After cultivating arduously at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well for over half a year and experiencing a series of events including the sacrifice of the Double Pupil Bird, Marco returned to his home in Heaven Dou City and truly lived a secluded life. Each day, he either cultivated his Soul Power to stabilize his newly acquired Double Pupil External Soul Bone and soaring spiritual power, or carefully tended to the newly hatched Qing Yu, rarely stepping outside.
On this day, sunlight streamed through the window lattice into the room. Marco sat cross-legged, surrounded by a haze of Soul Power, while Qing Yu lay quietly beside him. The light cyan feathers on its body rose and fell slightly with its breathing, absorbing the drifting Heaven and Earth Essence in the air.
"Brother! How much longer are you going to stay cooped up in here?" Ye Lingling's voice carried a hint of dissatisfaction from outside the door before it was pushed open, revealing the slender figure of the young girl in the doorway. Watching the motionless Marco, she pouted, "We finally made it back from Sunset Forest, and all you do is cultivate every day—you're practically turning into a stone! The weather is so nice today, come out and stroll with me!"
Marco slowly withdrew his energy, opened his eyes—the double pupils had already receded—and revealed a helpless smile. "Lingling, cultivation is like sailing against the current; if you don't advance, you'll fall behind. Besides, I've just made a breakthrough and need to stabilize it even more..."
"Stabilize, stabilize—you've been stabilizing for half a month already!" Ye Lingling walked over, grabbed his arm without waiting for his consent, and said, "If you stay cooped up any longer, even Qing Yu will get bored! Look at it, how pitiful—it hasn't even seen what Heaven Dou City looks like." As she spoke, she affectionately stroked Qing Yu's small head.
Qing Yu seemed to understand Ye Lingling's words. It lifted its head, gently pecked the back of Marco's hand with its beak, and let out a clear, chirping call. Its jet-black, gem-like eyes even showed a trace of anticipation. Though it had only recently hatched, it possessed remarkable intelligence and was full of curiosity about new things.
Marco looked at his sister's hopeful eyes and then at Qing Yu's almost human-like expression, and his heart softened. Indeed, the past half year had been filled with many experiences, and his nerves had been constantly tense. Taking a proper break wouldn't hurt. He sighed lightly and smiled, "Alright, I'll accompany you for a walk today."
"Great!" Ye Lingling immediately beamed with joy.
As the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire, Heaven Dou City's prosperity far surpassed that of any other city. The broad streets were bustling with traffic and crowds, shops lined both sides, and the sounds of hawking and laughter filled the air.
Ye Lingling, like a cheerful lark, was instantly captivated by the lively scene on the street. "Brother, look over there!" She pointed to a fragrant stall not far away. "It's sugar painting! That old man's skill is amazing." An elderly man held a copper spoon, flicking his wrist lightly, and the hot syrup transformed into vivid depictions of birds and beasts.
Marco smiled and bought a phoenix-shaped sugar painting for Ye Lingling, then purchased a small bird-shaped pastry made from Honey Grass Juice—a favorite of Soul Beasts—for Qing Yu, who was watching him eagerly. Qing Yu cautiously took a peck, immediately chirped happily, and made Ye Lingling giggle with laughter.
The two humans and one bird strolled along the street, with Ye Lingling curious about everything. They paused at "Hundred Flavors Pavilion" to sample the newly released flower pastries, the floral fragrance and honeyed sweetness melting in their mouths. Outside "Brocade Pavilion," they admired the latest shipment of Heaven Dou Silk, its smooth fabric shimmering with a soft luster under the sunlight. At "Artisan Workshop," a store specializing in small Soul Tool trinkets, Ye Lingling became particularly enamored with a wind chime that produced melodious ringing sounds.
"Brother, look at this bell—its sound is so pleasant," Ye Lingling gently shook the wind chime, its clear tones making Qing Yu tilt its head to listen attentively.
Marco watched his sister's joyful smile, warmth filling his heart. Qing Yu perched on his shoulder, its small head constantly turning as it curiously observed the bustling scenes of this human city. Its pure cyan feathers and lively demeanor were indeed exceptionally endearing.
However, this leisurely atmosphere was soon disrupted.
Just as they passed a stall selling rare spices, a clear, slightly spoiled young girl's voice rang out beside them: "Hey! That little bird on your shoulder—I've taken a liking to it. Name your price!"
