The celebration of victory lasted three days, as a festival with performances was held in the daylight, while fireworks lit up the skies and red lanterns illuminated the Sect in the evenings, the smell of delicious food and wine filling the air at all times.
The beauties of the Frozen Garden Palace could be seen walking the streets, not used to the festive mood, as the loud laughs of the monks of the Brilliant Sun Temple resounded in the background.
On the last day of the celebrations, as Wu Long stood with his Dao Family on one of the terraces of the Sect among the important guests, Song Lingfei approached him with a slightly meek look deep within her eyes, though her outward demeanor was still steeped in the etiquette of an Imperial Princess.
"Daoist Wu... is it possible to speak with you?"
Song Lingfei's soft voice fell with a bit of reluctance, as Wu Long's lips curled up in a smile.
"Of course, Your Highness"
He turned to his ladies, nodding to them, and then went to join Song Lingfei to move a bit to the side.
Cai Yin who looked at the two from not afar widened her eyes as she didn't expect the Imperial Princess to approach a man so openly in public.
However as her gaze turned to the Crown Prince, Song Minfu, his face was strangely calm and somewhat distant, as if he was surrendering to fate.
"Daoist Wu, I... I wanted to ask if I could follow you when you leave the Three Continents"
However, Song Lingfei's next words caused Cai Yin to turn her widening eyes back to the two.
'Leave...? ... Daoist Wu is going away...?'
She thought as she felt something within her tremble with an uncomfortable feeling.
The sounds of fireworks overwhelmed everything, so Cai Yin who was the closest to the two was the only one who heard them, as others continued admiring the view and the show of
a sword dance below the terrace, their applause and exclamations of excitement filling the terrace.
Wu Long raised his eyebrows.
"Follow me? Of course, I would not refuse if that is your wish, but have you spoken with His Highness about it?"
He then replied with a gentle smile.
Song Lingfei, Yu Huan, and Cai Yin.
All three of them were too focused on their gratitude to him, and at the same time were too innocent for a more aggressive approach.
Thus while he knew the feelings of the first two, and budding feelings of the last one, he did not rush with any of them.
"Mm, he said that you once offered him to leave the position of the Imperial Prince and follow you, beyond the confines of this conflict.
I just wanted to confirm if it was possible... if it was okay for me to follow you as well"
Song Lingfei nodded, as Wu Long chuckled.
It was quite like her to ask separately when she could simply follow her father without asking for individual permission, as Song Minfu would not only come himself but would bring his trusted subordinates with him.
"Of course, I won't refuse, Your Highness"
Wu Long chuckled as the rosy cheeks of the Imperial Princess became even redder.
"I... I just hope there will be an opportunity to repay everything that Daoist Wu did for me.
I am infinitely grateful, as you even saved me from the unwanted advances of those people...
So that... so that I could give my heart to... someone I want... so that I could... give it to you"
She said as she looked down with a red face and bashful expression, genuinely surprising Wu Long who did not expect her to find courage to confess at the moment.
His smile became gentler as he looked at this young lady.
"Of course, I don't intend to force my feelings onto you, I know that you have-..."
And as she hurriedly added he chuckled, stopping her with a light touch of his fingers to her chin, raising her head to look into her eyes through the veil.
"You are not forcing anything, Your Highness.
And those feelings are very welcome, as far as I am concerned. If you truly wish to become my woman, I would be happy to become your man.
But know that once you make that step, there is no going back"
Wu Long said, leaning in and whispering the last part to her ear as pure joy appeared in her eyes, her hands which were clasped together in front of her chest tightening as a shiver went through the beauty.
"I... I'm willing. I am certain of it"
She meekly said in a tiny voice and his smile became wider.
"Then let's get along well, my Lingfei"
He softly spoke as she closed her eyes from excitement, an unusual feeling appearing within her as she heard his voice speaking her name.
"Hahaha, don't be so nervous.
For now, let's go meet your new Dao Sisters"
Wu Long then spoke as she nodded with a cute meek nod, and he led her toward his ladies whose knowing smiles told the now former Imperial Princess that they knew what was happening long before the two even approached them.
It made it very embarrassing for her, as she realized how obvious she was to them, but at the same time a weight fell from her heart as she saw how welcoming they were of her.
Meanwhile Cai Yin's light gray eyes with a light blue hue were reflecting Song Lingfei's figure, seemingly deep in thought ever since she overheard that Wu Long would be leaving, not paying attention to anything else that was said or happened after.
There were also another pair of eyes that looked as the former Imperial Princess was welcomed by beauties, as a smug smile grew on a beautiful face beside the owner of those eyes.
"I told you that you just need to be bolder.
Look, she's not even half your age and yet she's able to muster her courage. Do you think she doesn't feel that she received a lot from Wu Long too?
Bi Rui spoke to Yu Huan, who, unexpectedly for the former, did not object or find any excuses this time, simply nodding without saying a word.
Bi Rui's eyes widened with surprise and her words of defeat were cut short as she saw that.
Then after looking into the eyes of the alchemist, she was further shocked at the realization that it was the first time she saw her friend genuinely envy someone who had nothing to do with alchemy.