Under the night sky, Qingmu Town had shed its daytime hustle and bustle but remained lively.
On both sides of the streets, various street lamps glowed with warm, hazy halos, illuminating the comings and goings of pedestrians.
The cries of vendors, the chatter of people, and the tantalizing aromas of all kinds of snacks wove together into a symphony of human vitality, brimming with the essence of a bustling night market.
Dai Chengfeng carried the fluffy, golden Qiu'er as he walked alongside three striking girls—Hu Liena, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong—who each exuded their own unique charm. Together, they strolled through the crowded streets.
This combination was an absolute focal point wherever they went.
They drew countless stares filled with admiration, envy, or curiosity.
Among them, Ning Rongrong was the happiest.
She was like a bird freed from its cage, full of curiosity about everything.
One moment, she would pull Hu Liena over to a small stall selling exquisite handmade accessories to critique and admire the trinkets; the next, she would be drawn by the enticing aroma of grilled spirit beast skewers, buying several to share with everyone.
Though Hu Liena was more reserved than Ning Rongrong, her enchanting eyes couldn't help but linger on various novel trinkets and local delicacies.
Occasionally, she'd even break into a faint smile at some intriguing object.
Even the usually aloof Zhu Zhuqing seemed to relax somewhat in this laid-back atmosphere, her gaze occasionally falling on small accessories.
Dai Chengfeng wore a gentle smile as he watched them, but his thoughts were already drifting far away.
At first, Dai Chengfeng genuinely intended to accompany them while they shopped.
But soon, he realized that Qingmu Town was quite suitable!
First, it was far enough from Spirit City and still a distance away from the Great Star Dou Forest.
Moreover, Qingmu Town itself wasn't a significant city, and there likely weren't any Spirit Hall spies or other powerful figures nearby.
Dai Chengfeng silently calculated, "The phenomena caused by Qiu'er's sacrifice in this remote area shouldn't attract too much attention."
"Even if someone notices, by the time they arrive, everything will be over."
With that thought, Dai Chengfeng looked down at Qiu'er in his arms.
Qiu'er tilted her little head up, seemingly sensing Dai Chengfeng's emotions, and gently nudged his arm with her head.
Her molten-gold eyes gazed quietly at him, without a trace of fear for what was to come—only complete trust and a subtle hint of determination.
Dai Chengfeng's heart softened, and a wave of tenderness washed over him.
He reached out and gently stroked Qiu'er's soft, warm fur, whispering softly so only the two of them could hear: "Don't worry. Leave it to me."
Soon, Dai Chengfeng appeared to continue following them, but his pace subtly slowed, gradually widening the gap between him and the three girls ahead.
His gaze swept over the bustling street scene, but his mind was calculating how to slip away unnoticed.
The opportunity came quickly.
At that moment, Ning Rongrong was attracted by a stall selling colorful candy figurines. She pulled Hu Liena and Zhu Zhuqing over to join her.
As the saying goes, three women make a play, and these three girls were no exception…
They gathered around, discussing what shapes of candy figurines to get—Ning Rongrong wanted a pagoda, Hu Liena a fox, and Zhu Zhuqing a cat…
Taking advantage of this moment, Dai Chengfeng's figure flickered slightly, blending seamlessly into the shadows of a relatively dim alleyway nearby.
His movements were light and swift, drawing no attention whatsoever.
Even the three girls, who were focused on selecting their candy figurines, hadn't yet noticed that one person was missing.
Dai Chengfeng swiftly passed through several narrow alleys, avoiding the crowds on the main street. With Qiu'er in his arms, he sped off and soon reached the edge of Qingmu Town.
The walls of Qingmu Town weren't particularly tall, and for a Soul Ancestor-level cultivator like Dai Chengfeng, slipping over them unnoticed was no challenge.
He found a poorly guarded corner, exerted force with his feet, and leaped into the air like a bird, effortlessly scaling the wall and landing in the quiet wilderness outside the town.
The silence beyond the walls felt like another world compared to the noise within.
The bright moonlight bathed the tranquil forest and plains, and the only sounds were the chirping of unknown insects and the rustling of leaves stirred by the gentle breeze.
Dai Chengfeng didn't linger. A pair of wings composed of Nine Profound Black Wind unfurled behind him.
He flew deeper into the forest, moving farther away from the main road until he reached a secluded clearing surrounded by ancient trees. Only then did he stop.
Here, the moonlight flowed like silk, bathing the ground in clear radiance, creating an atmosphere of profound tranquility.
Dai Chengfeng slowly placed Qiu'er in his arms onto the soft grass.
Qiu'er stood steady, her form shimmering with a gentle golden glow. Her small, adorable appearance began to transform and grow, revealing her true form as the Imperial Auspicious Beast—the Three-Eyed Golden Lion.
Her slender, elegant body was covered in radiant golden fur that gleamed under the moonlight like liquid gold. The vertical eye on her forehead, imbued with mysterious powers of fate, opened and closed faintly, exuding an awe-inspiring majesty.
Despite her larger size, the look she gave Dai Chengfeng remained filled with affection.
Dai Chengfeng took a deep breath of the crisp forest air, calming his slightly agitated emotions. He looked at Qiu'er solemnly:
"Qiu'er… are you ready?"
Qiu'er gazed at Dai Chengfeng, her golden eyes flashing with complexity.
There was reluctance for the past, anticipation for the future, but above all, unwavering trust in the person before her.
She took a deep breath and nodded firmly. "Dai Chengfeng, I'm ready!"
Seeing this, an indescribable surge of emotion welled up in Dai Chengfeng's heart.
He stepped forward and gently stroked the soft, warm fur on Qiu'er's neck. His voice carried unprecedented tenderness and resolve:
"Qiu'er, believe me—this is not the end."
"I will definitely bring you back to life."
"Perhaps, if everything goes smoothly…"
Dai Chengfeng ultimately didn't continue. He didn't want to give Qiu'er false hope, only for her to be disappointed later.
After all, he wasn't entirely certain that his second martial soul would awaken.
More importantly…
Even if his second martial soul did awaken, it might not unfold exactly as he hoped.
But though unspoken, Dai Chengfeng knew he would do everything in his power.
At this moment, Qiu'er looked at the somewhat hesitant Dai Chengfeng. She affectionately nuzzled her forehead against his palm, her gaze gentle.
"I believe in you. Always… always."
No more words were needed.
Qiu'er stepped back a few paces, putting some distance between herself and Dai Chengfeng.
She cast one last deep look at him, as if etching his image into her soul.
Then, she lifted her head and let out a clear, long, piercing cry that soared straight into the heavens!
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