In the verdant paradise of the gorilla forest, where the leaves rustled like whispers from ancient history, Chan Wei and Xiao Ning'er had found refuge for several days. But time had become their enemy, pressing on them like the hot breath of an impatient dragon.
The lush gorilla forest overflowed with resources—a generous abundance that had allowed Xiao Ning'er to ascend to the 2-star Gold rank. The pills and gifts from Chan Wei had been like shooting stars in her cultivation, lighting her path to new heights.
Knowing their stay was drawing to a close, Chan Wei had made arrangements for those they would leave behind. To Tai Zhan, he offered an ancestor of his mother from within his shadow—a guiding presence in the darkness, able to communicate if needed. He had also assisted the black gorilla, the strongest among the 5-star Black Gold ranks, helping him transcend his current form to become a legend. With a mix of pills and training backed by the support of a hundred other giant gorillas, they had woven a tapestry of destiny for the noble creature.
The gorilla, now adorned with the radiance of a new rank and an imposing human form, stepped before Chan Wei, deep gratitude shining in his dark eyes."Thank you. I would like to share the name of my benefactor—name me," he asked, his voice full of respect.
Chan Wei looked up to the shifting sky, where the clouds danced like excited dragons."Very well. You shall now be known as Chan Tie," he announced with peaceful solemnity, his voice echoing like the distant roar of a waterfall. "I welcome you as my brother, binding our fates like the intertwined vines of an ancient forest." And as the newly named Chan Tie knelt in humble recognition, Chan Wei took on the towering form of the giant gorilla, honoring his new brother with a respect deeply rooted in the sacred land of the gorilla forest.
The powerful roars of the gorillas, like an ancestral hymn, made the leaves of the century-old trees tremble. Dancing shadows, like specters of the night, swirled around the young man, weaving him a protective cloak of darkness. With a smile full of wisdom and gratitude, he shed his imposing gorilla form, returning to his human body in a transformation as natural as the changing of the seasons.
Beneath the majestic canopy, Chan Wei stood beside Xiao Ning'er, their silhouettes framed like mythical figures in the soft glow of twilight. The gorillas, silent witnesses to their passage, seemed to bow their heads in a respectful salute, recognizing in them the guardians of their realm.
As the young man slowly departed with his companion, leaving behind a trail of mingled light and shadows, the entire forest seemed to hold its breath. The whispers of the wind and the babble of the streams fell silent, as though nature itself was paying homage to their departure.
The shadows, faithful companions of the young man, merged with his own, creating a mystical ballet of moving silhouettes. A sense of emptiness filled the air, leaving the inhabitants of this miniature world contemplative and melancholic. The idol of their god was leaving, taking with him a piece of their spirit and soul, leaving behind an everlasting memory of his majesty and kindness.
"I'm so sad to leave this little world behind," murmured the young woman, her eyes shimmering with a melancholy tinged with gratitude. Her fingers brushed against the fern leaves, as if to carry a memory of this enchanted valley with her. "I loved every moment we spent there."
Chan Wei smiled gently at his companion, capturing the sparkle of their shared memories in his gaze. With a delicate motion, he lifted her like a princess, his strong arms cradling her softness with infinite tenderness. Then, with feline grace, he leapt into the air, summoning Yini, their loyal companion who still awaited them faithfully, ready to serve.
"I agree," he replied, his voice imbued with serenity as they soared through the sky toward Glory City, their silhouettes streaking like shooting stars in the night. "Now that we've left the gorilla valley, I feel an emptiness growing within me. But I'm relieved to know we've left behind a new guardian in Brother Chan Tie. His loyalty and strength will be a shield for those who remain."
The wind caressed their faces, carrying with it the scents of the earth and the murmurs of the forest. Beneath the sparkling stars, Chan Wei and Xiao Ning'er soared toward new horizons, their destinies intertwined like the branches of a millennia-old tree—strong and unyielding.
Back at the Huyan family estate, Chan Wei and Xiao Ning'er were warmly welcomed by Huyan Lanruo, Chan Wei's sister, and Chan Wen, his paternal grandmother. While Chan Wei headed toward the baths for a well-earned shower, Xiao Ning'er was pulled aside by the two women, who seemed eager to know what had truly happened during their extended time away as a couple.
Huyan Lanruo, a lively and spirited young woman, spoke first, a mischievous smile playing on her lips."So, Xiao Ning'er, tell us everything! What did you do all this time with my brother?"
Xiao Ning'er, aware of the expectations and assumptions weighing on her, answered with feigned calm, her eyes sparkling with an unreadable glint."Oh, you know, we simply explored the ancestral mountain, learned new things, and cultivated as much as we could."
Chan Wen, her voice soft yet piercing, narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "I'm sure there was more to it than that," she said insistently. "After all, you were alone for days, far from anyone's watchful eye. It's only natural that strong bonds might have formed between the two of you, right?"
Xiao Ning'er, used to keeping her thoughts hidden behind a veil of mystery, responded enigmatically. "Maybe yes, maybe no. Relationships between men and women are often a matter of interpretation, aren't they?"
The two women exchanged a knowing glance, convinced they had uncovered the truth. Huyan Lanruo shook her head with a teasing smile. "Well, whatever the case, we're glad you're both back safe and sound. But don't think you'll get away so easily without sharing a few juicy stories!"
Xiao Ning'er simply smiled, keeping her thoughts and experiences carefully veiled behind an impenetrable mask. After all, some stories were meant to remain secrets between those who had lived them.
