Peizhi Xiuying and Akata walked towards the Seventh Cabin which was where Akata stayed at. Throughout the whole walk Peizhi Xiuying held onto Akata’s arm without letting go of it once. They didn’t talk much and just enjoyed the scenery as they hadn’t done in a while. Other disciples saw them together and talked amongst themselves about their relationship.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen them two together.”

“I thought they were apart considering how long they’ve been away from each other.”

“I wish I had a girl like Peizhi Xiuying to hold onto me like that.”

Of course the disciples weren’t being quiet so Akata and Peizhi Xiuying could hear what was being said about them. Akata’s face turned bright red as he heard some of the things being said. He didn’t speak up though but instead let out continuous sighs.

Peizhi Xiuying on the other hand smiled brightly as if she didn’t care what was being said. In fact when she started hearing the disciples her smile grew bigger and she drew in closer to Akata.

“Sister Xiuying you don’t have to act like this. I can take care of myself now. You don’t have to pretend to be with me like you didn all those years ago to help me out.” Akata couldn’t help but make this statement quietly to Peizhi Xiuying so that only she could hear it.

She frowned slightly and stopped in her tracks. She looked at Akat, stamped her foot down and then spoke in a clear quiet voice that could melt anyone’s heart if they listened in on it. “Humph! Who said I was pretending back then?” She didn’t say anymore and let go of Akata’s arm and started walking on her own.

Akata was taken back by what he heard and eventually let out a long sigh. He had heard this countless times before but even so they were still never together. He shook his head and sought to catch up to her.

After walking for a while they eventually made it to Akata’s cabin. Peizhi Xiuying looked around in amazement and awe. All of the wonderful flowers in the area left her with a sense of familiarity.1

“This is so beautiful. So this is what it is like to live in the cabins?” She looked around at the scene of beautiful flowers and all the diverse display of colors. “I’ve decided to become stronger just a own a cabin like this. It is just simply too amazing.”

Akata smiled and looked on. Of course he knew that Peizhi Xiuying loved flowers. He had brought her to his cabin not only for the privacy but also to show her this view. In his mind he was truly pleased. ‘I’m glad she got to see it and feel happy.’

He finished his train of thought and then spoke out. “Sister Xiuying I want to repay you for helping me… no… for being there for me all these years. If there is anything I can help you with I will be glad to do it.” He smiled as he talked. Right now his heart was at peace along with his mind.

Peizhi Xiuying stopped looking around for a moment and put a hand on her chin as if she were thinking. “Ah! I know what you could do hehe. I have three things you can do actually.”

Akata was surprised that she came up with something so quick but didn’t let it bother him as he nodded his head. “Okay what are they?”

“The first thing I want you to do is… take me to Misty Forest!” She said this as clear as day without any hint of hesitation in her voice.

“Take you… to Misty… Forest? Wh… why? Are you not scared of being attacked or killed? That place is extremely dangerous for you.” Akata was caught off guard with her first request. The first request alone was already this outrageous yet there were still two more? He almost wanted to cry for agreeing to three requests.

“In Misty Forest there are said to be beautiful flowers everywhere in there, flowers that don’t appear out here. I want to be able to see that beauty that nature was able to create. If you were anybody else I definitely wouldn’t ask you of this but… you’ve trained in Misty Forest before, you’ve become strong in no time at all. And most importantly I know that you wouldn’t let anything happen to me. I trust you and I know that if I go in there with you that I will be okay.” Her voice was soft yet within it could be heard the love for one another.

Akata was left there standing with blank eyes as he tried to comprehend what was being said. After a good amount of time he smiled and said with an equally sift voice, “Okay. I’ll take you to Misty Forest but only to the outer perimeter where it is safest. No farther than that got it!”

Peizhi Xiuying jumped for joy and yelled out, “Yay!”

Akata yelled out in a serious voice, “No! I mean it only the outer perimeter! If… if anything happens to you I… I won’t know what to do with myself. I couldn’t face the sect, I couldn’t face the Elder’s, I couldn’t face myself if anything bad was to happen to you so please when we are in there stay by my side… so that I can protect you.” Akata started tearing up as he talked on.

Peizhi Xiuying stopped jumping and she became serious too. “I’m… I’m sorry. I forgot just how dangerous Misty Forest is. It’s just that you train in there so I figured that you would find that place as easy to live in as a paradise. But that’s not the case at all is it. You probably go through many things in there that can kill you at any moment yet I asked you to take me there and not only protect yourself but protect me as well.” Tears started appearing on her face as well.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I didn’t take into account your feelings. About what would happen to you if something happened to me. And I would be devastated if something happened to you while you were protecting me. No… I take that first one back I don’t want it anymore.” By now tears were streaming down her face as she spoke.

