Xiao Tian accepted the wine glass, and Han Xue deliberately lowered hers. The two gently clinked their glasses together, and she drank it all in one graceful motion.
Xiao Tian regarded Han Xue with appreciation. He did not rush to drink, but instead inhaled the wine's fragrant bouquet. His eyebrows rose slightly. "Is this brewed from liuli grass?"
Han Xue was momentarily startled. She had not expected Xiao Tian to distinguish the wine's ingredients with such ease. Despite herself, she felt a flicker of admiration for the man before her.
Xiao Tian also drained his glass in one go. He closed his eyes briefly, savoring the lingering aftertaste. A moment later, he opened them again. "Excellent wine! It is mellow on the palate, yet does not lack potency—much like Miss Han's character. Outwardly cold, yet with a gentle heart beneath."
A faint blush crept up Han Xue's cheeks. She had not anticipated that Xiao Tian would not only be a connoisseur of fine wine but would also praise her so directly. With a touch of shyness, she said, "Young Master Xiao, you flatter me. I truly do not deserve such praise."
"Miss Han, you are mistaken. I, Xiao Tian, have always been a practical man and never praise others lightly," Xiao Tian replied, his eyes crinkling with amusement as he observed her shy expression. His lips curved upward. "You say you do not deserve it, but the taste of this wine is right here, and the lady herself stands before my eyes. I can read faces—how could I be wrong?"
Han Xue grew even more bashful under his direct yet humorous words. She lowered her head. "Young Master, please, just call me Han Xue."
The surrounding guards overheard the exchange between the two, and their expressions turned peculiar, as though they were witnessing something scandalous.
Only Zi Yao remained indifferent, devouring meat and gulping wine with complete disinterest in anything else.
Han Xue took several deep breaths and quickly changed the subject. If this continued, she would surely perish from embarrassment. She retrieved several wine jugs and placed them on the table. "Young Master, if you enjoy this wine, I still have a few jugs here. Please, drink to your heart's content."
Xiao Tian waved his hand and smiled. "Though the wine is fine, one cup is sufficient. This was not easy for Miss Han to acquire. I appreciate your generous hospitality."
"Miss Han Xue, why not give this wine to the two of us instead of wasting it on this pretty boy?" An aged voice rang out, and several figures flew up from below the hillside. At their head were two old men.
The pair wore light red robes, and upon the chest of each robe was an identical crimson emblem.
Xiao Tian had already detected these newcomers—which was precisely why he had suddenly approached this caravan.
"Master, shall I deal with them?" Zi Yao asked through telepathy. He knew his master had already discovered these people. Though he was a magical beast, he was not without intelligence, so he felt compelled to ask in such a situation.
"No need. Just continue eating," Xiao Tian replied through their mental link.
"Damnation—it's people from the Hong Family," Han Chong instantly moved to the front, eyeing the two old men with wary vigilance.
Han Xue rose to her feet, her cold gaze fixed upon the two elders. "What business do you have here?"
The old man who had spoken earlier stared at Han Xue and smiled faintly. "The two of us are here for you."
"I did not expect that capturing a mere young woman like myself would warrant the attention of Elders Hong Mu and Hong Lie. What an honor," Han Xue said mockingly.
Even as she spoke, Han Xue's heart gradually sank. These two Elders of the Hong Family were both at the four-star Dou Huang level. Even if it were only one of them, she would be in grave peril.
She turned her head to look at Xiao Tian, who remained seated, and then at Zi Yao, who was still eating. "Young Master Xiao, they are here for me. Later, find an opportunity to have him take you away."
Although the other party possessed a sixth-tier magical beast mount, they still had two Dou Huangs. She could not bear to involve him.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Tian gently set down his wine glass, his eyes still calm. He rose slowly, patting the dust from his robe. His movements seemed casual, yet carried a calm and unhurried demeanor.
"Boy, you wish to play the hero and save the beauty? Be careful you do not lose your own life," Hong Lie said, looking at Xiao Tian with a cruel smile.
"With just you two ants?" Xiao Tian extended his hand directly, his fingertip slightly raised, and gently clenched the void.
The surrounding space twisted bizarrely, like paper being crumpled by an invisible giant hand, emitting a grating, tearing sound.
The space around Hong Mu and Hong Lie shattered instantly, like thousands of blades shredding their bodies. The two attempted to resist, but before they could make a single move, they dissolved into a mist of blood that scattered into the air.
The spatial cracks continued to expand, and the other members of the Hong Family were also annihilated in an instant by the tears in reality, leaving no trace behind.
The entire process took but a fleeting moment.
Everyone stared blankly at the blood-mist-filled sky. Two Dou Huang powerhouses—just like that—in the blink of an eye, not a single bone remained.
Han Xue also stood frozen in place, her mouth agape, her face filled with disbelief.
Her eyes were wide open, as if to engrave this incredible scene forever into her memory.
Xiao Tian glanced at Han Xue's expression and beckoned to Zi Yao.
Zi Yao transformed back into his original form, swallowed the meat in one gulp, and ascended into the high sky above Xiao Tian. Xiao Tian flashed onto his back.
Han Xue then awoke as if from a dream, her body trembling slightly. She slowly turned her head, only to find that Xiao Tian had already begun to leave.
Han Xue summoned her Dou Qi wings, wanting to catch up to Xiao Tian to thank him.
However, before she could even fly, Xiao Tian fixed her in place.
Han Xue clenched her fists tightly, struggling to control her emotions, and shouted at Xiao Tian, "Young Master Xiao, I thought I was doomed this time. Thank you for saving me. Xiao Tian, how can I ever repay your great kindness?"
Xiao Tian waved his hand, his eyes showing indifference. "It was merely a small effort. I saved you not for your repayment—perhaps you will understand later."
Han Xue was slightly stunned by Xiao Tian's words, not understanding what he meant. She bit her lip and shouted at Xiao Tian's disappearing figure, "Xiao Tian, even so, I, Han Xue, will never forget your great kindness. I will certainly repay you manifold in the future. If ever you have any need, be it mountains of daggers or seas of fire, I will not hesitate."
"Take this. It will be beneficial to you. Consider it a return for your roasted meat and fine wine today."
As Xiao Tian's words fell, a jade bottle slowly descended from the sky to Han Xue's front.
Han Xue reached out and caught the jade bottle, her eyes fixed on the direction where Xiao Tian had disappeared. She wanted to say something, but it was already too late. A thousand words at this moment turned into a silent gaze.
Han Xue's fingers unconsciously tightened, gripping the jade bottle firmly.
"Xiao Tian..." Han Xue softly murmured the name, slightly clenching her fist, her eyes gradually becoming resolute.
She slowly opened the jade bottle, and a line of text floated out, introducing the effects of the pill.
From the information, she learned that this pill could help a half-step Dou King break through to the Dou King realm. Her expression was complex as she carefully placed the jade bottle into her embrace, feeling its warmth against her chest.
Han Xue took a deep breath, raised her head again, and silently vowed in her heart, "Xiao Tian, no matter where you are, no matter how the future changes, I, Han Xue, will remember this kindness."
Then she looked at the Han Family guards, went straight back to her carriage, and a captivating cold shout came from within, "Pack up everything. The caravan will depart and rush back to Tianbei City overnight."
Everyone quickly packed everything and cleared the remaining traces, then set off.
On an unknown tree trunk, two figures stood silently, watching the group leave.