On the stone platform, Xiao Yi Xian's long eyelashes trembled.
Like tender leaves just budding on branches in early spring, they seemed to be testing the waters timidly.
Her eyelids felt as heavy as lead. It took all her strength to crack them open.
At first, her eyes were clouded with a watery haze of confusion. They reflected the mottled, shifting light and shadow on the cave ceiling, much like her own muddled thoughts.
Several seconds passed before her vision slowly came into focus.
The first thing her eyes landed on was the black-clad figure seated cross-legged not far away.
The young man seemed quite young, yet the lines of his profile held a cold severity beyond his years.
When his lashes lowered, they cast a faint shadow over his eyelids.
The aura surrounding him was somewhat cool, yet strangely, it didn't make him feel distant.
It was him.
Her memories burst open like a punctured jar of honey, overflowing in an instant.
At the moment she'd been most desperate, when she'd thought certain death was inevitable,
this young man had appeared as if dropped from the heavens and kicked that terrifying Rock Armor Lizard to pieces...
The sharp pain in her abdomen came rushing back along with the memory, making her suck in a breath.
She instinctively tried to raise her hand and touch it, only to find that her torn, bloodstained clothes had already been carefully straightened.
Clean bandages were wrapped around her wound, holding it firmly in place.
It still hurt terribly, but the panic of blood gushing out had faded.
There was even a gentle warmth moving slowly through her body.
Like the winter sun, it nourished her weakened body bit by bit.
Had he saved her and... treated her wound?
A flush suddenly spread across Xiao Yi Xian's pale cheeks.
Even the tips of her ears turned red.
Though she'd spent years traveling with mercenaries and had grown up sooner than most girls, she still understood how private the wound's location was.
Yet right now, she felt embarrassed, not angry.
Instead, relief at having survived and deep gratitude filled her to the brim.
It was like holding a soft, warm cotton ball close to her heart.
She bit her lip and tried to sit up, but even the slightest movement tugged at her wound.
The pain drew a soft "Mm" from her, her voice betraying a hint of helpless grievance.
Lin Chen's eyes snapped open at once.
When his gaze fell on her, the chill in it melted away. His voice remained calm, but carried a note of concern.
"Don't move around. The bleeding only just stopped."
His voice was soft and cool.
Yet it was like a warm hand gently steadying her frantic heartbeat, and for some reason, it put her at ease.
Xiao Yi Xian obediently stayed still and turned her head to look at him.
Her weak voice was as soft as cotton candy.
"Th-thank you, sir, for saving my life..."
Only after the words left her mouth did she remember that he didn't look much older than she was.
She hurriedly lowered her head, twisting the hem of her clothes between her fingers.
Seeing her so flustered, Lin Chen's lips curved almost imperceptibly.
He spoke with a slight frown.
"Just call me Lin Chen. No need to call me sir."
He'd never cared much for empty formalities.
Especially with the young girl in front of him, they only made things feel awkward.
"Lin... Lin Chen?"
Xiao Yi Xian quickly raised her head.
A hint of surprise flickered in her eyes.
This terrifyingly powerful young man had such a gentle-sounding name.
She hurriedly nodded, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz.
"Yes, Young Master Lin Chen."
"My name is Xiao Yi Xian. I'm an apprentice at the Myriad Herb Pavilion in Qingshan Town..."
"Thank you so, so much for saving me..."
At the end, she remembered the mercenaries who had died miserably.
Her bright eyes misted over, and her long lashes trembled like butterfly wings dusted with dew.
"What happened?"
Lin Chen asked.
He could guess some of it, but still wanted to hear her side of the story.
When his gaze fell on her reddened eyes, it softened further.
Xiao Yi Xian sniffed.
Her voice low and choked with tears, she began to tell him what had happened.
She'd entered the mountains with a temporary mercenary squad to gather herbs. Two members of the squad belonged to the Wolf Head Mercenary Group.
They'd stumbled upon an extremely rare Three-Colored Ghost Orchid.
The magical beast guarding it was that third-tier Rock Armor Lizard.
The plan had been to lure the beast away together, then gather the herb.
But at the critical moment, those two had suddenly turned on them. They'd snatched the herb and deliberately led the beast toward the others.
Everyone except her...
"How could they do that..."
