Morning mist still lingered over Utan City as unusual activity filled the Xiao Clan courtyard. Servants hurried along the stone paths while several elders gathered near the entrance hall. A luxurious carriage slowly rolled through the clan gates, drawing curious gazes from many young disciples.
Whispers spread quickly among the children training nearby. None of them had seen such an elegant carriage before. Even the guards stood more respectfully than usual, clearly aware that the guest arriving today was someone important.
Standing near the edge of the courtyard, six-year-old Xiao Feng quietly watched everything. Unlike the others, he already knew who was coming. His calm eyes followed the carriage as it stopped before the main hall.
So… she has arrived.
The carriage door opened gently and a small girl stepped down. She appeared around five years old, wearing delicate purple clothes that clearly came from a noble background. Her long black hair moved slightly with the breeze, and despite her young age, she carried herself with unusual grace.
Many clan members looked surprised at her beauty and composure. Even the elders seemed more polite than usual when speaking to her. To most people she was simply a young guest, but Xiao Feng understood her true importance.
She was Gu Xun'er.
Soon, clan leader Xiao Zhan stepped forward with a warm smile. "From today onward, you may treat the Xiao Clan as your home," he said kindly. "Everyone here will take good care of you."
The little girl bowed politely. "Thank you, Uncle Xiao," she replied softly. Her voice was calm and respectful, making several elders nod in approval.
While the adults spoke, a small boy walked toward her curiously. It was Xiao Yan, who looked excited to meet someone new.
"Hello!" Xiao Yan said with a bright grin. "My name is Xiao Yan. What's yours?"
The girl blinked once before answering gently. "My name is Xun'er."
Xiao Yan scratched his head before smiling wider. "Do you want to see the training ground? It's the best place in the clan!"
For the first time since arriving, Gu Xun'er showed a small smile. "Alright," she said quietly.
Watching the scene from a distance, Xiao Feng stepped forward slowly. As he approached, Xiao Yan immediately waved.
"Cousin Feng!"
Xiao Feng stopped beside them and nodded calmly toward the young girl. "Welcome to the Xiao Clan," he said in a gentle tone.
Gu Xun'er looked at him carefully. For some reason, this boy felt different from the others. His eyes were calm and steady, not childish or curious.
"Thank you," she replied softly.
Xiao Feng noticed the faint hesitation in her gaze and spoke again. "If anyone bothers you here, you can tell me," he said simply. "You're new, so some people may act strangely."
Xiao Yan blinked in confusion. "Who would bother her?"
Xiao Feng gave a faint smile. "Children sometimes say foolish things."
Gu Xun'er looked slightly surprised by his words. After a moment she asked quietly, "Why are you helping me?"
Xiao Feng shrugged lightly. "Because you're family now."
The answer was simple, yet sincere.
For a brief moment, Gu Xun'er's usually calm eyes softened. "Then… thank you, Cousin Feng," she said.
Xiao Feng shook his head slightly and gave a gentle smile. "You don't have to be so formal," he said calmly. "If you want… you can just call me Brother Feng."
Gu Xun'er blinked in surprise at the suggestion. For a moment she looked at him quietly, as if trying to understand his sincerity. Then she nodded lightly.
"Alright… Brother Feng," she said softly.
Before the moment could settle, Xiao Yan suddenly jumped in with an excited grin. "Then you should call me Brother Xiao Yan too!" he declared proudly.
Gu Xun'er couldn't help but smile faintly at his enthusiasm. "Brother Xiao Yan," she repeated gently.
Xiao Yan laughed happily while Xiao Feng shook his head with a small amused smile. From that moment on, the three children began walking together through the courtyard like real siblings.
The three children began walking toward the training field together. Xiao Yan talked endlessly about sparring and cultivation while Gu Xun'er listened quietly.
Xiao Feng walked beside them calmly, occasionally answering Xiao Yan's questions. But his gaze remained alert, quietly observing everyone around them.
In this peaceful courtyard of the Xiao Clan, three children had just met.
One would one day rule flames and shake the heavens.
One would become a princess among ancient clans.
And one quietly stood beside them—determined to protect this fragile peace for as long as possible.
None of them knew yet that their destinies had already begun to intertwine.
A week passed quietly in the Xiao Clan. During those days, Xiao Feng, Xiao Yan, and Gu Xun'er spent most of their time together in the courtyard. To others they looked like ordinary children playing and training. But Xiao Feng had begun noticing that Xun'er occasionally looked uncomfortable during the evenings.
One night, while returning from meditation, Xiao Feng noticed a small figure sneaking along the corridor. The footsteps were careful but not careful enough to escape his notice. When he looked closely, he immediately recognized the person.
It was Xiao Yan.
Xiao Feng stepped forward and gently grabbed his shoulder. "Where are you going at this hour?" he asked calmly. Xiao Yan jumped slightly before scratching his head awkwardly.
"I… I wanted to check on Xun'er," Xiao Yan whispered. "She looked like she was in pain earlier."
Xiao Feng frowned slightly but did not scold him. "Sneaking into a girl's room isn't appropriate," he said quietly. "If you're worried, we'll knock properly."
The two boys soon stood outside the room of Gu Xun'er. A faint light still glowed from inside, and the air felt strangely warm. Xiao Feng knocked gently on the wooden door.
"Xun'er? Are you awake?" Xiao Yan called softly. After a moment, a weak voice answered from inside.
"Brother Xiao Yan… Brother Feng…?"
They entered the room and saw Xun'er sitting on the edge of the bed. Her face was pale, and her breathing was uneven. A faint warmth seemed to ripple through the air around her.
Xiao Feng quickly walked closer and gently held both of her hands. "Don't worry," he said softly. "Just relax and breathe slowly."
Seeing Xiao Feng take charge, Xiao Yan immediately moved behind her. He carefully placed his hands against her back and tried to send a small flow of Dou Qi to steady her condition.
The warmth from both sides slowly eased the strange discomfort inside her body. Xun'er's breathing gradually stabilized as the pain faded little by little. After several minutes, the tension in the room finally softened.
Xun'er opened her eyes and looked at the two boys beside her. Her usually calm expression showed a trace of gratitude. "Thank you… Brother Feng… Brother Xiao Yan."
Xiao Feng smiled gently while releasing her hands. "There's no need to thank us," he said calmly. "If you feel unwell again, just tell us."
Over the next few nights, the same situation occurred several times. Each time, Xiao Feng would hold Xun'er's hands while Xiao Yan supported her from behind. Slowly, the strange warmth in her body became easier to calm.
After a few days, Xiao Feng quietly stepped back during one of those nights. He watched as Xiao Yan carefully helped stabilize Xun'er's breathing on his own.
"You can handle it now," Xiao Feng said calmly. Xiao Yan blinked in surprise but nodded seriously.
From that night onward, Xiao Yan continued helping Xun'er whenever her condition appeared. Xiao Feng still checked on them sometimes, but he allowed Xiao Yan to take the lead.
Standing outside beneath the moonlight, Xiao Feng looked toward the quiet courtyard. A faint smile appeared on his face as he listened to their laughters inside the room.
Sometimes protecting someone meant standing in front of them. But other times, it meant quietly stepping aside and letting others grow strong enough to protect them as well.