A week earlier, after Xiao Feng vanished from the Trade Union Information Pavilion, he reappeared in his study. The air in the room was heavy, dimly lit by a single glowing orb. Little Yu, his loyal servant, stood at attention, her face a mix of anticipation and apprehension.
"There really is a boy she's searching for," Xiao Feng mused aloud, his voice carrying a weight that made Yu straighten even further. "You may withdraw a breakthrough pill from the treasury as a reward. Call Xiao Wen for me."
"Thank you, Master!" Yu's voice was filled with gratitude, her face lighting up. She bowed deeply before scurrying out of the room, her footsteps echoing down the corridor. A breakthrough pill was a coveted treasure, capable of advancing cultivators to new heights. It was no wonder she left with such excitement.
Moments later, the heavy wooden door creaked open again, this time without the polite knock customary of the Xiao family. In walked a young woman, her black leather outfit clinging to her lithe frame, accentuating every curve. Her presence was electric, her long crimson hair cascading over her shoulders like flames.
Xiao Wen exuded confidence and defiance in equal measure. Her blue eyes, strikingly similar to Tianshi's, locked onto Xiao Feng with suspicion as she crossed the threshold. "You called?"
Xiao Feng's stern demeanor softened as he addressed her. "How are you doing?"
Her brows furrowed. He rarely spoke to her like this unless he had an ulterior motive. "I'm fine. Just finished taming my Rank 6 Winged White Tiger. I was planning to take it out for a test flight."
"Perfect timing," Xiao Feng said, the corners of his mouth curling into a faint, mysterious smile. "I have a mission for you."
Her eyes narrowed, immediately wary. "No. I knew something was wrong the moment I saw you smile like that. I'm not going anywhere."
Xiao Feng raised an eyebrow but remained silent, waiting for the inevitable tirade.
"Last month, you sent me after the Sand Bandits, saying there were only a thousand of them and their leader was a Spirit Overlord. Do you remember what I found instead? Ten thousand bandits and a Spirit Emperor!" Her fiery temper matched her hair as her voice rose in frustration. "You're lucky I came back alive."
"I admit, that mission was… poorly planned," Xiao Feng said, his tone uncharacteristically conciliatory. "But this time, it's different."
"Different? You said that the last two times," she retorted, arms crossed.
Xiao Feng turned away, gazing out the window as though contemplating the horizon. "This one involves your sister."
Her fiery anger cooled instantly, replaced by concern. She rushed toward him, spinning him around to face her. "What happened to Tianshi? Is she okay?"
"She's fine," he said, holding up a hand to calm her. "But while you were away, there was… an incident." His voice grew quieter, tinged with regret. "She tried to take her own life."
"What?" Xiao Wen's fists ignited with flames, a reflexive response to her emotions. "Why would she—"
"It was over the Tang Taizong marriage arrangement," Xiao Feng interrupted. "I've already canceled the agreement."
Before he could say more, a fiery punch sailed toward his face. Xiao Feng teleported instinctively, reappearing across the room. The flames licked the air where he'd stood moments before.
"It's your fault!" Xiao Wen shouted, her fists ablaze. "You pushed her into this."
"I've made amends," he said calmly. "And I have another plan to help her. Look at the picture on the table."
Still fuming, Xiao Wen stomped to the desk and picked up the sketch. Though the drawing was crude, the features of a young man with blond hair were clear enough. "Who is he?" she asked, her anger giving way to curiosity.
"Someone she's been searching for," Xiao Feng explained. "She went to the Trade Union to issue a mission to find him, mentioning something about a cliff and what he did for her there. She doesn't know where he is, but I do."
"And?" Xiao Wen prompted, sensing there was more.
"He's the Young Master of Aurora Country's Liu Clan in the Eastern Region," Xiao Feng said, handing her an information disc. "Read the report."
Xiao Wen skimmed the details, her interest piqued. "Black talent… Six Petals Lotus Flower… Survived a Heavenly Tribulation… Interesting. How did Tianshi meet him?"
"That's what I want you to find out," Xiao Feng said. "I need you to assess him and determine if he's worthy of meeting her."
She blinked at him, incredulous. "Why me?"
"Because you're the only one I can trust," he replied, his tone serious.
Xiao Wen opened her mouth to refuse but paused as though hearing a voice in her head. After a moment of contemplation, she smirked. "Fine. I'll go. I'm free anyway."
Xiao Feng's brows furrowed. She never agreed so easily. "What changed your mind?"
"Let's just say I have my reasons," she replied cryptically, slipping the drawing into her ring. "But you should consider motivating Tianshi while I'm gone. Tell her she can meet him if she masters the Heavenly Steps Spirit Art within a month. That should light a fire under her."
Xiao Feng's eyes lit up. "Brilliant idea. Even if she doesn't fully master it, she'll improve. You're sharper than I give you credit for."
She smirked, heading for the door. "Good luck, Father. You'll need it."
As she vanished down the hall, Xiao Feng shook his head, a mix of pride and exasperation on his face. "What am I going to do with her?"
Meanwhile, Xiao Wen's thoughts were far from her father's study. Don't underestimate girls in love, Father. If Tianshi truly cares for this boy, she'll exceed your expectations—and so will I.
***
"Manager Wu, I'm ready. Let's go meet him. Thank you for assisting me." Xiao Wen's voice was calm, but her crimson hair seemed to burn in the morning light as she approached the massive white tiger lounging in the courtyard.
The tiger stretched lazily, its sheer size almost intimidating enough to overshadow its rider. Five meters of rippling muscle and gleaming fur, with a pair of imposing wings folded neatly against its sides, made the creature look more like a myth than a living beast.
"Of course, Milady," Manager Wu replied, her tone measured, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of nervousness. "Will we be traveling on your… tiger?"
Xiao Wen smirked, sensing the unease in the older woman's voice. "Yes. Don't worry, she doesn't bite—well, not unless I tell her to." She patted the creature's head, its intelligent, icy blue eyes locking on Manager Wu for a long, unnerving moment.
The tigress gave a low rumble, as if chuckling at the human's apprehension, before spreading her wings slightly, stretching them like a cat waking from a nap.
Manager Wu hesitated, glancing up at the creature's imposing wingspan. "A fine beast," she murmured, climbing on behind Xiao Wen with more bravery than she felt. Her hands gripped the back of the saddle tightly, her knuckles white against the dark leather.
"Don't hold on too tight," Xiao Wen warned, her voice tinged with amusement as she stroked the tiger's fur. "She might think you're nervous, and that's when she gets mischievous."
Manager Wu swallowed hard, giving the tigress a wide-eyed glance. The tiger yawned in response, revealing a maw filled with sharp, ivory fangs.
With a powerful leap, the tigress launched them into the air, her massive wings unfurling in a single, fluid motion. The ground fell away beneath them, and Manager Wu gasped, clutching the saddle for dear life. The wind roared past, tangling her hair as the tiger soared higher, each beat of its wings a testament to its raw strength.
While Manager Wu was fighting to stay seated, Xiao Wen's thoughts were elsewhere. Black talent, Heavenly Tribulation… and he saved my sister on a cliff? Let's see if this boy is truly worth all the trouble.