After walking for nearly five minutes, Xiao Hai arrived at the front of his home.
Before him stretched a small courtyard, neatly tended and filled with a variety of herbs and flowers whose faint fragrances lingered in the air. At the center stood a modest wooden house—simple, yet warm. This was the place he shared with his mother.
As for his father, he had perished years ago in an unfortunate accident. From that day onward, Xiao Hai had come to understand a harsh truth: in this world, only strength mattered. With strength, one could do as they pleased; without it, one could only lower their head and endure.
Shaking his head to dispel those unhappy memories, Xiao Hai stepped into the courtyard. The gentle fragrance of herbs and flowers lingered in the air, soothing his mind and easing the weight on his heart.
Pushing open the door, he entered the house. It was quiet and empty, with only a few bowls neatly arranged on the table. Beside them lay a folded note.
Walking forward, Xiao Hai picked up the note and began to read.
"Hai'er, Mother had some important matters to attend to today, so I had to leave early. I know today is the Dou Qi assessment, and I also know my boy will surely make his mother proud. I prepared your favourite dish before leaving—eat it well, I made it with all my love.
From the world's most beautiful and caring mother."
Seeing the note and the affectionate words written by his mother, a warm and gentle smile spread across Xiao Hai's face. His gaze shifted to the table, where three bowls were neatly arranged. Carefully folding the note, he tucked it into his pocket before taking a seat by the table.
Lifting the lids, a rich aroma immediately wafted through the air, making his stomach growl in anticipation. Without hesitation, he began to eat, savoring the meal his mother had prepared with love.
Before long, the bowls were empty. Feeling comfortably full, Xiao Hai leaned back with a satisfied breath. After a brief pause, he decided to take a short walk toward the back mountain to clear his mind.
After washing the bowls, Xiao Hai carefully closed the door behind him, making sure everything was secure. Not that it truly mattered—few people would bother coming here anyway.
Stepping onto the stone-paved path that led toward the back mountain, his thoughts began to drift. He wasn't just reflecting on the day's assessment, but on the events that would unfold in the years to come.
How could he know the future? That was what set him apart from ordinary people.
Xiao Hai did not consider himself ordinary at all—because he was a reincarnated person, one who had once lived in a faraway place called Earth. And in that world, the Dou Qi Continent existed not as reality, but as the pages of a story written by an author.
In that story, the destined protagonist was none other than Xiao Yan—his very own cousin.
Having read the story in his previous life, Xiao Hai knew all too well what kind of future awaited Xiao Yan, as well as the countless hardships that would befall him and the Xiao clan. That knowledge was the very reason he was so eager to grow stronger.
But strength was not something one could obtain overnight. From a young age, Xiao Hai had relied on his memories and wisdom to carefully design a unique cultivation routine, one that maximized every bit of his potential.
The result of today's achievement—his Stage Eight strength at such a young age—was the fruit of countless days of relentless practice and unwavering discipline.
As Xiao Hai pondered the future and the possible ways to prevent certain unfortunate events, he unknowingly found himself at the back mountain.
The scenery before him brimmed with vitality. A lush green forest blanketed the mountain slopes, while a clear stream trickled down from the rocky crevice above, its sound blending with the songs of birds. Insects chirped in harmony, and the entire atmosphere seemed to pulse with life.
The sharp cry of a bird pulled Xiao Hai from his wandering thoughts. Gazing at the tranquil scenery ahead, the restlessness in his heart gradually eased, replaced by a rare sense of calm.
Sitting down on a smooth rock beside the stream, Xiao Hai let his thoughts wander once more. With his mind now calm, he pondered more carefully and came to a sobering conclusion. Some future events could perhaps be changed, but others were inevitable. He was only one person, and his current strength was far from enough. All he could do was strive with everything he had to grow stronger—and entrust the rest to fate.
Having reached that understanding, Xiao Hai allowed himself to relax. As someone from the modern world, he had long understood the importance of balance between work and rest. Yet, in the extraordinary realm of the Dou Qi Continent, the limits of the body and mind were vastly different. Here, he could push himself harder, cultivate longer, and rest less than any ordinary human from Earth.
Even so, Xiao Hai had long since set a rule for himself—no matter how relentless his training, at least twice a month he would grant himself a moment like this to simply rest. Otherwise, without such restraint, his mind might one day collapse into madness.
As Xiao Hai lay back on the rock and closed his eyes, letting his mind drift into rest, a sharp cawing suddenly broke the tranquility. The harsh cries of crows echoed from the nearby forest.
Frowning slightly, he sat up and listened carefully. The sound grew clearer, drawing his curiosity. Rising to his feet, he followed the noise until he reached a small clearing where the disturbance originated.
Before him, a handful of crows circled and dove at a small snake, their beaks striking mercilessly. The little creature was already bloodied from their attacks, yet it still raised its tiny head, hissing defiantly at its tormentors.
Xiao Hai's eyes softened at the sight. Though it was just a weak little snake, it still fought back stubbornly in the face of death.
Seeing its misery, Xiao Hai made his decision—he would help it.
Grabbing a sturdy stick from the ground, Xiao Hai dashed forward. With a swift swing, he swept it through the air—not with the intent to kill, but simply to scare.
The crows, who had been gleefully tormenting the helpless little snake, were nearly struck by the sudden strike. Startled, they caught sight of the boy standing before them, his posture firm and his presence radiating a faint, dangerous aura.
With frightened cries, the flock scattered in panic, fleeing into the sky without daring to look back.
Watching the crows scatter into the distance, Xiao Hai gave a small nod, as if quietly praising himself. His gaze then shifted to the little snake, curled up on the ground. Though its tiny body trembled, it still held a defiant stance, refusing to yield.
"Alright, little one, I'm here to help you. Don't be afraid," Xiao Hai said softly, his voice carrying a rare gentleness. He crouched down and slowly extended a finger toward it.
Sensing no malice, the snake hesitated only for a moment before raising its head. It leaned lightly against Xiao Hai's outstretched finger, as though acknowledging his goodwill.
A faint smile tugged at Xiao Hai's lips. Carefully, he scooped the small creature into his hands. But when he noticed the bloody wounds left by the crows' relentless pecking, a flicker of regret crossed his eyes. I should have crushed those wretched birds instead of letting them go…
"Hm… what should I do? You're badly injured. Looks like I'll have to take you home. With the help of healing herbs, you should recover quickly," he muttered, thinking aloud.
As if understanding his words, the little snake closed its eyes and nestled into the warmth of his arms, surrendering to rest.
Xiao Hai sighed softly, shook his head, and rose to his feet. "Fine then. Let's get you home." With that, he carried the small snake back down the path.