The farewell from Green Willow Village was bittersweet. Xuan Yan's parents, though proud, were visibly reluctant to see their only son leave. His mother packed him a small bag with dried meat, a few changes of clothes, and a hand-stitched pouch containing the elder's recommendation letter and a small amount of silver coins – their life savings, given with trembling hands.
"Be careful, my son," his mother whispered, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, as she hugged him tightly. "And remember to write to us."
His father, strong and silent, simply placed a large, calloused hand on his head. "Grow strong, Xuan Yan. Make us proud."
Xuan Yan nodded, a lump in his throat. Despite his extraordinary powers and knowledge from his past life, he felt a genuine affection for these simple, loving people who had raised him in this new world. "I will, Father, Mother. I promise."
With a final wave, he turned and began his journey towards Nuoding City. The elder had given him detailed directions, emphasizing the main roads and warning him about the dangers of venturing too deep into the Spirit Beast Forest.
The journey was uneventful for the first day. Xuan Yan, with his enhanced physical strength and senses, found walking for long distances surprisingly easy. He moved with an almost unnatural grace, covering ground quickly. He used his 'Eyes of Heaven' to scan his surroundings, detecting any potential threats long before they became visible to the naked eye. He also practiced his 'Energy Manipulation' subtly, shaping small, harmless wisps of energy in his palm as he walked, honing his control.
He spent the first night sleeping in a makeshift shelter under a large tree, his senses on high alert. He could hear the rustling of nocturnal creatures, the distant howls of spirit beasts, but none dared approach his vicinity. Perhaps it was the faint, subconscious aura of the Ancient Divine Beast race, or simply his innate 'Universal Concealment' skill subtly at work, making him less noticeable to predatory creatures.
On the second day, as he traversed a slightly more desolate path, he heard a faint cry for help. His 'Enhanced Sense' immediately pinpointed the source: a small, terrified voice, seemingly from a child, coming from a thicket just off the main road.
He hesitated for a moment. Intervening could be risky, but his past life's moral compass, combined with his current power, urged him forward. He silently activated his 'Haki', a skill from his fanfiction that allowed him to sense intentions and exert a form of spiritual pressure. He detected two distinct malicious presences, clearly adult, and one terrified, innocent one.
He moved swiftly, his steps light and soundless, thanks to his enhanced agility. He parted the bushes to reveal a disturbing scene: two burly men, their faces rough and cruel, cornering a young girl. She looked about his age, perhaps a year or two older, with disheveled hair and tear-streaked cheeks. She clutched a small, worn doll to her chest.
"Please, leave me alone!" she sobbed, backing away from the men.
"Heh, little girl, you shouldn't be wandering alone in these parts," one of the men sneered, reaching out a grubby hand towards her. "Now, why don't you come with us? We'll take good care of you."
Xuan Yan's eyes narrowed. He recognized this scenario. Bandits preying on the weak. A cold fury began to simmer within him. He didn't need to be a Spirit Master to know this was wrong.
"Leave her alone," Xuan Yan's voice, though still that of a child, was unnaturally calm and firm, cutting through the air like a sharp blade.
The two men spun around, surprised to see a lone boy standing there. They scoffed, then laughed. "Well, well, what do we have here? A little hero? Go on, kid, run back to your mommy before you get hurt."
Xuan Yan didn't move. He simply stared at them, his 'Eyes of Heaven' analyzing their movements, their weak points, their crude soul power. They were barely Soul Scholars, perhaps Soul Masters at best, relying on brute force and intimidation. Pathetic.
"I said, leave her alone," Xuan Yan repeated, a subtle shift in his aura. He didn't unleash his full power, but a faint, almost imperceptible pressure emanated from him, a hint of the Ancient Divine Beast's might.
The bandits, though not consciously aware of the pressure, felt an inexplicable chill run down their spines. Their laughter died, replaced by a flicker of unease.
"You wanna play tough, kid?" the second bandit growled, drawing a rusty knife. "Then we'll teach you a lesson!"
