Longing Across Time and Space

Beside the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, on a flat open space, stands the house that Fern built by his own hands.

Wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys, carrying the fragrant aroma of rice mixed with the scent of stir-fried pork with chili peppers, carried by the wind and spreading everywhere.

Dugu Qing controlled her energy clone, her steps light and quick, her heart filled with longing that transcended time and space, as she eagerly pushed open the door.

"Who is it? Is it Ms. Frieren?"

A warm, friendly voice came from the kitchen.

Fern, holding a shovel, took off her apron and walked out with a joyful expression.

She looked at Dugu Qing, her mouth slightly open, her heart bursting with joy. She rushed forward, like a purple cloud, and threw herself heavily into Dugu Qing's arms, her passion burning like fire.

He buried his head in Dugu Qing's shoulder, unable to let go for a long time.

Dugu Qing smiled faintly and remained silent, gently embracing Fern, feeling the sweet scent of the young girl, and a great deal of regret in his heart was made up for.

Her haggard face regained a touch of color.

"You've finally defeated the Demon King! You've emerged from the mountains? I've waited five years for this day, it's been such a long wait."

Fern's fingertips traced Dugu Qing's fair cheek, her emotions surging and burning, radiating brilliance.

Dugu Qing wanted to slap herself. Why couldn't she see it before, when Fern was so openly and honestly expressing her love?

Damn it!

His face turned deathly pale as he released Fern's lumbar muscles.

Fern pursed his lips regretfully, took Dugu Qing's hand, and entered the hall.

"You haven't eaten yet, have you? I made your favorite stir-fried pork with chili peppers. Let's eat together."

Dugu Qing looked at Fern with a complicated expression, picked up his chopsticks, and slowly savored the food on the table.

The familiar taste melts on the tongue, remaining fresh and unforgettable, evoking a sense of nostalgia.

Dugu Qing's eyes reddened, her heart filled with bitterness, and two lines of tears involuntarily streamed down her cheeks.

"What's wrong? Did something upset you?"

Fern noticed something was wrong and looked at Dugu Qing with concern.

After hesitating for a long time, Dugu Qing choked up and spoke.

"Fern, I haven't defeated the Demon King yet. The person before you now is me from the future."

The joy on Fern's face vanished instantly, and the chopsticks slipped from his hand, crashing to the ground with a clatter.

Dugu Qing's words revealed a great deal of information.

The real Dugu Qing is still at the foot of the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, fighting against the Demon King!

She didn't know why Dugu Qing had gone back to the past, why he wanted to see her, or if he knew something about her!

The future version of himself waited a lifetime but never saw Dugu Qing, leaving behind endless regret... Therefore, the future Dugu Qing had no choice but to travel through time to meet his past self again...

A million possibilities flashed through her mind. Fern picked up her chopsticks, her voice barely audible.

"You... you knew all along?"

Dugu Qing nodded heavily.

Fern's face instantly flushed crimson, and she lowered her head in embarrassment, unable to look Dugu Qing in the eye.

"Oh, I see! You knew everything, that's really..."

Dugu Qing leaned forward, his gaze burning as he looked at Fern, and took her delicate hand in his.

"Yes, I understand, and I deeply regret it. That's why I'm willing to cross time and space to see you one last time. If you're willing, I can stay here forever, spending the rest of my life with you, without wasting a single second."

Fern glanced at Dugu Qing and noticed that he did look very haggard, as if he hadn't slept for days, completely different from the refined and elegant Dugu Qing she remembered.

She was deeply shocked, and felt a sweet warmth in her heart. She never expected that when Dugu Qing expressed his feelings, he would be even more gentle and domineering than she had imagined.

I really want to say yes!

But no!

Since I have given my heart to Dugu Qing in this time and space, I will always love Dugu Qing in this time and space.

The future holds infinite possibilities, but loving Dugu Qing is enough for me.

Love is pure and flawless, allowing no impurities whatsoever, not even the future Dugu Qing.

"Dugu Qing, you should go back!"

Fern slowly withdrew her intertwined hands, tears welling in her eyes, and with all her courage, she painfully refused.

"Your future self has your own mission to face; you can't run away. You must cheer up and walk your path well... I wish you all the best."

Dugu Qing sighed, swallowing back the thousand words she hadn't finished saying.

Yes! Fern is right.

He had let down Fern, who had waited for him for fifty years at the foot of the mountain and died of heartbreak. Since that was the case, he naturally had to pull himself together and give Fern a proper explanation for the future.

To go to Aureole and see Fern, even if it means causing chaos in Aureole, I must try my best.

Or perhaps they could develop Resurrection Magic to bring Fern back to life...

In short, even if sorrow flows like a river, he must face it bravely and repair the broken reality, instead of constantly running away.

Dugu Qing raised his eyes, his spirit restored, and gazed deeply at Fern, etching every smile and frown of the girl before him into his heart.

"Alright, I understand. I'm content to see you again. Fern, find some time to go out and travel! Staying in the mountains all the time won't get you into Aureole after you die."

Fern blinked and nodded thoughtfully.

Dugu Qing turned and left.

Fern stood still, biting her lower lip tightly, her gaze following his figure with reluctance. Finally, glistening tears broke free and rolled down her cheeks.

Goodbye, my love! I hope we can have a happy ending in the future!

Dugu Qing returned to the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, his consciousness entered his physical body, and he unleashed the Chapter of the Time Bird.

The power of time and space spread out layer by layer from the Ten Thousand Great Mountains.

The birds in the sky, the Demon King on the ground—everything began to distort and become blurred.

The next instant, Dugu Qing's consciousness traveled through time and space, returning to the normal timeline.

He stepped out of the room, pushed open the door, and looked at the distant sky. He had never realized how beautiful and refreshing it was.

"Aureole once lingered in the Demon King's Castle, then ascended to a more mysterious place. I must find it, enter Aureole, and meet Fern."

Having set a goal in mind, Dugu Qing went into the kitchen and prepared a simple home-style meal.

After filling his stomach, he left Fern's former residence and strode towards the Magic City.

Auwest, the Continental Magic Association, the Supreme Hall.

Serie, dressed in a moon-white robe, sat with her legs crossed on a golden throne, flipping through a Grimoire, her expression relaxed.

Led by Xuezhi, Dugu Qing entered the main hall and, looking at the unchanging Serie, couldn't help but tease her.

"Xuezhi is already in her fifties or sixties, and you still have to boss her around, Serie! You really have no respect for the elderly or care for the young!"

Upon hearing this, Serie looked up at Dugu Qing, her eyes shining. She tossed the Grimoire aside, and barefoot, quickly walked down the steps.

"Long time no see! It seems you really have defeated the Demon King. Tell me, what brings you here?"