Fateful Encounter with the Spirit Beast

As soon as Liu Feng and his companions heard the soft moaning, they left Dixiang and Xiaojin behind and rushed into the room.

Feng Xuewu and Yue Lianxuan, who were lying on the same bed, slowly opened their eyes to see Liu Feng and his companions looking at them with concern. The two women immediately sat up in panic, looking around anxiously, but besides the three, the person they had been longing for day and night, Tianxiang, was still absent. Unconsciously, they both asked, “Where is Brother Xiang?”

Seeing the speechless trio’s expressions filled with helplessness and sorrow, the two women finally understood that the Brother Xiang in their hearts had truly left them, mercilessly departed. They wished the letter was just a hoax or a joke, but even that last sliver of hope was shattered.

It hurt, really hurt. So this is what heartbreak feels like. Night after night of longing, only to receive a simple letter. The joyous anticipation was met with disappointment and pain. I really don’t understand why Brother Xiang would be so heartless, leaving just a letter and then leaving on his own. Why couldn’t he explain it face to face?

Layers of dense clouds obscured the glaring morning light, much like the gloomy and dreary feelings in the hearts of the two women.

With expressions filled with grief and eyes that had lost their luster, the two women just stared blankly at the three. At this moment, their hearts truly broke. Seeing the devastated look on the two women’s faces, Liu Feng and his companions felt heartbroken and didn’t know what to do for a while. Yingdie, in particular, felt even worse, still missing Tianxiang while having to muster the strength to comfort Yue Lianxuan. But who could understand her inner turmoil?

As Liu Feng continued to observe them, he was thinking of ways to grab their attention. Suddenly, an idea struck him, and he spoke up: “I bet you’re wondering why, even though Tianxiang has returned, he still hasn’t come to see you, right? You must have countless questions that need answers. So, now isn’t the time to be sad; we need to find out where Tianxiang is, so we can ask him. Isn’t that right? Right now, only Dixiang and Xiaojin have seen Tianxiang, but we don’t know what they’re trying to convey. Maybe you two could help figure it out and learn about Tianxiang’s situation.”

Although Liu Feng appeared confident outwardly, inside he was quite uncertain, unsure of how much of his words would actually resonate with them.

Outside, the wind whistled freely through the vast space. Inside the room, a tense silence and a heavy atmosphere weighed on Liu Feng and his companions.

Suddenly, Feng Xuewu’s previously vacant gaze began to show signs of life. Her eyes gradually became lively and shifted towards the three of them. She spoke up: “Thank you, Liu Feng! I understand now! This is not the time for us to be sad and blame; it’s about understanding why Brother Xiang left us.”

By her side, Yue Lianxuan also suddenly said, “Thank you, everyone! Sorry for making you worry!” Although the two had finally come to terms, their words revealed a lingering melancholy, and their faint expressions of sorrow always stirred compassion in the three companions.

As Atta went to find Dixiang and Xiaojin, the remaining four introduced themselves and explained how they knew Tianxiang. After understanding each other’s experiences, Feng Xuewu and Yue Lianxuan felt a sense of empathy and recalled what their brother and Aunt Yan had advised them. They carefully observed each other, discovering qualities in the other that they themselves lacked.

In Yue Lianxuan’s eyes, Feng Xuewu had a refreshing and heroic determination. Although she seemed a bit cold, her reaction to Brother Xiang betrayed an inner warmth and passion.

In Feng Xuewu’s eyes, Yue Lianxuan, despite her pale and delicate appearance, shared her own unwavering determination once her mind was set. Moreover, her gentle and graceful demeanor was something Feng Xuewu admired. Suddenly, they exchanged smiles and felt a sense of connection, instinctively holding each other’s hands.

Feng Xuewu said, “You can just call me Xiao Xue.”

Yue Lianxuan nodded and replied, “Then call me Xuan’er!”

Feng Xuewu said, “Even though Brother Xiang is away for now, having you as a good sister makes me happy.”

Yue Lianxuan responded, “Yes, and it’s not just me; Yingdie is here too!”

Feng Xuewu said, “I almost forgot. Welcome, Yingdie.”

Yingdie said, “I used to be all alone, and now having you sisters is truly a blessing.”