Akata walked up to her and wiped the tears off of her face. “No no. I was just scared that something would happen to you. Don’t worry! I will protect you no matter the cost while we are in there and you will get to see all the flowers you want! I promise you this. Not only will I keep you safe from harm but I too will be safe as well.” Akata said with decisiveness.

Peizhi Xiuying giggled softly and wiped the remaining tears off of her face. She stepped in closer to Akata and gave him a big hug. Akata in turn hugged her too. They stayed that way for a few minutes and then separated.

“Now then what are your other two requests.” Akata said but in his mind he was thinking, ‘I hope it’s not as crazy as the first one.’ He inwardly sighed.

“Umm… I don’t want to use them yet so can I hold onto them?”

“Uh, sure I guess so.”

“Good hehe.” Peizhi Xiuying was enlivened once more.

“Well if that’s it then we can head out to Misty Forest anytime.” Akata secretly breathed a sigh of relief. ‘I’m glad maybe when she requests her final things in the future I’ll be strong enough to complete them with no problem.’

“We can head out now if you’d like. I was actually packing to go into Misty Forest myself before you came.” Peizhi Xiuying said with an innocent look on her face. Her voice becoming softer as she spoke her words. She looked at Akata who was glaring at her and then she put her head down in shame.

Akata shook his head and then sighed. He wanted to scold her once more but he decided not to do it this time and instead thought that she learned her lesson. “Alright, heading out now is fine too. I don’t need anything to pack so let’s go now then.” Akata said with a smile on his face.

His smile made Peizhi Xiuying feel admiration from his display of confidence. “Mn. Okay.” She said with a slight smile. Her smile instantly enlivened the atmosphere that had just been stifling the area. They soon started walking on their way towards Misty Forest with Akata leading the way.

On the way Akata greeted many disciples who wanted to talk with him. Of course some of them were doing this to get close to someone with power yet others truly wanted to get to know him for who he was. Akata didn’t care what was the reason but he spoke with all of the people who came his way. He was kind by nature and therefore couldn’t turn down someone who just wanted to talk. Of course being kind only applied to those who he didn’t see as malicious or who he hated.

Talking with all the people had taken a toll on the time they used to get to Misty Forest. By the time they arrived to the outside of the forest the sun was already setting. Akata would have sped up the process but Peizhi Xiuying said that she didn’t mind as she liked to listen in on the conversations.

However one conversation Akata had with a cultivator that was in his mid twenties almost made her run away.

“Given how strong you are becoming you’re bound to have women coming your way, if not now then definitely later.” He had said.

“”Uhh… umm… sure I guess. I don’t really pay attention haha.” Akata replied as his face began to glow red.

“Come on you can tell me.” The man got in closer to Akata’s ear and began to whisper. “What kind of women do you like? Busty? Petite? Come and tell me.” It was then that the man looked over to Peizhi Xiuying who was standing a little behind Akata. “Ah! My fault silly me! You already have a girl with you! Well then…” He leaned in a bit closer to where Akata could feel his breath when he spoke. “Have you… felt what it is like to be a man? Hahaha!”

Akata’s face became a bright red and he was left speechless. He truly didn’t know what to say just now. He awkwardly laughed with the man and rubbed the top of his head. The man took this as a sign and immediately patted Akata on the back. “Good! Good! That’s the best part of being strong!”

It was then that Akata was left even more dumbstruck and responded. “Ah! No no no! It’s not like that!” He cried trying to cover up his previous mistake of being silent.

In the back Peizhi Xiuying could actually hear everything the man said, considering that he was talking with the same volume even when he moved in closer to Akata. Her whole face was as red as a pepper and her eyes were wide open. Her breathing became haggard and sweat started to form on her forehead. She looked at Akata who was nervously rubbing his head and the man spoke a second time.

Even after Akata explained to the man that this was all just a misunderstanding she didn’t lose her embarrassment.

The man looked back and forth between Akata and Peizhi Xiuying. He stooped in closer to Akata and said, “It’s alright kid I get it! You’re trying to get that lovely lady there! Don’t worry once she realizes your strength you’ll definitely become a man soon! Hahaha!” The man turned around and walked off.

Akata was left standing there twitching his eye as he watched the man who was walking away. Eventually he gave a long sigh and shook his head, not putting in any further effort to explain himself.

He turned around to look at Peizhi Xiuying who was behind him. Her face was as bright as ever almost like the blood in her face was about to burst out. “My fault about that…” He said rubbing the back of his head.

Peizhi Xiuying didn’t say anything and instead walked aimlessly past Akata as she continued on the path towards Misty Forest. Her eyes blank, she meandered her way to the forest.

Akata gave another long sigh and followed right after her.

1. Xiuying translated from chinese to english can have the meaning of beautiful flower