The next day, as his cultivation session ended, Grey silently opened his eyes. A tranquil calm settled over him, and a small wisp of white mist drifted from his mouth. Outside the corroded zone, the spiritual energy was far more potent, and Grey felt this was the fastest cultivation session he had ever experienced. The air was crisp, and he felt revitalized, every cell in his body humming with a new energy. When he stood up, he didn't feel the captain's spiritual fluctuations nearby and walked out of the house.
What he saw next was a shocking sight. The captain stood on a single, crystalline block of ice, overlooking the entire scavenger camp. His gaze was cold and distant, a faint white mist clouding his hair as the rising sun beamed its bright rays at him. He looked like an ethereal being, an immortal overlooking the mortal world. His slightly long hair and delicate features seemed heavenly, and the subtle white streaks in his hair added a unique, captivating charm. Any young girl who saw him at this moment would be instantly head over heels. The scene was too perfect to be real, like a painting from a master artist, yet Grey was seeing it with his own eyes.
As Grey stared, mesmerized, the captain stepped off the ice as if he were walking down a set of stairs. When his foot touched the ground, the cold, ethereal expression on his face vanished, and the white in his hair was gone without a trace, as if Grey had imagined it all.
"You have woken up," the captain said calmly, and Grey snapped out of his stupor. He nodded, and the captain offered him a faint smile. "We have work to be done!" he said, and with that, he walked away. Grey, now fully intrigued, followed him. As the captain sped into the scavenger camp, Grey couldn't help but ask, "What work are we doing?"
The captain let out a small chuckle. "Nothing, actually. Nothing at all." His words only deepened Grey's confusion.
As they reached the outer settlements of the scavenger camp, the captain suddenly suppressed his aura and changed his clothes. He put on a dark, inconspicuous set of clothes that managed to cover most of his face. Grey's own clothes were already in rags and his face was covered in dirt, but his grey hair and eyes were still unique and eye-catching. The captain pulled out a cloak and handed it to Grey. "It wouldn't do for your peculiar features to attract attention," he said simply. Once he was sure Grey's hair and face were fully covered, they left their hiding place and walked slowly into the outer settlements of the scavenger camp.
A Walk in the Camp
The captain seemed used to this, walking calmly as if on a leisurely stroll. No one seemed to notice that this man in scavenger clothes was their leader. He followed a predetermined path, which he seemed to have memorized by heart, walking all around the scavenger camp with no obvious goal.
Grey was curious, desperate to know what was happening, but he didn't ask. He simply followed, falling into a comfortable silence. Though he appeared relaxed and carefree, Grey was constantly vigilant, keeping a close eye on his surroundings. When he saw the young girl, Luo, at her stall with a slightly distant look on her face, he lingered for a moment longer than he should have. The captain noticed immediately.
"Do you know her?" he asked.
"No, I just bought some medicinal pills from her a couple of days ago. That's all," Grey replied, his tone firm.
The captain nodded and didn't press for more information. It was the only time they spoke throughout their walk. By afternoon, they were heading back to the captain's abode, far away from the other houses.
When they got inside, the captain cooked up a meal of rabbit meat and several other dishes. Grey's mouth watered, but he didn't rush to eat. He sat down at the table with a somber expression, watching the captain, who seemed not to notice and ate as normal. When he had finished about half of the dishes, the captain stood up and went outside.
Several minutes passed, but the captain didn't return. Grey's stomach let out a low growl, and he carefully picked up a side dish, tasting its sweetness. His eyes widened in pleasure. The food was so good. But he suppressed his urge to eat like a starving fool and waited. Five minutes went by, and the captain was still not back. Only then did Grey begin to eat, slowly at first, but soon digging in with gusto, devouring the delicious food.
Outside the small house, the captain stood by the door, a small, knowing smile on his face. His gaze was fixed on the sky as he muttered, "So, he's still so careful..." He waited a moment longer, and when he saw nothing out of the ordinary, he left.
When Grey had finished, he tidied up the place, washed the dishes, and sat down to cultivate, waiting patiently for the captain's return. Several hours went by before the captain's advancing figure appeared in front of the house. He walked inside and saw Grey cultivating. Grey was in deep concentration, and he didn't even seem to notice the captain's entrance. When the captain had walked three feet into his room, Grey's eyes shot open.
He looked at the captain and gave him a brief nod as a form of greeting. The captain nodded in return and said in a calm voice, "We are having guests today." With that, he turned and entered his room. A strange glint appeared in Grey's eyes, but it vanished in the next second.