Life at Jia Nan Academy began as usual.
Defeating countless enemies, entering the Inner Academy, founding a faction, seeking Heavenly Flames.
Because of that one word, "husband," Xiao Yan avoided much harassment from mad bees and butterflies. For the first time, his tendency to be challenged wherever he went actually improved.
Not only did everything go smoothly for him, even his alchemy advanced by leaps and bounds, much to Old Man Yao's delight.
Yet the smoother his life became, the emptier Xiao Yan felt inside.
It was as though someone who should have been by his side had left without a sound, until when he tried to recall her, he could no longer conjure her image in his mind.
It was quiet, but not comfortable.
"Brother Xiao Yan, are you all right?"
A worried girl's voice sounded by his ear.
When he came back to himself and looked over, he realized that Xun'er had rushed through the rain, travel-worn, with an indescribable chill flickering in her eyes.
"What is it, girl?" Xiao Yan could not help asking.
"Elder Ling disappeared some days ago. When Xun'er sent word back home, I discovered that his soul jade token had long since shattered. He must have met with disaster!" Xun'er said bitterly.
Xiao Yan fell silent. Naturally, he knew about Ling Ying, but he had never been able to offer any opinion on the matter.
Ling Ying's probing had been done at Xun'er's instruction to investigate the enemy, while Ling Ying had been killed because the enchantress would not tolerate being watched. It was difficult to determine who was right or wrong between them.
If he had to put it into words, perhaps they simply did not walk the same path.
"Ever since that enchantress tarnished Brother Xiao Yan's reputation, Xun'er knew that