"Brother Changqing, let's go to the Darkness Hall together. Once I become Hall Master, I'll give the position to you!"
Qingtan spoke to Hun Changqing, her face brimming with delighted surprise.
Yet Hun Changqing slowly shook his head.
"Qingtan, I have somewhere I need to go, too. I need to recover my own memories. The Darkness Hall isn't right for me..."
Qingtan froze at his words. Although Hei Xuan's earlier offer had greatly tempted her,
she had never once thought of parting with Hun Changqing. At most, she had been wondering how to persuade him to go to the Darkness Hall with her.
Hun Changqing's sudden words of farewell made her heart clench. Her eyes reddened, and she spoke to him through rising sobs.
"Brother Changqing, I won't go to the Darkness Hall anymore. I don't want to leave you. I'll go with you to find your memories!"
Qingtan pressed herself into Hun Changqing's embrace, her delicate hands clutching his robes so tightly that it seemed she feared he would vanish the moment she let go.
Hun Changqing looked startled, then chuckled helplessly. He wrapped his arms around Qingtan and spoke softly.
"Qingtan, your talent, along with my help, has allowed your cultivation to rise quickly. But the further you go, the harder advancing will become.
"Here in Flame City, you have neither a top-tier cultivation method nor powerful martial techniques. We don't even have more than a handful of Pure Yuan Pills between us.
"All of that will severely limit your future growth. That's why the Darkness Hall is the best place for you. You know that yourself, don't you?"
Qingtan pressed her lips together and stubbornly replied,
"But I don't want to leave you, Brother Changqing..."
Hun Changqing sighed softly.
"Qingtan, I have sects I want to join,