Zhang Shiyao also bought a few pieces of bread and several bottles of milk, then followed after Bai Qiu as he left.
She wanted to exchange for a set of equipment to wear as clothing, but she didn't have enough Dragonfang, and a full set of armor was far more expensive than a weapon.
Bai Qiu led Zhang Shiyao to a secluded corner and handed her four fruits, saying, "I'm leaving soon. Consider these fruits my farewell gift to you."
"W–Where are we going?" Zhang Shiyao asked, a bad feeling rising in her chest.
Her outstretched hand froze in midair.
"Not we, just me," Bai Qiu corrected, shaking his head.
He had originally planned to train Zhang Shiyao for a few more days, but with these fruits significantly boosting her base attributes—and with her natural talent in marksmanship—she was more than capable of surviving on her own now.
"Why? Did I do something wrong? I can fix it! Please… don't make me go…" Zhang Shiyao's tears began to stream down uncontrollably.
Right now, Bai Qiu was the only person she could rely on.
Bai Qiu sighed softly.
He had already anticipated this moment.
Crouching down to meet her gaze, he said gently, "Listen, I'm not driving you away. You already have the ability to survive on your own. You can defeat Dragonfang Soldiers and trade for food in the safe zone—you don't need me anymore."
"But… but…" Zhang Shiyao wanted to argue, yet she couldn't find a reason to stay.
After all, Bai Qiu had already done far more for her than anyone could have expected.
They shared no blood ties, no deep friendship—only the kindness of a stranger.
"I'm going to hunt more Dragonfang Soldiers," Bai Qiu continued.
"That merchant has many things I need to obtain. To gather enough Dragon Fang, I have to act alone. Don't worry, as long as you stay in the safe zone, we'll definitely meet again."
Zhang Shiyao slowly calmed down, wiping her tears as she put away the four fruits and food he had given her.
Then, looking up at Bai Qiu, she said, "I understand. But, big brother… I have one more request. Will you promise me?"
Bai Qiu smiled. "Go ahead. As long as it's something I can do."
Zhang Shiyao took out two Secret Realm Blueprints and said, "Form a party with me and clear these two Secret Realms. Everything that drops inside will go to you. Okay?"
Bai Qiu was taken aback.
He didn't know exactly what these blueprints were, but their value was clearly extraordinary.
Even with an E-rank difficulty, Zhang Shiyao should've been able to clear them herself—yet she wanted to give all the rewards to him.
For someone so young, she already understood the meaning of gratitude.
That made Bai Qiu genuinely pleased.
"Ding! Party formed successfully."
"Ding! Zhang Shiyao has requested to add you as a friend. Accept?"
"Accept."
As the blueprints in Zhang Shiyao's hands dissolved into white light, a countdown echoed in both their minds.
"Entering Secret Realm: Crimson Feather. Countdown—10, 9, 8, 7…"
When the countdown reached zero, both Bai Qiu and Zhang Shiyao vanished from the spot.
"Do you think that big shot from earlier was really here?"
"When have I ever lied to you? That guy's the real deal. The mage merchant treated him completely differently from everyone else. I bet he's killed at least a thousand Dragonfang Soldiers to earn that kind of respect!"
Not long after Bai Qiu and Zhang Shiyao left, two young men arrived at the spot where they had been, and one of them asked in confusion,
"Huh? Where'd they go?"
——
As soon as Bai Qiu entered the Crimson Feather Dungeon, he immediately equipped his Dragon Slayer Armor, drew his Darksteel Heavy Spear, and moved in front of Zhang Shiyao protectively.
From ahead came a series of sharp, rapid cries — "Cluck-cluck-cluck!"
A massive chicken with bright red feathers charged at them, flapping its wings violently.
Bai Qiu checked its stats on his panel and thrust his spear forward in the same instant.
Crimson Feather Chicken – Level 7
Strength: E
Magic: E
Endurance: E
Agility: E
Skill: Flame-Charged Peck
Description: A chicken roughly the size of a grown dog. Its feathers are dazzling, and it is highly aggressive. Beware of its burning red beak.
The Crimson Feather Chicken was about as big as a medium-sized dog, though its feathers made it look bulkier.
Despite that, its speed was comparable to a human's sprint.
Its bright red beak was nearly ten centimeters long — getting pecked by that thing would probably hurt like hell even through armor, Bai Qiu thought.
"Ding! You have slain a Crimson Feather Chicken. EXP +7.
Obtained: Crimson Chicken Meat ×1, Crimson Feather ×1, Crimson Beak ×1."
As the system notification sounded, Bai Qiu pulled back his spear and thrust again — each strike precise and fatal.
His overwhelming stats and superior reach made it easy to cut down several chickens in a row.
Once he confirmed that the Crimson Feather Chickens weren't particularly dangerous, Bai Qiu finally took a look around the dungeon.
The area was lush and overgrown, filled with orange-red plants.
Aside from the narrow entry passage where they'd arrived, the rest of the terrain was fairly spacious — almost like a valley trench.
Looking upward, all he saw were smooth black cliffs towering on either side.
Even with his stats, scaling them was impossible.
After stepping out of the passage, the space opened up — the valley ahead stretched about thirty meters wide.
Dozens of meters further, a few more Crimson Feather Chickens were pecking at the ground, unaware of the uninvited guests nearby.
Zhang Shiyao raised her bow and released an arrow.
The shot hit one chicken's wing perfectly, causing it to squawk and leap up in alarm.
Clearly, with her current stats, she couldn't take it down in one shot.
Worse, her attack drew the attention of several nearby chickens, who turned their curious eyes toward their "flying" comrade.
Then — "Whoosh!"
Another arrow shot through the air.
Unlike Zhang Shiyao's smaller, lighter arrows, this one was thick, long, and screamed through the air like a howling typhoon.
The already wounded chicken was instantly impaled, along with a few of its curious companions — skewered together and sent flying dozens of meters before the arrow embedded itself half a meter deep into a rock wall.
"Ding! You have slain a Crimson Feather Chicken. EXP +7.
Obtained: Crimson Chicken Meat ×1, Crimson Feather ×1, Crimson Beak ×1." ×2
"Recovered one Darksteel Arrow."
Seeing the system notification, Bai Qiu's expression brightened — so even arrows could be retrieved using the Loot Recovery skill?!
He drew another Darksteel Arrow from his quiver, pulled the bowstring taut once more, and let it fly.
The arrow pierced through two enraged Crimson Feather Chickens in a single shot.
The howling gale-like sound of the arrow and the creak of the bowstring left Zhang Shiyao completely stunned.
Each arrow Bai Qiu fired carried immense destructive force, fully matching the thunderous sound it produced.
"S-So amazing!" the girl gasped, eyes sparkling like stars as she stared at the expressionless Bai Qiu.
Until now, he had never shown his archery skills in front of her.
"This round of monsters is mine to clear," Bai Qiu said calmly.
"Watch my movements carefully — with your talent, you'll pick it up in no time."