One Step Forward, and I Roamed Free

Above the Heavenly Curtain, the images flashed by at high speed.

The Little Girl who once only knew how to shout that she refused to lose seemed to have been enlightened under the Vague Man's tutelage.

Sunrise and sunset, winter and summer.

Bai Chenxiang's movement technique grew increasingly strange and elusive.

It was completely different from the Speed Clan's straight-line acceleration. She was more like a swallow weaving through a storm, moving with the wind and Borrowing Strength to Counter Strength.

One day, as the sun set.

Bai Chenxiang had just finished training. Drenched in sweat, she eagerly ran over to the Man.

"Brother, this movement technique is incredible!"

"Does it have a name?"

The Vague Man thought for a moment, looking at the drifting clouds in the distance as he spoke casually.

"Let's call it... Carefree Travel."

"One step forward, and beneath the vast heavens, I roamed free."

"Carefree Travel?"

Bai Chenxiang blinked her Big Eyes and repeated the name twice before nodding firmly. "It sounds great! I'll use it to make a name for myself!"

The scene shifted, becoming a lush Soul Beast Forest.

This was a family trial.

Leading the group was the third elder of the Speed Clan, a Soul Emperor, followed by seven or eight younger clan members.

"Careful! It's a Gale Demon Bird!"

The Third Elder shouted.

From deep within the woods, a blue shadow shot out like lightning, accompanied by a piercing shriek through the air as it lunged at the group.

This kind of Soul Beast was renowned for its speed. Even Soul Masters of the same rank found it difficult to keep up with its rhythm.

The other youths of the Speed Clan turned pale with fright and instinctively tried to scatter.

"I'll handle it!"

A delicate cry rang out.

Rather than retreating, Bai Chenxiang charged straight at the Gale Demon Bird.

"Xiangxiang! Come back! It's a thousand-year Soul Beast!"

The Third Elder was horrified and was just about to save her.

But the next second, his movements froze, and his mouth fell wide open.

Bai Chenxiang's footwork suddenly became extraordinarily chaotic and bizarre, as though she were drunk.

Whoosh!

The Gale Demon Bird's sharp claws slashed viciously through the air, but they only tore apart an afterimage.

Bai Chenxiang's real body had somehow appeared to the demon bird's left.

"Over here!"

She flashed it a mischievous smile, and before the bird could react, her figure flickered again.

Left, then right; forward, then back.

The Gale Demon Bird, a creature famed for its speed, now resembled a clumsy headless fly. Bai Chenxiang toyed with it mercilessly, and it could not even touch a single strand of her hair.

"Die!"

Having had enough fun, Bai Chenxiang's gaze sharpened, and she instantly appeared above the demon bird's neck.

The short blade in her hand flashed coldly.

Splurt!

Blood sprayed.

The Gale Demon Bird had not even seen where its enemy was before its eyes rolled back and it crashed heavily to the ground, lifeless.

The entire area fell silent.

The boys and girls of her clan all stared with wide eyes, their faces full of admiration.

The Third Elder strode over, grabbed Bai Chenxiang, and trembled so excitedly that even his beard shook.

"Xiangxiang! That was... what Soul Skill was that?!"

"I've watched speed all my life, yet I've never seen such an exquisite movement technique!"

Bai Chenxiang wiped the blood from her face and stuck out her tongue awkwardly.

"Third Grandpa, a Brother taught me this secret skill."

"I can't pass it on without his permission."

The Third Elder froze, then suddenly understood and nodded repeatedly.

"I understand! I understand!"

"Such an extraordinary art must have come from a reclusive master."

He patted Bai Chenxiang on the shoulder and earnestly advised, "Girl, you must maintain a good relationship with him."

"Our family may not have much money, but if he is willing to honor us with his presence, you must invite him to visit our home!"

Bai Chenxiang's eyes curved into crescents as she nodded vigorously. "Got it!"

The scene returned to that familiar cliffside.

On the Big Green Rock, the Vague Man still looked half-asleep as he lay there sunbathing.

Like a bird returning to its nest, Bai Chenxiang skillfully wrapped herself around his arm and pressed her whole body against him.

"Brother~ Brother~"

"Come visit my home!"

"My Grandpas all want to thank you in person!"

The Vague Man grew dizzy from her shaking. He reached out and pressed down on her head, saying helplessly,

"Thank me for what? I lie around here every day and don't do anything."

"That's not true!"

Bai Chenxiang raised her head, her expression earnest. "If you hadn't taught me these past few years, how could I be this strong?"

"Among the younger generation in the clan, not one of them can outrun me!"

The Vague Man merely waved his hand again and pulled his arm free.

"I'm not going."

"I'm lazy. I like peace and quiet, and I don't like making polite conversation with a bunch of old men."

Seeing how resolute he was, Bai Chenxiang did not press him any further.

She still came here every day. Sometimes she brought something tasty, and sometimes she simply lay beside him and stared into space with him.

Until one day.

Bai Chenxiang ran over excitedly, gesturing with her hands as she spoke.

"Brother! I have news for you!"

"Our four clans are holding a grand tournament for the younger generation!"

"I'm the Eldest Miss of the Speed Clan. This time, I'm definitely bringing back the championship and showing them how amazing I am!"

The Vague Man shifted into a different position and replied absentmindedly.

"Good luck. I hope you win the championship."

Bai Chenxiang was unhappy at his indifferent response.

She leaned closer, grabbed his collar, and shook him back and forth as she began acting cute.

"Oh, come watch with me!"

"It's in a nearby city, and it'll be very lively!"

"I want you to watch me win the championship~ Come on, come on~"

Unable to deal with her pestering, the Vague Man could only sit up and look at the bright, lovely girl before him.

His eyes shifted as he suddenly pointed at a little red flower on the opposite mountain.

"How about this? We'll follow our usual rules."

"Let's compete to pick a flower."

"If you can beat me, I'll go."

Bai Chenxiang froze, then her eyes lit up. "Really?!"

She asked tentatively, "Then... can I use Carefree Travel?"

The Vague Man shrugged. "Of course. Use whatever you want."

"Yay!"

Bai Chenxiang's confidence soared. Her Carefree Travel had already reached perfection, and with her Martial Soul, she definitely had a chance!

The two stood at the starting line.

Bai Chenxiang took a deep breath. Soul Power began to surge through her body, and her gaze became focused.

She casually picked up a small stone and tossed it into the air.

The instant the stone hit the ground.

Whoosh!

Their figures vanished from the spot at the same time.

Within the scene, only two blurry, distorted streams of air remained, wildly darting through the valley.

The next second.

The two of them appeared almost simultaneously beside the flower bed on the opposite cliff.

Two hands reached for the red flower at the same time.

At that moment, a sly smile suddenly appeared on Bai Chenxiang's lips.

Her hand did not reach for the flower. Instead, the wings behind her flapped fiercely, and she used a clever burst of force.

She actually forcefully changed direction and crashed straight into the Vague Man's arms!

"Huh?"

This move of throwing herself into his arms had clearly exceeded the Vague Man's expectations.

If he dodged, Bai Chenxiang might fall off the cliff, so he could only spread his arms and reluctantly catch the little swallow flying into him.

Thud!

The tremendous impact sent them both tumbling straight onto the grass.

Entangled in each other's arms, they rolled down the grassy slope several times before barely coming to a stop.

Their current position was somewhat intimate.