Chapter 1038: Ex-Girlfriend

He really saw it, not far away, right there in the woodland. But Chu Feng knew that at least twenty years separated them.

He stood before a pond in the tribe, looking at his own childish face and pure eyes reflected in the water. He couldn't help but furrow his brows slightly.

"Time flows like water, years pass like a song, but it's flowing backward. And this little appearance now... I find it so endearing."

Chu Feng mused aloud, appraising himself while looking at his reflection in the pond.

“Pfft!”

Someone behind him couldn't help but laugh. It was several young women from the tribe. Although they hadn't fully grown yet, they were all over 175 centimeters tall. Their figures were remarkably tall and graceful, and their faces were beautiful, each possessing a wild charm.

“I’ve never seen anyone praise themselves like that,” one of the young women chuckled.

“I'm not boasting,” Chu Feng replied. “I'm simply contemplating the bittersweet joys and sorrows of life, watching the years flow by, and the allure of the mortal world. So many beautiful faces grow old, yet I remain unchanged through the ages.”

“Oh my, that's so cheesy it's sickening! You're really putting on a show!” The long-legged young women laughed heartily, covering their mouths, unable to stop giggling.

Chu Feng gestured, then realized he wasn't even as tall as their legs. Growing more displeased, he sighed, “The most distant distance in the world is this: I stand among several pairs of fair, slender, long legs, yet I'm separated by over a decade, like someone wandering alone outside the bustling lights, unable to turn back time.”

“You little pervert!” The young women playfully chided him, making as if to scold him.

In the end, they just patted Chu Feng's head and left, laughing.

“I knew it would be like this,” Chu Feng lamented. “For a man as pure and precocious as me, you just pat my head and leave? Can't we sit down and talk about the vibrancy of youth?”

“You little imp, you just want us to hold you, don't you?” they retorted. “Hmph, we're afraid you'll pee on us.”

Hearing their teasing laughter, Chu Feng's 'old face' uncharacteristically flushed. This embarrassing incident had completely become a dark stain on his history, impossible to wash away; everyone loved to tease him about it.

At the same time, he sighed from the bottom of his heart, seeing these vibrant young women so joyful and spirited. This tribe was truly wonderful. But with the changes in the Sinkhole, if the borderlands turned into a dead zone and these people ceased to exist, that would truly be sad and terrifying.

Chu Feng took a deep breath, resolving to change this place before the great tribulation of the borderlands arrived. He couldn't bear to see the entire tribe perish.

“Ji Hu, Brother Hu, how are you? Are your injuries better?” Chu Feng called out, entering the courtyard.

Ji Hu's family courtyard was large, with many stone houses, as he had two elder brothers and a younger sister, meaning their household wasn't small.

In the courtyard, various animal hides were drying, ranging from the pelts of horned golden bears to flying pythons. The morning sun shone down, full of vigor, casting a brilliant golden glow.

Fatty and a group of other youths had also arrived to visit Ji Hu.

“Oh, the little kid actually brought a gift! This is a first!” Fatty exclaimed.

“What kind of person do you take me for? How could I visit Brother Hu empty-handed?” Chu Feng retorted. In his hand was a fresh lotus leaf, and no one knew what was wrapped inside.

“He wouldn’t have peed on Ji Hu’s fur vest, would he? Otherwise, why would he be so attentive all of a sudden?” someone teased.

“Go stand over there,” Chu Feng said. “What’s wrong with Brother Hu? He looks unhappy.”

Ji Hu kept his mouth shut, with no trace of a smile on his face.

“It's those bastards from the Lei clan again,” Fatty explained. “They knocked out six or seven of Ji Hu's teeth, and all his front teeth are gone. He thinks it looks terrible and doesn't want to talk.”

Although an elder had promised to heal him with medicinal herbs, allowing his broken teeth to regrow, it would likely take over two years for them to fully recover. Ji Hu was in the prime of his youth, and missing several teeth made him feel terrible.

Fatty whispered, “Why don't we go into the mountains? If we ask that person for help, they should grow back quickly.”

“Shut up, don’t mention it again!” Ji Feng snapped. He was two years older and considered one of the core figures among the youths.

The others' expressions changed when they heard about going into the mountains, looking very unnatural.

Chu Feng was surprised and immediately felt something was off. There was definitely 'something' going on. He immediately asked, “Going into the mountains will solve it? What's there?”

“Don't say it!” Ji Hu said.

“Are we still brothers if you can't even tell me this?” Chu Feng said, feigning displeasure. “Are you treating me like an outsider?”

Ji Hu hesitated, but finally spoke.

Deep in the old forest was a lightning-struck mountain. Whenever it rained, strange phenomena would occur there. When they went there to play, they saw half of a stone coffin exposed on the mountaintop.

From the look of the coffin, it seemed to be a relic from prehistoric times.

Upon hearing this description, Chu Feng's heart stirred.

A voice from within the coffin had once enticed Ji Hu and the others, claiming it could teach them a supreme technique, one that could allow evolvers to regenerate their bodies and become indestructible through countless calamities.

The youths were terrified and ran back to tell the elders. At that time, not only Ji Haishan went, but Holly also followed. Finally, they warned the children not to go there again and not to speak of it to anyone.

“What kind of ghost or monster is that, and what technique does it want to teach you?” Chu Feng asked.

“Shaoyang Fist!” Fatty said.

Chu Feng was instantly lost in thought upon hearing this. He had just learned the Small Fish Fist, and hearing about the Shaoyang Fist immediately sparked some ideas.

