The Next Day
Morning light filtered quietly into the courtyard.
Within its enclosed walls, Xiao Hai moved like water given form.
His fists flowed in seamless arcs, never pausing, never stiff. Dou Qi coursed through his meridians and spilled outward, turning each strike soft yet relentless—like a clear mountain stream, gentle on the surface, but hiding immense force beneath. His breathing remained steady as his steps quickened, the rhythm of his movements rising like an incoming tide.
Faster.
Sharper.
Deeper.
When his spirit reached its peak and the accumulated power could no longer be restrained, Xiao Hai stepped forward.
His fist shot out.
BANG!
The stone boulder at the center of the courtyard shattered instantly. Cracks spread like spiderwebs before the entire mass exploded, fragments raining across the ground with thunderous force.
"Huh…"
Xiao Hai exhaled slowly, letting the lingering Dou Qi fade from his body. His stance relaxed, and the courtyard returned to silence—save for the settling dust.
"Peak of minor achievement… at last."
He lowered himself onto the stone chair nearby, wiping a trace of sweat from his brow. His gaze lingered on the scattered rubble.
"I never thought reaching this stage would take so much time," he mused. "At first, the technique felt empty—like water slipping through my hands. But once the power accumulates…"
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
"It explodes."
This was precisely what he lacked—controlled accumulation, followed by overwhelming release.
After entering the town, the first thing he had done was rent this secluded courtyard for a full month. The Magical Beast Mountain Range was no longer an option for safe training, and here, within these walls, he could practice without interruption or unwanted eyes.
After a brief rest, he rose once more.
His training was far from over.
…
…
…
Elsewhere—
Inside a military tent, Commander Mo sat in silence, a report clenched in his hand.
"Hah… what a pity."
His voice carried bitterness.
"That beast fled the moment it sensed us." He exhaled through his nose. "Without it, the beast tide lost its backbone. Suppression became easy… two more days, and the tide will fully disperse."
He stood and stepped outside the tent.
Soldiers moved about the camp—some patrolling, others resting where they could. Several lay on stretchers, bodies wrapped in bandages, their survival owed only to timely medical supplies. Without them, many would have already become names carved into stone.
Commander Mo's gaze hardened.
"A loss," he muttered, clenching his fist. "No matter how you look at it… this was a loss."
With a heavy sigh, he turned back into the tent, the flaps falling shut behind him—sealing away both frustration and unspoken regret.
…
…
…
As time quietly slipped away, the day gave way to dusk.
Within the silent courtyard, Xiao Hai sat cross-legged, immersed in cultivation. His breathing was long and even, Dou Qi circulating steadily through his meridians. Suddenly, his expression changed—joy flashing across his face as his hands moved in rapid, precise seals.
The surrounding Dou Qi trembled.
Like mist drawn toward a vortex, it rushed toward him from every direction, gathering with increasing intensity. The air grew heavy, pressure building—
Pff!
A soft explosive sound echoed as the accumulated energy surged through his body.
Xiao Hai slowly exhaled and opened his eyes. For an instant, a deep blue light shimmered within them before fading away.
"Hahaha… I've broken through to Second Star Dou Zhe."
His laughter carried undisguised satisfaction.
"As expected," he muttered with a smile, "pure seclusion can never match real combat and experience. Practice tempered by danger sharpens the blade far better."
Once his excitement settled, he rose and glanced out the window. The sky had already darkened, streaks of crimson fading into night.
He lit the lamps in the rooms and throughout the courtyard, warm light spilling across the stone paths, before stepping outside.
After all, as a traveler, cultivation alone was not enough.
To truly live, one had to experience the world—its people, its customs, and, of course, its food.
When Xiao Hai arrived at the market district, he came to an abrupt halt.
The usually lively streets were eerily quiet.
Most of the shops were shuttered tight, wooden doors barred as if fearing the night itself. Only a handful of food stalls and small miscellaneous vendors remained open, their dim lanterns flickering weakly in the evening breeze.
"What the…?" Xiao Hai frowned. "This should be the busiest hour. The mercenaries should be returning by now…"
His words trailed off.
A moment later, realization dawned on him, and he let out a soft sigh.
"Of course," he murmured. "With the beast tide not fully dispersed yet, no one dares to stay open late."
Shaking his head, he continued walking.
"Fine. A bowl of noodles will do. I'll head back after that."
