In the outskirts of the Magical Beast Mountain Range, the air was thick with mist, and the rustling of trees echoed like whispers. A young boy in a striking golden-black robe stepped onto the winding dirt path, his presence sharp and noble despite his youthful face.
"Sir, do you know the direction of Qing Shan Town?" Xiao Yao asked politely, clasping his fists in the traditional greeting.
The middle-aged man, slightly startled by the boy's refined aura, nodded. "Yes. Go from there," he pointed ahead before hurrying on his way. Clearly, he didn't want to linger in this beast-infested region.
With measured steps, Xiao Yao made his way through the forested path. Birds scattered from the trees, disturbed by the subtle pressure his soul realm exerted on his surroundings. Before long, the tall outer walls and watchtowers of Qing Shan Town came into view.
As he stepped closer to the gates, his golden-black robes fluttering with the wind, his gaze shifted towards the long line of mercenaries. They waited to get treated—wounded, bruised, their eyes tired but wary.
Standing at the front of the crowd was a girl, her back straight, her presence calm but graceful. She couldn't be more than fourteen, yet her delicate features held a serene maturity beyond her age. Her long silver hair shimmered in the sunlight as she moved gracefully between the wounded, applying herbs and Dou Qi-infused medicine with practiced ease.
Xiao Yao didn't need to see her face. His soul sensed her before his eyes did.
Xiao Yi Xian.
"As expected," he thought, lips curling into a soft smile. "She's beautiful as ever."
With a silent thought, a translucent blue screen flickered into existence before his eyes—visible only to him.
---
[Status Panel]
Name: Xiao Yao
Age: 12
Dou Qi: Dou Zhe 1 star
Soul Realm: Spirit Realm
Attributes:
● Talent – 30
● Physique – 14
● Comprehension – 41
● Charm – 84
● Constitution – 15
● Perception – 48
• Dou Qi – 40
• Soul – 8
■ Bloodline – 0 (Not Available)
■ Physique – None
■ Attributes – Fire (Trace of Wood)
Techniques: (Tap to View)
Skills: (Tap to View)
Origin Points: 17
Sky Points: 2,310,000
Rewards Unclaimed (Tap here to claim)
---
"Add 7 points to Charm and 10 to Physique," Xiao Yao ordered casually.
[Charm: 84 → 91]
[Physique: 14 → 24]
A surge of warmth flooded through his veins. His previously lean frame tightened, muscles subtly forming under his skin without appearing bulky. His facial features became even more refined—his jawline sharper, his skin smoother, his eyes holding an alluring brilliance.
On the other side of the square, Xiao Yi Xian looked up instinctively. Her violet eyes locked on Xiao Yao, and for a moment, her expression froze.
"Why is he so beautiful?" she murmured to herself, heart skipping a beat.
Several mercenaries, noticing her gaze, turned to look. When their eyes landed on Xiao Yao, a chill rose in their hearts. Murmurs broke out, and silent glares full of envy followed him. Many believed Xiao Yi Xian belonged to Mu Li—a hot-headed and powerful young man known for his possessiveness. This newcomer, with his mysterious aura and good looks, triggered instant hostility.
But Xiao Yao remained indifferent.
---
Later that afternoon, Xiao Yi Xian, finished with her duties, walked aimlessly near the edge of the Magical Beast Mountain Range. Her thoughts drifted back to that young man—his golden eyes, his graceful posture, the way her heart reacted unexpectedly.
Suddenly, her eyes caught movement up ahead.
She gasped. Xiao Yao stood in the clearing, surrounded by seven first-tier magical beasts. Their snarls echoed as they lunged. Yet Xiao Yao was calm. With practiced elegance, he weaved between attacks, every motion of his sword clean and efficient. Within moments, all seven beasts lay dead, and their monster cores were neatly extracted.
But danger hadn't passed.
A sharp growl ripped through the trees. A white blur dashed forward—it was a parent-stage White Flame Tiger, nearly twice the size of the previous beasts. With killing intent in its eyes, it ignored Xiao Yao and lunged straight for Xiao Yi Xian.
"Careful!" Xiao Yao shouted.
In a blink, he appeared between her and the beast, sword already in hand. The Tian Huang Ancient Sword shimmered with crimson light.
"Burning Heaven Decree—First Flame: Crimson Lotus!"
Flames ignited, spiraling around his sword, forming a lotus of burning Dou Qi. The tiger roared and leapt, claws slashing forward. Xiao Yao ducked low and struck. The tiger's left leg was sliced clean, the flames already consuming its fur.
Enraged, the beast lunged again, biting toward his shoulder. Xiao Yao twisted mid-air, letting the flames burst outward in a fiery explosion. Then he descended, sword raised.
With a swift, downward slash—
Schlunk!
The beast fell, a deep gash glowing with embers splitting its body.
Xiao Yao glanced toward Xiao Yi Xian, a dry chuckle in his mind.
"Hero saving beauty? That's too cliché. But well… sometimes clichés work."
Xiao Yi Xian remained frozen for a moment longer, her violet eyes still wide. She had seen mercenaries with double her age get torn apart by such beasts. But this boy—no, this young man—stood amidst flames and blood like a noble war god descended into the mortal world.
She stepped closer, drawn not just by gratitude but by curiosity. "You… are you alright?"
Xiao Yao sheathed his Tian Huang Ancient Sword with a soft metallic click, the crimson light of the Burning Heaven Decree fading. His golden-black robes fluttered slightly in the breeze, the last embers dancing around him like fireflies.
He gave her a soft smile, not too cocky, not too humble. "I should be asking you that."
Their eyes met—violet and gold. And for a moment, the forest hushed. Even the leaves stopped rustling.
"My name is Xiao Yao," he said, his voice calm and clear. "What's yours?"
As he spoke, a faint blue ripple flickered behind him—only visible to him—as the Devouration Panel activated.
[7 Magical Beasts (Tier-1) Devoured.]
[Calculating Resources…]
[Reward: 9 Origin Points, 3 Sky Points, 1 Fire Attribute Essence.]
Xiao Yao didn't flinch. He had long gotten used to the system running silently in the background.
"You can call me Xiao Yi Xian," she replied, her voice gentle now—like a breeze after rain. Cold to others, but not to the one who just saved her life.
"Nice to meet you, Xiao Yi Xian." Xiao Yao's smile deepened, sincere and warm.
A soft color rose to her cheeks. She quickly turned her gaze away, pretending to dust her sleeves.
"What are you doing here anyway?" she asked, her voice more composed now.
"Just training," Xiao Yao replied with a shrug. "Trying to get stronger."
Xiao Yi Xian nodded thoughtfully. "My team is heading a bit deeper into the Magical Beast Mountain Range," she said. "We're looking for some rare medicinal herbs. It'll be dangerous, but with you around…"
She paused and looked at him, as if weighing his reaction. "Do you want to join us?"
Xiao Yao didn't even hesitate.
He nodded. "Sounds good."