Star Martial Soaring Cloud

When they said goodbye to Ling Cheng and his group, the sun was already setting in the west, and a hazy yellow glow spread across the sky, casting long shadows.

"Brother Lu Yang, Fairy Su, we'll be taking our leave now." Ling Cheng casually slung his longsword over his shoulder, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said, "We'll head north, then circle around to the east. This journey will probably take about a month. Are you really not coming with us?"

Wang Xiao shook her head, her tone firm: "No, we have other things to do."

"Alright then." Ling Cheng didn't try to persuade him further, grinning broadly. "Let's get together again when we get to the East."

The three turned around and strode into the twilight. Their backs were straight and unrestrained, showing no sign of the heaviness of embarking on an unknown journey. Instead, they seemed to be going to a casual gathering of old friends, relaxed and happy.

Wang Xiao gazed in the direction they had gone and couldn't help but sigh softly, "These people are truly remarkable."

Su Qinhe nodded slightly, her eyes filled with admiration: "The disciples of Qingcheng Sword Mountain have always been of such integrity. When the Daoist sects moved eastward in large numbers, they refused to leave their homeland, preferring to live a simple life in peace and tranquility, without currying favor with the powerful or fearing death. Their integrity is truly admirable."

"Let's go." Wang Xiao withdrew his gaze, suppressing the emotions in his heart. "We should get going."

The two immediately changed direction and headed west.

Wang Xiao's destination was the bamboo house he had temporarily built after arriving on the island.

"Lin Yueyao will definitely be waiting for me there." His tone was firm, without the slightest hesitation.

Su Qinhe followed silently behind him, listening to him recount how he met Lin Yueyao.

The girl from the southern border region ventured alone into the perilous Demon Island to protect her tribe, all in search of a Mysterious Frost Lotus.

"Her cooking skills are really good." As she said this, Wang Xiao's lips unconsciously curled up. "I have eaten countless barbecues, but the ones she grills are the most fragrant, tender and flavorful."

Su Qinhe listened quietly without interrupting.

"The moment the teleportation array was destroyed, I thought to myself, she definitely couldn't have left." Wang Xiao's voice gradually lowered, tinged with worry. "The Tianyi Sect's plan won't let any cultivator escape. By the time she arrives, the southern teleportation array will probably already be destroyed. Knowing her personality, she would never seek help from the Ni Chang Immortal Palace—"

Su Qinhe replied softly, "So, she can only come to you."

"Yes. Because we're friends!" Wang Xiao nodded, a glimmer in her eyes. "After such a turn of events, she'll definitely do everything in her power to find me. She knows where my bamboo hut is, and besides, she's an expert in tracking, but..."

After a pause, Wang Xiao frowned slightly and said, "Demon Island has been washed away by heavy rains and has undergone tremendous changes. Any traces I left behind must have been completely washed away. Since she can't find me, she only has one choice—to stay in the bamboo house and wait for me to return."

Looking at Wang Xiao beside her, Su Qinhe suddenly understood where the reassuring power in him came from.

It wasn't due to profound cultivation or an imposing aura.

Rather, it is his inherent honesty, his deep-seated kindness, and his genuine sincerity that is consistent inside and out.

He would go to the extreme for his friends.

While everyone else rushed to safety, he went against the flow, venturing alone through the perilous western part of the Demon Island, all to find his friend.

"Actually, Xiao He and the others are right. Heading to the eastern teleportation array together is the safest and most reliable option," Wang Xiao suddenly spoke up, his tone calm. "After all, there's strength in numbers, and we can look out for each other if anything happens."

"But you ultimately chose to turn back," Su Qinhe said softly, looking at him.

"Yes." Wang Xiao smiled, her smile clean and open. "Because my friends are here."

Su Qinhe remained silent for a moment, a touch of emotion stirring within her, and asked softly, "Aren't you afraid... you'll have made a wasted trip, only to find she's not even here?"

Wang Xiao's voice was soft, yet carried an unwavering firmness: "She's there, she must be."

Su Qinhe did not ask any further questions.

He believed she was there, Su Qinhe believed she was there, and Lin Yueyao must be there too.

This is Wang Xiao.

This is also friendship.

