Master of Heaven and Earth - -

Luo Jing Peak was originally Sun Hao’s exclusive domain, a place where outsiders were not allowed to enter. On this peak, there was a massive gathering array for primordial energy, capable of condensing over a hundred thousand primordial spirit elixirs each day if left unattended. Moreover, at the back of the mountain, there was a dedicated medicinal garden.

However, Sun Hao had passed away, and the undisputed first genius was now recognized as Leng Yan, which made Amethyst Peak his residence.

At that moment, inside Ziyang Palace on Amethyst Peak, Leng Yan remained unconscious, the cracks on his body just beginning to scab over.

These wounds were caused by a backlash of sacrificial power and were much harder to heal than sword wounds. Beside the bed, Shui Yunyao had tear streaks on her face.

Leng Yan’s condition was all due to saving her. Seeing him like this made Shui Yunyao’s heart ache, and tears flowed down her cheeks involuntarily.

“Leng Yan, please wake up,” Shui Yunyao held Leng Yan’s hand, crying out in desperation.

But Leng Yan remained “unresponsive.” Shui Yunyao was filled with guilt and whispered, “Leng Yan, I really want to be with you, even if it means living a mundane life in the mortal realm. But now, I’m destined to be apart from you. Tomorrow, I have to leave. I will work hard to strive for my freedom, and once I shed the identity of a saintess, I will definitely come back to find you!”

After saying this, Shui Yunyao stood up, tying a blue lock of hair around Leng Yan’s finger, then, with tears streaming down her face, she reluctantly gazed at him before walking out of the room.

Outside the room, Xuelan was waiting anxiously. When she saw Shui Yunyao walk out, she quickly approached, her voice tense with concern. “How is Leng Yan?”

Wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes, Shui Yunyao spoke with deep sorrow, “His soul has been injured. I’ve already given him the spirit nourishing elixir, but he will need a few more days to wake up.”

“That’s good to hear!” Xuelan’s tense heart finally relaxed, a faint smile appearing at the corner of her mouth.

In these fifteen days, only Shui Yunyao had been inside the room caring for Leng Yan, completely unaware of any news, which had frightened her greatly!

Seeing Xuelan’s worried expression for Leng Yan, Shui Yunyao asked, “What is your relationship with Leng Yan?”

“We’re nothing special! I’m just his life-saving chip, a servant! He only has you in his heart!” Xuelan quickly clarified, fearing that Shui Yunyao might misunderstand.

“Then, please take good care of him for me in the future!” Shui Yunyao said anxiously, “If you love him, then tell him to treat himself well. He will be touched by you!”

After saying this, a sharp pain pierced Shui Yunyao’s heart, and tears streamed down her face. It felt like giving up her most beloved one to someone else.

“What do you mean?” Xuelan was taken aback, confused by her words.

“I… I have to leave. I might never meet him again in this lifetime. It’s my fault for him, but I have no choice but to leave him!” Shui Yunyao choked out.

“Why? He risked everything to save you; why do you have to leave now? Even if you have to go, can’t you face him and speak to him when he wakes up?” Xuelan suddenly became emotional, raising her voice in protest.

“I don’t want to leave him either; I want to be with him! But… but I can’t. I’m the saintess of the Lansi tribe. I have my responsibilities, my mission; I cannot be by his side!” Shui Yunyao argued loudly through her tears.

“Responsibilities? Mission? Hmph! Leng Yan would give up his life for you; can’t you give up your identity as a saintess for him? Are you really willing to give up this love?” Xuelan felt indignant for Leng Yan and shouted at Shui Yunyao.

“No… I won’t give up this love. I want to abandon this identity as a saintess, but my tribe won’t allow it. Even if I forced it and stayed with Leng Yan, it would surely provoke the Lansi tribe to hunt us down! That would put Leng Yan in even more danger, do you understand? Only by leaving can he be safe!” Shui Yunyao’s tears flowed uncontrollably, and who could understand the grievances in her heart? How deep her love was, and who could know?

Xuelan fell silent. She could not doubt Shui Yunyao’s love for Leng Yan; she was right!

If Shui Yunyao were to be with Leng Yan, it would incite the Lansi tribe’s hatred, and they would surely kill Leng Yan, forcing Shui Yunyao to return.

What Shui Yunyao was doing was a sacrifice of herself to protect Leng Yan. Xuelan whispered, “When Leng Yan wakes up and doesn’t see you, he will go mad. He might even break into the Lansi tribe, and then it would be a dead end for him, wouldn’t it?”

