Stone Village, Great Wilderness
The villagers of Stone Village were warm and genuine, extending heartfelt hospitality to Lin Fan and Yue Chan.
Lin Fan had cleaned himself up, shedding his disheveled appearance. With sharp brows and starry eyes, he radiated a vibrant, otherworldly charm.
Yue Chan, too, had restored her pristine elegance. Unable to bear the days of grime and soot, she'd washed thoroughly and adorned herself simply. In a flowing white robe, she exuded grace and sanctity, her delicate features and flawless, jade-like skin making her seem like a sprite who'd wandered into the mortal realm.
As she stepped out of the house, the villagers' eyes lit up. It was hard to believe this radiant beauty was the same dust-covered girl who'd arrived earlier.
"What a refined young lady, so lively and bright—different from us!" a village auntie praised, her smile warm and sincere.
The white-haired elder, Shi Yunfeng, was equally astonished. Though he'd sensed the pair's extraordinary nature, seeing them now, he realized he'd underestimated them. These two are practically divine children!
Lin Fan laughed heartily, quickly blending in with the villagers, his easygoing nature winning them over.
Yue Chan, though initially flustered by the aunties'热情, responded with graceful smiles, her demeanor poised yet approachable, never haughty.
"Who's that chubby one?"
A small, out-of-place voice cut through the lively chatter, plunging the scene into awkward silence.
A child, about four years old, stood nearby, sizing them up. His chubby face was as smooth as porcelain, adorable and distinct from the other children.
Elder Shi Yunfeng hurried forward, scolding gently, "Little Dot, don't talk nonsense. They're not chubby at all."
"But Grandpa Village Chief, that big sister's super chubby, and her skin's not healthy—not a normal color, no pop!" Little Dot protested, only to be silenced as Shi Yunfeng swiftly covered his mouth.
"Ahem… don't mind him, he means to say you're very pretty," the elder explained, chuckling awkwardly.
Yue Chan rolled her eyes, her forehead creased with dark lines. This kid's got terrible eyesight—must take after a certain someone.
Lin Fan, unfazed, remained genial. He knew Little Dot's quirky sense of beauty favored the village's bronze-skinned, robust women, likening them to fierce leopards.
That evening, the hospitable Stone Village erupted into song and dance. The golden crocodile was roasted and stewed, and the villagers gathered in the courtyard to feast with their guests.
During the meal, Shi Yunfeng stroked his beard and asked casually, "How did you two end up here?"
"We're training, crossing the Great Wilderness. It's been a while since we've seen any signs of people," Lin Fan replied, his mouth full of meat.
Beside him, a pint-sized glutton matched his pace, devouring food with gusto. Even when she choked, Yue Chan stubbornly swallowed, unwilling to waste a bite.
Little Dot, having guzzled a jug of beast milk to recover, piped up innocently, "Big Brother, you guys are amazing, crossing the wilderness like that! Grandpa Village Chief says it's super dangerous out there."
"Danger's exactly what makes it effective for training," Lin Fan said with a grin, playfully ruffling Little Dot's hair and pinching his cheeks, clearly enjoying himself.
This is the young Huang Tian Di, the future Emperor of the Desolate Heavens, in his toddler form. If I don't tease him now, I won't get another chance. What a memory to cherish!
"Wah… Big Brother, stop messing with my face! I need to eat, or Big Chubby Sister will steal it all!" Little Dot's big eyes darted as he lunged for the meat on the table.
Yue Chan froze, her face darkening. "You little brat, you need your eyes checked! Your sister's gorgeous, not chubby, got it?"
Fuming, she swept the table's delicacies toward herself, leaving no scraps for Little Dot.
The boy gaped, stunned. In Stone Village, he was the undisputed eating champion. Yet today, he'd been outdone by an outsider—a "chubby" girl, no less! Her flat stomach seemed like a bottomless pit, devouring endlessly. Little Dot sulked, thoroughly defeated.
"Hahaha!" The villagers roared with laughter, delighted to see their little eating king bested for the first time.
Yue Chan beamed, her mood lifting. The exhaustion of recent days melted away, her radiant face glowing with rare ease.
Shi Yunfeng smiled, now certain the two youths bore no ill intent. They were likely scions of a great clan, training in the wilderness. Such encounters weren't unheard of in the Great Wilderness, though it was rare for young ones to travel without expert escorts. Their extraordinary origins were undeniable.
Meanwhile, a disgruntled Little Dot chugged another gulp of beast milk, licking his lips with relish.
"What a milk baby, still nursing at this age—shame on you!" Yue Chan teased, stifling a giggle.
Little Dot's face flushed as red as a monkey's rear. Stretching his neck, he shot back, "Don't people outside the wilderness drink milk?"
"Your sister quit milk at six months, drinking spiritual springs and eating spiritual fruits. Who's still nursing at four? So embarrassing!" Yue Chan wrinkled her nose, feigning disdain.
"Hahaha, don't listen to her nonsense. Who says you can't drink milk when you're older? I didn't even get milk as a kid," Lin Fan roared, gently pinching Little Dot's soft cheeks.
But his words only deepened Little Dot's gloom. So I'm the only one who's been drinking milk forever?
Clutching his milk jug, he scampered off in a huff, leaving the villagers chuckling and shaking their heads.
___
The moon hung high, stars twinkling brightly. The feast stretched into the late hours before the crowd dispersed, and Stone Village grew quiet.
"Your room's ready, over there—the biggest stone house," Shi Yunfeng said, pointing to the left.
Yue Chan, her skin glowing faintly under the moonlight like a divine lotus, asked, "Just one room?"
"Aren't you two married?" Shi Yunfeng blinked, puzzled. He'd heard Lin Fan call her "wife" repeatedly, assuming they were wed.
Despite their youthful appearance—barely ten, with Yue Chan slightly older—early marriage was common in the harsh, unpredictable Great Wilderness. With life so uncertain, producing heirs young was a cultural norm, often urged by elders.
"You've got it wrong, Grandpa. We're only betrothed, not married," Yue Chan clarified, shooting a glare at the snickering Lin Fan.
Unbeknownst to her, she'd grown accustomed to their bond, no longer shying away or resisting as she once had. It seemed she didn't entirely mind his presence.
"Oh, my mistake. Well, young man, you'll have to bunk with me," Shi Yunfeng said, nodding in understanding.
As Yue Chan entered the house, Lin Fan couldn't hold back any longer. He doubled over, laughing, his face alight with glee and mischief.
"I can't wait to see your face when you learn the truth…"
Shi Yunfeng, a seasoned elder, saw through Lin Fan's antics at a glance. The boy was hiding something from the girl.
"Deception won't cut it, lad. Seize the moment, show her your true heart, and win her over," the elder advised with a knowing wink.
Lin Fan caught his meaning, raising a brow with a grin. "You're a sly one, Grandpa…"
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