The moon shone across the vast sky, and the stars glittered.
Beneath the night sky, Hua Yunfei's hands moved lightly over the strings. His playing flowed like drifting clouds and running water, like immortal mist stirring, leaving those who heard it with a sense of unearthly grace.
Though he was a man, his movements were more delicate than a woman's. He played a beautiful melody, like a clear spring bubbling onward, like moonlight spilling down—soft, hazy, harmonious, and still.
He performed alone, pouring his sorrows into the music. He seemed to blend with the scene, becoming one with this little world.
At the height of its beauty, an uninvited guest arrived. A cold snort rang out, shattering the moment.
It had been like a dream, like an illusion—just like his life. Everything was a fleeting bubble, gone in the blink of an eye.
Hua Yunfei stared at the broken scene. Calmly, but with a hint of defiance, he asked, "Senior, what brings you here?"
"I truly misjudged you."
The ultimate protector of the Ruthless Lineage spoke in a low voice. "I thought you would be an Immortal Seedling, one who could devour Immortality instead and recreate the Great Emperor's miracle."
"The Great Emperor's miracle is not the purpose of my life." Hua Yunfei sighed softly. "There's something I've been thinking about for a long time. Only today did I find my answer."
"Have I ever truly lived? And who have I been living for?"
"I, and Senior Brother Yaoguang, have always lived under the shadow of the Ruthless Great Emperor."
"If I repeat her path, would that truly be my Dao?"
"What nonsense about truly living?" The ultimate protector of the Ruthless Lineage sneered. "Escape pursuit after pursuit, and that is truly living."
"When the whole world is your enemy,