The conversation suddenly fell silent because of her earlier question.
Perhaps feeling that the atmosphere had become a little awkward, Yun Yun quickly changed the subject.
"So... how have you been doing these past few years?"
"And what are you planning to do once you reach Wutan City?"
Hearing this, Xiao Feng slightly raised his eyebrows.
These were rather personal questions to ask during their first meeting.
Yun Yun immediately noticed his reaction. After processing what she had just said, she realized that she had indeed crossed a line.
"I'm sorry," she quickly said. "I shouldn't have asked such personal questions. We have only just met."
As she spoke, she shifted her body slightly.
However, the movement accidentally pulled at the injuries on her back.
Her beautiful face immediately paled.
"Hiss..."
Xiao Feng's expression changed.
He had not noticed that she had reopened one of her wounds.
A faint trace of blood began seeping from the back of her clothes.
"Your wound opened again."
Xiao Feng quickly moved toward her.
"Are you all right?"
"I'll help you treat it."
He immediately took out several small bottles from his Storage Ring.
One contained a hemostatic medicinal liquid, while another contained a cooling liquid that could reduce the pain and help stabilize the injured area.
However, as Xiao Feng approached her, the distance between them became extremely small.
Yun Yun could clearly hear his steady heartbeat.
At the same time, a faint, pleasant fragrance naturally reached her nose.
For the first time, she was able to see his handsome face from such a close distance.
Her heart inexplicably skipped a beat.
A faint blush quickly spread across her cheeks.
Yun Yun was not accustomed to such a feeling.
She had met countless people throughout her life, and many men had tried to approach her because of her appearance and status.
Yet none of them had made her feel this strangely nervous.
As she looked at the medicinal liquids in Xiao Feng's hand, a sentence unconsciously escaped her lips.
"Can... can you apply the medicine to my back?"
The moment the words left her mouth, Yun Yun froze.
She immediately realized how awkward that request sounded.
She almost wanted to take the words back.
However, Xiao Feng looked at her pale and flushed face and misunderstood the reason for her embarrassment.
He thought that she was simply suffering from the pain of her injuries.
"Fine."
He nodded naturally.
"But I'm sorry for the inconvenience."
Xiao Feng carefully took the medicinal liquids from his hand.
After making sure that Yun Yun had no objection, he gently helped remove the damaged outer layer of her clothing around the injured area, leaving her inner clothing intact.
He then moved behind her.
Yun Yun's body stiffened slightly when she realized how quickly the situation had progressed.
Yet she ultimately said nothing to stop him.
Xiao Feng's expression remained calm and focused.
He carefully cleaned the wound before applying the hemostatic medicinal liquid.
After that, he applied the cooling medicine around the injured area.
His movements were quick, gentle, and precise.
Within only a few minutes, the treatment was complete.
"There."
Xiao Feng stepped back.
"The bleeding has stopped. Try not to move too much for a while."
Yun Yun quietly nodded.
As she turned slightly, she noticed that Xiao Feng's expression had remained completely calm throughout the treatment.
There was no trace of lust in his eyes.
He had treated her purely as an injured person.
This surprised her.
She had heard several rumors about Xiao Feng before.
Some claimed that he already had two or three women close to him.
One was said to be connected to the Xiao Family, while the identities of the others were unclear.
Yun Yun couldn't help thinking about it.
Perhaps he really isn't attracted to me?
It was a strange thought.
Women were sometimes like this.
If a man stared at them too much, they would think he was shameless and lustful.
But if a man remained completely indifferent to their beauty, they might wonder whether their appearance had failed to attract him at all.
However, Yun Yun soon noticed something.
The tips of Xiao Feng's ears had turned slightly red.
He was clearly trying his best to remain calm and composed after seeing her in such a vulnerable state.
A faint smile appeared in Yun Yun's eyes.
So...
He wasn't completely unaffected.
He was simply doing his best to maintain his composure and respect her.
This discovery unexpectedly increased her impression of him.
Yun Yun had encountered many men who wanted to possess her simply because of her beauty.
Some had even attempted to force themselves upon her without caring about her wishes.
None of those people had survived.
Although Yun Yun was not as infamous for her ruthlessness as Queen Medusa, she was by no means a woman who would show mercy to anyone who attacked her or threatened the people under her protection.
That was precisely why Xiao Feng's behavior impressed her.
He had the strength to take advantage of her current condition.
