"My Deity, what would be the largest forest in all of Qiandu?" The raven-haired warrior who sat beside the midnight-haired deity asked.
"It would be the Forest of Zi Hu, a vast expanse that spans both the Central and Western Nations," the young deity replied.
"And here I thought the Forest of Kongqi would hold that honor," the young warrior sighed dramatically, earning a chuckle from the deity.
"You're just being biased, Xing Ziao, considering the Forest of Kongqi is one of my abodes here in the South," the deity responded with a smile.
"Maybe I am, after all, the South is my home... you are my home," Xing Ziao whispered softly, his gaze drifting to the skies as a serene smile graced his lips. His admiration for the deity was evident.
The deity teased, "You and your sweet words. Xiao Kuai might feel left out that you didn't include him in your 'home'."
"Of course, my younger brother is part of it, and also Xiao Dou and Xiao Ye. The four of you are my home," Xing Ziao affirmed with a contented smile.
"And perhaps one day, we shall all visit the Forest of Zi Hu. I am curious to see if its beauty rivals that of the forests here in the South," he mused.
"I would look forward to that," the deity replied with a gentle smile.
-
As Xing Ziao gradually regained consciousness, he sat up while cradling his forehead in his palm. A soft groan escaped his lips, and he blinked as he took in his surroundings. The memory of his dream lingered, though it felt hazy and elusive.
"You're up," Wen di's voice broke through the fog of Xing Ziao's mind. He looked over to see the midnight-haired man sitting nearby, concern etched on his features.
Xing Ziao nodded slowly, offering a weak smile. "I think so,"
"Are you alright?" Wen di inquired, his gaze searching Xing Ziao's eyes.
Xing Ziao's groan filled the air as he massaged his temples, his fingers trying to alleviate the ache that lingered from the dream. "Yes, just had one of those familiar dreams that suddenly gives me a headache when I wake up."
Wen di's gaze sharpened, his brows furrowing for a moment before he regained his composure. Swiftly, he reached into his bamboo satchel, retrieving a plump dragon fruit. He extended it towards Xing Ziao with a concerned expression. "Here, eat this. I assume you haven't had anything to eat since last night, and you need the energy to continue finding your brother."
Xing Ziao's eyes brightened as he accepted the fruit, a grateful smile touching his lips. "Thank you, Wen di,"
The plump dragon fruit was a refreshing burst of sweetness, revitalizing Xing Ziao's senses and easing the lingering discomfort from his dream-induced headache. As they finished eating, Xing Ziao stood up.
Looking around their confined surroundings, Xing Ziao's curiosity got the better of him. "By the way, Wen di, do you have any idea where we are within this forest? We've been searching deep into the woods since last night."
Wen di's gaze turned contemplative as he pondered Xing Ziao's question. "We are near a small town in Jianghu known as the Town of Xiye," he finally replied, his voice steady. "It seems we've ventured quite a distance. A clearing is visible from here."
Xing Ziao's eyes widened in surprise. He hadn't realized they had walked so far in their pursuit of finding their missing siblings. "The Town of Xiye? That's quite a distance from where we began."
Wen Di nodded in agreement. "Yes, it is. However, I must share something with you," he paused, his expression becoming more serious. "While I couldn't track down my younger brother, I was able to locate my younger sister. She possesses a unique ability known as a blood link."
Intrigued, Xing Ziao leaned forward, his attention fully captured.
"It's a connection between twins, allowing them to sense each other's presence, emotions, and even see each other's visions regardless of distance. Since my talismans had no chance of working, as they kept burning into flames, my younger sister is our last resort," Wen di continued.
Xing Ziao's mind whirled with the implications.
"My sister's blood link might lead us to my brother. We should head to the Town of Xiye and reunite with her." Wen di continued
Together, Wen di and Xing Ziao made their way to the Town of Xiye, the weight of anticipation heavy in the air. As they entered the town.
Seeking refuge from the noon sun, they found themselves stepping into a quaint tavern. As they glanced around, their gazes falling on a young woman seated at a corner table. Her short midnight-colored hair, ruby eyes, and pale skin gave her an air of mystique that drew their attention.
The young woman's eyes met Wen di's, and a knowing smile tugged at the corners of her lips. With a graceful wave of her hand, she beckoned them over. Wen di then approached her, Xing Ziao at his side.
"I know why you are here, Wen ge," the young woman's voice held a calm certainty that sent shivers down their spines. "It's because of Dou Dou."
Wen di's eyes widened, astonishment mingling with relief. "You sensed it, Ling ye?"
The young woman, named Ling Ye nodded solemnly, her gaze serious. "Yesterday, I was staying at an Inn in Jiashu. I was heading towards Shuang he, a neighbouring kingdom of Jianghu, by a longer route since I heard that riding a ship these days is dangerous. Then, a sudden wave of nausea and intense pain gripped me. My head throbbed, and in that agony, I glimpsed a vision—a cell surrounded by a dark talisman. Feeling overwhelmed by worry, I used the Void Mirror Medallion to create a portal which led me here to Xiye. However, using that portal also made me too weak. I've already regained some of my strength now, but I can barely sense Dou Dou because of what I did..." she said, her voice tinged with urgency, but her eyes held a hint of something more, as if she had additional information to share.
Wen Di leaned forward, observing her closely. "Based on your expression, you have more to say."
A pained look crossed Ling ye's features. "hours later after I was slowly regaining my strength, another vision struck. This time, I saw someone with silvery-white hair being thrown into the cell with Dou Dou."
A surge of hope and urgency filled the air as Xing Ziao's words broke through. "That silvery-white haired person must be Kuai, my younger brother. There are very few people with hair like his, and are Southerners."
Wen Di's gaze met Xing Ziao's, "We have to find them, rescue them from whatever danger they're in," Wen di affirmed
Ling ye nodded in agreement. "With my and Dou Dou's blood link, we have a chance to locate them immediately. We must reach them before anything untoward occurs. I have an ominous feeling that the one responsible for taking them isn't an ordinary individual..."