"...so, that is how I got a Reverend stage cultivator to protect us." Cheng Hao stretched. His joints repeatedly made popping sounds as he twisted his body in ways Xiao Wu would never have expected to be possible.

"Now that this little issue had been taken care of, I finally have a chance to leave... I'll be damned, this was so much more complicated than it should have been! I'm exhausted..." He grimaced, resting his chin on the back of his palm. As he sat at the kitchen table, Xiao Wu was displaying quite the complicated expression.

Her face was a few shades paler and it was covered in a couple of cuts too. Beneath her robes, a few spots on her torso, arms, and legs, had accumulated a couple of pretty resilient bruises. Her hands too had been subject to vicious blows after clashing head-on with her opponents' blades: the skin of her palm had cracked open, even her fingertips showed trace of abuse...

For all those, Cheng Hao had personally applied some expensive ointment before either wrapping the areas carefully in bandages or covering them up in medicinal patches.

Needless to say, having her wounds tended and dressed by the knowledgeable golden-eyed youth, she was already set for a speedy recovery: it had barely been half a day, and yet she could freely move about, without a hint of pain. Only her hands felt still a bit sore and itchy, but she could still see herself being able to hold a sword in a couple of days.

Like so, as if nothing had happened, the company of six ate dinner. Five sat at a table, while a sixth watched on from Fuyin's sea of consciousness and occasionally communicated through her Will.

At one point, however, Xiao Wu stopped eating despite her plate still being half-full.

Silence soon fell: even Lu Fang could sense the atmosphere had grown incomparably heavy and had stopped eating himself. Only a golden-eyed youth kept on eating without a care, as if he hadn't noticed something was wrong. The sound of one pair of silver cutlery hitting against the ceramic plates rang out in the silent room.

"...I'd like to ask something." The purple-blue-locked girl finally spoke.

"Mm, I might have an idea of what that would be." Cheng Hao wiped his mouth with a napkin. Then, he nodded encouragingly, "I'm listening."

"..." Xiao Wu couldn't help but waver, looking at that pair of golden eyes scouring through her emotions.

At first, she had been quite shocked to find out that everything up to that point, her hardships and pain, had been a fruit of her new brother's careful machinations. Sure, he had also made sure she would have been safe all along.

Clearly, it had been a sort of test. A way to help her grow, and since Cheng Hao had allowed it, then it should have been a pretty good one at that.

However, she still couldn't help but feel a little... betrayed? No... it wasn't that. Although at first it might have seemed like it, after pondering over it this past afternoon, she had come to realize that was not it; that was merely her pride acting up. Rather, it was a sensation of not being up to the task, of failure.

She did not hold that against Cheng Hao, it wouldn't have been a trial if he had shared that it had been all under his control all along. Nor was she too angry that she was set to take a beating from the start, although he clearly could have avoided that. She was a little mad, but she knew he only had the best intentions in mind.

However, with that in mind, she absolutely hated that, after all that happened, he still didn't explain exactly why things had to go that way. Being beaten into a bloody pulp to speed up her training? She could take that, no problem. The same could be said for having to listen to those people degrading both her and her family. However... if after all that happened, he still wouldn't explain; now that went completely against her ideals.

Even if he only wished the best for her, and orchestrated everything with her well-being in mind, shouldn't he clear it all up in the end? Why would he leave her to speculate everything, as if her by chance having a misunderstanding and coming to hate him wouldn't matter? Well, it could be that he was just that sure he would be able to resolve things even then, but that thought still irritated her.

As such, even as she spoke, she was holding back her fury.

"Why didn't-"

"Even though I knew it was for the best, how could I not feel horrible seeing you like that?" Cheng Hao interrupted her, his prideful golden eyes looking down at his empty plate, this one time. After some effort on his part, he finally managed to mutter, "Even as I tended to your wounds, I would hear a voice ring in my head: she's just a kid, a child not even nine, a child that was forced to give up her infancy, let alone her adolescence and adulthood, all because she was born different from others."

"You surely aren't the only such child, but you're my kin now. You're family, and you chose to trust, and rely on me. You chose to partake in my justice. As such, every single time, I'd still be selfish enough to keep you away from pain than save the lives of billions. And yet, that same pitiful child then laid below me, bedridden, covered in wounds, because of happenings I had chose to let happen."

"This one time, I embarrassed myself." Cheng Hao had a livid expression as he looked at that pair of emerald eyes before him: so familiar yet distant in time and far away across space; so unfamiliar, yet here, right now. As he blushed slightly, and he looked away, he sincerely told her, "Even though it's the right way, it's still wrong. I was so confident before you earlier, assuring you it'd be smooth sailing under me, and yet there you were, as I tended wounds that on any other child would have been fatal. And because of that, I'm embarrassed. That's 'why'."

"..." Xiao Wu blinked, kind of taken aback.

