As night fell, the Wolf Head Mercenary Group kept watch for the first half of the night, while the scattered mercenaries took the second half.
At the first glimmer of dawn, everyone on watch was growing drowsy except Xiao Li. His cultivation level was higher, so going two days without sleep wouldn't affect him much. He usually meditated instead of sleeping, but since he was on watch now, he couldn't cultivate.
The first ray of morning light fell. Xiao Yi Xian opened her eyes inside the tent. It was already growing light, and she had to be back within an hour.
Xiao Yi Xian wasn't even a Dou Zhe yet, and she didn't dare go too far. An hour would be more than enough.
Through a gap in the tent, Xiao Yi Xian saw that most of the mercenaries were drifting into a light sleep. Only a few had gathered together, trying to stave off their drowsiness by chatting.
A perfect chance!
A smile spread across Xiao Yi Xian's fair little face. She tiptoed out of the tent, carefully staying in the blind spots behind the mercenaries as she headed into the forest.
As Xiao Yi Xian's figure gradually disappeared, Xiao Li opened the eyes he'd been pretending to keep shut, thoughtful.
Could Xiao Yi Xian already know the location of the cave dwelling she wouldn't enter until years later, but simply lack the strength to claim what was inside?
Xiao Li rubbed his chin. He planned to help his third brother get the remnant map to the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame first. Heavenly Flames held little appeal for him, so he might as well leave it for Xiao Yan. Getting it early wouldn't affect the overall direction of the story.
Besides, even if Xiao Li obtained a Heavenly Flame, it would be taken away when Xiao Yan became an Emperor in the future. Rather than a Heavenly Flame, Xiao Li would rather search for something like Strange Lightning, a natural treasure that would suit his attributes.
The Dou Qi Continent was so vast. Xiao Li refused to believe that the only natural divine treasures were fire-aligned ones, with none aligned to lightning.
He'd made up his mind: as long as it didn't change the overall course of the story, he'd help Xiao Yan as much as he could. His third brother had a hard enough life. If Xiao Li could help, he would.
He quietly followed Xiao Yi Xian. She seemed to have already developed the cunning she'd possess years later, but she still lacked the ability to match it. She was only a ten-year-old girl who hadn't even reached Dou Zhe. Xiao Li was already impressed that she dared sneak out alone.
Dappled light filtered through the leaves, carrying a strange, oppressive feeling.
Xiao Yi Xian carefully picked her way forward. They were already near the herb-gathering team's destination, where medicinal herbs grew more plentifully than elsewhere.
She used her little shovel to dig up another herb. A smile appeared on her face. "This should be enough. I can make some incense that'll knock people out when I get back."
"Yeeh..."
A faint, long cry rang out, startling Xiao Yi Xian. She hurriedly hid behind a tree.
"That sound... it almost..."
"Like crying."
Xiao Yi Xian shook her head, banishing the childish thought. How could a magical beast cry? She should just get back.
She turned and walked a few steps, then suddenly turned back. Her kind heart wouldn't let her pretend she hadn't heard anything.
Xiao Li raised an eyebrow and stealthily followed her.
At the edge of a cliff, Xiao Yi Xian gazed helplessly down into the valley. A blue fledgling lay prone below, barely alive, and could only cry faintly for help.
"It must have failed its first flight and fallen into the valley, breaking its wing," Xiao Li said calmly. His voice startled Xiao Yi Xian.
"Y-you... why are you here?" Xiao Yi Xian asked, shrinking her shoulders in fear. But the cliff was right behind her. There was nowhere to retreat.
"Taking my chances, looking for herbs or treasures or something. What about you?" Xiao Li shrugged, keeping quiet about the rather creepy business of following a little girl.
Xiao Yi Xian gritted her teeth. Xiao Li seemed like a pretty upright person. "I-I'm doing the same."
Xiao Li nodded and walked to the edge of the cliff. "It won't last much longer."
Xiao Yi Xian turned to him, her eyes full of pity. She glanced at Xiao Li beside her and summoned her courage. "This is probably presumptuous, but could you please help it? I can give you herbs as payment."
Xiao Li shook his head. The herbs Xiao Yi Xian had gathered were all low-grade and of little use to him. He'd rather help her and form a good connection with a future powerhouse.
Xiao Yi Xian's heart sank. She furrowed her brow as she looked down at the valley, more than ten meters below, her eyes filled with the pure kindness unique to children.
"You can keep the herbs. I can help, but I don't know anything about medicine. I can only take you down there. Are you willing to come with me?" Xiao Li asked.
Just when things seemed hopeless, Xiao Yi Xian nodded excitedly. "Mm-hmm. Thank you!"
Looking at the porcelain doll with tears in her beautiful eyes, Xiao Li laughed. "I can't stand seeing a cute little girl cry."
His calloused palm, roughened by years of spear training, unconsciously patted Xiao Yi Xian's head. It really felt like comforting a child in his previous life.
Xiao Li didn't find anything awkward about it. Xiao Yi Xian was just a little girl. Aside from his own deranged third brother, who would be interested in a little girl?
Xiao Li curled his lips, then took another moment to roast Xiao Yan in his mind, maliciously interpreting his childhood good deed of helping Xun'er nurture her meridians.
Xiao Yi Xian smiled, feeling a warmth she'd never known before.
Since she'd accidentally killed the entire village when she was three, this was the first time she'd felt warmth from someone else.
Thinking of her unique constitution, Xiao Yi Xian's smile faded.
"Okay, hold on tight. I'll carry you down."
Xiao Li scooped Xiao Yi Xian into his arms. His left hand supported her bottom, and his right arm wrapped around her back, treating her entirely like the child she'd been in his previous life.
But Xiao Yi Xian had always relied on herself to survive, and had matured early. She looked a little uncomfortable.
People came of age at sixteen on the Dou Qi Continent, and some were engaged at thirteen or fourteen. Xiao Yi Xian didn't think she was all that young anymore.
"How are we going to—ah!"
Before Xiao Yi Xian could finish asking how they'd get down, Xiao Li leaped off the cliff with her in his arms.
"Ahhh!"
Xiao Yi Xian felt the air rush past her. Her white dress flapped wildly in the wind, and the intense sensation of free fall sent her heart leaping into her throat.
Xiao Li reached his right hand downward, holding his body parallel to the ground. The gale whipped his hair against his scalp, but he felt no panic.
He slammed his palm toward the ground. A powerful wave of Dou Qi surged out, pressing a palm print into the earth through the air.
Using the brief lift to soften his landing, Xiao Li twisted in midair and landed steadily.
Xiao Yi Xian gasped for breath, still shaken as she stared at the ground. "I-I..."
"Hahahaha!" Seeing Xiao Yi Xian's adorable, stunned expression, Xiao Li couldn't help laughing out loud.
"W-what are you laughing at!" Xiao Yi Xian's face turned bright red. Fresh from her high-altitude bungee jump, she snapped at him.
"Nothing, nothing. Hahahahahaha."
How annoying! Adults with no sense of boundaries were the worst!
Xiao Yi Xian angrily wriggled down from Xiao Li's arms, then swayed and nearly took a tumble on level ground.
Hearing his low laughter behind her, Xiao Yi Xian's face grew even redder. Without looking back, she headed straight for Blue Eagle.