Chapter 279: Ren Mian's Surprise

Chapter 279: Ren Mian's Surprise

"Xinghuo?"

Ren Mian's eyes widened in shock, her face incredulous.

She would never forget the sound of Ji Xinghuo's voice, and she thought of him often.

When the winged beings were felled by a single arrow earlier, her first thought had been of Ji Xinghuo, but she quickly dismissed the idea as impossible.

The last time they parted ways, Xinghuo was only a mid-level alien.

In just over a year, it seemed impossible for Xinghuo's strength to have grown to such an extent that he could take down a legend with a single arrow.

Then, as she watched, the tall man in front of her removed his arm guards, his bulky frame shrinking as the fat on his face diminished, revealing a familiar countenance.

"Hehe..." Ji Xinghuo smiled proudly, "Sister Ren, do you recognize me now?"

Ren Mian stared as if she had seen a ghost, her beautiful eyes wide open.

She then looked at Ji Xinghuo's current appearance with a mix of amusement and disbelief. Although he had resumed his human form, he still sported a bald head and a bushy beard, along with blood-colored markings on his skin, giving him a fierce and savage appearance.

"Why are you dressed like this?" she asked with a smile, finally relaxing and signaling to the surrounding plants and creatures to clear a path.

Only then did Qinghong continue running forward, suddenly flashing and teleporting in front of them.

Ren Mian's eyelids twitched slightly.

Ji Xinghuo jumped down from Qinghong's back, rubbing his bald head, "I disguised myself like this to move more freely on the Bloody Highlands." He inhaled the familiar scent, feeling reassured, and stood a few steps away, gazing at Ren Mian's beautiful face with concern and happiness.

Ren Mian, too, was taking in his appearance, her heart filled with surprise as she felt both familiar and estranged from him, as if she were seeing him for the first time, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Ji Xinghuo suddenly stepped forward and gently embraced her.

Ren Mian did not pull away.

However, he released her after a brief moment, laughing, "It's been over a year since we last met, and you've become even more beautiful, haha!"

"You rascal, always pushing the boundaries. Trying to take advantage of me as soon as we meet," Ren Mian chided, though there was no anger in her voice, only a hint of joy.

Ji Xinghuo grinned unabashedly, "I'm just expressing my happiness at our reunion."

He quickly changed the subject, his gaze sweeping over the corpses of the winged beings. Earlier, he had deliberately closed the distance to about a thousand meters before making his move, having already absorbed their spiritual source energy. "Sister Ren, why did these winged beings attack you? Do you have a grudge with them?"

"We didn't have a grudge before, but we do now," Ren Mian replied, pointing at the female winged being. "I've worked with her a few times, and I must have accidentally exposed something that caught her attention."

She sighed.

"I thought she was a decent teammate, but I was wrong. I can't believe she managed to track me here."

Then, looking at Ji Xinghuo, she asked, "What about you? How did you happen to show up?"

"When I was in the City of Eternal Day, I overheard her talking about causing harm to humans from Earth, so I secretly followed them. I never expected it to be you," Ji Xinghuo explained truthfully, "It's a kind of fate that I happened to come along. I'm glad I did."

"Thank you," Ren Mian said sincerely.

But Ji Xinghuo just laughed it off, "I know that even without me, Sister Ren could have handled these winged beings."

"That would have come at a great cost," Ren Mian said softly before asking, "Have you been to the Abyss Star after visiting the City of Eternal Day?"

"Yes," Ji Xinghuo nodded.

Ren Mian studied him again, then glanced at Qinghong by his side, "What is your current strength? Have you already become a legend?"

"Not yet, I'm still a super alien," Ji Xinghuo replied, sensing her unease and remembering the promise he had made to her. He smiled, "Sister Ren, don't worry. We still have a year and a half left. I will definitely become a legend, claim your gift, and then make another request of you."

"We'll talk about it when you get there," Ren Mian said.

Her face returned to its natural expression, but inside, her heart was in turmoil.

If Ji Xinghuo had already become a legend, she would have been astonished, but it would still be within her comprehension. After all, with Ji Xinghuo's exceptionally strong combat talent, it wouldn't be too far-fetched for a legendary alien to defeat a winged king.

However, Ji Xinghuo was only a super alien.

The strength he had displayed earlier far surpassed that of most legends. Even she had found those few arrows a challenge to deal with.

Not only had he taken down a winged king despite the difference in their levels, but he had also done so in an instant, which was truly outrageous.

Although those three winged kings were only ordinary legends.

At that moment, Qinghong, as if recognizing Ren Mian for the first time, approached her affectionately, intending to lick her hand. Startled, Ren Mian took a step back, as the proximity of a calamity-level battle pet was overwhelming. Instinctively, she retreated two steps and said, "Xinghuo, control your pet."

"This is Qinghong, Sister Ren," Ji Xinghuo explained, "She means you no harm."

