The world is so big, it's worth exploring.

These words were like a lighthouse in the darkness, guiding Night Owl toward her direction.

The soul-lost woman shuddered and abruptly turned around.

There, standing not far away, Yi Feng gazed at her with a smile.

"Good, very good."

Night Owl quickly responded.

The icy demeanor from earlier vanished without a trace.

Even the spatial toxins seemed as though they had never existed.

Witnessing this scene, Zhang Zhishan, who was enduring excruciating pain nearby, widened his eyes in disbelief, his face twisted with resentment.

Had she been waiting for Yi Feng all along?

Was that letter also meant for Yi Feng?

"Why?"

Stimulated by the realization, Zhang Zhishan roared at Night Owl through gritted teeth, "Why is it like this?"

"Didn’t you like me?"

"Didn’t you personally ask me what kind of attire I preferred on women?"

"Didn’t you even dress up specifically to show me?"

"Why was that letter for him and not me?"

"Why are you treating me this way?"

Zhang Zhishan’s words instantly wiped the faint smile from Night Owl’s face, replacing it with a chilling coldness.

In a flash, she appeared before him, gripping his throat with a vice-like hold.

"What kind of trash are you, to dare claim I liked you?"

"Dressed up for you? Hah, do you even deserve it?"

"I truly don’t know where you got such confidence."

Night Owl nearly laughed in anger.

How foolish could this man be, to still misread the situation so badly?

"Island Master Night Owl, I think that’s enough. He’s already poisoned by you—his life is practically ruined anyway," Yi Feng interjected softly.

"Him? Shouldn’t we kill him?" Night Owl asked, puzzled.

"Spare his life for now," Yi Feng replied. Though he knew the guy was talkative and delusional, he hadn’t done anything truly unforgivable. Moreover, his father, Zhang Chong, had shown Yi Feng considerable kindness on the island, making him one of the few familiar faces here. This was just returning the favor.

"Fine."

"If Young Master Yi says to spare him, then so be it."

Night Owl withdrew her hand and dispelled the toxins within him.

Even so, the damage she had already inflicted would haunt Zhang Zhishan for the rest of his life.

Zhang Zhishan was merely a minor interlude.

The two walked along the beach in silence.

After a long while, they reached a cluster of reefs, where Yi Feng casually took a seat.

Seeing this, Night Owl nervously sat beside him, biting her lip as she studied his profile.

"Young Master Yi..."

But before she could continue, Yi Feng raised a hand to stop her.

"First, let’s drink."

With a sense of ceremony, Yi Feng spread a cloth over the reef, then laid out the untouched late-night snacks, along with a jug of wine and two cups.

Night Owl watched as Yi Feng raised his cup toward her. Swallowing her words, she hastily lifted hers in response.

They began with several rounds of drinks.

"Island Master Night Owl, do you have any friends?" Yi Feng set down his cup and asked gently.

"Friends..."

Night Owl murmured the word, then shook her head.

Not only did she lack them—the very concept felt foreign to her.

"Have you ever tried making friends?" Yi Feng pressed.

Night Owl remained silent.

She didn’t know how.

"Was there ever someone important to you?" Yi Feng added. "I mean, in the past."

"Yes."

Night Owl answered without hesitation.

"My father. But he passed away when I was very young."

"You must have been devastated back then," Yi Feng said sympathetically.

Night Owl said nothing.

"Everyone feels the same when someone important leaves or dies. It’s only natural to grieve," Yi Feng comforted her gently.

Night Owl nodded.

"But everyone leaves eventually..." Yi Feng continued solemnly.

Night Owl turned her gaze to him.

"Fortunately, in everyone’s life, there will always be people who become important to them..." Yi Feng went on. "They could be family bound by blood, friends who’ve weathered hardships together, or even adversaries who share mutual respect..."

"Family, friends, adversaries..."

Night Owl pondered his words carefully.

"Do you have such people?" she asked, looking up.

"Yes, many."

