"And somehow… without realizing it… I grew fond of him."
She paused, her gaze drifting into the distance as if chasing the ghosts of memories long buried. Wang Feng noticed the change in her eyes and simply tightened his hold, offering silent comfort. When he felt her breath steady, her body beginning to stir as though she was about to speak again, he gently asked:
"You stopped… Why were you intrigued…?"
Xia Ning Chang hesitated, her parted lips trembling before she bit down lightly, her expression clouding with thought. Then, slowly, she met his gaze. The uncertainty in her eyes began to melt, replaced by a quiet vulnerability as she whispered,
"…Because I saw someone… in a situation just like mine."
Wang Feng's eyes widened. The haze in his mind cleared in an instant, and his body stiffened at the raw sorrow lacing her words. That gentle smile tinged with sadness… those unshed tears shimmering in her eyes… it all hit him like a crashing wave.
Without hesitation, he turned her gently to face him, cupping her cheek with a trembling hand. He kissed her—softly, comfortingly—before pulling her into a deep embrace, letting her feel his warmth, his presence, and his silent promise.
His thoughts raced. He combed through everything he remembered about Xia Ning Chang from the original novel and from his own experiences. And then it struck him—her parents were never once mentioned. Not a name, not a memory. The only paternal figure ever associated with her was Meng Wu Ya.
Xia Ning Chang sighed softly into the kiss, her arms wrapping around him as if afraid he might disappear. When their lips parted, she nuzzled into his chest, eyes reddened but shining as she looked up into his.
"I was nine… when a beast tide razed my village to the ground," she began, her voice trembling with a quiet strength. "Over five hundred people lived there… and I was the only one who survived."
Wang Feng felt a pang lance through his chest. His eyes softened with empathy and sorrow.
"I hid in the wreckage for days," she continued, her voice distant, fragile. "I was starving, terrified… just waiting to either be found or to die. I didn't know which I preferred. Then, one day… I heard fighting nearby."
A faint, melancholic smile appeared on her lips.
"I tried to stay hidden, but a body crashed near me—some cultivator flung by an attack. The impact forced me out. And that's when I saw them… Master and the Sect Master. They were the ones fighting."
She paused, eyes shimmering as she remembered.
"They were both surprised I was alive. Afterward, they gave me food… comfort. It was the first time in days I felt safe. The Sect Master asked if I wanted to learn cultivation. I said yes—of course I did."
A deep breath, then a small nod as she leaned more into him.
"They brought me back to the sect. Treated me with kindness… compassion. It wasn't long after that Master discovered my unique physique and officially accepted me as his disciple."
Her voice faltered as tears welled again, threatening to spill.
Wang Feng said nothing. Words felt too shallow for what she'd endured. So, he simply held her tighter, arms wrapping around her with fierce tenderness, as though shielding her from every shadow that had ever touched her.
The two remained like that for what felt like forever—no words spoken, no movement, just the steady rhythm of their hearts beating together in quiet solidarity.
Eventually, Xia Ning Chang leaned back slightly. Her tear-streaked face now bore a soft, glowing smile, her eyes brimming not with sorrow, but affection. She gazed at him as though he were her anchor in a storm.
Wang Feng looked back, his own expression a mirror of hers—calm, full, connected. Something profound had shifted between them, something unspoken yet undeniable.
Their faces slowly drew closer, breaths mingling, lips parting ever so slightly—
BOOM! CRASH!
A deafening boom echoed across the clearing as something slammed into the ground nearby, kicking up a thick cloud of dust and debris. Instantly, Wang Feng and Xia Ning Chang sprang apart, their bodies tensed, assuming a guarded stance as they peered toward the disturbance with vigilant eyes.
A gust of wind swept through the trees, dispersing the dust and revealing the disheveled figure of Meng Wu Ya. His robes were in disarray, his arms crossed tightly over his chest, and his sharp eyes narrowed in scrutiny as he stared at the two of them.