Yet he had chosen not to.
Instead, he had treated her injuries quickly and respectfully before immediately stepping away.
Yun Yun quietly looked at his back.
For the first time, her curiosity toward this young man named Xiao Feng had changed into something slightly different.
After that, the cave once again became silent.
The atmosphere was not particularly uncomfortable, but there was little left for the two of them to discuss.
Xiao Feng glanced toward Yun Yun.
Knowing her calm and reserved nature, he doubted that she would suddenly start a conversation herself.
Feeling a little bored, he decided to ask her something directly.
"So, Sect Master Yun Yun..."
"What brought you all the way into the Magical Beast Forest?"
If it had been someone else, they would probably have started with some formal questions and slowly worked their way around the subject.
Xiao Feng, however, had never been particularly fond of unnecessary formalities.
Yun Yun was slightly surprised by his straightforward question.
After all, she already knew that Xiao Feng was rumored to be a Fifth-Rank Alchemist and might even possess the ability to refine Sixth-Rank medicinal pills.
Since there was no particular reason to hide the matter, she answered honestly.
"I'm searching for several medicinal ingredients."
"One of the elders in the Misty Cloud Sect has suffered a serious injury."
"He was poisoned by a powerful Magical Beast, and the poison has begun to erode both his body and his life force."
"According to the information we've gathered, a Sixth-Rank Healing Pill should be capable of treating his condition."
"Unfortunately, several of the main ingredients required for that pill are extremely difficult to find."
"That's why I came here personally."
Xiao Feng's eyes narrowed slightly.
"A Dou Huang elder?"
Yun Yun nodded.
"Yes."
Xiao Feng fell silent.
His thoughts immediately began turning.
At this point in the original timeline, the Misty Cloud Sect only had a very small number of publicly known Dou Huang-level powerhouses.
Apart from Yun Yun herself and Yun Shan, there was another elder whose existence was particularly important.
Yun Yan.
Xiao Feng's expression became thoughtful.
So that's why Yun Ling is acting as the Sect's Elder in charge of many affairs.
Yun Ling was only a Dou Wang.
If the Misty Cloud Sect already possessed numerous Dou Huang powerhouses, there would have been little reason for someone at Yun Ling's level to hold such an important position.
As for the stronger Dou Huang experts who appeared later...
Xiao Feng knew very well that their circumstances were completely different.
The Hall of Souls had its own sinister methods of forcibly increasing the strength of cultivators.
Those methods could produce frightening results, but they also came with enormous consequences.
Xiao Feng quietly analyzed the situation.
There were essentially two possibilities.
The first was that Yun Yan would eventually die before the three-year agreement—or possibly around the beginning of the main story.
The second was that his presence in this world had already caused a butterfly effect, changing the original sequence of events.
After considering it carefully, Xiao Feng felt that the first possibility was more likely.
If that was true...
Then perhaps he could change it.
He wasn't interested in saving everyone simply because he knew their names from his memories.
However, if the person's nature was good and he wasn't someone who would become a future enemy, there was no reason for Xiao Feng to stand by and watch him die.
Moreover...
Saving Yun Yan could potentially prevent another minor villain from appearing in the future.
Yun Ling.
Although Yun Ling's exact path could still change, Xiao Feng had no intention of allowing unnecessary internal conflict within the Misty Cloud Sect if he could avoid it.
He looked toward Yun Yun.
"What is the elder's name?"
Yun Yun answered without hesitation.
"His name is Yun Yan."
"He's currently a Five-Star Dou Huang."
Xiao Feng's eyes flickered.
Yun Yun continued explaining his condition.
"His injuries aren't limited to the surface."
"The poison has already entered his meridians."
"The most troublesome part is that it has begun eroding his life force."
"Ordinary healing pills can suppress the poison temporarily, but they cannot completely remove it."
"The pill we need must not only heal his physical injuries but also neutralize the poison and repair the damage it has caused to his meridians."
Xiao Feng quietly listened.
As Yun Yun described the situation, memories from his previous life surfaced in his mind.
He remembered what he knew about Yun Yan.
His personality was considerably better than Yun Ling's.
He wasn't particularly ambitious or cunning, and he generally maintained a neutral attitude toward the various factions within the Gamma Empire.
More importantly, he was loyal to the Misty Cloud Sect rather than being someone who would deliberately create chaos for personal gain.
