Xiao Clan, within Xiao Bai's small courtyard.
A massive Golden Fire Peach Tree stood tall in the courtyard. It was currently the blooming season for these trees, whose blossoms had pink centers and golden edges, making them highly ornamental and beloved by affluent families.
Beneath the peach tree sat a stone table, upon which rested a teapot emitting a delicate, lingering fragrance.
Seated beside the table was a handsome young man, intently reading an ancient book. Golden-red petals occasionally drifted down with the wind, landing gently on his robe.
It had been nearly three months since Xiao Bai had last allowed himself to relax like this.
Since successfully refining his first pill, he had stopped dedicating all his time to alchemy day and night as he had before.
Instead, he spent his days refining pills and his nights cultivating Dou Qi and soul power, while also refining the last remnants of the Yang Thunder of Bing Fire within him.
Yesterday, he had finally completed the refinement process, and his cultivation had advanced to Eight-Star Dou Master.
In just a few days, he would set off with Yao Lao. So today, he decided to take a break.
The path of cultivation requires balance between tension and relaxation. He didn't want to turn himself into a machine that only knew how to cultivate. Taking occasional breaks could actually improve his progress.
The ancient book in his hands was borrowed from Xun'er. The little girl always had a book in hand whenever she had free time, and seeing this, Xiao Bai had asked to borrow a few. These books contained foundational knowledge about cultivation.
For someone without a master, these books were like teachers to him, broadening his horizons and helping him refine his own path and understanding.
"Knock, knock, knock."
A knocking sound came from outside the courtyard.
"Come in! The door's not locked."
Xiao Bai didn't even lift his head. Through his soul perception, he already knew who was outside.
Sure enough, a graceful figure pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Upon entering, Xiao Xun'er saw the picturesque scene before her, and for a brief moment, her eyes were filled with admiration. Then, with a playful smile, she teased:
"Xiao Bai-gege, you finally stopped living in the mountains!"
"You little rascal, I finally get a day to relax, and here you are teasing your Xiao Bai-gege."
Xiao Bai set down his book and looked up, his gaze warm as he beckoned to the bright, smiling girl standing not far away.
"Hmph, well, you've been missing for nearly three months! If I didn't know you were still in the back mountains, I would've put out a missing person notice!"
Xiao Xun'er huffed as she sat down beside him, her expression carrying a hint of grievance.
Ever since she had met Xiao Bai, they had never gone this long without seeing each other. She knew he was in the back mountains, but she had never gone looking for him—afraid that he might have secrets he didn't want her to know. So, she had endured it in silence.
Xiao Bai understood why she never came to find him.
Despite her young age, the girl beside him was undoubtedly from a prestigious clan—she knew when to advance and when to retreat, making her company refreshing and effortless, like a gentle spring breeze.
"Alright, little one, don't be upset. Your Xiao Bai-gege will keep you company for the next few days, alright?" Xiao Bai smiled as he handed her a cup of tea.
It was rare to see this girl show a pouty side—seeing it now, he found it rather adorable.
Hearing his words, the pout on Xiao Xun'er's face instantly disappeared, replaced by a beaming smile. She quickly took the teacup and said cheerfully:
"You said it yourself, Xiao Bai-gege! I didn't force you!"
"Heh~" Xiao Bai chuckled indulgently, reaching out to gently tap her delicate nose without saying another word.
"Xiao Bai-gege, are you leaving in a few days?" Xiao Xun'er narrowed her eyes. She had been happy just moments ago, but suddenly, as if remembering something, her voice softened with a hint of reluctance.
She felt that in the past year, Xiao Bai-gege had been so busy, so busy that she could only see him after a long time, nothing like when they were younger and could see each other every day and spend time together anytime.
Although she knew this day would come eventually, she thought it would be when she was older, but the day arrived too soon, so suddenly that she wasn't quite prepared for it.
She had matured early, but she was still only fourteen. When she first arrived at the Xiao Clan, she was clueless. Since then, she had grown up without experiencing much of the bittersweetness of life, leaving her feeling a bit melancholic.
Was this the price of growing up?
Xiao Xun'er thought silently for a moment.
Xiao Bai noticed her sudden change in mood, sensing what she was thinking, and he too fell silent.
He couldn't help but sigh lightly, reaching out to gently touch her small head and said softly,
"I'll only be gone for a short while, I'll be back soon. With the bright moon as my heart and the gentle breeze as my will, if you miss Xiao Bai-gege, just look at the moon in the sky, feel the breeze of the mountains. They will both represent Xiao Bai-gege, alright?"
Xiao Xun'er could no longer hold back. She immediately threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly.
After a long while, she nodded in his embrace and softly replied, "Mm!"
Xiao Bai gently held her in his arms, saying nothing, just quietly holding her.
"Big Brother Bai, Big Brother Bai, you finally came down from the mountain?"
A lively and somewhat mischievous voice broke the quiet of the courtyard.
A boy in black walked straight into the courtyard. Upon seeing the scene inside, he was momentarily stunned, then his eyes flickered, and a mischievous smile appeared on his face as he loudly said,
"Eh? Where's Big Brother Bai? Why isn't he home? Tsk, Big Brother Bai is so careless, leaving the door wide open when he's not even here!"
After speaking, he turned and made as if to run.
Hearing the noise, Xiao Xun'er immediately lifted herself from Xiao Bai's arms, calmly returned to the nearby stone bench, and took a sip of tea.
She appeared calm, but a faint blush appeared on her face.
Xiao Bai rolled his eyes, seeing that Xiao Yan had already reached the door. He called out,
"Come back!"
Xiao Yan stopped but didn't turn around. Instead, he stood still for a moment, looking around as if unsure, and said with confusion, "Eh? I thought I heard my dear Big Brother Bai's voice, but I can't see him. It must have been an illusion… yeah, an illusion!"
He nodded affirmatively, then continued to calmly step outside.
"If you take one more step, you can wait to die!" Xiao Bai said indifferently.
Xiao Yan froze as if hit by a spell, standing still. He still didn't turn around and extended his hand toward the ring on his finger, saying,
"Eh? I hear Big Brother Bai's voice again. Teacher, is it because I've been overworking in my cultivation and now I'm hallucinating?"
Yao Lao, inside the ring, felt a bit speechless. He had watched Xiao Yan grow up, and after spending several months with him, he didn't realize his disciple had such a talent—he was truly a natural-born actor.
"Heh~"
Hearing a low, cold laugh from behind, Xiao Yan shivered, knowing that if he kept pretending, he would get beaten. He quickly turned around and exaggeratedly smiled,
"Oh! Isn't this my dear Big Brother Bai? I'm so sorry, so sorry, I've been over-cultivating recently, which made me dizzy and blurry. I swear, I didn't see anything just now!"