Under the expanse of the autumn rain, a lone eagle soared across the sky, its screech piercing through the dome of the heavens.
The wind and rain still slipped through the cracks in the chamber, bringing with it a hint of chilliness that brushed past Tianyan’s light pink, luxurious palace attire, and him, whom she straddled below.
The quiet chamber was left with only the sound of rain hitting the window drapes, the tinkling crisp sound mingling with the moist fragrance of sandalwood that permeated every corner.
Xu Yuan’s hands were placed on her waist, his fingertips lightly feeling the warmth and smoothness of the maiden’s delicate skin through her clothing.
Tianyan did not struggle like a startled cat, memories flooded her mind, her exquisite face flushed with an alluring rosiness.
The atmosphere was just right.
Watching her gradually moved expression,
In their gaze, Xu Yuan’s eyes were filled with a tender gentleness, his fingertips started to slowly move across her soft and delicate body.
She, acquiescent, allowed his hands to roam, her misty eyes unblinkingly fixed on him:
"You... really remembered everything?"
His movements hesitated slightly, lying atop the somewhat disheveled bed, Xu Yuan fell silent for a moment, his voice was soft:
"In bits and pieces, only the deeply engraved parts of my memory... and rather than recalling, it feels more like I’m watching a revolving lantern of those memories."
After considering, he still chose not to lie to her.
The fragments of memories related to the Enchantress Divine Illusion Realm were many and fragmented, and each time he tried recollecting them, it was as if there was an indistinct barrier in the way.
Listening to his confession, a tinge of dimness shadowed the golden irises of Tianyan’s eyes.
Almost twenty years of companionship had made her understand the meaning in his words.
This time, Xu Yuan showed little disappointment, asking softly:
Tianyan sniffed, standing up from his midsection, quietly turned and sat at the edge of the bed, falling silent for a spell:
"No... not really, just a little disappointed."
Xu Yuan looked at her slender shoulders and the faint silhouette of her back, sighing lightly.
Indeed, she had every right to be disappointed.
What she wanted wasn’t just the shared memories, but also the self who had once loved her.
At this moment, Xu Yuan felt he should say something.
Placating a girl who loves you is not a Herculean task, for if you only kindle the spark, she will continue to deceive herself with the remainder.
Nevertheless, Xu Yuan dismissed the thought.
He knew he and she had shared hardships, laughter, and life-and-death experiences in the Illusionary Realm, but the emotions built from those experiences hadn’t much remained.
This fact, he did not want to deceive her about now.
Silence resumed within the chamber, and Tianyan’s crisp, youthful voice once again resonated amidst the patter of the rain:
"Really... is that all there is?"
She longed to hear his denial, like the times he had teased her countless times before.
Tianyan hoped that Xu Yuan was now provoking her on purpose, to see her get upset, to see her heartbreak, to jest with her as he used to.
After a sigh, Xu Yuan slowly propped himself up from the collapsed bed, chuckling:
"For the moment, that’s all there is."
At those words, the girl’s eyes brightened slightly, still with her back to him, but her voice carried a hint of expectation:
"Yes, of course, for the moment," Xu Yuan said softly with a smile, "The Secret Technique I practice indeed consumed and acquired some traits of your Celestial Fates Divine Soul, but the amount was too little."
Tianyan unconsciously glanced back, her slender fingers involuntarily clutching the bedsheet tightly, her clear eyes unwavering, the previous sense of loss gone:
"Xu Yuan, what do you mean by that?"
Seeing her slightly anxious expression, a softness flickered through Xu Yuan’s eyes.
She felt despondent because of him, she felt joy because of him, she felt tense because of him.
Having such a girl who loved him wholeheartedly... the feeling was indeed quite good.
His emotions spreading, Xu Yuan’s answer came quickly:
"The Celestial Fates Divine Soul indeed helps me recall those things, but at this stage, my Soul Origin is not yet complete."
The substantial Soul Origin from Tianyan that had nearly cost him his life was enormously great for him, but to fully transform and integrate the Soul Origin was still insufficient.
Tianyan sprang to her feet, almost teleporting back in front of him in an instant.
Upon seeing this, Xu Yuan immediately realized what the Washboard Saintess intended to do and hastily stopped her action:
"Hey, hey, just say it if you want me dead."
Tianyan paused, pondered for a moment, and after realizing the meaning behind his words, a trace of guilt flashed in her eyes as she pursed her lips:
She had been a bit too eager.
Helping Xu Yuan refine his Will-spirit, although she was on the receiving end of the absorption, the burden on him was greater due to the difference in their cultivation levels.
His cultivation was too weak, and the previous absorption had nearly cost him half his life; another attempt so soon might claim the other half.
Standing up from the plush bed, Xu Yuan’s eyes held no blame, simply saying:
"We won’t absorb your Soul Origin anymore; I’ll handle the rest myself."
The familiar feeling surged once more, and Tianyan raised her eyes to the man a head taller than herself, her eyes blinking:
"Relying on absorbing your Soul Origin to refine my Will-spirit is but a temporary solution, the foundation still needs to be built by my own efforts."