"Where has your disciple gone off to?"
After a long stretch of silence filled only with the whisper of the wind, Yun Yun finally spoke. Her tone was calm, yet there was a subtle awkwardness in her voice, as though she were searching for a way to bridge the silence.
"Yaohua Liangjun owed a debt," Flame replied softly. "Xiaoyu went to collect it after he left the Flower Sect in secret."
"A debt, huh…" Yun Yun murmured faintly, her gaze lowering as a trace of understanding flashed in her eyes. She recalled the way Yaohua Liangjun's face had turned deathly pale upon seeing Yan Xiaoyu—almost as if he had seen a ghost.
Yet, as her thoughts drifted, sorrow flickered within her eyes. A debt… It was, after all, because of a debt of vengeance that her Misty Cloud Sect had been reduced to dust.
Flame's expression turned slightly stiff. Naturally, he remembered that painful past as well. The moment the words left his lips, he inwardly cursed his own carelessness.
'Truly foolish… I shouldn't have mentioned such a thing to her.'
Flame's thoughts tangled in silence. The night wind brushed through his black hair, carrying a faint chill that swept gently across Yun Yun's cheek. She said nothing, only continued walking ahead, her snow-white sleeves swaying softly with each step, like drifting petals beneath the moonlight.
After a moment, he spoke softly, his voice low and careful.
"…I didn't mean to remind you of the past."
Yun Yun's steps paused for an instant. She lifted her gaze slightly toward the moonlit sky, her expression calm but distant. "It's fine," she said, though her tone carried a trace of melancholy. "The past… is already like drifting clouds. It can no longer hurt me."
Her words were gentle, yet in that faint smile rested a quiet sorrow that Xiao Hua could see through clearly. He reached out, his hand hesitating briefly in the air before finally landing lightly upon her shoulder.
The warmth of his palm seeped through the thin fabric, steady and real.
"Even so," he murmured, "it was because of that past—and because of our bond—that you were placed in such a difficult position. You had to bear the pain alone… disbanding the sect that nurtured you, resolving everything before the conflict between your disciples and elders could deepen—especially if the decision were forced by me or my cousin."
Yun Yun's eyelashes quivered, and for a moment, her composure wavered. She lowered her gaze slightly, her lips parting as though to speak, yet no words came. The emotions that surged within her heart were too complex—regret, relief, and something far deeper she dared not name.
"…You give me too much credit," she finally murmured, her voice faint, like a breeze brushing through falling petals. "At that time, I only wished to protect the innocent elders and disciples… to keep them from harbouring hatred in their hearts. I wasn't thinking about right or wrong… nor about you."
Her final words carried a subtle tremor—so light that even she herself did not notice.
Flame looked at her quietly. The moonlight framed her figure in silver, outlining the loneliness hidden beneath her calm grace. His hand slowly withdrew, yet the warmth between them lingered in the night air, refusing to fade.
The night breeze fell silent. Yun Yun's body stiffened slightly beneath his touch before she slowly turned her head, meeting his gaze beneath the soft moonlight.
Within her clear eyes shimmered the reflection of the night sky, yet what made Flame's heart tighten was the tenderness hidden deep within them.
Yun Yun's mind drifted back to the day she first met him at the Xiao Clan's banquet. Back then, she thought it would be only a fleeting encounter—one that would fade with time.
But fate had its own designs. The second time she met him was after being struck by the Amethyst Winged Lion King's innate ability—the Amethyst Seal—which had sealed her strength. Under his care and protection, she experienced emotions she had long believed herself incapable of feeling.
Joy and sorrow. Calm and irritation. Contentment and longing. Warmth and confusion. Tenderness… and reluctance.
She had to admit it now—it was in that moment the seed of affection quietly took root in her heart. Even after all this time, she would still return to that secluded valley in the Magic Beast Mountain Range, despite knowing its people had long departed.
Only now did she realize why she always felt that hollow ache within her chest.
"…You always appear out of nowhere," she whispered, her voice trembling softly. "Always at the most unexpected time… and every time you do, I forget how to still my heart, or how to keep my distance from you."