His gaze swept over their forms, lingering briefly. 'Good. They've broken through safely…', Then his attention turned to Xia Ning Chang.
"Hmph! Disciple," he snapped, "how dare you drug your own master!?"
Xia Ning Chang gave a sheepish chuckle, awkwardly averting her gaze as her eyes flicked to Wang Feng for support. Wang Feng caught the silent plea and grinned, stepping forward with feigned innocence.
"Drug, Old Meng? I just gave Sister Xia a very potent wine," he said, voice laced with mock confusion. "You must've drunk it all yourself, didn't you?"
His expression shifted into a suspiciously amused smile.
Meng Wu Ya's eye twitched. A vein throbbed at his temple as his face flushed with indignation. "You think I can't tell the difference between wine and a drug, you brat!? I wasn't born yesterday!"
Wang Feng blinked, feigning surprise. "Oh? Really?"
Meng Wu Ya's clenched fists trembled, and for a moment, it seemed as if he might strike the boy. But after a few calming breaths—and several tense hand-flexes—he exhaled in defeat.
"Forget it. At least you both broke through," he muttered.
Then his eyes widened. For the first time, he noticed Xia Ning Chang's uncovered face. He froze—not because of her beauty, but because of what it symbolized. No veil. No concealment. Just her bare face revealed willingly in front of someone else.
His head slowly turned to Wang Feng. The calmness in his gaze vanished, replaced by something cold, sharp, and heavy with implication. His glare pierced like a blade. Wang Feng stiffened and gulped unconsciously, feeling as if he'd been caught red-handed by a very stern father.
Xia Ning Chang let out a tired sigh and whispered, "Master…"
Meng Wu Ya gave a begrudging grunt and turned away without a word. With a casual flick of his hand, the two were enveloped in a gentle force and lifted into the air beside him. Then, with a burst of speed, the trio shot through the skies, soaring toward a nearby settlement nestled at the edge of the Black Wind Mountain.
As they flew, Wang Feng glanced at Xia Ning Chang. She looked back at him, eyes warm and amused, before silently slipping her veil back into place. Wang Feng swallowed and mused, 'why do I feel like I just got a green signal from a Father-in-law?'
Unaware of his thoughts, Meng Wu Ya was mentally battling with himself, brainstorming ways to separate the two. Unfortunately, every scenario he imagined ended disastrously.
'With that brat's luck and talent… tsk, I guess I have no choice anymore…'
They soon arrived at a modest settlement on the mountain's outskirts. Meng Wu Ya descended first, leading them to a small inn. After exchanging a few words with the innkeeper, he secured three rooms and turned back to his disciples.
"Both of you, focus on consolidating your breakthrough. Cultivate for a few days to stabilize your foundation. I don't want any accidents."
The two nodded respectfully and parted for their respective rooms.
Inside his chamber, Wang Feng sat cross-legged on the bed. Before him lay a small jade bottle, its delicate sheen catching the lamplight. He stared at it with a deep frown, the weight of frustration visible on his brow.
"I can't believe I can't use them now…" he murmured, eyes fixed on the bottle's contents.
With a sigh, he picked it up and rolled it thoughtfully between his fingers.
"Sigh, I guess there might be some use of these...", he muttered as he picked up the bottle, which held 10 Profound Qi Pills, tossing them into his inventory.
He casted a gaze on his inventory.
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[Inventory]
[Qi Gathering Pills] x 20
[Foundation Building Pills] x 10
[Soul Strengthening Pills] x 10
[Body Nurturing Pills] x 10
[Soul Nurturing Pills] x 8
[Qi Essence Pills {Heaven Grade}] x 200
[Qi Essence Pills {Mysterious Grade}] x 300
[Qi Gathering Array] x 1 {Mysterious}
[Isolation Barrier Array] x 1 {Mysterious}
[Weapon of Choice] x 1 {Mysterious}
[Spirit Stones] x 10,218*
[Profound Qi Pill] x 10
[Tier 3 Monster Core] x 4
[Antique Incense Burner]
[Eastern King Array Flags]
[Moon Cleaving Sword]
[Cold Flame Furnace]
[Pure Yin Jade]
[True Yang Spirit Milk]
[Herbs] x 100+
[Materials] x 100+
[Weapons] x 10+
....
