A thin layer of mist still lingered beneath the trees.
Morning came slowly inside the Magic Beast Mountain Range.
The forest awakened in pieces.
Somewhere high above, monkeys argued over fruit.
Farther away, a woodpecker struck an old trunk with steady rhythm.
Xiao Feng extinguished the last ember of his campfire and packed his belongings.
The fallen tree that had sheltered him during the night faded behind him as he followed a narrow animal trail.
He had no destination.
Not yet.
For the first time in either of his lives, he was traveling simply because he wanted to.
The feeling was… pleasant.
Less than an hour later, he slowed.
Not because of danger.
Because of smell.
A faint fragrance drifted through the air.
Sweet.
Almost refreshing.
He searched for its source until he found several pale-green plants growing beneath a shaded cliff.
“Moon Orchid…”
He crouched beside them.
A common medicinal herb.
Not particularly expensive.
But extremely difficult to preserve after harvesting.
He reached toward the stem—
“Don’t.”
The voice came suddenly from behind him.
Xiao Feng withdrew his hand before turning around.
The Little Fairy Doctor stood several meters away.
Her basket already looked half full.
She pointed toward the herb.
“If you pull it out now, it’ll lose most of its medicinal value.”
“So how should I harvest it?”
She walked over without hesitation.
Kneeling beside the flowers, she carefully brushed away the soil until the roots became visible.
“Like this.”
A small knife appeared in her hand.
Rather than cutting the stem, she separated part of the root while leaving the rest untouched.
“The plant survives.”
“It’ll grow again next year.”
She handed him the harvested portion.
“And this is the part you actually need.”
Xiao Feng examined it with genuine interest.
“So that’s why the books only describe the herb after it’s collected.”
She looked up.
“You’ve been learning from books?”
“I don’t have a teacher.”
“…I see.”
They continued walking together almost without discussing it.
Not because either invited the other.
The trail simply happened to lead in the same direction.
The Little Fairy Doctor broke the silence first.
“You’ve entered the mountains alone.”
“I have.”
“You’re either very brave…”
She glanced sideways.
“…or very confident.”
“Maybe a little foolish.”
She laughed.
“I’ve met plenty of fools.”
“They usually don’t admit it.”
A squirrel suddenly darted across the path carrying something almost larger than itself.
The Little Fairy Doctor watched it disappear into the trees.
“When I first came here…”
“I was terrified of everything.”
“Even squirrels?”
“Especially squirrels.”
Xiao Feng looked at her.
She shrugged.
“I didn’t know they were squirrels.”
“I just saw something moving.”
He burst into laughter.
The sound echoed softly through the trees.
“You laughed.”
She sounded almost surprised.
“I thought you were the quiet type.”
“I am.”
“Apparently not.”
By midday, they reached a small clearing.
Sunlight finally reached the ground here.
Dozens of herbs grew together.
The Little Fairy Doctor immediately became serious.
“These are valuable.”
“But they’re delicate.”
“If we hurry…”
“We’ll ruin half of them.”
Xiao Feng nodded.
“What do you need me to do?”
She blinked.
“You know how to identify them?”
“No.”
“Then…”
She thought for a moment.
“…watch.”
For nearly an hour, Xiao Feng simply observed.
She explained each plant while harvesting it.
Which roots could be exposed.
Which leaves must never be touched.
He listened carefully.
Occasionally asking questions.
Never pretending to know more than he did.
The Little Fairy Doctor gradually relaxed.
Teaching him was…
Unexpectedly enjoyable.
Most mercenaries became impatient after five minutes.
Xiao Feng never interrupted.
When the final herb had been stored safely, she looked at her basket with satisfaction.
“Done.”
Xiao Feng looked at the empty patch of earth.
“You left quite a few behind.”
“They’re too young.”
“If I take everything today…”
“There won’t be anything next season.”
He nodded slowly.
“So that’s your rule.”
“It should be everyone’s rule.”
“It isn’t.”
“No.”
She smiled faintly.
“Unfortunately.”
As they prepared to leave, Xiao Feng suddenly raised one hand.
“Wait.”
The Little Fairy Doctor immediately stopped.
“What is it?”
Instead of answering, Xiao Feng quietly picked up a small stone.
Then tossed it toward a nearby bush.
The instant it landed—
A gray snake shot from the grass, striking exactly where they would have stepped.
Its fangs snapped shut on empty air.
The Little Fairy Doctor instinctively took two steps backward.
“Shadow Viper…”
Her face turned pale.
“I didn’t notice it.”
The snake hissed once before disappearing into the undergrowth.
Xiao Feng watched it leave.
“It wasn’t hunting.”
“It was hiding.”
She let out a slow breath.
“…You saved me.”
“I saved both of us.”
She looked at him for several seconds.
Then lowered her head slightly.
“…Thank you.”
This time…
The gratitude carried far more weight than a missing basket.