Liu Feng, seeing the three in their harmonious camaraderie, felt a bit relieved and said, “You all can be great sisters. Don’t count Atta and me in! I still want to team up with Atta for a two-man charm squad!”

He waved his hand dramatically and retreated towards the door. The three couldn’t help but chuckle at Liu Feng’s serious yet humorous demeanor, dissipating the sorrow brought by Tianxiang’s departure.

Liu Feng thought to himself, “Boss, look at the situation you left behind. I had to goof around just to make Xiao Xue and the others smile. It’s really a challenge for me! Boss, please come back soon!”

At that moment, Atta arrived in the room with Dixiang and Xiaojin. Upon seeing them, Feng Xuewu and Yue Lianxuan quickly asked, “Xiaojin, Dixiang, do you know where Brother Xiang went? Why did he leave us? Is there something troubling him, or something he can’t talk about?” The barrage of questions left Xiaojin and Dixiang, who had just entered, feeling dizzy and almost ready to rush back out the door.

Atta quickly intervened, saying, “There’s no need to rush. If you ask slowly, you might catch some clues.”

Taking Atta’s advice, Feng Xuewu calmly asked, “Dixiang, Xiaojin, did you see Brother Xiang when he came back?” The two nodded.

Feng Xuewu continued, “Was it him who asked you to find us?” Again, they nodded.

She asked further, “Do you know why he left after leaving the letter?” The two shook their heads, looking puzzled.

As everyone struggled to make sense of the situation, Yue Lianxuan suddenly asked, “Did Brother Xiang bring anyone else with him this time?” The two shook their heads once more.

Yue Lianxuan then asked, “Was there anything different about him this time?” At this question, the two quickly nodded. Seeing their eager response, everyone had a sense that this might be the reason Tianxiang didn’t want to meet them.

Liu Feng, eager to find out, asked, “What was different?” The two exchanged a look, then scratched their heads in thought, their actions somewhat amusing, but the mood was too heavy for anyone to laugh. The group watched them intently. Suddenly, the two began gesturing animatedly, as if coming to an agreement. Dixiang and Xiaojin then led everyone outside.

Once outside, Dixiang and Xiaojin quickly darted into the woods. A short while later, Xiaojin gathered a pile of dry firewood, and Dixiang returned with a wild rabbit in his mouth and placed it on top of the wood. Xiaojin jumped onto Yingdie’s shoulder and pointed to the pile, prompting Yingdie to ignite it. As the flames grew larger and everyone watched in confusion, Dixiang began covering the fire with soil until only a thin wisp of smoke remained, rising gently into the air.

Dixiang then pulled the charred rabbit out of the ground, frantically pointing at it with his paw while Xiaojin nodded vigorously beside him. Seeing the two, an ominous feeling spread through the group. They exchanged glances and saw the shock and fear in each other’s eyes, hoping desperately that what they feared was not true.

With a trembling voice, full of disbelief, Feng Xuewu asked, “Are you saying Brother Xiang became like this?” Hearing this, Dixiang and Xiaojin showed relief as they realized the others understood them. Xiaojin leapt onto Feng Xuewu’s shoulder and gave her a lick. In contrast to the relieved expressions of the two animals, the group’s mood became colder and heavier, leaving them speechless and their minds blank as they stared at the charred remains on the ground. Yue Lianxuan softly asked again, “Is this what Brother Xiang looked like?” Dixiang and Xiaojin nodded their heads vigorously once more.

Suddenly, Yue Lianxuan screamed, “No!” and fainted.

Seeing this, Yingdie caught Yue Lianxuan, and the others were startled out of their daze by her scream. Their hearts still trembled with fear at the unimaginable thought of Tianxiang’s current state. Observing the scene, Feng Xuewu calmly said, “Let’s head back to the Purple Moon Residence.” There was no sound of weeping or mourning, and her composed demeanor conveyed the deep sorrow she felt within.

On the mountain path, the dense forest shielded the glaring sunlight. After leaving the Purple Moon Residence, Tianxiang wandered alone, aimlessly and without direction, seeking to avoid everyone and everything familiar.

