The two seemed to have no regard for the people around them. They embraced each other, lips locked tightly, conveying their longing through their entwined tongues.
Hua Qingying had gone through countless periods of secluded cultivation, many lasting centuries. This time, even though they had been apart for less than a year, it felt as if thousands of years had passed. The burning longing and impatience aching in her heart were simply indescribable.
When their lips finally separated, a thin strand of saliva lingered between them before breaking apart. They remained locked in each other's gaze, eyes burning with heated emotion. If not for the place they were in, they would have already torn each other's clothes apart.
'Aunt is making such an expression… how… how lewd!' Since coming to this place, Hua Caili had been shocked many times already. Just looking at the way her aunt was acting, she began to suspect that this wasn't really her aunt at all.
Pressing a hand to her chest, she felt that the scene was far too strange. It stirred a weird, tingly sensation in her heart and belly that she couldn't understand.
The impact of the scene was far too much for a sheltered girl like her.
"Congratulations, I knew you would do it," Yun Wuji said as he caressed Hua Qingying's soft, silky hair, tucking it behind her ear. He hadn't expected that the reason she left was not only to help Hua Caili, but also to break through to the True God Realm.
"I wouldn't have been able to do it without your help," Hua Qingying smiled. It was a mesmerizing smile, bright as the sun, a smile capable of melting any heart.
'Aunt… she really seems to love this man,' Hua Caili thought. Despite feeling a little depressed that someone was 'stealing' her aunt from her, she also felt relieved that her aunt had found someone she was willing to give her heart to. From her initial impression, this man seemed decent enough. He was handsome, powerful, and appeared to care about her aunt as well.
While Hua Caili watched the two cuddling in their own world, another person was also staring at them with an absentminded look.
'Even Hua Qingying is in love with him… well, that isn't strange if it is him,' Ling Xian thought as she held the empty teacup in her hand. It was the very cup Yun Wuji had poured tea into for her earlier today.
Staring at the two, she imagined herself and Mo Su cuddling, gazing at each other affectionately. However, for some reason, Ling Xian could not see Mo Su's face clearly. It was as if a white veil obscured it. When the veil faded, the face that appeared was Yun Wuji's.
'What is wrong with me? I already decided to give up on love. What am I even doing? I am already this old, with one foot in the grave!'
Ling Xian bit her lip, shocked. Her gaze drifted to the infatuated expression on Hua Qingying's face, and a bitter thought followed.
'Even if I wanted to… what could an old lady like me do? Hua Qingying is such a graceful beauty. It is only natural for Wuji to like her.'
In the past, because she had already given up on love and on herself, she never cared about her appearance and let her body age rapidly. She even pushed it along on purpose. Now, even if she wanted to reverse it, it was impossible. The only way would be a major breakthrough in cultivation, yet she was already at the True God Realm. Reaching another step beyond that was nearly impossible.
"Is this your niece?" When Yun Wuji finally noticed the extra person, his eyes brightened. Hua Caili truly lived up to her reputation. She was as beautiful as Shen Xi and as unforgettable as Qianye Ying'er.
Her beauty only fell slightly short of Li Suo's dreamy, almost celestial looks and temperament.
"Yes, that's her," Hua Qingying answered. She turned to Hua Caili. "Caili, this is Wuji… my man." She felt a little embarrassed saying something like that in front of her niece.
"…" Hua Caili blinked, then a light, pretty smile spread across her lips. "So you are the man who managed to take down Aunt. Hmm, you really are good-looking. Even better looking than uncle Abyssal Monarch."
She originally wanted to glare at him and declare that even if he had stolen her aunt's heart, he had no right to monopolize her all for himself. Yet for some reason, the moment she met his gaze, everything she planned to say jammed in her throat, and she simply could not bring herself to speak.
"Yeah, I know I'm handsome," Yun Wuji said calmly, accepting her words. Then he smiled at her like he was speaking to a junior. "You are quite beautiful yourself."
Holding Hua Qingying's delicate hand, he told Hua Caili. "Since you came with your aunt to my kingdom, come. I'll take you on a tour with her."
"Your kingdom?" Hua Caili's eyes widened as she asked. Now that she thought about it, for someone to be worthy of her aunt, who was now a True God, only a Divine Regent could measure up.
