After the battle with the Abyss Guardian, Ye Tian and Yue Qing moved deeper through the twisting tunnels. Their clothes were torn, their energy low. But they were alive.
Yue Qing suddenly paused and pointed ahead.
"There. That's... not normal."
Between two collapsed stone pillars, a faint blue glow shimmered. As they stepped closer, the air grew warmer. Soft moss covered the ground, and glowing mushrooms lit the space with a gentle light.
It was a hidden sanctuary.
A Hidden Resting Spot
They entered carefully.
A small pond lay in the center, clear and still.The walls were smooth, almost as if made by hand long ago.
Ye Tian sat down beside the water and washed his hands. Blood from his earlier wound still stained his fingers.
Yue Qing knelt next to him.
"Let me see," she said.
He looked at her, surprised. But nodded.
She pulled out a bottle of spirit balm from her pouch. Her fingers brushed his bare shoulder as she began to clean and wrap the cut.
The touch was soft, but her eyes were focused.
"You always act strong," she whispered."But you're still human."
Ye Tian smirked.
"And you're still soft, despite all the cold words."
Romantic Tension Rises
The room fell quiet.
Only the gentle sound of water and their breathing remained.
Yue Qing's hands slowed. Her face was close to his. Their eyes met.
"Do you regret saving me back then?" she asked suddenly.
He looked away for a moment. Then back at her.
"No. That moment changed everything. For both of us."
"Even with my curse?" she whispered.
He leaned in just slightly.
"Even with your curse."
Their foreheads touched. For a moment, the Abyss vanished. There was only them.
But before anything more could happen—
System Alert
⟨SYSTEM NOTICE⟩
Sanctuary Status: TemporaryNext Abyssal Shift in 2 hoursDanger Level outside increasing rapidly
Ye Tian sighed.
"Peace never lasts long here."
Yue Qing stood and brushed her hair back.
"Then let's make the most of the time we have."
They sat side by side, watching the glowing pond in silence.
For now… this small bit of warmth in the Abyss was enough.