“Here, Brother Hu, I've brought you medicine,” Chu Feng said. “If your front teeth are broken, just find Sister Holly, why go to such lengths?” As he spoke, he opened the lotus leaf, revealing a fist-sized, dark pill, emitting the scent of chestnut blossoms and milk.

“What is this, mud?” Fatty asked skeptically.

Chu Feng scoffed, “Pah, this is a precious medicine I personally refined. Brother Hu, eat it quickly while it's still warm. I guarantee your broken teeth will regrow very soon.”

“You can refine medicine? Who are you trying to fool?” The group of youths scoffed.

“Don't fail to appreciate my good intentions,” Chu Feng said. “There's an old fellow who, just to get this medicine, came trotting over, trying to curry favor with me. And his cultivation level is quite terrifying.”

Finally, with Chu Feng repeatedly patting his chest and giving assurances, Ji Hu, half-believing, half-doubting, ate a tiny bit of the black pill. He couldn't eat more, feeling a burning sensation throughout his body.

The effect was clear: he felt his gums itching; it was almost instantaneous.

Chu Feng didn't leave. He chatted with them for a long time, learning more details about the lightning-struck mountain. He was truly intrigued, and the so-called Shaoyang Fist aroused a certain suspicion in him.

He pondered, thinking he should discuss it with Holly to see if they could open the coffin.

Not far away, a familiar sound came from the tribe. Lin Nuoyi's legs were long and slender, her steps light, as she walked along the stone-paved street.

Two elders accompanied her, explaining something to her.

After a long time apart, Lin Nuoyi was as clear and radiant as ever. Her figure was tall, her hair smooth, and her star-like eyes were beautiful. Her entire being carried a subtle otherworldly aura, and her demeanor was as cool as before.

Her dress, woven from the silk spun by god-king-level fire silkworms, flowed with a faint luminescence, interwoven with runes and patterns, accentuating her already perfect figure, making it appear even more slender and exquisite.

The crystalline bird-beak bone hairpin in her hair was particularly striking, vibrant red and shimmering, with chains of divine order dangling from it, holding a few strands of her hair.

Overall, though her demeanor was cool and elegant, her attire added a touch of noble grandeur, a deliberate change she had made.

Beside her was a man, his white robes as pristine as snow, unstained by dust. He was refined and composed, with a handsome face, a rare beauty among men.

He was very approachable, holding one child's hand and carrying a little girl. They were all young prodigies from the tribe, appearing to be only a few years old, usually clever and well-behaved.

The man was gentle and elegant, clearly very well-mannered. Even though he was in a primitive tribe, he didn't put on airs of superiority, but was peaceful and down-to-earth.

However, no one dared to underestimate him for it. Subtly, a restrained composure and nobility emanated from him. Walking alongside Lin Nuoyi, it was clear at a glance that they were no ordinary people; they were of noble birth, possessing an unseen depth of background.

Behind them followed several other people, whose nobility was restrained and whose authority was not overt; none of them were ordinary.

“This child is a bit different,” Lin Nuoyi remarked as she spotted Chu Feng and walked towards him.

“Where are you going, little one? Come here,” an elder called out.

Chu Feng truly didn't want to go over. In his current state, he wasn't even as tall as their long legs. Such a reunion was too humiliating for him.

However, since the elder had spoken, it would seem strange if he ran away. So, he forced a faint smile and walked over.

“Call her Auntie, she’s an esteemed guest,” the old man of the tribe said with fervent enthusiasm. He knew these people were of great origin and needed to be well-received.

Auntie? Chu Feng immediately wanted to spit in the old man’s face. Wasn't this setting him up?!

He was very conflicted. Auntie? He wouldn't call her that even if it killed him. Finally, he steeled himself and called out, “Sister.”

Chu Feng remembered clearly that he was at least half a year older than Lin Nuoyi.

What a mess! It was all that old man's fault, he grumbled inwardly. Facing his ex-girlfriend like this was just too awkward!

“Good boy!” Lin Nuoyi smiled and patted his head, like a snow lotus on an iceberg, fresh and radiant.

However, that single word 'good' made Chu Feng want to sigh to the heavens. No one else could have such an experience. Today was truly cursed!

Precisely because he looked up, Lin Nuoyi saw his small face more clearly and was immediately stunned. She knelt down and picked him up.

He didn't object to being held, but after seeing the height comparison, he wanted to bang his head against a wall. Chu Feng felt that he hadn't checked the almanac before going out today; he really shouldn't have run around.

“This childish face... it looks a little like an old acquaintance of mine,” Lin Nuoyi said, examining Chu Feng closely.

Chu Feng was surprised. He had become so small, yet she could still discern similar features? He really wanted to say, 'It's the same face, alright?'

Lin Nuoyi paused, thinking he looked more and more alike the longer she stared.

Being held like a child by his ex-girlfriend made Chu Feng uncomfortable. But once his 'skin thickened,' his heart naturally settled. He then spoke, “Many people have said that I possess extraordinary talent and am exceptionally handsome, somewhat like the dark horse prince from their past lives' dreams.”

“This shameless child, I'll whack you!” The two elders couldn't stand it anymore. This was an esteemed guest, a person of noble birth. How could this little rascal just blurt out nonsense?

Lin Nuoyi stopped the two elders and smiled faintly, like a flower tree laden with snow, clear and sacred. She pinched Chu Feng's small face and said, “What a character.”

In this situation, Chu Feng was truly... defeated. What was there to say? The worst-case scenario he had anticipated had come to pass: he was being held like a child, his face pinched by her. He silently looked up at the sky.

“With my inherent brilliance and martial prowess, it's impossible not to attract attention,” Chu Feng sighed dramatically, and added, “Even though I'm small, I still find myself endearing!”