With a soft click, the heavy door slowly opened a crack inward.
There was no glaring light, only a deep darkness.
The crack in the door was small, just enough to see the person standing inside.
Qian Renxue stood very close to the door, her body tense and her shoulders slightly hunched.
She was still wearing that plain black dress, stained with a faint dust and bloodstains, showing none of her former elegance.
The girl who used to radiate light wherever she went didn't even have the courage to look up at Su Zui now.
Her fingers were still resting on the cold door, her knuckles white, and her fingertips seemed to be trembling.
Her eyes were terribly red, and the corners of her eyes were wet; tears had long since blurred her vision, but she stubbornly held them back, refusing to let them fall.
The moment the door was pushed open completely, Su Zui stood quietly outside, his gaze falling on her.
She was still so beautiful that Su Zui was momentarily dazed. However, Su Zui quickly came to her senses and cursed herself inwardly.
Su Zui, what are you thinking about? This is your sister!
Su Zui felt that he must be missing his sister too much, which caused something to go wrong with his mind.
He calmed himself down and tried to speak in a calm tone:
"Snow Sister, I miss you so much."
Qian Renxue seemed to be stung by Su Zui's words, shrinking her head back sharply before slowly raising it like a kitten that had done something wrong.
The moment her eyes met Su Zui's, her emotions collapsed instantly.
She dared not cry out loud, but could only bite her lip tightly, her shoulders trembling slightly.
Her voice was broken and incoherent. "I... I really look awful, don't I?"
She herself disliked herself now, and couldn't believe that Su Zui could still treat her the same way.
Su Zui didn't speak, but walked towards her step by step.
Su Zui walked very quietly, afraid that the sound of her footsteps would disturb Qian Renxue's heart.
Su Zui didn't rush to hug Qian Renxue. Instead, he gently half-squatted in front of Qian Renxue, looking directly into her reddened eyes.
"It's not bad-looking."
Su Zui reached out and brushed a strand of hair from Qian Renxue's forehead, speaking with an even more resolute tone.
"It's not ugly at all."
Qian Renxue's tears fell even harder, and her vision began to blur.
"But I'm tainted... I've killed people, I've lived in a place like this, I'm no longer worthy to be that Angel. Grandpa will be disappointed if he finds out, everyone will think I've fallen."
Even I think so.
She lowered her head, her tone filled with self-doubt.
Su Zui felt a pang of pain in his heart as he looked at her curled-up self.
He raised his hand and gently placed it on Qian Renxue's back, slowly pulling her into his arms.
Qian Renxue froze, completely stunned.
She couldn't believe that she could still be held so calmly by Su Zui in her current state.
Her instinct was to dodge, to push him away.
"No... don't hug me, I smell of blood, I'm dirty."
Su Zui didn't let go; instead, she gently tightened her grip.
"I'm not afraid."
"I've said it before, I don't care about these things."
Su Zui gently rested his chin on the top of her head, feeling the slight trembling of her body.
"You've gone this far because of me. You haven't wronged anyone, and you haven't wronged yourself."
"The identity of Angel, the inheritance of divine status, the opinions of others—none of these things matter."
"In my eyes, only you ever count."
Qian Renxue buried herself in his arms and finally couldn't hold back any longer, sobbing softly.
There was no loud, uncontrollable crying, just a series of muffled sobs, each one a sob that made one's heart ache.
What she feared most was that when she returned to Su Zui's side, Su Zui would despise her.
But now she realizes that she had trapped herself from the very beginning.
Su Zui never distanced herself from her in the slightest because she had fallen into darkness.
Once she calmed down a bit, Su Zui slowly released her arm.
Su Zui raised her hand and carefully took out the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid from her bosom.
The petals are warm and moist, carrying a faint fragrance, bringing a rare touch of vitality to this shady environment.
The previously suppressed bloodlust was somewhat diluted by the Qing Ya medicinal fragrance.
"I brought some rare and precious herbs."
Su Zui took the Immortal Orchid and handed it to her.
Su Zui showed off with a hint of smugness.
"This time, our Spirit Hall has found a treasure trove called the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, which is full of Immortal-Grade Medicinal Herbs."
"This was specially prepared for you."
"It can nourish your body, stabilize your mind, and prevent the blood and qi here from continuing to erode you."
Qian Renxue, her eyes still wet, stared blankly at the clean and pure Immortal Orchid, then looked up at Su Zui.
"You brought this especially for me?"
"Yeah, of course. If it weren't for you, who would want to come to this godforsaken place? I only came because my beloved Snow Sister is here."
Su Zui nodded, her eyes extremely serious.
"Now that I'm here, I don't intend to leave empty-handed."
"I'm taking you away. No matter who objects, I'm taking you away. The Great Luo Sword Embryo in my hand is extremely sharp; it can Slaughter God in its path."
Qian Renxue's eyes flickered slightly, a faint glimmer of hope appearing in them, but she quickly suppressed it.
"But there are too many things I'll have to face after I go out. Grandpa, the Spirit Hall, and everyone's gaze... I simply can't face them in my current state."
"I am no longer the Qian Renxue who could uphold the Angel Clan."
Seeing her still timid appearance, Su Zui gently raised his hand and smoothed the messy hair on her forehead.
If you can't handle it, then don't.
You used to always stand in front of me, shielding me from all the storms.
"Now it's my turn."
"You don't need to worry about the expectations of the Angel Clan, the shackles of godhood, or the opinions of others."
"Just be yourself."
Qian Renxue stared at him blankly, the mist in her eyes lingering.
She has lived for so many years, and everyone has been hoping that she will become a god, that she will shoulder the glory of the Angel Clan, and that she will always be radiant and holy.
No one ever told her that she didn't have to be strong, didn't have to be perfect, and didn't have to bear everyone's expectations.
Only Su Zui.
He was the only one who wanted her to live well.
"Xiao Zui..."
Qian Renxue softly called Su Zui's name, her voice incredibly gentle.
"I'm here."
Su Zui responded and gently took her cold hand in his.
Qian Renxue's palms were very cold, covered with thin calluses from long-term battles, and the temperature was frighteningly low.
Su Zui gradually tightened his palm, slowly warming her hands.
Don't be afraid.
"From today onwards, you won't have to carry everything alone."
"I'll walk with you through the darkness, and I'll help you forge ahead."
"Let's go home."
"Xiao Zui..."
Qian Renxue suddenly spoke.
"Hmm... what's wrong?"
Su Zui patted Qian Renxue's back.
"I love you."