Feng Chen had ventured out with the intention of training, but his thoughts were elsewhere, lingering on the steps he needed to take next.
The entire night, he had spent in deep contemplation, perched on a branch of a nearby tree, overlooking his cave and watching as the stars faded into dawn.
His sharp gaze remained focused on the cave's entrance, as if waiting for something to happen, yet his mind was a whirlpool of strategy, calculations, and the lingering weight of his past life's memories.
Despite the system itching to disrupt his thoughts, it remained quiet. It was still locked in Do Not Disturb mode, effectively silencing its incessant yapping for once.
"Too peaceful," Feng Chen muttered to himself, leaning against the tree trunk. He had become accustomed to the chaos that the system constantly inflicted upon his life, so this sudden quiet felt... strange.
But for now, he welcomed the silence. His mind was too occupied to deal with the system's typical mockery.
As the first rays of sunlight broke over the horizon, Feng Chen remained vigilant, his cerulean eyes scanning the entrance to the cave below.
Shortly after, the familiar figures of Yin and Yang slithered out, their eyes gleaming as they looked around for him. The two snakes hissed softly, calling for their master.
Feng Chen watched them for a moment, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He leaped down from the tree, landing gracefully in front of them. The two snakes recoiled slightly, surprised by his sudden appearance, before their eyes lit up with recognition.
"Master!" Yin's soft, serpentine voice hissed in excitement, her black scales glistening in the morning sun.
Feng Chen chuckled, brushing off some dirt from his sleeve.
"You two are always so impressed," he teased.
"Show-off," Yang muttered, his forked tongue flickering out as his white body coiled slightly in mock indignation.
Feng Chen grinned and bent down to give them both a gentle pat on their heads, earning soft hisses of approval from the two serpents.
He couldn't help but feel a surge of affection for them. They were more than just beasts... they were his companions, his family in this strange, dangerous world.
But then, Feng Chen noticed something. A figure, small and delicate, was peeking out from behind the cave's entrance.
It was the girl he had rescued the previous day, her wide, curious eyes watching him with a mix of awe and caution.
"Ah, I see you're awake," Feng Chen said, his voice calm but playful.
"Come on out. I promise, I won't bite."
The girl hesitated for a moment, her tiny frame trembling slightly as she slowly stepped out from behind the rock that had been concealing her.
She was clearly still frightened, her ragged clothes barely covering her small, bruised body. Her black hair was matted, and her face was smeared with dirt, but her eyes... large and filled with a quiet determination... caught Feng Chen's attention.
"Now, now," he said, kneeling to her level, his voice softening.
"How about you introduce yourself properly?"
The girl looked down at her feet, shyly clasping her hands together.
"M-my name is Dan... Dan Xiao," she stammered, her voice barely a whisper.
"I'm eight years old."
Feng Chen raised an eyebrow at the mention of her name. It wasn't him getting curious... But more like a rage that had long since settled down, but started to emerge once again.
He quickly masked his anger and offered her a warm smile.
"Dan Xiao, huh? That's a strong name. But tell me, how did a little girl like you end up in such a dangerous place?"
Dan Xiao's small hands fidgeted nervously.
"I-I was running... from wolves... I think..." Her voice wavered, uncertainty clouding her eyes. It was clear she wasn't telling the full story, but Feng Chen decided not to press her. She was still shaken, and forcing her to recall whatever traumatic experience had led her here wouldn't do any good.
"Alright, no need to worry. You're safe now," Feng Chen reassured her with a smile.
"You can stay here for as long as you need."
Turning to Yin and Yang, he issued a soft command,
"Yin, Yang, take care of her for me, alright? Make sure she's safe while I'm away."
Yin and Yang both nodded, their coiled bodies relaxing as they slithered closer to Dan Xiao, their presence offering her an odd sense of comfort. Though the girl was clearly still wary of the serpents, she seemed to instinctively trust them, or at the very least, understand that they meant her no harm.
Feng Chen gave them one last glance before quietly murmuring,
"Disengage Do Not Disturb mode."
Immediately, a system notification flashed before his eyes...
-----
System Notification:-
New Mission:-
Stay in seclusion and break through to the Core Realm.
Reward: ???
-----
A smirk tugged at the corner of Feng Chen's mouth. A breakthrough to the Core Realm was exactly what he needed. His power had been steadily growing, but without forming a core, he was still somewhat limited. This mission felt timely.
"Yin, Yang," Feng Chen turned back to his companions, his voice gentle but firm.
"I'm going into seclusion for a while. Take care of Dan Xiao, and make sure nothing happens while I'm away. If there's any danger, don't disturb me unless it's absolutely necessary."
Yin flicked her tail, clearly anxious.
"Master, are you sure?" she hissed softly.
Yang mirrored her concern, his white body coiling protectively around Dan Xiao.
"We can help..."
Feng Chen shook his head, smiling softly.
"I'll be fine. You two have gotten strong enough to handle things here. Trust me."
Reluctantly, the two serpents nodded in agreement, their eyes filled with worry, but they knew better than to argue with their master's decision.
Feng Chen turned and entered the cave, his steps calm and purposeful. Once inside, he knelt on the ground, pressing his hand against the earth. With a burst of energy, he punched the ground, causing a large slab of rock to shoot upwards, sealing the entrance of the cave in a slanted manner, leaving no gap for anyone to disturb him.
The cave grew dark, but the grin that appeared on Feng Chen's face glowed with an eerie light.
"Alright, system," he murmured in the dim light, his voice filled with an unmistakable edge.
"You know what I'm up to, don't you?"
-----
System Notification:-
Of course, I do. Why else would I stick around for your constant screw-ups?
-----
Feng Chen laughed softly.
"Then, let's get started. Do your job properly this time."
As he sat down in a meditative position, the Yin and Yang Divine Body activated once again. His body began to glow with alternating energies, black and white, swirling around him like twin serpents. The energy grew more intense, coiling around him in a dance of perfect harmony. His dantian pulsed with power, the surging energy filling his entire body.
-----
System Notification:-
Seclusion Process Activated.
Yin and Yang Divine Body Transformation Underway.
-----
The energy continued to swirl, growing in intensity as Feng Chen's body glowed brighter. His cultivation was on the verge of breaking through, the power within him expanding rapidly.
The cave, now filled with an overwhelming aura, seemed to pulse with the rhythm of his breathing. Each exhale sent waves of energy radiating out, while each inhale drew in the power of the world around him.
"All I have to do... is wait," he whispered, sinking deeper into his meditation, his grin growing ever wider as the transformation continued.
The cave's dark interior glowed with the combined energy of Yin and Yang, and Feng Chen's aura felt like an unstoppable force waiting to be unleashed.