When Xiao Tian heard Xuan Yi's words, he immediately guessed that she had been sent to investigate clues about Old Freak Zhaixing. After all, a Celestial Venerable dying inexplicably was a huge loss for the powerful Hall of Souls.
And Xuan Yi just happened to be the unlucky one, appearing in the Southern Region where Old Freak Zhaixing died. Moreover, the Pill Tower and the Hall of Souls had always been at odds, almost like sworn enemies.
So Xuan Yi had not thought she was just collateral damage; she only believed that the other party had coincidentally encountered her and wanted her soul, which was why he attacked her.
What Xiao Tian had not expected was that the other party would even send out the Third Celestial Venerable. He wondered if it was a coincidence that he was in the Southern Region when he was dispatched, or for some other reason.
According to Xuan Yi's description, the current Third Celestial Venerable was still at the peak of Nine Revolutions Dou Zun cultivation and had not yet broken through to Half-Saint.
If he were a Half-Saint, Xuan Yi estimated it would have been very difficult for her to escape, especially after being ambushed.
"Do not worry. Once I recover a bit more, I will leave. I definitely will not implicate you," Xuan Yi said, looking at Xiao Tian, who was deep in thought, assuming he was wary of the Hall of Souls.
After all, the Hall of Souls represented one of the most powerful and notorious forces on the surface in the Central Plains. Most people were unwilling to offend the Hall of Souls.
Xiao Tian slowly raised his eyes, his gaze calmly falling on Xuan Yi, a faint smile playing on his lips. Then, he looked at the bonfire. "You are overthinking it. The Hall of Souls? It is not enough to make me, Xiao Tian, retreat."
Xuan Yi was slightly startled by Xiao Tian's words. Her eyes flickered, and after much hesitation, she was about to speak, but Xiao Tian raised his hand and gently waved it.
"I know what you are worried about," Xiao Tian said, gazing at the dancing flames, his voice still calm, yet with an undeniable certainty. "The Hall of Souls and the power behind it are indeed terrifying, but—"
Xiao Tian suddenly smiled, a faint curve on his lips, and said indifferently, "But I, Xiao Tian, have never feared anyone in my actions, nor do I need to look at others' expressions. I only do what I want to do."
Xuan Yi stared at him. Although his tone was indifferent, there was a chilling sharpness hidden beneath the calm.
His deep eyes showed no trace of retreat; instead, they were like a drawn sword, or a monarch looking down on all living beings, as if nothing could sway him even an inch.
She opened her mouth but could not utter any words of persuasion. She suddenly realized that her earlier worries might have been completely unnecessary.
This person before her was simply not someone who would be intimidated by any force.
"...Such an unignorable confidence," Xuan Yi murmured softly, unsure if she was evaluating Xiao Tian or lamenting her own earlier overthinking.
Xiao Tian withdrew his gaze from the bonfire and looked at Xuan Yi, saying, "You should go back and rest. I promised the two little girls I would arrange something delicious for them today."
"Be careful, and stay safe..." Xuan Yi looked at him and said gently.
Xiao Tian nodded lightly, then, as if remembering something, he instructed her, "Do not go out. It is safest in here. Not even a Half-Saint can sense this place, so you can rest assured and stay here. If they wake up, please help me look after them."
Who knew if she might suddenly act melancholic, not wanting to drag them down, and then quietly leave.
If she left, and his two daughters woke up, he would have to rack his brains again.
"Mm, do not worry. I will take good care of them... You... Come back soon." Xuan Yi also knew that they were currently in a place overrun by magical beasts, and enemies were searching for her, so she obediently agreed.
Xiao Tian said nothing and walked towards the cave entrance.
Watching Xiao Tian gradually disappear, Xuan Yi sat in place, staring blankly at the bonfire in front of her.
About five minutes after Xiao Tian left.
"Mmm..."
A faint, slightly muffled grunt sounded, startling Xuan Yi, who had been lost in thought.
She quickly looked up towards the source of the sound and saw two little girls rubbing their eyes, looking groggy.
Their small mouths were slightly pouted as they vaguely called out, "Daddy, Daddy..."
Xuan Yi got up and went to their side. "Your daddy went out; he will be back in a moment."
"Oh, pretty Auntie, you are awake?" Xiao Ling and Xiao Meng exclaimed, hearing an unfamiliar voice and looking at Xuan Yi.
Xuan Yi was momentarily stunned by the two little girls' sudden address, then chuckled. "What pretty Auntie? You can call me Auntie Xuan Yi or Aunt Xuan. Also, what are your names?"
Xuan Yi looked at the two porcelain-doll-like little girls in front of her, reaching out to gently pinch Xiao Ling's chubby cheek, her fingertips feeling the soft touch unique to children.
"Aunt Xuan, you are so pretty, just as pretty as Mommy," Xiao Meng praised sweetly, meanwhile gently poking Xiao Ling.
Due to both of them possessing the Fire Phoenix separation physique, there was a certain telepathy between them. Xiao Ling immediately noticed a problem with one of Xiao Meng's addresses.
So she followed up, "Yes, as beautiful as Mommy, enough to topple kingdoms."
"How did you and your daddy end up in this mountain range? Where is your mommy?" Xuan Yi asked gently, looking at them with affection.
"Mommy kicked us and Daddy out, and we cannot go back, so we can only follow Daddy everywhere..." Xiao Meng said with a pouted lip, feeling wronged.
Xiao Ling looked at Xiao Meng with a puzzled expression. Then she thought about it and realized that the three of them had indeed been kicked out, but it did not seem as serious as 'cannot go back.'
Upon hearing this, Xuan Yi lovingly hugged the two little girls, thinking to herself, *How could a mother be so cruel, kicking them out when they are so young?*
Then she also thought of Xiao Tian. From her earlier observations, she could tell he was a proud and strong-willed person. She had not expected him to suffer such an ordeal; the internal pain must be immense.
But he had always been gentle before, even kind enough to save her, a complete stranger. How strong must his heart be to do that? Xuan Yi could not help but feel a little heartache for Xiao Tian.
"Then, will you tell me about your daddy and how he saved me?"
"Okay, okay!" Xiao Ling and Xiao Meng exchanged glances and said in unison.
Xuan Yi looked at the perfectly coordinated pair and could not help but sigh inwardly. *As expected of twins, they are truly in sync.*
Xuan Yi saw that their appearances and ages were very similar, so she automatically assumed they were twins.
She even felt a sense of mutual complementation on their bodies.