The world slowly changed as both Su Xiaoyao and Liu Qingxue traveled.
Mountains replaced hills, Dense forests devoured the horizon. The wind carried colder breath day by day.
What began as roads slowly became wilderness.
And just like that…
Twenty days quietly passed.
They moved through frost-layered fields, shadow-covered valleys, and ancient roots twisted like sleeping dragons. Nights were cold, breath misting in faint silver clouds beneath the moon.
This world is dangerous and merciless.
Along the way, They encountered many beasts.
But step after step…
They continued forward.
Liu Qingxue grew more used to battle. She grew stronger.
Her sword no longer trembled when drawn and Her gaze no longer flinched at blood.
And now, They were both resting in a cave beneath the starry sky.
They were roasting the meat of a boar beast, the fire lighting the surroundings.
Even though they are cultivators, their cultivation still isn't high enough. They can only go without food for a few days — they still need to eat.
They sat beside each other quietly, the occasional crackle of fire echoing.
Liu Qingxue stared at the flames in silence, her eyes thoughtful.
Just realizing… the world was bigger than she'd ever known.
Once, while watching embers drift upward, she whispered softly:
"Before… the world felt like a wall closing in on me. Now it feels… like a sky I can walk under."
Su Xiaoyao did not reply.
But he listened.
As the wind howled like wolves and the forest shook, she tugged lightly at his sleeve under the flickering firelight.
"As long as I walk beside Brother Xiaoyao… I am happy. You won't abandon me… right?"
He didn't reply. There was silence for a moment. Then He turned his gaze slightly.
Her eyes were moist. He raised his hand and flicked two fingers on her forehead.
"Ouch!"
"Brother Xiaoyao, why are you hitting me!?"
"How could I abandon such a cute cat?"
Liu Qingxue pouted. "I am not a cat!"
"Then you're a rice ball."
"No! I am not!"
Her eyes brightened more than before as she looked at Su Xiaoyao.
They crossed our legs and began cultivating on separate stones.
Suddenly, the wind stopped moving.The flames stopped dancing and the surroundings turned silent.
Nearby bushes rustled.
Glowing eyes emerged in the darkness and Low growls filled the night.Shadows circled us.
There eyes opened at the same time.
Spirit wolves.
Grey fur shimmering faintly with Qi. their Fangs like daggers, and their Bodies sleek and fast like whispers in shadow.
Su Xiaoyao's face remained calm. The system had already alerted him.
A pack of around forty wolves in Qi Refining Realm.
And one wolf in Foundation Establishment — 5th Stage.
Their leader stepped forward. A massive wolf with silver-streaked fur and terrifying pressure.
Their hungry eyes locked onto them.
Liu Qingxue tightened her grip on her sword and exhaled deeply.
Su Xiaoyao stepped forward.
Moonlight spilled across him. His robe fluttered in the chill breeze, long black hair lifting as if the night itself bowed. His eyes remained calm and unmoved, but a slight surprise flickered in them.
'So many wolves shouldn't be here. Especially not a Foundation Establishment beast at the forest outskirts, Something was wrong, Something was driving them out.'
The First Wolf Lunged
Su Xiaoyao vanished.
A silver arc flashed beneath the moon.
There was no sound, no wasted motion.
The wolf collapsed silently to the ground, throat split open in a perfect cut.
Another lunged from behind—
Liu Qingxue flashed forward and cleanly severed its head.
Blood glimmered like crimson petals in the moonlight.
Suddenly, dozens of wolves pounced together.
They moved smoothly vanishing from one wolf to another killing them, their heads rolling to the ground and their bodies fell one after another, staining the ground red.
The leader wolf finally howled and the pack backed away.
Then it lunged towards them, its Claws blazing with Qi, it's Eyes burning with ferocity.
Su Xiaoyao's sword rose, he used the Moon Severing Sword Technique.
The air turned frosty, temperature dropping sharply.
A silver crescent slashed forward.
It struck, But it only left a shallow wound.
The leader's fury exploded, Its attacks became more savage.
A massive red claw aura slashed toward Su Xiaoyao.
Su Xiaoyao could dodge.
But Liu Qingxue stood behind him, She would not be able to dodge in time, If she was hit, she would be gravely injured.
Su Xiaoyao stood firm, he slashed again and again, sword lights colliding with claw lights. he was pushed back, blood trickling from his lips.
But the wolf didn't stop, The sky was filled with crimson claw slashes.
His skin split wherever the energy brushed. Blood oozed out.
This can't continue…
Liu Qingxue stared at Su Xiaoyao's back.
Her heart trembled, her emotions turbulent her heart filled guilt, anger at her helplessness, fear of losing her brother Xiaoyao
All crashing at once.
"It's my fault… Brother Xiaoyao is hurt because of me… I thought I became stronger… but I'm still a burden…"
Tears threatened to fall.
She shouted:
"Brother Xiaoyao! Leave me! Run away!"
Su Xiaoyao's voice was calm as he said "How could I run away like a coward? I am not afraid of anything in this world."
She bit her lip until blood flowed.
Su Xiaoyao gritted his teeth.
Spiritual Origin Body — Activate.
He poured every drop of Qi into the Mountain Blazing Sword and used Moon Severing Sword Technique.
The sword glowed.
A giant phantom sword appeared behind Su Xiaoyao — half silver and half red.
He slashed.
The phantom sword slashed with him.
A massive beam of silver-red light erupted.
Everything in its path…Was annihilated, the wolves, the ground.
Everything within ten meters…Gone.
A violent shockwave blasted out.
He was thrown backward and crashed into a boulder.
His body felt drained and Heavy. His Vision blurring and he collapsed unconscious.
Liu Qingxue Broke
She ran toward Su Xiaoyao, tears flooding her eyes.
"BROTHER XIAOYAO!!"
Her heart shattered.
Fear, guilt, panic, helplessness — everything drowned her.
She hugged him tightly, crying uncontrollably.
She blamed herself. She hated her weakness. She desperately wanted strength.
But—
She forced herself to calm down.
Brother Xiaoyao always said…
"Nothing good comes from panicking. Think and act."
She quickly pulled out a pill he had given her and fed it to Su Xiaoyao.
Warm energy flowed through his body.
His breathing steadied slightly. His eyes trembled open.
She was still crying while trying to look composed.
"I'm sorry… Brother Xiaoyao… it's all bec—"
Su Xiaoyao pressed a finger gently on her lips.
With a weak voice:
"It's not your fault. Take me somewhere safe. I need to rest…"
Then he fainted again.
She carried me away and Laid him down gently and Placed his head on her lap.
Night Passed
Morning sunlight filtered through the forest leaves and landed on his face.
Su Xiaoyao's eyelids trembled slightly…