Chen Xiaojun and Xiao Yi opened the floodgates of conversation, growing more animated the longer they talked. After so long apart, they had stored up a thousand things to say, longing only to pour them out to each other.
More than two days had passed since their reunion, yet this was the first time they had enjoyed such a long stretch to sit peacefully together and talk at leisure.
For most of that time, Chen Xiaojun spoke without pause, recounting his experiences over the past few years, everything he had seen and heard, and his thoughts and feelings.
Xiao Yi sat quietly beside him, listening to every word. Her gaze was attentive and gentle, without the slightest trace of impatience on her face.
Occasionally, Xiao Yi chimed in, either agreeing with something Chen Xiaojun had said or sharing her own views and feelings.
The two sat facing each other, a picture of warmth and harmony.
At that moment, they forgot the turmoil and clamor of the outside world, immersed only in this rare peace and joy.
Suddenly, Xiao Yi said happily, "Oh, right! I met the Da Yu and Xiao Yu you told me about. They really are adorable!"
"But they've grown quite big now, so the Spring of Life pool is getting a little cramped for them. Elder Qing plans to move them elsewhere, but they seem very reluctant."
"They just refuse to leave, and every so often they dive to the bottom of the spring. Elder Qing can't do a thing about them."
Da Yu and Xiao Yu had hatched from the Spirit Abyss Xuanwu's two Spirit Eggs. They had been born intelligent and were very close to him, their contracted partner.
They had been raised in the Spring of Life these past few years, enjoying a