Luo Feng's POV
Morning light filtered through the woven-leaf roof in soft golden shafts, painting patterns across the stone floor. Luo Feng had not slept—sleep was optional for someone at his level—but he had meditated through the night, one eye figuratively open to the seven young soul masters scattered around his home.
They slept deeply, exhaustion claiming them one by one after the meal. Xiao Wu curled near Tang San like a protective rabbit. Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing shared a corner, close but not touching, their breathing synchronized even in rest. Ma Hongjun snored softly near the dying fire. Oscar clutched an empty sausage wrapper like a talisman. And Ning Rongrong…
She had chosen the spot closest to the hearth, knees drawn up, pagoda spirit dimmed but still faintly glowing in her sleep. Her face, relaxed now, looked younger than her years—sixteen, perhaps seventeen. The usual haughty tilt of her chin was gone, replaced by something vulnerable that tugged at memories Luo Feng had long buried.
He rose silently as the first birds called outside. With a subtle wave of his hand, fresh water from the nearby stream filled a wooden basin, and he set out spirit fruits he had gathered months ago—preserved perfectly in a small spatial pocket. Simple hospitality, but it felt… good. Human.
By the time the others began to stir, the scent of warmed fruit and brewing herbal tea (from forest leaves he knew were safe and restorative) filled the room.
Tang San's POV
Tang San woke first, as always—instinct honed from two lifetimes. His hand instinctively checked for Xiao Wu; she was still asleep, color returned to her cheeks. Good.
Then he registered the quiet activity across the room. Luo Feng moved with fluid efficiency, setting out food as though hosting old friends. The man's presence no longer felt oppressive; overnight, it had settled into something almost comforting.
Tang San stood, stretching sore muscles. "You didn't rest?"
Luo Feng glanced over, offering a small smile. "I don't need much. How is she?"
"Better. Whatever you did to calm Er Ming… it gave her time to recover." Tang San hesitated, then bowed slightly—formal respect from the Tang Sect. "Thank you again. We were outmatched."
Luo Feng waved it off. "No need for bows. Eat first. Then we talk about what comes next."
One by one, the others woke. Groans, yawns, and quiet murmurs filled the space. Oscar immediately gravitated toward the food, eyes lighting up.
"Wow, senior, you cook too? Marry me."
Ma Hongjun snorted awake at that. "Get in line, sausage boy."
Even Zhu Zhuqing cracked the faintest smile.
Ning Rongrong's POV
Ning Rongrong woke to the sound of gentle laughter—rare and precious among their group. For a moment she lay still, disoriented by the unfamiliar ceiling, then memory flooded back. The chase. The ape. Luo Feng carrying Xiao Wu as though she weighed nothing.
She sat up slowly, brushing sleep-tousled hair from her face. The first thing she saw was Luo Feng handing a steaming wooden cup to Xiao Wu, who had just opened her eyes. His movements were careful, almost tender.
Something warm fluttered in her stomach again. She pushed it down firmly. Focus, Rongrong.
But when he turned and noticed her awake, his dark eyes softened just a fraction.
"Good morning," he said quietly, offering her a cup as well. "This will help restore your spirit power."
She took it, fingers brushing his for the briefest instant. A spark—no, just static from the dry air. Definitely.
"Thank you," she murmured, then louder for the others to hear, "You really didn't have to do all this."
He shrugged. "I have the space. And the company is… welcome."
The simple honesty in his voice made her look away quickly, sipping the tea to hide the flush creeping up her neck.
Group Discussion – Mid-Morning
After eating, they gathered in a loose circle. The atmosphere had shifted overnight—still cautious, but gratitude and curiosity now outweighed suspicion.
Xiao Wu, fully awake, confirmed what they had suspected: Er Ming had acted out of protective instinct, sensing unknown danger near the forest edge. She assured them she was unharmed and that Er Ming would not pursue further.
Dai Mubai rubbed the back of his neck. "So what now? We still need spirit rings. That was the whole point of coming here."
Tang San nodded thoughtfully. "We were looking for something suitable for Oscar and Rongrong first—around the 30th to 40th rank threshold. But after yesterday…"
All eyes turned to Luo Feng involuntarily.
He leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "The Star Dou Forest is vast. There are areas deeper in where suitable beasts roam, but they're guarded by stronger tribes. With your current state, it's risky."
Oscar raised a hand. "Uh, question. Could you… you know, just scare off anything that attacks us like you did with Er Ming?"
Luo Feng chuckled softly—the sound low and genuine, surprising even him. "I could. But that would defeat the purpose of your training, wouldn't it? Growth comes from overcoming challenges, not having them removed."
Tang San's eyes sharpened with respect. "You understand the path of cultivation deeply."
"More than you know," Luo Feng replied, tone neutral.
Ning Rongrong spoke up, voice steady despite the lingering fatigue. "Then what do you suggest?"
Luo Feng considered. In truth, he could guide them to perfect spirit beasts, ensure perfect absorption, even accelerate their cultivation with his knowledge of laws and energy. But that would rob them of their own journeys—and perhaps create dependencies he had no intention of fostering.
Yet leaving them entirely to fate felt… wrong now.
"I can accompany you for a few days," he said finally. "Not to fight your battles, but to watch your backs against threats beyond your level. In return…" He paused, then smiled faintly. "Keep me company. Tell me about your world. I've been away from people too long."
The offer hung in the air.
Dai Mubai grinned. "Deal. Having a walking apocalypse on our side? I'm not stupid enough to say no."
Xiao Wu giggled, the sound brightening the room. "He's not an apocalypse, Mubai. He's nice."
Tang San studied Luo Feng for a long moment, then nodded. "We accept. And we'll share what we can."
Ning Rongrong's POV – Later, by the Stream
While the others packed and planned the day's route, Ning Rongrong slipped outside to the small stream to wash her face. The cold water shocked away the last cobwebs of exhaustion.
She was splashing water on her cheeks when footsteps approached—quiet, but not attempting stealth.
Luo Feng stopped a respectful distance away, gazing at the flowing water.
"It's clean," he said. "I rerouted it from upstream springs."
She straightened, wiping her face with her sleeve. "You really thought of everything out here, didn't you?"
"Practice," he replied. "When you live long enough, you learn to make any place home."
There it was again—that hint of immense age behind his young appearance. She tilted her head, studying him openly now in the daylight.
"How old are you, really?"
A pause. "Older than this continent."
Her eyes widened. "That's… not possible."
He smiled, but didn't correct her. Instead, he changed the subject. "Your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda—it's rare. One of the strongest auxiliary martial souls in the world, I'd guess."
She puffed up slightly despite herself—pride in her clan was bone-deep. "The strongest. When it evolves to Nine Treasures, it becomes unparalleled."
"And yet you push yourself harder than most attackers or control types," he observed quietly. "Why?"
The question caught her off guard. No one had ever asked it so directly.
"Because…" She looked down at the stream, watching leaves drift by. "Because I don't want to be just the supporter hiding in the back. I want to be someone my teammates can rely on completely—not out of obligation, but because I'm strong in my own way."
Luo Feng nodded slowly. "That's admirable. Strength isn't always measured in destruction."
Their eyes met. For a moment, the forest sounds faded. She felt seen—not as the Seven Treasure Clan's precious daughter, not as the auxiliary tool, but as Ning Rongrong.
Then Oscar's voice called from the house: "Rongrong! We're ready!"
The spell broke. She stepped back, heart beating oddly fast.
"Coming!" she called, then glanced at Luo Feng. "Thank you… for listening."
"Anytime," he said simply.
As she walked back toward the group, she couldn't quite suppress the small, secret smile that curved her lips.
Luo Feng's POV – Watching Her Go
Luo Feng remained by the stream a moment longer.
In all his cosmic journeys, across primal universes and origin continents, he had rarely felt this—this quiet pull toward another person's growth, their struggles and triumphs.
Ning Rongrong was proud, sometimes spoiled, quick to anger and quicker to care. But beneath it all burned a fierce desire to matter.
He recognized that fire. It had once driven him across endless stars.
Perhaps this "vacation" was exactly what his soul had needed after all.
With a soft exhale, he turned to join the others.
The hunt for spirit rings began anew—this time, with a guardian from beyond the stars walking quietly among them.