Chapter 21 – Su Lan’s Salvation

The moon hung high above the dense forest, casting pale light on the ground beneath. Xiao Xuan and Feng Qin stood side by side, observing the scene unfolding before them. The scent of damp earth mixed with the faintest trace of blood that lingered in the cool night air. In the distance, the unmistakable sound of fighting reached their ears. They exchanged a look—both of them knew this was no ordinary skirmish.

Feng Qin's sharp eyes narrowed. "They're after her."

Xiao Xuan glanced toward the direction of the noise. The rival sect's assassins were closing in on Su Lan, a young cultivator who had been traveling alone. Feng Qin had caught wind of the plot earlier in the day—an attack meant to capture and exploit the girl's hidden bloodline. Now, it was too late to stop it.

"We move in," Xiao Xuan said, his voice steady, though his pulse quickened. "We can't let them take her."

Feng Qin nodded. She had seen far too many battles like this in her long life—weaklings preying on the vulnerable, thinking themselves invincible. But this time, it wasn't just about her. It was about protecting someone who had no one.

The two of them moved swiftly, weaving through the trees with the silence of shadows. In the distance, they saw Su Lan, backed into a corner. Her movements were swift and sharp, but there were too many of them—four assassins, all armed with forbidden techniques. The fight was not going in her favor.

Xiao Xuan's heart tightened at the sight of her, clearly struggling but refusing to give in. He didn't hesitate. A flash of movement, and they were on the assassins before they could strike their final blow.

Feng Qin acted first, her blade a blur of deadly precision. She struck without mercy, disabling two of the attackers in a flash of steel and lightning. The third assassin turned to flee, but Feng Qin was already on him, her speed unmatched.

Xiao Xuan's focus, however, was on the last assassin. The moment the man saw him, he hesitated, a flicker of fear in his eyes as he recognized the immortal presence. Xiao Xuan didn't let that hesitation last long. A swift strike, and the man crumpled to the ground.

The fight ended just as quickly as it had begun.

Xiao Xuan approached Su Lan, who was breathing heavily but standing on her own. She had injuries, but they were not fatal. She looked at him with a mix of gratitude and uncertainty, unsure of what to make of the sudden intervention.

"Are you all right?" Xiao Xuan asked, his voice softer than usual.

Su Lan nodded, though her expression was far from relieved. "I've been running for so long," she said quietly, eyes still wary. "I thought... I thought I was finally free of them."

Feng Qin stepped forward, her presence calm but commanding. "You're safe now. They won't bother you again."

Su Lan turned to face her. "I'm not sure I can trust anyone anymore."

Feng Qin's gaze softened for just a moment, but her voice remained firm. "You don't have to trust us right away, but you will be safe here."

Xiao Xuan added, "We only ask for your loyalty in return. You don't have to be alone anymore."

There was a long silence, and then Su Lan finally spoke. "I don't have anywhere else to go." Her voice cracked slightly, the weight of her past more evident in her words.

Feng Qin's heart tightened for a moment, but she pushed the feeling away. "Then you're welcome to stay with us. We're building something—more than just survival. You can help us with that."

Xiao Xuan gave her a look, one that she knew well. It was the look of someone who had made up their mind. He was already seeing Su Lan as part of their growing family.

But Feng Qin held her thoughts in check. She had seen too many people betrayed by their trust to let her guard down so quickly. She had witnessed enough loss in her life to know the risks of letting someone new into their circle, especially someone who had already been marked by the cruelty of the cultivation world.

Su Lan's eyes flickered to both of them. "I can't promise you that I'll be loyal right away. I've been hurt too many times to just trust anyone."

Xiao Xuan's response was calm but firm. "You don't have to promise anything, but you'll have time. We're not asking for blind loyalty, just for you to know you're safe here."

Feng Qin remained silent for a moment, then nodded. "We don't ask for much. Just that you stand with us when it matters."

Su Lan looked at them, uncertain but moved by their words. The battle had ended, but her internal conflict was only beginning. Could she trust them? Could she let herself become part of something bigger than just survival?

After a long moment of contemplation, she spoke again. "I'm not sure I can give you my trust right now... but I'll stay. For now."

The decision wasn't a promise, but it was a step toward something better—a possibility of belonging. Xiao Xuan didn't need her loyalty right away. He needed her to believe in the possibility of family. After all, that was why they were all here—to build something worth fighting for.

Feng Qin watched the exchange silently, her mind already calculating the risks. She could see that Xiao Xuan was growing attached to the idea of forming a family, but she couldn't ignore the nagging doubt in the back of her mind. Would Su Lan truly be able to fit into their lives without complicating things further?

Xiao Xuan's Reflection :

As the three of them made their way back to camp, Xiao Xuan's thoughts churned. The emotional weight of immortality had always been heavy on him, but now, seeing the vulnerability in both Feng Qin and Su Lan, he realized something important.

In his long life, he had never built something lasting. He had always been focused on survival, on finding ways to escape the loneliness and isolation that came with immortality. But now, as he looked at the two women walking beside him, he understood the deeper truth of immortality.

To build something—anything—worth keeping, he would need more than power. He needed connection. He needed trust. And, if he was to survive this cruel world, he would need to rely on others.

But could he really do that? Could he let go of his fear of betrayal? Could he truly trust again?

Xiao Xuan wasn't sure. But for the first time, he thought that maybe—just maybe—he didn't have to do this alone.