Flame's breath stilled. Her words, though soft, carried the weight of years—of restraint, of longing, of emotions never spoken aloud. The night wind drifted past, rustling the flowers around them, carrying a faint fragrance through the quiet air, yet neither of them moved nor spoke.
For a long while, he simply looked at her—at the faint shimmer in her eyes, at the way her lips trembled as though afraid of what she had just revealed. His chest tightened, and for the first time in a long while, the calm he had always maintained began to waver.
He took a few quiet steps closer and came to stand beside her.
Under the moonlight, his shadow overlapped hers. His voice came low and hoarse, carrying a trace of hesitation.
"…Then should I apologize," he asked softly, "for appearing before you again?"
Yun Yun's eyelashes fluttered. She turned slightly, meeting his gaze, and for a fleeting moment, her composure faltered. A faint smile touched her lips—gentle and wistful, like the light of a waning moon.
"If you apologize," she murmured, "then who will I blame for disturbing my peace?"
Flame was momentarily stunned before a faint, helpless smile curved his lips. He lifted his hand and brushed aside a loose strand of her hair that had fallen across her cheek. His fingertips grazed her skin—delicate and warm—sending ripples through both their hearts.
"Then I won't apologize," he whispered, his tone soft yet steady. "Because I do not regret appearing before you… not then, not now."
Yun Yun's heart skipped a beat. The warmth of his voice seeped into her chest, dissolving the last trace of coldness that lingered there.
Their eyes lingered upon each other. The distance between them seemed to melt away, and the silence that followed was no longer awkward—it was serene, filled with unspoken tenderness.
For a long time, the two stood amidst the sea of moonlit flowers—silent, close, yet saying nothing more. The fragrance of blossoms enveloped them, and under the vast silver sky, it seemed as though even the stars had dimmed, unwilling to intrude upon this quiet, fragile warmth between them.
…
After a moment, Yun Yun stirred slightly and turned toward Flame. Her gaze lingered upon him, calm yet touched with worry. The faint crease between her brows betrayed her thoughts before she finally spoke, her voice tinged with quiet anxiety.
"You promised to tell me everything about him," she said softly. "Is he all right? Did he suffer a severe injury at the hands of the Hun Clan's Clan Head?"
Flame let out a bitter laugh and slowly shook his head. He could tell that Yun Yun had already discerned the truth—that Xiao Hua must have suffered some form of injury, severe enough that he could not appear in person, sending only an avatar in his stead.
It wasn't surprising. With Xiao Hua's temperament—something both he and Thunder had inherited—he would never rely on an avatar unless circumstances forced his hand.
Before her growing worry could deepen further, Flame chose to explain everything in detail: Xiao Hua's current state, the strange and dangerous condition of his body, and his decision to enter seclusion in order to break through to the Dou Di class.
When Yun Yun finished listening, her heart trembled softly.
"To think his condition was that dangerous… no wonder he didn't come himself."
Her voice was low, filled with both relief and sorrow. Though she understood the necessity of his retreat, the thought of him enduring such peril once again made her chest tighten painfully.
Yet, knowing Xiao Hua's strength and will, she wasn't surprised. To her, it was only a matter of time before he stepped into the Dou Di realm. What truly unsettled her was not his advancement—but the silent suffering that came with it.
"Ugh… why is it that you never allow others to truly relax?"
Yun Yun exhaled softly, pressing her fingers to her temple as a faint, helpless smile crossed her lips. Within her heart, a quiet ache stirred as she recalled the time she had stood in the distance, watching Xiao Hua face his heavenly tribulation.
The scene had been unlike anything she had ever witnessed—heaven-shattering, awe-inspiring, yet unbearably painful to behold. Even now, the memory remained vivid in her mind, stirring a tenderness that words could not express.
Flame could only smile faintly, letting out a dry chuckle that carried a trace of helplessness. He truly had no way to deny her words.
Yun Yun's gaze lingered on him for a long while before she sighed softly. She knew none of this was his fault, yet whenever the topic involved Xiao Hua, her heart inevitably tightened with worry. No matter how much she tried to restrain it, concern for him always surfaced.
