Xiao Hua spoke dazedly. His already insubstantial figure gradually dissipated, yet he still stubbornly stretched out his right hand toward the hand of the phantom Xue Xue. Though he knew in his heart that, for this life and all lives to come, he would likely never again be able to hold that warm, soft, delicate hand!
"Cackle, cackle..." A burst of eerie laughter, like the cry of a night owl, rang through the entire space, seemingly filled with utter disdain for Xiao Hua's human emotions.
But just as the laughter faded, Xiao Hua's startled voice rang out. "Eh?" His consciousness, which had already begun to blur, suddenly held fast there. Moreover, he clearly sensed warmth and trembling coming from his palm. Xiao Hua lowered his head in disbelief and saw a pattern like a shattered heart glowing with holy radiance amid the pitch-black devil kingdom where his right hand was. As that radiance shone upon Xue Xue's phantom, the same spot on the right hand Xiao Hua held also emitted holy radiance. The two rays flickered on and off, like breathing, and like they were pouring out their hearts to one another.
As the radiance flickered, a graceful female figure emerged within Xue Xue's phantom. Surprise and joy filled the woman's face. Though her features could not be seen clearly, the right hand clasped in Xiao Hua's gripped back just as tightly, their fingers interlocking!
"My love..." Xiao Hua cried out involuntarily. "You finally came..."
Boom... The moment Xiao Hua's voice fell, the marks on their right hands trembled at the same time and flew into the air, stopping precisely between them. Amid thunderous rumbling, they transformed into a complete heart!
Whoosh... Another crisp sound rang out, like silver bottles suddenly bursting and spilling. From above their heads, a beam