An Unexpected Encounter

After all, Qing Lin was utterly unique to Xiao Yan. He sincerely believed that Qing Lin's talent on the path of cultivation surpassed even his own. But he had long seen her feelings for him clearly through their many shared experiences, so Xiao Yan selflessly placed the power of choice in Qing Lin's hands.

Two days later, the two of them had crossed the distance between Starfall Pavilion and Burning Flame Valley.

"Young Master, Starfall Pavilion's territory lies ahead." Qing Lin's voice was soft. No matter how reluctant she was, this was still the end of their reunion.

Xiao Yan paused slightly and slowed his flight.

"Yes, we're home." Xiao Yan's voice was gentle, a faint smile resting on his lips. He raised a hand and naturally brushed aside a stray lock of hair from Qing Lin's forehead.

Qing Lin's body trembled lightly at the gesture. "Young Master, Qing Lin will be leaving first. When you need me, I will definitely return!"

Instead, Xiao Yan broke into a smile. He opened his arms and gently drew Qing Lin into his embrace. Her body stiffened faintly at first, then completely relaxed. She buried her face deeply against his firm chest, her arms tightly wrapped around his waist and back as though she wished to melt herself into him.

"Don't put too much pressure on yourself. What belongs to me is something I must ultimately do myself."

She withdrew from Xiao Yan's embrace, her movements carrying a trace of reluctance but also immense solemnity. Carefully, she took out a jade slip. It was a deep ink-black throughout, with several exceedingly fine silver runes winding across its surface, each containing powerful spatial fluctuations.

"Young Master." Qing Lin solemnly placed the jade slip into Xiao Yan's outstretched palm. "This is a spatial jade slip