The sun had just begun its climb, spilling golden light across the dense forest. Dew clung to the blades of grass, sparkling like scattered gems in the morning air. Hao Zan moved with measured steps, his senses attuned to the smallest fluctuation in the Qi around him. The Eternal Heaven-Devouring Sutra thrummed within him, harmonizing his body, mind, and soul, each step a silent calculation of strength and danger.
Ahead, a glimmer of movement caught his eye. A figure, light-footed and agile, moved through the underbrush with practiced precision. Hao Zan's sharp perception immediately recognized the aura: a cultivator of high skill, yet cautious, meticulous, and aware of hidden dangers. He slowed his steps, letting curiosity guide him.
"Treasure hunting," he murmured to himself, sensing the subtle resonance of rare spiritual artifacts nearby. The figure paused, lowering her stance and scanning the surroundings. Hao Zan's heart gave a slight lurch of recognition, though he quickly masked it with a casual gait.
Xue Jiying—this had to be her. Even after all these years, even after regression and countless lifetimes of battles, the elegance of her movement and the sharp focus in her eyes were unmistakable. The coincidence of their paths crossing now, in this dense forest while both sought treasures, felt almost like destiny.
He stepped forward, letting his presence make itself known. A soft rustle of leaves and a faint shadow moving across the forest floor signaled that he had been seen.
Xue Jiying's gaze flicked upward, eyes widening slightly, though her expression quickly returned to composed focus. "Hao Zan?" she said, her voice steady but carrying the subtle surprise of someone who hadn't expected this encounter.
Hao Zan allowed a soft smile to touch his features. "Seems the forest has its own sense of humor," he said, his tone calm, almost teasing. "And yet, fate is always punctual."
She blinked, a faint chuckle escaping her. "Or perhaps, it's cruel," she replied, her lips curving in amusement. "To have you appear just when I was so close to something valuable."
Hao Zan's sharp eyes softened at the sight of her smile. "No treasure can compare," he murmured, almost to himself. Then, louder, "Are you hunting alone?"
She nodded, though her eyes never left his. "Always," she said simply. "It's safer that way."
They walked together for a time, the forest providing a natural canopy that shielded them from the early sun. Hao Zan observed her carefully, noting how her energy flowed around her, each step controlled, each movement a testament to her skill and cultivation. He was aware of the connection they shared, a bond beyond time, beyond regression, yet he kept his demeanor casual, knowing that the reunion needed subtlety rather than grand declarations.
After some distance, they came upon a clearing where the artifact's aura resonated strongest. Hao Zan's senses detected it immediately: a fragment of Heaven and Earth treasure, a relic infused with energies so old they predated many sects and clans.
Xue Jiying's eyes glimmered with excitement. "I can feel it," she said softly, almost reverently. "This is… extraordinary."
Hao Zan chuckled, watching her carefully, impressed as always by her focus and poise. "Few can sense its presence like you," he said, brushing a lock of hair from her face. "Few can… but with you here, it seems almost trivial."
She blinked, a faint blush coloring her cheeks at the unexpected closeness. "Hao Zan…" she began, but he shook his head slightly, a small smirk playing on his lips.
"Relax," he murmured. "We have time." His eyes flicked toward the artifact again, calculating and precise. Then, after a pause, softer, "No one… not a single soul. Except you… and my wives."
Xue Jiying's lips curved into a soft, knowing smile, her gaze unwavering. "So even in a world filled with fearsome enemies and boundless dangers," she whispered, "there is one place you feel safe… with us." Her hand found his, fingers intertwining naturally. The warmth of their connection bridged the years apart, and in that shared silence, Hao Zan felt the weight of his responsibilities ease, if only for a fleeting moment. Together, they understood that no power, no threat, could sever the bond forged by love, trust, and loyalty.
A faint teasing edge returned to her voice. "Do you ever let yourself relax, even for a moment?" she asked. Hao Zan's gaze met hers, the shadow of a smirk crossing his face. "Relax? Few can. But with you… I suppose there's a place where even I can breathe."
She leaned slightly closer, the quiet intimacy of the moment pressing between them. "So even amidst danger, chaos, and the weight of everything you carry… there's still a corner of peace reserved for us," she murmured. Fingers still entwined, she held his gaze. In the calm that followed, the forest around them seemed to fade, leaving only the echo of their unspoken understanding.
The fragment of the Heaven and Earth treasure pulsed, responding to the combined aura of the two cultivators. Hao Zan's eyes glimmered with calculated delight. "Then we shall proceed together," he said. "But not for long. You have your kingdom to oversee, and I have my path to follow."
She nodded, the faintest glimmer of sadness crossing her otherwise composed features. "Then let us make the most of these moments," she said softly. "Even if they are brief, even if they are fleeting."
Together, they moved toward the treasure, their steps in harmony, their energies intertwining to unlock the artifact's power. Each motion, each breath, was a dance, a subtle acknowledgment of their connection and the paths that had led them here. Hao Zan's hands guided hers in tandem as they drew the energy of the relic, a powerful surge that resonated through their cultivation, enhancing both their strength and mutual understanding.
After a long, shared silence spent meditating on the treasure's energies, Hao Zan finally broke the quiet. "Soon, you must return," he said, his tone gentle but firm. "Your people need you, and this world needs your wisdom."
She nodded, eyes holding his for a heartbeat longer than necessary. "I know. And I will."
Before parting, Hao Zan leaned forward, capturing her hand in his own once more. "Remember this, Xue Jiying. No matter where our paths take us, no matter the danger or distance… you will always be my anchor."
A rare, soft smile spread across her face, and she placed her other hand atop his. "And you, mine," she whispered. "Always."
As they prepared to depart, Hao Zan cast one last glance at the forest, the treasure now securely in their possession. In the quiet aftermath of their encounter, he felt the pull of destiny, the reminder that though their reunion had been brief, it had strengthened their resolve. And though the path ahead would be fraught with danger and chaos, he knew that the bond forged here would carry them both through whatever storms awaited.
With a final, lingering touch, they parted ways, the forest silent save for the whisper of wind and the soft echoes of their unspoken promise. Hao Zan's steps were steady, his mind clear, yet a faint warmth remained in his chest—a reminder that even the Eternal Sovereign had places and people for whom he truly feared nothing… except his wives.
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