Enemy Emerge
Before impact, Tian Wei halted his final punch, moved by the bravery displayed by the individual before him. A sense of kinship stirred within his heart, evoking a distant memory that eluded his grasp. And then, like a crashing mountain, the flood of sorrowful recollections came rushing back, crushing his soul. His knees buckled under the weight of these memories, and a burning desire for revenge ignited in his eyes.
Determined to mete out justice to the deceitful gods, he vowed to make them taste their own bitter medicine. The vivid image of the forgery scene, his creation, and the cruel demise of his creator, Yan Yi, resurfaced in his mind. He recalled Yan Yi's dying wish, which resonated deep within his very being. Empowered by fleeting memories of his creator, he also comprehended the treachery of the gods.
Renewed with a fiery passion for vengeance, Tian Wei understood that he was but an insignificant ant in the face of such power. He recognized the need to cultivate himself to a divine level, capable of rivaling the gods, before he could embark on a journey spanning a thousand miles once more.
Tian Wei took one of the young man's outer robes and covered his naked body, realizing that he had nowhere else to go and would have to rely on this person for assistance.
He patiently waited for the young man to regain consciousness and recover, acknowledging his own lack of healing techniques or medicinal pills to aid in the process. The young man would have to rely on his own resilience for recovery.
As the young man opened his eyes, he found himself confronted by the same striking figure, although now devoid of the intense intent to kill that had previously consumed him.
"You're awake," Tian Wei stated, his voice calm.
Still disoriented, Xuan Yi struggled to gather his thoughts. In the gentle embrace of the evening breeze, Tian Wei maintained his meditative posture, silently waiting for Xuan Yi to fully recover.
"You may want to begin by telling me your name," Tian Wei suggested.
Xuan Yi, surprised to find himself still alive, and even more astonished that Tian Wei had spared him and nursed him back to health—or at least waited for his recovery—breathed out his name, "Xuan Yi." He mustered the strength to sit up, his body quivering, and he cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, bowing before Tian Wei.
"I assure you that what happened was a misunderstanding," Xuan Yi explained, his voice trembling. "Thank you for granting me the chance to continue this shameless existence."
"I spared you out of my own selfishness, so don't hold me in high regard. You will act as guide and servant for me for a while," Tian Wei calmly stated. He understood, from the fragments of memories left by Yang Yi, the value of money in this world, which is why he needed Xuan Yi because he had no silver.
Believing that Xuan Yi owed him for sparing his life, Tian Wei saw it as an opportunity to easily control and tame him, rather than seeking another guide altogether. He considered that Xuan Yi could atone for his "shameless crime" by acting as a servant for a brief period.
"I was only reaching out for the sword and di–"
Before Xuan Yi could explain that he had only reached out for the sword and not intended to be a pervert, Tian Wei interjected with a dismissive sound.
"We shall not talk about that," he declared. It remained unclear whether Tian Wei wished to avoid discussing the encounter due to personal embarrassment or the possibility that it would prove Xuan Yi innocent and himself impulsive and unreasonable.
Perhaps his mind sought solace in the notion that he had not shed the blood of the first human he had encountered. Or iIt could be interpreted as a selfish act on Tian Wei's part, as he had previously claimed.
"This mortal shall thank you either way," Xuan Yi reiterated, though he harbored reservations about Tian Wei's true motives and intentions.
Feeling the need to distance himself from this formidable man, Xuan Yi contemplated the next steps. He believed he should lead Tian Wei to his clan or send a message back home, allowing his father to organize a rescue. Time spent in the company of someone so powerful was unsettling, and he longed to be free from the burden of responsibility.
"Here," Xuan Yi offered, handing Tian Wei a complete set of clean clothes he had retrieved from his spiritual storage space. As someone who was quite mischievous, he was prepared for unexpected troubles that might require a change and always carried at least two extra sets of clothing.
Tian Wei accepted the clothes without much thought, straightening his new attire. They both changed into the cleaner more nobler robes.
"What does this sir wish to do next?" He inquired about Tian Wei's next course of action, expecting some guidance or direction.
He had not yet considered the specifics of his next move or where he desired to go. Homeless and in a new world without any known kin, the only person he was familiar with was Xuan Yi, whom he had previously defeated in a fierce encounter.
The wind blew, lending an air of immortality to the man standing before him. While Xuan Yi did not believe for a moment that Tian Wei was truly an immortal, he couldn't deny the overwhelming aura of power and confidence emanating from him. It was a presence he had never witnessed, not even in his own father.
"Perhaps we could find a meal at one of the inns?" Xuan Yi suggested, hoping to provide some hospitality to his unexpected companion.
"This immortal shall trouble you," Tian Wei responded, acknowledging the offer.
Xuan Yi couldn't shake off a sense of unease, noticing the slight narcissism in Tian Wei's insistence on referring to himself as an immortal. The young man wondered about the motives behind such self-proclaimed grandeur.
Meanwhile, for Tian Wei, this was just the beginning of his journey. Leaving behind the sea that had honed his body, he followed Xuan Yi into a world that would serve as his training ground for reaching the pinnacle of martial prowess. In the furnace of time and effort, he aimed to undergo a complete purification, ascending to the realm of true godhood.