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Wang Feng hummed softly as he sifted through his belongings. The True Yang Spirit Milk had entered his possession the moment Xia Ning Chang drew the dew from his lips. Yet amidst the whirlwind of breakthroughs, emotional revelations, and lingering tension, he hadn't even spared it a glance.
He shook his head, dispelling the lingering—questionable—thoughts that began to swirl. Steadying himself, his gaze settled on another object: the Moon Cleaving Sword.
Extending a hand, he summoned it. In a whisper of motion, the sword materialized in his grasp.
Its blade gleamed a deep obsidian black, edged with silvery-gray steel. Etched along its length were crescent and full moon motifs, threaded together by golden lines that pulsed faintly, like veins of ancient power. The hilt was midnight black, wrapped tightly, ending in a golden collar that shimmered in the lamplight.
A soft smile tugged at Wang Feng's lips as he ran his fingers along the blade's cold surface, feeling the keen edge beneath his touch.
'Too bad it's only a Common Grade weapon', he thought, his expression dimming. 'With my current strength, it would likely shatter the moment I swing it seriously.'
He channeled a trickle of Qi into the blade, and it hummed quietly in response—faithful, yet fragile.
'If only there was a way...', he frowned, a sudden thought surfacing. 'Wait—could that actually work...?'
He turned his attention to the translucent inventory panel floating before him. His eyes narrowed on an item he had previously dismissed:
Weapon of Choice (Mysterious)
A surge of excitement chased away the disappointment in his eyes. His breath quickened.
Without hesitation, he willed the item into existence. A green jade token materialized in his free hand, cool and pulsing faintly with hidden energy.
He brought it closer to the Moon Cleaving Sword, eyes gleaming with anticipation. ,'If this token truly forges a weapon aligned with my will… then perhaps…'
He touched the token to the blade.
With a silent command, the jade token activated. It disintegrated into a flurry of radiant particles, which flowed into the sword like liquid light. The Katana vibrated, lifting from his grip and hovering in the air, enveloped in a cocoon of shimmering, silvery energy.
Wang Feng's breath caught. Even beneath the illusionary light, he could see—feel—the transformation. The blade shifted, expanded, refined... It was no longer a mere weapon. It was becoming something greater, an Artifact.
Seconds passed, and the glow began to fade, like moonlight retreating behind clouds. When the light finally ebbed, the sword remained, floating before him in silence.
Wang Feng stared in awe.
The new Moon Cleaving Sword now possessed a long, slender blade, its curve elegant and lethally graceful. A soft, ethereal blue glow traced its edges, giving it a ghostly brilliance. Along its surface, celestial engravings—suns, moons, and stars—glistened like scattered stardust beneath the night sky.
The hilt had transformed as well. Wrapped in dark silk, it offered a perfect grip, firm yet comfortable. The ornate guard bore cosmic patterns—rings of planetary orbits and lunar eclipses—subtle but mesmerizing. The entire weapon exuded a quiet majesty, serene yet terrifying, like the endless void of space.
The Artifact radiates a serene yet formidable presence.
———————————————————
[Celestial Splitter]
[Grade: Peak-Mysterious]
[Description: A Katana forged from Cold Sun Gem, Luminous Yin Jade, Void Metal and Star Essence.
It has the attributes of Fire, Ice, Yin, Yang, Space, along with the mysterious power of the celestial bodies, Star Power.
It has the ability to resonate with the Yin and Yang Energies from the Sun and Moon light, as well as the mystical Star Energy present in the world and Starry Sky, boosting the owners attacks.]
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