"Yeah," Yun Wuji answered briefly. He didn't think it was a big deal. Compared to the entire Primal Chaos, or soon the entire Abyss, this kingdom was far too insignificant. Before leaving, he glanced at the silent Su Shang and asked, "Want to come with us?"
"Can I?" Su Shang was taken aback by his offer. She thought he would use this opportunity to spend time with Hua Qingying, maybe send Hua Caili away for a while, and have some steamy time with her.
"Why not?" Yun Wuji said, turning to Ling Xian. "Senior, can you allow her to accompany us?"
By the time Yun Wuji asked, Ling Xian had already composed her expression. With the same kind look on her old face, she said, "Of course she can. I am not so old that I need her to babysit me."
"Go on, go. You young people should enjoy life more," she added, waving her hand as if shooing them while laughing.
"…" Yun Wuji gave her a long look before stepping out the door with the other women. It seemed his plan was already close to success. Once he returned to the Primal Chaos, the three Divine Birds would have to repay him for his efforts.
To think that, as wives, they would push their husband to seduce another woman.
'Why is Aunt Su Shang looking at Yun Wuji like that? Could it be that she is… Nah, it can't be right. He already has Aunt. Why would he want another woman?'
Hua Caili felt that the way Yun Wuji and Su Shang were looking at and talking to each other was strange. Even though she was sheltered and didn't really understand what love was, she could sense the vibe they were both giving off.
"Come, I'll take you to see the other aunties. They will like you." Yun Wuji flew toward the Divine Temple, where Shenwu Youluan, Shenwu Qing, and Helian Lingzhu were. The three were helping him manage the kingdom on his behalf since he spent most of his time either cultivating or… on other 'important' activities.
"Other aunts?" Hua Caili exclaimed. She then glanced at Hua Qingying, only to see the same infatuated look she had worn ever since meeting Yun Wuji. She wondered, 'Is this really my aunt? The cold, lofty Sword Immortal?'
...
Dozens of minutes after the group left the wooden house, Ling Xian remained still, staring dazedly into the distance through the small open window. No one knew what she was thinking about.
"Sigh." Suddenly, a soft sigh sounded behind her. It was just a single, gentle sigh, but the sound was ethereal and dreamy, almost celestial. Anyone who heard it would feel themselves drifting into a wonderful dreamland.
Stunned, Ling Xian quickly turned around to see someone standing there. How had this person managed to get so close without her noticing? However, when she saw her appearance, her expression froze completely. She stared straight ahead without moving a muscle. Her pupils shrank, and a tingling ran across her scalp like never before!
"Im-impossible! Impossible! Lord… Lord Li Suo! Is that you?!" Ling Xian never imagined that at her old age she could feel such astonishment and disbelief. She had also never believed she would meet one of the Creation Gods in her lifetime!
Even when she was young in the Primal Chaos, she had never had the privilege of meeting any of the Creation Gods. She had only heard legends about them and memorized their images. The closest she had ever come to a Creation God was when Ni Xuan visited her Vermillion Bird Clan back in the day.
To everyone in the God Race, Li Suo was the kindest and most benevolent being in existence. She created life, healed and helped living beings, and cared for the world with unmatched compassion. She was also the first of the Creation Gods to be killed in the war, a loss that caused countless living beings to weep in sorrow.
"Have I gone senile? How could… how could Li Suo appear before me?" Ling Xian instinctively took a step forward, clenching both her fists until they went white, biting her tongue until the metallic taste of blood filled her mouth.
"Child, do not be afraid or surprised," Li Suo said, approaching the High Priest. She gently touched her face. "I have seen your struggles. You have suffered enough. It is time for you to live for yourself."
"Lord Li Suo, what do you mean?" Ling Xian froze, not daring to move, as if afraid of offending the Creation Goddess standing before her.
"Be braver. Chase the things you want. People live only once. It is sad to miss the things we long for, but it is a tragedy to not strive for them at all," Li Suo said, not directly answering her question. Gentle, soft white light shone from her hand, enveloping the confused Ling Xian. She heard Li Suo's voice echoing in her soul. "Live for yourself, child. Live for yourself."
When the light faded, Li Suo's figure was gone.
"Lord Li Suo?" In a daze, Ling Xian muttered. However, the next instant, her eyes, which had just returned to normal, widened to their limit again. This time it was because she sensed the changes in her own voice!
...
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