After Xiao Yan and Yao Lao left, Xiao Hua headed to the Primer Family's residence to fulfill the pill refinement request. This had become his daily routine over the past few days.
A minor commotion arose when Gu Ni earnestly begged Xiao Hua to let him observe the refinement process, hoping to gain some insight.
Naturally, Xiao Hua refused—but not out of arrogance. His pill refinement technique was too unique for Gu Ni, or rather any alchemists, to replicate. Instead, he promised to watch Gu Ni refining pills and exchange pointers after completing the current request. Touched by this gesture, Gu Ni bowed deeply in gratitude.
After that, everything returned to calm. Time flowed quietly, and it has been four days have passed. Next morning, it was finally time for Xiao Hua, the Little Fairy Doctor, and Zi Yan to depart.
However, on the quiet night of the fourth day, Xiao Hua received an unexpected visitor.
Beneath the gentle glow of moonlight, within the serene garden sheltered by a wooden gazebo, sat a mesmerizing woman clad in a flowing black dress adorned with intricate golden patterns. The soft night breeze whispered through the air, brushing strands of her auburn hair across her flawless, snow-white cheeks. Her crimson lips curved like the petals of a rose in bloom, vivid against the pale beauty of her face.
Across from Xiao Hua, she gazed at him with unmistakable tenderness—an emotion rarely seen in those enchanting peach blossom eyes, eyes that shimmered with a quiet allure capable of stirring the hearts of even the most composed. Anyone who met her gaze would find their throat involuntarily tightening, as though caught in a moment of breathless wonder.
"Enjoying the view?" Her voice carried a delicate teasing lilt as the corner of her captivating lips lifted into a soft smile.
"Immensely so, Sister Ya Fei," Xiao Hua replied, his smile gentle, yet filled with a quiet affection that shimmered beneath his calm demeanor.
"Haha, you really don't bother to hide it, do you?" Ya Fei giggled softly, her laughter like the chiming of wind-bells in spring. Her voice carried a melodic charm, gently weaving itself into the quiet night. "You've truly changed since you were just a boy."
Xiao Hua's brows lifted slightly, genuine curiosity flashing in his eyes. "How so? I don't feel any different."
Ya Fei's lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. "You may think yourself subtle, but at times… I can feel your gaze resting on me. It's quite endearing, really—watching you try to act so composed, so mature."
Xiao Hua was momentarily caught off guard. Just as he opened his mouth to deny it, a gentle yet teasing voice echoed in his mind, laced with amusement and mischief.
"Oh, please. It's obvious, so don't even try to deny it. I've seen you staring at her like that far too many times whenever you bring her the Foundational Harmony Elixir to auction it."
Xiao Hua's expression twitched slightly. "Silence, Sister Azure! This has nothing to do with you. Remain quiet and don't cause trouble for me!" he snapped inwardly, his thoughts tinged with frustration.
A soft chuckle echoed in his spiritual sea, like the rippling surface of a serene lake.
"Fu fu… Whatever you say, child." Lady Azure's laughter faded as she withdrew once more into the depths of his consciousness, clearly entertained by his flustered reaction.
"If that's how it is… then I'm glad I've changed."
Xiao Hua shifted his gaze toward Ya Fei, a faint cough escaping his lips as a trace of embarrassment colored his features. To be caught so openly by both Ya Fei and Lady Azure—it was a rare moment of fluster for him.
Ya Fei's lips curved into a soft, elegant smile. "When I first saw you again after all those years… I admit, for a fleeting moment, I wondered if my beauty had faded with time. But then, I caught glimpses of your gaze—still the same as before, quietly lingering. It reassured me… that I am still beautiful in your eyes."
Her words flowed like silk in the breeze, neither boastful nor shy, but filled with a gentle sincerity that touched the heart.
"But what brings me even more relief," she added with a knowing smile, "is that you and Sister Xun Er… have finally broken the barrier between you."