Yi Feng tilted his head back and downed another cup, smiling. "I have a young disciple named Zhong Qing. Though we share no blood, our bond is as close as father and son."

"I also have a bodyguard who can’t fight worth a damn, but he once saved my life."

"I have many neighbors who often bring me vegetables, play chess with me when I’m bored, or join me for card games."

"Oh, and I have a dog..."

For some reason, hearing Yi Feng list so many important people made Night Owl feel an inexplicable sense of loss.

"Of course, that’s not all," Yi Feng continued.

"Beyond them, I’ve met many other interesting people—Bai Piaopiao from the Shogunate Mountain Range, Yun Yaoyao from the Immortal’s Grotto, Lu Qingshan from Pingjiang City..."

"Though it’s been a long time since I last saw them..."

"And now, here on Venomous Serpent Island, there are the diligent poison masters, the second-in-command Zhang Chong, and of course, Island Master Night Owl—you."

Hearing this, Night Owl lifted her eyes to Yi Feng, her lips tightening slightly.

"To me, all of you are friends, all of you are important," Yi Feng said warmly. "Though our bonds may be shallow, I feel many on this island are worth befriending. If any of you were to leave, I’d feel deeply unsettled."

"Just thinking about leaving tomorrow already makes me reluctant."

"But as they say, all good things must come to an end. Today’s farewell is for the sake of a better reunion in the future."

The sea breeze carried a chill, making Yi Feng’s slender frame seem even frailer. He took another sip of strong wine to warm himself.

After refilling his cup, he raised it toward Night Owl once more.

"Island Master Night Owl, what am I to you?" Yi Feng asked with a smile.

Night Owl sat there, stunned.

Lost in thought.

What was he?

She couldn’t immediately put it into words.

All she knew was that Yi Feng was the only one willing to get close to her, unlike others who kept their distance.

All she knew was that the thought of Yi Feng leaving filled her with unbearable pain and reluctance.

Seeing her silence, Yi Feng chuckled softly, unbothered, and drank alone.

At first, he had suspected Night Owl might be a flirt.

But after spending so much time on Venomous Serpent Island, hearing the stories and observing her actions, he understood her far better now.

He wasn’t a fool.

If Night Owl truly harbored feelings for him—facing a woman of such beauty, with a figure to match, and even semi-saintly strength—could Yi Feng remain unmoved?

The answer was undoubtedly no.

He was, after all, a man.

A strong and capable one.

But was Night Owl’s affection genuine?

Yi Feng didn’t think so.

At best, it was a distorted sense of fondness.

He could even tell that her willingness to respond to his teasing that day wasn’t out of love, but simply because he was different to her.

The only one willing to be intimate with her.

She didn’t even consider whether such intimate contact was appropriate or crossing a line.

To be honest,

this woman was pitiable.

Under such circumstances, Yi Feng couldn’t bring himself to take advantage of her.

The night passed quickly.

Night Owl remained silent the entire time, lost in thought, seemingly pondering Yi Feng’s words all night.

Meanwhile, Yi Feng drank alone, never once disturbing her.

As the crimson sun rose at dawn, Yi Feng poured the last cup of wine into his mouth, now slightly drunk.

“The world is vast—it’s worth seeing.”

“So, Island Master Night Owl, you could set aside your status and wander somewhere no one knows you.”

“There, you wouldn’t be a half-saint, nor would you bear the cursed fate.”

“You’d just be you—just Night Owl.”

“And then, you’d realize life can still be beautiful…”

With that, Yi Feng tilted his head slightly, gazing at the distant harbor.

“The sails are raised. It’s time for me to set off.”

Yi Feng turned to leave.

Behind him, Night Owl, who had stayed silent all this time, quickly looked up and rose to see him off.

Despite her status, her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

After just a few steps, Yi Feng seemed to remember something and paused, glancing back.

“Ah, Island Master Night Owl, this little turtle—I saved it on this island. Would you mind looking after it for me?”

“Take good care of it.”

“One day, you’ll have to return it to me safe and sound…”