"My name is Yun Zhi. I was merely drawn here by the sounds of battle and came to take a look. I harbor no ill intentions toward you, young master," Yun Yun said with a gentle smile, her eyes resting on Xiao Tian.
Seeing Yun Yun using her alias, Xiao Tian decided to do the same. "You may call me Tian Xiao."
Yun Yun carefully observed the youth before her. He appeared to be only sixteen or seventeen years old, yet his face was exceptionally handsome and refined — a rare sight in this chaotic world. Even after living for over twenty years, she had never encountered someone with such outstanding looks and bearing.
More importantly, his cultivation had already reached the Seven-Star Dou Master realm. Even her most talented disciple could not compare to him at this age. If such a prodigy could be recruited into the Cloud Mist Sect, it would undoubtedly strengthen the sect significantly.
A thought stirred in her mind as she spoke warmly, "Tian Xiao, to possess such cultivation at your young age is truly remarkable. May I ask which sect or esteemed master you study under?"
Xiao Tian paused for a moment before replying with a calm smile, "I have no sect, nor do I have a master. Everything I've learned, I figured out on my own."
Yun Yun's eyes brightened instantly. "The Sect Master of the Cloud Mist Sect and I are sworn friends. If you wish, I can introduce you to the Cloud Mist Sect. With your talent, you would surely receive focused nurturing there. You might even become a direct disciple of the Sect Master. Moreover, the sect has Pill King Gu He, so you would never lack high-grade elixirs. Are you interested?"
Isn't the Sect Master of the Cloud Mist Sect you yourself? Xiao Tian thought in amusement. You're quite skilled at making up friends. And if I became your disciple… wouldn't that make me a rebellious disciple who 'attacks' his master? What a sin.
He gently shook his head. "I appreciate the offer, but I must refuse."
"Why?" Yun Yun asked, slightly surprised. "Joining the Cloud Mist Sect would allow you to learn superior Dou Techniques and cultivation methods. There are also Dou Wang elders and a Dou Huang Sect Master whose guidance could help you avoid many unnecessary detours."
"Yun Zhi," Xiao Tian replied firmly, "I currently have no intention of joining any sect. I prefer to live freely and dislike being bound by rules and regulations."
Yun Yun did not show any anger at his refusal. Instead, she nodded understandingly. "Since you are unwilling, I will not force you. However, if you ever change your mind in the future, please remember to consider the Cloud Mist Sect first."
With those graceful words, she turned and flew away into the distance.
As expected of Yun Yun, Xiao Tian thought, watching her figure disappear into the sky. She remains so understanding, gentle, and generous. She doesn't harbor many dark thoughts. If it were someone else who encountered a talent they couldn't recruit, they might choose to eliminate him instead.
A faint smile played on Xiao Tian's lips as he gazed at the empty sky. "Perhaps… it won't be long before we meet again."
He turned around and headed deeper into the forest, continuing his search for magical beasts to spar with.
Early the next morning, inside a secluded mountain cave.
A figure sitting cross-legged slowly opened his eyes and murmured, "Still no breakthrough… but the Ice Fire Lightning has finally condensed its fourth wisp."
Xiao Tian stood up, stretched his body, and walked out of the cave. After quickly washing up by a small river, he continued onward.
Soon, he arrived before a large pool and a thundering waterfall.
"This should be the place," he muttered, stroking his chin as he studied the cascading water. "There's a large cave roughly a hundred meters behind the waterfall."
Just as he was basking in the warm sunlight, a loud explosion of clashing energy echoed from afar.
"Has the fight already started?" Xiao Tian's eyes narrowed. "Then a certain 'beautiful Yun' should be falling from the sky any moment now."
A sharp whooshing sound rang out.
Xiao Tian looked up and saw a figure plummeting from the sky. Without hesitation, he leaped forward and caught the falling woman in a princess carry.
In his arms, Yun Yun's eyes were tightly shut, her brows furrowed in pain. Five deep claw marks marred her chest, bleeding profusely and staining her clothes crimson.
Not daring to linger, Xiao Tian immediately flew toward the hidden mountain cave to avoid any potential pursuers.
Once inside, he gently laid Yun Yun down on a flat stone platform. He then stepped outside and scattered various medicinal powders in a thirty-meter radius around the cave entrance to mask their presence and scent before returning inside.
Sitting beside the stone platform, Xiao Tian looked at the unconscious Yun Yun. Her face still carried a trace of pain. Three jade bottles appeared in his hand. He picked one up and was about to gently pry open her lips when Yun Yun suddenly opened her eyes, staring at him with a sharp, scrutinizing gaze.
"It's you? What are you trying to do?"
"You're awake?" Xiao Tian said calmly, shaking the jade bottle in his hand. He placed all three bottles beside her. "This one is for pain relief, this one for cleaning the wound, and this one for external application. Since you're awake, you can apply the medicine yourself."
With that, he stood up, took a few steps back, and turned around to give her privacy.
Yun Yun tried to sit up and apply the medicine herself, but found her entire body numb and powerless. After struggling several times without success, she gave up with a helpless sigh. "Damn it… I actually fell for that beast's sealing technique."
She turned her head slightly to look at Xiao Tian's back and spoke softly, "Young Master Tian Xiao… please help me apply the medicine."
"Me?" Xiao Tian turned around, a hint of hesitation in his voice. "That wound is on your chest. You'll need to remove your outer robe… which means your upper body might be exposed. Let me be clear beforehand — I can help you apply the medicine, but afterward, please don't draw your sword and say you'll gouge out my eyes or demand my life for such 'shameless' behavior."
Hearing his words, Yun Yun was caught between laughter and tears.
"I'm not that old-fashioned," she replied, her cheeks faintly flushed. "Just… keep your hands and eyes in check."
"Understood." Xiao Tian nodded. "Then I'll help you. Yun Zhi, please drink this first — it's for pain relief."
He brought the jade bottle to her lips. Yun Yun slightly opened her mouth and drank the medicine.
"You can just call me Tian Xiao as well," he said. "I'm going to start now."
After confirming she had taken the pain-relief medicine, Xiao Tian reached out and gently unfastened the waistband of her robe. He carefully pulled apart the two sides, revealing the light blue metallic inner armor beneath.
"Yun Zhi… the wound is beneath this inner armor as well. This needs to be unfastened too," he whispered.
Yun Yun's face turned even redder. After a brief moment of silence, she replied in a calm but slightly trembling voice, "Then… unfasten it."