"...although they might be flowery words and clearly a well-thought out excuse, they were still sincere at that. You have my word." The golden-eyed youth rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"...I see." Xiao Wu relaxed her tense body and chuckled, "Next time however, I'd like you to put my thoughts before your pride, big brother. You are more than capable of doing that."

"Will do." Cheng Hao nodded.

With that, Fuyin and Lu Fang smiled and went back to eating. Blindlight yawned and went back to sleep.

As she also ate what was left of her dinner, Xiao Wu couldn't help but notice; from the moment they met, wasn't this their first true fight? If so, it ended well. In the end, the issue had been both sides had made a mistake.

He had stubbornly done things his way, going through with what he believed was best, convincing himself that was the one, right way, despite having second thoughts.

She, on the other hand, had forgotten that even 'the' Cheng Hao, that outstanding deity that descended from god knows where, was still human in the core and could make mistakes: it wasn't that he didn't mind her being angry, rather it was that he feared he had made a mistake that would make her angry.

In the end however, it looked like things were cleared up for both parties, and the incident was resolved just like that.

Later that evening, Cheng Hao and Xiao Wu sat cross legged on their beds, facing each other as he guided her through her gains of the day. From the moment she first shot off and engaged her enemy, to the instance she eventually fell, he led her through them all. From this single fight, her gains in terms of comprehension were huge, as were those in terms of disposition: having experienced defeat at the hands of an opponent that was also an enemy, she had thought up many ways to approach the battle more favorably, as well as many times where she could have made a better move, or even moments where she unconsciously slipped up.

In the end, no matter the strength of her opponent, she realized that it had been her mistake the moment she didn't capitalize on those many little things. No matter how good she might be compared to mindless beasts or youths of similar cultivation, compared to herself, a her that would have acted under Cheng Hao's instructions during that battle, she was still such a long way behind it was ridiculous.

Just like that, the pride of a genius was eradicated in a single sitting, replaced by a peering eye that was lacking in confidence, but many times slyer: with care and guidance, Cheng Hao was sure he'd be able to build that into what a talent should truly be in his eye; confident yet unsatisfied, knowledgeable yet open-minded, simple in their blows yet sly... and overall, aware: of their surroundings, of their opponent, of their situation, of the holes in their foundation, as well as every single ounce of their immense potential.

Only that way, would she be able to surpass him...

Cheng Hao looked from the side as the girl meditated atop her bed, silent as she crunched the latest knowledge and made it hers; as she ran the battle in her head over and over again, not just for the sake of remembering it, but to learn everything she could from herself, starting from the mistakes, and then on to the things she aced thanks solely to her frightening potential.

Just like that, she drew the waters of talent from the well, and with it watered the sprout of foundation; one day, when the well would eventually dry up, she'd only be left with the fruit of her effort. And it'd be up to her and her alone whether that bud would wilt and die of thirst, or it'd become a gargantuan tree so large, its massive roots would be digging into the dirt and drink up the underground rivers by itself; growing endlessly, until it covered the world.

The golden-eyed child smiled, then went over to instruct Fuyin until midnight struck. At that time, he discussed with Lu via the Wang youth's body: even he had things left to learn, and being able to expose his doubts and uncertainties for a Divine Gardener herself to clear up, needless to say it could help greatly raise his attainments in the mainstream path of cultivator generals. Also, that would in turn help him mentor Fuyin even better; a dream team, so to speak.

Through mental communication too, even though they usually would only speak for that one hour, it was the same as discussing for months on end. After such intense sessions, even Cheng Hao would find his head splitting from all the new bits and pieces of information thrown his way, and would rather take a break to recollect himself.

Finally, unbeknownst to them who were those directly involved yet causing an uproar in the Vacant Sect, that night the coliseum would be busy refunding the price of tickets to see the nightly clashes between geniuses, for the Night Challenger would not be coming...

...

Morning...

"For goodness' sake, it's merely a short session! If you really were to miss me that badly, how will you both hold up when days and hours turn into weeks and months? I have yet to truly lay the foundation for you two to be independent, but this still isn't good: what would you two do if I were to disappear suddenly one day?" Cheng Hao chuckled.

"That's what I fear, brother... In this foreign land, you, uncle Goldy, and now brother Fuyin and senior Lu as well, are my only anchors. I already lost someone precious to me, so the pain of being separated burns even hotter!" Xiao Wu wiped the corner of her eyes as her features hardened via makeup turned indescribably gentle. "So far from home, you guys are my only family, the only ones I can rely upon. I wouldn't be able to take it if my family members were to disappear... again."

"..." Cheng Hao suddenly grew pensive. Then, he sported a bright, confident smile, "Then maybe next time I might just consider bringing you both with me! This time around however it's bound to be dangerous and I couldn't possibly expose you to that yet. You are not ready the way you are now..."

"Yes, I know... Just be careful" Xiao Wu nodded as teardrops formed in the corners of her eyes.

"Don't worry, Sis." Cheng Hao walked forward and gently patted her head, "I know I am opening up old wounds, but your big bro isn't going anywhere this time. I promise."

