As Feng Ninghe left the room, Su Hongxiu approached her, "Miss Feng, the commotion you caused a few days ago was quite significant. I thought you were going to tear down this entire mountain."
Her teasing words pulled Feng Ninghe back to her thoughts. She smiled softly, "I was practicing my swordplay in the room and got a bit carried away. I didn't realize what was happening. For safety's sake, I'll practice outside next time."
Rustle—
A faint sound came from the jungle.
A figure impatiently darted out from the shadows.
Feng Yi's cheeks were full of smiles as she rushed over, "Junior Sister, you're finally out. The commotion you caused these past two days was quite something."
Looking at Feng Yi before her, Feng Ninghe broke into a smile, "I was so engrossed in my practice that I didn't know what was happening outside. The disturbance was a bit too much."
Feng Yi boldly extended her hand and gently patted her shoulder, "Junior Sister, since you've come to the First Sect, this is your home. It's alright if things get a bit chaotic, as long as you don't tear the house down."
Home?
The simple word made Feng Ninghe pause slightly.
She hadn't heard the word 'home' in so long.
As a newcomer, she should have been unfamiliar with the First Sect, but the sect's warmth made her feel a flicker of comfort.
Her smile brightened a little, her eyes curved, and she nodded gently, "Since it's home, how could I bear to tear it down?"
Clomp, clomp—
Heavy footsteps echoed from not far away.
Three enormous ancient trees walked over, their feet carrying them. They were looking at Feng Ninghe with great interest, as if she were something new.
"This..."
Su Hongxiu's expression subtly shifted, her gaze narrowed, "Are these all from the Ancient Wood Clan?"
Feng Ninghe recognized one of the ancient trees as Gu Yingwei.
The ancient trees swayed their bodies and instantly transformed into human form, standing before everyone.
Gu Yingwei bared his teeth in a simple smile and pointed at the two men beside him, "Junior Sister, don't be afraid. These are my second and third brothers. They've specifically taken human form to show you, so you'll recognize them if you see them on the road."
A handsome man with a rugged appearance chuckled heartily. His bronze skin exuded a sense of abundant strength. He boldly fixed his gaze on Feng Ninghe, "Junior Sister, I am your third senior brother, Gu Erwei."
"And me, I am your fourth senior brother, Gu Sanwei!"
Gu Sanwei eagerly introduced himself, adding playfully, "Junior Sister, our fifth junior sister said you were beautiful, and I finally get to see you today. You are truly lovely!"
Facing the compliment, Feng Ninghe smiled dismissively, "Appearance is just an external thing, it's nothing."
A flicker of light passed through her eyes.
Even if one is beautiful, what use is it if one cannot protect oneself?
Su Hongxiu, holding a bone fan in her slender hand, looked at the individuals before her, "It is rumored that the Ancient Wood Clan has long been extinct. I never expected to see so many of them here."
The three senior brothers from the Ancient Wood Clan had distinct personalities and characteristics.
The Ancient Wood Clan possessed extraordinary abilities. Even one surviving member would be enough to shock Jinling. Yet here stood three of them!
A hint of emotion crossed Gu Yingwei's honest and simple face as he sighed softly, "Perhaps only a few of us are left in this world from the Ancient Wood Clan."
"Today is the first day we meet our junior sister. How can we be downcast? We must have a good meal to welcome her to the First Sect!"
Gu Sanwei quickly changed the subject and boldly led the way, "I've already arranged for food. Let's go!"
As the topic shifted, the heavy atmosphere completely dissipated.
Outside the main gate of the First Sect.
Several figures weaved through the dense jungle.
Si Xin Xin, with her bright, wide eyes, stared intently at a large mountain before her.
"Axi, are you sure we're here?"
She looked left and right, but saw nothing out of the ordinary.
It was just a mountain; where was the sect?
Axi, looking a bit confused, reached up and scratched his head, "The hundred spirit birds led us here, so this should be the place. But why can't I see anything?"
Grandpa Luo's gaze calmly swept over their surroundings. When his eyes fell upon the mountain before them, he narrowed them slightly, "This mountain is not simple."
He could feel a faint but powerful aura emanating from the mountain.
Si Xin Xin blinked her bright eyes and turned her gaze to Grandpa Luo, "Grandpa Luo, what's different about this mountain?"
Grandpa Luo opened his mouth and calmly stated his thoughts, "This place is not as simple as we imagined. It seems the First Sect is located here."
The First Sect had been silent for many years, and people had almost forgotten its once formidable presence in Jinling.
The ability to conceal the location of the First Sect from the world was a skill in itself.
"Is anyone there?"
"Someone come quickly!"
Si Xin Xin placed her hands on her hips and shouted at the top of her lungs, "Mother, where are you!"
Axi was not idle. With a wave of his hand, a hundred spirit bird transformed into a streak of light and swiftly flew away.
No matter how loudly Si Xin Xin shouted, there was no response from the surroundings.
She felt a little dejected, "There's no one here but us. When will I be able to see Mother?"
Inside a room at the First Sect.
Si Jian Ye's hands, with their distinct lines, gently tapped on the table. The man's eyes, as deep as ink, were cast down, making it impossible to fathom his thoughts.
A streak of light shot in from outside.
A hundred spirit bird landed on his table, chirping.
Si Jian Ye's lips curved upwards, a smile appearing on his face, "So Xin Xin has arrived..."
In the forest.
Si Xin Xin's small figure sat on the ground, holding a fruit and eating it rapidly.
"Grandpa Luo, I didn't expect the wild fruits here to taste so delicious. Have one."
She wiped a fruit clean and offered it to Grandpa Luo.
A smile involuntarily appeared on Grandpa Luo's face as he accepted the fruit and ate it.
Si Xin Xin looked at Axi, "Uncle Xi, how much longer do we have to wait to see Mother?"
She hadn't seen her mother in a long time and was already impatient, eager to see her.
Axi gently shook his head, "The King of Hell has received our message. He should be here to greet us soon."
"Xin Xin."
Suddenly, a deep, wooden male voice drifted from behind.
Upon hearing the voice, Si Xin Xin's fruit-eating paused. A bright smile instantly bloomed on her young face, "Daddy!"
She quickly put down the fruit and turned to look.
A solitary, arrogant figure stood there quietly.