In the early morning, sunlight bathed the land.
On the surface of the Holy King River, a thin mist lingered like a layer of white gauze, drifting gently. The distant mountains appeared as faint silhouettes, while the nearby ripples shimmered with a hazy glow.
Dai Chengfeng stood alone at the bow of the passenger ship, leaning against the railing. His pristine white robes fluttered faintly in the morning mist, making him seem like an immortal who had accidentally descended into the mortal world.
His gaze was fixed on the distant horizon, where the majestic Tiger Might (Huwei) Mountains were barely visible through the mist.
Memories of his past journey to those mountains with his uncle to obtain his second soul ring emerged vividly in Dai Chengfeng's mind, as if it had all happened just yesterday.
However, time flies.
In the blink of an eye, nearly three years had passed since he left Wu'an City.
'I wonder how the people in the city are doing?'
Dai Chengfeng's eyes grew distant as he murmured softly, "Especially the mother of Centurion Xu Feng—how is she faring?"
"She should be fine, I arranged everything for her."
"And Dujiangyan… It's been almost three years. By now, it must have reached a certain scale."
"Or perhaps they're still in the midst of fervent construction?"
Click, click, click~
At this moment, the crisp sound of high heels tapping against the deck echoed from behind Dai Chengfeng.
Hearing the sound, Dai Chengfeng turned his head.
Through the mist, a figure in purple approached gracefully.
Her purple hair cascaded down like a waterfall, smooth and glossy. She wore a golden-embroidered dark purple gown, cinched at the waist with a gold-threaded belt that accentuated her slender figure. The hem of her dress swayed elegantly with each step.
Most captivating were her long legs, encased in black silk stockings, slightly plump yet exuding both elegance and allure. Each step seemed like a dance across piano keys, blending grace and seduction seamlessly, drawing involuntary gazes and stirring ripples in the hearts of onlookers.
Even Dai Chengfeng couldn't help but feel a fleeting sense of admiration flash in his eyes. He couldn't help but think: 'Long hair really suits her more…'
But soon, Dai Chengfeng grew puzzled.
After all, in the original storyline, both Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling had short hair. Why had they grown their hair out now?
Meanwhile, Dugu Yan keenly noticed the brief flicker of fascination in Dai Chengfeng's eyes. A subtle hint of triumph flashed in her own, and the corners of her lips curved upward slightly.
'Uncle Zhu Fan was right. Chengfeng likes girls with long hair, long legs, black silk stockings, and…'
Thinking this, Dugu Yan lowered her head and glanced at her chest, a look of frustration crossing her face.
'But what's going on here?!'
At this moment, Dai Chengfeng saw Dugu Yan suddenly lower her head, seemingly looking at the "ground" with a somewhat dejected expression, and couldn't help but feel perplexed.
Curious, he asked, "Yan'er, why are you up so early? Why not rest a little longer?"
"And what were you looking at just now?"
Upon hearing Dai Chengfeng's question, Dugu Yan snapped out of her thoughts. Her fair hands clenched slightly into fists. 'It's alright, I'm still young. There's still a chance for it to grow!'
With that thought, she walked over to Dai Chengfeng, resting her hands on the railing and tilting her chin slightly, revealing a playful demeanor.
"Nothing special to look at, what about you?"
"Why aren't you resting in the cabin? What are you looking at out here?"
Seeing that Dugu Yan didn't want to elaborate, Dai Chengfeng refrained from pressing further.
Gazing at the distant Tiger Might Mountains, he said, "By tonight, we should reach Wu'an City."
"These surroundings are so familiar. Seeing them brings back memories, and I can't help but feel a bit sentimental."
"Homesickness, I understand~"
Dugu Yan nodded thoughtfully, then playfully poked Dai Chengfeng's arm with her delicate fingers, painted with purple nail polish.
"I never expected you, Chengfeng, to have such a sentimental side~"
"I always thought you were someone who could remain calm and composed no matter what, with hardly any emotional fluctuations."
"I'm not a machine; I'm human too, you know."
