Imperial Capital, at the city gates.
Xiao Ling looked at the two women who had come to see him off, as well as the little one following far behind them, and could not help but smile. He reached out and ruffled Xue Mei's snow-white hair.
"Alright, this is far enough. It isn't some life-and-death farewell. We'll meet again in the future."
Xue Mei pursed her lips, her cool voice carrying a hint of softness. "When will you come see me next? I know I'm not very strong, but I'll cultivate properly. I won't hold you back. I... I want to stay by your side forever..."
Her final sentence was so quiet that only she herself should have been able to hear it, yet Xiao Ling still caught it. His spiritual power and soul power were both exceptionally strong, after all.
His feelings were complicated, but he truly liked this girl whose coldness carried a trace of warmth.
Thus, he pulled Xue Mei's slender waist into his arms and whispered into her ear.
"Mei'er, I promise you. Once I've settled everything, we'll always be together!"
Feeling the warmth by her ear, Xue Mei's pretty face reddened. She shyly nodded her little head. Beside them, Yaoyue watched the two embracing, and an indescribable sense of stifling discomfort suddenly rose in her heart.
After a long while, Xiao Ling released Xue Mei. Before leaving his embrace, however, Xue Mei had leaned close and told him about Yaoyue, so his gaze turned toward her. Seeing her lost in wild thoughts, he smiled and walked up to her, speaking in the tone one would use with a friend.
"Yaoyue, thank you for coming to see me off."
Hearing that, Yaoyue looked at Xiao Ling with her beautiful phoenix eyes. Her lovely eyes held an emotion