Liu Xing Sheng ran through the burning buildings of Danmei City, shouting several times. He wanted to make sure whether there were truly no humans left in this place.
"Is anyone still here?!" Liu Xing Sheng looked around. Flames blazed fiercely ahead of him, obstructing his view. He coughed several times, the thick smoke and pungent stench of burning corpses stinging his nose.
He dashed to another part of the city. Thunder cracked overhead, and bolts of lightning exploded nearby buildings. Liu Xing Sheng quickened his pace—until something caught his eye.
The young man, his face partially obscured by a Daoli hat, saw a figure hovering in the sky. Dressed in flowing pink robes, a woman stood with a whip in her right hand, surrounded by countless more spinning rapidly around her.
Liu Xing Sheng furrowed his brows, his expression difficult to read. He took one last step before turning away. After seeing the woman prepare to unleash a devastating attack, he knew—there was no one left to save.
Meanwhile, outside the city, Zhao Feng Ying bit his finger anxiously. The deafening explosions made his thoughts spiral toward Liu Xing Sheng. He couldn't die—not now. If he did, he'd be alone. The two women from the Tian Feng Sect certainly wouldn't help him.
!?
Zhao Feng Ying gasped as someone approached. Clad in white, with a Daoli hat casting a shadow over his face—it was Liu Xing Sheng.
"Xing Sheng Dàgē...!" Zhao Feng Ying exclaimed, his expression flooding with joy and relief.
"Xing Sheng Dàgē, I was so worried. Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Young Master Zhao. Thank you." Liu Xing Sheng sheathed his sword, took a deep breath, and finally said, "There was no one left to save. Also, your horse... it was burned. I'm sorry."
"There's no need to apologize, Xing Sheng Dàgē. It's not your fault. What matters is that you're safe."
Liu Xing Sheng gave a small nod before turning to the two girls in pink who stood beside Zhao Feng Ying.
"Forgive me for not introducing myself sooner. I am Liu Xing Sheng. I believe this young man may have already introduced himself to you."
"Not quite," one of the women replied with a small smile. "But I recognize him as a disciple of the Mount Xuandu Sect. Am I right?"
Zhao Feng Ying nodded awkwardly, his expression complicated. Liu Xing Sheng, however, seemed to think he was simply nervous.
"Where is Young Master Liu from? We've never heard your name before," the other woman asked curiously, her eyes lingering on the cloth-covered face beneath the Daoli hat.
"I'm just a simple traveler, from a place deep in the Qingya Mountain forest," Liu Xing Sheng said softly.
"What?! That's incredibly far," she gasped. "That's outside the Everlasting Sun Empire!"
"Isn't Qingya Mountain known as a haven for demonic beasts?" the second woman added.
Liu Xing Sheng nodded calmly. "It is."
"You must be very brave, Young Master Liu. May I ask—where are you headed now?"
Zhao Feng Ying frowned slightly, sensing the women's growing interest in Liu Xing Sheng.
"I only wish to see more of the world. To wander and help people where I can."
"You're truly noble. Not many swordsmen would offer aid without expecting anything in return."
"What about you two? How did you know this city was under attack?" Liu Xing Sheng asked.
"We're on a mission," one of them replied. "It's a training exercise to sharpen our skills."
"Actually, I admire you," the other woman added. "If I had your strength, I'd travel the world and help people too."
"I'm not that great," Liu Xing Sheng said modestly. "My skills are far from perfect. I don't even have a proper place to train like you two."
"What do you mean?"
"You don't have a place to train? Don't tell me... you don't belong to a sect?"
"That's right," he replied calmly.
The women exchanged glances before one of them chuckled.
"Don't joke, Young Master Liu. That sword in your hand belongs to the Tian Xing Sect, the most powerful sect in the Empire."
"You may not be wearing a sect robe, but that sword reveals your origin."
Liu Xing Sheng blinked and glanced down at his weapon.
"This sword... do you know who it belongs to?"
"Of course," one woman said. "It's from the Tian Xing Sect—one of the great sects of the Eternal Sun Empire."
Even Zhao Feng Ying knew. He had recognized the sword long ago, but assumed it belonged to a minor disciple.
"You've misunderstood," Liu Xing Sheng said. "Three years ago, I found this sword abandoned on the road. I kept it, hoping to one day return it to its owner."
The two disciples found his words strange but said nothing more—they didn't want to offend him. The sword, though of fine make, was not a treasured heirloom.
"Young Master Liu—" one of them began, when suddenly a presence interrupted.
A girl walked gracefully toward them. With flowing pink robes and long hair dancing in the breeze, her beauty was serene. She offered a polite salute.
"Miss Liu Ye Rin," the two Tian Feng Sect women said. It was none other than their senior martial sister—the Divine Rainstorm, Liu Ye Rin.
"Danmei City must be cleansed soon," she said. "I advise the two Young Masters to leave as soon as possible. Do you have a destination in mind?"
Liu Xing Sheng looked at her, then took a deep breath.
"Young Master Zhao Feng Ying is from the Xuandu Mountain Sect. If you don't mind, could you escort him home?"
"Xing Sheng Dàgē?" Zhao Feng Ying's voice trembled.
Without meeting his eyes, Liu Xing Sheng continued, "I can't go with you. There's another city I need to visit."
"I won't leave without you," Zhao Feng Ying insisted, grabbing his arm. "You said we'd go to Shu City together, to find my Shixiong. You promised."
"You once told me your Shixiong would return if their mission proved too dangerous. Perhaps they've already returned to Mount Xuandu. You've been away too long. Your sect must be worried."
Liu Xing Sheng continued, "It's better if you go with these cultivators. They're more reliable than I am."
"Xing Sheng Dàgē..."
In truth, Liu Xing Sheng had never liked mingling with cultivators. Zhao Feng Ying was one of the rare exceptions. Even so, the Daoli hat he wore often drew attention wherever he went.
"We'll escort you safely, Young Master Zhao," one of the Tian Feng Sect members said gently.
Zhao Feng Ying loosened his grip but then reached out and grasped Liu Xing Sheng's hand tightly. The gesture made Liu Xing Sheng turn to face him.
"Xing Sheng Dagē... Have... I done something wrong to you?" Zhao Feng Ying's voice was so soft, it sounded sad.
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