Xiao Yi Xian's voice broke as she spoke.
Her shoulders trembled slightly.
"The brothers risked their lives to cover for me, and that beast..."
She couldn't finish, a sob choking off her words.
Her tears rolled down her cheeks like beads from a broken string.
Lin Chen listened in silence, tapping his fingertips lightly against his knee.
The strong preyed on the weak, and betrayal was nothing new in the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
But at the mention of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group, a cold glint still flashed through his eyes.
It seemed this trouble would have to be dealt with, once and for all.
After all, they'd laid a hand on someone he'd taken an interest in. That meant they were asking for trouble!
He watched the girl cry, her eyes red as a wronged little rabbit.
The bloodlust that had risen in him after the slaughter eased somewhat. Rarely, he offered a few more words.
"The strong prey on the weak. That's how things are, but if you want to survive,"
"you either become stronger, or... learn to protect yourself."
The words sounded too harsh even to him. He softened his voice to comfort her.
"At least you don't have to be afraid right now. I'm here."
Xiao Yi Xian raised her tearful eyes to look at him.
The young man's face was especially clear amid the shifting cave light.
His expression was still mostly blank, but his gaze was utterly earnest.
She nodded, only half understanding.
Somehow, the fear in her heart really did fade.
This young man was clearly around her age.
Yet he was like a sturdy mountain, making her feel safe for no reason she could explain.
Silence settled between them for a while.
Only then did Xiao Yi Xian belatedly realize how embarrassing it was to be alone in a cave with a young man.
Especially when she thought he might have touched her wound.
Her cheeks grew hot enough to fry an egg. She tugged her collar higher and let her eyes wander to the pebbles on the ground, unable to look at Lin Chen again.
Lin Chen noticed all her little movements.
But she was still young, and he wasn't interested.
He looked away.
"Rest here. I'll cultivate for a while. Once you're feeling better, I'll take you out."
"Mm..."
Xiao Yi Xian's voice was as fine as a thread.
Lin Chen walked to the center of the cave and took out the scroll containing Wings of the Eagle.
Boom!
The instant his soul force slowly seeped into it, a vast stream of information, mixed with a piercing eagle's cry, crashed into his mind!
Countless profound instructions appeared, detailing energy circulation, wing formation, and the art of flight.
Along with them came the remnant soul of a violent flying magical beast, trying to strike back!
An ordinary cultivator would have exhausted their mind just resisting the remnant soul.
But Lin Chen's soul force was already formidable, and the inheritance of the Styx protected him.
At the slightest shift of his thoughts, that wisp of a remnant soul was like snow beneath the blazing sun.
It let out a shrill scream and was instantly ground to pieces!
A moment later, Dou Qi surged behind Lin Chen.
A pair of wings formed entirely from dark red Dou Qi, faintly illusory, abruptly unfurled!
Their wingspan was nearly two meters, their edges sharp.
With each beat came a low rumble of wind and thunder, and the air in the cave churned!
"It's... done already?"
Xiao Yi Xian's eyes widened in shock.
Her little mouth hung slightly open.
He'd mastered a Flying Dou Technique in such a short time?
This wasn't just genius. He was a monster...
And yet, as she looked at those wings, a strange anticipation stirred in her heart.
Lin Chen tested his Purple Cloud Wings and nodded slightly.
They were fast and agile enough to serve him well until he reached Dou Wang.
He dispersed the wings and walked back to Xiao Yi Xian.
His tone was a little more casual.
"Can you walk?"
Xiao Yi Xian tried to move.
Pain in her abdomen made her knit her brows. She shook her head, looking a little embarrassed.
Lin Chen said nothing. He bent down and picked her up in his arms, cradling her like a princess.
She was so light that he instinctively tightened his hold, his voice softening.
"Hold on tight."
Xiao Yi Xian gasped.
Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around his neck. In an instant, the boy's crisp, powerful presence enveloped her.
His embrace was steady, carrying a strength that made her feel safe.
Still, her heart pounded like a drum, and her cheeks reddened like ripe apples.
She buried her face low, even the tips of her ears turning bright red.
She didn't dare look up at all.
Lin Chen spread his Purple Cloud Wings and carried her out of the cave.
He flew toward the inner reaches of the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
He had no intention of taking her back right away.
