"Are you feeling better?" Xiao asked as he looked at Xia Yunbai, who had finished crying and regained his composure. Despite his weak and emaciated body, Xia Yunbai stood tall, his eyes still red from crying but attempting to appear calm. Upon hearing Xiao's question, Xia Yunbai nodded calmly and replied, "Yes, I'm fine."
"That's good," Xiao responded with a nod. He sensed that a significant portion of Xia Yunbai's hostility towards him had diminished. Moreover, much of the madness that had surrounded Xia Yunbai seemed to have subsided. He appeared calmer and more relaxed now as if crying had helped relieve some of the burdens he carried.
"What should I do now?" Xia Yunbai asked, demonstrating a newfound trust in Xiao, albeit incomplete. Considering the question for a moment, Xiao retrieved a ring from his pocket and threw it towards Xia Yunbai, who caught it somewhat clumsily with his skinny arms. Xia Yunbai examined the ring intently and exclaimed, "A spatial ring?"
"Yes," Xiao confirmed, answering Xia Yunbai's query. Observing Xia Yunbai's confusion, Xiao explained, "Right now, you lack many things, from cunningness to knowledge about the world. From this point on, you will follow me for one year. During that time, I will teach you everything you need to know. Afterward, you will embark on your journey for revenge."
Upon hearing the word "revenge," Xia Yunbai's eyes briefly turned red before returning to normal. Noticing this reaction, Xiao continued, "I will ensure that you acquire all the necessary skills to survive. Once you have that, you will hunt on your own. As one who follows the path of slaughter, you grow stronger alone. The more despair and danger you face, the stronger you become, and the closer you get to your revenge. Do you understand?"
"Yes," Xia Yunbai nodded solemnly, taking Xiao's words seriously. Satisfied, Xiao smiled. While he could teach Xia Yunbai everything within three months, he believed it would take at least a year to earn Xia Yunbai's loyalty, after all with everything he knew about him from the book and real life, Xiao was sure to get Yunbai loyal to him.
Xiao was not engaged in acts of charity, nor did help without an ulterior motive exist for him, if someone wanted that then it would be better to ask that of the hypocrites of the Angel faction. In return for his help and support, he would have a future powerhouse at his disposal. Xia Yunbai was aware of this too. After all, nothing in this world came for free. With that in mind, Xia Yunbai placed the ring on his finger and nodded earnestly, saying, "Where to now, young master?"
'He's quite clever,' Xiao thought with a smile, pointing towards the unconscious Elder Fan. "Now, we wake him up."
They spent some time reviving Elder Fan, who, upon awakening, had no recollection of what had occurred before he fainted. All he remembered was walking away after being told to move and then a blank gap in his memory.
It appeared that his mind had blocked the memory of the bloodlust to protect itself from overload. Xiao then explained to Elder Fan how he would be taking Xia Yunbai as his servant. Of course, it still lacked the information on how a powerful cultivator had fainted but Xiao had hinted in his talks to keep that information away.
And while elder Fan has a shitload do questions regarding Yunbai and what happened, he kept his mouth shut, cause, in the end, he works for Xiao's mother, and like a good attended it's better to keep your mouth shut in these cases. Initially hesitant, Elder Fan eventually agreed on tagging Yunbai along though with the word that he would be keeping his eyes on Yunbai to which Xiao had no problem, getting himself up Elder Fan asked one more time, "Are you sure about this, young master?"
"I am," Xiao replied to Elder Fan, who was still attempting to recall what had happened before he fainted. Xiao wasn't concerned about Elder Fan's question, as it truly wasn't wise to bring Xia Yunbai along but then again there isn't great reward without great risks However, to the outside world, Xia Yunbai was already considered dead, and no one cared about him. So, it was deemed safe.
"As you wish, young master," Elder Fan nodded, waving his hand as he surrounded them with Qi. Xiao and Xia Yunbai were lifted from the ground, floating up into the sky. Cultivators capable of flight reached the Mortal Core Realm. Hence They flew towards a specific location, with Xia Yunbai in awe, looking down at the ground.
Until now, Xia Yunbai had stood behind Xiao, behaving like a proper servant. Moreover, he hadn't asked any strange questions regarding Xiao's high bloodlust or his own identity. It appeared that Xia Yunbai knew what to ask and say, suggesting that he revealed less than he let on.'
'It's not a problem. I have one year to straighten him out,' Xiao thought, flying quickly until they reached a waiting chariot. When Xiao left, he didn't want Xuanyin or Yun Yurou with him. He had a strong sense that things wouldn't go according to plan, and he didn't want to involve them.
It didn't take long for them to land and encounter Xuanyin and Yun Yurou, who were both waiting. As soon as they touched the ground, Xuanyin rushed towards Xiao, embracing him tightly.
"Whoa... whoa... looks like someone was worried," Xiao remarked, hugging Xuanyin in return. Xuanyin clung to Xiao, her beautiful blue eyes gazing up at him. Her small arms rose, and she began hitting his chest with powerless strikes.
"Oh, it seems you're really angry," Xiao teased.
"..." Xuanyin remained silent.
"Okay... okay, I know I'm wrong," Xiao conceded.
"..." Xuanyin persisted, continuing to strike Xiao's chest with her small, smooth hand, incapable of inflicting any harm. Xiao couldn't help but find it somewhat endearing to see his sister worry about him. With a warm smile, he hugged Xuanyin, patting her back.
"I'm sorry, Xuanyin, but this was something I had to do alone. And look, am I not all right as I promised?"
"..." (Humph, I don't care).
"Okay, it's my fault. What can I do to make it up to you?"
"..." (Maybe a pat would help.)
To the outside observer, all they saw was Xuanyin running to Xiao, hugging him, and lightly hitting his chest while looking into his eyes. Remarkably, whatever she thought seemed to be understood by Xiao.
Xiao smiled affectionately, continuing to pat Xuanyin's head gently. Feeling the pat, Xuanyin closed her eyes, seemingly melting into the soothing touch. Xiao had a "conversation" with Xuanyin for a little longer before turning to the smiling Yun Yurou.