144: Chapter 144 Thoughts, Parting

The mountain waterfall was spectacular; the surging water rushed down from a cliff over a hundred meters high, looking from afar like a flawless piece of white silk.

As one approached slowly, the first thing one could hear was a rumbling sound, and as one got closer to the waterfall, the sound grew louder, gradually becoming deafening.

The evening sunlight naturally wouldn't form a rainbow on the water's surface, but under the slanted rays, the water droplets reflected sparkling colors, looking like countless falling pearls—truly a beautiful sight.

Both of them were accomplished in their Cultivate, so naturally, they wouldn't be affected by the sound of the water when listening or conversing.

Liu Xuan arrived here and turned back into a lively young girl.

While the sun had not yet set, she flew halfway up the mountain to gather fresh flowers hanging on the cliffside, then wove them into two colorful wreaths—one she wore herself, and the other she placed on Zhao Feng's head.

"Benefactor, look, what is this?"

Liu Xuan, who had run off for a short while, ran back grinning, her hands behind her back, appearing to be holding something.

Zhao Feng was sitting on a large rock, lost in thought.

Hearing her question, he didn't feel it appropriate to use his spiritual sense to investigate, but seeing her clothes slightly disheveled and her hair a bit messy, as if she had been scrambling through bushes, he replied: "Could it be some game?"

Liu Xuan stamped her foot and pouted: "Benefactor, you must have cheated."

She casually threw the thing in her hands onto the ground; it was a beautiful pheasant.

"It really is," Zhao Feng smiled. "Is Miss Liu planning to cook personally?"

"That's right."

Seeing Zhao Feng's rather skeptical look, Liu Xuan jumped up immediately.

"Benefactor, I'm not bragging, but back when I traveled the Jianghu, whenever I spent the night in the wilderness, I would make a roasted chicken. My culinary skills are recognized throughout the Jianghu."

"Hmm, I've heard much, I've heard much. Chef Liu's skills are naturally top-notch."

Zhao Feng looked a bit insincere.

Liu Xuan gritted her teeth in annoyance and began to start a fire, while Zhao Feng took the pheasant to the water's edge to prepare it.

By the time Zhao Feng returned, Liu Xuan had already finished preparing everything, and as if by magic, she produced several small jars.

She began to marinate the pheasant with various seasonings, and after a while, she skewered it with a wooden stick and began roasting it over the charcoal fire.

Watching her fully focused expression, she actually looked quite professional.

They say that people are most attractive when they are focused.

Liu Xuan was already very beautiful, and as she worked so seriously, she looked even more stunning.

Coupled with the influence of Cultivate on her skin and temperament, it was like adding flowers to brocade.

Zhao Feng snuck a few glances at Liu Xuan, then closed his eyes to meditate.

As for what he was thinking, it was unknown.

Liu Xuan, of course, did not know about Zhao Feng's internal changes.

Cultivate had made her much more skilled at controlling temperature, and the deliciousness of this chicken likely surpassed any other game she had roasted before.

The aroma began to swirl in front of Zhao Feng.

His extraordinary nose could naturally easily catch such a scent, one that didn't pale in comparison to the master chefs of the past.

Zhao Feng twitched his nose and leaned closer.

Liu Xuan was secretly delighted and became even more focused.

Finally, the roasted chicken was ready.

She took out two small porcelain bottles and smiled: "Having meat and wine is what the Jianghu is all about, Benefactor, please!"

Zhao Feng took the wine bottle and smiled: "Did the old man give you this too?"

"That's right, the old grandfather gave me many things."

Liu Xuan proudly lifted her beautiful neck, just like an elegant white swan.

The two of them drank wine and ate meat, feeling quite comfortable.

"Benefactor, after this trip to White Deer Mountain, we will be able to see Big Sister Luo Ying, right?" Liu Xuan asked suddenly and nonchalantly.

Zhao Feng nodded: "That's right, the old man told me that on this trip to White Deer Mountain, I would definitely be able to see her."

"White Deer Mountain is a famous mountain of the Yao Race; countless great Yao will surely come to attend the wedding. Going to snatch the bride there carries no small amount of danger, so we must plan carefully."

Zhao Feng looked at her gaze fixed on him and didn't quite dare to meet her eyes: "Miss Liu, this journey is entirely due to my personal affairs. I think... what I want to say is, you had better not go. With so many great Yao, I don't even have the confidence to retreat unscathed; I cannot let you fall into danger as well."

Liu Xuan did not speak, but instead took a large gulp of wine.

Although the wine was mellow and fragrant, it was quite strong, and two clouds of red rose to her fragrant cheeks, making her look even more bright and moving.

"Benefactor, according to our Jianghu saying, this is not keeping to the Jianghu righteousness. To go through fire and water for a friend is my principle in life. Besides, I also want to go and see Big Sister Luo Ying."

Zhao Feng looked at her deeply and did not try to persuade her again, instead raising his wine bottle: "Drink slowly. Come, Miss Liu, I toast you."

After saying that, he took a gentle sip.

The wine was mellow and fragrant, tasting slightly bitter and warm upon entering his mouth.

The night was already deep, and the two did not speak, only hearing the occasional roar of wild beasts, which sounded exceptionally clear amidst the rushing sound of the water.

"Benefactor, when I was little, my father and mother were no longer around. In order to survive, I worked hard to Cultivate. When I grew up, my life became much better, but the enemies I encountered became increasingly powerful. Fortunately, I entered the Cultivate world, and those who were considered experts before are certainly no match for me now. But the enemies I encounter are becoming stronger and stronger. You tell me, why do we practice like this? Is it worth it?"

With the wine in her belly, Liu Xuan was already slightly tipsy, and her words began to flow more freely.

"Actually, what I want most is to find a place with beautiful mountains and clear waters to live quietly with the person I love. Yes, just like a place like Green Bamboo Villa. I don't want to be invincible in the world, nor do I want to save the world; I just want to live happily."

Zhao Feng was somewhat silent. But can some things really be stopped?

The origin of the System was so strange, and the System was so powerful. Wasn't saving the world the task the System had given him? This was a task he could not refuse, and one he should not refuse.

From a practical standpoint, if not for his intervention, life would not exist on Taichu Star.

Without his help, civilization on Planet of the Dead would have long since ceased to exist.

On Yaoling Planet, if he did not intervene, then the demon refining pot would inevitably destroy the entire planet completely.

When the nest is destroyed, no egg remains unbroken.

"Miss Liu, if there really comes a day when this world no longer needs me, I think, we..."

Zhao Feng suddenly felt his shoulder sink; Liu Xuan had gently leaned onto his shoulder, having fallen into a deep sleep, and the rest of his words could no longer be spoken.

"This trip is too dangerous. I'm sorry, Miss Liu, you should just stay here and rest well for a few days."

Zhao Feng gazed closely at Liu Xuan's long eyelashes, his mind already made up.

"Since this place is so much like the Water Curtain Cave, then I will make a Water Curtain Cave."

Zhao Feng activated his ability to modify terrain and created a stone chamber behind the waterfall.

Then he gently placed Liu Xuan on a bed and took out four flags of four different colors, inserting them into the ground to form a simple formation.

"These Four Symbols Flags, let them be a parting gift."

After thinking for a moment, Zhao Feng placed the only two hundred or so pieces of Spirit Stone he had on him and a Jade Slip on the ground, and then, after taking one last deep look at Liu Xuan, he turned and left.