Time flew by, and years passed in the blink of an eye.
Under Lady Bai's guidance, Yi Feng's cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds. His successive breakthroughs brought Lady Bai continuous pleasant surprises, and also allowed Yi Feng to gradually transform from the ignorant and confused Ah Dai into a young cultivator of considerable bearing.
As Yi Feng's cultivation continued to climb, Lady Bai valued him more and more. The gap in cultivation between the two constantly narrowed, and their relationship slowly warmed up.
After five years of spending day and night together, Lady Bai had clearly seen Yi Feng's upright character. At the same time, she was pleasantly surprised by his monstrous aptitude. Seeing his cultivation grow stronger every day, she seemed to feel more secret joy than if she had broken through herself.
With another breakthrough, Yi Feng stepped into the Nascent Source realm in one fell swoop.
His cultivation had already surpassed that of Lady Bai.
His entire being had reached the point of shedding his mortal body and exchanging his bones. His bearing was far superior to before, as if he had gained a new lease on life. When his starry eyes opened, a touch of composure was added to his gaze.
Seeing him like that, Lady Bai revealed a faint, warm smile and finally spoke words of praise.
"Your cultivation now surpasses mine. Even among these several nations, it is enough for self-preservation. You can be called a first-rate expert of the current continent."
"Congratulations, Ah Dai."
Watching the beauty walk over with a smile, Yi Feng's eyes also revealed tenderness.
His gaze held a bit more determination and became much clearer. He slowly stood up and walked toward Lady Bai. While thanking her, he casually mentioned the name he had just remembered.
"Thank you for these past few years."
"My name is Yi Feng. Actually, I am..."
Halfway through his words, Lady Bai gently raised her hand to interrupt him. Although a touch of surprise appeared in her eyes, the calm expression on her stunningly beautiful face did not change much.
"Between you and me, there is no need to be treated as a stranger."
"Congratulations on finally remembering your name, but in my eyes, you will always be Ah Dai. The past is not important."
Hearing these words, Yi Feng also revealed a relieved smile.
Indeed, as Lady Bai said, the past was not important. Regardless of honor or disgrace, it could not change who he was. What was important was that he would not change his mind and would always cherish this rare fate.
To be able to meet and understand each other in the vast sea of humanity was already a tremendous stroke of luck.
If there was anything else worth longing for in the outside world, it would be his few brothers who were also his confidants. Other than them, Yi Feng no longer had any desire to step foot into the martial world.
Once he reunited with his brothers in the future to drink and talk merrily, he would bid farewell and retreat to the mountains and forests, leaving no regrets in this life.
Looking at Yi Feng's relieved smile, Lady Bai knew that many words did not need to be spoken. After several years of spending day and night together, they already had a tacit understanding.
Seeing the sun setting in the west, the two lightly tapped their toes, and the pair of white figures stepped over the forest and pierced through the clouds. Accompanied by flying birds, they returned to the courtyard. Before long, billows of cooking smoke could be seen. Even if it was just coarse tea and simple food, they found their own joy in it.
The hidden mountain village was as beautiful as a painting, and the immortal-like couple paid no heed to the martial world.
This landscape was extremely tranquil, like a paradise isolated from the world, giving the two of them a beautiful time of comfort and peace. However, the outside world was already splattered with blood; the martial world was in turmoil, and the imperial courts were crumbling!
Two great dynasties fought endlessly, and the turmoil affected the neighboring countries. Assassinations and secret plots were common occurrences, and even the royal families of various countries were tottering like they were in the midst of a storm.
Visibly, an unprecedented great war was about to begin.
The small mountain village was located between the two great dynasties, situated in a barren mountain river valley. However, this secular land was extremely impoverished and was not highly regarded by anyone.
But precisely because of this, it became an escape route for those being hunted down.
One day, at noon.
Yi Feng and Lady Bai finished teaching and parted ways at the entrance of the schoolhouse.
The lives of the two had long become very regular. Lady Bai returned to the small courtyard to cook as usual, while Yi Feng was responsible for finding some wild game to add a bit of flavor to their simple lunch, which was considered one of the joys of life.
Just as he was flying through the clouds, he suddenly sensed that someone was engaged in a bloody battle in a valley dozens of miles outside the village.
Sending out his divine sense to take a look, he saw a young man being besieged by dozens of people!
Having not stepped into the martial world for a long time, Yi Feng had long grown tired of vendettas and disputes. However, seeing that person surrounded all alone, he could not help but think of his past self.
The young man was already at the end of his rope, yet his pursuers were still using ruthless moves.
That scene was extremely similar to when Yi Feng was at Severed Soul Cliff back in the day.
Finally, he could not help but feel compassion, and he descended into the valley to lend a helping hand.
Although unarmed, his entire body exuded a terrifying cultivation base. With white clothes whiter than snow and an extraordinary bearing, he stood horizontally in front of the killers, bringing the scene to a sudden stalemate.
With just a few points of his finger, profound sword intent crisscrossed the valley, severing mountains and splitting rocks with terrifying power!
In just an instant, Yi Feng had turned the tide and slain all the brutal thugs!
Such methods left the heavily injured young man dumbfounded.
Seeing that Yi Feng was about to fly away, saving a life without asking for anything in return, brushing his clothes off and leaving after the matter was settled, deeply hiding his merit and name, the demeanor of an expert was fully displayed.
The young man woke up from his stupor, cupped his fists, and looked on with eyes full of reverence!
"Senior!"
"Thank you for your great grace, Senior. Please leave your name, and I will definitely reward you heavily in the future!"
Hearing the voice behind him, Yi Feng did not pause in the slightest.
Whether it was gratitude or repaying a favor, these matters had nothing to do with him. He only wished to enjoy the present tranquility with the most important person to him. Other than his few brothers, he no longer wished to be entangled in karma with anyone else.
Fame, wealth, and rank were like fleeting clouds; glory, splendor, and riches were all but dust.
He had long seen through the various things of the world. Nothing was as precious as true affection and loyalty.
This time was nothing more than an unexpected encounter.
A single meeting by chance was the best ending.
With this thought in mind, Yi Feng accelerated his flight and went far away. Along the way, he found some wild game and then returned to the small mountain village courtyard.
Even though his figure had merged into the clouds for a long time and was nowhere to be seen, the young man looking up into the sky grew even more reverent. An excited light burst from his eyes, and his mouth continued to murmur in a trembling voice.
"Such cultivation and bearing, he is truly a reclusive expert!"
"If we could get the help of this expert, it would truly be a blessing for all living beings..."