Tianxiang dragged his weakened body as he slowly emerged from the woods. The sun’s rays pierced his eyes, momentarily leaving him disoriented. Not far ahead, a few buildings formed a small village where children ran and played freely under the blue sky and green earth. The scene seemed to stir memories of his own carefree childhood. Once, he too lived without worries as they did, but now… He sighed, shaking his head to dispel the troubling thoughts and made his way toward the village.

As Tianxiang entered this seldom-visited village, his unusual appearance immediately caught the attention of the villagers. The children who had been playing were now curiously trailing behind him, eager to catch a glimpse beneath the gray scarf that concealed his face. After just a few steps, he was approached by two individuals. One was a middle-aged man, around forty-something, with a weathered face, tanned skin, short beard, and a simple sleeveless vest revealing a muscular build. On his back, he carried a bamboo basket, and a hatchet hung at his waist. The other was a little boy, about nine or ten years old, with bright eyes and a charming, lively appearance.

The middle-aged man spoke first, “I’m the village chief here. My name is Yutian. May I ask who you are and what brings you here?”

Tianxiang replied, “Tianxiang, just passing through.”

Yutian asked, “Passing through? Where are you headed?”

Tianxiang said, “I don’t know.”

Yutian repeated in confusion, “You don’t know?” He then scrutinized Tianxiang with a sharp gaze before saying, “Strange, your demeanor and bearing suggest someone trained in martial arts. Yet, I sense no aura from you, and you speak weakly, showing signs of a severe internal injury resulting in the loss of your internal strength. I guess this is why you have lost hope and are wandering aimlessly.”

A rare glimmer flashed in Tianxiang’s eyes, but then they returned to their lifeless state as he asked, “Who exactly are you?”

Yutian laughed heartily and said, “Everyone has their privacy. Just as I won’t ask what happened to you, I hope you won’t ask about me. Besides, it doesn’t matter who I am, does it?”

Tianxiang gave a small grunt and replied, “Then there’s nothing else. I’m leaving.” He turned to go, but Yutian quickly spoke up, “Tianxiang, wait a minute. Since you don’t know where you’re headed, why not stay here? No one here knows you, nor will anyone bother you. The villagers live self-sufficiently and have little contact with the outside world, so you can rest assured you won’t encounter anyone familiar.”

Tianxiang replied, “Aren’t you afraid that I, a bringer of misfortune, might bring bad luck to this peaceful village?”

Yutian said, “Whether it’s a blessing or a curse is for the heavens to decide! Do you know who the most pitiable people in the world are? They’re the ones who use misfortune as an excuse to avoid others’ care, then abandon themselves to despair and waste their lives.” He turned to the young boy and asked, “Ying’er, what does Father always tell you to do when you encounter difficulties?”

Yu Ying, in a clear and bright voice, replied emphatically, “Never give up!”

Yutian patted Yu Ying’s small head and said, “Very good. Now, do you think Tianxiang should give up on getting better just because he’s unwell?”

Yu Ying shook his head and said to Tianxiang, “You mustn’t give up, okay!”

Listening to the dialogue between father and son and seeing Yu Ying’s natural demeanor and encouragement, Tianxiang found himself unable to respond with words. He simply nodded to acknowledge Yutian and Yu Ying.

Seeing Tianxiang agree, Yutian said, “Don’t doubt my intentions for wanting you to stay. I trust my judgment and experience. Come, I’ll take you to my home first. Once you’re settled, I’ll introduce you to the villagers.”

Tianxiang replied, “I want to quietly think things over, so I’d prefer to stay alone.”

Yutian said, “It’s no problem. There’s a small shed just behind my house where we store miscellaneous items. You can stay there for the time being. As for the other villagers, don’t worry too much about them. They are all unfortunate souls from various places, just looking to lead a peaceful life here. However, if you wish to stand up again and return to the world you once knew, interacting with people is inevitable. I think you understand what I mean.” After a pause, he added, “Yu Ying, take Tianxiang to the shed. I have to go and chop some wood.”

Near Saint Kai Academy, in Yue Lianxuan’s room, she sat lifelessly, staring at the white clouds outside the window. The scene of the charred rabbit on the earth kept flashing through her mind, filling her with heartache and a fear of imagining Tianxiang’s current state.

