Despite how fast the flying sword went, clusters of red glowing fireflies continued to drift alongside of the children. It was though these orbs of light were also on a leisurely ride, lighting up every part of the way. The glacial winds brushed past the girl’s long blue outer robe and sleeves as well as her friend’s black attire.

When the little disciple looked up at the boy, she saw that with his bangs pushed out of the way, fully revealing his peerless jade skin as well as his soft nose and pleasing cheekbones. His eyes were the most beautiful of all his features—crimson like the flowers that Mei Ying often makes with her spiritual energy.

“The big brother must’ve been a sect disciple.” said the girl. She was curious. “In your past life, did you die in a war, fighting other cultivators?”

For a moment, it startled the spirit in how easygoing the child felt about death. Both brows were raised. Then again, the peculiar girl never ceased to amaze him.

Ghost Boy laughed, “If I did, which war would that be?”

He did not confirm, but he also did not deny neither of what the child had pointed out.

“Hmm… It would be the Ghost War, probably.” To be honest, the little disciple often overhead people discussing about it in Cheng Xiu Village's tea houses. “Many cultivators died in that one when the nine great sects fought the large Xu cult. The Xu demonic cultivators did many bad sacrifices with people in Minjue Forest here to gather evil yin energy. Shifu even said that the Xu cult tried to summon the demon king.”

A low chuckle trickled into the conversation. “Your shifu sure tells you a lot of things, doesn’t he?”

“She.” The girl corrected her friend. Hearing this, the boy arched an eyebrow at her. Mei Ying smiled—“She told this one many things about the song clan and the main cultivation world… One day, Ying Ying will travel out there to help.”

“How long were you training under her?” asked the spirit.

“Since Ying Ying was five years-old, so that would make two years.”

Curious, the boy furrowed together his eyebrows. “Is…she from your village?”

In response, Mei Ying shook her head. “Shifu is a Heaven Immortal who flew down from the clouds and broke the village’s magical barrier to demonstrate her power. She then demanded to take me as her one and only disciple.”

Hearing this, the boy lowered his gaze. “…and why is that?”

“I don’t know much...” It was the truth. The girl knew little. “But they say that this one needs to be an Immortal, so she can help protect the Mortal realm.”

“From…who?”

“From the evil demon king, ah.” Mei Ying replied, lightly.

The spirit became still and did not ask any more questions. For a short time, he was silent.

Seeing how strange her friend had become, a new thought struck the girl. “Oh! Since you are my friend, how should Ying Ying address you as?”

Gradually, a stream of maple leaves flowed past the children, fluttering around them in circles. It drifted away, high in the night skies and out of their reach.

As the two friends continued to zip through the seemingly infinite forest, the spirit closed his eyes before opening them again. The shadows of many trees and unknown configurations from above flickered over his quiet figure. Silver moonlight past over him several times, dancing like snow. Red glimmering fireflies hovered against his smooth, handsome face.

Slowly, the boy laughed again, a more impish one—“Hahaha! First of all, you should never trust everyone whom you meet so easily!” He then grinned. “Second, you can call this one—Yue Liang.”

A thin line fell into the Mei Ying’s red lips. Yue Liang…is not his real name. Ah, upon thinking on it, she too did not give the spirit her true name. It was truly frustrating because her friend did nothing wrong at all.

❁❁❁

“Zhiyu!” The boy’s soft incantation was cast.

A bright, warm light circled around Mei Ying’s injury before disappearing completely.

Gradually, Yue Liang’s pale hands released the girl’s newly healed ankle. He met the disciple’s eyes and smiled warmly, still kneeling against the wet, jade-green grass. Silver moonlight shined against his unblemished, smooth face and soft, flawless features. Cool wind tousled the black crown of his hair, the longer bangs that framed his face perfectly, and the high ponytail that rippled away like black silk.

“Wow! It doesn’t hurt anymore!” The little disciple gasped, massaging the affected area where the knotted muscles used to be. She had been sitting on the levitating sword like a makeshift bench. “Thank you!”

Not to mention, the child’s hand was also healed earlier. She was truly fortunate to have such a kind friend!

From where she was sitting, the disciple felt a bit embarrassed because the boy was kneeling before her like she was a pampered princess. Earlier, she had insisted on sitting down too, but Yue Liang did not want her clothes to get wet on the wide, open meadow that he had taken them to.

