At this time, it was early summer. The forest was lush and verdant, filled with melodious birdsong and the occasional startled animal darting away, adding boundless vitality to the woods. This forest was not only a favorite of hunters, but also a treasured place for Ryan Cooper and his gang of friends. Here, they could hunt wild game and engage in exhilarating fights, free from worldly constraints—this was their own domain.

Ryan Cooper was more than familiar with this place, but Emily Carter rarely came here, mainly because her father forced her to stay home and practice martial arts.

Now, with a beautiful companion by his side, Ryan Cooper couldn’t help but make some introductions.

“Brother Baitian, why don’t you become my father’s disciple and learn martial arts from him?”

“Is his martial arts that good?”

Emily Carter shot him a look. “My father is at least a sub-king level expert. In the Han-Tang Empire, that’s already quite rare. Isn’t he qualified to be your master?”

Ryan Cooper mimicked her tone: “My father-in-law is at least a sub-king level expert. In the Han-Tang Empire, that’s already quite rare. I suppose he could barely qualify as my master.”

“You’re so annoying, a grown man imitating a girl’s tone.”

“Yue’er, when I was little, I really didn’t like martial arts, but as I’ve grown older, I’ve found myself slowly starting to enjoy it.”

Emily Carter exclaimed happily, “Great! Hurry up and become my father’s disciple. Not only can you learn martial arts, but we can also be together every day.”

“Yue’er, let me finish. I do want to learn martial arts, but I want to learn the best in the world. As for other martial arts, I’ll just use them for reference.” Ryan Cooper put on a bold and heroic air.

“But where will you go to learn it?”

Ryan Cooper reached into his pocket and pulled out a long, black jade stone. “This is my master. The martial arts I want are inside it.”

Emily Carter looked amazed. “Brother Baitian, isn’t this the weapon you use in fights? I remember when we were little, you used this black stone to hit my second brother’s head and made him bleed. He ran to your house to complain, and you were so scared you didn’t dare go home after dark.”

Ryan Cooper scratched his head in embarrassment and laughed, “Yue’er, you have such a good memory, you even remember little things like that.”

“I also remember begging my father to go find you and bring you home. As a result, my second brother was so mad he didn’t talk to me for three days.”

Ryan Cooper said, “My little Yue’er is the best. That kid lost the fight and tried to play dirty. But honestly, I do miss him. It’s been a long time since we sparred. When will you secretly let your second brother out?”

Emily Carter laughed, “All you think about is fighting. I don’t dare help him sneak out anymore. Last time, just because I secretly passed him a note from you, my father punished me harshly. My second brother is my father’s top protégé—he’s stricter with him than anyone. Even if I helped him escape, you wouldn’t be his match now.”

“Tch, he’s already lost to me before,” Ryan Cooper scoffed.

“People change after three days apart. My second brother is improving by leaps and bounds, while you rely only on brute strength. One is making progress every day, the other is standing still. The result is obvious.”

Ryan Cooper said, “Fine, next time I’ll prove it to you. But I really can’t figure out this black stone. Where is its secret hidden?”

Emily Carter giggled, “Alright, let’s not talk about this anymore. I’ve just learned a new set of lightness skills—Brother Baitian, come catch me!”

With that, her graceful figure fluttered away, her clothes billowing as she darted into the depths of the forest like a beautiful butterfly.

Ryan Cooper shouted after her, “Alright, I’m coming! Let’s see where you can run!”

He dashed forward, quickly disappearing into the depths of the woods.

The forest was filled with laughter and joy.

The sun slowly set in the west, and the evening glow painted half the sky red. Ryan Cooper and Emily Carter sat at the edge of the forest, quietly watching the afterglow of the setting sun, their expressions peaceful and serene.

Emily Carter looked utterly enchanted. “It’s so beautiful. I wish time could stop at this moment, forever.”

“Silly girl, how could time ever stop? It’s just a sunset. I don’t think it’s all that beautiful.”

Emily Carter pouted, “You’re so unromantic. Can’t you just say something nice for once?”

“Time just can’t stop.”

“You…” Emily Carter turned her face away in annoyance.

Ryan Cooper laughed, “Of course time can’t stop. I still want to be with my precious Yue’er until the end of time.”

“Bad boy, you’re teasing me.” She said, playfully punching Ryan Cooper in the chest with her small, pink fist.

As the sun set, the sky gradually darkened.

Emily Carter rested her head on Ryan Cooper’s shoulder and said softly, “Brother Baitian, actually, there’s something important I wanted to tell you today.”

“What is it?”

“In a while, I might have to leave the town. The martial arts passed down in my family aren’t really suitable for girls to practice, so my father wants to send me to study under a martial arts master in the Wushuang Kingdom. When I leave, I might not have time to say goodbye. You must wait for me to come back. Wait for me, okay?”

“Okay, I’ll definitely wait for you to come back.”

A bright moon rose, and the clear moonlight fell over the woods like vast, white feathers.