“So I beg you, please help me stop him!” Shui Yunyao suddenly knelt before Xuelan, tears in her eyes as she pleaded.

“What… what are you doing? Get up!” Xuelan exclaimed, panic rising as she rushed to help Shui Yunyao.

Shui Yunyao’s cultivation level was still above Xuelan’s; how could she possibly kneel to her?

“Promise me! You must stop Leng Yan from coming after me impulsively; it will only lead him to a dead end,” Shui Yunyao urged Xuelan, lowering her voice to add, “I’ve already put him in danger once. I don’t want him to lose his life because of me. Take good care of him, help him forget me. Please!”

Shui Yunyao was a proud woman, but now, for the sake of Leng Yan, she was kneeling at Xuelan’s feet, desperately pleading.

Xuelan’s heart was in turmoil. “Fine, I promise; just get up!”

“Thank you!” Shui Yunyao stood up and wiped the tears from her face.

“But what should I say when Leng Yan wakes up?” Xuelan scratched her head, asking softly.

“Here’s a jade slip with my words for Leng Yan. Please deliver it to him! Leng Yan will be in your care! Help me take good care of him!” Shui Yunyao handed a jade slip to Xuelan, speaking earnestly.

“What? I… I don’t know if I can handle this responsibility,” Xuelan replied, unsure of what to do.

“Are you backing out?” Shui Yunyao noticed Xuelan’s hesitation and quickly asked, fearing that she might change her mind.

“Fine… all right! I’ll do my best!” Xuelan took the jade slip.

“Thank you, I’ll be going now!” Shui Yunyao cast one last lingering look at the room where Leng Yan lay, then turned to leave.

With a desolate figure, Xuelan unconsciously absorbed this emotion into herself.

In the distance, behind a rockery, Dongfang Caiyun overheard their conversation. Why wasn’t she like Xuelan, bravely waiting outside the door? Instead, she hid here, secretly showing her concern.

If she had also been outside, perhaps Shui Yunyao’s request would have been entrusted to her as well!

Xuelan pushed open the door and entered the room, gazing at the wounds on Leng Yan’s body, feeling a deep ache in her heart.

“If you can do this for me, I will die without regrets. In just a few days, you’ve already left an imprint in my heart. What do I like about you? Is it your infatuation? But the one you love is someone else; why should I love you? Why? Why does my heart contain nothing but you now?” Xuelan whispered to herself, yet she found no answers.

Love is like that-without reason, without explanation. No one can clearly define what love is. Perhaps love is love at first sight! Perhaps love is sharing life’s ups and downs! Perhaps love grows over time! Perhaps love is one-sided devotion…

The next day, on the plaza of the Five Elements Sect, thousands of blue-haired cultivators awaited. Soon, Shui Yunyao arrived alongside several Elders of the Lansi tribe, followed closely by Xuan Yi and his companions.

“Long live the saintess!” The thousands of Lansi cultivators shouted in unison, bowing in respect.

Shui Yunyao mustered a forced smile, raising her hand slightly, and said, “No need for formalities!”

“Elders, let’s set off!” Shui Yunyao turned to the Elders beside her and said softly.

“By your command, saintess!” the Elders replied respectfully.

The Elders of the Five Elements Sect bid farewell, “Till we meet again!” A strong man from the Lansi tribe snorted at Xuan Yi and his group, seemingly holding a grudge.

“Take care, we won’t see you off!” Yanyan said with a smile at the corner of his mouth.

“By your command, saintess, let’s depart!” an Elder shouted loudly.

Shui Yunyao looked toward Amethyst Peak, where Leng Yan lay, her eyes filled with reluctance. After a long moment, she soared into the sky, followed by several Elders, leaving behind a whirlwind of wind.

Thousands of cultivators who defied the heavens and changed their fate formed a powerful force, not to mention the presence of cultivators prepared for the void tribulation. Guarded by these formidable protectors, Shui Yunyao left Wugang Star, leaving behind the one who loved her dearly, Leng Yan.

Meanwhile, Leng Yan remained in a deep slumber, and outside his door, Xuelan watched Shui Yunyao depart, feeling a heaviness in her heart as if a massive boulder pressed down upon her. She did not know what would happen when Leng Yan woke up and learned that Shui Yunyao had left; she didn’t know how to prevent the ensuing fury from Leng Yan.

Yet, she told herself that she must not let Leng Yan go to his death; she absolutely must not…

For Leng Yan, for her promise, and for that inexplicable love she felt in her heart!