He lunged forward, the knife glinting in the sunlight. Xuan Yan didn't even flinch. He moved with a speed that defied his age, a blur of motion. Before the bandit could even register what happened, Xuan Yan had sidestepped the attack, then delivered a precise, powerful kick to the man's knee.
CRACK!
A sickening crunch echoed through the clearing as the bandit's knee buckled, and he screamed, collapsing to the ground, clutching his leg.
The first bandit stared, his eyes wide with shock. He hadn't seen the boy move. It was as if he had teleported. Fear, cold and undeniable, began to set in.
"You… you little demon!" he stammered, his bravado completely gone. He dropped his weapon and turned to flee.
"Not so fast," Xuan Yan said, his voice still calm, but with an underlying steel that sent shivers down the bandit's spine. He extended his hand, and a small, invisible force, his 'Telekinesis' skill, slammed into the fleeing bandit's back, sending him sprawling face-first into the dirt.
Xuan Yan walked over to the two groaning men, his expression unreadable. "Consider this a warning. If I ever see you preying on innocent people again, I won't be so lenient." He then used his 'Energy Manipulation' to create a small, concentrated burst of energy that struck the ground between them, leaving a smoking crater. The message was clear.
The bandits, terrified, scrambled to their feet, the injured one limping furiously, and fled into the forest without a backward glance.
Xuan Yan turned to the girl, who was still huddled on the ground, trembling. He knelt down, offering her a reassuring smile. "Are you alright?"
She looked up, her eyes wide and tearful, but also filled with awe. "You… you saved me!" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
"It's okay now. They're gone," he said gently. "What's your name?"
"Xiao Wu," she replied, her voice gaining a little strength. "Thank you. My name is Xiao Wu."
Xuan Yan's eyes widened imperceptibly. Xiao Wu? The Xiao Wu? The future wife of Tang San, one of the main protagonists of Douluo Dalu? This was an unexpected, yet exciting, turn of events. His fanfiction didn't feature Xiao Wu, as he had focused on other characters. This meant new possibilities, new interactions.
"I'm Xuan Yan," he said, extending a hand to help her up. "Where are you going, Xiao Wu? Are you lost?"
Xiao Wu nodded, her lower lip trembling. "I… I was trying to get to Nuoding Academy. My parents told me to go there, but I got lost."
Xuan Yan suppressed a grin. This was perfect. "Nuoding Academy? What a coincidence! I'm also heading there. We can go together."
Xiao Wu's face lit up. "Really? Thank you, Xuan Yan! You're the best!" She seemed to forget her fear instantly, her natural cheerfulness returning.
Together, they continued their journey. Xiao Wu, once shy, quickly warmed up to Xuan Yan. She chattered incessantly about her life, her dreams of becoming a powerful Spirit Master, and her unique Martial Spirit – a soft, pink rabbit. Xuan Yan listened patiently, occasionally offering a thoughtful comment or a reassuring smile. He noticed her genuine innocence and kindness, qualities that made her even more endearing.
He also observed her movements. Even without awakening her soul power, Xiao Wu possessed an innate agility and flexibility, characteristic of her rabbit Martial Spirit. He knew she would be a formidable combatant once she started cultivating.
As they walked, Xuan Yan discreetly used his 'Eyes of Heaven' to ensure their path was clear, and his 'Universal Concealment' to keep them from attracting unwanted attention. He didn't want to reveal the full extent of his powers to Xiao Wu just yet. He wanted to observe her, to understand her character, and to see how their paths would intertwine in this new reality.
After another day of travel, they finally saw it on the horizon: the sprawling, bustling Nuoding City. Its walls rose majestically, and the sounds of a vibrant urban center drifted towards them.
"We're here!" Xiao Wu exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement. "Nuoding City!"
Xuan Yan smiled. His new journey was truly beginning now, and he had an unexpected, yet welcome, companion by his side. The future, with all its challenges and opportunities, awaited them within those city walls.