After staying here for a bit, the little girl felt much better, surrounded by the cleaner spiritual energy here. It was not as suffocating or constraining as the air inside the large black twisted trees of Minjue Forest.

Still, the child was not sure whether she should laugh or cry, seeing that her friend was dressed so much better than she was, and he was on the ground.

Red shimmering orbs floated closely by Mei Ying’s side, bringing light to the dark surroundings. Quickly, while the boy looked away, she grabbed one of her silver bracelets and removed it from the tiny wrist. By the fireflies’ glow, the girl could determine the bangle’s deep engravements of flowers, fireflies, and dragons.

“It’s nothing.” Though he tried to act nonchalant, the corner of Yue Liang’s red lips tugged into an upward curve. “Ying Ying should be able to train tomorrow with no problem.”

“Yue Liang.”

Raising his eyes, the boy hesitated once he was presented a shining bangle, decorated with gorgeous designs. As if agreeing with the girl, the red fireflies fluttered around the silver bracelet. They beckoned the spirit to accept his gift.

“I can’t take this…Ying Ying.” Pursing his red lips together, the spirit lowered his eyelids, trembling a bit. “…What use is it, giving something so valuable to me?”

Of course, Mei Ying smiled and tilted her head. “Ah, even the mischievous person can make such a face…”

Being stubborn, Yue Liang did not take the bracelet from the girl even when she pushed the jewelry toward him. He also ignored her teasing.

Instead, the boy laughed softly. “I’ve long heard from the other ghosts and demons that the Song clan possess incredible silversmiths. Their cultivators are often identified by their silver necklaces and ornaments with exquisite designs. Such a prized object should not be given to me.”

Besides, the set that Mei Ying wore only came in a pair, given by the lonely one left on her left wrist. It was not like the small child even knew the meaning behind giving away her jewelries. Such a gesture should not be conducted so easily…

Being impatient, the little disciple pouted. “Let this gift from me to you represent our friendship, ah! Do you not take me as your friend?”

Surprised by the girl’s persistence, the spirit could not help but laugh. “Hahaha! This is your gesture of friendship? It’s more like blackmail…”

The boy knew it was futile to refuse. With reluctance, he took the gleaming bracelet from his friend. He sighed. “Fine, fine… I will tell you this—that you cannot do that for everyone, you know!”

Despite the soft scolding, the spirit’s deep crimson eyes were shining, full of mirth.

“Why not?” asked the curious child.

Slipping the bangle over his right wrist, the boy grinned. “Ying Ying is an extremely special name given to me.” Then, in a light tone, he added, “Giving your other half to someone should only be reserved for the one whom you want to hold hands with.”

Getting up to his feet, Yue Liang could tell that the child was confused and did not understand the meaning of his words. He stifled the urge to laugh at her adorable nature.

Immediately, strong, frosty gales swept past the boy’s black robe and wide sleeves. In the far distance, a long, indistinct piercing sound could be heard—followed by several similar notes. Both the children froze.

There was silence. Gradually, the familiar melody played again, looming closer than it last was.

“Yue Liang.” Upon realization, the small girl began slowly, “Did…you bring me here, because you needed distance in order to send me away safely?”

The plan made sense when the disciple thought about it.

But out here in the expansive field of grass and various multi-colored flowers with their sweet fragrance, the high-pitched music of leaf-blowing could be heard far better than before when they were inside the forest. There were also less noises and other distractions.

The Song cultivators were gaining on them, communicating to one another about their locations with the use of sound. The three bullies must have run into some patrolling uncles and reported what had happened. Of course, they mentioned that their precious cousin was left behind, all alone in Minjue Forest with a terrifying ghost.

In response, some Song cultivators were sent out to retrieve Cheng Xiu Village’s treasured future savior.

Loud roaring and hisses echoed amidst the towering, black trees and shadowy abyss that encircled the large field of grass. Harsh lashes of wind continued to blow from the music's direction, causing various blossoms to fall over, covered with crisp, sweet raindrops. Gold light blinked on and off within the darkness.

There was a battle being fought inside the abyss, with swords and talismans.

Right away, the red orbs of light dissipated. It was as though the friendly fireflies had fled with fright.

Soon, flashes of white lightning split the black skies above.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, Mei Ying recognized the incoming spiritual presence of a certain man. Only he possessed the illusion magic to make lightning appear.

MEI YING! A thunderous voice called to the little girl’s mind through the spiritual communication channel. WHERE ARE YOU?!