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As the elder walked toward them step by step, a dark-red flame flared up around Ren Pingsheng’s body, distorting the space around him as it melted.

He threw out a punch, and a trail of pure white smoke ignited in the air.

The elder frowned, revealing his True Fate, a great roc.

The giant bird spread its wings, whipping up a violent storm as it clashed fiercely with Ren Pingsheng.

Meanwhile, the other Myriad Beasts Sect disciples all charged at Xu Zimo. With his blade Shadow Tyrant in hand, Xu Zimo unleashed the Nineteenth Style of the Blade, each step he took, a head fell.

However, among the attackers were some Venerable Meridian Realm elders, and together they managed to entangle Xu Zimo for a while.

Of course, this was because Xu Zimo hadn’t yet activated his Hell-Suppressing Deity Physique.

At a nearby table, Lan Ke’er frowned slightly as she observed, then ordered, "Go help them."

"Don’t worry, Miss. I’ve been itching to smack that kid around anyway," Daoist Sorrow said, rising from his seat. A powerful Imperial Meridian Realm aura burst from him.

His True Fate was a long river, and as it flowed slowly through the air, a sorrowful wailing sound echoed from within.

Those who heard it couldn't help but feel an inexplicable sadness in their hearts.

"I told you to help them, not the Myriad Beasts Sect," Lan Ke’er snapped, clearly irritated.

"Ah," Daoist Sorrow froze, his already awkward face growing even more contorted.

Seeing that Daoist Sorrow had stepped in to help Ren Pingsheng block the Myriad Beasts elders, Lan Ke’er turned to Daoist Joy and said, "You go stop the disciples. I want to talk to him alone."

"Miss, we’re supposed to be allying with the Myriad Beasts Sect. This might cause... complications," Daoist Joy said hesitantly, but his smiling face never wavered. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"You teaching me how to do things now?" Lan Ke’er tilted her head slightly and gave him a cool stare.

"I wouldn’t dare," Daoist Joy shook his head at once, then stepped onto the battlefield.

At that moment, Xu Zimo had just finished cutting down another Myriad Beasts disciple when he felt someone tug at his clothes.

He turned to see Lan Ke’er, grabbing his sleeve and leading him out of the inn, while Daoist Joy held off the charging disciples.

...

The two of them arrived in a quiet alley behind the inn. Xu Zimo looked at her with a soft, teasing smile.

Then, suddenly, a streak of sword light flashed through the air, Lan Ke’er drew a three-foot sword, its blade glowing with a pale white light.

The cold edge pressed against Xu Zimo’s neck, and time seemed to freeze in that moment.

A breeze swept down the alley, kicking up a few specks of dust. Warm sunlight bathed the entrance to the alley.

Lan Ke’er’s long hair, once tied up neatly, now hung loose behind her, flowing like ink. Her spirited eyes stared silently at Xu Zimo.

Xu Zimo chuckled and said, "The last time we saw each other, you were crying and begging me not to leave. Never thought our reunion would be with swords drawn."

"What are you talking about?" Lan Ke’er frowned. "I don’t know you."

"Nothing, just reminiscing," Xu Zimo smiled and shook his head.

"How do you know about my wishes?" Lan Ke’er asked coldly. "You’d better explain yourself honestly. Otherwise, I’ll kill you right now."

"You should kill me. I deserve to die," Xu Zimo took a deep breath and said emotionally, "Once, a sincere love was right in front of me. I didn’t cherish it. I only regretted it when it was too late..."

"Speak normally," Lan Ke’er pressed the sword even closer to his neck.

"Do you believe in fate?"

"No."

"Do you believe in destiny?"

"No."

Xu Zimo fell silent for a moment, then smiled, "You don’t believe in anything. How am I supposed to explain this to you?"

"You think I won’t kill you?" Lan Ke’er sneered. "You should know, only dead men keep secrets."

"I once had a dream," Xu Zimo said softly. "To be honest, I’m not even sure if it was a dream or real."

"What dream?" Lan Ke’er asked, eyes still locked on him.

"In the dream, you said you loved me. You said you wanted to have kids with me. You wanted to live in a hidden paradise far from the world. You begged me not to leave. But I turned you down," Xu Zimo said quietly.

"Nonsense! I-I’d never say that!" Lan Ke’er blurted out, shouting in embarrassment.

"I’m serious. I’m not lying," Xu Zimo replied. "Even though the dream ended, the heavens gave me another chance. I swore to myself, this time, I’d treat you right. You like kids? No problem. In the future, we’ll have a whole bunch. If one’s not enough, we’ll have ten. Or twenty. Don’t worry, I can handle it," he added sincerely.

"Try joking again and I’ll cut you," Lan Ke’er growled, tilting the sword threateningly.

"I’m not joking," Xu Zimo said with a bitter smile. The breeze lifted his long hair as he looked at her seriously.

"You know who I thought of most in my dream, right before I died? Besides my parents, it was you. What I feel for you isn’t just love, it’s also deep regret. My father is the Vice-Lord of True Martial Sacred Ground. I’m not lacking resources, or women. Do you think I need to lie to you?"

"True Martial Sacred Ground?" Lan Ke’er froze slightly, then replied, "You said yourself it was a dream. Maybe you were just daydreaming."

Xu Zimo didn’t answer. He went quiet.

"You tell a good story," Lan Ke’er said flatly.

"Thanks," Xu Zimo gave a faint laugh, though it was tinged with sadness.

He couldn’t help wondering: Once something is lost, can it ever be restored? Like a shattered cup, no matter how much you try, you can’t put it back together.

Lan Ke’er looked into Xu Zimo’s eyes. They were deep, dark, like still water, yet somehow aged and heavy with experience.

They say the eyes are the windows to the soul. Through them, you can see a person’s truest self.

She didn’t know why, but as she looked into those eyes full of stories and sorrow, her heart ached, for no reason.

She didn’t understand it either. But she felt an inexplicable sadness for the young man in front of her.

"Crazy bastard," she muttered, sheathing her sword and turning away without looking back.

"I’ll let you off this time… because your story was interesting."

"Hey, my name is Xu Zimo."

"Who wants to know your name?!"

"This story’s far from over. I can tell it to you bit by bit. Don’t you want to know what happened between us?"

"Nope," she replied flatly.

But her feet stopped.

She turned her head to look back at Xu Zimo.

A breeze rustled through the willow trees by the alley, swirling around before drifting through the alley entrance, lifting her hair into a graceful dance in the sunlight…