The high-tier magical beasts in the inner reaches were his real target.
Besides... having this herb-savvy girl with him didn't seem so bad...
In the days that followed, Lin Chen took Xiao Yi Xian around the inner reaches.
He hunted magical beasts and devoured their essence. Whenever he came back, he would bring along some herbs she might be able to use.
Xiao Yi Xian, her body still recovering, carefully gathered herbs nearby.
She had a remarkable talent for medicine and could always find rare, valuable plants.
In the evenings, she used the meat from the magical beasts Lin Chen had hunted.
She added spices she'd gathered and roasted it over the fire until it sizzled and dripped with fat, sending its fragrance wafting far away.
Lin Chen didn't talk much, but he always saved the most tender pieces for her.
As he watched her savor each small bite, a hint of a smile would spread across his eyes, unnoticed even by himself.
Gradually, the two of them developed an unusual rapport.
Lin Chen still didn't say much, but he would reach out to steady her when she climbed a slope.
He would silently keep watch nearby while she gathered herbs.
The smile on Xiao Yi Xian's face grew more frequent.
When she looked at Lin Chen, there was gratitude and awe in her eyes.
But there was also a hazy feeling she couldn't even explain to herself.
Like a vine quietly sprouting in spring, it slowly curled around her heart.
They settled temporarily in a valley filled with birdsong and blossoms, with a clear stream running through it.
It was safe here, and the scenery was beautiful. The stream burbled, and the air was heavy with the fragrance of flowers.
Lin Chen's cultivation steadily improved amid his frenzied slaughter.
Before long, he had reached the Eight-Star Peak of Dou Ling!
His understanding of the supreme divine ability, Boundless Blood Sea, had also grown deeper and deeper!
He sat cross-legged by the stream, surrounded by a dense blood-red aura of murderous intent so thick it seemed almost impossible to disperse!
The residual souls and resentment of countless demonic beasts he had slain, along with those people from the Jialie Clan,
seemed to be drawn in, roaring and struggling in his sea of consciousness!
An ordinary person would have been driven mad by this terrifying will to slaughter long ago.
But Lin Chen's soul was as steadfast as bedrock. He calmly observed and comprehended everything.
"Boundless Blood Sea... it isn't just about accumulating energy..."
he murmured to himself.
"The core is the gathering and sublimation of the will to slaughter..."
Blood-red light surged in his eyes!
"Forge supreme killing intent through endless slaughter!"
"Use the resentment and suffering of all beings as nourishment!"
"Let the soul be the foundation and the will the guide, and condense... the Seed of the Blood Sea!"
A flash of inspiration struck him, and he no longer fixated on the limits of his cultivation realm!
Originally, the threshold for cultivating it had been Dou Venerate. Later, his insights had lowered it to Dou Wang.
Now, after grasping the core of slaughter, he could attempt to begin cultivating it!
In a sense, he was a genius himself!
"Boom!"
He channeled the immense, pure will to slaughter and the soul power he had devoured with all his might,
compressing and condensing them furiously deep within his soul!
The process was agonizing and dangerous.
It felt as if his soul were being torn apart!
But his will was as unyielding as iron, and he clenched his teeth and persevered!
After an unknown amount of time, in the deepest part of his Soul Origin,
the churning blood-red aura of murderous intent and the resentment of countless residual souls were compressed to the utmost limit.
At last... they condensed into an extremely tiny Blood-Colored Spring Eye that seemed to contain an endless sea of blood!
The moment the spring eye formed, the terrifying aura of murderous intent surrounding Lin Chen seemed to find a home.
It surged into it in a frenzy!
The aura that had grown somewhat violent from all his killing
instantly became restrained and profound, making him all the more chilling to behold!
He had successfully begun cultivating Boundless Blood Sea!!!
Though it was only a tiny Blood Spring, still far from a true boundless sea of blood,
it meant he had truly crossed the threshold of this supreme divine ability!
From then on, he could continue to slaughter
and absorb the resentment, suffering, and souls of living beings into the Blood Spring, allowing it to slowly grow until it eventually evolved into a sea of blood!
With the divine ability's initial mastery, the bottleneck in his cultivation also loosened.
The Blood-Colored Spring Eye rotated faintly, sending back a stream of incomparably pure energy!