Qinghong whined softly, looking a little aggrieved.

"Qinghong!"

Ren Mian stared at the intimidating creature before her. She, of course, remembered Qinghong, having named her herself. But in her memory, Qinghong was a small green snake, cute and miniature. How had she become so formidable in just over a year?

Ren Mian trusted that Ji Xinghuo wouldn't deceive her, so she reached out and touched Qinghong's head, the sharp horn and mane under her hand feeling surreal.

"Well, it's a long story," Ji Xinghuo didn't know where to start.

"Then take your time, we have plenty of time."

Ren Mian waved her hand.

Instantly, the surrounding forest returned to normal, and the monsters turned back into seeds, flying into her hand and disappearing.

However, the wooden house that had been built in the forest was gone.

"That wooden house was just a temporary structure I built to lure the Winged Beings into battle, so as not to expose my true residence." Ren Mian explained, "Follow me and you'll see."

"Okay."

Ji Xinghuo nodded and asked Qinghong to collect the corpses and equipment of the Winged Beings, temporarily storing them in her dimensional stomach.

Ren Mian walked into the forest, and the flowers, grass, and trees moved aside to make way for her. Ji Xinghuo followed her through the forest to the lakeside, where the aquatic plants quickly grew and wove into a simple floating bridge on the water's surface, allowing the two to walk to the opposite shore.

Qinghong ran and frolicked on the floating bridge, occasionally teleporting short distances, until she reached the shore as well.

Before them lay another forest, seemingly unremarkable. Ji Xinghuo's electromagnetic senses detected nothing unusual, but Qinghong paused, staring at something in the distance with a confused look in her eyes, as if she had spotted something intriguing.

Ren Mian glanced at Qinghong in surprise and asked, "Can it see?"

"It should." Ji Xinghuo smiled, "Qinghong recently advanced to the Calamity level and awakened its vacuum sense, making it highly sensitive to spatial changes."

"No wonder..."

Realization dawned on Ren Mian's face as she extended her slender finger and gently tapped the air in front of her.

Instantly, ripples appeared in the air, rippling like the surface of water, spreading rapidly, and distorting the light to reveal a two-story wooden house. The house looked simple and similar to the decoy one they had seen earlier, surrounded by lush flowers, grass, and trees.

Ji Xinghuo was astonished and couldn't help but ask, "Sister Ren, is this a Star Realm secret realm?"

"Yes, but also no."

A mysterious smile played on Ren Mian's face as she replied, "Come on in."

She walked through the ripples in space and entered the house, with Ji Xinghuo following closely behind. As he stepped through, his electromagnetic senses flickered slightly, and the surroundings changed subtly, though he couldn't pinpoint the difference.

Turning back, he saw the ripples gradually calming down.

The ground beneath his feet was still ordinary, and the gravity remained unchanged. The canyon visible to the eye was the same as the one outside, with no obstruction to the view of the lakes, forests, and majestic snow-capped peaks in the distance. The climate here was also in the midst of winter, with cold winds blowing from time to time.

However, his electromagnetic senses were restricted.

They could reach a maximum distance of about 1,500 meters, and the edge of this space was irregular, as if a small piece had been broken off from a large loaf of bread.

Beyond this range, his electromagnetic senses were blocked and couldn't extend any further.

It felt like being inside a glass bottle, able to see and hear the outside world, yet separated by a barrier, creating a sense of dissociation.

"This is a fragment of a secret realm."

Ren Mian explained, "You can think of it as another dimension within the Star Realm, dependent on the Star Realm for its existence. It's embedded within the Star Realm, like an additional layer in a building. The environment and climate here sync with the Star Realm, but a key is needed to enter."

"I see..." Ji Xinghuo's face showed that he understood, though he still felt a bit confused.

He had heard of Star Realm secret realms.

Within the Star Realm, there were many secret realms that formed their own unique spaces, some large and some small. It was said that the largest ones could rival planets, while the smallest might be smaller than a grain of sand, invisible to the naked eye.

In a sense, secret realms were like miniature Star Realms.

Some secret realms had unique geographical environments that could nurture extraordinary treasures.

And some secret realms possessed immense value in and of themselves.

The dominant civilizations in the Milky Way and the Star Realm had access to cutting-edge ether technologies, allowing them to modify secret realms and unlock various powerful and wondrous functions.

These were technologies that Earth had no knowledge of.

Naturally, the value of secret realms was immeasurable. Even if Ren Mian called this just a fragment of a secret realm, it was still incredibly precious! Ji Xinghuo couldn't help but be amazed.

The entire space was filled with exotic flowers and plants, which remained in full bloom even in the midst of winter, filling the air with a fragrant aroma. It was like stepping into a magnificent and exquisite garden. In the center of the garden stood the wooden house, and Ji Xinghuo followed Ren Mian through the garden path to the yard in front of the house.