Xiao Hua froze. His eyes widened as he looked at her, stunned. A flicker of shock surged within him—he hadn't expected her to speak of his past self, nor did he imagine she could see so clearly into what he had tried so long to conceal.
A soft, melodic laugh escaped Ya Fei's lips, laced with a quiet joy. "Did you think I wouldn't see through it?" she asked teasingly, her peach blossom eyes glimmering with warmth. "You and Xun Er… both of you have always acted far too composed for your age. But there was something about the way you interacted—something that never quite matched your calm facades."
"It was as though you were lovers pretending not to be… a gentle yearning tied with a subtle distance." Her voice softened with her final words, her smile fading into something more delicate, almost melancholic. "You both stood close… yet kept your hearts just out of reach. As if love had already taken root, but neither of you dared to let it bloom."
"I see…"
Xiao Hua could only offer a helpless smile in response to her words. There was nothing he could say to deny it—because everything she spoke was true.
His relationship with Xun Er had always been delicate, like a fragile thread stretched between two hearts that refused to be honest. In the beginning, they wore masks—using one another for reasons they dared not admit. She sought freedom from the fate she had been born into, while he, in his ambition, wished only to borrow her fortune to change his own.
Yet, as time passed, something began to shift—quietly, gently, like spring sunlight melting away winter's frost. Neither of them noticed when it started, nor dared to acknowledge it. And whenever the faintest trace of affection stirred in their hearts, they buried it—deep, as if afraid that love would weaken them.
But even buried, love does not die.
When Xiao Hua finally faced his demon heart—when he embraced the feelings he had locked away—he found the courage to be honest with himself… and with her. It was in that moment, after stripping away the layers of pretense, that he chose to end the illusion of their so-called relationship.
And in that vulnerable honesty, something unexpected bloomed between them. Love, once buried, finally surfaced. They spoke… they shared… and somehow, without even realizing it, they became lovers.
Perhaps neither of them ever imagined it would come to be—but in its unfolding, it brought them a quiet happiness, a joy that made their hearts lighter.
The Heavenly Astral Lightning had been a moment of unbearable pain—but in hindsight, perhaps it was exactly what he needed. A trial that purified the soul and clarified the heart—for his sake, for Xun Er's, and for the bond they now shared.
"That's why I'm truly happy," Ya Fei said softly, her smile gentle and radiant. "To see the two of you overcome the past… and finally come together."
Xiao Hua's smile deepened, tender and sincere. "It's true," he murmured, his voice filled with warmth. A soft glow danced in his eyes as he reached out and picked up the glass resting on the table.
He lifted it slightly, then took a sip of the wine—its fragrance rich and alluring, like the lingering scent of blooming flowers under moonlight.
Though he rarely indulged in wine, even he could tell: this was no ordinary drink. The texture, the taste, the aroma… it was exquisite, and would surely be considered a priceless luxury in the world he once knew.
Ya Fei watched Xiao Hua with a sweet, serene smile. Her slender fingers reached for the glass before her, lifting it with graceful ease. As the rim met her luscious cherry-crimson lips, she took a slow sip of the fragrant wine.
As she gently lowered the glass, a single drop of red wine clung to the corner of her lips, glistening like a ruby in the moonlight. It slid down, tracing a delicate path along her soft lips before continuing its descent to her flawless porcelain chin—a sight that carried an irresistible allure, enough to stir the heart of any man who laid eyes upon it.
Noticing the drop, Ya Fei's smile deepened into one of enchanting mischief. Her peach blossom eyes shimmered with seductive grace, and her voice carried a mesmerizing lilt—soft, teasing, yet brimming with charm.
"Are you just going to watch, Little Brother Xiao Hua… or will you lend me a hand?" she asked, her tone as alluring as a fox spirit's whisper beneath the moon.