After skillfully avoiding the women's interrogation, Xiao Ning'er took a refreshing shower while Chan Wei was subjected to his own questioning by Huyan Xiong and Chan Kang. Unlike the women, the two men asked more direct questions about the dangers faced during the expedition and Chan Wei's current cultivation state.
Huyan Xiong, a middle-aged man with an imposing aura, fixed Chan Wei with a scrutinizing gaze. "Tell us, Chan Wei, what dangers did you face on your expedition? And how has your cultivation progressed since our last meeting?"
Chan Wei took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts to answer the men's questions. "We encountered a member of the Dark Guild named Gui Sha. He tried to capture us, but we barely managed to escape." He paused, reflecting on his current cultivation. "As for my cultivation, I've reached 1-star Black Gold rank."
Chan Kang, Chan Wei's grandfather, gave him a mischievous smile. "Ah, it's good to see you're advancing in cultivation. But tell me, little Wei, how are things going in your conjugal development with Xiao Ning'er?" His voice was playful, as if he knew he'd hit a sensitive topic.
Chan Wei felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment, his usual majesty vanishing under the weight of his grandfather's indiscreet question. He coughed lightly, searching for the right words. "Uh… well… we're mostly focused on cultivation and our journey, Grandfather." His answer was vague, and he didn't have the courage to respond more personally, instead blushing under Chan Kang's amused gaze.
The young couple soon departed with little Kyu joyfully skipping alongside Xiao Ning'er and little Bai slithering gracefully around Chan Wei, heading toward Nie Li, whose location they could sense thanks to the monkey shadow Chan Wei had left with him.
"I see you two are inseparable now," Nie Li said, greeting them with a smile. His eyes sparkled mischievously, as if he had already anticipated their arrival.
"I was planning to attend the Sacred Family competition. Want to join me?" he asked, his gaze flicking between Chan Wei and Xiao Ning'er.
"Absolutely," Chan Wei replied with palpable determination. His steps were confident, as if ready to face any challenge. "We're ready to follow you, Nie Li. In fact, we were thinking it's time to settle the score with the Sacred Family for their misdeeds. Interested in teasing them a bit by taking some of their money?"
A light laugh escaped Nie Li's lips, ringing in the air like a playful melody. "Exactly what I had in mind," he confirmed, his eyes gleaming with mischievous intent. "Besides, I've improved since last time."
Xiao Ning'er stepped forward slightly, a fierce glint in her eyes. "Nie Li, do you think I could fight Shen Fei? I'd really love to beat him in front of a crowd," she asked, her words charged with fierce determination.
"Normally, no," Nie Li answered. "But if we poke at the Sacred Family's pride just enough, we might get them to accept the challenge," he explained, his eyes glowing with a dark gleam. It was as if he were pulling the invisible strings of fate to achieve his goals.
Upon arriving at the venue, Nie Li noticed Yang Xin nearby and brought Chan Wei and Xiao Ning'er over to meet her.
"Big Sister, how are you?" Nie Li said with a boyish tone, under the shocked gazes of Chan Wei and Xiao Ning'er, who had never seen him act like this before.
"Little Brother Nie Li, your pot nearly got Big Sister Yang Xin killed! How do you plan to make it up to her?" Yang Xin replied with a teasing look. In truth, the situation hadn't been that dangerous—the people who tried to harm her had been dealt with by her bodyguards.
Nie Li, of course, knew what Yang Xin was after. He smiled softly and said, "I owe Big Sister Yang a favor for that incident."
However, she acted as if the situation had truly been serious in front of Nie Li. She then noticed the two young people with him. "And who are these two?" she asked, prompting Nie Li to glance around more seriously.
Seeing that no one was watching them, he looked toward his brother, who smiled and tapped his jacket. A rune activated, enveloping the four of them in a small soundproof formation.
"Clever," said Yang Xin, noticing the almost undetectable thin layer around them, her gaze briefly landing on Chan Wei before returning to Nie Li.
"This is Chan Wei, the inscription prodigy who, like me, is under the tutelage of a Legend-rank mentor. He's already made several important contributions to Glory City. The young woman at his side is his fiancée, Xiao Ning'er," he said, finishing the introductions.
Before the conversation could go further, they noticed several members of the Sacred Family approaching. Leading them was the Elder of General Affairs of the Sacred Family, Shen Ming.
Chan Wei discreetly deactivated the barrier without anyone outside the group noticing a thing.
"Director Yang, it's been a while! I never thought you'd be interested in a martial arts tournament between a few families," said Shen Ming with a smile, though his eyes betrayed a hint of fear. He never would've imagined that the Heavenly Marks Family would be able to invite Director Yang, along with three elders from the Alchemist Association.
Chan Wei seized the opportunity to approach Shen Ming with a piercing gaze. "Tell me, is Shen Fei participating in this tournament?" he asked in a calm but direct tone.
Shen Ming raised an eyebrow slightly, displaying an expression of disdain as he blatantly ignored Chan Wei's question. It was as if he believed that responding to a member of the Heavenly Marks Family was beneath him.
"I'm not particularly interested in this tournament," Yang Xin interjected smoothly. "I'm just here to see little brother Nie Li. I might even place a bet—I've heard the Sacred Family is handling the betting this year," she added with a smile, cleverly diverting attention from the growing tension between Chan Wei and Shen Ming.
(Author note : Chan Tie picture ^^)