After recalling everything he knew, Xiao Feng made a decision.
If that's the case...
Then saving him shouldn't cause me any trouble.
And fortunately...
He already had exactly what Yun Yun needed.
Xiao Feng quietly reached into his Storage Ring.
Yun Yun was still explaining the details of Yun Yan's injuries.
"The most difficult ingredient we've been searching for is—"
She suddenly stopped.
A strange fragrance had spread throughout the cave.
Yun Yun's beautiful eyes widened slightly.
As an experienced cultivator, she immediately recognized the source.
Medicinal fragrance.
And not an ordinary one.
The purity contained within that fragrance was astonishing.
She turned her head.
Xiao Feng was holding a jade bottle in his hand.
Inside it was a perfectly preserved Sixth-Rank medicinal pill.
Yun Yun stared at the bottle in disbelief.
"That..."
Xiao Feng calmly extended his hand toward her.
"This should solve your problem."
Yun Yun's expression froze.
She looked at the jade bottle.
Then at Xiao Feng.
For several seconds, she couldn't speak.
"You're..."
"Giving this to me?"
Xiao Feng nodded.
"Yes."
"But..."
Yun Yun was genuinely confused.
She had only just met him.
He had already saved her life, treated her injuries, and now he was casually handing her a Sixth-Rank medicinal pill that could potentially save the life of one of the Misty Cloud Sect's most important elders.
Even someone as composed as Yun Yun couldn't immediately understand his intentions.
"Why?"
Her voice was quiet.
"Why would you give such a precious pill to me?"
Xiao Feng smiled faintly.
"I simply happened to have one."
"And from what you've told me, someone needs it."
He placed the jade bottle into her hand.
"So take it."
Yun Yun stared at the bottle in her palm.
The medicinal fragrance continued to spread through the cave.
Her fingers unconsciously tightened around it.
For the first time since meeting Xiao Feng...
She truly didn't know what to say.
After making up her mind, Yun Yun brought her hands together in a respectful gesture.
"Thank you, Xiao Feng. As the Sect Master of the Misty Cloud Sect, I owe you a debt of gratitude for this kindness. And setting aside my position, I also owe you a personal favour. If there is ever anything you need, you may ask me directly. I will do my best to repay you."
Xiao Feng smiled faintly. "There is no need to be so formal. I simply happened to have the pill you needed."
"Even so, I won't forget what you've done." Yun Yun paused before adding, "And there's something else. You don't need to address me as Sect Master Yun or use any other formal title. Just call me Yun Yun. Even when we meet in the future, I want you to address me that way."
Seeing the sincerity in her expression, Xiao Feng didn't argue. He simply nodded and accepted her offer.
"Very well, Yun Yun."
Only then did the atmosphere between them become noticeably more relaxed.
With the urgent matter settled, Yun Yun seemed interested in getting to know him better. However, rather than asking about his cultivation or alchemy, she deliberately steered their conversation toward more ordinary subjects.
She asked about his hobbies, the things he enjoyed doing during his free time, and even his favourite foods. Xiao Feng was initially a little surprised by her questions, but he answered them naturally. In return, he also asked about her interests and experiences.
Their conversation continued, and before either of them realised it, several hours had passed.
By then, Yun Yun had mostly recovered from her injuries. Remembering that someone in the Misty Cloud Sect was waiting for the medicinal pill, she excused herself and quickly disappeared into the nearby bushes.
A short while later, she returned carrying something in her hands.
"Here. This is for you."
Xiao Feng accepted the item and examined it. A pale-blue sheen passed through his eyes as he scanned its structure, and he soon recognised what it was.
An inner armour.
It was the very piece of armour Yun Yun had been wearing when he rescued her.
"This inner armour is called the Sea Heart Armour," Yun Yun explained. "It's made from a special metal that can only be found inside the body of a Rank Six sea-type Magical Beast known as the Three-Tailed Blue Whale. Its defensive power changes according to the strength of its wearer."
Xiao Feng examined it more carefully.
The material and craftsmanship were exceptional. Although the armour had sustained some damage during her battle with the serpents, the damaged portions had already been repaired. Its flexibility was also remarkable, allowing it to fit closely against the wearer's body without restricting movement.
Judging from its construction and the energy contained within it, Xiao Feng estimated that it could withstand attacks from opponents around the Dou Huang level when worn by someone of his current strength.
