A Tearful Breakdown, Reunion and Reminiscence

Looking at the white-clad young girl holding a treasured sword, and the disbelief on her face.

Lu Qing's mind drifted for a moment.

Dimly, he seemed to see that little girl from back when he had first awakened in this world, holding a gray steamed bun in her hands and looking at him with delight.

From the sharp, icy aura around Xiao Yan, Lu Qing knew that she must have gone through quite a lot during the years he had been away.

A flicker of heartache passed through his eyes. He slowly descended toward Holy Mountain and came before the white-clad girl.

Xiao Yan was still staring blankly at Lu Qing, as though she still could not believe what she was seeing.

She did not even dare blink, afraid that everything before her was merely a dream that would shatter the instant she closed her eyes.

Only after a long while, when she saw that Lu Qing had not vanished and was still smiling at her.

Did Xiao Yan finally realize that perhaps this was not a dream.

Then, in a trembling voice, she asked, "Is it really Brother?"

"It's me." Lu Qing reached out and rubbed Xiao Yan's head. "I'm back, Xiao Yan."

Feeling the warmth in Lu Qing's palm and hearing his gentle voice, Xiao Yan finally believed that her brother had truly returned.

In an instant, her nose stung. The treasured sword she never let leave her side fell to the ground, and she threw herself into Lu Qing's arms, bursting into loud tears.

"I'm sorry. Your brother came back too late. I failed to return at the time I promised all those years ago and made you worry."

With heartache in his eyes, Lu Qing gently stroked Xiao Yan's hair and softly comforted her.

But Xiao