Volume One: A Youth Enters the World Chapter Twenty-Six: Teasing

As the days passed in the outside world, Fang Tian, still within the sword, slowly opened his eyes. The spiritual energy continued to surge ceaselessly into his body. The cycle of spiritual power flowed smoothly, a sign that his wounds had healed almost completely.

He ceased absorbing the spiritual energy, stood up, and let it burst forth within him. With a muffled roar, pale blue spiritual energy erupted from his body. Then, with a shout, he threw a punch straight ahead, its force echoing in the air. Retracting the energy, he sensed the changes within himself and discovered that his cultivation had reached the threshold of the second layer of Spirit Gathering.

He hadn't expected that after a single battle, his realm would advance—a pleasant surprise. Furthermore, as soon as he gathered his spiritual energy into his meridians, he could break through smoothly to the third layer of Spirit Gathering.

But he was in no hurry. He had spent a long time inside the sword's space. After calculating the time, he realized he could no longer remain secluded. He needed to leave; otherwise, the Zhou family might come knocking, and if no one answered, they might force their way in, bringing endless trouble.

Although Fang Tian had been attentive to the outside world's movements even within the sword, a careless misstep could still spell disaster. Without lingering any longer, he willed himself out and appeared in his room in the outside world. Almost simultaneously, a voice sounded from beyond the door.

"Sir, are you in the room? I've brought your meal."

"Very well, come in."

Hearing his reply, the maid opened the door, placed the dishes on the table, and waited for Fang Tian's instructions. But there was nothing he needed her to do, so he dismissed her.

Before his days of closed cultivation, Fang Tian had already instructed this maid not to disturb him and to return after several days. Thus, his timing was impeccable, and it was now early morning.

After finishing his meal, he left his room and headed in a certain direction—not to the martial training grounds, but to the place where Zhou Xiaodie resided.

With several days gone by, he felt it was time to pay her a visit, and perhaps inquire about her father, Zhou Yunshu—what he had been up to recently. He could then choose a time to seek him out for advice on matters still unclear to him.

As for Zhou Quan, Fang Tian believed there wasn't much he could teach; they could continue their cultivation themselves and didn't need him to stay by their side constantly.

He would visit Zhou Xiaodie first, and then see Zhou Quan later. Cultivation ultimately depended on one's own understanding, and others' words paled in comparison to personal insight and reflection.

Only thus could one break through realms more swiftly.

Walking thus, he soon arrived at the gate of Zhou Xiaodie's courtyard. He composed himself, planning what to say, then stepped forward and knocked on the door. After a moment, Zhou Xiaodie's maid opened it.

Upon seeing Fang Tian at the door, the maid hurriedly turned and ran toward Zhou Xiaodie's room, clearly going to inform her of his arrival.

Seeing the door left open, Fang Tian did not linger outside but followed the maid inside.

He entered Zhou Xiaodie's room, where the maid was whispering to her. Although listening, Zhou Xiaodie noticed Fang Tian enter, her gaze trembling slightly before returning to normal. She dismissed the maid.

On receiving the command, the maid glanced back, saw Fang Tian had entered, understood it was best not to disturb, bowed to them both, and withdrew.

Zhou Xiaodie rose from her desk and walked over to Fang Tian, stopping before him, her eyes fixed intently upon him, almost entranced.

If one observed carefully, they would see that Zhou Xiaodie was genuinely pleased Fang Tian had come to visit. Any previous thoughts of 'giving him a hard time' had long since dissipated with his arrival.

Fang Tian, feeling Zhou Xiaodie's steady gaze, grew a bit uneasy. Was there something on his face? Had he upset her somehow?

Thinking it over, he couldn't recall anything that would have caused her displeasure.

Perplexed, he finally asked, "Xiaodie, why are you staring at me so intently? Is there something on my face?"

He reached up and touched his face, finding nothing amiss.

When Zhou Xiaodie heard his question, her expression flickered and she suddenly returned to herself, realizing she'd been staring so intently. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

She knew she'd lost composure, her emotions stirred by Fang Tian's absence over the past few days, and his sudden appearance now sent her feelings surging, making it difficult to control herself.

She steadied her mind, collected her emotions, and with a playful smile said, "No, Fang Tian, I was just happy to see you, so I looked a little longer."

She blinked and glanced at him again.

Fang Tian scratched his head, looking a bit awkward. "So that's it. I was worried something was stuck to my face."

Seeing his goofy manner, Zhou Xiaodie found it amusing. A mischievous thought arose in her heart, and she leaned in closer to Fang Tian.

Her eyes roamed over him, and with a hint of flirtation in her tone, she asked, "Fang Tian, do you think I'm beautiful?"

Fang Tian had never experienced such a situation. Zhou Xiaodie's sudden approach left him at a loss, instinctively stepping back.

He responded automatically, "Very beautiful, Xiaodie. Why are you suddenly asking this?"

Seeing his attempt to retreat, Zhou Xiaodie pressed closer, as if intent on entering his embrace. Soon, Fang Tian found himself with nowhere to go, forced to stand still.

As she continued to approach, he was utterly confused, not understanding Zhou Xiaodie's sudden transformation or her intentions.

So Fang Tian finally asked, "Xiaodie, what are you doing?"

Zhou Xiaodie, seeing Fang Tian perplexed by her teasing, decided not to continue. She stopped and covered her mouth, laughing in delight.

Watching her laugh, Fang Tian realized he'd been played by this mischievous girl, but he wasn't angry; he simply looked at her silently.

Zhou Xiaodie noticed Fang Tian's steady gaze and felt she should stop joking. She said, "Fang Tian, I'm sorry. I couldn't help myself, just wanted to tease you. Please don't be angry."

Fang Tian sighed helplessly. "Xiaodie, you just scared me. I thought something had happened to you. If it was only a joke, then it’s nothing."

"Then I’m relieved. As long as you're not angry, Fang Tian." Her mischievous eyes lingered on him.

Fang Tian said nothing, his gaze wandering, unable to meet hers directly.

Zhou Xiaodie, seeing this, refrained from staring further, but pondered something silently. After a moment, she said, "Fang Tian, it's still early—why don't you accompany me for a walk?"

Fang Tian nodded in agreement.

Seeing his assent, Zhou Xiaodie immediately took Fang Tian's hand and led him out, her face alight with joy.

Fang Tian looked at her hand holding his, and a strange, indescribable feeling began to stir within him.