Soon, he stopped before a modest noodle stall lit by a single hanging lantern. An elderly man stood behind it, his face weathered but kind.
"Aiya! Dear customer, please sit, please sit," the old man greeted warmly, hands already busy. "The noodles will be ready soon."
Xiao Hai smiled faintly, unbothered by the thick accent, and took a seat on the wooden bench placed before the stall.
As he waited, the gentle clatter of cooking filled the quiet street.
Then—
"Grandpa, I'm back!"
A clear voice rang out as a girl ran toward the stall.
She wore a simple blue dress, slightly worn at the edges, her hair tied neatly into two buns that bounced as she moved.
The moment Xiao Hai turned to look at her, his pupils shrank.
It's her.
The girl also noticed him and slowed her steps, curiosity flashing in her eyes. However, she merely glanced once before turning away—clearly failing to recognize him now that he wore no mask, no robe, nothing to conceal his identity.
Xiao Hai lowered his gaze, his expression calm, but his heart stirred.
Fate, it seemed, had a habit of crossing paths when least expected.
She was the very girl he had saved yesterday from Mu Li's men.
And now, here she was—laughing, speaking, acting as if nothing had ever happened.
Xiao Hai shook his head lightly. He had no intention of dragging past troubles back into his thoughts. Turning away, he focused instead on the steaming pot before him, watching the noodles roll gently in the boiling broth.
"Aiyo! Why did you run here again?" the old man suddenly scolded. "You naughty girl, always wandering about! What would I do if something happened to you?"
At his words, the girl froze.
For just a brief instant, fear flickered in her eyes as memories from yesterday surfaced—before she quickly buried them.
"Hmph! What nonsense are you saying, Grandpa?" she huffed, forcing a pout as she walked over and wrapped her arms around him. "What could possibly happen to me?"
"You little rascal, let go!" the old man said gruffly, though there was no real anger in his voice. "Can't you see I'm cooking for a customer?"
"Customer?" She turned her head and looked at Xiao Hai from head to toe. "Him?"
With an innocent expression, she added, "I thought he was just a starving kid begging for food."
"Pff—!"
Xiao Hai, who had just lifted his bowl to drink some water, sprayed it out instantly.
"Cough! Cough!" He wiped his mouth and shot her an indignant glare. "Who are you calling a starving child? I'm here to eat, not beg! Just because I'm eating noodles doesn't mean I can't pay!"
He had never imagined that one day he'd be mistaken for a food-grabber.
What made it worse was that it came from the very girl he had painstakingly saved from those vile men.
"Heh, looks like this brat can talk back," the girl said smugly, hands on her hips.
Before she could say anything more—
Snap!
The old man grabbed her ear.
"You naughty girl! Insulting my customer? Let's see how you'll be punished!"
"Aah! It hurts, it hurts!" she cried, instantly panicking. "I'm sorry, Grandpa! I won't do it again—please!"
Xiao Hai watched the scene unfold, stunned for a moment.
Then, without realizing it, the corner of his lips lifted slightly.
"Hmph! If you know you were wrong, then why don't you apologize to the customer?" the old man said sternly.
"You want me… to apologize to him?" the girl asked, her tone filled with disbelief.
"What? You don't want to?" The old man's brows furrowed as he twisted her ear again.
"Aah! I want to, I want to!" she cried out hurriedly, surrendering at once.
Only then did the old man release her.
"I… I'm sorry," the girl muttered in a low voice, clearly unwilling.
"Hmph." Xiao Hai snorted lightly. "Keep it. I don't need your apology—your grandpa already punished you enough."
"You—!" The girl pointed at him angrily, her cheeks puffed.
"What you?" the old man barked. "Go wash the bowls! I need to serve the customer."
Before she could continue her tirade, his shout cut her off.
"Hmph!"
She stomped her foot in frustration and turned away, heading to the back of the stall to wash the bowls, the sound of clattering porcelain echoing faintly.
The old man let out a long sigh.
"Ah, customer… please forgive her," he said apologetically. "She's a parentless child. I spoiled her too much, and this old man is at fault."
"There's no need to apologize," Xiao Hai replied calmly, waving his hand. "I'm not angry."
And it was the truth.
The old man nodded gratefully and said nothing more, turning back to the pot. The rhythmic sound of cooking soon filled the stall again, blending quietly into the night.
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##Readers can suggest chapter title.