The red light gradually faded, the flower returned to calm, and quietly left the Black Absolute Stone, falling right into Zhu Zhuqing's slightly trembling palm.
The exquisite flower, which originally required a sincere heart to pluck, was thus plucked by her. The petals trembled slightly on her fingertips, as if responding to the emotions in her heart.
Zhu Zhuqing looked down at the Immortal Herb in her hand, which was connected to her heart and soul, and a smile appeared on her pretty face.
She looked up at Tang Feng with a slightly unfocused gaze, and asked in a trembling voice, " Brother Feng,... did I succeed?"
Tang Feng was deeply shocked. Meeting Zhu Zhuqing's expectant yet apprehensive gaze, he solemnly nodded. "Yes, you succeeded. The Lovesick Heartbreak Red has acknowledged you."
He stepped forward and gently wiped away the remaining blood from the corner of her lips with his thumb, his movements natural and tender.
Zhu Zhuqing did not flinch, but simply looked at him quietly, her eyes glistening with tears.
The next moment, Tang Feng gently pulled her into his arms.
The hug came naturally yet firmly.
Zhu Zhuqing's body stiffened slightly at first, then she completely relaxed, wrapped her arms around Tang Feng's waist, and buried her face in his firm chest.
She could hear his steady, powerful heartbeat and feel the warmth of his embrace. It all felt so real, so real that she almost burst into tears.
Tang Feng's voice, tinged with rare apology, rang in her ear. "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting so long. Thank you for your kindness."
Zhu Zhuqing gently shook her head in his arms, her voice filled with relief as she said, "No, I should thank you. Thank you for saving me, thank you for letting me be myself again. And thank you... for accepting me as I am."
The two embraced quietly, and time seemed to stand still at that moment.
The light from the campfire cast their shadows onto the cave wall, overlapping to form a complete silhouette.
After a long while, Tang Feng loosened his embrace slightly, but his hands remained on Zhu Zhuqing's shoulders. Looking down at her, he said earnestly, "Take it; it will give you the best help."
Zhu Zhuqing lowered her head, looking at the red flower in her hand, which was connected to her heart and soul and was now even more beautiful and vibrant. Her eyes were full of reluctance. She shook her head and said, "No, I don't want to eat it."
She looked up at Tang Feng, her eyes filled with pleading and determination. "It's already intertwined with my life, and more than that... it's a testament to my feelings for you. I want to keep it, to carry it with me forever. Is that alright?"
Tang Feng was stunned; he hadn't expected Zhu Zhuqing to make such a choice.
As the king of immortal-grade items, the benefits of the Lovesick Heartbreak Red to Soul Master are self-evident.
But she would rather give up this opportunity than lose the flower that was now connected to her by blood.
Looking into her clear eyes and seeing the unwavering determination, Tang Feng felt an unprecedented surge of warmth and tenderness in his heart.
This woman, who is usually quiet and reserved and always bears everything alone, has such a persistent and pure heart.
Tang Feng gently stroked her cheek and said softly, "Okay. It's your decision."
He took out an exquisite jade box and gently placed the Lovesick Heartbreak Red, which had already recognized its owner, inside.
Next, he took out an exquisite pendant Soul Tool, placed the jade box into the pendant's space, carefully tied the silver chain, and then handed it to Zhu Zhuqing.
Zhu Zhuqing lowered her head knowingly.
Tang Feng wrapped the silver chain around her fair neck and fastened the clasp behind her neck.
The pendant hung just below her collarbone, the pale red gemstone shimmering with a warm glow in the firelight.
Tang Feng examined it carefully, then smiled and said, "Alright, from now on it can be by your side anytime."
Zhu Zhuqing looked down at the pendant on her chest, then looked up at Tang Feng.
The firelight danced in her eyes, and her usually cool eyes were now filled with an unprecedented brilliance.
She said nothing, but looked straight at him with her expressive eyes, which held a hint of shyness, a hint of expectation, and an undisguised desire.
Having lived two lives, Tang Feng certainly understood the implications.
He lowered his head slightly, gently stroking her cheek with one hand and wrapping his other arm around her waist, before softly kissing her lips.
At first, it was just a gentle touch, like a test. Tang Feng's lips were warm and dry, and he gently pressed them against her soft lips, as if confirming that it was real.
