Affection

What is your original aspiration?

Ah Yin's eyes looked somewhat blank.

Actually, I didn't think too much about it at first.

As a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, it only has two paths to choose from.

He will take human form and begin his cultivation anew as a human Soul Master.

Or perhaps they will continue to grow as Soul Beast, constantly undergoing Heavenly Tribulation and trials, and then wait for the next millennium, or die and disappear.

Ah Yin ultimately chose to transform into human form and began a different kind of life.

She couldn't quite remember why she made that choice at the time.

Is it because of a longing for the human world? Or is it because of a fear of Heavenly Tribulation?

"... Curiosity. I'm very curious about another world. I want to see what human society is like."

"So, what kind of experience did you have when you first stepped into the new world as a human?"

"What was the experience like back then...?"

Ah Yin fell into deep thought.

At that time, she was full of curiosity about everything.

The human world is so wonderful, unlike the dull and boring forest.

A variety of delicious foods, beautiful costumes, entertaining performances, and all sorts of magical items.

Although she wasn't particularly active, she was still drawn to the vibrant and colorful life around her.

Human beings possess a spirituality and creativity that far surpasses that of Soul Beast.

Only...

Looking back now, it seems like all that happened back then was constant training, adventure, sparring with Soul Master, fighting Soul Beast, and then it was all about chasing and escaping...

However, she had already experienced enough similar things when she was a Soul Beast.

Even the only Blue Silver Emperor in the world, with the protection of its clan, could never have a smooth journey in its extremely long growth process.

Those things aren't really interesting. At least in her current view, fighting and getting stronger are just a very one-sided and small microcosm of the human world.

Moreover, she has never been obsessed with improving her strength.

The reason she never chose to leave alone was simply because she had long been used to following.

Psychological inertia and a vague fear of the unknown prevented her from leaving her comfort zone.

This is also due to personality traits.

She has never been a very opinionated person.

As a transformed Soul Beast, Xiao Wu, in her youth before even having attached her First Soul Ring, recklessly barged into an academy where Soul Master gathered.

But Ah Yin hesitated and tested the waters for nearly twenty years before finally making up her mind and cautiously stepping into another mysterious realm, filled with both longing and fear...

Seeing that she remained silent, the Blue Silver King seemed to know the answer, but did not continue to speak.

It simply said, "You've probably forgotten what happened back then. What about recent years? Do you feel truly happy as a human being?"

Upon hearing this, Ah Yin snapped out of her daze and subconsciously recalled her experiences over the past few years.

A mix of emotions welled up inside me.

All the people and things she has seen and experienced over the years seem to revolve around a certain person.

But it wasn't just that one person.

Both the events I've experienced and my lifestyle are completely different from what they were twenty years ago...

The surprise and confusion upon awakening, the panic and anxiety after being forcibly bound to the Longevity Sword, all coexist and communicate harmoniously within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well...

During this process, she witnessed the boy's growth and saw many wonderful scenes that she could hardly understand.

However, that guy was clearly just a little kid back then, but he always liked to act mature for his age and would often interfere in her affairs. But he always managed to hit the nail on the head and leave her speechless.

Then, through the other party's efforts, she actually obtained a "physical body," although the physical structure was very simple, it was still a surprise she had never dared to hope for.

After all, at that time, to put it bluntly, she was nothing more than a prisoner trapped in her Martial Soul.

Although she didn't say much, she was actually very grateful to Su Cheng.

Then, she was given the opportunity to tour Heaven Dou City, the largest and most prosperous city in the Heaven Dou Empire, all on her own.

But at the time, she didn't really want to wander around such a huge, unfamiliar city by herself.

Perhaps that's what they were thinking?

However, ingrained habits and inertia, along with the desire to rely on someone, once again took over.

However, this time the man did not give her a chance to refuse, and thus forcibly left her alone in Heaven Dou City.

To her surprise, she found that everything was not as difficult as she had imagined, and she no longer had the fear she had initially felt.

It wasn't until much later that Ah Yin understood that it was because of the Longevity Sword.

At that time, no matter where she was, she could always feel an extremely clear connection with her Martial Soul, and from that came a strong sense of security that allowed her to return to it at any time.

I don't know when it started, but that Longevity Sword has gradually transformed from a prison into a safe and comfortable haven.

So no matter when or where, no matter what happened, even when she was swindled out of all her Gold Soul Coin, she never truly panicked.

Later in Heaven Dou City, Ah Yin experienced many things, met many people, and was even taken in by a kind aunt for a period of time.

These experiences were unlike anything I had ever had before...

Until that day, everything changed.

Su Cheng's deception and his own concealment led to their parting ways, and from then on, they were shut out by the Longevity Sword.

Fortunately, the misunderstanding was eventually cleared up.

In just a few short years, the various emotions and mood swings she experienced are far too complex to be described in a few words.

"... Being a person is really hard, but it's also very joyful," Ah Yin murmured with a smile.

"Life and death are but a fleeting moment, yet many things seem to carry more weight than life itself... Whether ordinary or extraordinary, everyone has their own unique life and their own happiness. I never knew these things before..."

"It seems you already have the answer in your heart."

"W-what answer?"

Her thoughts were abruptly interrupted, her smile froze, and then her face flushed red as she stammered a question back.

"Why do you remember things from the last few years so clearly, but have so few memories of your past experiences? Don't you have an answer in your heart about which memories are more important? I think for you, twenty or thirty years is not a very long time."

"That's not the same thing!" Ah Yin retorted instinctively.

"Is that so? Then, in your heart, what kind of relationship do you think you have with Su Cheng?"

"Me and him..."

Upon hearing Blue Silver King's question, Ah Yin recalled her own uncontrollable questioning and venting, the promise she made when they parted, and the wild thoughts she had had these past few days.

She inexplicably recalled Su Cheng's hug when they parted, and the feeling of extraordinary satisfaction and fulfillment she had felt.

Her face flushed, and her eyes instinctively darted away. "I consider him my younger brother..."

"Although I know that humans possess an extremely rich variety of emotions, I can never truly empathize with you." The Blue Silver King gently swayed his vines, seemingly laughing. "But precisely because of this, you don't need to feel shy in front of me. I've watched you grow up."

"..." Ah Yin raised her elbow and slammed it against the tree trunk behind her, angrily shouting, "Don't make wild guesses, I'm not shy!"

"Of course, you are always right." The Blue Silver King readily corrected his previous point of view before continuing, "Your Majesty, do you remember what I told you before? You should continue to uphold your original intention. Do not constrain yourself with human notions, because they are themselves extremely changeable beings."

"Even among humans, can they really distinguish between friendship, love, and family affection so clearly? Friendship may gradually turn into love, and love may ferment into family affection over time. I think the transformation of human emotions is extremely wonderful."

"Friendship is sweet and lasting, love is passionate and selfless, and family affection is profound and selfless. In the process of getting along with others, these kinds of emotions are not necessarily singular."

"Your Majesty, isn't this just like the Hundred Flowers Brew you prepared a while ago? I remember you carefully brewed it using nearly a hundred kinds of ingredients."

At this moment, the Blue Silver King's voice suddenly paused slightly, "Speaking of which, that jar of fine wine, was it prepared specifically for him?"

"I... I just wanted to try it myself."

"Really? I don't remember you liking this kind of thing."

"I learned it in the human world, and I found it very interesting."

"I see." Blue Silver King didn't call her out on her stubbornness, but just smiled and said, "But when that lord arrives, let him have a taste too."

One more chapter, a little later.