Deep within the protective silence of the forest cave, only the soft crackle of the energy barrier hummed in the background. Two people, long entangled by fate and feelings left unsaid, now sat side by side. Their bodies bore signs of battle and escape, but it was the storm of emotion in their hearts that truly marked this moment.
This was the moment when love — tested by time, hardship, and fear — finally found its voice.
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> "Your cultivation has reached the required level," Lu Wei had told him once, her voice calm and measured. "You can now take part in the core disciple test next week."
She had expected joy from him, maybe excitement. But instead, he looked at her like she was the sky itself — unreachable, yet the only thing that gave him direction.
> "Is there something you'd like to ask?" she inquired, noticing the look in his eyes.
And then he said it.
> "I love you."
The words seemed to hang in the air, louder than any explosion. Lu Wei blinked, clearly caught off guard.
> "Are you joking?" she asked, masking her shaken heart with indifference. "Focus on preparing for the test. Emotions like this… will only distract you."
She had turned away then, walking off quickly — not because she didn't care, but because she cared too much and didn't know how to handle it.
But behind her, his voice remained firm.
> "I'm not joking," he had called out. "I may not be worthy, but I'm striving to be someone who is. Every day I trained under you… I fell deeper."
Now, inside the cave, her hands glowing with gentle light as she tended to his wounds, those memories resurfaced.
> "You kept coming to me," she said softly. "Didn't it bother you that I ignored you, avoided you?"
Li Yong's smile was warm. "No. You were protecting me — from your family, from the sect, from the pain of losing me."
His fingers brushed her cheek, not out of boldness, but love that had endured silence.
> "You were always there for others, not just me," he continued. "You helped me without asking for thanks, and I watched as you carried the burden of your family's expectations alone. But with me… you never needed to pretend."
Lu Wei looked down, fighting the tremble in her lips. Her heart was breaking — not from pain, but from how deeply he saw her. Not as a genius. Not as the Ice Fairy.
Just… her.
> "I've known many men," she whispered. "Most wanted my status, my beauty, my background. You never asked for any of that. You only wanted me."
Her hand cupped his cheek as she leaned closer.
> "Yes, Li Yong. I will marry you. I truly love you
Li Yong opened his eyes, blinking back disbelief. "Did you say… yes?"
And there it was.
The smile.
The one she had hidden behind icy walls for years. A smile so radiant it lit up the entire cave.
> "I've loved you since the beginning," she admitted, tears sparkling like frost catching sunlight.
Li Yong stepped forward and pulled her into a tight embrace. His heart soared.
> The once-lonely boy who stood on the edge of rejection…
Had finally been accepted.
Not because he climbed the ranks.
But because he never gave up on love.
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