The Old Woman found a way to back down and withdrew her pressure. But she felt no better for it. She knew Hua Min'er was overwhelmed with grief. The Old Woman doted on her, and seeing how her own rashness had driven a wedge between Hua Min'er and Ling Tian filled her with guilt. Still, she couldn't think of a way to make things right—not right away.
The pressure lifted, and Ling Tian felt a sudden lightness. But his whole body was aching, and the abrupt relief only made him cough up blood. He coughed violently, yet forced himself to stay on his feet. He glanced at Hua Min'er and said coldly, "So I suppose I should thank you, Miss Hua, for sparing my life!"
Ling Tian was proud, too. Though he had a vague idea why the Old Woman had tested him, her actions had nearly gotten his friends killed, and he was furious. Then he heard Hua Min'er's words, and his anger only grew. That was why he glared at her so coldly.
"Brother Tian, are you all right?" Tears shimmered in Lian Yue's eyes. A surge of nine-colored energy flowed from her and wrapped around Ling Tian. "Don't speak. Let's go."
"I'm fine. A little wound like this won't kill me. Huh? You—you're Lian Xin!" Only then did Ling Tian notice Lian Yue, now transformed into an adult. He instinctively mistook her for Lian Xin and pulled her into his arms, overjoyed. "Lian Xin, you're finally awake! That's wonderful, wonderful!"
"Brother Tian, I'm sorry. I'm Lian Yue." Ling Tian's words made Lian Yue's heart ache. Tears glimmered in her eyes. "I'm not my sister. I'm not my sister. I'm Yue'er. I'm Yue'er!"
Seeing Lian Yue's tears fall like pearls from a broken string, Ling Tian abruptly came