Promise, Na'er's Departure

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, three years had passed.

Red Mountain Academy, Class One of the Soul Master Department.

"Graduation."

Fang Ming looked at the recommendation letter in his hand, his face showing little emotion.

By now, he had long shed the immaturity and innocence of his younger days.

He stood tall and lean, his features increasingly handsome and distinguished, with a sharp, heroic air between his brows.

Over three years, Fang Ming's Soul Power had reached level thirty-eight, making him a power-attack Battle Soul Elder.

He was only one step away from becoming a level-forty Soul Ancestor.

"Brother, let's go."

Na'er's crisp, pleasant voice rang out.

Three years had passed, and the once grimy little girl had grown into a graceful young lady.

Her silver hair cascaded like a waterfall, gleaming with a soft luster, while her amethyst-like eyes were clear and lively.

She wore a white dress, and simply standing there, she was a striking sight.

"Mm, all right."

At her words, Fang Ming put away the recommendation letter.

Then the two of them left the classroom.

"Brother..."

Na'er suddenly spoke, her voice carrying a trace of hesitation.

"Craving chicken collarbones again?"

Fang Ming looked at Na'er, the corner of his lips lifting slightly.

"Mm."

Na'er nodded gently, but there was less of her usual excitement in her violet eyes.

"Fine, then let's go buy some."

Fang Ming led Na'er out of Red Mountain Academy.

They walked along the streets. After three years, everything in Aolai City seemed not to have changed much.

The snack stalls by the roadside still steamed, and vendors' cries rose and fell one after another.

The sign that read, "Secret Recipe Chicken Collarbones—Don't Pay If They Don't Taste Good," still hung there.

The owner was still the same middle-aged man in a grease-stained apron, skillfully turning the chicken collarbones in the fryer.

"You two are here again?"

The owner greeted them with a smile.

"Mm."

Fang Ming nodded. "Boss, the usual."

"Got it, fifteen pounds."

The owner smiled and deftly dropped them into the oil to fry.

Before long, the golden, crispy chicken collarbones came out of the fryer, dusted with cumin powder and sprinkled with white sesame seeds.

The owner packed the chicken collarbones into a paper bag and handed it over.

Fang Ming paid and passed it to Na'er.

But after taking it, Na'er did not eagerly start eating as she usually did. Instead, she looked dejected.

She held the paper bag, her fingertips tightening slightly as her gaze fell upon it, as though she saw nothing at all.

Seeing this, Fang Ming looked at her with concern. "Na'er, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

"No..."

Na'er shook her head, her silver hair swaying lightly with the movement.

After a moment of silence, her amethyst-like eyes turned toward Fang Ming. Her voice was lower than usual. "Brother, I've never been to the seaside... Can you take me to see it?"

"Okay."

Fang Ming smiled and nodded without asking further.

Aolai City was merely a small coastal city, but the scenery by the sea was quite lovely.

The waves gently lapped against the reefs along the shore, making soothing sounds as though whispering something softly.

The sea breeze carried a salty, damp scent as it lifted Na'er's silver hair.

"Brother, the ocean is so beautiful!"

Na'er looked at the endless sea, its shimmering surface reflected in her eyes.

Fang Ming nodded gently. "Yes, it really is beautiful."

The next moment, Na'er threw herself directly into Fang Ming's arms, a faint fragrance drifting from her hair.

Fang Ming froze slightly before gently embracing Na'er in his arms.

"Brother, can I ask you a question?"

Na'er tried hard to make herself seem better and forced a faint smile.

Yet those amethyst-like eyes held emotions too difficult to describe.

"What question?"

Fang Ming asked.

"Brother... If one day I left and went somewhere very, very far away, would you miss me?"

Na'er looked at Fang Ming with serious violet eyes.

"Of course I would."

Fang Ming smiled and answered without hesitation. "You will always be my little sister."

"Then... what if it's a place you can never find in your whole life?"

Na'er took a deep breath and continued, her voice trembling almost imperceptibly.

Fang Ming looked at Na'er, his gaze gentle yet firm. "No matter where you are, I'll find you."

Hearing that answer, Na'er could no longer hold back her tears. "Brother... you're so good to me."

At that moment, it was as though she had returned to that day three years ago.

The ignorant, confused silver-haired girl had followed a little boy only slightly older than herself back home.

Meeting her brother, and Grandpa Cang... Those warm memories surfaced one by one in her mind, as clear as though they had happened yesterday.

If she were given another chance, she would still choose to become his family.

Fang Ming took out a tissue and wiped Na'er's tears. "Stop crying. You're turning into a little tabby cat."

"I'm not. The sea breeze was just too strong, and sand got into my eyes."

Na'er explained, her voice nasal as she tried hard to force out a smile.

"Mm."

Fang Ming smiled and nodded without exposing her.

"Brother... promise me that you'll never forget Na'er, okay?"

Na'er spoke softly.

"Never."

Fang Ming promised solemnly.

"Mm."

Na'er smiled faintly. She had received the most precious promise of all.

After a moment of silence, Fang Ming spoke gently. "Na'er, are you leaving?"

His tone was as gentle as ever, but he had already known the answer in his heart.

"Yes... I'm leaving." Na'er's voice was barely louder than a mosquito's.

The air seemed to freeze at that instant.

Fang Ming quietly looked at Na'er.

Three years of living together day and night, along with the fact that he had always known Na'er's identity.

This moment had finally come.

Yet when parting truly arrived, an indescribable turmoil still rose in his heart.

"I'm sorry, Brother... I..."

Na'er's voice choked up, and her eyes reddened once more.

"You don't need to apologize."

Fang Ming interrupted her softly, his tone gentle. "Everyone has their own road to walk."

"You only need to remember that no matter where you go, there will always be a home here, and there will always be a brother waiting for you to return."

"Brother, these three years... were the happiest time of my life."

As Na'er spoke, tears slid down her face again. "Thank you... for always taking care of me..."

"Silly girl."

Fang Ming spoke, his voice full of indulgence. "It's not like we'll never see each other again."

"I'll come find you."

"Mm..."

Na'er nodded hard, her voice thick with tears. "Brother, you have to come find me."

"I will."

Fang Ming nodded solemnly.

The sea breeze swept past, lifting the hems of their clothes and their hair.

The setting sun's afterglow spilled across the sea, dyeing the entire ocean a warm golden hue.

"Goodbye, Brother..."

Na'er gave Fang Ming one last look, as though she wanted to engrave this scene eternally into her heart.

Then she left.

Fang Ming watched Na'er's figure gradually recede until she finally vanished into the distance.

The sea breeze still blew, and the waves still crashed against the reefs, as though nothing had happened.