Inside the temple, orange flames blazed fiercely. The firelight danced, casting faint shadows across everyone's faces, flickering between light and dark.
As Bai He watched the black-clad young man enter, his heart churned like stormy seas.
Could this be the legendary "searching everywhere in worn-out shoes, only to find it with no effort at all"? Or was this fate?!
Watching Xiao Chen slowly pass before him and finally find an empty spot in the temple to sit cross-legged in meditation, Bai He could not calm himself for a long while.
"Hmm?"
As if noticing Bai He's gaze, Xiao Chen's sword-like brows furrowed slightly as he glanced at him.
Bai He flashed a broad grin, revealing a mouthful of white teeth in response.
Does this youth know me?
Seeing Bai He smile so brightly at him, Xiao Chen could not help feeling puzzled. But after thinking carefully, he was certain he had never met this person before.
Forget it. I need to hurry and treat my injuries so I can leave early tomorrow.
Unable to make sense of it after thinking for a long time, Xiao Chen shook his head.
Royal Heavenly Maiden Zhao Lin'er had led a group of cultivators in pursuing him for thousands of miles, and he had long since been injured. Although he had used a profound art to suppress the worsening of his wounds, continuing to force his injured body beyond its limits would still lead to irreversible consequences. Night had fallen as well, and venomous insects and savage beasts roamed Black Mountain, making it extremely dangerous. Thus, he could only find a place to temporarily hide and recuperate.
He did not want the people in the temple to learn his identity, nor did he want to have too much contact with them. He only wished to leave quietly by himself at dawn tomorrow, so that he would not drag these innocent people in the temple into trouble. As for this youth, perhaps he merely resembled someone the boy knew.
Xiao Chen pondered.
How can I establish a connection with Xiao Chen?
By the campfire, Bai He stared at the cross-legged Xiao Chen, his brows tightly knit as he secretly considered his options.
From the original novel in his past life, Bai He knew that Xiao Chen was decisive and ruthless in battle, yet also loyal and devoted. He showed no mercy toward enemies, but he sincerely gave his all to friends.
But Bai He had no connection to him whatsoever. They could be called complete strangers. Although Xiao Chen was still unknown and would not suspect that Bai He's approach had ulterior motives, it would still seem abrupt if he immediately knelt and begged to become his disciple. Xiao Chen would likely refuse. He needed to leave an impression first and draw closer to him.
But what exactly should he do?
Bai He had a headache.
"Ah! I've got it!"
Suddenly, from the corner of his eye, Bai He spotted the bundle he had brought with him. Inside were the flatbreads Elder Sister had made by hand for him to eat on the road.
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Bai He's mouth.
Slowly taking out a flatbread from the bundle, Bai He suddenly stood up and walked toward Xiao Chen.
"Here, take it, Brother Xiao!"
Bai He handed the flatbread in his hand to the black-clad young man before him.
"Why are you giving this to me? We have never met before, have we?"
Xiao Chen's brows creased slightly. He exhaled a mouthful of stale air, then opened his eyes and looked at Bai He.
"Does being strangers mean we have to treat each other coldly? Does being strangers mean we can't show each other a little concern?"
Bai He asked in return.
Xiao Chen could not help being left speechless.
"I just think Brother Xiao resembles someone very important to me. To meet in such a vast land as Jiuzhou means that there must be fate between us!"
Looking at Xiao Chen, Bai He's gaze began to drift. A faint, warm smile appeared on his face as he spoke wistfully, his tone filled with reminiscence.
"Really? You truly have a relative who looks very much like me?"
Xiao Chen's brows furrowed slightly, and he could not help wanting to ask more. Yet in the end, he gave up.
The world was vast and full of wonders. Perhaps there really was someone who looked very much like him...
Holding the flatbread in his hand, Xiao Chen could not help thinking this.
Although his expression remained calm, Bai He had nevertheless left a deep impression in his once tranquil heart, and even stirred a faint, subtle fondness.
After returning to his place, Bai He could not help showing a hint of excitement.
"Success!"
Humans were strange creatures. Although they always disliked being treated as someone else's substitute, if someone truly regarded them as another person and gave them care and warmth, then even if that care and warmth offered them something trivial and useless, they would still naturally develop favorable feelings toward that person.
Bai He did not know the psychological principle behind it, but that did not stop him from using it.
Xiao Chen should remember me now. I've left an impression on him, and he might even have a slight favorable opinion of me. The next step is apprenticeship!
Bai He stared into the campfire as he thought.
Wait, there had already been bloodstains on Xiao Chen's clothes earlier. That meant Zhao Lin'er was already hunting him down. He had come here to find a place to recover. Judging by Xiao Chen's personality, once he had recovered, he would definitely leave alone early tomorrow so as not to implicate them.
Bai He's eyes flickered as he guessed Xiao Chen's plan—and Xiao Chen truly had been thinking exactly that!
When Xiao Chen left alone tomorrow, it would be the best opportunity for Bai He to beg him to take him as a disciple!
The next day, before dawn had broken, Xiao Chen was already awake.
Slowly opening his eyes, he expelled the stale air that had accumulated in his body through the night, then gradually rose to his feet.
He was preparing to leave!
As he quietly walked to the doorway, Tie Shan, who had been dozing lightly by the entrance, instantly woke. As an experienced hunter, he only ever slept lightly in the wilderness; the slightest disturbance would rouse him.
"Who is it?"
Tie Shan turned his head and saw that it was Xiao Chen.
"Brother Xiao, where are you going? Aren't you coming with us?"
Seeing Xiao Chen preparing to leave, Tie Shan frowned slightly and asked in confusion.
"No. You will be in danger if you follow me."
Xiao Chen shook his head and pointed to the dark red bloodstains that had already dried on his clothes. Under the dim firelight the previous night, Tie Shan had not noticed them, but he finally saw them now.
Tie Shan's pupils contracted. As an old hand who had traveled the world, he immediately understood what Xiao Chen meant. Someone was hunting him down!
With a regretful shake of his head, Tie Shan leaned against the door once more and resumed his light sleep.
Xiao Chen left the temple with a calm expression. After walking several dozen steps, he had already moved far away from the ruined, desolate temple behind him.
Just as he was about to circulate the true energy within him and set off, an urgent shout came from behind.
"Brother Xiao! Wait for me!"
Xiao Chen turned around, and his brows could not help furrowing.
It was him? The youth from last night.
Before you continue