The next morning, Feng Xiao woke up to the sounds of birds chirping outside his quarters, the early morning sun casting a golden light through his window. He stretched, feeling a new surge of energy from his recent victories. His Heaven-Defying Comprehension had helped him unlock new techniques and rise in strength faster than he could have hoped. Yet, he still sensed the enormity of his journey ahead.
Today, however, he wasn't headed to the training grounds or the arena. Instead, he was heading toward the clan's herb garden—a place he knew would be less intense but still full of useful resources for a cultivator. The elders had granted him permission to gather herbs for refining his own medicinal pills, a rare privilege for someone his age.
Just as he reached the garden entrance, a familiar voice called out to him.
"Trying to sneak around, Feng Xiao?" Feng Mei's voice carried a playful lilt, and when he turned, he found her leaning casually against the garden gate, arms crossed and an eyebrow raised. She was still as composed as ever, though the chill from yesterday's fight had melted into something warmer.
"No sneaking involved," Feng Xiao replied with a grin. "Just a cultivator looking for some peace and quiet after yesterday's battle."
"Peace and quiet?" She snorted, walking over to him. "That doesn't suit you. I saw you yesterday, trying out your flashy techniques. You must have enjoyed showing off in front of the entire clan."
"Me? Show off?" Feng Xiao gave an exaggerated look of innocence. "Maybe you're mistaking me for someone else. I'm just a humble cultivator with a knack for… surprising people."
Feng Mei rolled her eyes but couldn't hide a small smile. "Humble? I've seen turtles with more modesty."
They walked through the garden together, surrounded by rows of medicinal plants and vibrant flowers. The air was filled with a rich, earthy aroma, and Feng Xiao felt himself relax. He plucked a few leaves of qi-infused herbs, carefully examining each one, while Feng Mei watched with a curious expression.
"Why do you even need all these herbs?" she asked. "Haven't you already proven yourself strong enough?"
"Strength isn't everything," he replied, slipping the herbs into a pouch. "A true cultivator knows that there's no harm in preparing for the unknown. Besides, some of these herbs can boost my qi recovery, which I could use after all those sparring sessions."
"Or maybe you just like pretending to be an alchemist," she teased. "Careful, Feng Xiao. People might start calling you 'the Herb Gatherer.' Not very impressive for the clan's new rising star."
Feng Xiao laughed, deciding to play along. "Fine, I'll be the clan's Herb Gatherer. I can see it now… stories of my heroic herb-gathering journeys will spread across the land."
He struck a dramatic pose, holding up a small herb like it was a sacred artifact, and declared in an over-the-top voice, "Behold! The miraculous leaf that shall one day save the world!"
Feng Mei burst into laughter, her usually composed demeanor cracking as she watched him. "You're such a fool, Feng Xiao! But I suppose that's part of your charm."
At her words, Feng Xiao paused, feeling an unexpected warmth rise to his cheeks. He hadn't expected her to compliment him, even if it was veiled in mockery. He scratched the back of his head, unsure of how to respond, so he settled on flashing a goofy smile.
"Charm, huh?" he said, grinning. "Who knew I could win over my toughest opponent with my herb-gathering skills?"
Feng Mei looked away quickly, but not before he noticed a slight pink tint on her cheeks. "Don't flatter yourself. It's not like that."
Feng Xiao chuckled, letting the silence hang between them for a moment. It felt lighter, warmer—a surprising change from the tension of the previous day. They continued gathering herbs, Feng Mei occasionally pointing out ones that had unique effects. Her knowledge impressed him, even if he teased her about being a "walking herb encyclopedia."
After a while, they made their way back to the central courtyard, their pouches now filled with fresh herbs. Feng Mei suddenly stopped and turned to him, her eyes more serious.
"Feng Xiao… yesterday in our fight, I realized something," she began, her voice softer. "I realized that… I've been taking a lot for granted. Seeing you improve so quickly, I've been forced to confront my own limits. It's… humbling."
Feng Xiao's grin faded, and he looked at her earnestly. "Don't compare yourself to me, Feng Mei. You're already incredibly skilled. You don't need to prove anything to anyone, least of all me."
"But I want to," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. She hesitated before continuing, "I've always been focused on being the best, on winning. But… fighting you made me realize that there's more to cultivation than just defeating opponents. Maybe I've been missing something."
Feng Xiao placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Cultivation is about growing stronger, yes, but it's also about understanding yourself and the world. We're all learning. And… well, if it means anything, I think you're doing just fine."
A small smile crept onto her face, and she nodded. They shared a comfortable silence, watching as the first rays of the setting sun bathed the courtyard in a warm glow.
But before the moment could grow too serious, a loud voice boomed from behind them. "Feng Xiao! You scoundrel!"
They both turned to see Feng Liang, another young cultivator from the clan, stomping over with a mix of annoyance and amusement. He was a tall, burly guy with a somewhat unpredictable personality, known more for his humor than his skill in cultivation.
"I hear you've been gathering herbs to impress the ladies," Feng Liang declared, his eyes darting from Feng Xiao to Feng Mei with a mischievous grin. "And here I thought you were all about martial arts. Guess I underestimated your 'hidden talents'!"
Feng Xiao laughed, playing along. "What can I say, Feng Liang? Some of us are just multi-talented."
Feng Mei sighed, crossing her arms. "Don't you two ever take anything seriously?"
Feng Liang raised his hands defensively. "Hey, no need to glare. Just making sure our young master here doesn't forget the little people on his path to glory." He winked, then nudged Feng Xiao with his elbow. "But really, Feng Xiao, don't get too lost in all that romance talk. The clan expects great things from you."
With that, Feng Liang sauntered off, leaving Feng Xiao and Feng Mei alone once more. They exchanged an amused look, the atmosphere light and relaxed.
"Maybe he's right," Feng Xiao said with a chuckle. "The path ahead is long, and I have a lot to learn. But at least… I have some good company along the way."
Feng Mei glanced away, though her lips curved in a faint smile. "Just don't think that means you'll have it easy. The next time we spar, I'm not holding back."
He raised his hands in mock surrender. "I wouldn't dare expect anything less."