Chapter 137: Yiran

Feng Chuxun stood atop an ancient tree, watching the forest as it was blanketed by the setting sun. He glanced down at the campfire flickering below; another day had passed.

Over the flames, the meat sizzled and turned, fat dripping into the fire with a crisp, rhythmic sound. Beside the fire, a slender figure crouched, eyes fixed on the roasting meat, her small mouth swallowing repeatedly, completely unconcerned with her image. As for Shen Qingyun, he seemed to have been entirely ignored by the girl, reduced to the role of a mere cook.

Watching the girl stare unblinkingly at the meat, Shen Qingyun couldn't help but scratch his head. Ever since he had saved her from that pack of ghost wolves, she had simply sat on the ground in a daze, not saying a word. She had sat like that for an entire day. The first thing she had said to them was, "I'm hungry."

Shen Qingyun was left between laughter and tears. Was this girl perhaps a bit thick-skinned, or simply carefree? He had improvised, using the Crimson Snow blade to carve off the front legs of the ghost wolves. To this day, he still hadn't forgotten the resentful look Feng Chuxun had given him when he’d reclaimed the blade.

"Aren't you afraid we might be bad people and wish you harm?" Shen Qingyun asked.

The girl finally snapped out of her trance, wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth, and said, "You wouldn't."

Seeing her brimming confidence, Shen Qingyun was even more certain that she was just incredibly thick-skinned.

Feng Chuxun drifted down from the tree, drawn by the scent of the roasting meat. "How are you so sure we wouldn't?"

The girl kept her gaze on the meat, the aroma wafting toward them. "If you really wanted to do something to me, you wouldn't have saved me in the first place. Besides, anyone here at this time must be a student of the academy. I haven't seen you before, but students of the academy wouldn't turn on their own."

Shen Qingyun and Feng Chuxun exchanged a look, realizing that this girl had a keen mind hidden beneath her seemingly crude exterior.

Perhaps unable to bear it any longer, the girl urged, "Is the meat ready yet?"

Shen Qingyun couldn't help but chuckle. "Didn't you say the meat of these ghost wolves was sour?"

The girl turned her head away, though her eyes remained locked on the meat. She murmured, "I hadn't tasted it yet... besides, who knew your skills were so good, making it smell so delicious? Damn it, I can't take it anymore..."

Shen Qingyun found that he was starting to like this girl who spoke her mind so freely; she was inexplicably cute. Back at the academy, she must be quite popular.

"Tell me your name." Shen Qingyun pulled the meat away, out of her reach.

The girl grew anxious, her eyes turning watery as she glared fiercely at Shen Qingyun. "Bad person!"

"My sister said I shouldn't tell my name to bad people."

Shen Qingyun raised an eyebrow, unmoved by her pitiful appearance. A glimmer of spiritual energy flashed at his fingertips, and the meat in his hand was instantly split in two. He tossed one piece to Feng Chuxun.

Feng Chuxun caught it and immediately began to feast. Shen Qingyun did not eat; instead, he held the meat and watched the girl quietly.

The girl held her ground, though her eyes never left the roast. Shen Qingyun raised an eyebrow and made as if to take a bite himself.

"My name is Yi Ran." The girl finally broke, unable to compete with Shen Qingyun. She sniffled, sounding aggrieved.

"How old are you?"

"Sixteen." Under the threat of the meat, Yi Ran had no choice but to surrender and answer honestly.

A flicker of surprise crossed Shen Qingyun’s eyes. She was at the middle stage of the Spirit Manifestation Realm at only sixteen; it seemed the rumors that the Zixiao Academy only recruited the greatest geniuses of the Southern Continent were not unfounded. He couldn't help but glance at Feng Chuxun, his expression clearly saying, "Look at her, then look at yourself—eighteen and only at the early stage of the Spirit Manifestation Realm."

Feng Chuxun, who was busy eating, noticed the look and froze. *What does that have to do with me? Can you not drag me into this?*

"Why were you being chased by that pack of ghost wolves?" Shen Qingyun asked again.

This time, Yi Ran didn't answer; her eyes were too fixed on the meat to move.

A flash of light crossed Shen Qingyun’s fingers, and a tiny piece of meat—just enough for a single bite—was cut off. He handed it to her. A light sparked in Yi Ran’s eyes; she snatched the meat from his palm, swallowed it, and then stared at the rest of the roast with even more desire.

"Answer my question." Shen Qingyun waved the meat in front of her.

"Bad person." Yi Ran pouted, then said reluctantly, "I took something of theirs."

"What was it?"

"Beast Soul Pills," Yi Ran replied.

Shen Qingyun’s eyes sharpened. A pack of ghost wolves—the number of pills must be significant.

"Take them out and let me see." Shen Qingyun held out his left hand.

Yi Ran immediately looked at him with vigilance. "What are you doing?"

Feng Chuxun watched from the side, having guessed Shen Qingyun’s intentions; he felt such behavior was a bit beneath them.

"We saved your life, after all. Isn't it only right to show some appreciation?"

Yi Ran said immediately, "Thank you."

"..." Shen Qingyun blinked. Was that it?

Yi Ran’s small, slender frame shrank back, looking weak and helpless. "These aren't mine. My sister and the others lured the wolf king away, which gave me the chance to get these pills. So, I can't give them to you!"

