Will You Come with Me?

Xiao Yi Xian looked at the black-robed young man who still had his back to her. That figure, which had once seemed somewhat slender to her, now stood like an insurmountable mountain.

Xuan Jin slowly turned around.

The Blue Flame had long since vanished, and his face still bore that calm, untroubled expression.

Xuan Jin looked at her without speaking.

He extended his hand with a smile, his expression utterly sincere.

A character from a novel in his previous life was standing alive before him. It was a strange feeling.

Did Xuan Jin not like it?

How could that be? Of course he liked it.

Xiao Yi Xian raised her head and looked at the hand extended toward her.

That hand was clean and strong, its knuckles distinct.

It was this very hand that had wiped out dozens of living lives with a flick of his finger moments ago.

Yet now, she could not sense the slightest trace of killing intent from it, only a warmth that put her at ease.

"Will you come with me?"

Xuan Jin spoke gently.

Something lightly stirred Xiao Yi Xian's heart.

Go with him?

Xiao Yi Xian looked at Xuan Jin's face. There was not the slightest hint of falsehood upon it.

This feeling of being needed, of being acknowledged, was something she had never experienced before.

She had been lonely for too long and craved even the smallest shred of warmth.

Even if there might be a bottomless abyss behind that warmth.

As if possessed, she extended her trembling hand and gently placed it in Xuan Jin's palm.

"I will."

Her voice was soft, yet it carried the resolve of someone staking everything on a single throw.

Xuan Jin's smile deepened. He took her hand, and the warm touch made Xiao Yi Xian's body stiffen imperceptibly before she quickly relaxed again.

"But..." Xiao Yi Xian seemed to recall something and spoke hesitantly.

"I... I have another friend. Can I bring it along?"

Upon hearing this, Xuan Jin understood. She meant the Lan Eagle Xiao Yi Xian had raised.

"Oh? Your friend?"

Xuan Jin raised an eyebrow in feigned curiosity.

"Bring it here first and let me see."

Xiao Yi Xian nodded and took a Bamboo Flute from her robes.

She held the Bamboo Flute to her lips and played a crisp, pleasant melody.

The flute's notes echoed through the silent wilderness.

A moment later, a sharp rush of wind came from the night sky.

A massive Azure Giant Eagle dived down from the clouds and landed steadily in an open space not far away.

The giant eagle was covered in azure feathers. With its wings spread, it spanned seven or eight meters, and its gaze was sharp. It was the First-Class Magical Beast, the Lan Eagle.

The Lan Eagle affectionately rubbed its head against Xiao Yi Xian's shoulder and gave a low cry.

"Brother Xuan Jin, this is my friend, Xiao Lan."

Xiao Yi Xian stroked the Lan Eagle's feathers, a gentle smile appearing on her face.

Xuan Jin examined the Lan Eagle as a trace of a Three-Star Dou Ancestor's pressure inadvertently leaked out.

The Lan Eagle, which had been strutting about proudly, instantly had every feather stand on end. Its massive body flattened against the ground as it trembled, and even its cry carried a pleading tone.

Xiao Yi Xian was startled and hurriedly comforted it.

"Xiao Lan, don't be afraid."

Xuan Jin withdrew his aura and shook his head slightly.

"Xian'er, this Lan Eagle has limited talent, and its potential has already been exhausted. Even if it follows us, it will not be much help."

Xuan Jin was telling the truth.

A First-Class Magical Beast was no different from a somewhat stronger domestic bird in his eyes now.

Hearing this, Xiao Yi Xian showed a trace of reluctance.

How could she not know that Xiao Lan was weak? But it was her only companion.

"Is there no way?" Xiao Yi Xian's voice was somewhat downcast.

Seeing Xiao Yi Xian like this, Xuan Jin's heart softened.

"Fine."

He casually took several pills from his Storage Ring. They were all low-grade pills he had casually refined, perfect for feeding magical beasts.

With a flick of his finger, the pills turned into several streaks of light and flew precisely into the Lan Eagle's mouth.

The pills melted as soon as they entered its mouth, and a surge of pure energy instantly spread through the Lan Eagle's body.

The Lan Eagle let out a delighted cry. Its aura, which had been listless from fear, visibly grew stronger.

When it looked at Xuan Jin again, there was no longer any fear in its eyes. Instead, there was a trace of reverence and affection.

Seeing this, Xiao Yi Xian's face also lit up with delight.

"Thank you, Brother Xuan Jin!"

"It was nothing." Xuan Jin waved his hand. "This is not a place to linger. Do you have somewhere to stay?"

Xiao Yi Xian hesitated upon hearing this, but she still spoke.

"I... I have a Little Valley deep in the mountain range where I usually live. It is very secluded."

That was her last secret garden.

But now, she was willing to share it with Xuan Jin before her.

"Good. Lead the way."

Xiao Yi Xian nodded, leaped onto the Lan Eagle's back, and then extended her hand toward Xuan Jin.

Xuan Jin smiled. Without taking her hand, he flashed and landed lightly behind her.

The Lan Eagle gave a piercing cry, beat its wings, and soared into the sky, vanishing into the night in the blink of an eye.

Only that lonely old locust tree and the ashes stirred by the night wind remained, bearing witness to everything that had happened here.

The Lan Eagle flew swiftly. Guided by Xiao Yi Xian, it passed through layer after layer of dense forest before finally landing at the entrance to a valley hidden by vines and a waterfall.

A Little Valley, like a paradise untouched by the outside world, appeared before them.

Birdsong and fragrant flowers filled the valley. A clear stream flowed gently through it, and an exquisite Bamboo House stood beside the stream.

"Brother Xuan Jin, this is my home."

Xiao Yi Xian jumped from the eagle's back. Looking at everything so familiar before her, countless emotions welled up in her heart.

The valley was quiet at night, filled only with the sound of flowing water and chirping insects.

Xiao Yi Xian stood somewhat awkwardly before the Bamboo House, unsure how to arrange things for Xuan Jin.

The Bamboo House had only one bedroom.

"Brother Xuan Jin, how about... you sleep on the bed, and I sleep outside..."

Her face reddened, and her voice grew softer and softer.

Xuan Jin glanced at the bamboo bed, which was clearly meant for a woman and carried a faint body fragrance, then chuckled.

"No need. I can meditate outside."

With that, he found a clean bluestone, sat cross-legged upon it, and closed his eyes to rest.

Looking at his straight, pine-like back, Xiao Yi Xian felt inexplicably reassured.

She returned to the Bamboo House and lay on her own bed. A faint, lingering scent of sandalwood drifted around her nose, coming from Xuan Jin.

That night, she slept more peacefully than ever before.

The next morning, when the first ray of sunlight filtered through the gaps in the bamboo leaves and fell into the valley, Xiao Yi Xian woke early.

She walked out of the Bamboo House and saw that Xuan Jin still maintained the same posture as last night, as though he had not moved all night.

The morning light fell upon him, gilding the edges of his black robes with a faint golden glow.

She did not disturb him. Instead, she quietly walked to the stream and skillfully caught several plump, fresh fish from its waters.

Then, she started a bonfire in the open space before the Bamboo House, skewered the fish on branches, and slowly roasted them over the flames.

Before long, an enticing aroma of roasted meat spread through the valley.