The Storyteller Beneath the Night Sky

When Xun'er saw Xiao Yao start eating, she caught the scent and took a bite of the grilled meat as well. The savory juices spread across her mouth. It was spicy without being greasy, and she could not help letting out a cry of praise.

"Wow, this meat is so delicious! Brother Xiao Yao, your cooking is incredible. Did you refine everything added to it yourself?"

Hearing Xun'er's praise, Xiao Yao could not help feeling a little pleased with himself.

He smiled and said, "Of course, girl. Your Brother Xiao Yao spent a long time studying the properties of medicinal herbs before extracting this special seasoning. Used for hotpot and barbecue, it makes them even more delicious."

After the two finished the roasted beast meat, they took out more meat, cut it into chunks, threaded it onto forks, and placed it on the grill to continue roasting. They also skewered some mushrooms and grilled them alongside the meat.

At that moment, Xiao Yan arrived at the entrance to Xiao Yao's courtyard, intending to ask whether the pills from before had been refined. The moment he reached the gate, he caught the long-missed aroma of barbecue and was immediately delighted. He hurriedly knocked on the door and called out, "Brother Yao, open up! Let me in!"

Hearing Xiao Yan's voice, Xiao Yao smiled faintly. He looked at Xun'er and said, "Girl, go open the door and let Little Flame in."

Xun'er picked up a handkerchief and wiped her mouth. "Hmph, don't order me around like some little girl. For the sake of the delicious food, I'll be generous and open the door for you."

Xun'er rose and walked toward the gate. As soon as she opened it, Xiao Yan hurried into the courtyard.

"Oh, Little Flame. What a coincidence, you're here too." Xiao Yao said with a smile.

Xiao Yan entered the courtyard and saw Xiao Yao busy beside the grill. The rich aroma assailed his nose, making him swallow involuntarily.

"Brother Yao, did you grill this? It smells amazing!" Xiao Yan praised.

Xiao Yao smiled and pointed to the meat and mushroom skewers on the grill. "I just grilled this beast meat and these mushrooms. Give them a try and see what you think."

Xiao Yan took the meat and mushroom skewers Xiao Yao handed over. The moment he bit down, the delicious flavor spread through his mouth, and he could not help exclaiming in amazement.

"Wow, this is so delicious! Brother Yao, your cooking is getting better and better!" Xiao Yan praised.

When Xun'er saw this, she pouted and said softly, "Brother Xiao Yao, what about mine?"

Seeing Xun'er's expression, as though she would cry if he did not coax her, Xiao Yao laughed. "How could I forget about you, Xun'er? Here, here, these are all yours."

Xiao Yao quickly picked up the skewers and placed the food on Xun'er's plate. Looking at her indulgently, he said, "If it isn't enough, just tell me. Brother Xiao Yao will definitely make sure you eat your fill."

Xiao Yao turned to Xiao Yan with a smile. "By the way, Little Flame, what did you come to see me for?"

Xiao Yan came back to his senses and remembered that he had originally come to ask about the pills. He hurriedly said, "Oh, right, Brother Yao. I came to ask whether the pills you refined earlier were ready."

After hearing Xiao Yan's words, Xiao Yao nodded and took out the refined pills from his Storage Ring, handing them over to Xiao Yan.

"These are the pills you wanted to break through to become a Dou Practitioner. This is a fourth-grade pill, Qi-Gathering Powder. Remember to keep it secret. If anyone finds out, hehe, don't come asking me to refine pills for you again." Xiao Yao said with a wicked grin.

Xiao Yan accepted the pills and inspected them carefully. Finding their quality exceptionally good, he could not help admiring Xiao Yao's alchemy skills even more.

"Brother Yao, your alchemy is becoming more and more exquisite. You can actually refine fourth-grade pills! Don't worry, I'll definitely keep it secret. I won't even tell Father." Xiao Yan said joyfully.

Xiao Yao merely smiled without replying, then turned around and continued grilling the meat. At that moment, Xun'er stuck out her little tongue and asked Xiao Yao, "Brother Xiao Yao, do you have anything to drink? Xun'er is about to cry from the spiciness."

