The next morning, soft golden light spilled over the Xiao family estate. The air was crisp, the skies clear — a rare moment of calm before the next storm.
Mo Luochen stood at the gates with his cloak swaying slightly in the morning breeze. Beside him stood Felicia — known in this world as Xue — her expression serene but sharp, her divine lion aura concealed beneath the surface. Renxue also stood beside him. Zhu Zhuqing stood a step behind, her posture graceful, calm, and more confident than yesterday. Xiao Tian, wearing a simple but neatly pressed robe, walked out of the main hall with his father following behind.
"Mo Luochen," the elder Xiao patriarch said with a bow of respect. "Thank you… for what you've done for my son. You've awakened something in him I thought long dormant."
Luochen nodded politely. "It's up to him now. If he keeps pushing, he won't just walk the same path as others — he'll forge his own."
Xiao Tian bowed deeply to his father. "I'll come back stronger."
His father smiled faintly, placing a firm hand on his son's shoulder. "Then go. Make the Xiao name something to remember."
With final words exchanged and bags packed, the group departed the Xiao family estate.
They walked along a forested trail leading toward the east — the direction of their next stop: the outskirts of Tiandou City, where new battles and new encounters would await.
As they moved, Zhu Zhuqing walked closer to Xue.
"You said you cultivated darkness," Zhu Zhuqing asked quietly, almost hesitant.
Xue gave a small, knowing smile. "Darkness… flame… and annihilation. Those are my elements. Not so different from your darkness and new abyss flames. I'll show you later — how to guide them, shape them, make them yours."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded firmly, her eyes burning with new resolve.
"Thank you. I won't waste this chance."
"Good," Xue said softly, her crimson eyes glinting with a faint, almost predatory light. "Because I won't go easy on you. The power of darkness isn't gentle — it consumes the weak. You'll have to learn to be more ruthless, even with yourself."
Zhu Zhuqing's lips tightened into a thin line, but she nodded again without flinching. "I understand. I want to become stronger. Whatever it takes."
Beside them, Mo Luochen watched with an approving tilt of his head, eyes glinting faintly.
His gaze drifted to Xiao Tian, who was rolling his shoulders and flexing his hands, feeling the crackle of wind and electricity dance under his skin. The boy's face was calm, almost too calm for someone so young who'd just experienced such a leap.
This kid really is a gem, Michael's thought brushed across his mind, laced with faint amusement. Just a single day and he's already blending his evolved element into instinct. A rare one indeed.
Then he smirked inwardly, remembering old memories from this world's timeline.Why wasn't he in the original?
Ah, right. He was… but discarded by Shrek due to his age. What a waste. They never looked twice at raw potential if it didn't fit their little boxes. Typical.
His thoughts turned colder for a moment. Even Tang San… the so-called chosen genius, second martial spirit already with spirit rings, can't hold a candle to someone like Xiao Tian once true cultivation starts. Spirit Hall's inner circles have countless future Ultimate Douluos. In this new stage, Shrek's petty prodigies won't mean much.
His gaze swept over Zhu Zhuqing next — her determined eyes and quiet breath as she focused inward, mentally exploring her newly evolved abyss flames and darkness. Then back to Xiao Tian, lightning and wind still subtly coiling at his fingertips.
Good, Luochen decided. When the time comes, they'll be weapons sharper than any blade.
With that, Luochen simply tilted his head and stretched out, resting it casually on Renxue's lap. She let out a small breath, brushing a few strands of hair from his forehead as he relaxed there, eyes half-lidded.
Felicia stood nearby, arms folded, her golden eyes narrowing slightly at the peaceful scene. A strange little sourness stirred in her heart, but she pushed it away with a faint scoff.
Damn… she's pretty curvy, Felicia thought as her gaze flickered to Zhu Zhuqing, who was standing quietly to the side, eyes lowered. Wouldn't be surprised if Michael eventually drags her into his bed too.
She clicked her tongue, muttering under her breath, Stupid ability of his… why did it have to drop us into a world where polygamy is normal? Of course, she didn't realize that Michael could control exactly where and when he traveled — or that he never forced anyone into his bed. Her grumbles were just the little grudges of someone who wants him all for himself.
Soon night came as they camped and rested for the night.
The next morning
They set out at first light, following winding roads that cut through valleys and soft hills, bathed in gentle morning mist. It was a quiet, almost pleasant journey toward Tian Dou City.
Felicia occasionally chased down small spirit beasts for fresh meat, bringing back roasted cuts that they ate around simple campfires. Xiao Tian marveled at the new scenery, sometimes sprinting ahead with his wind-wrapped feet, returning grinning with bits of local fruit.
Zhu Zhuqing spent long hours quietly walking beside Xue — the two dark silhouettes often found whispering in low tones, sharing cultivation insights about darkness and flame.
On the seventh day
As they moved through a narrow pass, rough voices suddenly broke the calm. A gang of bandits spilled from rocky ledges, blades and crude soul tools gleaming.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" the apparent leader sneered. "Pretty girls, fancy clothes… must be loaded. Boys, strip them down — check for valuables!"
Xiao Tian snorted. "Pathetic."
Before the bandits could blink, Felicia and Zhu Zhuqing were already behind them. A few sharp strikes, claws flashing with abyssal flame and dark energy, and half the group collapsed screaming. Xue's cold golden eyes barely flickered as she raised her hand — a dark lion's shadow roared forth, swallowing three more in one snap.
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