One of my fairy-like friends

She gently pinched her cheek and could still feel the pain.

Ning Feixuan pursed her lips, lowered her eyes, and said, "...Thank you...for saving me."

Upon hearing Ning Feixuan's voice, Mingyan opened his eyes. He already knew that Ning Feixuan had woken up, but he didn't want to speak first. To be honest, it was a bit awkward to be with Ning Feixuan now. Mingyan originally wanted to send Ning Feixuan to the camp outside and then leave, but he had doubts and believed that Ning Feixuan had the answer, so he stayed to wait for Ning Feixuan to wake up.

“A life for a life.” Mingyan paused for a moment, then said, “You saved me and then asked me to take revenge. I said before that we were even… but it wasn’t truly even. Now, we are finally even…”

"We're even..." Ning Feixuan turned her head to the side, a faint sadness on her pretty face. Her dark hair was ruffled by the breeze, making her look somewhat melancholy. "I'm sorry..."

Ming Yan frowned. "There's no need to apologize. Also, I'd like to know why the beast horde chased you. In the end, even a spirit beast at the Human Realm appeared. What happened?"

“…” Ning Feixuan turned her head and said softly, “We… to be precise, it was Bei Mingni who strengthened some things of the beast horde.”

"What is it?" Mingyan frowned and asked.

"I don't know exactly what it is either. The thing is on Beiming Ni, but after that, the beast horde started chasing us. As for why, I think... it must be related to that thing." Ning Feixuan roughly described the appearance of the thing. It was completely black and contained a powerful life force. A group of beasts seemed to be transporting it, but they didn't expect that just after they snatched it, several Taiyi Realm spirit beasts came from afar.

And then... that's what Mingyan saw.

Ning Feixuan continued, "Powerful cultivators had explored this area before, and their reports indicated that the most powerful spirit beasts were concentrated in the core region, while the outer perimeter consisted of ordinary ferocious beasts. As long as you didn't provoke them, there wouldn't be any problems. I... didn't intentionally put myself in danger..."

Her words carried a hint of explanation, "I'm sorry to have worried you..."

Ming Yan raised an eyebrow. "You don't need to explain anything to me..."

"..." Ning Feixuan pursed her lips, her pretty face displaying a complex expression. "Oh..."

Something with a powerful life force was being hunted down, Mingyan thought, somewhat puzzled. Then, Ning Feixuan asked softly, "I remember we encountered a spirit beast we couldn't handle at the end. Later... how did we escape?"

“It attacked us once and then gave up,” Mingyan said, regaining his composure. “Then it led the herd away.”

"...?" Ning Feixuan looked puzzled, a question mark appearing above her head. She seemed quite surprised. "Left?"

“Yes, that’s right, so I find it very strange.” Mingyan nodded. To this day, he still couldn’t figure out why that spirit beast had suddenly given up chasing them…

Although Ning Feixuan found it outrageous, since Mingyan had already said so, she couldn't ask him in detail how they escaped. Perhaps Mingyan just didn't want to say it.

She felt that Mingyan was hiding something and not telling the truth, but she didn't intend to press him for details. However, she thought that Mingyan must have gone through something unimaginable to have managed to bring her out of this predicament...

Moreover... when she needed help the most, he appeared before her, and Ning Feixuan couldn't describe the feelings she had at that moment...

She had always wanted to keep her distance from Mingyan, worried that something between them might hinder her.

In the end, when he needed help the most, he still came to his rescue. They said they were even, but in the end, he still couldn't just sit idly by.

"...If it weren't for you...I'm afraid I would have died in there..." Ning Feixuan said softly, "Mingyan...are you very disappointed in me...?"

Ming Yan shook his head, having no intention of continuing the conversation with Ning Feixuan. "Fairy Ning, now that you're awake, I'll be leaving. This time... we're truly even."

"We're even...?" Ning Feixuan looked up at Ming Yan, a complex expression flashing in her eyes. "I'm the one who owes you. Although I did save you, it was just a casual act... And you, you almost lost your life trying to save me..."

Is saying he almost lost his life a bit inaccurate? Although he might have indeed died if it weren't for the crystal given to him by the old Holy Emperor... Thinking about it that way, it doesn't seem to make much of a difference.

No, that's not the point. Mingyan shook his head. "You don't need to feel like you owe me anything. To me, I've truly repaid your kindness... Alright, I should go now."

"...Can't we...be friends? Like...as before?" Ning Feixuan sensed Ming Yan's resistance and felt a pang of sadness.

“Friends?” Mingyan smiled. Ning Feixuan had said something similar before, but Mingyan had refused then. Looking back now, he realized that he might have been carrying some kind of emotion with him back then, which was why he refused. But now Mingyan had come to terms with it. He was completely different from before, so he agreed.

"sure."

Ning Feixuan thought Mingyan would refuse, as she felt he wanted to keep his distance from her. But to her surprise, he actually agreed. Did he really want to be friends with her?

Mingyan agreed, but Ning Feixuan was taken aback.

Is this what she wants, friend? Does she just want to be friends with Mingyan?

