"Did I... look different just now?"
Luo Heng reached out and gently brushed aside the stray hairs on her forehead. His fingertips touched her brow, where the ancient, icy-blue rune had disappeared, but seemed to still retain a slight coolness.
"It has changed a little," Luo Heng said truthfully, then paused and added, "But it's not a major problem."
Ying Huanhuan raised her head, her large eyes seemingly glistening with tears, yet also appearing to be stubbornly holding back.
"I know." Her voice was soft as she continued, "Every time I broke through during my tribulation, I could sense something. Sometimes it was a blurry image, sometimes it was an emotion that was both strange and familiar, like someone who didn't belong to me was watching me, waiting for me."
Luo Heng didn't interrupt, but listened quietly.
"I've always been afraid to break through too quickly." Ying Huanhuan's voice was a little hoarse, like the helplessness of a child who has done something wrong. She said softly, "I'm afraid, I'm afraid that if I break through too quickly, that person will wake up, turn me into someone else, and then I won't be myself anymore."
Her voice grew softer and softer until it was almost inaudible.
" Brother Heng, am I being selfish?"
Luo Heng raised his hand and gently flicked her forehead.
"Ah!" Ying Huanhuan covered her forehead, glaring at him angrily.
"When did you start overthinking so much?" Luo Heng's tone was somewhat helpless, like an adult looking at a child who didn't understand. He said gently, "From childhood to adulthood, every smile, every tear, every act of coquetry, every moment of Life Qi, is yourself. That person, even if he were your past life, cannot affect you."
Ying Huanhuan bit her lip and looked at him.
"You are Ying Huanhuan." Luo Heng looked intently into her eyes and said, word by word, "The daughter of the Dao Sect Master, Direct Disciple of the Heavenly Hall, a Peak Eight Yuan Nirvana Stage, a formidable figure who has just condensed her Primordial Spirit, and my lover."
Ying Huanhuan's eyes reddened.
"No matter who that Samsara Seal came from, no matter who you were in your past life, you are still you, still the Huanhuan I know."
After saying that, Luo Heng reached out and pulled her into his arms.
Ying Huanhuan's body stiffened slightly, then she buried her face in his chest, clutching his clothes with both hands.
Luo Heng gently patted her back, like he was coaxing a child.
The mountain breeze outside the cave carried the scent of the forest plants. The figures of Lin Dong and his companions had long since disappeared, leaving them alone in the distance.
Ying Huanhuan nestled in Luo Heng's arms, feeling the warmth and heartbeat emanating from his chest. The steady and strong heartbeat acted like a reassuring pill, gradually calming her panicked heart.
" Brother Heng." Her voice came from inside her clothes, muffled.
"Um."
"You said that with you here, I would be fine."
"Yes, I did say that."
"Then you must stay here from now on."
Luo Heng smiled and leaned down to kiss the top of her head.
"Okay, I'm always here."
Ying Huanhuan lifted her head from his embrace. Her big eyes were red, but she didn't cry; she just stubbornly held back her tears.
Luo Heng looked down into her eyes, which held unease, confusion, stubbornness, dependence, and trust.
" Huanhuan."
"Um."
"Close your eyes."
Ying Huanhuan blinked, didn't ask why, and obediently closed her eyes.
Her eyelashes trembled slightly, like two small fans.
Luo Heng lowered his head and kissed her.
Ying Huanhuan stiffened for a moment, then relaxed, wrapped her arms around his neck, and returned his kiss.
In the past two months, she has become much more skilled under Luo Heng's guidance and is no longer the naive and flustered little girl she once was.
Luo Heng tightened his arms, pulling her into his embrace.
Their breaths mingled, their lips and tongues intertwined.
This time, Luo Heng's hands didn't move around; he simply held her tightly, as if trying to meld her into his body.
After a long while, the two slowly separated, their foreheads touching and their noses brushing together.
Ying Huanhuan's face was flushed, her eyes were watery, her lips were slightly swollen, and she exuded an indescribable charm.
She looked into Luo Heng's eyes, which were so close to hers, and saw her own reflection in them.
" Brother Heng," she called softly.
"Um."
"Have I ever told you that you're really annoying?"
Luo Heng's lips curved slightly as he said, "No, you only said I'm handsome."
Ying Huanhuan: "..."
She glared at him, but didn't argue.
"Alright." Luo Heng released her, took her hand, and said, "Let's go out. Lin Dong and the others are waiting."
Ying Huanhuan nodded, letting him lead her as they walked out of the cave.
At the mountaintop, sunlight streamed down, and in the distance, a sea of clouds surged, revealing a vast expanse of heaven and earth.
Lin Dong and his two companions stood at the edge of the cliff and turned around when they heard footsteps.
Xiao Diao's gaze swept over Ying Huanhuan, and seeing that her expression was normal, the seriousness in his eyes disappeared, and he simply smiled and said, "Sister-in-law is awake?"
Ying Huanhuan blushed slightly, but still nodded and said generously, "Yes, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
Little Yan chuckled and said, "It's alright, it's alright, it's good that your sister-in-law is awake."
Lin Dong didn't speak, but just looked at Luo Heng. Brother Luo Heng really had a way.
"What are you planning to do next?" Xiao Diao walked over, his gaze sweeping over Luo Heng and Ying Huanhuan before asking.