But Zhu Zhuqing almost immediately raised her hands to hug his neck, responding awkwardly yet passionately. She had waited for this moment for too long, so long that all her reserve and restraint crumbled at this moment.
Tang Feng's hand slid from her cheek to the back of her neck, gently supporting her and deepening the kiss.
Zhu Zhuqing awkwardly imitated his rhythm, slightly opening her lips and letting his breath intrude.
This was a kiss filled with the relief of a long wait, the joy of surviving a disaster, and the thrill of confirming each other's feelings.
The roar of the waterfall seemed to fade into the distance, and the whole world consisted only of this warm cave and two hearts that were finally pressed together.
Tang Feng's other hand firmly wrapped around her waist, pressing her even closer to him.
Zhu Zhuqing could feel the rise and fall of his chest, the tension in his muscles, and the burning passion that emanated from his restraint.
After a long while, their lips parted.
Their foreheads touched, their breaths mingling.
Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks were flushed, her eyelashes trembled slightly, and she leaned against Tang Feng, breathing slightly heavily, but she never let go of the hand around his neck.
Tang Feng didn't move, but simply hugged her tighter, gently resting his chin on the top of her head, feeling her soft hair.
They felt each other's pounding heartbeats, their body heat flowing between them, growing hotter and hotter, even through their clothes.
Zhu Zhuqing hugged him even tighter, her fingers unconsciously gripping the fabric of his back, her fingertips turning slightly white.
She could feel the changes in Tang Feng's body, his tense restraint, and his increasingly heavy breathing.
This made her feel both shy and secretly expectant, her unease being overwhelmed by a surge of emotions.
Tang Feng suddenly took a deep breath, as if he had finally made a decision.
He abandoned all restraint and hesitation, and with a strong pull, he swept her up in his arms.
"Ah!"
Zhu Zhuqing gasped softly and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, her entire body suspended in mid-air as Tang Feng held her firmly in his arms.
She buried her head shyly in Tang Feng's chest, not daring to look up, only able to hear his strong, powerful heartbeat mixed with her own thunderous heartbeat.
Tang Feng carried her toward the stone platform covered with a blanket.
The firelight cast their shadows on the cave wall, swaying with each step, weaving together an intimate silhouette. His steps were steady, but his breathing was noticeably heavier.
When he gently placed her on the blanket, Zhu Zhuqing still clung tightly to his neck.
Tang Feng leaned over her and looked at her intently. The firelight danced in his eyes, churning with emotions she had never seen before.
" Zhu Zhuqing."
Tang Feng called her name in a low, hoarse voice.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't answer, but gently stroked his face with both hands, her fingertips tracing his features. This gesture spoke volumes.
Tang Feng lowered his head and kissed her, this time without restraint, but with a long-suppressed desire and possessiveness.
Zhu Zhuqing responded awkwardly but bravely, running her fingers through his thick black hair.
The clothes had fallen off without anyone noticing.
The flickering firelight in the cave cast two young bodies onto the stone wall, their shadows intertwined and indistinguishable.
Heavy breathing and suppressed groans rose and fell intermittently, mingling with the soft crackling of firewood.
Zhu Zhuqing bit her lip, trying not to make too much noise, and left faint red marks on Tang Feng's back with her fingers.
Tang Feng's movements were a little stiff at first, but he quickly found his rhythm, sometimes gentle and sometimes passionate, as if he was confirming each other's existence through this method and soothing all his past unease and loneliness.
Pain and pleasure intertwined, and a strange and overwhelming feeling overwhelmed her.
Zhu Zhuqing hugged Tang Feng tightly, tears welling in her eyes, whether from physical pain or from the overflowing emotions in her heart finally finding an outlet.
Tang Feng kissed away her tears, his movements gradually becoming gentler.
The waterfall outside the cave continues to flow, its roar seemingly bearing witness to this moment.
Inside the cave, the campfire gradually died down, the embers glowing with a dark red light, illuminating the two people who finally belonged to each other completely.
As night deepened, the most intense waves gradually subsided.
Zhu Zhuqing curled up wearily in Tang Feng, covered with his coat.
Tang Feng lay on his side, one arm around her, the other gently stroking her long hair.
Neither of them spoke; they simply listened quietly as each other's breathing gradually calmed.