The energetic disciple came running back to her master, her voice echoing through the quiet sect grounds.
Master! Master! Master! Food has dropped outside! Does it mean I can eat my full? she cried, nearly tripping over her own feet as she skidded to a halt in front of him. Alex blinked in confusion. Dropped?
She didn't explain. She was too excited, already dashing to the source like she hadn't eaten in years. Alex, still recovering from the moment upstairs, stood stunned for a second before following her slowly. Her energy was overwhelming.
(Backstory of the disciple)
She was the youngest daughter of the sect master of one of the most powerful sects under the Grand Martial Sect. It was called the Scarlet Sky Sect, and her father Master Ji Ming ranked among the top ten sect masters in the world. Though he wasn't the Grand Sect Master himself, his power and reputation made him second only to a few.
Compared to that, Alex wasn't even in the top hundred. Not even in the top thousand. His sect officially titled the "Black Something Sect" wasn't recognized or even listed among the established orders. Forgotten, hidden away, a rundown house on a misty mountain. He was unknown, unnamed, unranked.
But now, that same girl once treated like a spare object in a perfect family was being pampered here like she was the only disciple in existence.
She was the last-born back in her sect, always overlooked and ignored. But here here she was the first. Her master even tried making her bed himself, and that alone had made her heart flutter. Now, she was sitting cross-legged in front of a basket of food, eyes wide with delight, shoveling the meal into her mouth like a starving squirrel hoarding for winter.
She didn't even care how she looked. It was sloppy, almost dirty how she licked her fingers and let soup drip down her chin, making soft little moans of pleasure. To her, it was just the joy of finally being treated with care. But to Alex, it was a lot.
He stood stiff at the door, too flustered to speak. The way she ate it was almost seductive, and entirely overwhelming for someone like him who had lived most of his life shy and hidden.
He took a deep breath to calm down. Just food, he told himself. She's just hungry. That's all.
Inside the wooden house, the second girl the one with the slime began to stir.
The scent of the food, rich and warm with herbs and spirit-infused grains, drifted inside the room. Her nose twitched. Then her body moved. Wounded as she was, she suddenly shot up like she hadn't been unconscious moments before. Without a word, she ran straight for the food with surprising strength.
The cuts on her arms and legs, the bruises and dried blood none of it seemed to matter now. The aroma alone was enough to shake her awake. Compared to the miracle of what Alex had given her herbs he'd crafted himself and the glowing spiritual food lying on a stone platter outside, her pain felt like a distant memory.
By the time Alex had returned with a pair of chopsticks, the food was already gone.
The two girls were sprawled on the ground, bellies full, cheeks flushed from warmth and energy. Even the slime sat happily on top of the older girl's stomach, its small body gently pulsing with light from the food it had absorbed.
Alex looked at the empty plates, then at the resting girls. I I didn't even get a bite.
He sighed, stepping back slowly.
They didn't see me, he whispered to himself, tiptoeing backward toward the door. If I just leave quietly, maybe I can avoid
The slime's large, jelly eyes locked onto him. Before he could move again, the slime leapt from its position straight toward him. He flinched. No no no!
But it landed softly on his shoulder, pulsing warmly. Its body was surprisingly light and cool, almost comforting. A second later, Xiao Xiao the younger girl with the slime opened her eyes and sat up.
Her eyes sparkled with confusion and curiosity as she stared at him. Who are you?
I I'm the sect master, he stammered, standing stiff as a statue with the slime still resting calmly on his shoulder.
"Are you here to beat Xiao Xiao?" she asked, already sliding back on her hands, looking for an escape route. "Is it because I couldn't tame the wolf? It was scary! Xiao Xiao loves slimes. They are cute. Xiao Xiao doesn't want to die! Alex blinked. What?
She was shaking now, panicking. Her voice cracked. "Please, don't hurt me. I just wanted to rest a little. The slime brought me here. I didn't mean to bring trouble!
Before Alex could say anything else, the older disciple stepped in.
Master doesn't want to hurt you," she said firmly, placing a hand on the girl's shoulder. "He saved you. You were bleeding and half-dead. He brought you inside and gave you healing herbs. He even made your bed himself.
Xiao Xiao looked back and forth between the two of them. "He did? Alex nodded slowly, shyly. I'm not strong, but I try. The little girl's expression softened. She looked at him with something new in her eyes. Not fear. Not suspicion. But something like belief. She turned to the slime. "Did you hear that, Squee? He made the bed. With his own hands. The slime gave a confirming pulse and snuggled against Alex's neck, as if it already chose him. From that moment, something inside Alex changed. Not much, but enough.