Xuan Ye's heart stirred as he looked at the reward for option one.
But just as he pushed open the door, ready to try his luck, he stopped in his tracks.
Yue Xing was standing prettily in the doorway.
With her hands behind her back and her posture ramrod straight, she resembled a proud, solitary cedar. Her whole demeanor warned people to keep their distance.
But the moment she saw Xuan Ye, her usually indifferent eyes brightened slightly.
The expression on her face, so cold it could keep people at arm's length, instantly melted away, revealing a hint of joy she couldn't hide.
The contrast was rather adorable.
Xuan Ye's mood lifted a little, too. He smiled and asked, "What are you here for?"
"Lord Yueye told me to keep an eye on you."
Yue Xing answered matter-of-factly, but her voice took on a hint of grievance as she continued.
"If she finds out you went out, I'll be punished. You... you wouldn't want that, would you?"
Xuan Ye was helpless.
Losing one system choice wasn't a big deal. There was no penalty for failing, anyway.
"Fine, fine. I won't go out, all right?"
Seeing Yue Xing's expression, Xuan Ye turned around and made a show of heading back inside.
"Okay, get some rest."
But after he had taken a couple of steps, he realized there was no movement behind him.
Xuan Ye stopped and looked back.
Yue Xing was still standing ramrod straight outside the door, like an exquisite statue. Her bright eyes were fixed intently on him, and she showed no sign of leaving.
Xuan Ye raised an eyebrow.
"Aren't you going back? You really don't trust me that much?"
Yue Xing's gaze flickered. She looked away, her voice a little awkward.
"No, I still have something to do..."
Seeing her like that, Xuan Ye didn't call her out. He simply waved a hand.
"Then I'm off."
With that, he turned and vanished into the night after a few quick leaps.
A moment later.
Atop the highest stone tower in the Moon Demon Race Territory.
The night breeze was cool, stirring their clothes.
Xuan Ye stood with his hands behind his back, gazing up at the starry sky.
Light footsteps sounded behind him.
He froze and asked, "What are you doing here?"
Yue Xing appeared behind him. She was clearly just as surprised to see Xuan Ye, but then she imitated his posture and walked over to stand beside him.
"Xuan Ye, what are you doing here?" Yue Xing asked, puzzled.
"The view of the stars is pretty good from here," Xuan Ye replied.
At that, Yue Xing's eyes lit up.
"You like looking at the stars, too?"
The two of them stood atop the tower, chatting beneath the brilliant starlight.
Pointing up at the sky, Yue Xing told Xuan Ye about the constellations passed down through generations of the Moon Demon Race, as if she knew them by heart.
"Look, those seven bright stars lined up together are the Silver Moon Constellation. Legend says they're the eyes of the Moon Demon God, watching over us forever."
"And over there, that faint river of stars is what we call the Star Path Constellation. Before setting out on a long journey, merchant caravans pray to it for a safe trip."
Yue Xing's voice was clear, brimming with fascination and love for the stars.
Xuan Ye listened quietly, nodding now and then.
Only after Yue Xing had finished did he slowly begin to share something entirely different.
Drawing on what he had learned in his previous life, he taught her how to use the stars' positions to determine direction with greater precision, how to roughly estimate their distance from this world based on their brightness, and even touched on the basic laws governing the motion of celestial bodies.
To the people of this world, such knowledge was nothing short of unbelievable.
Yue Xing listened intently, her beautiful eyes shining with excitement and wonder, as if a door to a new world had opened before her.
She felt she had found someone who truly understood her.
Among the Moon Demon Race, there were already very few people willing to spend an entire night looking at the stars with her. Fewer still could tell her so much about the mysteries of the stars themselves—things she had never heard of before.
The more they talked, the more they hit it off, and the more comfortable the atmosphere became.
Xuan Ye was happy to keep her company.
He remembered the promise he had made to Cai'er.
He had once promised that little girl he would take her to the highest place on the continent and point out every star to her with his own hands.
What he was discussing with Yue Xing now could count as an early "practice session."
Thinking of Cai'er warmed Xuan Ye's heart, and the smile on his lips grew more genuine.
The night wore on.
The chill deepened.
By the end of their conversation, Yue Xing's voice had grown quieter and quieter. At last, her head tipped to one side, and she leaned against Xuan Ye's shoulder and fell fast asleep.
Her breathing was steady and long, carrying the faint, sweet scent unique to a young girl.
Xuan Ye looked down at her sleeping profile, his expression tender.
For a moment, he thought of Long Haochen.
He thought of his younger brother in name only.
In his previous life, short videos were always going on about how terrifying "bratty kids" could be.
But Long Haochen hadn't been the least bit bratty since the day he was born.
He was as delicate and adorable as a porcelain doll. No matter what you did, he would look up at you with those pure, wide eyes and give you a sweet smile.
He was practically an angel sent down to earth.
Xuan Ye's thoughts drifted.
Yue Xing's warm body leaned against him, the faint fragrance of Moon Flower in her hair lingering beneath his nose. His arm could feel the softness of her skin.
But all he could think about was his adorable younger brother, far away among the humans.
He couldn't help raising a hand and gently stroking Yue Xing's head.
As if sensing something in her sleep, Yue Xing rubbed against his palm unconsciously and mumbled something indistinctly.
"Stop that, Yue Chen... I'm not a little girl anymore."
As she spoke, a soft, rumbling hum came from her throat, like a cat purring for attention.
Just then—
Xuan Ye's hand stilled.
He heard a faint sound behind him.
Turning around, he saw Yue Chen standing quietly a short distance away.
She still wore her usual gentle, gracious expression, her white dress looking even more sacred in the moonlight.
But this time, Xuan Ye could clearly sense that there was less formality and more sincerity in the way she looked at him.
Seeing her own sister lying defenseless in Xuan Ye's arms, Yue Chen hurried over, lowering her voice to a whisper.
"Yue Xing has caused you trouble."
As she spoke, she reached out.
Xuan Ye carefully passed Yue Xing to her.
Yue Chen securely gathered her younger sister into her arms, her movements practiced and gentle.
They walked back in silence.
Xuan Ye noticed that whenever other Moon Demon Race patrols passed by, Yue Chen subtly shifted her position, using her body to shield him from their curious or unfriendly looks.
She was clearly worried that someone might recognize him and cause unnecessary trouble.
Xuan Ye had assumed they would walk all the way back in silence.
But when they were nearly halfway there, Yue Chen suddenly spoke.
"It seems Young Master Xuan Ye has a younger sibling, too?"
Xuan Ye froze, then corrected her. "Oh, no. Actually, it's a younger brother."
Before you continue