"Stop looking around and come in." Ren Mian pushed open the door and smiled, "Welcome to my home."

The original wood-paneled walls displayed her own paintings, and two windows with glass panes let in natural light. A wooden table by one window served as a dining and work area, with a kitchen conveniently located beside it. On the opposite wall, a fireplace sat beneath the staircase leading to the second floor, adding to the homely atmosphere.

The crackling fireplace emitted a cozy warmth that permeated the entire cabin.

Ji Xinghuo exhaled, relishing the comfortable temperature.

"Sister Ren, did you live here when you left Olympia?" he asked, taking in the charming decorations as he spoke.

"Most of the time, yes," came Ren Mian's voice from the kitchen. Soon after, she emerged with two cups of steaming floral tea and a plate of fresh fruit, setting them on the table. "Caiyi isn't here, and I rarely cook for myself, so please make do with these."

Ji Xinghuo was aware of her typically light diet, as if she existed above the mortal realm.

"No problem," he replied casually, taking a seat and sipping the tea. He exhaled, a warm breath escaping as he smiled. "It's been a long time since I last tasted your floral tea, and it's still as delightful as ever."

Ren Mian sat down across from him, her gaze softening as she listened to his words. "It's been over a year since we last met, and not only has your strength grown significantly, but your tongue has gotten sweeter too. Where did you learn such flattery?"

Ji Xinghuo's heart skipped a beat; a woman's intuition was indeed sharp!

However, his expression remained unchanged as he replied nonchalantly, "I've always been like this."

"Oh?" Ren Mian smiled faintly.

Ji Xinghuo felt a twinge of guilt, knowing that Ren Mian had been on the Bloody Highlands and likely hadn't returned to Earth. Thus, she probably wasn't aware of his relationship with Man Ying. But then again, with her mysterious background and demonstrated access to information channels back in Olympia, it was possible that she had been keeping tabs on him all along.

He picked up a piece of greenish-blue fruit, biting into it with a crisp crunch to hide his inner turmoil.

Fortunately, Ren Mian didn't press the issue further.

"When did you arrive on the Bloody Highlands?" she asked. "How are Caiyi and Zhonglin doing? Have they progressed as well?"

Ji Xinghuo breathed a silent sigh of relief.

Since Ren Mian was asking, it seemed she didn't know about the events on Earth, so he replied, "I've been on the Highlands for almost half a year now. Caiyi and Zhonglin are doing great; they've both advanced to the Super Alien level."

"And you?" Ren Mian's eyes sparkled with curiosity, her gaze intense as she studied him. "The last time I saw you, you were only a mid-level alien. Now you can take down a legend with a single arrow. Unbelievable!"

"In the two centuries since the Star Gate opened, Earth has never seen someone like you," she continued, a note of awe in her voice. "The so-called geniuses of the past pale in comparison to you."

"Uh..."

Ji Xinghuo felt a bit embarrassed by her praise. "So, Sister Ren has always thought so highly of me?"

"I've always had high hopes for you," Ren Mian chuckled softly. "Don't you remember what I told you the day we made our promise? Still, your progress has exceeded my expectations. I knew you were talented, but not to this extent!"

As she spoke, she shook her head in disbelief.

Her gaze upon him was akin to admiring a rare treasure. "Tell me about your experiences over the past year. I want to hear everything."

"After you left Olympia, Caiyi and Zhonglin returned to Earth. I went to Central Fortress alone to become a bounty hunter..."

Ji Xinghuo proceeded to recount his journey, though he omitted many details and made no mention of his visit to Yunxiao City or the secrets surrounding the Myriad Manifestations Star Pupil.

Naturally, he also kept silent about his relationship with Zhao Manying.

He narrated his story up until his return to the Star Realm, his encounter with his blood father, Xia Qingyu, and his subsequent arrival at the City of Eternal Day.

He shared what he could, carefully omitting anything that might be sensitive.

Even so, Ren Mian was astonished, exclaiming, "I had no idea you've been through so much in just over a year! No wonder your strength has increased so rapidly. But it takes a bold and talented person like you to take on such adventures. Anyone else would have died countless times over."

"I just have a little more talent and work a little harder than others," Ji Xinghuo said confidently.

In his heart, he added: And I have cheats!

Unaware of Ji Xinghuo's inner thoughts, Ren Mian nodded, her eyes shining with approval. "You've earned your current strength."

Just as Ji Xinghuo was about to say something, his gaze shifted towards the window.

Qinghong had shrunk to about half a meter in length and resembled a small dog as she wandered outside in the garden, sniffing here and there. Suddenly, she started barking at a bush, her gaze fixed on something within.

A graceful and slender figure emerged from the foliage, transforming into a beam of light that darted into the cabin and landed on Ren Mian's head.

A timid voice emanated from Ren Mian's hair, "Sister, save me! There's a monster biting me!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end