A First Meeting to Last a Lifetime

In the blink of an eye, six years passed. Little Long Haochen gradually grew from a babbling infant into a delicate, jade-like boy.

It could be said that Long Haochen was the happiest child on the Holy Demon Continent. Not only did he have the meticulous care of his maternal grandparents and mother, but also the affection of his aunt Leng Xiao and uncle A Bao. In this warm, loving family, Long Haochen gradually grew into a sunny young boy.

If children from ordinary families grew up eating coarse grains and wild vegetables, then Long Haochen, a child of "wealth and nobility," grew up drinking Foundation-Nourishing Liquid that cost ten gold coins a bottle.

From the time Long Haochen was three, Feng Xiu used a secret technique to clear his twelve primary meridians and began personally teaching him how to cultivate.

Because Long Haochen was still young, Feng Xiu only taught him basic body-tempering methods. After every session, Feng Xiu also prepared an appropriate medicinal bath for him.

Although the cultivation process was extremely arduous, little Long Haochen was very sensible. He always followed the training plan Feng Xiu had set for him without the slightest slackness. Long Haochen's performance greatly satisfied Feng Xiu and further strengthened his resolve to pass the throne to him.

That day, Long Haochen finally finished his training. He happily returned to his room to report his progress to Bai Yue.

"Mom, today I sparred with Uncle Huang Shuo's grandson. He's three years older than me, but I still beat him," Long Haochen said excitedly.

Bai Yue gently stroked Long Haochen's little head and praised, "Haochen, you're amazing!"

Long Haochen curled up in Bai Yue's arms, rubbing his little head against her chest.

"But Mom, today I saw that other children all have fathers. Why don't I have one?"

Long Haochen had noticed this issue long ago and had asked Bai Yue about it before, but she always changed the subject and never told him the truth.

Bai Yue let out a soft sigh. It had been nearly seven years since she had followed Feng Xiu back to the Demon Race from the Temple Alliance.

In the days just after returning to the Demon Race, she had truly missed her husband, Long Xingyu. But as Long Haochen grew older, Bai Yue devoted all her thoughts to her son, and she no longer missed Long Xingyu as deeply as she once had.

She was absolutely unwilling to abandon Long Haochen. Between her husband and her son, she had ultimately chosen her son.

Besides, even if she returned to the Temple Alliance, she did not know how she could face Long Xingyu.

The Long Family was a prominent family within the Knight Temple, while she was the daughter of the Demon God Emperor. She did not know what Long Xingyu would think after learning the truth, or whether his love for her would change.

Clever and perceptive, Long Haochen noticed something was wrong with his mother and hurriedly said, "Mom, don't be sad. I won't ask again."

Seeing the pain on his mother's face, Long Haochen guessed that perhaps his father had already died, and his mother could not bear to tell him. That was why she was in such pain.

Long Haochen's bright azure eyes rolled as he said in his childish voice, "Mom, tomorrow is your birthday. I'm going to buy you a birthday present now, but you're not allowed to peek!"

Bai Yue stroked his little head. "All right. Mom won't peek."

After saying goodbye to his mother, Long Haochen returned to his room, took some pocket money, and left the Demon Emperor Palace.

Heart City was simply too large, so in order to save time, Long Haochen hired a carriage. Whenever they passed a shop along the way, he would get down and browse.

When Long Haochen passed a clothing shop, he finally decided what to buy for his mother.

"Uncle, do you have this dress in a larger size?" Long Haochen asked, pointing at a beautiful dress.

Before the shopkeeper could speak, however, a girl's voice reached Long Haochen's ears.

"I'll take this dress. Wrap it up for me."

Long Haochen turned around and saw a girl of about thirteen standing prettily behind him.

The girl wore a simple yet elegant white gown. Her lovely face was gentle, pure, and carried a hint of holiness. Her delicate nose was straight, and her violet eyes were breathtaking. That shade of violet was not only noble and pure, but also possessed a faintly bewitching charm.

"Please wait a moment, honored guest."

With that, the shopkeeper left the counter and headed for the storeroom behind the shop, apparently intending to find clothes for Long Haochen first.

Long Haochen was stunned by the girl's exquisite beauty, while she curiously examined the delicate, jade-like boy before her.

Long Haochen looked only about six years old, but he was far sturdier than most boys his age. He had short black hair, naturally smooth brows, large eyes, long lashes, a straight nose, fair skin, and lips neither too thin nor too full. Though he looked only six, he was so beautiful that a trace of jealousy rose in the girl's heart.

As she looked into Long Haochen's clear, azure eyes, a bold thought suddenly sprang into the girl's mind.

"Little sister, you look very good in warrior's clothes, but dresses are the best adornment for girls. If you truly like it, big sister can give you this dress."

The girl held the dress up against Long Haochen, making him retreat in embarrassment.

"Big sister, I'm not a girl. I'm a boy, so I can't wear dresses." Long Haochen waved his hands repeatedly.

"Hm? You're a boy? That can't be! Little sister, it's not good to lie!"

From the first moment she saw Long Haochen, the girl had decided that he was a girl disguised as a boy. How could she readily believe him?

"Big sister, I really am a boy! I came to buy my mother a birthday gift, so I asked the shopkeeper to get me a larger one. I'm really not buying it for myself."

Seeing Long Haochen's pure, flawless eyes, the girl realized that he was not lying.

"I see. Then forget it. Big sister apologizes to you, but you really do look too much like a girl," the girl said apologetically.

Long Haochen scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "It's not your fault, big sister. Everyone says I look like my mother. No wonder you got it wrong."

The girl covered her mouth and laughed softly. "Then your mother must be a great beauty!"

Just then, the shopkeeper came out carrying a slightly larger dress of the same style.

The shopkeeper quickly wrapped up the two dresses separately, and Long Haochen finally bought the birthday gift he had wanted.

"Little brother, you're from the Heaven-defying Demon Dragon Clan, aren't you? What's your name?" the girl asked.

Long Haochen touched the token in his arms. The aura of the Heaven-defying Demon Dragon Clan around him came from that token, and Feng Xiu had undoubtedly given it to him.

"My name is Long Haochen. Hao as in bright moon, Chen as in dawn. Big sister, you're from the Moon Demon Race, aren't you?"

From the girl's breathtaking beauty and the aura around her, Long Haochen had already vaguely guessed her identity.

"My name is Yue Ye. Yue as in moon, Ye as in night. I'm from the Moon Demon Race. It's nice to meet you." Yue Ye smiled sweetly.