Lifting her head, Yun Yun gazed up at the boundless starry sky. The gentle light of the stars reflected in her clear eyes as she slowly spoke, her tone soft and wistful.
"How long will he be in seclusion?"
Flame's brows furrowed slightly as he replied, "That... I do not know. Our constitution is rather peculiar. Even I cannot tell when he will emerge."
He paused briefly, his expression turning thoughtful.
In truth, Flame knew well that Xiao Hua's three elder consorts—Lady Azure, Xue Yue, and Yu Ru Meng—had personally created a special isolated realm for his cultivation. Within that realm, time flowed incomparably slow, allowing Xiao Hua to temper himself with endless patience and unwavering resolve.
By the time he emerged, his foundation would be unshakable—unyielding and immeasurable in depth.
Only a few were aware of this secret: his lovers, his sworn brothers and sisters, Yan Xiaoyu, and now Yun Yun—whom Flame had just confided in.
"Anyway," Flame said softly, a teasing smile playing on his lips, "Xun'er asked me to tell you that she and the others are eager to meet their fellow sister-wife."
Yun Yun's flawless face flushed crimson at once. She shot him a glare, her beautiful eyes filled with embarrassment and quiet indignation. Even without seeing his expression, she could already imagine that infuriating smirk of his.
This fellow was clearly using Xun Er's message as an excuse to tease her. Besides, Yun Yun was quite certain that Xun Er never used the term sister-wife. She had likely only expressed her wish to meet the woman who had captured Xiao Hua's heart—just as she and the others had.
Before she could retort, a gentle yet exasperated voice drifted through the night air.
"While your lovely disciple is working hard to collect her debts, the two of you are here... flirting. Truly, what a fine teacher and mistress you make."
The words drifted into their ears like a faint sigh. Flame's teasing smile froze midway, while Yun Yun's delicate face blossomed with a faint, flustered hue.
Both turned at once to find Xin Yu and Yan Xiaoyu standing not far away, their beautiful faces carrying faint rebuke—yet the hint of charm in their eyes made the scene all the more bewitching.
Flame's gaze sharpened slightly, a mischievous glint flashing within. With a sudden movement, he reached out and took Yun Yun's hand, pulling her slender figure into his embrace.
Yun Yun's stunning face turned an even deeper shade of red as her body stiffened against his chest. She furrowed her brows, her tone flustered and indignant, though her voice trembled slightly.
"Little bastard… have you truly become addicted to acting like a rogue?"
Flame merely glanced at her flushed face, his expression calm and composed, entirely unaffected by the glare she shot him.
"I'm helping you examine the Dou Qi seal within your body," he said lightly.
Yun Yun's eyes widened slightly in surprise. She looked at him doubtfully, uncertain whether to believe him. After a brief struggle, her resistance softened, and her slender hand stilled in his grasp. Her gaze lingered on his face—only to find that faint, teasing smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
Her chest tightened in both embarrassment and indignation, but before she could speak, Flame closed his eyes. A ripple of Spiritual Strength flowed gently from his palm, entering her body in a steady stream.
Yun Yun let out a quiet sigh, her delicate lashes trembling. Even so, a rosy hue remained upon her cheeks.
Regardless of his intentions, they were still standing before Xin Yu and Yan Xiaoyu—the former being one of Xiao Hua's three sworn sisters, and the latter his only disciple. How could she possibly not feel embarrassed under their gazes?
Flame slowly opened his eyes again. Yun Yun was still inwardly scolding him when his low voice broke the silence.
"As expected of an elite Dou Zun," he murmured. "The Dou Qi you've accumulated throughout your life could easily overwhelm an ordinary Dou Zun."
From his brief probing, Flame could clearly sense the vast and boundless Dou Qi sealed within Yun Yun's body. However, that mighty energy was locked away by a formidable restriction—one so powerful that even with her current strength, she would need considerable time to unravel it and reclaim full control.
Yun Yun frowned slightly. "You can sense it as well. The seal's power is overwhelming. With my strength, it's impossible to break it by force. All I can do is absorb the fragments of Dou Qi that leak out from within. Even so, my cultivation speed has increased compared to before."
