Chapter 23 – Feng Qin’s Return

The days that followed Su Lan's tentative acceptance into their fold were filled with a quiet intensity. Xiao Xuan's thoughts often lingered on her—on her isolation, on the barriers she had erected around herself. Each day, she showed more of herself, but the process was slow. For someone who had spent so long being hunted, someone who had always been alone, trusting wasn't easy. Still, Xiao Xuan couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope that with time, she might find the strength to let go of her past and truly begin to live again.

Feng Qin, however, had been quieter than usual. She remained her usual composed self, but Xiao Xuan could see the subtle signs that something was bothering her. Her gaze would linger on him when she thought he wasn't looking, and there was a slight shift in her posture when Su Lan approached. He didn't need to ask. He knew what it was. It was the same thing that had haunted him for centuries—the fear of being replaced, of being forgotten as the years went on.

But there was no time for distractions. Their journey was far from over, and their enemies would not wait while they worked out their emotions. It wasn't until a week later, when the tension had started to build again, that Feng Qin returned—bringing with her both resources and news that would shape their next steps.

Xiao Xuan had been working on refining his cultivation techniques, pushing himself further now that his bond with Su Lan was slowly starting to form. He felt the weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders more than ever before. He had never truly known what it meant to lead, to guide, to protect those he cared about—but now that he was beginning to see Su Lan and Feng Qin as family, the need to protect them became his highest priority.

When Feng Qin finally arrived, it was just before sunset. Her figure appeared in the distance, cutting through the forest at a swift pace. Xiao Xuan had felt her presence long before he saw her. There was an unmistakable energy about Feng Qin, a kind of aura that he had grown used to over the years. She moved like a force of nature, graceful yet lethal.

Her return was almost unceremonious, yet it was exactly what they needed. She had been away gathering information, scouting potential threats in the surrounding regions, and securing resources that would be invaluable for their next steps. But when she saw Xiao Xuan, her eyes were sharper than usual, a slight unease behind them.

"We need to talk," Feng Qin said quietly as she approached, her gaze lingering on him for just a moment longer than necessary.

Xiao Xuan raised an eyebrow but nodded, stepping aside to let her enter the camp. "What's the news?"

Feng Qin didn't answer immediately. She set down the pack she was carrying and turned to face him. "The cultivation world is shifting," she said, her voice low and serious. "There's a power struggle brewing. A faction is growing in influence, and they're not going to stop until they've claimed everything in their path."

Xiao Xuan's brow furrowed. "Which faction?" he asked, though part of him already had a sinking feeling he knew the answer.

Feng Qin's gaze grew distant as she spoke. "It's the Dragon Mountain Sect. They've begun consolidating power, claiming control over weaker sects, and eliminating anyone who gets in their way. They're interested in immortals—specifically, the power that immortals hold. They'll stop at nothing to gain control of anyone who has the bloodline or the ability to extend their life."

Xiao Xuan felt a cold shiver run through him. He had heard whispers of the Dragon Mountain Sect before, but he hadn't realized they were so bold in their ambitions. If they were targeting immortals…

"I see," Xiao Xuan said, his voice steady but edged with tension. "And what else have you learned? Are they close?"

Feng Qin nodded, her eyes meeting his. "They're already aware of us. They've been tracking movements in this region for weeks. I wouldn't be surprised if they've already set their sights on you."

Xiao Xuan remained silent for a moment, absorbing the weight of her words. His immortality, the very thing that had kept him at a distance from others, was now a target. It made sense. The Dragon Mountain Sect wasn't the only faction that would see an immortal as a tool to wield, but they were certainly the most dangerous.

Feng Qin's gaze softened as she continued. "We need to move quickly. I've secured some resources from the region, but we'll need more to face them head-on. I also met with a few of the local sects. There are those who will ally with us, but there are also those who would see us crushed under their heel."

Xiao Xuan nodded slowly. This was the world they were living in—a world of constant betrayal, where power determined who lived and who died. In the past, he had been content to stay out of the fight. But now, with Feng Qin and Su Lan by his side, he couldn't afford to hide anymore. If he was going to protect them, he would have to face these threats head-on.

"I'll gather everyone. We'll prepare," Xiao Xuan said, his tone now resolute. He turned to find Su Lan, who had been sitting nearby, listening quietly. He could see the uncertainty in her eyes, the fear that still lingered within her.

But there was something else there too. A sense of purpose that hadn't been there before. She was no longer just surviving. She was beginning to find her place—her role in their family, in their fight.

Later that night, as they gathered around the fire, Xiao Xuan looked at the three of them: himself, Feng Qin, and Su Lan. They were different people from when they had first met, each having been shaped by the experiences they had endured.

Su Lan sat quietly, her eyes distant but thoughtful. Xiao Xuan could see that she was still processing the information Feng Qin had shared, still coming to terms with the reality of what they were up against. But she didn't shy away. She didn't run. For the first time in a long time, Su Lan seemed to understand that this fight—this survival—was about more than just immortality or power. It was about something deeper, something worth fighting for.

Feng Qin sat beside Xiao Xuan, her expression unreadable, but there was a subtle shift in her demeanor. She was still the same woman he had known for so long, but now, with Su Lan in their fold, there was a slight vulnerability to her. She had always prided herself on being a protector, but now she had something to protect beyond herself. She had him. And she had Su Lan.

The moment was fleeting, but it was significant. Xiao Xuan knew that the Dragon Mountain Sect was only the beginning. They would face more enemies, more betrayals, and more challenges. But with Feng Qin and Su Lan by his side, he knew one thing: they weren't just surviving anymore. They were fighting for something worth protecting.

The road ahead would be treacherous, but they would face it together. And for the first time, Xiao Xuan felt something he hadn't allowed himself to feel in centuries—a sense of hope. Not just for himself, but for the family they were building