Xiao Hua's expression twitched ever so slightly, clearly exasperated yet helpless in the face of her teasing. With a quiet sigh, he stood and leaned forward, extending his hand toward her. His finger reached out with deliberate gentleness, brushing against the corner of her lips, carefully wiping away the crimson trail.
As his fingertip lingered for the briefest moment, it traced softly across her lips—petal-like and warm, carrying a subtle magnetism that could not be denied.
Ya Fei's eyes fluttered shut, her long lashes trembling slightly. She leaned into the touch, allowing herself to feel the warmth that surged through her heart at that fleeting connection. It was a rare moment of quiet affection, one that she would never allow herself to share with anyone else—reserved only for this young man who had unknowingly etched himself into her heart.
Just as Xiao Hua was about to withdraw his hand, Ya Fei suddenly leaned in, her movements graceful yet playful. Her soft lips gently closed around his finger in a teasing bite, followed by an affectionate nibble. The warmth of her breath lingered against his skin, while a glimmer of mischief sparkled within her peach blossom eyes. Her lips curved into an elegant arc, both alluring and endearing.
Xiao Hua could only shake his head, a helpless yet fond smile tugging at his lips. He made no effort to stop her—allowing her this brief moment of childish indulgence. He understood her heart far too well… and knew this was her quiet way of clinging to something she feared to lose.
A moment later, Ya Fei released his finger and leaned back with graceful poise, her figure straightening beneath the moonlight. Her gaze lingered on him as he slowly withdrew his hand and returned to his seat. Then, in a voice as soft as the wind passing through autumn leaves, she spoke—tinged with loneliness, wrapped in quiet sorrow.
"Tomorrow… you'll be leaving for the Tager Desert," she said gently. "After that… will you go straight to the Central Plains, or… will you return, even for a moment?"
Her words settled into the air like falling petals—light, yet heavy enough to stir his soul.
Xiao Hua sighed, the sound deep and weighted. Her quiet voice pierced through the walls of his heart, filling it with a subtle ache. How could he not know? How could he not feel the unspoken longing she carried in her smile?
"I will likely remain in the Tager Desert for a while…" he replied, his tone laced with solemn and heaviness. "But once that's resolved, I'll be heading straight to Jia Nan Academy. I… won't be returning."
His voice was steady, but his heart trembled with each word. He hated the answer he gave, hated the pain it brought to her beautiful eyes. Yet it was the truth—and a path he could not stray from.
"Will you return to the Jia Ma Empire after that…?" Ya Fei asked, her voice trembling ever so slightly despite her efforts to remain composed. Beneath her graceful exterior, tension coiled tightly within her heart. She already knew the answer—deep down, she had always known. There was nothing in this small corner of the world that could hold a man like Xiao Hua, nothing in the entire North-West Region that could bind his wings.
"I fear you'll never return to this place…" she whispered, eyes cast downward. "That one day, it will become nothing more than a distant memory in your journey… just another chapter of your past. After all, I know this place holds nothing for you—not like Jia Nan—"
Before she could finish, Xiao Hua rose abruptly, his gaze burning with intensity. In the next heartbeat, his figure vanished from his seat and appeared beside her. Without a word, he slipped his arms around her slender waist, pulling her gently yet firmly into his embrace.
Startled, Ya Fei barely had time to react before he lifted her lightly to her feet, as though she weighed no more than a petal in the wind.
His hand reached up to her chin, fingers tenderly cradling it—his touch careful, as if afraid her delicate skin might shatter beneath his fingers. He tilted her face toward him, and their eyes met at close range—his filled with quiet fire, hers wide with emotion.
Then, without hesitation, he leaned in.
Their lips met.
It wasn't rushed—it was deep, soft, and filled with warmth. In that moment, Xiao Hua said everything words could not. It was his answer, his promise, and his vow. No matter how far he walked, no matter what heights he climbed, there were things—people—that he could never leave behind.