"It would be best to refine all that Dou Qi as soon as possible," Flame said with a light shrug of his shoulder. "Otherwise, should you encounter someone strong, they might attempt to remove the seal by force—without caring whether you survive the process."
A lifetime's accumulation of Dou Qi from a peak Dou Zun… such a treasure would tempt even the most self-disciplined of experts. It was impossible to say how many might harbor hidden greed upon discovering it.
Yun Yun nodded slightly. She knew Flame, who is Xiao Hua's avatar, would never lie to her, yet the matter left her feeling helpless. It was not that she was unwilling to hasten the refinement—it was simply beyond her control. That seal was too profound, too unyielding.
"Don't worry," Flame said softly, a faint, reassuring smile tugging at his lips. "Leave the seal to me. I'll resolve it before I leave. Otherwise… I won't be at ease."
Yun Yun's gaze trembled slightly as she looked at him. His gentle tone and quiet confidence stirred something deep within her heart—an emotion she had once felt in the Magic Beast Mountain Range, long ago.
It was the feeling of being protected… of having someone to rely on.
Through the years, she had wandered across countless lands with Nalan Yanran. Yet in the vast Central Plains, where experts were as numerous as clouds, her strength alone was insignificant.
Two women of such beauty naturally drew unwanted attention wherever they went. To avoid further trouble, Yun Yun had brought Nalan Yanran to join the Flower Sect—seeking only peace, not prestige. Never had she imagined she would one day assume the mantle of the sect's chief.
"Thank you..."
Yun Yun drew in a quiet breath, forcing down the faint tremor within her heart. Her voice came soft, almost inaudible, carrying a rare trace of vulnerability.
Flame frowned slightly when he heard her. His gaze deepened as he looked at her beautiful face. "Is that really necessary?" he asked in a low, displeased tone.
"Huh?"
Yun Yun blinked, startled by his tone. When her eyes met his faintly furrowed brows, a soft smile unknowingly appeared on her lips, and a faint warmth stirred within her chest.
"Don't be too pleased with his response just yet, Mistress Yun Yun," Yan Xiaoyu interjected with a faintly annoyed expression.
Yun Yun turned her head, surprised by the address. But before she could respond, Yan Xiaoyu continued, her tone carrying a hint of teasing rebuke.
"You're still in his arms, and his other hand seems to be wandering around quite freely. Besides, with his soul already in the Di State, he doesn't need to do all this just to check your condition. A single glance would have sufficed."
Yun Yun's eyes widened slightly as realization dawned upon her. A rush of heat rose to her face, quickly followed by anger and shame. She lifted her head sharply, her gaze locking onto Flame—whose throat moved in a nervous swallow.
"You rascal!"
An embarrassed yet furious glint flashed through Yun Yun's eyes.
With a light stomp of her foot, a surge of Dou Qi erupted from her body. Wind howled through the courtyard as dazzling streams of light intertwined with fierce gusts, immediately transforming the previously peaceful atmosphere into chaos.
Flame could only let out a dry chuckle as he hurriedly dodged the barrage, a helpless yet amused smile lingering on his lips.
At the same time, he shot an accusing glare toward his disciple.
That little girl had ruined such a wonderful moment for him.
Yan Xiaoyu merely crossed her arms, completely unfazed by his glare. There was even a faint, victorious smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
The commotion quickly spread through the Flower Sect, rousing countless disciples and elders from their meditation and rest.
The commotion soon spread throughout the Flower Sect, rousing countless disciples and elders from their meditation and rest.
Yet when Xin Yu and Yan Xiaoyu explained what had happened, the gathered disciples and elders could only sigh and shake their heads helplessly.
Some watched the scene with undisguised amusement, while others wore expressions as though they had just been force-fed an entire bowl of sweetness.
After all, there was little else to say.
Although both of them stood at the pinnacle of strength and possessed lofty statuses that commanded respect, when they were together, they were no different from an ordinary couple bickering over the smallest of things.
More importantly, everyone could clearly see what lay beneath their quarrel.
They loved each other.
And that affection was not one-sided.
