Back in the cave, Li Xiaoyi's thoughts were a swirling mix of emotions. Despite her earlier decision to calm herself through meditation, her mind drifted. The memory of their time in the cave, especially her own voluntary closeness to Xiao Chen, made her frown in annoyance. Yet, her irritation was quickly replaced by a trace of concern.
When danger loomed, Xiao Chen had stepped forward without hesitation, drawing the threat away to protect her. His tall, steady back had etched itself deeply into her mind. The thought left her conflicted—grateful yet burdened by complicated feelings she couldn't quite understand.
"Ugh..." Li Xiaoyi let out a soft sigh, her delicate brows furrowing. "Father was right to keep me sheltered at home. At least that way, I wouldn't have to deal with... this."
Her inner turmoil only grew as time passed. As a surge of unease rose in her chest, she whispered to herself, "Why hasn't he come back yet? That fool probably got himself killed out there... serves him right!" Even as she muttered the words, the thought of harm befalling Xiao Chen left her inexplicably agitated. She scolded herself inwardly for such weakness—after all, as the daughter of the ruthless Tianmo Sect's master, how could she allow herself to feel this way?
Suddenly, a weary yet familiar voice echoed from the cave's entrance. "I'm afraid you'll be disappointed—I'm still alive."
Li Xiaoyi turned sharply to see a slender figure stepping inside. Xiao Chen, his face pale as paper, gave her a wry smile before stumbling slightly. His injuries, long suppressed, were now taking their toll.
Without a word, he sat down cross-legged, retrieving several pills from his storage pouch. Swallowing them quickly, he closed his eyes and began meditating to refine their effects.
His disheveled appearance, faintly blood-stained clothes, and erratic spiritual fluctuations betrayed the severity of his condition. The sight made Li Xiaoyi's heart tighten with concern.
As if in a trance, she found herself moving closer, gazing at Xiao Chen's face. Confirming that his life wasn't in immediate danger, she felt an inexplicable wave of relief.
"It's all because of me..." she murmured to herself, biting her lip. "He wouldn't be in this state if it weren't for saving me."
A twinge of guilt and something softer filled her chest as she looked at his strained expression. She quickly shook her head to dispel her wandering thoughts. "What's wrong with me? This scoundrel is tough enough to survive. If I feel so guilty, I'll just make it up to him later."
With that resolution, she returned to the stone platform, sitting quietly to meditate while keeping an eye on Xiao Chen. The silence in the cave deepened as the two remained wordless, lost in their own worlds.
Three days later, at dawn, the forest surrounding the mountain glen was cloaked in a gentle mist. The echoes of the night's struggles had faded, leaving the wilderness tranquil in the soft morning light.
Within the cave, Xiao Chen's tightly shut eyes fluttered open, releasing a faint blue-green glint before returning to normal. He remained still, inwardly examining the changes in his body. After a long moment, a rueful smile crossed his face.
To his surprise, his cultivation had advanced again. The life-and-death trials he endured had pushed him to break through to an even higher level of refinement. Yet, despite the progress, he was still short of the Foundation Establishment stage.
"Sixteenth layer of Qi Refinement," he muttered with a wry smile. Shaking his head, he pushed the thought aside. Surviving was already a blessing, and further breakthroughs could wait.
Exhaling deeply, he stood, his gaze sweeping the cave. When he noticed Li Xiaoyi's absence, his brow furrowed slightly. "Did she already leave?"
A twinge of disappointment flickered through him before he quickly dismissed it. "What was I expecting? She already showed me great mercy by not attacking while I was injured. Hoping for anything more would just be wishful thinking."
Chuckling bitterly, he shook his head. Since his injuries were mostly healed, it was time to leave. His sect's trials and contests were fast approaching, and he couldn't afford to delay further.
As he stepped outside, a gentle morning breeze greeted him. His spiritual light shimmered faintly, lifting him toward the ridge above the glen.
The sun had just begun its ascent, its fiery red glow breaking through the clouds. Golden rays illuminated the dew-laden forest, painting the scene with a breathtaking serenity.
Then, a startled scream shattered the stillness.
Xiao Chen turned reflexively toward the sound. His eyes widened as they fell on a small, crystalline pool in the glen below. There, Li Xiaoyi was bathing, her slender frame outlined against the water's clarity. Her surprised gaze met his before she dove into the water, her hands instinctively crossing her chest.
Caught off guard, Xiao Chen froze for a moment before his face turned crimson. He quickly spun around. "I—I didn't mean to... I didn't see anything!"
Despite his flustered protest, the image was already burned into his mind. The glimmering water, her graceful form... it was a sight that even his spiritual discipline couldn't erase.
"Splash!"
Li Xiaoyi summoned a fresh set of clothes with a flick of her wrist, dressing herself in an instant before stepping onto the bank. Her face was as red as the rising sun.
Behind her, Xiao Chen fumbled for words. "I... I'm really sorry. I thought you'd already left... But don't worry! I swear I won't tell anyone about what happened!"
Li Xiaoyi's glare could've pierced stone, yet she said nothing. The atmosphere grew unbearably awkward.
Finally, with a huff, she turned and retreated to the cave. Safely out of sight, her composure crumbled as her cheeks burned with humiliation. "That damned scoundrel! Why did he have to wake up now?"
Trying to steady her breath, she reminded herself of the day's importance. She had activated her sect's signal jade, and a rescue party was surely on its way. By midday, she would leave this wretched place—and its troublesome occupant—behind.
An hour later, several powerful spiritual pressures descended upon the glen. Among them, three distinct auras stood out—Golden Core cultivators! Xiao Chen's face paled as he sensed their overwhelming presence. Any one of them could snuff out his life with ease.
Li Xiaoyi, however, appeared unperturbed. As the group drew closer, she stepped out to meet them, her elegant figure framed by her flowing white robes. Xiao Chen followed reluctantly, his posture tense, prepared to fight if necessary.
Within moments, the group arrived. At the forefront was a young man clad in white, his handsome features accentuated by an air of nobility. His aura radiated the unmistakable power of the Golden Core stage, albeit at its early levels.
Flanking him were two older men, their weathered faces exuding cold menace. The dense killing intent emanating from their bodies betrayed countless lives taken. Behind them stood seven or eight cultivators, all at or above the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.
"Greetings, Miss!" The group bowed in unison, their deference clear.
Xiao Chen stiffened in shock, struggling to process what he saw. Three Golden Core cultivators and a retinue of elites... bowing to her?!
"Who... who exactly is she?" he wondered, sweat trickling down his back. If her sect learned of their earlier... interactions, he feared his fate would be sealed. Could her father be a Nascent Soul powerhouse?