Marco frowned slightly and turned to look. A girl around seven years old stood not far away, hands on her hips. Dressed in an expensive pink brocade dress, she had fair skin and delicate features like a porcelain doll, but her expression carried an arrogance mismatched with her age. Behind her stood two middle-aged guards with respectful yet formidable auras—clearly, she was a young lady from some prominent family.
This girl was none other than the little princess of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect—Ning Rongrong.
Marco understood immediately: aside from the royal family, only members of the top three sects would dare act so boldly in Heaven Dou City. Given her demeanor, she was likely the cherished daughter of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect. Not wanting trouble, he replied indifferently, "Not for sale."
Ning Rongrong had never been refused so bluntly before. Pouting, her tone grew even more unreasonable: "Hmph! Do you know who I am? I am Ning Rongrong of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect! That bird of yours may not look like much, but I like it! Fine—I'll give you a hundred Gold Soul Coins. That's enough for you to live on for a long time!"
A hundred Gold Soul Coins was indeed a fortune for an ordinary family. Ning Rongrong, feeling exceedingly generous, lifted her chin, expecting the other party to gratefully hand over the bird. Her guards wore expressions of certainty, as if no one would refuse the "generosity" of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect's little princess.
Ye Lingling nervously tugged at Marco's sleeve. He gently patted her hand to reassure her, though inwardly annoyed. These disciples of major sects always believed money could buy everything. He repeated coldly, "I said it's not for sale. It's my companion, not a commodity."
Seeing not only ingratitude but also such a cold tone, Ning Rongrong felt deeply humiliated, her pretty face flushing red: "You… How dare you disobey me? You reject a toast only to drink a forfeit! Sword Grandpa and Bone Grandpa dote on me most—don't think I won't have them teach you a lesson!" Stamping her foot, she tried to use threats to get her way. In her simplistic worldview, the reputation of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect and the doting of her two grandfathers were the most powerful weapons.
Marco's eyes turned cold. He had never held any fondness for those who bullied others with their power, and Ning Rongrong's threat only deepened his displeasure. Ignoring the spoiled girl, he said to Ye Lingling, "Let's go," and turned to leave.
"Stop! You're not allowed to leave!" Seeing him about to depart, Ning Rongrong grew frantic and angry, instinctively reaching out to grab Marco's arm and stop him.
Just as her fingers were about to touch Marco's sleeve, Qing Yu on his shoulder seemed to sense its master's displeasure. It let out a sharp cry, flapped its wings, and released a faint but penetrating aura. At the same time, the energy of Marco's Azure Flame Phoenix Spirit instinctively fluctuated within him.
Ning Rongrong felt an invisible pressure wash over her. Her outstretched hand froze mid-air, and an inexplicable palpitation gripped her heart, silencing the words she had intended to say. The two guards behind her exchanged uneasy glances and immediately stepped forward, subtly shielding Ning Rongrong as they warily watched Marco. They could sense that this seemingly ordinary young man was anything but simple.
Marco did not pause his steps, nor did he glance back at them. He merely uttered two words indifferently: "How tedious." Then, with Ye Lingling and Qing Yu in tow, he merged into the street's crowd and soon disappeared from sight.
Ning Rongrong stood rooted to the spot, staring in the direction Marco had vanished. Her face flushed red with anger, and her eyes tinged with unshed tears. Never in her life had she been treated with such disregard. Stamping her foot in frustration, she cried out to her guards, "When we return, I'll tell Sword Grandpa and Bone Grandpa! That guy bullied me!" Yet deep down, an indescribable sense of defeat—born from being utterly ignored—began to spread. That guy... he truly wasn't afraid of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect's reputation...
After they had walked some distance, Ye Lingling asked with concern, "Brother, will this be alright? She is, after all, the young lady of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect."
Marco shook his head. Qing Yu on his shoulder had calmed down and affectionately nuzzled his cheek. He replied calmly, "It's fine. Although the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect is one of the three great sects, they still need to abide by reason. Besides, we have no reason to fear her." Having experienced so much, his mindset was no longer what it once was. The threat of a spoiled girl was hardly enough to weigh on his mind. Still, the mood for their outing had been slightly soured. He gently rubbed Qing Yu's small head, thinking to himself, It seems I'll need to be even more discreet when bringing Qing Yu out in the future.
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