A month had passed since Ni Tian's trial in the Final Truth. His body had fully recovered, and his cultivation had stabilized. During this time, he and Ni Xiyan lived peacefully in their secluded mountain home. However, their food supply had nearly run out—it would last only another day.
Deciding it was time to leave the mountain, Ni Tian and Ni Xiyan made their way toward the village Ni Tian had once seen from afar. The journey was peaceful at first, but as they descended, both suddenly sensed an unfamiliar aura below them.
Ni Xiyan's expression turned serious. "Something's happening down there."
Ni Tian nodded. "Let's check it out."
Silently, they moved through the trees, arriving at a clearing where a desperate scene unfolded.
A middle-aged man and woman stood protectively in front of three children—a boy and two girls. They were surrounded by twenty bandits. Among them, two were in the Soul Formation Realm, three were at the Nascent Soul Realm, while the rest were ordinary fighters.
The bandit leader, a burly man with a jagged scar across his face, let out a wicked laugh and spoke in a mocking tone:
"Just give me the two girls and your wife, and everything will be fine."
The father stepped forward, his fists clenched. "You'll have to walk over my dead body before you lay a finger on them!"
The bandits erupted into laughter. The leader smirked and raised his hand. "Very well… Kill the man. Take the women and children alive!"
Just as the bandits lunged forward, a cold breeze swept through the clearing.
In an instant, Ni Xiyan appeared before them, blocking their path. Her icy gaze held no fear as she spoke with authority:
"Leave now, or face the consequences."
The leader sneered, looking her up and down. "Heh… She's alone, and she's a beauty too." His grin widened. "There are twenty of us. Take her down together, but leave her alive. She'll make a fine wife for me!"
That was the last mistake he would ever make.
Ni Xiyan's eyes flashed with cold fury. In the next moment, she unleashed her cultivation aura—Void Refinement Realm!
A powerful shockwave burst from her, shaking the ground. The bandits froze in terror, their bodies trembling. Even their leader paled in fear.
But the leader gritted his teeth and roared, "We outnumber her! Attack all at once!"
Before they could move—
SLASH!
A blur of motion—Ni Tian appeared out of nowhere!
With a single stroke of his sword, he decapitated the leader and the two Soul Formation bandits in an instant. Their heads rolled across the ground before their bodies collapsed.
The remaining bandits were paralyzed with fear.
"S-Spare us!" one cried out, but before they could flee—
BOOM!
Ni Xiyan swept her hand, releasing a devastating wave of frost energy. All remaining bandits were frozen solid, their bodies shattering like glass.
Silence fell over the clearing.
The family stood in shock, unable to believe what they had just witnessed. After a moment, the father stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"Benefactors, you saved us. We… We don't know how to thank you."
Ni Tian and Ni Xiyan exchanged a glance before Ni Tian spoke, "It's fine. Are you all unharmed?"
The man nodded. "Yes, thanks to you two." He hesitated before adding, "Please, let us repay you. Come to our home. We'll prepare a meal."
After some insistence, Ni Tian and Ni Xiyan agreed and followed the family back to their village.
The family lived in a modest home on the village outskirts. Upon arrival, the woman smiled warmly.
"Please, sit and rest while we prepare the food."
As Ni Tian and Ni Xiyan sat inside, the man spoke up.
"We came across those bandits by chance. They've been terrorizing villages for years, but we never thought they would attack us. If not for you, my wife and children..."
His fists clenched in anger, but Ni Tian shook his head. "You don't have to think about that anymore. They're dead."
Soon, the food was served, and the family urged Ni Tian and Ni Xiyan to eat together rather than as guests.
As they introduced themselves, the man introduced his wife—but when he said her name, Ni Xiyan froze.
Her heart pounded. That surname…
"Aeris?" she whispered in shock.
The woman's eyes widened as well. Before she could respond, her husband looked uneasy. "Dear, maybe we shouldn't—"
The woman shook her head. "No… They deserve to know."
Taking a deep breath, she spoke:
"I once lived in the Aqua Regnum Continent as part of the Aeris Sect… but one day, we were attacked by an unknown force. The entire sect was destroyed."
Ni Xiyan's hands trembled.
The woman continued, her voice filled with sorrow. "I survived by hiding in my home's secret underground chamber. Before he died, our sect leader sent me a message—to find his daughter, Aeris Sylvaine, and protect her."
Tears welled in Ni Xiyan's eyes. Without warning, she rushed forward and hugged the woman tightly.
The family stared in shock, but Ni Tian smiled knowingly.
"If you're looking for Aeris Sylvaine… she's right here."
The woman stiffened. "Y-You're alive?"
Ni Xiyan nodded, still crying.
Ni Tian gently placed a hand on her back, offering silent comfort. After a moment, the woman pulled back and looked at Ni Xiyan with both joy and concern.
"But… why did you change your name?"
Ni Tian took over, explaining everything—from Ni Xiyan's past, their exile, and their new life together. The woman listened silently, her expression complicated but understanding.
Finally, Ni Tian asked, "Why was she so important? Why did the sect leader entrust her protection to you?"
The woman hesitated, then sighed.
"Because Ni Xiyan holds the Power of Yin, the bloodline of the Ice Phoenix. According to legend, if she forms a bond with a man who possesses the Power of Yang, the Golden Sun, their union will create an unmatched force."
Ni Tian's eyes widened.
The woman's gaze became sharp. "Since you are her husband, have you two…?"
Ni Tian hesitated before nodding. "...Yes."
The woman let out a sigh of relief. "Good. Then her power remains within your bond. You must protect her until she turns eighteen—when the full power of the Ice Phoenix awakens."
Hearing this, Ni Tian did a quick calculation.
"I'm 17. She's also 17… That means we only have one year left."
After the conversation, Ni Tian and Ni Xiyan decided to leave and gather supplies for their home. Seeing their situation, the man offered to rebuild their house, while the woman helped Ni Xiyan shop for necessities.
When Ni Tian and Xiyan returned home, Xiyan gasped in surprise.
The new house was larger, stronger, and could fit up to fifteen people—a home built for their future.
That night, the two sat together under the stars.
"This feels nice," Ni Xiyan murmured, leaning against Ni Tian.
Ni Tian chuckled, wrapping an arm around her. "It does."
For now, they could enjoy the peace—before the next storm arrived.
End of chapter 7...