Ya Fei's eyes widened in surprise, but only for a breath. Slowly, she surrendered, her eyes fluttering closed as she leaned into the kiss. Her hands clutched his robes, her body melting into his as her lips responded fiercely, passionately—each moment drawing her deeper into his warmth.
She cherished it. This kiss—this fleeting, heated exchange—was more than affection. It was memory. It was longing. It was a secret wish whispered beneath the moonlight.
And in her heart, she hoped…
She hoped this moment would never end.
It was only after a long, lingering moment that their lips finally parted. The fire that had ignited within their hearts still burned fiercely, refusing to fade. Yet, despite their reluctance, they slowly drew back, as though their souls remained tethered even when their bodies separated.
Breathless and quiet, Xiao Hua gazed into Ya Fei's eyes, and with a gentle smile filled with affection and warmth, he spoke.
"With this… there's something now that binds me to the Jia Ma Empire. A reason to return—no matter how far I go."
His voice was soft, yet his words struck deeply. Ya Fei's eyes shimmered as emotion welled up within her. Unable to hold back, she leaned forward, resting her head gently against his broad chest. There, she listened to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath the thick warmth of his robes. The night breeze caressed her skin with its chill, but his embrace was enough to make her feel wrapped in gentle spring sunlight.
She didn't speak, nor did she need to. She simply remained in his arms, savoring the comfort, the warmth… the fleeting peace of this moment.
After a while, her quiet voice rose, soft as a whisper against the night.
"Take care of Sister Fairy Doctor, alright?" she murmured. "Sister Xun Er said… she'll allow you to take other women into your heart, as long as they're worthy of you."
A gentle smile curved Xiao Hua's lips at her words. It was the kind of teasing he couldn't even be mad at—sweet, playful, but also filled with deep understanding.
"I know," he replied with a nod, his voice low but certain and sincere.
He could not deny it—whether it was Ya Fei, with her alluring grace and hidden gentleness, or the Little Fairy Doctor, with her quiet strength and a kindness that bloomed like spring, both had entered his heart without him realizing. And now, they were part of him.
'Xun'er…' Xiao Hua sighed inwardly, a faint, resigned smile tugging at the corners of his lips, a touch of helplessness flickering in his eyes. 'It seems I'll be facing a smiling Xun'er… one with fury and disbelief hidden beneath that calm surface...'
Still, his smile deepened, accepting his fate with quiet resolve.
Even if she had granted him permission, it did not mean he would treat it lightly. Nor would Xun Er allow him to become fickle. And so, if the day came when she struck him for the choices he made, he would accept it without complaint—because he knew he deserved it.
And because… she, too, had a place in the depths of his heart.
"I will establish my own force in the Central Plains," Xiao Hua murmured after a long pause, his voice low and thoughtful, as if speaking both to himself and to the woman in his arms. "When it becomes strong enough to stand tall beneath the heavens… will you come and join me, Ya Fei?"
His words carried the weight of a quiet promise, one that hinted at a future built not just with power, but with companionship.
Without the slightest hesitation, Ya Fei looked up at him, her peach blossom eyes shimmering like stars under the moonlight. "Of course," she said softly, her voice as certain as it was sweet. "I will convince my family, though I doubt any of them would dare oppose me."
Her smile was radiant, carrying both elegance and enchantment—an expression that seemed to carve itself into Xiao Hua's heart.
"Hehe… that's all I needed to hear." Xiao Hua chuckled gently, his gaze tender as it lingered on her face. His heart felt lighter, filled with warmth and joy that spread like ripples across a calm lake.
With nothing more to say, the two of them remained in the quiet embrace of night. Side by side, they sat in silence, letting the breeze brush gently across their skin. Above them, the moon hung high in the vast sky, casting its silvery glow like a lover's caress.
Stars glimmered across the heavens, and a delicate white streak—a lone shooting star—drew a path across the darkness, as if blessing their moment with its quiet beauty.
...
The next morning, as the sun rose over the horizon, Xiao Tao and Xiao Yang informed the elders of the Xiao Clan and Xiao Zhan that Xiao Hua had departed.