At that moment, she suddenly realized that the extremely dangerous Demon Island wasn't so scary after all.

Even if the sky were to collapse, it wouldn't seem like such a big deal.

Because Wang Xiao is like a ray of light, and light is born to dispel darkness and bring hope.

"I would also like to meet this Miss Lin," Su Qinhe said, her tone filled with anticipation.

Wang Xiao turned to look at her.

Su Qinhe raised the corners of her lips slightly, revealing a genuine smile: "She is your friend, and I am your friend, so naturally we are friends too."

Wang Xiao paused for a moment, then laughed heartily, "Yes, we're all friends."

"And," Su Qinhe rarely showed a bit of girlish naiveté and anticipation, "I also want to try her cooking, and if possible, I'd like to learn from her..."

The two chatted and laughed, and unconsciously quickened their pace.

The next day.

Wang Xiao and Su Qinhe were walking through a dense forest, intending to find a shady spot to rest, when a graceful figure suddenly appeared under the thick shade of the trees ahead.

"Young Master Wang, you've kept me waiting for quite a while."

Her voice was soft and charming, with a hint of languid complaint. It was sweet and gentle, like a warm breeze that swept across a lake in spring. With a gentle breeze, it created ripples that made people's hearts itch.

Yan Zixi leaned against a sturdy ancient tree, her scarlet gauze dress fluttering in the wind. The gossamer-thin skirt accentuated her graceful figure, revealing her exquisite curves. Every line was just right, making her beautiful in a flamboyant and alluring way.

Her long hair was casually draped over her shoulders, with a few strands falling in front of her chest, gently swaying in the wind. Her stunningly beautiful face became even more charming and captivating under the shade of the trees.

She looked up at Wang Xiao, her peach blossom eyes filled with two pools of spring water, a smile that was not quite a smile, a reproach that was not quite a reproach, her eyes were so captivating that she was an absolute beauty.

"The Demon Island is in chaos right now, fraught with danger. After much thought, I've concluded that the safest place right now is by Young Master Wang's side." She slowly shifted her gaze to Su Qinhe beside her, a sly smile playing on her lips, her tone teasing. "Otherwise, Qinhe wouldn't be so inseparable, would she?"

Su Qinhe's face was calm and serene. Her simple white clothes made her look aloof and refined, like a plum blossom in the snow, which contrasted sharply with Yan Zixi's passionate charm.

She raised her eyes slightly, her tone calm and even: "Sister Yan is joking. If you would like to join us, I would certainly welcome you."

Having heard of Lin Shisan's betrayal and witnessed the earth-shattering changes on Demon Island, Su Qinhe's character has slowly transformed.

What does the power struggle for Fengyuxuan, which I used to be so concerned about, matter in the face of life and death?

Life should be free and unrestrained; why be trapped by petty grudges and self-imposed constraints?

Right now, surviving and getting out of the Demon Island safely is the most important thing.

She also knew that following Wang Xiao at this moment was the best choice for both herself and Yan Zixi.

She genuinely welcomed Yan Zixi to join and didn't want anything to happen to her.

It's always good to be together.

Yan Zixi moved gracefully, her skirt swaying gently, and walked step by step to Su Qinhe's side. She naturally took Su Qinhe's arm, the action intimate and natural, without any trace of their past confrontation.

Looking at the scene before her, Wang Xiao was filled with doubt. She thought to herself: Weren't these two mortal enemies? They even made a bet to settle their differences. How come they're like long-lost sisters now that they've met?

"Hey, weren't you two sworn enemies before? How come you're all so close now?"

Yan Zixi turned to look at him, laughing heartily, her charm overflowing: "Young Master Wang is truly oblivious to romance. In this situation, what's the point of vying for empty titles? With such a vast enterprise as Fengyuxuan, having two leaders wouldn't be so bad!"

As she spoke, she tightened her grip on Su Qinhe's arm.

One in red, one in white; one alluring, one aloof. Two stunningly beautiful faces side by side, with contrasting styles, yet inexplicably harmonious, each beautiful in its own way, complementing each other perfectly.

"I also heard that Young Master Wang plans to form his own alliance, independent of others?" Yan Zixi tilted her head, her tone charming and teasing. "How about calling this alliance the Beauties Alliance?"

