Ignoring Feng Tian, XiXi keeps her distance from him and the snake as she walks back to where her father is waiting.
The dead snake makes her skin crawl. When she glances at the thick spotted snake slung over his shoulder she shivers, sohideous. Feng Tian holds the severed head in his hand and the eyes are like green glass staring at her as though it could still eat her alive.
He sees her squeamish expression and playfully shakes the snake towards her.
Leaping away in fright she mutters while patting her chest."Childish!"
He can't help but retort, "Me? Who is scared by a dead snake?"
Feng Tian sighs, how is this girl, who barely stands as tall as my chest, going to accompany her weak father on a deadly mission?
When he thinks of there perilous journey he suddenly feels an unusual concern for the little beauty. She seems strong willed but with that frail body of hers how is she going to make it through the Forest of Illusion not to mention the Cloud's Edge Wilderness.
He gazes at her stubborn expression, she is puffing out her cheeks and pursing her pouty pink lips, I can't let anything happen to the stubborn little beauty. He decides at that moment he will accompany them on their journey.,
Watching XiXi scurrying out of the dense forest like a frightened rabbit, he shakes his head,too weak.The Mythical Beasts there would have her for a snack picking the their teeth with her bones afterwards.
They arrive at the edge of the forest and see her father down below. There is stack of wood at his feet and he holds a bowl and some items from his Dimensional Space. She forgets about the snake and laughs when she notices the eager expression on his round face.
"Zhang Yu, I see you have high expectations for dinner!"
"I know my XiXi is capable!"
Zhang Yu sees the size of the snake and his deep brown eyes squint in pleasure, "I see the gentleman killed a Seven Layer Hru Snake! That's impressive! We will eat well tonight!"
XiXi inwardly scolds him when she hears his praise. Please Dad! Don't encourage this arrogant fellow.
Seeing her father pat his round belly in anticipation she smiles. Well, I will make vegetable soup let those two deal with the disgusting snake.
Feng Tian walks over to a boulder and sits down, throwing the gigantic snake to the ground with a satisfied expressiom. I haven't had snake since my last trip to the Island. He deftly uses a black dagger to start slicing through the seven layers.
He has reached a level of Culitivation where he doesn't need to eat, but enjoys the flavor of a well cooked meal and the camaraderie around a dinner table.
While observing the father and daughter pair prepare the ingredients and occassionally bicker he crosses his legs. This should be fun, it has been at least a hundred years since I ventured to this magical island to play.
XiXi takes the mushrooms and wild onions she found and begins to make soup. She asks her father as she stirs the broth,"Do you have any spices in there?"
Zhang Yu replies," A few, I wasn't quite packed for the journey yet. I got out some spare clothes I had brought along you can change into after dinner."
She is happy to hear that, this cloak is ridiculously large and heavy. Dad's Dimensional Space certainly is handy. I wonder how much stuff he has in there. I'm going to ask him for one when we get home.
These mundane thoughts help XiXi get her mind off their current predictament. She doesn't want to admit it even to herself, but she is very scared.Dad isn't even a brilliant prodigy or at the very least well prepared. Why did those desicable elders send him, a mere third grade Sorcerer, to do this task.
XiXi snaps back to reality when Feng Tian brings a pile of cut up snake meat and eyes the broth.
Inhaling the savory aroma whets his appetite. Hmm... she can cook I see.. good...very good. Mushrooms and onions are floating in it and the spices she added gave it a nice aroma. "How about you make snake soup for us? You will like it, I promise!"
XiXi relents, the pieces of snake meat just looks like chicken... and Dad is excited to eat it.. so fine.
Feng Tian hovers over her shoulder waiting for a reply. When she tilts her head and agrees, his brilliant smile makes her heart skip a beat. My God he is the most handsome man I have ever seen and he smells great... like fresh bamboo. She shakes her head, get a hold of yourself!
Zhang Yu skewered some of the snake meat and is roasting the tender snake meat on the fire.
To get away from Feng Tian's aura XiXi rushes over and grabs a skewer from his pudgy hand, "Dad, let me help."
She sprinkles chili powder on the sizzling meat and her mind wanders.They look like a skewers you would get at the stalls by the University. I wish I was back meeting my friends after class, having a coke, laughing about our crushes and homework.
Zhang Yu gazes at his daughter and feels a pang of remorse catching the flash of sadness in her eyes. XiXi should not be here...
Worried about his daughter, he knows the only way she will survive is if he passes on the knowledge of the elders, She needs to read the three volumes of magic I always keep with me; I always hoped to avoid this until she was older but she needs to learn in order to protect herself. He decides since time is not on their side after dinner he will talk with her about her legacy.
His father told him XiXi is special, she has the mark of the Ancients behind her right ear. A small red lotus which was sealed immediately upon discovery after she was born. It is written in the ancient book that her destiny is to become a powerful Sorceress. I thought father was being dramatic but now I wonder. Why was she tossed into this world with me this time?
XiXi stirs the simmering soup and absentmindedly pokes at the snake meat. She nods her head in satisfaction, the snake looks thoroughly cooked, also the skewers are lightly charred. After making a rustic salad with the wild greens she found she washes the berries and puts them in a bowl. Oh ...note to self- have Feng Tian eat a berry first!
She calls out to the two men lost in their own thoughts, "Dinner is ready!"