Initially, she wanted to quickly inform Aunt Yan about this and use the influence of Yingyue Business House to search for Tianxiang. However, after hearing Feng Xuewu and Yingdie’s analysis, and knowing that the assassins from the Five Dragon Tower were hunting Tianxiang, along with her grandfather’s deep-seated hatred, she worried about how Aunt Yan might react if she learned this heartbreaking news. So, she decided against it, unsure of how long she could keep this information from Aunt Yan.

A gentle knock on the door interrupted Yue Lianxuan’s thoughts. Turning her head, she saw Yingdie and Feng Xuewu entering together. As soon as she saw Feng Xuewu, Yue Lianxuan’s eyes welled up with tears, and she looked so fragile and pitiable that Feng Xuewu, having heard from Yingdie that Yue Lianxuan had skipped classes for three days, found it hard to scold her. Instead, showing a rare gentle expression after learning about Tianxiang’s situation, she said, “Xuan’er, didn’t we agree that day to quickly finish our studies so we can go together to find Brother Xiang?”

Choking back tears, Yue Lianxuan replied, “I haven’t forgotten, but the more I think about Brother Xiang, the less I want to go to school or do anything.”

Feng Xuewu said, “I feel the same way! But this is what Brother Xiang entrusted us to do. No matter what, we must complete it diligently, so we can seek him out with a clear conscience. When we find him, we can tell him, ‘The task you gave us, we have completed, but the promise you made to us, you’ve broken. Why?'”

Yue Lianxuan sighed with concern, “I know, but those boys at the Academy are really annoying.”

Upon hearing this, Feng Xuewu replied coolly, “How about this: whenever one of us doesn’t have classes, we’ll accompany the other. I think having me around might scare away some of those people.”

Yue Lianxuan nodded in agreement, “Alright!” Then, with a sudden chuckle, she added, “With you, the renowned cool beauty, by my side, I bet those guys might just freeze up the moment they come over.” She laughed to herself at the thought.

Seeing Yue Lianxuan’s radiant smile, like the morning sun, Feng Xuewu felt a wave of affection for her but still gave her a playful tap on the head, smiling as she said, “Just a moment ago, you were teary-eyed, and now you’re teasing me! Remember to attend your classes tomorrow. I have to go now.”

Yue Lianxuan asked, “Where are you going?”

Feng Xuewu replied, “Liu Feng, Atta, and I have arranged to practice Martial Skills together.”

Yue Lianxuan said, “In that case, Yingdie and I will join you!”

Feng Xuewu, puzzled, asked, “I thought you didn’t like fighting. Why the sudden change?”

Yue Lianxuan explained, “I’m a priest focused on restoration spells. I need to understand my patients’ injuries to help them recover, right? Besides, Brother Xiang advised me to learn more about Martial Skills.”

Feng Xuewu skillfully avoided the topic related to Tianxiang and said, “Alright, let’s go! It’ll be a nice diversion.”

In a dim, empty shed, with only one wooden bed, Tianxiang sat cross-legged in silence. After an indeterminate amount of time, he opened his eyes in frustration. Another failed attempt. His severely damaged meridians rendered him unable to perform Qi Cultivation using the Jialeng Na Divine Method. Yet, on the bright side, his mental power seemed to be growing faster than before. However, without a strong physique, even using attack magic a few times might be devastating to his body.

Suddenly, a clear voice called from outside the door, “Tianxiang, it’s time to eat!”

Yu Ying, who had called out several times, noticed there was no response from inside. Just as he was about to turn around and tell Father as usual, the tightly closed door suddenly creaked open.

Upon seeing Tianxiang, Yu Ying happily rushed forward and said, “You finally came out! You’ve been inside for several days, and every time I came to call you, there was no response. I thought something might have happened to you. But Father said you were probably resting and healing and that we should try not to disturb you, so he told me to just come around meal times to check. I didn’t expect you to actually come out today! Is your injury getting any better?”

A warmth spread through Tianxiang’s heart after hearing Yu Ying’s words. He nodded and said, “Thank you, Yu Ying. I’m feeling a bit better.”

Yu Ying shouted with joy, “Really? Then I can come find you more often now!”

Tianxiang replied, “Yes, of course, you can.”