Xiao Yi Xian

The morning mist outside Wind Wolf Valley blanketed the entire forest like a thin veil. Sunlight pierced through the fog, casting mottled shadows across the leaf-strewn ground. A faint smell of blood lingered in the air, left behind after Xiao Yan had just slain a Second-tier Wind Wolf. He was crouched over its corpse, his fingertips lightly touching the dark gray magic core in its abdomen. The core still carried the residual warmth of the Demonic Beast, and a faint Dou Qi glow appeared on its surface.

At that moment, Elder Yao's urgent warning suddenly rang out in his mind, his tone carrying rare gravity. "Kid, be careful! Three zhang to your left, there's the aura of a Third-tier Demonic Beast, and its killing intent is intense!"

Xiao Yan's heart tightened. Almost instinctively, he shot to his feet, his Right Hand instantly pulling out the Short Blade at his waist. Pale blue Dou Qi swiftly surged down his arm and into the blade, causing its originally cold edge to appear with a fierce blue glow. He looked in the direction Elder Yao had indicated and saw a massive figure slowly emerging from the morning mist. It was more than twice the size of an ordinary Wind Wolf, its entire body covered in silver-gray mane stained with traces of dark red blood. Its lantern-sized eyes glowed bloodthirsty red. It was a Third-tier Demonic Beast—the Bloodthirsty Wind Wolf.

This kind of Demonic Beast was several times faster than a Second-tier Wind Wolf, and its fangs carried a deadly poison that could numb the nerves. An ordinary Dou Zhe cultivator would have almost no chance of survival upon encountering one. Xiao Yan was secretly alarmed. Why would this thing appear in territory belonging to Second-tier Demonic Beasts? Could it be fighting over territory?

Before he could think further, the Bloodthirsty Wind Wolf had clearly fixed its gaze on him. A low rumble came from its throat before it suddenly raised its head and let out an earth-shaking howl. The howl echoed through the valley, shaking leaves from the surrounding trees. The next moment, it kicked off the ground with all four limbs, transforming into a streak of silver-gray lightning that carried a howling strong wind as it pounced straight at Xiao Yan!

Xiao Yan did not dare meet it head-on. He immediately used Windwalk Steps, his body retreating like a phantom and barely avoiding the Bloodthirsty Wind Wolf's pounce. Its claws swiped past the hem of his clothes, and the strong wind they raised cut painfully across his face. He could even smell the stench emanating from its claws. Over the next few exchanges, Xiao Yan could only keep dodging with the flexibility of Windwalk Steps. The Bloodthirsty Wind Wolf's attacks were swift and vicious, each pounce forcing him into peril.

Before long, Xiao Yan was driven step by step to a cliff at the valley entrance. Behind him lay a bottomless ravine shrouded in clouds and mist, leaving him nowhere to retreat. Seeing the Bloodthirsty Wind Wolf open its blood-filled maw once more and pounce with its fangs gleaming coldly, Xiao Yan knew he could not keep dodging. He gritted his teeth and gathered his full body Dou Qi, clutching the Short Blade tightly as he stared straight into the Bloodthirsty Wind Wolf's eyes. Those were the Demonic Beast's weakest point—and his only chance!

Just as the Short Blade was about to touch the Bloodthirsty Wind Wolf's eye, the vicious beast suddenly twisted aside with astonishing agility. At the same time, its right claw, carrying the force of a thousand jin, slammed brutally into Xiao Yan's shoulder. With a muffled sound, Xiao Yan felt a piercing pain shoot through his shoulder, as if his bones had been shattered. Blood burst uncontrollably from his mouth, and his body fell backward like a kite with a broken string.

At the critical moment, Xiao Yan instinctively reached out and tightly grabbed a dead vine at the cliff's edge. Under the strain, the vine creaked and groaned as though it could snap at any moment. Hanging in midair, the agony in his shoulder nearly made him lose his grip on the Short Blade. The Dou Qi inside him had also become chaotic from his injury, draining all strength from his body. He could only barely maintain his hold.

The Bloodthirsty Wind Wolf lowered its head at the edge of the cliff, looking down from above at him with eyes full of mockery, as though it were toying with its prey. Xiao Yan gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead. Just as he was about to use the last bit of strength to throw the Short Blade at the Bloodthirsty Wind Wolf, he suddenly heard a clear flute melody drifting in from outside the valley.

The flute melody was gentle and winding, like clear spring water flowing through the mountains, yet it carried a strange power. The Bloodthirsty Wind Wolf shuddered violently upon hearing it. The killing intent in its eyes, which had been full of fierce light, gradually faded, leaving it somewhat dazed. It restlessly paced in circles at the cliff's edge, occasionally letting out a low growl. In the end, as if wary of something, it unwillingly glanced at Xiao Yan hanging in midair before turning and darting into the morning mist, vanishing from sight.

