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The figures of the Goddess of Life and the God of Kindness vanished into the horizon, and beneath the waterfall, tranquility returned.
The Ice Dragon King felt the steady, even breathing of Xuan Ming in his arms; this time, the man had truly let go.
She lowered her head, gazing at the face that had shed every trace of weariness and vigilance. Ice-blue eyes brimmed with tenderness.
She lifted a finger and gently brushed aside a strand of silver hair on his forehead, as softly as if afraid of waking a sleeping infant.
After holding him like that for a long while, the Ice Dragon King seemed to remember something. The corner of her mouth curved in playful amusement, and in a deliberately casual tone she asked, "Hey, little brother."
"Mm?" Xuan Ming answered drowsily, eyes still closed.
"When do you plan to have a child?"
Xuan Ming's body stiffened; even his closed eyelids twitched. He slowly opened his eyes and stared speechlessly. "…What did you say?"
"I said," she repeated, as though it were obvious, "when do you plan to have a child? Look around you—beauties everywhere. Gu Yuena, Bibi Dong, Bo Saixi… each one a devastating beauty. If each of them bore you one child, our God Realm would gain several second-generation God Kings at minimum."
"Not to mention Xiao Wu and the rest." She counted on her fingers. "If you really tried, just one child apiece would give us a whole crop of guaranteed First-level Gods. Then see who dares stir trouble—our divine offspring alone could bury them."
Xuan Ming's mouth twitched; all drowsiness fled. He sat up and looked at her in exasperation. "Sister Bing, what nonsense is spinning in your head?"
"Nonsense? This is long-term planning!" she declared righteously. "Perpetuating the Bloodline through offspring is the most natural Dao in the world. Why is it nonsense when it's you?"
Xuan Ming rubbed his temples. "I'm not interested in having children."
"Why not?" she pressed, curious.
"No reason. Just not interested." He was evasive. "I'm practically eternal; Life has no end for me. Children don't mean much."
The Ice Dragon King studied his unconvincing face and suddenly burst into laughter.
"Stop pretending." She reached out and pinched his cheek, eyes knowing. "Your little thoughts can't hide from me."
Xuan Ming let her 'torment' him, helpless.
She regarded him with amusement. "You're not uninterested in children—you're worried about them."
A flicker crossed his eyes; he said nothing.
She withdrew her hand, voice softening. "You know very well not every woman beside you is suited to bear your child. Or rather, not all of them could endure the consequences."
"With many, what you feel is responsibility, debt, guardianship—you see them as family, not lovers."
"Right now, everyone's tangled relations still hold in a delicate balance. But once children appear, everything changes."
"A child is the continuation of Bloodline, the crystallization of emotion. Whoever bears your child will naturally stand apart in everyone's eyes."
"Then the present equality will split into closeness and distance. For those without children, that's a silent, cruelest wound."
Her words were a key, turning the heaviest lock in his heart.
He fell silent.
She was right; that was his true fear. He already owed them too much; he wouldn't let his actions carve an irreparable rift.
Watching his quiet profile, she ruffled his hair as if comforting a child who had done wrong.
"But," she shifted back to her careless tone, "I'm not advising you. Such things must be mutual. If you want to, do it—no one can stop you. If you don't, then don't—no one can force you."
"Besides," she yawned lazily, "there's no rush. We have endless time—eternity itself."
She lay back down, patted the spot beside her.
Looking at her, the knot in his chest loosened. He smiled, lay down again.
Yes, they had all the time in the world.
This time he truly slept—no guard, no dreams—he knew not how long.
When he woke, the Ice Dragon King was gone. He sat up, stretched, feeling refreshed.
It was the most peaceful, restful sleep he had ever known.
He rose to look for her, but beyond the waterfall curtain, a golden figure stood quietly.
It was Qian Renxue.
His movements halted; ease left his face.
What had to come, had come.
He remained where he was, waiting.
Moments later, Qian Renxue stepped through the falling water. She had traded her God King armor for a simple white dress, golden hair loose over her shoulders.
Without her divine majesty, she looked like a beautiful, weary girl next door.
She stopped before him.
They looked at each other in silence.
The air was heavy.
Finally, she spoke, voice hoarse, trembling, yet clear.
"I… understand now."
She lifted her head; once-proud golden eyes were now a calm lake reflecting his image.
"The Ice Dragon King came to me," she said. "She told me many things."
Xuan Ming listened quietly.
"I admit she was right." A bitter curve touched her lips. "I can't let go of my obsession, nor can I bear to watch you with those women—especially with… my mother."
Each word felt like a needle in her heart.
"It hurts more than death."
She drew a breath, met his eyes with all her strength.
"So I won't lie to myself anymore. I won't fight you or make enemies of us."
"I came to ask you one thing."
Her gaze turned earnest, almost pleading.
"Xuan Ming, tell me."
"What do you want us to be?"
"Friends? Siblings? Or… strangers?"
"Give me your answer—whatever it is, I'll accept."
"From this day on, I won't entangle you or cause you trouble again."