The Aftermath
Su Mei's eyelids fluttered open, her head pounding and vision blurred. The last thing she remembered was one of the Black Tortoise Sect disciples launching an attack at Xiao Feng. Darkness had claimed her after that.
Now, as her vision cleared, the scene before her was enough to freeze her blood.
The forest clearing was a scene of pure carnage. The bodies of the cultivators were scattered across the ground—or rather, their remains were. Limbs were severed, torsos torn open, and blood painted the ground in grotesque splashes. Their expressions, frozen in fear and agony, told the story of a swift but merciless end.
Sitting atop the severed heads of the two strongest disciples was Xiao Feng, his silver hair glinting in the sunlight, unbothered and eerily calm. A playful smirk tugged at his lips as he cleaned his blood-stained hands with a piece of cloth.
Su Mei struggled to sit up, her voice weak but full of dread. "What… what happened here?"
Xiao Feng's silver eyes locked onto hers, gleaming with excitement. His smile widened as he casually replied, "Idiots. I gave them a chance, but they thought they were strong because I didn't act immediately. So, I showed them their place—in hell."
Su Mei shivered at his tone, a strange mix of exhilaration and disdain. She glanced around again, bile rising in her throat as the sight of the mutilated bodies became too much.
"You… you killed them all?" she asked, disbelief lacing her voice.
Xiao Feng chuckled, hopping down from his morbid throne of heads. "Of course. What else was I supposed to do? Let them walk away after they insulted me?" He leaned closer to her, his grin maddeningly smug. "They sealed their fate the moment they attacked me."
Her hands trembled as she stood, her gaze searching his face for any hint of remorse. There was none. Only the twisted joy of someone who relished in his power.
"Why didn't you attack them when they came after me?" she demanded, her voice shaking with frustration.
Xiao Feng's expression didn't waver. "Because they weren't my enemies."
Her jaw clenched. "So now they are? What changed?"
His smirk turned into a sly smile, his voice dropping to a teasing tone. "Because I love you."
Her face turned bright red as she spluttered, caught off guard. "W-What are you even saying, idiot? Be serious!" She swung her fist at him, hitting his chest lightly, more out of embarrassment than anger.
Xiao Feng laughed, taking a step back. "Fine, fine," he said, his tone still laced with amusement. "They attacked me, so they became my enemies. Simple as that. And now, I want to destroy the Black Tortoise Sect. So, tell me, where is their sect located?"
Su Mei stiffened, shaking her head. "Not now. You're not strong enough yet, and neither am I. If you go after them in your current state, you'll only get yourself killed."
Xiao Feng frowned, his excitement dimming. "Sigh… I guess you're right," he said, crossing his arms. "I hate it, but I'll wait. For now."
He stepped closer, his grin returning as he looked her in the eyes. "So, if we need to get stronger…" He reached out and cupped her chin gently, his voice dropping to a low, suggestive tone.
"…let's start dual cultivation."