Princess Ling'er!

Rustle~

The forest came alive with the soft rustling of leaves, as a gentle breeze whispered through the trees.

Birds chirped in the distance, their melodies beautifully mingling in the air.

Crunch. Clink.

The crunch of boots on dry leaves and the rhythmic clink of armor shattered the peace as a procession of guards marched through the dense forest.

Their formation was tight, surrounding a luxurious, silk-draped carriage that moved at a slow, deliberate pace.

Clank. Clink.

Each guard moved with precision, their hands gripping the hilts of their swords as if anticipating danger at every turn.

They were sharp, disciplined, and prepared for battle, but the atmosphere carried a sense of unease that even their steel couldn't shake.

At the head of the group was Wu Jian, a commander whose expression was as stern as his silver armor was polished. His face, weathered and strong, looked like it had been carved from stone. His eyes, cold and calculating, scanned the treeline, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

Inside the sedan, Princess Ling Er sat fidgeting, her silk robes rustling with impatience. She was a picture of beauty, but right now, her bored expression and delicate sighs painted her as a caged bird longing for some excitement.

With a sharp tug, she pushed aside the curtain, her curious eyes scanning the eerie wilderness outside.

Nothing but trees. And more trees.

Crunch!

The sudden, sound of bones snapping and flesh tearing broke the silence, ripping through the serene ambiance of the forest.

"!"

Princess Ling Er froze.

Her heart lurched, her breath catching in her throat. Her once-bored expression twisted into one of horror as the faint, unmistakable scent of fresh blood wafted toward her.

"Commander!" she shrieked, her voice trembling, her earlier annoyance replaced by pure fear. "Something's out there! Kill it! Get rid of it, right now!"

Wu Jian, turned sharply toward the noise, his grip tightening on his sword. His men immediately reacted, forming a protective circle around the carriage, their swords drawn, eyes darting nervously between the trees.

The snapping sounds grew louder, closer.

And then, from the shadows of the forest, she emerged.

Xiao Hei.

Her small, innocent-looking frame was drenched in blood, her face smeared with blood.

She casually chewed on the remains of a freshly slaughtered rabbit, its entrails dangling loosely from her tiny hands.

Her raven-black hair clung wetly to her cheeks, and her crimson eyes gleamed faintly, casting her as a demonic predator in the middle of a feast.

She seemed utterly unbothered by the presence of the guards, continuing to munch on her meal like a child enjoying an afternoon snack.

The rabbit's lifeless body swung loosely from her grip, the sound of her chewing unnervingly loud in the otherwise still forest.

Princess Ling Er's eyes went wide with horror, her face draining of all color. "What... What the hell is that?!" she screeched, "Kill her! Get rid of that 'monster' right now!"

Wu Jian stood frozen, the cold sweat running down his back.

The aura radiating from Xiao Hei was terrifying, far beyond anything his battle-hardened senses had ever encountered.

This was no ordinary child.

His instincts screamed at him that she was something far more dangerous.

"Princess," Wu Jian began hesitantly, his voice low, "Perhaps we should—"

"I don't care!" Ling Er cut him off, her shrill voice shaking with panic. "I don't want to see that thing again! I don't care what it is—kill it!"

The guards exchanged nervous glances, unsure of how to proceed.

The girl before them looked small, but everything about her screamed danger.

Yet, orders were orders, and disobeying the princess could be fatal.

Wu Jian's grip on his sword tightened as he prepared to give the command.

Just as his lips parted, a smooth, icy voice sliced through like a blade.

"Go ahead. Try it."

The air seemed to freeze as Su Xiaobai emerged from the shadows, each step slow and deliberate, his presence suffocating.

His expression was cold and indifferent.

The guards tensed, instinctively gripping their swords tighter, but Wu Jian raised a hand, halting them.

Su Xiaobai's gaze flicked to Xiao Hei, who was still chewing on her rabbit, utterly unbothered by the commotion.

He let out a low chuckle, amused by this little demon, who created trouble for him for no reason.

"My daughter's just enjoying her snack," he said, his voice filled with mocking contempt. "And you want to kill her?" There was an edge of bloodlust in his tone that made even the bravest of the guards flinch.

Wu Jian stepped forward, trying to maintain his composure.

His eyes betrayed his growing unease. "She frightened the princess—"

"And?" Su Xiaobai interrupted, his voice dropping into a glacial tone, "What does that have to do with me?"

From behind the velvet curtains of the sedan, Princess Ling Er's panicked voice shrieked. "She's disgusting! Terrifying! Get rid of her, or I'll have you all executed!"

Her words were soaked in entitlement, but her fear was plain as day.

Su Xiaobai's eyes narrowed, his gaze locking onto the sedan.

He chuckled darkly, the sound low and dangerous. "Ah, yes. Execute us..." His smile widened as he took a step forward, his Qi flaring ever so subtly, his presence growing heavier with each breath. "Well, how about this? If you want my daughter dead, you'll have to pay the price."

With a flick of his wrist, Su Xiaobai vanished.

He hadn't truly disappeared, of course—he simply manipulated the surrounding Wind Qi to enhance his speed, lowering his presence by holding his breath and becoming one with the breeze.

Before anyone could react, he reappeared next to the sedan, his arm coiled around Ling Er's throat like a viper striking its prey.

Shing!

In his other hand, a gleaming Spirit Grade Dagger materialized, its edge sharp enough to split even the finest of defensive talismans.

The blade hovered dangerously close to her neck, the cold metal pressing against her soft skin.

Ling Er, fresh out of her cultivation cocoon and with a pitifully low realm, could barely even comprehend what was happening.

Her defensive treasures, enchanted as they were, wouldn't activate fast enough to save her.

One wrong move, and she'd be split into pieces before her guards could take a step.

Her eyes bulged in terror, her body trembling as realization set in. "W-What... what are you doing?" she stammered, tears already gathering at the corners of her eyes.