A Tale of Flames and Vengeance
The forest grew darker as night fell, the air cool and still. Xiao Feng and the girl, She sat under the shade of a large tree, its branches casting long shadows that danced in the flickering firelight. Xiao Feng leaned lazily against the trunk, his silver eyes reflecting the flames.
He was bored—utterly, painfully bored. The forest was vast, its depths shrouded in mystery, but no formidable beasts or cultivators had appeared to challenge him. This world, which he once believed would be brimming with excitement and danger, was beginning to feel disappointingly dull.
As the silence stretched, The girl, sitting cross-legged across from him, finally broke it. "We should set up camp here for the night," she said softly, her voice cautious.
Xiao Feng sighed, waving his hand dismissively. "Fine. Do what you want."
She quickly gathered a few more branches and built the fire higher. The warmth was comforting, but Xiao Feng's expression remained indifferent. He stared at the fire, his mind wandering. Then, out of sheer boredom, he turned to the girl.
"Why are you following me?" he asked, his tone casual but piercing.
She hesitated, her hands tightening around her knees. "I… I don't have anyone left in this world," she admitted, her voice trembling.
Xiao Feng raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "Is that so? Then tell me, what's your name, and what happened to leave you so injured?"
She glanced at him, her violet eyes glistening with unshed tears. After a moment, she began to speak, her voice heavy with sorrow.
Her Story
"My name is Su Mei," she said quietly. "I am—or was—the sole daughter of the patriarch of the Flame Sect. Our sect wasn't large, but we were prosperous, known for our mastery of fire arts and our strong disciples."
She paused, her gaze distant as though reliving the memories. "One day, the first young master of the Black Tortoise Sect came to our sect. He was… arrogant, cruel, and feared by many. When he saw me, he was taken by my appearance and demanded that my father arrange a marriage between us."
Su Mei's hands clenched into fists, her nails digging into her palms. "My father refused. He knew of the young master's vile reputation—how he used women as tools, how he tormented those weaker than him. My father thought our rejection would be the end of it, but…"
Her voice broke, and tears began to stream down her face. "That monster couldn't accept our refusal. He brought his sect's disciples and attacked us. They showed no mercy. Women, children… even the elders were slaughtered. My father tried to protect us, but he was overwhelmed and killed right in front of me."
Su Mei's body shook with sobs, her face buried in her hands. "I was the only one who escaped. Everyone else… they're all gone."
Xiao Feng's Reaction
Xiao Feng watched her cry, his expression utterly calm. Her tale was tragic, but in this world, such stories were far from rare. He had seen worse in the game—sects annihilated, clans betrayed, lives destroyed for power or petty grudges. Her pain was just another fragment of this brutal world.
He leaned forward slightly, his tone devoid of pity. "Tell me, Su Mei. Is the Black Tortoise Sect strong? How powerful are their disciples?"
Su Mei looked up, her tear-streaked face filled with confusion. "Why… why does that matter?"
Xiao Feng's lips curled into a smirk, his silver eyes glinting with excitement. "Because I'll help you kill them all. Every last one of them. So calm yourself."
She stared at him, her mind struggling to process his words. "You… you would help me? Why?"
"Why?" Xiao Feng repeated, his voice laced with amusement. "Because I want to. I need a challenge, and destroying a sect sounds like a good start. Besides…" He leaned back, his smirk growing wider. "I'm curious to see how strong they are. If they're as powerful as you say, it might actually be fun."
Su Mei's Doubts
Su Mei's emotions were a whirlwind of confusion, gratitude, and doubt. She wiped her tears, her voice shaky. "But the Black Tortoise Sect is one of the stronger sects in the region. Their disciples are trained in powerful defensive techniques, and their young master is already in the Origin Realm, eighth stage…"
Xiao Feng's smirk didn't waver. If anything, his excitement grew. "Good. The stronger they are, the more satisfying it will be to crush them."
Su Mei frowned. "You don't understand. The sect isn't just strong—they're ruthless. They have connections with other sects and clans. If you go against them, you'll make enemies of everyone tied to them."
Xiao Feng chuckled darkly, his gaze sharp. "Then I'll just kill them too."
His words sent a chill down Su Mei's spine. She wasn't sure if he was arrogant, insane, or both. But there was no denying the sheer confidence and power he exuded.
A Fragile Alliance
Su Mei took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She had no other options. Xiao Feng was the only person willing to help her, even if his motives were questionable.
"Fine," she said softly. "If you truly mean to help me, then I'll follow you. But… don't take the Black Tortoise Sect lightly. Their strength isn't just in their disciples. Their elders and patriarch are in realms far beyond what we can handle."
Xiao Feng waved a dismissive hand. "We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. For now, we focus on getting stronger. If you're going to follow me, you'd better not hold me back."
Su Mei nodded, her resolve hardening. She would have to trust him, at least for now. If he could help her avenge her sect, then she would do whatever it took to aid him.
As the fire crackled between them, Xiao Feng leaned back, a small, amused smile on his face. This world was finally starting to show some promise.