During this time, Ning Feixuan often thought about Mingyan, about the misunderstanding between them, and about the slap she gave Mingyan. Does Mingyan still harbor resentment towards that slap?

Of course, Mingyan doesn't actually resent Ning Feixuan. Even back then, he only had some feelings towards Ning Feixuan, not resentment. Now, he has even less of a grudge. But Ning Feixuan can't read minds, so how could she know what Mingyan is thinking?

That day, when Ning Feixuan saw Huang Feiyan and Ming Yan appear hand in hand, she felt a strange emotion for the first time. Perhaps it was sadness? Had Ming Yan and Feiyan's relationship become this good?

And what about herself? Her relationship with Ming Yanzhi was in a very awkward state; they could barely speak to each other... Why did it have to be like this...?

If she had been willing to wait a little longer and wait for Mingyan to find evidence against him, things would have been completely different. But what could she do now that things had already turned out this way?

He once... liked me... It was a feeling... deeper than friendship...

"I thought you didn't want to be friends with me anymore..." Ning Feixuan looked at Ming Yan with a deep gaze.

Mingyan smiled but said nothing. He felt that he didn't need to deliberately keep any distance from Ning Feixuan. If they had really let go, there was nothing wrong with being friends.

Ning Feixuan pursed her lips, looking at Ming Yan, feeling a strange mix of emotions. She didn't know why, but even though Ming Yan had agreed to be her friend, she felt that things were completely different from before.

Before, Mingyan wanted to be friends with her; now, she wants to be friends with Mingyan... Moreover, Ning Feixuan could sense that Mingyan was still somewhat distant from her; calling them friends...

Mingyan said he... has paid off his debts...

She disliked the word; it was as if there was no longer any connection between them... And what kind of repayment was this? Now... it was clearly something she owed Mingyan...

After leaving the Yaochi Holy Land, Ning Feixuan kept thinking about what she could do after abandoning her identity as the Holy Maiden of Yaochi...

She had driven it all for revenge, but after achieving it, she felt only an endless emptiness... She felt as if a piece of her was missing, as if she were no longer whole...

Without purpose, it's like a ghost, somewhat absent-minded.

Now, doesn't she have a purpose? Ning Feixuan's eyes gradually brightened. Yes... now she owes Mingyan, and their positions have completely reversed.

Moreover, Mingyan has agreed to be friends with her... so... can she repay Mingyan in return?

Just like how Mingyan once repaid him?

In that case, she could repair her relationship with Mingyan... She couldn't help but think of the Mandarin Duck Mirror... Was that some kind of hint?

Hmm...that's right, now it's my turn to repay the favor...

Ning Feixuan looked at Ming Yan, a smile gradually spreading across her lips. "Thank you... Ming Yan. I've been thinking a lot lately about what I should and could do after I've taken my revenge, and now I've found my goal."

Ming Yan was somewhat surprised. He could sense that Ning Feixuan had become rather depressed since the Ning family matter was resolved. "Really? Then congratulations..."

"It's all because of your help..." Ning Feixuan said softly.

“My help…?” Mingyan tilted his head. “I don’t think I did anything? If you’re referring to what happened in the Central Abyss, as I said, you don’t need to feel like you owe me anything. I was just repaying a favor.”

Ning Feixuan nodded. "Yes, I know. I don't owe you anything."

Since Mingyan insists on saying it this way, let's just go along with it. Anyway, I'll just keep it in mind.

Friend... Ning Feixuan thought of the pair of mirrors she still carried... What if... they were more than just friends?

Chapter 136 If it were Master

Having found her goal, Ning Feixuan decided to leave this place. She wanted to return to the Holy Land to tell her master her thoughts, and there were still some things that her master needed to help her decide.

Mingyan didn't plan to leave for the time being; he intended to wait for his master. Entering the central abyss area now was far too dangerous, and Mingyan dared not go in again. If he did, another human-mounted spirit beast might jump out and spare him once, but it might not spare him a second time...

After Ning Feixuan left, Ming Yan briefly returned to the camp, but did not find the Little Kunpeng King. He had wanted to "inquire" about the so-called thing with a life force, but he had to give up.

Come to think of it, could it be that the spirit beast discovered the Little Kunpeng King's whereabouts and went after him? But Mingyan thought about it and felt that was unlikely; it would have been too easy for the other party to crush him and Ning Feixuan, there was no need for them to deliberately let them go...

Unable to understand, Mingyan gave up and continued to wait for Yue Wuxia, instead of leaving as his master had instructed.

Three days later, Mingyan was shocked. He heard his master's voice transmission: his master had returned!

Before long, Yue Wuxia appeared in Mingyan's sight. Her light blue Taoist robe was spotless, and she looked ethereal and beautiful. She frowned as she looked at Mingyan, "Didn't I tell you to leave if you couldn't wait any longer? Why are you still here?"

"Disciple wishes to wait for Master to travel together," Mingyan said. "Has Master gained anything?"

