Becoming Friends

When the magic beasts' figures completely vanished into the distance, the crowd immediately erupted in cheers of relief, as if they had escaped Death's clutches.

They panted heavily, their faces showing a mixture of fear and relief, as though they had just survived a life-and-death ordeal.

A moment later, they began discussing the mysterious expert from earlier.

"W-who was that?" a young maid asked in a trembling voice, the fear still lingering in her eyes.

"Which mysterious expert stepped in to help us?" another middle-aged man muttered, his gaze sweeping through the crowd as though searching for that legendary figure.

An older member of the mercenary group said, "So it was a mysterious expert who came to our aid.

"That expert's strength is unfathomable. What method did he use to drive back those magic beasts? He did not even show himself, yet those ferocious beasts retreated. Such strength is simply beyond imagination. I cannot imagine what kind of expert he must be."

"Exactly, exactly. That senior is truly a role model for us all." The crowd nodded in agreement, their faces filled with admiration and envy.

After composing themselves, they continued toward the herb-gathering area. Once they arrived there,

Xiao Yao saw all kinds of first- and second-tier medicinal herbs growing throughout the area, and he was slightly surprised. Although these herbs were common, it was remarkable that they were gathered so densely within this part of the Magic Beast Mountain Range. Moreover, Xiao Yao could sense that the Battle Qi energy in this small area was quite rich. No wonder so many medicinal herbs could grow here.

"Clear Spirit Leaf, Fire Demon Leaf, Rebirth Grass..."

Little Fairy stared blankly at the area, one first- and second-tier herb name after another leaving her lips.

She slowly walked through the dense forest, taking every step carefully, as though afraid of disturbing some precious existence.

Her fingers lightly brushed over the leaves, feeling their texture and warmth, as if she could sense the life force and energy contained within them.

Little Fairy paused briefly before saying, "I heard from the people at Myriad Medicine Pavilion that medicinal herbs used to grow in this area, but there were never this many. There are also far more second-tier herbs now. It is hard to imagine what happened here to produce so many medicinal herbs."

Little Fairy murmured to herself, her brows tightly furrowed as though she were pondering some profound question.

She looked around and saw lush green trees shading the forest. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow.

Birdsong drifted over from afar. Little Fairy turned to Xiao Yao and asked, "Xiao Yao, do you know what happened here?"

Xiao Yao scratched his head, speaking vaguely. "Maybe... it was caused by the recent Tribulation Lightning. I do not know what triggered it back then."

Upon hearing Xiao Yao's answer, Little Fairy remembered the previous Tribulation Lightning as well. She nodded and said softly, "Perhaps it really was affected by the Tribulation Lightning, but the changes in this forest are too great. I wonder whether there are other reasons too."

Little Fairy continued onward, her steps growing faster and faster, as though she could not wait to find even more medicinal herbs.

Her heart was filled with anticipation and excitement, as though she could already foresee herself returning with a bountiful harvest.

Suddenly, Little Fairy stepped on a soft plant. Looking down, she found that it was a rare second-tier medicinal herb—Dragon Blood Grass.

Her eyes immediately lit up. She carefully dug it out and placed it in her medicine basket.

"Haha, today's harvest has truly been plentiful!" Little Fairy could not help cheering, her face overflowing with joy and satisfaction.

She knew that this herb-gathering trip had not only brought her a large amount of medicinal herbs, but had also given her a deeper understanding of how they grew and were collected.

The leader of the mercenary group raised his head to watch the setting sun. Once he saw that the people from Myriad Medicine Pavilion had gathered nearly enough herbs, he shouted, "Once everyone is done, rest for the night. We will return to Green Mountain Town tomorrow morning."

Seeing everyone begin to rest, Xiao Yao walked over to Little Fairy, who was still digging up herbs nearby, and said leisurely, "Little Fairy, are you not done gathering yet? By the way, what did you discover earlier? Why did you smile like that?"

"When are you talking about?" she replied in a sweet voice.

"I mean when that mysterious expert helped us. When I turned around, I saw you smiling at me. I was curious why."

Little Fairy looked around and noticed that everyone else was far away. Putting on the air of an expert, she leaned closer and spoke in a soft, pleasant voice. "Was that mysterious person you? Do not deny it. I saw you moving your lips at the time. You did not make any sound, but could it really have been such a coincidence? Do not worry, I will keep it secret for you."

Xiao Yao could only smile after hearing that. "All right, I was the one who acted. Do not tell anyone else. I do not like drawing too much attention."

"Haha, all right, I understand." Little Fairy let out a clear, bell-like laugh, then blinked and asked softly, "What kind of power did you use back then? I have never seen it before. Can you tell me?"

"I used my own soul power at the time. After all, I am an alchemist. As for my realm, I will not mention it."

"Wow! An alchemist? What a pity. I want to become an alchemist too, but I do not have the qualifications required of one."

"It is fine. If you ever need any pills in the future, I can refine them for you. After all, we are friends."

Xiao Yao said this with a serious expression as he stared into Little Fairy's clear, bright eyes.

Little Fairy stood in the grassland brushed by the wind, looking up at the lingering light of the setting sun shining across the forest, making everything seem especially soft and beautiful. Sunlight streamed through the tiny gaps in the leaves and reflected across the grass, coloring the scene with peace and tranquility.

Her white dress fluttered gently in the breeze. Then Little Fairy turned back toward Xiao Yao with a smile and said, "Weren't we already friends?"

Ding! Congratulations, Host, for successfully completing the hidden mission: Become Little Fairy's friend and gain Little Fairy's recognition.

The system has directly fused the Kunpeng Wings into the Host's body. They will appear directly when Battle Qi Wings are used.

The morning light was faint as the sun shone through gaps in the branches, scattering across the ground like specks of gold.

At this moment, the group set off through the forest, returning to Green Mountain Town.

In the afternoon, sunlight filtered through the treetops and fell upon them, warm and comfortable.

They traveled all the way without encountering any attacks from magic beasts, which made them feel especially fortunate.

As time passed, they finally left the forest and arrived at the entrance to Green Mountain Town.

At this time, the middle-aged man from before came up to Xiao Yao, handed him the remaining five hundred gold coins, and said with a smile, "Little brother, you have worked hard."

Xiao Yao accepted the money and smiled. "It was nothing. Not hard at all."

"Xiao Yao, where do you plan to go next?" Little Fairy walked lightly over to him, her eyes slightly lowered and the corners of her lips gently curved, her voice soft and pleasant.

Looking at Little Fairy before him, Xiao Yao replied, "I have already spent several months in the Magic Beast Mountain Range, so I need to return home for a while, lest my family worry. Do not worry, if fate allows it, we will meet again."

Looking at the handsome Xiao Yao before her, Little Fairy felt an indescribable emotion rise within her heart.

Little Fairy smiled faintly. Although she could not help feeling reluctant, she still gathered her courage and said, "Take care, Xiao Yao." After saying that, she turned and left.