He was currently a One-Star Dou Huang and was already approaching the threshold of the Second Star. For him, this armour would be an extremely useful defensive treasure.
However, there was one detail he couldn't ignore.
This was the very armour that Yun Yun had been wearing until recently.
Its design resembled a fitted protective vest, rather than an ordinary piece of women's clothing. That made it possible for him to wear it without much difficulty. Nevertheless, knowing that it had been worn so close to Yun Yun's body, Xiao Feng couldn't help feeling slightly awkward.
A faint fragrance still lingered on the armour.
For someone with Xiao Feng's self-control, this should have been a trivial matter. Yet, for a brief moment, his thoughts wandered. He instinctively glanced at Yun Yun before quickly realising what he was doing.
A faint blush appeared on his face.
He immediately composed himself and returned his attention to the armour, pretending that nothing had happened.
Unfortunately, Yun Yun had already noticed his momentary reaction.
A subtle smile appeared beneath her veil.
It seems my appearance hasn't lost its effect, she thought, feeling rather pleased with herself.
During their earlier conversation, she had also learned that Xiao Feng already had two fiancées at Canaan Academy: Xiao Yi Xian and Xiao Yu. He hadn't mentioned anyone else, so Yun Yun naturally knew nothing about Zi Yan or the other girls around him.
She had initially assumed that both of his fiancées were younger than her. Although she knew very little about their appearances or personalities, she couldn't help comparing herself with them.
After all, Yun Yun was confident in her own beauty and charm.
More importantly, she had gradually come to understand just how extraordinary Xiao Feng was. His cultivation talent was astonishing, his alchemy skills had already reached the Sixth Rank, and his accomplishments at such a young age were difficult for most people to even imagine. Even his appearance was exceptionally handsome.
In the Dou Qi Continent, it wasn't particularly unusual for powerful men to have more than one wife. Considering Xiao Feng's talent and future prospects, Yun Yun didn't find the possibility of him having multiple partners unreasonable.
In fact, she believed that as he continued to grow, there would inevitably be more women who would take an interest in him.
If I keep hesitating, someone else might get ahead of me.
The thought made her feel a little amused.
From their conversation, she had also gathered that Xiao Yi Xian held a particularly important place in Xiao Feng's heart. He had even mentioned that they had formally completed their engagement ceremony only a few days earlier.
That meant Yun Yun would have to be mindful of the relationship between them. She had no intention of creating unnecessary trouble or forcing herself into someone else's relationship.
Still, she wasn't prepared to give up before even trying.
After all, she had only just met Xiao Feng, and there was no reason to decide everything so quickly.
For now, she would simply get closer to him and see where their relationship might lead.
She watched as Xiao Feng carefully put away the Sea Heart Armour.
There was a warmth in Yun Yun's eyes that had not been there when they first met.
For Xiao Feng, this encounter had begun as nothing more than an unexpected rescue in the middle of a dangerous forest. He had intended only to save an injured stranger and continue on his journey.
He had never expected that stranger to be the Sect Master yun yun of the Misty Cloud Sect.
Nor had he expected their conversation to continue for several hours.
Yet somewhere along the way, the distance between them had quietly disappeared.
Yun Yun looked at him for a long moment.
"Xiao Feng."
"Hm?"
Before he could ask what was wrong, Yun Yun suddenly stepped forward.
Xiao Feng's eyes widened slightly.
She reached out, grabbed the front of his robe, and pulled him toward her.
Their faces came within inches of each other.
"Yun Yun?"
She didn't answer.
Instead, she closed the remaining distance and kissed him.
The suddenness of it left Xiao Feng completely stunned.
For a brief moment, his mind went blank.
He had faced Magical Beasts, pill lightning, powerful cultivators, and countless dangerous situations without losing his composure.
Yet a simple kiss from Yun Yun had completely caught him off guard.
Yun Yun, however, did not retreat immediately.
Her eyes were closed, and her hand remained firmly gripping his robe, as though she had already made her decision.
After a few moments, she finally pulled back.
A faint flush covered her cheeks.
Xiao Feng stared at her.
"You…"
Yun Yun looked away for a moment before meeting his eyes again.
"I simply didn't want to leave without doing something I might regret not doing."
Xiao Feng was still trying to process what had happened.
"You really are bold."
A small smile appeared on Yun Yun's lips.
"Perhaps."
She released his robe and took a step back.
