
Xiao Feng chuckled. "Get used to it."
Behind them, Xiao Lan followed closely.
After a long journey—
Wu Tan City finally appeared in their sight.
From above, the familiar city looked small and distant.
As Xiao Feng descended from the sky with Xiao Yi Xian in his arms—
The guards at the Xiao Family gate looked up.
One of them suddenly widened his eyes and shouted in shock:
"Dou King! It's a Dou King!"
His voice instantly drew attention.
"What? A Dou King?!"
"Someone is flying in the sky!"
"Impossible… in Wu Tan City, even the strongest are only Dou Grand Masters!"
The crowd erupted into chaos.
In a small city like Wu Tan City, seeing someone flying freely in the sky—
That was something almost unimaginable.
Even the clan elders rarely witnessed such a scene.
Xiao Feng slowly descended, his wings gradually fading.
With Xiao Yi Xian still in his arms, he landed steadily at the entrance of the Xiao Family.
The guards stared at him in disbelief, their expressions filled with shock and respect.
Xiao Feng glanced at them calmly.
"It's me."
Hearing his voice, one of the guards finally reacted.
"Y-Young Master Xiao Feng?!"
The moment those words were spoken—
The surrounding crowd fell completely silent.
Shock spread across every face.
The "Dou King" they were fearing…
Was actually someone from their own Xiao Family.
Xiao Feng didn't say anything.
He simply glanced at the stunned guards, then casually took out a few low-level medicinal pills from his storage ring and tossed them over.
"These are for you."
Before they could even react, he had already stepped forward, walking into the Xiao Family compound with Xiao Yi Xian by his side.
The guards stood there in a daze, staring at the pills in their hands, their faces filled with disbelief and excitement.
As soon as Xiao Feng entered, his expression shifted slightly.
His soul perception spread out instinctively.
Soon—
He sensed a powerful aura rushing toward him at high speed.
"Dou Spirit…" he muttered softly.
In just a moment, the figure closed the distance rapidly.
Xiao Feng's eyes narrowed slightly, then relaxed.
He had already recognized the aura.
A familiar presence.
A figure suddenly appeared in front of him.
It was none other than Xiao Zhan.
His expression was filled with urgency, his breathing slightly hurried—as if something serious had happened.
"Feng'er!"
Xiao Feng looked at him calmly.
"What happened, Uncle?" he asked.
Xiao Feng interrupted calmly.
Xiao Zhan froze.
Looking closely, his eyes widened in disbelief.
"F-Feng'er…?"
Xiao Feng nodded slightly.
"It's me."
Xiao Zhan was stunned for a moment, his gaze sweeping over Xiao Feng again and again, still unable to fully believe it.
"But… just now… that aura… flying…"
Xiao Feng said lightly,
"It's just a Flying Dou Technique."
"I haven't reached Dou King."
Hearing this, Xiao Zhan finally let out a breath, though the shock in his heart didn't lessen much.
"A flying technique… you can already use such a thing?"
Xiao Feng shrugged.
"Just some opportunity I got outside."
Xiao Zhan shook his head with a bitter smile.
"You really… never fail to surprise me."
Then his gaze shifted to Xiao Yi Xian beside him, and he paused slightly, but didn't ask immediately.
Instead, he said,
"Come inside first. We'll talk properly."
Xiao Feng nodded slightly, then turned his head toward Xiao Yi Xian.
His expression softened a bit, completely different from the calm indifference he had shown before.
"Uncle," he said, his tone steady but carrying a rare warmth,
"This is Xiao Yi Xian."
He paused for a brief moment, then continued without hesitation—
"My girlfriend."
The words fell simply, yet they carried undeniable certainty.
Xiao Yi Xian's face instantly turned slightly red.
Although she had already confessed her feelings earlier, hearing Xiao Feng introduce her so directly still made her heart race uncontrollably.
She lowered her head a little, but still gathered her courage and softly said,
"Hello… Uncle Xiao."
Xiao Zhan was clearly stunned for a moment.
He looked between the two of them, his eyes lingering on Xiao Feng in disbelief.
"Girlfriend…?" he repeated subconsciously.
Then, as if realizing something, a smile slowly spread across his face.
"Haha! Good, good!"
He nodded repeatedly, his gaze toward Xiao Yi Xian becoming much gentler.
"Feng'er has good judgment."
"You don't need to be nervous here. Since you're with him, you're family."
Hearing this, Xiao Yi Xian felt a warmth rise in her heart.
She had always been alone, drifting without a true place to belong.
But now…
Standing beside Xiao Feng, being acknowledged so naturally—
For the first time, she felt something close to home.
Xiao Feng glanced at her, noticing the slight moisture in her eyes.
He didn't say anything, but quietly reached out and held her hand.
A simple action—
Yet it carried silent reassurance.
After the brief exchange, Xiao Feng didn't linger any longer. With a casual nod to Xiao Zhan, he turned and led Xiao Yi Xian toward the clan's training grounds.
The training center was bustling as usual—young disciples practicing Dou Qi, the sound of clashes and shouts filling the air. But the moment Xiao Feng stepped in, many eyes turned toward him.
And then… they noticed the girl beside him.
Whispers immediately spread.
"Who is she?"
"She's so beautiful…"
"Why is she with Xiao Feng?"
Xiao Feng ignored all of it and walked straight to the center of the field.
A few familiar faces approached quickly—Xiao Yan, Xiao Xun'er, and several other clan members.
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile forming. "You disappeared for a while and came back with someone? Care to explain?"
Xiao Feng didn't bother with suspense this time. He placed a hand lightly on Xiao Yi Xian's shoulder and said plainly,
"This is Xiao Yi Xian… my girlfriend."
"…"
For a second, even Xiao Yan was stunned.
Then his expression turned into a grin. "Not bad, brother… you move fast."
Xiao Xun'er covered her lips with a soft laugh, her eyes gently observing Xiao Yi Xian. "Sister Yi Xian, welcome. Anyone Xiao Feng brings must be extraordinary."
Xiao Yi Xian smiled politely, her calm and elegant demeanor making an immediate impression. "You're too kind."
Around them, the younger disciples were already in an uproar.
"Girlfriend?!"
"When did this happen?!"
"That's Xiao Feng?!"
Some were shocked, some envious, and some simply couldn't believe it.
Xiao Feng, however, remained completely unfazed. He looked around at the crowd and said casually,
"She'll be staying here for a while."
His tone was calm, but it carried an unquestionable authority.
The noisy training ground gradually settled, though the curious glances never stopped.
Beside him, Xiao Yi Xian glanced at Xiao Feng and whispered softly, "You really like making things… lively, don't you?"
Xiao Feng smirked slightly. "It's easier this way."
And just like that, her presence was firmly established in the Xiao clan—leaving everyone with one clear realization:
Xiao Feng had returned… and he hadn't come back alone.