Xiao Yan froze, then the weight pressing on his heart instantly lifted. Following the direction from which the flute melody had come, he saw a young girl slowly walking along the path at the valley entrance, dressed in a pale green gown. She was slender, holding a bamboo flute in her hand. Her long black hair was loosely tied behind her head with a simple wooden hairpin, and a few loose strands fell beside her cheeks, making her snow-white skin seem even fairer. A faint smile rested on her face, her eyes as clear as a stream and without the slightest impurity. A basket woven from bamboo strips hung from her shoulder, filled with all kinds of herbs. She carried a fresh fragrance of grass and wood, utterly out of place in the perilous Monster Beast Mountain Range, like an elf who had wandered into the mortal world.

"Are you all right?" The girl stopped at the cliff's edge, bent down, and extended her slender, fair hand. Her voice was as gentle as a spring breeze. "Come up quickly. That dead vine doesn't look very sturdy. It won't hold for long."

Looking into the girl's pure, unblemished eyes, Xiao Yan's vigilance gradually faded. Gritting his teeth against the intense pain in his shoulder, he reached out and tightly grasped her hand. Her hand was slightly cool, yet strong. With her help, Xiao Yan struggled up the cliff. The moment he stood firmly, the sharp pain from his shoulder made him frown. Cold sweat instantly soaked the back of his clothes, and his face turned pale.

Seeing this, the girl did not ask any questions. She took a small White Porcelain Bottle from the bamboo basket on her shoulder, its body carved with a simple lotus pattern. Pulling out the stopper, she poured out a jade-green pill and held it before Xiao Yan. "This is a Clear Spirit Pill I refined. Though it's only a second-grade pill, it can quickly ease injuries and stabilize chaotic Dou Qi. Take it first."

Xiao Yan accepted the pill. It felt slightly cool in his hand, and a fresh medicinal fragrance wafted toward him. It was several times richer than the first-grade Clear Spirit Pills he had refined before, and its medicinal effect was clearly much stronger. Without hesitation, he put it into his mouth. The pill melted upon contact with his tongue, and a cool current slid down his throat, swiftly flowing through all the meridians in his body. Before long, the pain in his shoulder eased, and his previously chaotic Dou Qi gradually settled.

"Thank you for saving me, miss. I am Xiao Yan." After recovering somewhat, Xiao Yan cupped his hands toward the girl in thanks. His gaze fell upon the bamboo flute in her hand as he asked curiously, "Was it your flute melody that drove off that Bloodthirsty Wind Wolf just now?"

The girl smiled and nodded. She put away the bamboo flute and tucked it at her waist, revealing two shallow dimples that made her look especially lively. "My name is Xiao Yi Xian. I learned that flute melody by chance. It can soothe the emotions of low-tier Demonic Beasts. I didn't expect it to work on the Third-tier Wind Wolf you encountered either. Perhaps it just happened not to be that violent." She paused and looked Xiao Yan over with curiosity. "Why were you alone in Wind Wolf Valley? Second-tier Wind Wolves are common here, while fierce Third-tier beasts like the Bloodthirsty Wind Wolf rarely appear in this area. Your luck is truly terrible."

"I came here to train. I wanted to find Wind Wolf Cores to refine pills, but I didn't expect something like this to happen," Xiao Yan explained with a bitter smile. His gaze unconsciously swept over Xiao Yi Xian's bamboo basket. When he saw several plants with pale blue leaves shaped like ice crystals, surprise flashed through his eyes. They were Ice Heart Grass, a key ingredient for refining the second-grade Pulse Protecting Pill. The Pulse Protecting Pill could protect a cultivator's meridians from the impact of Dou Qi during a breakthrough, making it extremely precious. He had searched Wutan City's herb shops and the Monster Beast Mountain Range for a long time without finding any, yet he had encountered it here.

Xiao Yi Xian noticed his gaze and followed his line of sight toward the basket. Smiling, she picked up the Ice Heart Grass inside and gave it a little shake. "You recognize this? It's Ice Heart Grass. It grows beside cold, damp mountain streams and can calm the mind and protect the meridians. It's quite rare. I picked it this morning beside a small stream deep in the valley. There are only a few stalks in total."

"More than recognize it—I've been looking for it all this time!" Xiao Yan said excitedly, unable to hide his delight. "To be honest, I'm an alchemist. This Ice Heart Grass is the core ingredient for refining Pulse Protecting Pills. With it, many cultivators can avoid damaging their meridians during breakthroughs."

A trace of curiosity flashed through Xiao Yi Xian's eyes, followed by admiration. "You're an alchemist? That's amazing! I know a little medicine myself. I usually enjoy gathering herbs in this Monster Beast Mountain Range. I can study their properties while also treating injured travelers and Demonic Beasts." She paused, then handed the three stalks of Ice Heart Grass to Xiao Yan with a smile. "Since you need it so badly, you can have these. I picked five stalks and only need to keep two for myself. I have no use for so many right now anyway."

