Dusk fell, and night descended.
A canopy of stars hung overhead, their scattered light reflecting upon the Flower Sea below.
Amid the grass of the Flower Sea, Xiao Yan sat on the ground while Yun Ying leaned against her, her eyes closed as she quietly savored this peaceful, tranquil moment.
Upon closer inspection, faint ominous Black Markings had already appeared on Yun Ying's face, spreading downward beneath her clothes.
Xiao Yan knew this was a sign that her body was about to collapse.
Xiao Yan felt disheartened, but she did not show it. Glancing at Yun Ying leaning against her, she asked softly.
"Yun Ying, did you... have a good time today?"
"Mhm, I did." Yun Ying did not even open her eyes as she answered with a smile. "I have never been this happy before. Truly."
"Is that so... That's good."
Xiao Yan responded quietly, looked up at the scattered stars, and the Flower Sea fell silent once more.
After a long while, Yun Ying raised her hand and gently grasped Xiao Yan's clothes. She opened her eyes, her scarlet eyes especially conspicuous in the night, and after hesitating for a long time, she spoke softly.
"Xiao Yan, my past was not actually all that happy."
Yun Ying's sudden words left Xiao Yan slightly stunned, but she did not interrupt and merely listened quietly.
"I suffered much unfairness within the Clan. I endured grievances and misery. Everyone clearly knew I had been wronged, yet they all stood by and watched. Not a single person came forward to speak for me.
"That was why I began to hate all people and all things."
"If I had somehow become a Dou Di, I dare say the first thing I would have done was completely destroy everything in this world, including myself."