Wang Xiao's lips twitched violently: "What?"

"The Beauty Alliance sounds so nice." Yan Zixi released Su Qinhe, her lotus-like steps swaying gently as she slowly circled around to Wang Xiao's front. A delicate yet alluring fragrance wafted over, lingering and permeating her heart and soul.

She looked up at Wang Xiao, her voice sweet and seductive: "I'll be your strategist. I won't even mention a harem of three thousand beauties, I guarantee I'll help you gather all sorts of beauties—stunning, delicate, fiery, gentle…you name it, I'll have it all, so that Young Master Wang can enjoy the bliss of having multiple wives as soon as possible!"

As Yan Zixi spoke, she deliberately took a few steps closer, almost touching Wang Xiao, her peach blossom eyes staring straight at him, her gaze full of charm and allure.

"No wonder Young Master Wang refused to join the Dongbin Alliance; so that's what he was thinking." She raised her slender hand, her pale fingertips gently touching Wang Xiao's chest, her voice soft and sweet. "Then wouldn't you say I'm walking into a trap, like a lamb entering a tiger's den?"

Wang Xiao felt a chill run down his spine and made him feel extremely uncomfortable after being teased by her.

This woman is truly a witch; every smile, every word, every action carries a captivating allure that is irresistible.

What alarmed him even more was that her methods were truly extraordinary.

She knew perfectly well about his plan to establish an alliance. It was obvious that the big-mouthed monk Yuan Kong had leaked the information.

Wang Xiao composed himself, forcing a calm demeanor as he took a half-step back, raised his hands in a fist salute, and said with a serious expression, "Miss Yan is too kind. I merely wish to contribute my modest efforts to the fight against the Tianyi Sect. As for jokes like the 'Beauty Alliance,' please refrain from mentioning them again."

Yan Zixi blinked her watery peach blossom eyes, her smile deepening, and pouted as if she were being wronged: "Young Master Wang is really quite boring. I meant well and wanted to help you share your burdens, but you kept me at arm's length. It really broke my heart."

As she spoke, she turned around and took Su Qinhe's arm again, pouting sweetly, "Little sister, you're not even going to say a word for me. Look at your young master Wang, what kind of shady person does he think I am?"

Su Qinhe blushed slightly at the mention of "your young master Wang," her usually cool face flushed with a touch of pink, but she still tried to remain calm and said in a deep voice, "If Sister Yan wants to travel together, we are naturally welcome. But please, sister, don't make such irrelevant jokes anymore."

"Alright, alright, I won't say anything more, I'll listen to my sister." Yan Zixi covered her mouth and chuckled, her eyes glancing at Wang Xiao with a playful look in them.

She immediately dropped her joking tone and became unusually serious: "Young Master Wang, please rest assured, I simply wish to find a safe and secure place to stay. Although the Sumeru Sect is indeed safe, being surrounded by a group of monks makes me feel constrained and uncomfortable. With you, I'll be freer, without the need for intrigue and scheming. Besides—"

Her gaze swept over Wang Xiao and Su Qinhe, a meaningful smile playing on her lips: "With Sister Qinhe by my side, surely Young Master Wang wouldn't bully a weak woman like me?"

Wang Xiao gave a helpless, bitter smile. This woman had clearly insisted on going with him, yet she spoke as if he had been desperately trying to persuade her to stay.

"I am naturally pleased that Miss Yan is willing to travel with me." He spoke calmly, but earnestly advised, "However, the journey ahead is fraught with danger and peril, so I hope you will be careful along the way."

Yan Zixi's eyes sparkled, a charming smile playing on her lips, her tone confident: "Young Master Wang, please rest assured, although my cultivation isn't top-tier, I'm still capable of protecting myself. Besides—"

She turned to look at Su Qinhe, her tone softening and becoming more intimate: "Even Sister Qinhe isn't afraid, so what do I have to be afraid of?"

Su Qinhe didn't speak, but gently squeezed her hand in response.

Looking at this harmonious scene, Wang Xiao felt a pang of emotion.

Perhaps, as Yan Zixi said, in the face of life and death, all grudges, struggles, power, fame and fortune are insignificant.

Living is the most important thing.