Xiao Yan was somewhat surprised and quickly waved his hands in refusal. "How could I accept that? Ice Heart Grass is so precious. I can't take your things for nothing." As he spoke, he reached towards the Storage Ring at his waist and took out a lustrous white Jade Bottle containing three first-grade high-quality Qi Gathering Powders he had refined not long ago. Handing the Jade Bottle to Xiao Yi Xian, he explained, "This is Qi Gathering Powder I refined. Though it's only a first-grade pill, its effect is fairly good and can speed up the gathering of Dou Qi. Consider it an exchange for your Ice Heart Grass. Please accept it, or I won't feel at ease."

Xiao Yi Xian looked at the Jade Bottle Xiao Yan offered but did not take it immediately. Instead, she carefully examined him, as though confirming whether he was telling the truth. A moment later, she finally accepted the bottle, pulled out the stopper, and leaned in to smell it. Delight instantly appeared in her eyes. "The medicinal fragrance of this Qi Gathering Powder is so pure. Its quality is much better than those I saw in the herb shops of Black Rock City! You really are an impressive alchemist!" Smiling, she put away the Jade Bottle. "That's wonderful. I've recently been researching an ointment that can ease the violent emotions of Demonic Beasts, and I happen to need the pure spiritual energy in Qi Gathering Powder to assist with it. Your medicine came at just the right time. You've helped me greatly."

The two exchanged smiles, and the sense of distance caused by their unfamiliarity instantly disappeared. Xiao Yi Xian raised her hand and pointed toward a wooden hut not far outside the valley. "I built a small wooden hut over there. I usually live there, using it to store herbs and treat injured people. Your injury hasn't healed yet, so why don't you come rest at the hut first? I can prepare some herbs for external application to help your wound heal faster and prevent any lasting problems."

Xiao Yan did not refuse and nodded. "Then I'll trouble you."

Afterward, Xiao Yan followed behind Xiao Yi Xian toward the wooden hut. Along the way, Xiao Yi Xian eagerly introduced the herbs they encountered. "Look at that plant over there with little purple flowers. It's Purple Spirit Grass, and it can cure mild snake venom. And that cluster of Ground Brocade Grass growing close to the ground—crush it and apply it externally, and it stops bleeding especially well..." Her voice was gentle, and her explanations were detailed and thorough, her words filled with love and familiarity for herbs.

Xiao Yan listened patiently as well, occasionally adding his own understanding of herb properties as an alchemist. For example, certain herbs needed to be blanched beforehand to remove impurities when refining pills, while others could enhance medicinal effects when paired with particular ingredients. One understood medicine, while the other understood alchemy. The more they spoke, the more they hit it off, as though they were old friends who had known one another for years. What should have been a half-hour journey passed without them noticing.

Only when they reached the wooden hut did Xiao Yan realize that although it was simple, it had been kept exceptionally neat. Many herbs were planted around it, and several bundles of freshly gathered plants were drying in the open space before the door, giving off a faint medicinal fragrance. Inside, the furnishings were equally simple: a wooden table, two wooden chairs, and more than a dozen porcelain bottles of varying sizes arranged neatly on a shelf in the corner. They contained ointments and pills with different effects. Beside them lay an open herbal atlas, covered in many annotations written in graceful handwriting.

Xiao Yi Xian had Xiao Yan sit on a stone stool in front of the house. She took several herbs from her bamboo basket, including Blood-Stopping Grass, Inflammation-Reducing Leaf, and several plants Xiao Yan did not recognize. She placed the herbs on the stone table, crushed them with a small Stone Mortar, then brought out a bowl of clear water from inside and poured it into the mortar, mixing the herbs into a paste.

"It may feel a little cool. Bear with it," Xiao Yi Xian said as she dipped her fingers into the herbal paste and gently applied it to Xiao Yan's injured shoulder. Her movements were light and tender, carefully avoiding the most painful part of the wound as she applied the medicine. Once she was done, she brought out a clean strip of cloth and carefully bandaged Xiao Yan's shoulder.

"Apply this for three days and change the medicine once a day. Your wound should basically heal by then," Xiao Yi Xian instructed as she tidied the things on the stone table. "During this time, don't let the wound get wet, and don't exert yourself too much, or it may affect your recovery. By the way, you said earlier that you were looking for Wind Wolf Cores. What pill are you trying to refine? There are still many Second-tier Wind Wolves deeper in Wind Wolf Valley, but it's more dangerous there too. Especially now that a Bloodthirsty Wind Wolf has appeared, it's too risky for you to go in alone."

