"The Ugly Sovereign: Ascending Beyond Mortal Scorn"

A Cold and Hungry Morning

Winter was coming, and the air was freezing. Luo Feng and Granny Wen were still living in the old hunter's shack. They had no food left, and Granny Wen's cough was worse. Her face looked pale, and she could barely sit up.

Luo Feng's Promise:

He wrapped Granny Wen in their last thin blanket. "I'll find food today," he said.

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Searching the Forest

Luo Feng walked into the forest with a rusty knife and a basket. His hands were numb from the cold.

What He Found:

Frozen Berries: They tasted sour, but he ate a few.

Rabbit Tracks: He followed them but found nothing.

A Dead Pheasant: Stuck in an old hunter's trap.

Luo Feng's Hope:

He smiled as he pulled the pheasant out. "Granny will have warm soup tonight!"

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Xiao Mei Visits

When Luo Feng returned to the shack, he heard voices inside. His heart beat fast—was it Yan Mo?

Surprise!:

Xiao Mei was there! She brought:

A warm blanket.

A pot of hot chicken soup.

Rice and medicine.

Granny Wen's Thanks:

She tried to smile. "You're too kind, child…"

Xiao Mei's Reason:

"My mother says sharing food brings good luck, she said, but she still avoided looking at Luo Feng's face.

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Cooking Together

Luo Feng felt shy about his torn clothes and dirty hands, but Xiao Mei stayed to help.

What They Did:

Luo Feng plucked feathers from the pheasant.

Xiao Mei lit a fire in the stove.

They cooked the pheasant with rice and wild onions.

Talking:

Xiao Mei pointed to Luo Feng's amulet. "Does it… do magic? I saw it glow once."

Luo Feng touched it. "It warns me of danger. But it doesn't always help."

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Yan Mo Attacks Again

While they ate, Yan Mo shouted outside: "Smells good! Feeding the monster, Xiao Mei?"

Xiao Mei Stands Up:

She ran outside. "Leave him alone, Yan Mo!"

Fight:

Yan Mo grabbed Xiao Mei's arm.

Luo Feng tackled Yan Mo to the ground.

The amulet glowed, making Luo Feng's fists strong.

Yan Mo punched Lu Feng's ribs.

Lu Feng's headbutted him, his forehead bleeding .

Xiao Mei threw a rock at Yan Mo.

Yan Mo Runs Away:

He spat blood. "You'll regret this!"

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Friendship Grows

After the fight, Xiao Mei cleaned Luo Feng's cuts with honey medicine.

Honest Words:

"I was scared of you before," she said. "But you're brave… not a monster."

Luo Feng looked down. "Brave people don't hide in broken shacks.

Xiao Mei's Reply:

"Brave people keep fighting… even when they're scared."

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A Warning in a Dream

That night, Luo Feng dreamed of the golden snake again.

What He Saw:

Xiao Mei picking herbs in the forest.

Yan Mo hiding behind a tree, watching her.

The snake hissed: "Protect her… she is light in your dark life."

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Hidden Danger

Before leaving, Xiao Mei gave Luo Feng more honey medicine. He didn't see the tiny snake symboln(Yan Clan's mark) on the bottle.