Shen Qingyun was unimpressed. Was there really someone so firm that they couldn't be moved by profit? He didn't believe it; it was simply that the offer wasn't tempting enough.

"Does the meat smell good?" Shen Qingyun asked with a smile.

"Yes." Yi Ran nodded subconsciously. The meat was truly fragrant, the skin perfectly crisp. One bite, and... she really felt like she could swallow her own tongue.

"Do you want to eat it again in the future?"

Shen Qingyun didn't realize that, in Feng Chuxun's eyes, his current expression looked exactly like a creepy uncle trying to lure a little girl.

Yi Ran wanted to nod, but she wasn't stupid; she knew the price of nodding. Yet, the meat was so fragrant, and this man was so annoying—why did he have to roast it so well?

Shen Qingyun dangled the meat. "As long as you do as I say, you can come find me whenever you want to eat again. Of course, you bring your own ingredients." He smiled. "Now, do you know what to do?"

Yi Ran’s heart was torn between the delicious meat and the spoils of her academy team.

*Grumble...*

Her stomach chose that moment to betray her, roaring as if urging her to make a decision quickly.

"Here!"

Yi Ran made up her mind and took a pouch of Beast Soul Pills from her storage ring. They were round and plump, each nearly half the size of a palm, with over a dozen in total.

"Here."

Shen Qingyun handed over the meat—an even exchange. He weighed the pouch in his hand without counting the contents, then took out seven pills, tossing four to Feng Chuxun and keeping three for himself. He had his own principles: he only took what he felt he deserved.

Seven ghost wolves had been dealt with; seven pills were fair.

Watching Yi Ran’s thin, delicate frame, Shen Qingyun couldn't help but chuckle. He felt as if he were taking care of a little sister.

Despite her small size, the girl had a surprising appetite. She devoured half a wolf leg like a whirlwind, then blinked her large, dark eyes and stared longingly at Shen Qingyun.

"Not enough?" Shen Qingyun asked, surprised.

Yi Ran nodded. "Still hungry."

Shen Qingyun really wanted to ask what kind of bottomless pit her stomach was, but he held back. He turned toward the wolf carcasses, looked at them, and said, "These are no good anymore. If you want more, go get it yourself."

"Okay!" Yi Ran clapped her greasy little hands and said easily. For the sake of food, a little hard work was nothing.

Watching her figure disappear into the shadows of the forest, Shen Qingyun sighed, "This girl is kind of cute."

Feng Chuxun shrugged, not denying it.

...

Before long, Yi Ran returned, dragging a massive black eagle that seemed entirely disproportionate to her small frame.

"Where did you catch this Black Wind Eagle?" Shen Qingyun asked, slightly shocked. The Black Wind Eagle was a raptor known for its speed. Could this girl fly?

"I saw it resting in a tree, so I climbed up and knocked it out," Yi Ran said innocently.

"Ugh..." Shen Qingyun was speechless. The poor Black Wind Eagle.

"What's wrong? Hurry up and make it for me!" Yi Ran urged impatiently.

With a helpless shake of his head, Shen Qingyun took the eagle’s head, walked to the side, and began to bleed, pluck, and clean the "body" of the beast.

"By the way, what are your names? I don't even know yet." Seeing Shen Qingyun start to cook for her, Yi Ran’s mood improved, her previous unhappiness vanishing. Her favor for him grew, and she asked in a simple, crisp voice.

"I'm Shen Yun, and he’s Feng Xun. We’re both students of the Seventh Palace," Shen Qingyun replied, focused on his work.

"Is that so? I'm from the First Palace," Yi Ran said, swaying her head.

Feng Chuxun glanced at her, a flicker of emotion in his eyes.

Shen Qingyun smiled slightly. "You mentioned earlier that you have a sister. Are you separated from her now?"

"More or less. My sister and the others lured the wolf king away. I was chased by the ghost wolves and ran off in a panic. I don't even know which part of the forest I'm in now. It's pretty much the same as being separated."

When she spoke of her sister, the girl seemed proud, tilting her head. "Don't look at me like I was just running away; my sister is the second-best in the First Palace! Only behind Brother Zhan. It’s just that, recently, two annoying guys popped up and dimmed my sister's brilliance a bit."

"Haha, is that so?"

Shen Qingyun gave a dry laugh. It was a good thing they had changed their appearances, or he wouldn't have heard such things.

"Right, Brother Shen Yun, why don't you take me to find my sister?" Yi Ran suggested excitedly, as if she’d had a brilliant idea.

She seemed afraid he would refuse, so she added, "My sister is amazing! With her help, the ranking for you and Brother Feng Xun in this trial will definitely go way up!"

Seeing Shen Qingyun watching her with a calm gaze, Yi Ran’s heart faltered, feeling a bit guilty. "Wh-why are you looking at me like that? I’m being sincere..."

"Fine, actually, I just want to be able to eat Brother Shen Yun’s roast meat whenever I want," Yi Ran lowered her head and confessed.

"You should have just said that earlier." Shen Qingyun turned back to the meat.

"So, Brother Shen Yun, you agree?" Yi Ran looked at him with delight. After seeing him nod, she turned to look at Feng Chuxun.

Feng Chuxun leapt onto the ancient tree, his voice echoing softly, "His decision is mine."