Zhu Qingqing's slender, pale fingers instantly extended sharp claws, attempting to tear Fang Xian apart.
Just then, Ni Fei, sitting beside Zhu Qingqing, reached out and grabbed her hand, stopping her from attacking.
Ni Fei looked at Zhu Qingqing and shook his head slightly.
Zhu Qingqing remained silent for a moment, then snorted coldly and withdrew her claws.
Ni Fei didn't want to waste any more time on this issue; she smiled slightly.
"Alright, let's all take a step back. As long as it's not intimate, don't resist."
Fang Xian smiled slyly, his hand, which had been hovering in mid-air, suddenly grasped Zhu Qingqing's small hand.
He stared at Zhu Qingqing's angry face and spoke with a wicked grin.
"Auntie, holding hands with your boyfriend isn't too much, is it?"
"You—"
Zhu Qingqing's eyebrows furrowed, her eyes widening.
Ni Fei spoke first, before Zhu Qingqing could retaliate.
"Holding hands is fine, but it should be for show, not just a meaningless hand-holding."
She stared at Fang Xian and slowly removed his hand.
Fang Xian smiled slightly, not continuing to provoke Zhu Qingqing.
"I'll listen to Auntie."
Zhu Lide watched Fang Xian and Zhu Qingqing's farce and shook his head helplessly.
"Alright, you two kids, hurry up, I'm going to drive."
In his eyes, it was just a childish tantrum; he didn't want to watch them bicker anymore and simply started driving.
Zhu Qingqing snorted coldly, withdrew her slender hand, and pulled down her hood to cover her eyebrows.
Fang Xian sneered inwardly. If Zhu Qingqing hadn't threatened him, he wouldn't have bothered to retaliate.
But Zhu Qingqing dared to provoke him, and she would have to pay the price.
Zhu Meimei watched Fang Xian and Zhu Qingqing with a grin, looking on with amusement.
"Big brother, you're amazing."
Fang Xian turned to look at Zhu Meimei and asked with a smile.
"Oh? What do you mean?"
"Hehe, my sister is so fierce, only you can control her, otherwise..."
"You two are really going to be a couple."
"Thump!"
Zhu Qingqing stood up and tapped Zhu Meimei on the head, glaring at her with annoyance.
Zhu Meimei covered her head with her hands, looking at Fang Xian with a pitiful expression and complaining:
"Look, you're really fierce."
"Thump!"
Zhu Meimei: "I'm behaving myself, please let me go."
Fang Xian looked at the bump on Zhu Meimei's head, shook his head helplessly, and silently mourned for her for three seconds.
...
Thirty minutes later.
Fang Xian and his group's car crossed forests and grasslands, finally arriving at Wind City.
Wind City sits on a high, unique plateau, creating a significant elevation difference with its surroundings. From a distance, it appears as if the city is suspended in the air.
Strong winds blow here year-round, relentlessly, enveloping the entire city in their howling sound.
Since Wind City has no teleportation array and there are many vehicles entering the city, they can only move forward slowly.
Zhu Meimei peered curiously out the car window, watching the howling wind and asking questions.
"Dad, why did Fengcheng build this place?"
This problem also troubled Fang Xian. Logically, the grasslands and forests they had passed through before were far better than this.
The constant strong winds had severely impacted the vegetation around Wind City; the grasslands had dried up, and most of the trees had withered.
Everywhere was swirling dust and patches of yellow mist, creating a truly desolate scene, utterly unsuitable for development and survival.
Julius drove the car slowly, explaining gently.
"Because the wind spirits are most skilled in the wind element. Living here, coexisting with the wind, allows them to better understand the wind element."
"As long as one of them can comprehend the 'mystery of wind,' they can become the strongest wind spirit."
"This is their belief, and the foundation of their strength."
Zhu Meimei suddenly understood, then a thought struck her.
"Oh, I see. Do other spirits also live in places with the same element?"
Julius smiled with satisfaction and nodded.
"Yes, all spirits are extremely sensitive to elements."
"Fire spirits live in cities with abundant fire elements, water spirits live in places with abundant water elements, and so on, which tells you the environment of their respective cities."
Upon hearing this, Fang Xian gained a basic understanding of the elf race.
Looking at the Wind City so close by, he asked Julius curiously.
"Uncle, since their place of residence is so obviously special, which elemental spirits inhabit the 'Elf Kingdom'?"
Julid frowned slightly upon hearing this.
"The 'Elf Kingdom' is the residence of the Elf royal family, and the elves living there are
—Light Elves."
"Light Elves are the most powerful of all elves. Whether it's attack power, speed, or affinity for elements, they are all top-tier."
"However, Light Elves are also the most despicable..."
"Husband."
Nefi frowned slightly, interrupting Julid to continue.
Fang Xian, seeing this, didn't ask any further.
It seems the "Elf Kingdom" isn't as friendly as it's advertised. The Light Elves must be hiding a great secret, perhaps even a scandal that could shatter everyone's understanding.
He looked ahead; the vehicle slowly drove in, and the buildings that came into view were mostly constructed of tall timbers.
Massive wooden pillars support the structure of the houses, while wooden beams and blocks are pieced together to form walls and roofs, giving the buildings both natural beauty and the ability to withstand strong winds.
Due to the constant strong winds, the buildings are relatively low to reduce wind resistance.
The shapes of the houses are predominantly rounded, without excessive sharp angles, a design that allows for better wind flow and reduces wind damage.
Many sculptures of various shapes stand in the square and streets.
The wind spirits mostly wear hooded capes made of animal skins, which not only protect them from the cold wind but also serve as blankets—essential items for the wind spirits.
Julid was clearly unfamiliar with the area, following the navigation system the whole time, a fact Fang Xian noticed but pretended not to.
However, this navigation system was quite useful, far simpler and clearer than his map.
He just didn't know that this kind of navigation had many limitations.
Not only did each city have its own independent navigation system, but each system only provided a single, fixed route to the main city, offering no other useful information.
Compared to the map in Fang Xian's hands, it was far inferior.
After several twists and turns, they finally arrived at their destination.
Stepping out of the car, they were immediately met by a strong wind.
Julid stored the car in his storage ring and led everyone into a three-story wooden building.
The wooden planks creaked and groaned along the way, revealing its decay.
Reaching the third floor, Zhu Lide gently knocked on the door.
"Knock knock!"
"Mom, we're here."
Some movement came from inside the room, and the door creaked open, revealing an elderly cat-demon woman before Fang Xian.
"Mom..."
The old woman pushed aside Zhu Lide, who was blocking her way, and fixed her gaze on Fang Xian.
"You, are my granddaughter's boyfriend?"
Before Zhu Qingqing could react, Fang Xian took her small hand and smiled slightly.
"Yes, Grandma, I am Qingqing's boyfriend."
Seeing that Zhu Qingqing's expression wasn't pleasant, he decided to add fuel to the fire and teach her a lesson.
Fang Xian wrapped his arm around Zhu Qingqing's waist, revealing an innocent smile.
"Grandma, look how loving we are."
The cat-demon woman looked at Fang Xian and Zhu Qingqing suspiciously, somewhat disbelieving.
"Really?"
"Of course! Grandma, you don't believe me? Then Qingqing, let's kiss and prove it to Grandma."
Zhu Qingqing trembled slightly with anger, clenching her fists and glaring at Fang Xian.
"Fang Xian—"