Nine-Star Dou Ling!
It came naturally!
Lin Chen opened his eyes, and the deep blood-red vortexes in their depths slowly settled.
Feeling the ever more surging power within him, as well as the Blood-Colored Spring Eye resting deep in his soul, quiet yet harboring terrifying power, he nodded in satisfaction.
It was time to leave.
He got up and went to find Xiao Yi Xian.
He saw her crouching by the stream, carefully spreading the herbs she had gathered across a rock to dry.
Sunlight fell on her hair, edging it in a soft golden glow.
It was a peaceful, beautiful sight.
"We're leaving."
He walked up beside her, his voice gentler than usual.
Xiao Yi Xian's hands paused, and the herbs in them nearly fell.
She lowered her head to hide the disappointment in her eyes and softly murmured, "Mm."
She had always known she couldn't stay by his side forever.
Seeing this, Lin Chen's lips curled up slightly instead:
"We'll go to Qingshan Town first. I have something to take care of."
When he looked at her, the chill in his eyes had softened considerably.
"I'll take you back while we're at it."
Xiao Yi Xian abruptly looked up, a flicker of joy in her eyes.
Then she seemed to remember something. Her face paled slightly, and her lips parted, but she said nothing.
Lin Chen could more or less guess what she was thinking, but didn't explain further.
"Whoosh!"
He simply unfurled his dark-red Purple Cloud Wings.
This time, Xiao Yi Xian didn't wait for him to speak. She stepped forward on her own
and gently wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her cheek against his firm back.
The warmth coming through the fabric made her heart skip a beat.
Her ears were still flushed, but she was no longer as flustered as she had been at first. She tightened her arms around him a little more.
"Boom!"
His broad wings beat once, and the two of them shot into the sky,
flying toward Qingshan Town.
As they soared over the forest, the familiar scenery below gradually put Xiao Yi Xian at ease.
She pointed toward a camp lit by clusters of lights in the distance, her voice tinged with nervousness:
"That... is the Wolf Head Mercenary Group's base..."
Lin Chen looked in the direction she pointed, and his expression turned icy in an instant.
He changed course and swooped straight toward the camp!
At that moment, the Wolf Head Mercenary Group's base blazed with lights and buzzed with noise.
The leader, Mu She, was drinking merrily with his subordinates in the hall, celebrating the fortune they had just made.
His son, Mu Li, was there too, a smug smile on his face.
He showed not the slightest remorse for having gotten his companion killed.
Suddenly, a mercenary came tumbling into the hall.
His face was deathly pale.
"L-Leader! The sky! Something's flying over!"
"What are you panicking for? Is it a flying magical beast?"
Mu She frowned and barked at him.
Then he led everyone out of the hall.
In the night sky, a figure with a pair of dark-red wings on his back was diving down at a terrifying speed!
It seemed he was holding a girl in white in his arms!
"A Dou... Dou Wang expert?!"
Mu She paled with shock.
Anyone who could manifest wings from Dou Qi was at least a Dou Wang! Why would an expert like that come to a backwater place like theirs?
But the figure wasn't releasing the pressure of a Dou Wang.
"Boom!!!"
The next moment, he crashed into the center of the base's plaza like a meteorite.
Fine cracks spread across the ground as dust billowed everywhere.
When the dust cleared, the face of a cold, handsome youth came into view.
And in his arms was a girl in white whom they all knew better than anyone.
Xiao Yi Xian!
"It's... you?!"
Mu Li recognized Xiao Yi Xian at a glance.
His expression changed drastically.
"You're still alive?!"
Mu She's pupils also constricted.
A powerful sense of unease welled up inside him.
He forced himself to stay calm and cupped his hands.
"May I ask what brings you to the Wolf Head Mercenary Group, young master?"
"If one of my men has offended you..."
Lin Chen gently set Xiao Yi Xian down and instinctively reached out to steady her.
His gaze, as cold as ice, swept over Mu Li and his father, then over the mercenaries behind them, who looked on in wary confusion.
He slowly raised his hand and pointed at the father and son.
His voice wasn't loud, but it rang clearly in every ear like the scythe of the god of death:
"I've come to collect a debt."
"The Wolf Head Mercenary Group is finished as of today."
Before you continue