Xiao Zhan and the upper echelons let out heavy sighs. They understood that it would be a long time before he returned. As such, they ordered the Supreme Elder's residence to be cleaned thoroughly—every corner spotless, and the garden carefully trimmed and nurtured.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yan and Yao Lao were making preparations for the upcoming enrolment day at Jia Nan Academy. Fortunately, before leaving, Xiao Hua had written a letter and entrusted it to them, notifying the academy's supervisor that Xiao Yan was permitted to take a leave of absence. He also stated that he would take full responsibility for it.
"Master, do you think it's a good idea for me to head to the Central Plains in the future?" Xiao Yan asked.
"Why? Do you wish to follow your cousin, or have you grown curious about the vast world beyond?" Yao Lao chuckled.
Xiao Yan scratched his cheeks, feeling slightly embarrassed of being caught. "Perhaps, both. After all, it is a place where Cousin Xiao Hua heading to…"
"I do believe it would be good for you to travel to the Central Plains in the future," Yao Lao said, stroking his white beard with a thoughtful nod. "Though the journey will be dangerous, the opportunities there are countless—far beyond what the Jia Ma Empire or even Jia Nan Academy can offer."
However, his expression suddenly turned serious and solemn as he continued, "But if you wish to roam the Central Plains safely, it's best to wait until you possess the strength to defeat an ordinary Dou Zong."
"That region is a gathering place of the strong—Dou Wang and Dou Huang experts are as common as clouds in the sky. And you must never underestimate anyone from there. The Central Plains is a land brimming with hidden dragons and crouching tigers, a place where geniuses are as abundant as stars."
Xiao Yan's heart trembled slightly, and his expression grew grave. In the Jia Ma Empire, a Dou Huang expert would be revered and admired, their status akin to that of royalty.
Yet in the Central Plains, Dou Wangs and Dou Huangs were considered commonplace—an everyday sight. This revelation was truly shocking to Xiao Yan, who had spent most of his life confined within the borders of the Jia Ma Empire.
Yet, a fire was also lit within Xiao Yan's heart—a fierce, blazing flame ignited by the thought of clashing with the countless geniuses in the Central Plains. A spark of excitement and challenge flickered deep within his eyes.
He yearned to know where he truly stood in this vast world. There was no doubt in his heart—he would one day step into the Central Plains and face that challenge head-on. Retreating or running away had never been his way.
Though it was a land of danger, it was also filled with endless opportunities. Even he couldn't deny the thrill coursing through him at the thought of such an adventure. The anticipation alone made it hard to suppress the excitement bubbling within.
Yao Lao shook his head as he noticed the eager gleam in Xiao Yan's eyes. That burning spirit had clearly been ignited. But as a master, he hoped his disciple would stay focused on the present. He spoke in a slightly scolding tone.
"I know you're excited, but don't forget—you still have the upcoming Three-Year Agreement to win. And beyond that, you must also pass the trial Xiao Hua set for you. Only then will Jia Nan Academy allow you to swallow the matured Fallen Heart Flame."
"I understand, Master," Xiao Yan said with a nod. "I will focus on what lies ahead before thinking of the distant future. I must apologize to Nalan Yanran—but if I can't win the Three-Year Agreement, there's no way I'll be able to pass the test. That's why I'll be coming with everything I've got, Young Miss Nalan!"
He raised his head toward the sky, his fists clenched tightly at his sides.
If Nalan Yanran carried the pride of being the Young Lady of the Misty Cloud Sect and the disciple of its master…
Then he too had reasons he could not afford to lose.
For his master—who had guided him step by step from the very beginning and would continue to do so in the days ahead.
For Xiao Hua, who had helped him again and again—even refining a tier-eight medicinal pill just for him.
And for his father and two brothers—who had never turned away from him, even when he had lost his talent and stood at his lowest.
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