"However, feel free to cry and weep. To this day, I have yet to witness truly silent tears like those told of in White Branches, Black Talons. I'm sure... young Li, as well, would not like to see the pain eroding you from within either, so let it all out. Good girl, you have been through a lot... 'he' would be proud of you."

Xiao Wu's eyes shot open and her words got stuck in her throat. She couldn't close her gaping mouth no matter how hard she tried as she realized that Cheng Hao had probably figured it all out: the reason she would dress as a man whenever she went outside, the name Li, the reason why a young woman was the main descendant of the esteemed Xiao Clan...

Before she could recover her senses, the youth reminded her, "Be sure to continue your practices of Moonlit World and Vengeful Talons while I am gone, you are not allowed to skip a single day! Well, you even went this morning, so I'm not too worried..."

Sob, sob... Xiao Wu fell on her knees and crouched on all fours, her hands gripped tightly as she let out loud cries, akin to a mournful dirge. Cheng Hao knelt beside her and caressed her teary face, letting the wet droplets stain the hemp of his robes without too much of a care.

"Blindlight's mane is quite soft and comfy, just right for the occasion. I know because I've also experienced those kinds of things happen and vented this way. I'll let you try it sometime..."

Cheng Hao gently caressed Xiao Wu's beautiful face a few times, until she finally seemed to have calmed down, before standing back up.

"Fuyin, Lu..." Cheng Hao grabbed both of Wang Fuyin's shoulders firmly and stared deep into the sky-blue eyes, "While I am gone until we reunite, I will be trusting in you two both to protect Little Wu! In the case I return injured from my trip, or that I do not return in time, I hope you will be sure to bring her with you to undertake the exam and become disciples of the Outer Sect even without me!"

"Also, Fuyin..."

"Be well yourself. I couldn't be any prouder of having you under my wing as well. You have listened well all this time, you have amazed me and Lu both. I am aware this is strange for you and you might be disoriented, just know that those days of being on the run, having to watch your back and holding to yourself, they're over. Lu, Blindlight, little Wu, old Fang and me, we're your family now. Now, here, you're loved. Blood spilled for a friend is thicker than the water from the womb: from the moment you studied under me due to Yama's threat, you became an unwanted student; when you assured me you'd be by my side in this journey and chose to trust despite your troubled past, you became a valuable friend; this time, when you stepped out in the face of Sung Stage, despite my orders, all to protect my loved ones... you became my brother."

"Master..." Fuyin took the chance to say with a pained expression.

"Mph, you punk, you're still calling me that even after such an emotional display of affection?" Cheng Hao raised an eyebrow knowingly, "Just call me Hao, Cheng Hao!"

The raven-haired child then leaned forward and tightly hugged the older youth, taking him by surprise. A pair of golden eyes gleamed affectionately as the former lightly patted the young Wang, "I am happy to have met you two, travelers from foreign lands, under these circumstances. You in particular, Fuyin, have exceeded my expectations time and time again. I'm sure you'll surprise me even more when I will come back through that door, so keep working as hard as you always have! You have the most reliable senior by your side, as well as new comrades that will gladly stay by you."

Cheng Hao broke off the embrace and took one last look at the two youths before him and said with a smile words that came from his heart, "I am the luckiest teacher in this world to have taken you two under my wing. I am proud of you both and hope to continue watching after you for many years to come!"

"Senior Hao, take care!"

"Brother Hao, be safe!"

Waving behind him as he walked out, Cheng Hao sighed with feeling.

"I know you guys love me, but like that, won't some feel left out?" He chuckled as he grabbed a hold of Lu Fang's hand, who easily pulled him onto the gargantuan golden dragon's scaly back with a nonchalant smile.

After just a single day had passed, his powerful physique was already showing signs of recovering. His cultivation base too, with some more time and Cheng Hao's guidance, would become more and more unfathomable.

The dragon king, Blindlight, too was growing at an astonishing pace, his eyes set on the Superior Stage of the Mortal Realm: by then, most Reverend Stage cultivators wouldn't be able to put up a fight against him!

With these two reliable aides by his side, and three trusty companions cheering him on at the back, Cheng Hao finally departed the Mysterious Light Shadow Sect!

With a dragon cry, the three hidden powerhouses of the Five Continents' cultivation world streaked across the morning sky.

Far off, a droopy-eyed beauty threaded the sky unnoticed, looking on bedazzled at the strange phenomenon; a streak of gold that split the sky in two before disappearing. With her dull, grey eyes, she followed it until it crossed the horizon, before heading back to a simple tavern in the Vacant Sect.

Looking at them from even further away, an elderly that had been watching over their actions all along and had been ready to cover it all up, were any trouble to arise... well, truthfully, even that fearsome existence at the peak of all mortality couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief as they went to cause trouble elsewhere and he could rest, at last.

And like so, concludes the first stay of the reborn Evil Saint in this lone sect, in this lowly new world, in this vast existence spanning across countless planes...

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END of ARC 1, "A NEW FELLOWSHIP"

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