21 A way of becoming true comrades?

While the two kissed, their pupils and the space between their mouth glowed blue for a second, before a mark of an infinite sign appeared bellow their neck.

Hua Mei looked at her chest, as she uttered, "Oh, a unique symbol. I wonder what it means…"

"What are the symbols for, actually…?"

"They tell if the two who had drunk the liquid are compatible with each other and what their true character are like based on their souls."

"Uhm... This does really feel like marriage…"

"Well, it is used for marriage. But I see this as the beginning of a bond between two partners, because after knowing if we're compatible and what for, we can finally fully trust each other." She explained with a smile.

"So, what happens if the two people who drinks this aren't compatible with each other?"

"Simple. There will be no connection, so no symbol, which means one dislike the other or doesn't agree with the other perspectives. Since ours worked, it means that we have the same visions and goals. And what do I call someone with the same visions and goals as me? A comrade who I can count on!"

"I see, good method… Oh, this means infinite by the way. Should mean our infinite potential based on our talents and hard work, hehe~"

"Ah, I see it now. The connecting lines that signify endless."

"Oh, and don't worry about us being married. We are not wife and husband, but true comrades! Well, it'll be difficult to explain it to others, but, if you don't mind, is it okay to just…"

*Cough *Cough "Let's take that subject a bit slow okay. But yeah, sure. I guess we're married from now on. Should we perhaps hold a giant ceremony by any chance?"

"Haha." Hua Mei giggled upon hearing the sarcastic words of Xin Feng.

…

Now that the two of them are true comrades, and since they were planning to cultivate after the special event of theirs, Xin Feng went and told her about his ability to increase his cultivation levels faster by lowering other's cultivation stages whenever they made contact with his dantian. Hearing this, Hua Mei decided to try it out. After experimenting for a bit, Hua Mei found the perfect amount of Qi that she could gift Xin Feng for him to cultivate faster. Her goal was to let Xin Feng reach her level so none of them could be a burden for each other. That is why she didn't hesitate to go along with this one sided opportunistic suggestion of Xin Feng…

"Don't worry about me. Recently, I'm more focused on outer body cultivation anyway."

At the end of his cultivation session, Xin Feng was told that he had reached the advanced lower stage seven which is two levels higher in comparison to when she started transferring her Qi to him. This surprised Hua Mei, because even with her boost and the rich spiritual energy, he shouldn't be able to increase with two levels within a day. Yet he did, for some strange reason… To this strangeness, Hua Mei assumed that it must be because of his different kind of dantians. This assumption of hers, in a way, is true…

"Looks like you won't be needing a boost, or else I'll become the burden. Hihi~" She complemented him at the end of their spirit cultivation session.

It was five in the afternoon. The two of them teleported back, and headed directly to the training field to do the same training as they did in the morning. What followed after, was a nice hot bath and a dinner full of meat that was different in kind to last night. This time, they didn't go stargazing but slept on the comfortable large bed of Hua Mei instead. As always, Xin Feng acted as if he was asleep while he was in fact training.

'What a day… I wonder how my parents would think of my shameless acts.'

'Mom, I got a daughter in law for you, haha…'

'…'

The morning came. Xin Feng opened his eyes, looking around to see what time it was. He opened his eyes, because he had heard the gate outside opening. He looked at Hua Mei to his left, who was sleeping in a straight position without a limb taking half the bed. Xin Feng wanted to pet her head for not taking his area of the bed, which he eventually did. 

Her eyes slowly opened up to look at Xin Feng who was in front of her face…

"What are you doing?"

He slowly retracted his hand in embarrassment. "Nothing~"

"Right. I heard the gates opening." Immediately, Xin Feng changed the topic of the conversation.

"Oh, don't worry about that. If someone needs something from me, I'll help them through my servants. If they need to see me, I'll let them come all the way here. It's nearly three in the morning. Why would I receive someone as guests this early? Unless it's a battle where every member has to participate…"

"Anyway, just go back to sleep. We have to train again soon."

"Or could it be that you are waiting for a goodnight kiss… Is that why you were patting my head…? She asked in suspicion.

"No… Goodnight!"

It wasn't long, while Xin Feng was trying to sleep, when someone arrived.

A servant opened the door, before bowing. 

Behind the servant was an old man and a mature woman. These two were obviously the master and disciple duo Xin Fan and Liu Lue. In the silent room, a voice reverberated, "And here I was worried about you…" *Sigh

"Oh, you two are married…" The old man perked in interest.

"When is the ceremony happening?"

Liu Lue's attitude immediately changed, as she stuttered in confusion and shock, "Ma- Maried?!"

"Not rea-"

"Uh-Uhm!" Xin Feng interrupted Hua Mei who was about to explain the situation. "Oh, yes we are~ Happily~" He embraced Hua Mei before kissing her cheek to settle the score with Liu Lue's teasing. Liu Lue's reaction wasn't what he was expecting. A sharp glint could be seen on her eyes, as her body began to wiggle as if she ate a large amount of sugar. "Wonderful! My brother fou-"

"Uh-Uhm!" Hua Mei interrupted as well. She then started explaining the reality of the situation to the two while patting Xin Feng's head.

'I see… Quite the insightful use of that concoction. Well, what can I expect from the number one genius disciple of the sect?"

"Right… I want to introduce my son to the other sect masters and the patriarch. I would've introduced him later to you to take care of his training, but it seems you two are already on good terms, which is a pleasant surprise to me."

"Fate, perhaps?"

"You're damn right!" Hua Mei spoke heartily as she embraced Xin Feng closer. "Dark-Hyenas are meant to be together after all."

"Hyenas?"

"Forget I said that." She smiled. 

To all of this scenery, the old man simply nodded, before requesting for Xin Feng to leave at that moment. Xin Feng agreed, and left with the two after saying his goodbyes to Hua Mei. He followed the old man in the air, while Liu Lue rode her mount below them.

When the three had arrived, and when entering the diner hall of the patriarch, all sect masters and their disciples were already dining. After they had paid their respect to the patriarch, they went towards their own table to dine as well. Seeing that everyone was there, the patriarch began to make an announcement. He introduced Xin Feng, and requested him to prove what sect master Xin Fan said by challenging the other disciples.

The first one to challenge him was the weakest one of them all. An advanced middle stage cultivator. Xin Feng had guessed the girl's realm, and was indeed right. It was all thanks to the guide that Balance gave him before, that he was able to estimate the level of Qi that leaks out of a cultivator and guess the strength in the way Balance does.

The girl that was about to fight against Xin Feng was a few years younger than him. She was about sixteen, and was ranked last among the fourteen core disciples. She bowed slightly in front of Xin Feng before she took a fighting stance. Xin Feng did the same as well to show some decency and respect for his opponent.

That was all the respect he gave her though, because the moment the patriarch announced the fight to start, he appeared in front of her in a second and delivered a solid side kick to her stomach. She was easily sent flying to the barrier from the force. The back of her head had hit the barrier as well, which knocked her out, before she fell to the ground with blood dripping of her mouth.

"Are you trying to embarrass me by sending someone so fragile against me?! Do I look like the type who enjoys beating the weak?!" Xin Feng acted arrogantly and justifying, for he didn't want to fight opponents that were weaker than him. His goal was to power up after all. He didn't want to beat others, he wanted to get beaten by others.

"You!" The master of the knocked-out disciple stepped forward.

"I accept!"