Seeing this, Xiao Yao searched through the supermarket list in his mind, took out a chilled bottle of cola and orange juice, then fetched a clean bowl and poured Xun'er a bowl of icy orange juice.

"Xun'er, come, drink some of this to ease the heat." Xiao Yao said gently as he handed her the orange juice.

Xun'er took the orange juice and drank it all in one go. At once, the burning sensation in her throat faded considerably. She looked at Xiao Yao, gratitude shining in her eyes. "Thank you, Brother Xiao Yao," she said softly.

Looking at Xun'er, Xiao Yao felt warmth rise in his heart. He smiled and replied, "If it isn't enough, drink some more. There's cola here too." His voice was gentle and affectionate, like a spring breeze brushing against one's face, making people feel incomparably comfortable.

After hearing Xiao Yao's words, a shy blush appeared on Xun'er's face. She shook her head and softly said, "No need, Brother Xiao Yao. I'm already much better."

Watching their affectionate behavior, Xiao Yan said helplessly, "Brother Yao, I want a drink too. Just pour me a bowl of cola."

Xiao Yan took the bowl and began drinking. Doubt rose in his heart. This is clearly the same cola I drank in my previous life on Blue Star. Could Brother Yao be like me—could he also have been from Blue Star in his previous life, and reincarnated into this world with me? Looks like I should find a chance to ask him later.

As night fell, bright moonlight spilled across the courtyard. The three of them sat there, continuing to eat grilled meat and drink beverages as they enjoyed this rare moment of peace. Their figures intertwined beneath the moonlight, as though forming a beautiful painting.

Xun'er gazed at the dazzling starry sky from the courtyard. Suddenly thinking of something, she smiled and said, "Brother Xiao Yao, this is so boring. Why don't you tell us a story? Otherwise, how about the three of us take turns putting on a performance?"

Seeing Xun'er blink her large eyes at him with an expectant expression, Xiao Yao could only cover his forehead and say, "All right, then I'll tell you a story first. But don't take it seriously."

"Tonight, I'll tell you how an expert came to be. He proved his Dao of battle under the name Desolate across the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands, ventured into Immortal Ancient, ascended to the Nine Heavens, guarded the Imperial Pass, entered the Immortal Domain, entered the Burial Land, trod the Immortal Domain, destroyed the Other Domain, pacified the Boundary Sea, and severed all ages alone with his back to all living beings.

"The Desolate Heavenly Emperor's original name was Shi Hao. His talent was unmatched throughout all ages. He was born for cultivation and arrived to answer calamity. His life was brilliant beyond compare, creating endless legends. He once created the Sky-Covering Cultivation System for later generations to use. He once swept through the Other Domain alone, with no one able to oppose him, killing until no one in the world dared call themselves supreme. He once personally suppressed and killed four dark Quasi-Immortal Emperors, ending the Dark Calamity. He once severed all ages with a single sword, creating the Perfect World. His life was lonely and sorrowful, yet invincible and dazzling. His glory illuminated all ages, and who knew how many eras later, future generations would revere him as 'That One.'

"After the long passage of time, perhaps there would be such a person, standing alone above the river of time, looking back across all ages, walking the divine path alone."

Xiao Yao cleared his throat and described the development of the story in a magnetic voice. He softly began, "Legend has it that in the ancient Stone Village within the Vast Mountains, there was a Little Dot cultivating in the Great Wilderness. The story begins there..."

Xun'er rested her chin on both hands, watching Xiao Yao intently as she listened to his story.

As Xun'er listened to Xiao Yao's narration, she felt as though she had been drawn into that ancient and mysterious world. Curiosity and yearning shone in her eyes, as though she wished to personally experience the hardships and glory of Little Dot's cultivation in the Great Wilderness.

Xiao Yan, meanwhile, listened to Xiao Yao's story while savoring the delicious grilled meat. His gaze held deep respect and admiration, as though he was filled with reverence and longing for Little Dot's path of cultivation.