That morning radiated a calming freshness. The soft sunlight began creeping over the horizon, as if a divine god or goddess was spreading a warm smile across the world. Its touch seeped into every living being, enveloping them in a peaceful warmth.
The continent was called Tianxian, this mortal realm. A stage upon which life unfolded, colored by laughter and tears in alternation. Some simply wished to live happily until death claimed them, while many longed for immortality. Some pursued the path of cultivation to extend their lives, while others, hindered by lack of talent or innate flaws, could not cultivate at all.
Cultivation was the process of refining spiritual and supernatural power through training, meditation, and absorbing Qi—the vital energy flowing through the universe. Its purposes varied: becoming stronger, gaining longevity, achieving enlightenment, or ascending to higher forms of existence. Some did it to protect their loved ones, yet many deviated, using their power to oppress and kill without reason. Such was the world—beautiful, yet cruel. Those who walked the path of cultivation were called cultivators.
There were nine major realms of cultivation: Heavenly Apprentice, Heavenly Master, Great Heavenly Master, Heavenly King, Heavenly Sovereign, Heavenly Ancestor, Heavenly Venerable, Heavenly Saint, and Heavenly Emperor. Each realm was further divided into nine sub-levels. The higher a cultivator's level, the fewer those who reached it.
At the edge of a quiet forest stood an old, weathered straw hut, worn down by time. Isolated and solitary, it seemed like a soul estranged from the world, evoking a sense of emptiness for anyone who looked upon it. If it could speak, perhaps it would complain about the bitterness of life. Yet this morning, it was not entirely alone: in front of it sat a young man in a black robe.
He was handsome, like an immortal descending into the mortal realm, yet different from the typical white-robed immortals. His black robe bore unique silver-white embroidery on the shoulders, adding an air of mystery that enhanced his charm. His face was nearly flawless, with not a single imperfection. Appearing to be in his twenties, he sat on a wooden chair in front of a simple round table. A shady tree provided cover, its branches standing like a faithful guardian against the sun, creating a cool, welcoming atmosphere.
Across the table sat a girl in a purple dress. Her beauty resembled a perfectly blooming flower. The slightly tight dress highlighted the curves of her body, revealing the soft line dividing her chest. Her skin was as pale as jade, her thighs as smooth as snow peeking between folds of fabric. Purple earrings adorned her ears, and her red lips glistened like dewy rose petals. She, too, appeared to be in her twenties, and her eyes gazed at the young man with admiration. Yet under his neutral gaze, her charm seemed to fade, leaving her to wonder if it was not enough.
Her name was Yun Xi. She realized the young man's gaze was neutral. Though hesitant, she dared not show frustration. Her admiration stemmed not only from his looks, but because she knew exactly who he was. For her, a mere glance from him could make her heart tremble.
The black-robed youth was named Yifan. He returned her gaze, examining Yun Xi from head to toe. Her cheeks flushed, a mix of embarrassment and joy, yet she tried to remain composed. Strange, she thought. If anyone else looked at her this way, she would be angry—but with Yifan, she felt pleased.
"Miss Yun Xi truly has her own charm," Yifan broke the silence.
Yun Xi smiled softly, her voice like a soothing melody.
"Ahaha… Young Master, you joke. My charm cannot compare to yours."
She chuckled lightly. If anyone had witnessed them—a handsome man and a beautiful woman sitting together in a secluded spot—they would certainly wonder where they had come from.
"Miss Yun Xi…"
"Ah, forgive me, Young Master," she interrupted quickly.
"Just call me Yun Xi," Yun Xi said.
"Oh? How about I call you… Xi'er?"
"Huh?!"
Yun Xi was surprised. The morning breeze swept her hair, making the moment feel as though time had slowed. She understood the meaning of that nickname—it was a familiar, intimate term used by those closest. Panicked, she quickly forced a smile and said nervously:
"Ah… ahaha… Young Master Yifan truly likes to joke."
Her cheeks grew redder. Unconsciously, she puffed her chest slightly as she adjusted her sitting position. Yifan noticed, making her even more flustered. He gave a faint smile.
"Very well, I was only joking," he said, gently patting her shoulder before continuing.
"Yun Xi, as a descendant, have you sensed any signs?"
"Not yet… I think it will take some time," Yun Xi replied.
Yifan nodded in understanding. How could someone like that be found easily?
"It's alright. There's no need to rush."
"Let's take a walk."
Hearing Yifan's suggestion, Yun Xi nodded like a little chick pecking at food. They rose from the old hut. Only the sounds of birds and trickling water accompanied the quiet.
…
In a bustling region, the bright morning suddenly darkened. Dark clouds crept across the sky, swallowing the sunlight. The air grew cold, stirring unease among the townspeople.
"Why does this morning feel strange?" muttered a man.
A bald man beside him replied solemnly, "But… it reminds me of that bad news."
"You mean… the demon terror?"
Indeed. Some time ago, in the western region of Tianxian, a demon cultivator had rampaged, abducting many young women to kill. Occasionally, men were victims, but the appearance always came with the same sign: sudden dark clouds rolling across the sky. Many sects and powerful forces had been dispatched to stop it, yet its strength was too great. It had escaped countless traps, rumored to possess a mysterious artifact that allowed it to evade capture repeatedly.
Panic shattered the calm. Residents scattered, closing doors and windows, fearing the demon's arrival. Streets that were once lively fell silent.
At the end of a deserted street, two figures walked leisurely without fear. The young man in black was extremely handsome, and the girl in purple was beautiful and alluring. They were none other than Yifan and Yun Xi. They had heard the rumors, even suspected that the demon's next target might be the northern region, where they now were.
"Young Master, is there anything strange about that demon?" Yun Xi asked.
"I don't know. Why? Are you afraid?" Yifan replied with a chuckle.
"Ha, Young Master is right. If it appears, I'll just stand in front of it and see if it can touch me," Yun Xi said, her tone slightly proud.
Seeing her adorably annoyed expression, Yifan smiled faintly. Yun Xi looked like a little kitten—angry yet endearing. To others, she might seem like a lion when upset, but to Yifan, she appeared like a kitten. Simply adorable.
A few hundred meters ahead stood a figure shrouded in dense darkness. The world seemed to fall silent before it. With calm steps, Yifan and Yun Xi approached, their own presence just as striking as the danger that awaited.
Yun Xi's purple dress accentuated her snow-white thighs and smooth shoulders, and the central line dividing her chest was increasingly visible. Perhaps it was intentional. Perhaps it was part of the cultivation technique she inherited from the Nine-Tailed Divine Fox, making her more alluring. The Nine-Tailed Divine Fox was a legendary, immensely powerful creature. In the past, Yun Xi had accidentally inherited its powers.
The dark aura ahead swirled violently. The mysterious figure slowly emerged from the shadows, revealing its true form.