Luo Heng said, "We need to return to the Dao Sect first. The Sect Tournament is coming up soon, and after the Sect Tournament, we plan to head to the Chaotic Demon Sea."
The Xiao Diao paused for a moment, its brows furrowing slightly, and said, " The Chaotic Demon Sea? You went there so early?"
"Time waits for no one." Luo Heng said calmly, paused, and then added, "We must become stronger."
The Xiao Diao's lips twitched, but it didn't refute.
With Luo Heng's current strength, going to the Chaotic Demon Sea is indeed not a problem. His Primal Energy at the Life Xuan Stage Great Accomplishment, his Physical Body at the Minor Accomplishment of Death Xuan Stage, and his Spiritual Power as a Lesser Vehicle Lesser Immortal Talisman Master are all top-tier among the younger generation in the Chaotic Demon Sea.
" The Chaotic Demon Sea is indeed a bigger stage." Xiao Diao nodded, then turned to Lin Dong and said, " Little Yan and I are probably going back to the Demon Region. As for Lin Dong, he has Lord Diao protecting him in the Demon Region, so we don't need to worry about his safety. But I feel that it might be better for him to go to the Chaotic Demon Sea; there are more opportunities and challenges there."
Luo Heng nodded and said, "It is indeed a good suggestion, but it mainly depends on Dongzi's own wishes. However, there's no rush; we can decide after the Sect Tournament."
He paused, then looked at Xiao Diao, a meaningful smile playing on his lips, and said, "I might be planning something big at the Sect Tournament."
Xiao Diao asked doubtfully, "What do you want to do?"
If Luo Heng can persuade someone to make such a big deal out of it, then that person must be extraordinary.
Luo Heng smiled and uttered two words: "Total annihilation."
The Xiao Diao was stunned, thinking it had misheard. Annihilated? Annihilated whom?
"Exterminate all the Yuan Sect disciples," Luo Heng repeated calmly, as if he were discussing a trivial matter.
Everyone was stunned.
Even though Xiao Diao's clan and the Yuan Sect were sworn enemies, he never thought of wiping out all of the other sect's disciples in a Sect Tournament.
This is a move that signals a complete breakdown in relations.
Xiao Diao swallowed hard, his tone excited but then realizing it was inappropriate, and said, "Aren't you afraid of being held accountable by the Three Great Sect Masters of Yuan Gate after the Sect Tournament?"
Ying Huanhuan was also worried. She was afraid that Luo Heng would be bullied. Although she knew that Brother Heng was very strong, the Three Great Sect Masters of Yuan Gate were all at the Samsara Stage Realm, the top experts in the Eastern Xuan Region.
"I'm not afraid." Luo Heng shook his head and smiled, "They only have three Samsara Stage, while I have four."
He looked at Xiao Diao and said seriously, "But the premise is that you don't make a move. If you do, the Yuan Sect will have an excuse to target you on the grounds that the Heavenly Demon Mantis Clan is interfering in the conflict in the Eastern Xuan Region. At that time, they will have a legitimate reason to capture you."
Although he could handle it even if Xiao Diao intervened, he preferred a deal with zero losses.
Xiao Diao opened his mouth; he knew perfectly well what Luo Heng was talking about.
The Heavenly Demon Mantis Clan and the Yuan Sect already had a deep-seated grudge, and once his identity was exposed, the Yuan Sect would have an excuse to take action.
Although the Dao Sect, the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace, and the Darkness Hall have a good relationship with Luo Heng, they are not allies of his Heavenly Demon Mantis Clan and would not go to war with the Yuan Sect for his sake.
"Alright, I promise you." Xiao Diao was silent for a moment, then nodded and said in a deep voice, "But if it really comes to danger, I will still step in."
This was his bottom line. Luo Heng was a brother he acknowledged, and he couldn't bear to watch Luo Heng risk his life alone.
Luo Heng patted his shoulder and laughed, "Don't worry, this cancer of the Yuan Sect will be removed sooner or later, it'll only be a few more years."
Xiao Diao laughed and said loudly, "Alright, the four of us brothers will raze the Yuan Sect to the ground!"
"Four brothers?" Luo Heng raised an eyebrow, glanced at Lin Dong and Little Yan, and smiled, "Where are you ranked?"
Xiao Diao rolled her eyes and said, "I'm the oldest, so of course I'm number one. You're second, Dongzi is third, and Little Yan is fourth."
"What's the use of being old? Can an old person fight?" Luo Heng looked at him with a smile.
The Xiao Diao felt uncomfortable under his gaze, snorted, turned its head away, and said, "I'm too lazy to argue with you."
Lin Dong and Little Yan watched the two bickering, exchanged a smile, and a hint of warmth appeared in their eyes.
"In that case, let's part ways here for now." Xiao Diao Marten waved his hand, saying nonchalantly, "We'll come find you once we've settled everything."
As soon as he finished speaking, he moved and leaped into the air.
"Brother Luo Heng, Big Brother, we'll come find you in the Otherworldly Demon Domain then." Little Yan grinned at Luo Heng and soared into the air as well.
The two exchanged a glance, then, without lingering, transformed into two streaks of light and hurtled towards the horizon like lightning.
Luo Heng watched the two figures disappear into the distance and said:
"Let's go too."