"I want to refine Windwalk Pills," Xiao Yan explained. "Windwalk Pills can temporarily increase a cultivator's speed, which is very helpful for training. Besides, before I left my clan, I promised my father I would bring back useful pills and medicinal herbs. I can't give up halfway."

After hearing this, Xiao Yi Xian thought for a moment. She turned and entered the wooden hut, then emerged a moment later with a yellowed sheepskin map. Handing it to Xiao Yan, she said, "I drew this map while gathering herbs in Wind Wolf Valley over the past few years. It marks the main activity areas of Second-tier Wind Wolves, as well as several relatively safe routes that avoid places where Demonic Beasts often appear. I've also marked a few hidden herb-growing spots. You may find the ingredients you need there."

She paused before adding, "If you encounter danger you can't deal with inside, blow three whistles toward the wooden hut. Once I hear them, I'll come over immediately. My flute melody can't handle high-tier Demonic Beasts, but it should be enough to delay time and help you escape."

Xiao Yan accepted the map and unfolded it. Black ink lines clearly outlined the terrain of Wind Wolf Valley, every region marked at a glance. Even the locations of traps and water sources had been labeled clearly. Xiao Yi Xian had obviously put a great deal of thought into drawing it. His heart filled with gratitude, and he solemnly put the map away before cupping his hands toward her in thanks. "Xiao Yi Xian, thank you so much this time. You've helped me so much that I don't even know how to repay you. If you ever need alchemy ingredients or pills in the future, as long as I can manage it, I'll do my utmost to help!"

Xiao Yi Xian smiled and waved her hand, her eyes still clear. "No need to be so polite. In the Monster Beast Mountain Range, it's only right for everyone to help each other. I like studying herbs, and you're an alchemist. Perhaps we can often exchange ideas and learn from each other in the future." She looked at the sky. The sun had already risen higher, so she picked up the bamboo basket beside her and said to Xiao Yan, "I still need to go to Red Maple Valley ahead to gather Blood Ginseng. That herb only has spiritual energy in the morning, and if I don't leave now, I'll miss it. Rest well here. If anything happens, call for me. I'll be back soon."

Xiao Yan nodded. "All right. Be careful on the road."

Xiao Yi Xian smiled and waved before turning toward the valley exit. Her pale green gown gradually faded into the morning mist, leaving behind only a faint scent of grass and wood. Xiao Yan stood where he was and watched her figure disappear from his line of sight, warmth surging through his heart. He lowered his head to look at the neatly bandaged wound on his shoulder, then touched the wooden box containing Ice Heart Grass in his Storage Ring and the yellowed map. His heart was full of gratitude. This trip to Wind Wolf Valley had not only brought him urgently needed cultivation resources but had also unexpectedly introduced him to a kind, upright, and helpful friend.

"This little girl is far from ordinary," Elder Yao's voice sounded in his mind, carrying a hint of approval. "Her medical skills are exceptional, the second-grade Clear Spirit Pill she refined is of extremely high quality, and that flute technique for controlling beasts is not something an ordinary mountain girl could master. Still, she has not the slightest malicious intent. Instead, she carries a pure aura. She's someone worth befriending."

Xiao Yan deeply agreed. He composed himself and headed toward the activity area of the Second-tier Wind Wolves according to the map's markings. With the map Xiao Yi Xian had drawn, he avoided several dangerous gathering places of Demonic Beasts and hidden traps, increasing his pace considerably. In less than half a day, he successfully killed three Second-tier Wind Wolves and collected three magic cores without encountering any further accidents.

As the sun was setting, Xiao Yan stood at the entrance of Wind Wolf Valley and looked toward Xiao Yi Xian's wooden hut. He silently made up his mind: once this training journey was over, he would definitely return here and bring Xiao Yi Xian some precious alchemy ingredients to properly repay her for helping him.

As night deepened, Xiao Yan found a concealed cave and lit a campfire. He placed the Ice Heart Grass and the Wind Wolf Cores he had just collected before him. Watching the dancing flames, his eyes were full of anticipation. With these resources, he would soon be able to refine Windwalk Pills and Pulse Protecting Pills, raising his strength another level.

His encounter with Xiao Yi Xian had also made Xiao Yan understand that the path of cultivation was not merely about growing stronger and pursuing power. One also had to preserve sincerity and kindness. It was precisely this untainted goodwill that had allowed him to feel long-lost warmth and hope within the dangerous Monster Beast Mountain Range.

The flickering light of the campfire illuminated Xiao Yan's resolute face. He clenched his fists and continued circulating his Dou Qi to cultivate, preparing himself for the challenges ahead. His training in the Monster Beast Mountain Range was far from over, and he might encounter even more dangers in the future. But he knew that as long as he carried kindness in his heart and remained true to himself, he would surely overcome every obstacle, achieve his goals, and not disappoint those around him.