Mo Fan, Ye Xinxia, and Qin Yu'er spent the afternoon immersed in conversation, the bond between Ye Xinxia and Qin Yu'er growing surprisingly strong. They chatted as if they had known each other for years, feeling a sisterly connection that brightened the fading daylight.
Meanwhile, Mo Fan found a quiet moment to honor his father. He carefully took out the ashes of his father's hand and placed them into a large flower pot. With a sense of reverence, he sowed a seed of the White Magnolia tree, his father's favourite. The memories of his father speaking fondly of his mother's love for the tree came rushing back.
"Hope you've found her... Be happy with her and don't worry about us," Mo Fan murmured as he watered the pot. He then placed the pot on the terrace, ensuring it would receive ample sunlight and fresh air.
As he returned inside, he saw Ye Xinxia preparing dinner, with Qin Yu'er assisting her. Their harmony in the kitchen was evident, a new friendship blossoming under the roof.
Mo Fan signaled for Qin Yu'er to follow him. She nodded silently and trailed behind him to his room.
Clack!
Just as she entered the room Mo Fan barraged her with questions, "How are you able to walk so soon? Are you pushing yourself? It hasn't even been four days since you were freed," his voice laced with concern.
Qin Yu'er chuckled softly, "I'm fine! I was already recovering when we were at Tianshan. Plus, with the help of those Ice Fundamental Crystals you placed by my bedside, I was able to recover almost instantly! And not only that, because those crystals were so pure in ice element, my cultivation got a massive boost and broke through the barrier of the Super Level. I'm now a Super Level mage!" She said, her eyes sparkling with happiness.
Mo Fan was dumbfounded. He couldn't fathom what he had just heard. She not only recovered from the Ice poison after being trapped in the Glacier for seven years but also advanced to the Super Level merely by being near the Ice Fundamental Crystals.
_I mean, sure, they were of the highest grade, worth billions of Yuan... but this still doesn't make sense. She healed herself and advanced to Super Level just by absorbing those three Crystals? That's impossible!_ Mo Fan thought,
Breaking through Super Level was not an easy feat, not only do you need a lot of resources, you also need to be in your best state!
But the girl in front of him, broke through to Super Level while being asleep!
His world view and common sense was being destroyed right now.
"I-is that even possible?" Mo Fan wondered aloud, still in shock.
"It worked for me," Qin Yu'er replied with a shrug.
"Anyways, what happened to that Executioner from before? How did we escape?" Qin Yu'er asked, changing the subject.
"Hmm? Oh, you don't need to worry about him anymore. I took care of him. For now, the Sacred City won't bother you unless you draw too much attention to yourself," Mo Fan said reassuringly, though with a hint of caution.
"You took care of him?" Qin Yu'er repeated, clearly puzzled. Despite Mo Fan's composed demeanour, she still saw him as just a young man.
"Yeah, so forget about him and just focus on keeping a low profile. I'm serious, okay?" Mo Fan emphasized, his worry evident in his tone.
Qin Yu'er wore a troubled expression. "I'm sorry, Mo Fan. I appreciate you saving me from that torture, but I have to leave. I need to find him," she said, her voice tinged with determination.
Mo Fan's eyes darkened with a hint of anger. "What will you do after finding him?" he asked, his tone barely masking his frustration.
Qin Yu'er looked away, her resolve unwavering. "If you know about the Sacred City, I'm pretty sure you know my circumstances as well. The moment they find out about me, they will try to hunt me down. So, even for a moment more, I just want to be with him, even if it means I die," she said sincerely.
Mo Fan clenched his fists, his anger rising. "Even if you die, you say... Do you think your lover would just sit back and watch them kill you?" he snapped. "He will try to save you, even at the cost of his life! The Sacred City is ruthless in their methods. They won't hesitate to kill anyone who gets in their way. You think they'll only kill you and be done with it? With Zhankong's temperament, I'm pretty sure he will do something that will make him a target of the Sacred City as well! They'll kill him too!
"I know you want to meet your lover no matter what, but don't think for even a second that he doesn't have other friends and family who care about him and who won't be devastated if he dies! I don't want him to sacrifice his life for you needlessly. I want him to live! I didn't save you just so you could throw your life away."
Qin Yu'er was taken aback by Mo Fan's sudden outburst. She blinked at him, stunned. The realization that her selfish desire could jeopardize not only her life but also the lives of those around her dawned on her. She had never considered things from that perspective before
"Just know that the only thing you can do for him is to grow stronger than anything and anyone, so that no one can harm you or your loved ones. Life might not have been smooth sailing for you up till now, but don't let your past decide your future," Mo Fan said, his voice filled with earnest conviction.
"The world is a big place! There are many people in this world besides Zhankong who can accept you and be your friends! Just look at me and Xinxia! People fear the unknown, but you need to help them understand. Life might have been harsh to you, but don't think that it will stay that way forever! Ultimately, it's up to you to decide whether you want to open up your heart to others or not.
