Xiao Yao raised his hand and gently wiped away the tears at the corner of Xun Er's eyes with his fingertips. The warmth of his palm passed through her skin, carrying an unquestionable resolve. "Don't worry. I won't make you wait in hardship. Over these five years, I'll do everything I can to become stronger. The day I set foot in the Ancient Clan, I'll make everyone know that you, Xun Er, can only belong to me, Xiao Yao."
Xun Er nodded forcefully and buried her face deeper against him, greedily savoring this brief warmth—she knew this parting might be long, but the thought that he would come for her in five years gave her endless strength.
Just then, the Black Annihilation Army entered the valley from afar.
Seeing this, Ling Quan suppressed the impulse in his heart. He turned and walked to Gu Yao's side, bent down to help him up from the ground, then retreated to one side.
Phoenix Cry and Su Qian also entered the valley after seeing that the battle had ended.
Phoenix Cry walked between Xiao Yao and Xun Er, tugging lightly at Xun Er's sleeve with her small hand. Her soft, childish voice was filled with reluctance. "Mother, are you really going back with those people? Father only just managed to defeat them..."
She looked up at Xun Er's reddened eyes, then glanced at the barely breathing Gu Yao nearby. Her little brows furrowed tightly. "Those people look so fierce. If you go back with them, will they mistreat you?"
Hearing this, Xun Er slowly raised her head from Xiao Yao's embrace and gently rubbed Phoenix Cry's head. The tears in her eyes had yet to dry, but she forced out a tender smile. "They won't, Phoenix Cry. Be good. Mother is only going