Whether it was the warmth hidden within Yun Yun's embarrassed gaze or the helpless smile on Flame's face as he dodged her attacks, their tender feelings for one another were simply too obvious to conceal.
Even after all these years, the two of them still cherished each other with the same tenderness.
Perhaps that was precisely what made the sight so amusing—and, to some of the elders, unbearably sweet.
…
By the time morning arrived, Flame had already bowed and apologized to the sect elders and disciples for the disturbance. He even offered a special apology to the two Grand Elders, who could only stare at him with mixed amusement and disbelief.
However, given their wish to foster goodwill with Xiao Hua—his true self—they naturally did not make things difficult for him. Thus, the incident was soon brushed aside.
Later, Yun Yun and Flame stepped into a private chamber. A faint, soothing fragrance lingered in the air, mingling with the soft pink hues that adorned the room. With just one glance, it was clear—this was the personal room of a lady.
Flame was helping Yun Yun refine the Dou Qi within her body—or more precisely, to remove the seal that prevented her from refining it swiftly.
Before he began, his gaze swept across the softly pink room, and he coughed lightly when Yun Yun shot him a sharp glare.
At this moment, a faint blush still lingered on her face. Even now, she could not quite understand why she had brought Flame to her own chamber. There were plenty of other rooms available, yet she had chosen this one. The moment she saw his faintly strange expression after entering, she had the urge to bury her head into the floor.
Flame let out a dry laugh when he noticed the tips of her ears still flushed red. Soon after, he took a deep breath, forcing away the distracting thoughts as he calmed his mind and focused.
He patiently explained each step of his method to her before beginning. With the power of his Di State soul and 9-Star Dou Sheng strength, the process did not take long. The seal that bound her Dou Qi gradually cracked and shattered under his control.
In its place, he wove a new seal—one that allowed Yun Yun to refine the Dou Qi freely at her own pace, while concealing its presence from prying eyes.
When the process was complete, Yun Yun slowly closed her eyes, focusing on the newly formed seal within her. She guided her Dou Qi gently, familiarizing herself with the new flow of energy.
Flame smiled faintly and spoke in a soft voice. "The Dou Qi left behind by Granny Hua is truly vast. For your current strength, it will take time to refine it completely. But once you do, you should be able to reach the peak of 8-Star Dou Zun."
He paused briefly, his eyes warm as they rested upon her serene face. "Moreover, you're still young and exceptionally talented. There's still much room for you to grow. If fortune smiles upon you and you encounter a great opportunity, reaching the Dou Sheng realm one day would not be impossible."
"Talent, is it…? Coming from you, why is it that I feel nothing from it?" Yun Yun said faintly, her voice calm yet tinged with teasing warmth as she focused on the newly formed seal within her body.
Flame could only let out an awkward laugh, scratching the back of his head in mild embarrassment. He knew all too well that much of his current strength came from the System's aid. Yet, he also understood that his comprehension and instincts—tempered through countless reincarnations—played no small part in shaping his path.
Though his reincarnations had sealed themselves deep within his soul, hidden from the eyes of heaven and earth, cultivation was something already etched into the core of his existence. Even across different Great Worlds, no matter how the laws changed, the core of cultivation—the grasp of essence and law—was something he could instinctively comprehend.
To fall short despite such advantages… that would indeed be an embarrassment.
Yun Yun heard his awkward laughter and could only shake her head helplessly. To her, the Dou Sheng realm was a distant dream, too far to even imagine. To have reached the Dou Zun class in just these few years was already a blessing from the heavens. As for Dou Sheng… such a thing had never once crossed her mind.
"Don't worry about Dou Sheng," Flame said with a light smile. "With me by your side, reaching that realm won't be difficult. When that time comes, you won't need to feel inferior to your sister-wife."
Yun Yun's delicate figure stiffened slightly. Her heart quivered at his words. Even now, he still dared to bring up that matter! Even now, he dared to speak of such a thing—calling her his wife so shamelessly!
Yet what made her even more unsettled was that her heart had skipped a beat instead of rejecting his boldness.
'How infuriating… that my heart would react to this little rascal's audacity…!'
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