Phoenix Caw Peak, Oblivion Cliff.
A young man and woman in white attire, as pure as snow, were leaning against each other, gazing at the bright moon in the sky.
"Senior Brother Lin, how long has it been since we've sat on a mountaintop together like now, watching the moon?" Zhu Wanning moved a strand of hair behind her ear, turned her smooth and beautiful face, and looked at the one she adored.
"If we start counting from the day we left the Secret Realm, it has been exactly ten days." Lin Xiao thought for a moment, naturally embracing her slender waist. "What's the matter, Wanning? Why did you suddenly ask this?"
"So, it's only been ten days." Zhu Wanning rested her head on her lover's body and said sorrowfully, "But I feel as if so much time has passed... SIGH."
Upon hearing the sadness in her voice, Lin Xiao quickly kissed her forehead and comforted softly, "Hey, don't be so melancholy, Wanning. At least we are together and happy now, aren't we?"
"Yes, but tonight will soon pass, and by tomorrow, you will be Yurong's husband..." At this point, Zhu Wanning could no longer hold back her sadness, and her eyes instantly reddened. She grabbed her lover's hand and, choking back sobs, said, "Senior Brother Lin, why don't... why don't we leave the Qinglan Sect and go far away! We won't have to worry about anyone or anything here! Just the two of us, together!"
"Wanning, actually..." Lin Xiao opened his mouth to say something, but she covered his mouth. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ NoveI(F)ire.net
"Senior Brother Lin, let Wanning finish first." Zhu Wanning stretched out her delicate, fair arms and tightly embraced her lover's neck. "Master raised me, and I once thought I would stay by her side for my entire life, but... then you appeared."
"You are the only one who can make Wanning give up everything!"
"Will you take me away, please? Wanning's."
As she spoke these last words, this frosty fairy, who in the eyes of outsiders seemed untouched by the mortal world, was already bathed in tears.
Lin Xiao was greatly moved as well. Of course, he could feel Zhu Wanning's affection for him. But he never expected that her feelings would be so fervent and sincere!
"Wanning, I understand your feelings." Lin Xiao gritted his teeth. "But I can't leave the Qinglan Sect, at least not now."
"Don't cry, listen to me first, okay?" Seeing her on the verge of tears, Lin Xiao quickly embraced her. "Wanning, you're not an outsider, so I'll tell you the truth. I'm certain that the Qinglan Sect is about to face a dreadful catastrophe, one unlike any it has ever seen!"
"As for the specifics, I can't reveal them at the moment, but seven days later, when a Semi-Monster called Niu Batian pays a visit to the sect, you will understand everything!"
"In any case, to protect the sect and everyone in the Qinglan Sect, I cannot leave the Qinglan Sect at this crucial moment!"
"Can you understand me, Wanning?" With a sincere look in his eyes, Lin Xiao looked at the woman in front of him, waiting for her answer with anticipation.
There was no other way.
At this point, he had no choice but to stall!
In fact, ever since Master had brought up his upcoming marriage to Yurong, he had clearly felt that he was deeply embroiled in a mess of amorous feelings with five women! But with a major event at hand, he couldn't allow romantic entanglements to interfere with his plans!
Therefore, his visit to Zhu Wanning tonight was actually to make sure that before he started fighting the Demons, these women he deeply loved could let go of their prejudices and coexist peacefully! After all, after pacifying Zhu Wanning, he still had two strategic targets to tackle tonight!
"I naturally believe in you, my husband." Zhu Wanning shed sorrowful tears. "Wanning has always said that when it comes to love, I am a very stubborn person. Once I set my heart on someone, I will unconditionally believe their every word and stand by their side forever, no matter the distance or obstacles, until death do us part."
She continued speaking, her tears falling like pearls on a string: "Wanning actually knows that you agreed to this marriage because Master's command was difficult to refuse, but! How do you expect Wanning to accept you getting married to another woman... consummating the marriage?"
"My husband, please consider Wanning's feelings a little more, can you?" Her voice choked but held a hint of firmness.
Lin Xiao remained silent for a moment, not responding, but instead decided to play his trump card.
Yes, as a seasoned veteran in matters of love from his previous life, he knew that in such situations, any explanation would only make a woman more unreasonable!
At times like these, a thoughtful and exquisite little gift worked far better than any words!
After fumbling for a moment, Lin Xiao took an exquisitely crafted, heart-shaped jade stone from his robes: "Here, Wanning, have a look at this, and you'll know my feelings."
"This... what is this?" Zhu Wanning rubbed her tear-stained eyes and stared at the attractively shaped jade stone before her.
"This is called a Lovesick Stone." Lin Xiao explained, "I bought it specially for you on my way to Beacon City to meet Ye Xuan'er, the Northern Territory Queen. In the northern part of the Eastern Region, common folk—young men and women—often use these stones to express their love. It's said that if a Lovesick Stone is split in two, and each partner keeps a half, they can sense each other's longing even if separated by vast distances."
As he spoke, he gently applied pressure to the Lovesick Stone, splitting it in two. He then tenderly opened Zhu Wanning's delicate hand, placing one half inside.
"Today, I, your husband, have split this stone in two; we shall each hold a half. Before this starry sky and all the gods and Buddhas, I swear! No matter what happens in the future, even if the Heavenly Dao collapses and the world is destroyed, I, Lin Xiao, will never, ever change my heart towards you!"