The Aftermath of Battle
The forest was eerily silent, the only sounds being the crackling of embers from the burnt grass and the faint rustling of leaves in the wind. Xiao Feng and Su Mei sat on the ground near the colossal corpse of the Leviathan Wyrm, their bodies still tingling with the aftereffects of their intense battle.
Su Mei glanced at the beast's lifeless form, her mind swirling with questions. Her gaze shifted to Xiao Feng, who seemed calm, almost indifferent, as if fighting such a monstrous creature was routine for him.
Unable to suppress her curiosity any longer, she broke the silence. "What… what was that technique you used?"
Xiao Feng raised an eyebrow but didn't turn to look at her.
Su Mei continued, her voice trembling with a mix of awe and confusion. "When the wyrm hit you, you disappeared and reappeared without a scratch. And then… you absorbed its qi. You're also a dual cultivator who can increase others' cultivation potential. These techniques… your fighting style… they're nothing like the cultivation methods I've ever seen."
She hesitated before finishing, "You… you're just like the devil cultivators I've heard about. They devour souls, manipulate others, and commit unspeakable acts."
Xiao Feng's Calm Reply
Xiao Feng turned to her, his silver eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. His face was calm, but his voice carried a sharp edge. "So what if I have these techniques? Does it matter to you?"
Su Mei flinched but didn't look away.
"And one more thing," Xiao Feng said, his tone growing cold, "don't ever compare me to a devil cultivator again. I hate that."
His eyes narrowed, and for a brief moment, the air around him felt oppressive. Then he leaned back, exhaling deeply, his expression softening slightly.
"Even if I were a devil cultivator, did I ever force you to travel with me? Did I harm you even once? No. You followed me of your own will."
Su Mei opened her mouth to respond but found herself unable to refute his words.
Xiao Feng continued, his voice calm but firm. "I saved your life when you were on the brink of death. Not only that, but I increased your cultivation and potential. You've gained far more than you've lost, so don't question my methods. If you want to keep following me, forget about the way I do things."
He paused, his gaze piercing. "And if you really want to know, the technique I used allows me to merge with light and dark. That's all you need to understand."
Su Mei stared at him, her heart heavy. His words were harsh, but they were true. Whoever he was, whatever methods he used, he had saved her life and given her a chance to grow stronger. She couldn't deny the affection she felt for him, but his cold, distant demeanor left her feeling conflicted.
"I'm going to cultivate and stabilize the qi I absorbed," Xiao Feng said, closing his eyes. "Don't disturb me."
With that, he crossed his legs, his hands resting on his knees, and began to meditate. The energy around him stirred as he drew in the lingering qi from the Leviathan Wyrm's corpse.
Su Mei's Inner Turmoil
Su Mei sat quietly beside him, her emotions in turmoil. Her mind replayed his words, and though they had stung, she knew he wasn't entirely wrong.
She glanced at him, his serene face illuminated by the faint glow of his cultivation. His silver hair shimmered in the dim light, and the air around him seemed to ripple with power.
"Who… who are you really?" she whispered, more to herself than to him.
The image of his fearless battle against the Leviathan Wyrm played in her mind. Despite his seemingly lower cultivation level, he had fought with unmatched confidence and precision, as if the outcome was predetermined.
Her heart ached as she recalled his harsh tone, but at the same time, she couldn't help but feel drawn to him. She placed a hand over her chest, where her heart was racing.
"I owe him my life," she thought. "He may be cold and secretive, but he's not evil. He's… something else entirely."
The Night Settles
The night deepened as Xiao Feng continued to cultivate. The energy around him grew more concentrated, swirling in patterns of light and dark. Su Mei watched in awe as the phenomenon unfolded, a testament to the mysterious nature of his abilities.
Eventually, she leaned back against a tree, her body and mind exhausted. Her gaze lingered on Xiao Feng for a moment longer before she closed her eyes, allowing sleep to claim her.
As the forest remained silent, the only sound was the faint hum of Xiao Feng's cultivation, a beacon of power in the heart of the wilderness.