Hearing Ming Yan's words, Yue Wuxia felt a little helpless. She landed in front of Ming Yan and asked him to release the flying carpet. Then she sat on the flying carpet with Ming Yan and told him about her gains on this trip, "I have never been close to the Central Abyss before. This time, I found some things near the Central Abyss."

Yue Wuxia's expression was somewhat grave. "This beast tide is likely man-made. I've investigated further and discovered that the closer to the center, the stronger the spirit beasts become. They are protecting a life, and that life may very well possess the ability to command the entire beast horde..."

"Therefore, we need to go to Yaochi first. It just so happens that it's not far from the Peach Banquet at Yaochi Holy Land." Yue Wuxia said, "We must inform Yaochi Holy Land and others about this. Otherwise, if such a huge horde of beasts starts attacking humans and demons, it may severely damage our strength."

Mingyan had guessed this possibility before, and his master's words further confirmed his guess.

The beast tide might not necessarily attack them, but they still have to be careful because there are too many ferocious beasts and spirit beasts in this world. If there is an entity that can command them all, and if that entity is hostile to them, it would be extremely dangerous.

Moreover, judging from the long history of humans and demons, there is a high possibility that ferocious beasts and spirit beasts are hostile to them, so they must be on guard.

Although the human and demon races have transcendent entities like holy lands and noble families, possessing emperor-level formations and artifacts, neither race is a monolithic entity. Furthermore, even if holy lands, noble families, and dynasties can protect themselves, what about the cultivators and ordinary people?

Mingyan nodded. He thought for a moment and decided not to tell his master about his past experience of venturing into the area affected by the central abyss. What if his master got angry again?

Yue Wuxia set off with Ming Yan, not through a teleportation portal, but directly flying towards the Yaochi Holy Land.

As a saint, Yue Wuxia's speed at full power is no slower than that of a short-distance teleportation array. Moreover, teleportation arrays require waiting for them to activate, which wastes some time.

Of course, Yue Wuxia didn't need that. Mingyan held his master's slender waist and felt the surrounding light and shadows rushing by. Because the flying carpet was too stable, it felt like everything was going backward, which was quite wonderful.

When will I reach my master's level of cultivation? Only when I reach my master's level can I protect her... or even possess her...

"Have you been to any places affected by the Central Abyss before?" Yue Wuxia asked abruptly on the way.

“...Mm.” Mingyan nodded honestly. He could have kept quiet if his master hadn’t asked, but now that his master had, he didn’t want to lie to him.

Yue Wuxia was both annoyed and amused. She was annoyed that Mingyan had taken another risk, but amused that Mingyan had directly admitted it... at least he was honest.

"Because Master hasn't come out for a long time, I was a little worried about him, so I went in to look for clues," Mingyan said. Since he had already brought it up, Mingyan gave a general account of what he had encountered, emphasizing the strange things he had experienced.

The flying carpet suddenly stopped. Yue Wuxia stood up and looked coldly at Ming Yan. "You always ignore what I say? Is that it? I told you to stay outside obediently, and then you barged in again and almost got your life in danger. Do you think you're a nine-lives cat? That you can have eight more lives after you die?"

Mingyan quickly said, "I never intended to go any deeper, and encountering that spirit beast that was at the Human Realm level was purely accidental. Does Master expect me to stand by and watch Ning Feixuan die?"

This time, you ultimately saved someone's life. Yue Wuxia sighed softly, "Your life is far more precious than hers. You can't risk your life for others again in the future, do you hear me?"

"If it's my master, I would save him even if it costs me my life," Ming Yan replied, seemingly unrelated to the question, but he looked at Yue Wuxia very seriously.

A slight ripple appeared on Yue Wuxia's flawless face, but it quickly disappeared. "With your current cultivation level, you think you can save me when I'm in danger? You'd better run away."

Mingyan smiled but said nothing. Yue Wuxia glanced at him with her beautiful eyes, sighed deeply, and said with a hint of helplessness, "How many times do I have to tell you before you understand that your life is more important than anyone else's? You must live to save your sister, to save more people. If I were in real danger, your first thought shouldn't be to come to my rescue..."

“If I can’t even protect the people I care about, how can I protect others?” Mingyan interrupted Yue Wuxia. “Master, if you want me to abandon you, then I can tell you that I would rather not save any more people. A person who can’t even protect the people he loves has no right to talk about protecting others.”

After being interrupted by Ming Yan, Yue Wuxia remained silent for a while, then said somewhat angrily, "Do you really want to talk back to me?"

"I'm just telling Master that in my heart, you are more important than me," Mingyan said with a smile.

This time, my entry into the abyss was essentially because of my master. As for saving Ning Feixuan, it was merely to repay a debt of gratitude.

So he and Ning Feixuan became friends again, but their relationship will probably remain awkward... Next time, if he is not threatened, he will still lend a helping hand, but if he is threatened, will he... still help?

Even Mingyan himself didn't know that even if he took action, it wasn't out of any affection for Ning Feixuan, but simply out of a sense of righteousness.

But if it's his master, it's different. Mingyan would give everything to save his master's life.