"I'm not telling you to stay away from Zhankong, but you need to give us a chance too. Zhankong and I were strangers at first; we didn't become friends overnight! It might be difficult for you to take that step considering what you've been through, but trust me and trust yourself! Right now, you need to think about whether you want to die with him, or you want to live alongside him and build your own little world!"
Mo Fan's breath hitched, the weight of his words leaving him momentarily winded. Before his regression, Zhankong and Qin Yu'er had chosen to leave this world without giving it a chance. Mo Fan had always regretted not trying harder to save them. He had respected Zhankong's wishes, but the regret of their loss haunted him every day. He hated that Zhankong had felt compelled to become the Ancient Undead Emperor to protect everyone and free Qin Yu'er because his own power was lacking.
Mo Fan vowed to himself that he wouldn't let Zhankong die in this life. He wanted him to have a happy ending.
Qin Yu'er was stunned by Mo Fan's words. She couldn't find any way to refute him. At first, she felt a surge of anger, thinking he couldn't possibly understand the pain she had endured alone. But the sincerity in his voice and the pained, sad expression on his face struck a chord within her. He was genuinely worried for her.
She was called the Ice Witch, because she awakened extraordinary powers at a very young age. She was not able to control her massive powers, which in turn affected her surroundings on large scales which sometimes even caused the weather to change!
Her village had shunned her and banished her away at the harsh and cold Tianshan Mountain, where she lived in loneliness as but a child for more than Eight years and only after reaching the Advanced Level was she able to control her powers to some degree!
Even then she was treated as calamity which brought disasters and was feared by all. Only Zhankong had accepted her for who she is.
"Mo Fan, you speak as if you understand my pain," Qin Yu'er said, her voice trembling. "But how can you? How can you know what it's like to be trapped in ice for years, to feel the world has forgotten you?"
Qin Yu'er finally said her mind. She had withheld her feelings inside her for a long time.
"..."
Mo Fan didn't answered her immediately.
"I can't pretend to know your exact pain," Mo Fan admitted, his eyes softening. "But I know the pain of losing someone, the regret of not doing enough. I've seen friends and family die because I wasn't strong enough. And I've lived with that guilt. I don't want you or Zhankong to live with that kind of regret. There's a chance for a different future, one where you both can live and be happy."
Qin Yu'er's heart stirred. His words resonated with her, cutting through the walls she had built around herself. She had closed off her heart to protect herself, but now, faced with Mo Fan's heartfelt plea, she found herself questioning if there could be another way.
Mo Fan took a step closer, his gaze unwavering. "You have a choice, Qin Yu'er. You can choose to fight, to live, and to find happiness. Not just for Zhankong, but for yourself. The world is harsh, but it's also beautiful. Don't let the past dictate your future. Let's face it together."
After some time of silent contemplation, Qin Yu'er finally voiced her inner turmoil to Mo Fan. "Do you really think... someone like me can ever be happy? Can I truly create my own family?"
Mo Fan's response was unwavering. "On the contrary, why wouldn't it be possible? Everyone deserves happiness. Those who rejected or feared you in the past were simply the wrong people. I, Mo Fan, the sole Sacred Evil God of this world, vow to make you, Qin Yu'er, the happiest person in the world!" Mo Fan declared with utter confidence!
Qin Yu'er was taken aback by Mo Fan's declaration. No one, not even Zhankong, had ever expressed such confidence in her happiness before. His words touched something deep within her, but they also elicited an unexpected reaction.
A tear slipped down Qin Yu'er's cheek as she looked at Mo Fan. His words had a profound impact on her, breaking through her hardened exterior. For the first time in a long while, she allowed herself to hope. She nodded slowly, acknowledging the truth in his words.
"Okay," she whispered. "I'll try. For him, and for myself."
Mo Fan smiled, relief washing over him. "That's all I ask of you... Remember that you're not alone." He crouched down and placed his hand on her shoulder, reassuring her.
"Mhmm." She nodded while huge tear droplets fell from her eyes and immediately crystallized into ice because of her innate powers.
_*Sigh* Thank God my acting worked. I finally have her in my palm!_ Mo Fan smirked as he comforted Qin Yu'er while she cried her heart out!
Though he did feel regret of not saving her and Zhankong in the past, Mo Fan realised that he cannot be complacent anymore. He decided to use whatever means he could to his advantage, even if he had to use force or how low he needed to stoop to achieve it!
He was glad things went rather smoothly with Qin Yu'er. Right now, he needed reliable and powerful paw— Ahem, he meant Allies. For that he will do his utmost best!
He knew what things awaited him in the future, he was not going to make the same mistake twice and cost the life of someone dear to him again to his carelessness.