Aren’t You Forgetting Something?

Feng Fan walked in and sat on a cozy couch next to Xue Qiang.

"Fanfan, your new hairstyle looks great. I think it suits you better," said Xue Qiang with a sheepish smile.

Feng Fan smiled back before replying. "Thanks, Qinqin."

After thanking her, Feng Fan focused on the space ring on his right hand, and a small scroll, untouched by time, materialized in his grasp.

Xue Qiang, unfamiliar with the concept of space rings, widened her eyes in surprise.

"Fanfan, what was that? Where did the scroll come from?"

Feng Fan smiled at her reaction.

He pointed to the ring on his finger before replying. "This is a space ring. I found it in an immortal's legacy by chance. Inside, there are numerous techniques. That's why I came here. I'm giving you a technique better than anything the White Crow Sect could offer!"

"An Immortal's legacy? Does that mean... immortal-level techniques?!"

Feng Fan's expression shifted into one of confident pride. "Heh, immortal-level? That's far too low! The legacy contained techniques at the Divine and even Supreme levels. Divine is the level above Immortal, and Supreme surpasses even that. I found a Supreme-level cultivation technique focused on the fire element, which I believe is perfect for you, Qinqin."

Xue Qiang's eyes widened in shock, and her lips parted slightly. "Supreme-level... fire cultivation? Fanfan, are you really giving me something so precious?"

Her voice wavered, and her cheeks flushed with emotion. 'He really does love me!' She thought, which was heard by Feng Fan.

Feng Fan couldn't tell whether her excitement came from the cultivation technique itself or from the belief that his gesture was an expression of love. 

Either way, it didn't matter to him at the moment.

"Qinqin, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't even have the chance to start cultivating. This is the least I can do to repay your kindness," Feng Fan said with a sincere smile, extending the scroll toward her.

Xue Qiang hesitated for only a moment before nodding. 

She reached out and took the scroll with both hands, no longer standing on ceremony. Without wasting a second, she opened it, her gaze immediately drawn to the bold, elegant characters at the top: Phoenix Ascension Arts!

Feng Fan noticed she was completely absorbed in reading the manual and decided it was time to leave.

'Time is short, I need to hurry.'

Rising from the couch, he spoke gently, "I'll take my leave now. See you later, Qinqin."

As Feng Fan turned to leave, Xue Qiang, who had been engrossed in the manual moments before, set it aside and grabbed his wrist.

"Wait, Fanfan. Aren't you forgetting something?" she asked, a playful glint in her eyes. Her thoughts were all too clear for him: 'A goodbye kiss, of course.'

Feng Fan forced a wry smile. 'Dammit, how am I ever going to get married like this?!'

Resigned, he leaned forward, intending to plant a light kiss on her lips. But before he could, Xue Qiang tugged on his wrist and placed her free hand on his cheek, pulling him into a much deeper kiss.

Caught off guard, Feng Fan barely had time to react as her lips pressed firmly against his, her boldness taking him by surprise. Yet, he couldn't deny he enjoyed it.

Her tongue invaded his mouth, and after a few lingering moments, Xue Qiang released him, her cheeks slightly flushed but her smile triumphant. "Okay, you can go now. Please come back soon."

Feng Fan straightened up, trying to maintain his composure as he internally cursed. 'This girl is getting more and more unbridled.'

He nodded curtly. "See you later." And with that, he walked away.

"Time to head to the Fifth Peak, just twenty kilometers away," Feng Fan muttered, a confident smile curling his lips. "It used to take me half a day to cover that distance. Let's see how fast I can do it now."

Feng Fan sprinted toward the Fifth Peak, arriving in just forty-five minutes.

'Amazing! My jogging speed already surpasses Earth's top athletes, and I haven't even broken through to the 1st Body Forging Realm!' he thought, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

Despite the long run, his breathing remained steady, and his body showed no signs of fatigue. 

He felt as though he could continue at the same pace without breaking a sweat.

Feng Fan looked around the bustling Fifth Peak, and just as his senior brother had described, it was filled with arenas for fights.

Numerous arenas sprawled across the area, each surrounded by a lively crowd.

Betting stalls lined the edges of the arenas, their operators shouting odds and collecting wagers from eager spectators. The atmosphere was electric, filled with cheers, groans, and heated discussions.

As fights concluded, the emotional spectrum was on full display. 

Some onlookers clenched their fists in despair, their faces twisted with pain—no doubt having lost significant bets. 

Others erupted with laughter and triumphant cheers, clearly celebrating their newfound fortunes.

'No matter the world, crazy gamblers always exist.'

Feng Fan's gaze was drawn skyward, where fighters clashed in midair with dazzling displays of power. 

His eyes sparkled with awe and longing as he watched their movements, each strike rippling with energy.

'What realm do I need to reach to fly like that?' he wondered, his heart pounding with excitement. 

The thought of soaring through the skies stirred a deep yearning within him, pushing his determination to grow stronger even further.

Feng Fan shook his head. 'Focus on the present.'

Scanning the arenas, he quickly spotted one where the combatants appeared to be at the 1st and 2nd Qi Gathering realms. 

Deciding this was his best starting point, he approached a referee overseeing the fights.

"Senior Brother," Feng Fan greeted respectfully, cupping his hands. "How can I register to fight? I'm at the 1st Body Forging realm."

He decided to lie about his realm. Feng Fan doubted anyone who hadn't yet embarked on the path of cultivation would be allowed to participate here. 

He decided it was better to falsify the truth just a little to avoid complications.

"1st Body Forging Realm? We don't see many body cultivators around here," the referee remarked with mild surprise. "You can register with me. Just place your hand on this orb. As long as your strength doesn't exceed the 1st Qi Gathering Realm or the 1st Body Forging Realm, you're eligible to participate."

He extended a small blue orb toward Feng Fan.

Feng Fan nodded and followed the instruction, placing his hand on the orb. A faint glow emanated from it before fading away.

The referee nodded in confirmation. "All set. Just so you know, weapons are prohibited in these matches. However, if you'd like, we can provide wooden weapons for use during the fight." He paused before adding, "I'll call you when it's your turn. What's your name?"

"Feng Fan."