"But don't misunderstand me. I'm not asking you to give me an answer now."
She turned toward the entrance of the cave.
"I have to return to the Misty Cloud Sect. Yun Yan's life is still in danger, and I need to deliver the pill as quickly as possible."
She paused.
Then she looked back at him.
"When you eventually come to the Gamma Empire, come and visit the Misty Cloud Sect."
Xiao Feng raised an eyebrow.
"And if I don't?"
Yun Yun smiled.
"Then I'll come looking for you."
Her voice carried a rare confidence.
"Besides, you still owe me a proper conversation after what happened today."
Xiao Feng couldn't help laughing.
"Wasn't several hours enough?"
"No."
Yun Yun shook her head.
"I want to know more about you."
She took a few steps away before stopping once more.
"And Xiao Feng…"
"Yes?"
Her expression softened.
"When you come to the Misty Cloud Sect, don't call me Sect Master Yun."
Xiao Feng smiled.
"I remember. Yun Yun."
Her eyes curved slightly.
"Good."
She turned around and began walking away.
But after taking several steps, she stopped and added without looking back,
"I'll be waiting for you."
The words were simple.
Yet Xiao Feng understood the meaning behind them.
He watched her figure disappear into the forest.
For a long while, he remained standing there.
The encounter had begun as an unexpected rescue.
Now, he had acquired a valuable armour, gained the favour of the Sect Master of the Misty Cloud Sect, and—far more unexpectedly—left behind a woman who had openly told him that she would be waiting for his arrival.
Xiao Feng shook his head with a helpless smile.
"Things really are becoming complicated."
He looked toward the direction in which Yun Yun had disappeared.
"Still…"
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"I suppose a visit to the Misty Cloud Sect isn't such a bad idea."
Xiao Feng had barely taken a few steps when he suddenly stopped.
His expression changed.
"Wait…"
He slowly raised his hand and rubbed his forehead.
"I forgot something important."
The thought struck him like a bolt of lightning.
The Hall of Souls.
He had completely forgotten to warn Yun Yun about them.
More importantly, he had forgotten to ask her directly about her master, Yun Shan.
In the original course of events, the situation surrounding the Misty Cloud Sect was far more complicated than it appeared on the surface. Protector Wu, the Soul Hall envoy assigned to the Gamma Empire, had eventually become involved with Yun Shan.
If Yun Shan had already been influenced or secretly colluded with Protector Wu, then the situation would be much more troublesome.
Xiao Feng frowned.
He had originally intended to use the Soul-Clearing Pill to examine Yun Shan's condition personally and determine whether the old man had been affected by the Hall of Souls.
That was one of the main reasons he had planned to visit the Misty Cloud Sect.
Yet somehow…
He had completely forgotten to mention it.
Xiao Feng fell silent for several seconds.
Then his expression became strange.
"…Well."
He glanced in the direction Yun Yun had disappeared.
"The problem is that I was supposed to talk about the Hall of Souls…"
His face twitched slightly.
"…and instead I got kissed."
He shook his head helplessly.
"Forget it."
There was no point dwelling on it now.
He could simply tell her when they met again.
Besides, Xiao Feng suddenly remembered another important detail.
If the situation really became troublesome when they visited the Misty Cloud Sect, they wouldn't be going there alone.
He already had a Dou Zun-level powerhouse on his side.
With a Dou Zun Protector accompanying them, even if the Hall of Souls tried something, they would have enough strength to deal with the situation.
Thinking about that, Xiao Feng's expression relaxed.
"Besides, we'll have a Dou Zun Protector with us when we visit the Misty Cloud Sect."
He shrugged.
"So I'll just leave it for later."
With that, Xiao Feng stopped worrying about it.
He spread his Dou Qi wings behind him.
The enormous wings unfolded with a powerful surge of energy, stirring the surrounding leaves and dust.
A moment later, his figure shot into the sky.
As he flew toward the Gamma Empire, however, a faint smile appeared on his face.
He still couldn't quite understand how a simple rescue mission had somehow turned into this.
First, he had saved the Sect Master of the Misty Cloud Sect.
Then he had given her a Sixth-Rank healing pill.
She had given him the Sea Heart Armour.
And finally…
That unexpected kiss.
Xiao Feng shook his head.
"Yun Yun…"
He couldn't help smiling.
"This trip to the Gamma Empire really is going to be interesting."