In the next two days, Xiao Yixian and Ya Fei continued hunting monsters as part of their training. As their experience grew, so did their combat effectiveness, noticeably increasing day by day.
By the sixth day, Ye Feng had adjusted their training regimen. Now, Ya Fei was required to slay ten second-level magical beasts daily, while Xiao Yixian's task was to take down five fourth-level beasts. Second-level beasts were roughly equivalent to Dou Masters, while fourth-level ones matched the strength of Dou Spirit. Their cultivation bases had stabilized, but with that progress came an unavoidable truth—their time together was drawing to a close.
Yun Yun remained at the cave. By the third day, she had fully recovered, yet she didn't leave. She seemed to savor the lazy tranquility of this life, so much so that even on the fourth day, she showed no signs of departure.
"Tomorrow will be the seventh day," Yun Yun said as she sat by the fire, her eyes reflecting the flames. "I'll return to Misty Cloud Sect the morning after."
Her voice carried a heaviness that settled over them.
Though they'd only spent six days together, they had grown fond of this peaceful life. But deep down, they all knew it was only temporary.
"Oh." Ye Feng responded casually, not looking up.
"You've taken care of me all this time," Yun Yun continued. "Let me cook for you tomorrow as thanks."
"You can cook?" Ye Feng asked, raising a brow.
"Don't underestimate me!" Yun Yun huffed, lifting her chin. "I've watched the Little Medical Fairy cook. I picked up a few tricks. Just wait, I'll make something delicious before I leave."
Ye Feng chuckled softly and nodded. "Alright."
"By the way, Ye Feng…" Yun Yun hesitated, then added, "Where do you plan to go next? Why not come back with me to Misty Cloud Sect? I've seen you instructing the Little Medical Fairy in alchemy. If you return with me, I can introduce you to someone."
"No." Ye Feng declined her offer without hesitation.
Yun Yun blinked, somewhat surprised. "Do you even know who I want to introduce you to?"
"Even if it's Dan King Gu He, he's not qualified to be my master," Ye Feng said calmly. "At best, he could be my medicine boy."
"…Would it kill you not to brag?" Yun Yun rolled her eyes, clearly not believing a word.
She didn't think anyone could reduce Dan King Gu He to a mere assistant. Ye Feng had to be exaggerating.
But he didn't try to explain.
Instead, Ya Fei leaned toward Yun Yun and whispered something into her ear.
"…What?" Yun Yun's eyes widened. "He can refine sixth-grade elixirs?"
Ya Fei nodded solemnly. "I witnessed it myself. If you don't believe me, ask around Wutan City. It was the talk of the town. And... Young Master Ye also possesses a legendary Heavenly Flame."
"You even have a Heavenly Flame?!"
Yun Yun was stunned.
As the leader of the Misty Cloud Sect and a friend of Dan King Gu He, she naturally knew how rare and powerful Heavenly Flames were. Even Gu He had failed to obtain one. Yet Ye Feng had already secured such a treasure?
Of course, Yun Yun didn't know that the flame Ye Feng had wasn't just any Heavenly Flame—it was the Emperor Flame, ranked first on the entire Heavenly Flame list.
"Ahem." Ye Feng cleared his throat, clearly displeased.
Ya Fei noticed and wisely changed the subject.
Just then—
Roar!
A deafening lion's roar echoed from the sky. A massive figure descended from above, landing before them with a thud.
"The Amethyst Winged Lion King!" Yun Yun shouted, drawing a green longsword from her spatial ring and stepping in front of the others. "What do you want?"
"…Master, is this woman on something?" the Amethyst Winged Lion King said in human tongue, looking confused.
"…Master?"
Yun Yun froze.
Her gaze shifted to Ye Feng. Did this magical beast just call him master?
But before she could ask, Ya Fei stepped forward, smiling.
"It was calling me."
"…You?" Yun Yun turned her head sharply, blinking in disbelief.
Ya Fei, with only the cultivation level of a Dou Master, calmly walked to the side of the beast and stroked its thick mane. "Yes. He gave it to me."
"…Explain."
And so, Ya Fei recounted the entire encounter. How Ye Feng had easily subdued the Amethyst Winged Lion King—a beast whose strength rivaled that of a Dou Huang. She explained how the beast became her mount not because it chose her, but because Ye Feng didn't think it was worthy to be his.
Pale-faced, Yun Yun turned to look at Ye Feng once more. She finally realized—he hadn't been bragging. He really was that terrifying.
---
The next morning, Ya Fei and Xiao Yixian left early for training. Ye Feng planned to escort them out of the Magical Beast Mountain Range soon and take Ya Fei to the waterfall to bathe. Meanwhile, Yun Yun had gone out alone to gather ingredients.
By nightfall, she was back, sweating by the fire as she grilled fish. She glanced at the others—Ye Feng, Xiao Yixian, and Ya Fei—all seated quietly around the flames, chatting like an ordinary group of friends. It would be their last evening together.
Though it had only been six or seven days, Yun Yun had grown attached to this peaceful life—one free from the burdens of her sect or titles.
Ya Fei twirled a wooden stick and sprinkled spices from a jade bottle onto the meat.
"Sister Yun Yun, are you done? I'm starving," she asked playfully.
"Almost, almost," Yun Yun said, handing her a fragrant grilled crucian carp. Then she passed goat meat to Ye Feng and some roasted leeks to Xiao Yixian.
Only after serving everyone did she quietly pick up the worst-looking piece of grilled fish for herself, sipping tea as she nibbled at it with elegant grace.
"…Not bad," Ye Feng commented.
"Hmm. Is it better than mine or Sister Yun Yun's?" Xiao Yixian asked suddenly.
Ye Feng froze.
That question was a trap. The same kind of trap as "Who would you save first: your wife or your mother?"
But Ye Feng didn't hesitate. "Both are delicious."
"…Sneaky," Xiao Yixian pouted, though her eyes sparkled with amusement.
Perhaps, only when she was with Ye Feng could she smile like that.
The four of them sat around the fire, blackened lips from the grilled meat, enjoying their simple dinner.
And then, Ye Feng suddenly frowned.
"…That," Yun Yun began, cheeks reddening as she twisted uncomfortably. "Did you… sense something wrong?"
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