Star Martial Soaring Cloud

The campfire crackled in the mountain stream, its orange-red flames licking the animal legs on the rack, dripping fat and releasing a rich aroma of meat.

Monk Yuankong, who has always loved meat, didn't mind, but Wang Xiao found the roasted meat a bit too much.

Fortunately, Su Qinhe brought a new way to eat it today.

Use two slices of apple to sandwich a small piece of meat, or use a large piece of fruit and vegetables to wrap a large piece of meat.

After taking that bite, their eyes lit up instantly.

The crispy, caramelized animal skin bursts with oily aroma between your teeth, while the tender meat juices coat the rich fat. What should have been a heavy, greasy feeling is instantly neutralized by the sweet and crisp apple.

The salty aroma of the meat blends with the sweetness of the fruit, and the two flavors and textures collide in the mouth. Far from being incongruous, they enhance the aroma of the meat and add a refreshing crunch when chewing, without any of the astringency that comes with eating large bites of meat.

"Wow! This way of eating is amazing!"

Yuan Kong swallowed hard, immediately perking up. He brandished the dagger with lightning speed, mimicking Su Qinhe's manner, stuffing fruit slices into his mouth until his cheeks were bulging. He even grabbed some vegetable leaves to wrap the juicy, roasted meat strips tightly around his fingers. With each bite, the crisp vegetable leaves encasing the bursting juicy meat made him beam with delight. He exclaimed, "Fairy Su, where did you learn this divine way of eating? I've been eating meat for over ten years, and I never knew there was such a method!"

Wang Xiao held the wine bowl, his fingertips tracing the edge of the rough pottery bowl. His gaze fell on Yuan Kong, who was drinking heartily from a wine jar across from him. He felt a complex mix of emotions.

This robbery changed Wang Xiao's opinion of Yuan Kong considerably.

Throughout the operation, he never let his guard down against Yuan Kong. Even just before knocking Yuan Jie unconscious, he secretly prepared for the worst – if Yuan Kong dared to steal the Immortal Ephemeral Flower or stab him in the back, he would immediately turn his attack around and deal with this unreliable monk first.

But to his utter surprise, things took a turn for the worse than he had anticipated.

Yuan Kong not only strictly adhered to their agreement, but even went beyond it.

The monk offered up the Immortal Epiphyllum flower, giving away four blossoms without a word, keeping only one for himself. That sincerity, that unguarded trust, even made Wang Xiao feel somewhat ashamed.

What surprised Wang Xiao even more was his actions before he left.

As the three were preparing to leave the valley, Yuan Kong deliberately turned back, picked up Yuan Jie, who was unconscious on the stone platform, and carefully carried him back to the cave. He not only covered him with a monk's robe, but also stuffed a bag full of roasted dried meat into his arms, and put a water bag full of water in it. He even thoughtfully used stones to block the cave door to prevent any strange beasts from breaking in and hurting him.

At that moment, Wang Xiao realized that this seemingly outrageous robbery was actually just a prank played by the two brothers.

Yuan Kong never intended to harm Yuan Jie in the slightest; he merely wanted to steal some treasures and, incidentally, teach his junior brother, who beat him with the staff every day, a "lesson."

Sincerity is the most fundamental element in making friends.

This monk, who seemed to talk nonsense and act frivolously, actually did it.

Kindness is an inherent quality etched into his very being.

Wang Xiao suddenly understood why the abbot of the Sumeru Sect would let this unreliable disciple wander around.

Because beneath his seemingly absurd exterior lies a heart more insightful than anyone else's.

Relationships between people can be strange sometimes.

Having shared hardships and done some shady things together, the distance between us suddenly shortened.

The intimacy between some friends can even be measured by the level of their mutual insults—if it's not the right person, they won't even have the chance to curse at you in front of them.

Sometimes things are just so strange. When you do these things, you don't even consider the people around you. Maybe that's another kind of beauty that distance creates!

"Brother Lu Yang, what are you standing there for? Let's drink!"

Yuan Kong raised his wine bowl and shook it at Wang Xiao.

Wang Xiao snapped out of her daze, picked up her own bowl, clinked it against his, and downed the rest of her drink in one gulp.

The liquor, spicy yet sweet, was especially comforting on this cool night.

"Good wine!" Wang Xiao wiped his mouth.

Yuan Kong chuckled and refilled his glass: "That's right! This monk may not be good at much else, but my skill in storing wine is first-rate! This jar of Zhuyeqing wine, I buried it in the back mountain of the Sumeru Sect for three whole years!"

The two of them drank bowl after bowl, drinking with great enthusiasm.

Su Qinhe sat to the side, watching them quietly, a faint smile on her lips.

She didn't quite understand why friendships between men could arise so inexplicably.

They might test each other during the day, but by night they could be arm in arm, calling each other brothers.

But seeing them like this, she felt inexplicably at ease.

This was the happiest day she had had since arriving on the island.

With two reliable allies by my side, I no longer have to face crises alone, nor do I have to live in fear and anxiety.

more importantly--

She glanced down at the contents of the cellar in her arms.

There, six Epiphyllum oxypetalum plants lay quietly.

Wang Xiao also gave her his two plants.

Based on past experience, being able to harvest five Immortal Epiphyllum flowers on Demon Island on one's own is already considered top-tier.

Six plants... that should be enough to make all the elders of Fengyuxuan look at them with new respect.

She looked up at Wang Xiao, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.

This man is always so unpredictable.

He could have kept it for himself, but he gave it to her without hesitation.

"Miss Su, why don't you have something to eat?" Wang Xiao noticed her gaze and handed her a skewer of golden-brown grilled mushrooms. "It's no fun just watching us drink."

Su Qinhe took the mushroom, took a small bite, and a smile flashed in her eyes: "Thank you, Brother Wang."

Wang Xiao waved his hand, then picked up his wine bowl and clinked it against Yuan Kong's.

But in his heart, he was secretly worried.

How should I tell Su Qinhe about Yan Zixi?

The bet definitely needs to be discussed, since it concerns their collaboration.

But how did I end up with Yan Zixi...? I need to come up with a perfect excuse for this.

I can't just tell the truth, can I?

To be honest, I was soaking in a hot spring when the most beautiful woman in Kyushu came to me.

She was able to find herself because of the mother-and-child bell that you gave her, Miss Su.

If this were said out loud, what would Su Qinhe think?

Wang Xiaoguang felt a chill run down his spine just thinking about it.

What's more troublesome is that the monk Yuankong keeps giving him meaningful glances, clearly meaning: Don't say it! Don't say it!

Wang Xiao glared at him.

This monk, who also had connections with Yan Zixi, naturally didn't want Su Qinhe to know.

He had to consider Su Qinhe's feelings while also covering for the monk Yuankong.

But how could he possibly bring it up?

"There's a demonic aura!"

Wang Xiao's expression suddenly changed, and he stood up abruptly, looking warily at the night sky.

Su Qinhe also quickly stood up, her jade flute already in her hand.

Only Yuan Kong continued to gnaw on his rabbit leg at a leisurely pace, a smile on his face: "Don't be nervous, he's here to see me."

As soon as he finished speaking, a streak of blue light swooped down from the night sky and landed steadily beside the campfire.