Dai Chengfeng chuckled in response.
The river breeze swept past the bow of the ship, rustling his clothes and bringing a slight chill.
Dugu Yan fell silent, twirling a strand of hair around her fingertip. The purple hairpin in her hair swayed gently with her movements.
After a while, she spoke again. "Being cooped up in the cabin was so boring. Talking with you is much more interesting."
Changing the subject, she tapped the deck lightly with the tip of her shoe. "Chengfeng, I heard from Uncle Zhu Fan that you've done great things for Wu'an City, bringing many changes?"
"Could you tell me about them?"
Hearing this, Dai Chengfeng shook his head with a smile. "Uncle exaggerated. I'm not great—it's just that too many others are small-minded."
"But since you're interested, I don't mind sharing…"
Dai Chengfeng slowly began recounting his story.
He spoke of his initial excitement upon arriving in Wu'an City, the shocking invasion by the Tian Dou Empire, and the desperate battles alongside Xu Feng and others…
Finally, he recounted his departure and the order he left behind to construct Dujiangyan.
Dugu Yan's eyes sparkled like stars, filled with admiration and tension as she listened intently. When she heard about Xu Feng's death and his mother asking if her son had been brave, her eyes reddened slightly, and she wiped away tears with her sleeve.
"Xu Feng and his mother truly loved their country so much…"
"Yes!"
Dai Chengfeng nodded firmly, sighing softly. "That's why I can't let them down!"
Gazing at the river, Dai Chengfeng fell silent.
At this moment, seeing the slightly melancholic Dai Chengfeng, Dugu Yan bit her lip hesitantly.
After a pause, she gently placed her small hand over his larger one, comforting him. "Chengfeng, you've already done wonderfully."
"I never imagined that someone as young as you could accomplish so many incredible things."
Dugu Yan lowered her head, lightly kicking the deck with the tip of her shoe. Her hair brushed against her flushed cheeks. "If it were me, facing the overwhelming forces of the Tian Dou Empire in a hopeless situation, I wouldn't have been able to do anything at all."
Dai Chengfeng looked at Dugu Yan, who was consoling him, and felt a warm sensation in his heart. "As for me, I simply have a bit more determination than others."
The two continued their quiet conversation.
Time slipped by unnoticed as the sun moved slowly behind the clouds.
When the sun climbed higher, the midday rays pierced through the mist, scattering it and illuminating the river's surface with glittering reflections.
Dugu Yan gazed at Dai Chengfeng, who stood radiant in the sunlight, speaking eloquently and exuding brilliance. She suddenly sighed softly, reflecting,
"You're several years younger than me, but being with you makes me feel like I'm the inexperienced young girl…"
Dai Chengfeng smiled faintly but offered no explanation.
After all, he was a time traveler who had already been twenty years old before his transmigration.
Moreover, after years of deliberate refinement, his height and appearance had fully matured into that of a teenage boy.
Paired with his soul, how could he possibly resemble a child?
Unless someone checked his bone age, no one would suspect his true age.
Just as Dugu Yan was about to speak again—
Bam!
Suddenly, a loud collision rang out, and the passenger ship violently shook.
"Ah~"
Dugu Yan lost her footing and nearly fell, but Dai Chengfeng quickly caught her slender waist.
However, Dai Chengfeng paid little attention to the softness of her body.
Instead, he raised his eyes.
Ahead on the river, countless stone pillars had erupted from the water, standing abruptly amidst the murky currents.
The shore was in disarray.
Countless pieces of wood were scattered carelessly on the muddy beach, some already decayed from prolonged submersion in the river, resembling remnants hastily abandoned from a construction site.
Opposite them—
A battleship flying the White Tiger flag of the Star Luo Empire cut through the waves, rapidly approaching.
"What's going on?"
Dai Chengfeng gazed at the surrounding scene and the swiftly approaching battleship of the Star Luo Empire, a flicker of confusion passing through his eyes.
But soon, as his gaze swept over the familiar terrain, a shadow of foreboding crossed his eyes.
This place—he knew it all too well!
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