The Journey Ahead
The morning sun filtered through the dense forest canopy, casting a golden glow over the clearing. Xiao Feng leaned casually against a tree, his piercing eyes glimmering with excitement, while Su Mei sat nearby, brushing her hair with her fingers, her expression thoughtful.
"Alright, Su Mei," Xiao Feng began, breaking the silence. "It's time to stop wandering aimlessly. Let's start a proper journey."
She looked up at him, raising a brow. "What do you mean?"
Xiao Feng smirked. "Let's go to my sect."
"Your… sect?" Su Mei asked, surprise evident in her tone.
"Yeah," Xiao Feng said, standing straight and folding his arms confidently. "I'm from the Heaven Blade Sect."
Su Mei froze, her eyes widening in disbelief. "You… belong to the Heaven Blade Sect? The most powerful sect in the world?"
"Surprising, isn't it?" Xiao Feng said, clearly enjoying her reaction. "And not just that. My master is one of the esteemed elders of the sect."
Su Mei frowned, suspicion creeping into her gaze. "You're lying. There's no way the Heaven Blade Sect would harbor someone like you. Your techniques are… strange, almost evil. The Heaven Blade Sect is known for its righteous path. You don't match their teachings at all."
Xiao Feng sighed dramatically. "How many times do I have to tell you? I'm special. Just because I'm different doesn't mean I don't belong. If you want to travel with me, you'll have to trust me completely."
Su Mei's suspicion didn't fade entirely, but she remained silent. Xiao Feng took a step closer, his tone softening slightly. "Besides," he added, smirking mischievously, "considering I took your first time, made you my cultivation partner, and elevated your strength… aren't we basically a couple now? You're practically my wife."
Su Mei's cheeks flushed a deep crimson, and she turned her face away, fidgeting nervously. "Y-You're impossible," she muttered, though she couldn't help the faint warmth spreading through her chest at his words.
Her voice grew quiet, laced with grief. "But before we go to your sect… I want to return to mine. Even if the Flame Sect is gone, I need to go back one last time."
Xiao Feng raised an eyebrow, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "You want to revisit the ruins?"
She nodded solemnly, her gaze distant. "It's my home. I… I need closure."
Before she could finish her sentence, Xiao Feng's excitement flared. "Let's go, then!"
Su Mei blinked, startled by his sudden enthusiasm. "You're… willing to go with me?"
"Of course," Xiao Feng said with a grin. "If it means another chance to stir up some trouble, why not? Besides, I'm curious about your sect's ruins."
A faint smile tugged at Su Mei's lips, her heart softening as she saw his eager expression. Though his methods were often infuriating, his unwavering confidence and willingness to support her made her feel less alone in the harsh world.
"Thank you," she said softly, her voice carrying a mix of gratitude and affection.
"Don't get all sentimental," Xiao Feng teased, turning away to hide his own flicker of emotion. "Now, let's get moving. Who knows? Maybe we'll run into something interesting along the way."
With that, the pair set off toward the ruins of the Flame Sect, their bond growing stronger with every step of their shared journey.