Chapter 472 - Are You Mad!?

In the Heavenly Realm's market, bustling and vibrant as a smaller version of the Primordial Ruins, life thrummed with an uncommon vibrancy. Here, the faces of the people glowed with genuine smiles, untainted by the fears of yore. With the demon threat vanquished, the Divine Continent knew no disaster.

Through the mist of incense and the clamor of the streets, Yun Xiao glided, his Sovereign Sword a six-foot shadow beneath him, carrying Lian Xi at a pace that allowed the essence of mortal life to wash over them.

"They brim with hope, how wonderful," Lian Xi observed, her eyes wide with the vibrancy of life as she gazed upon the scene below.

"But," Yun Xiao's voice was a weighty toll, "if the Celestial Sourcecore continues to unleash its decaying power, even the peace here will not be spared."

Lian Xi nodded, her gaze shifting towards Yun Xiao. "Indeed, and this spells doom for all people in the lower worlds, potentially robbing them of the chance to ascend."

This was his homeland, his reason, perhaps, for needing to vanquish the Three Immortals?

"Let's not dwell on the Three Immortals," Yun Xiao said, changing course to hover over the imperial palace. "Do you recognize any of this?" he asked, a smile in his voice.

"Not really, but it feels... familiar," Lian Xi confessed, her confusion clear.

"How familiar?" he pressed.

"As if... I've seen it in a dream..." Lian Xi's voice trailed off, her cheeks warming with the blush of memory.

"In your dreams, was there a divine vessel, or perhaps a dragon throne?" Yun Xiao's question came out of the blue.

Lian Xi, taken aback, stammered, "How did you know?"

His laughter was light, "I've dreamt of it too."

Lian Xi's response was a soft huff, her hands clasping together, warmth spreading through her palms. She hadn't imagined that her most embarrassingly intimate dreams were shared. The thought was mortifying.

"Let's walk the streets," she quickly changed the subject.

"We can't," Yun Xiao replied with a gentle but firm denial. For if they were to walk among the people, she would be hailed as the Empress, and their true identities would be revealed.

"Come, Lil Xi, I'll show you something intriguing," Yun Xiao promised, sparking curiosity in her eyes.

"Something intriguing?" Lian Xi's gaze drifted instinctively towards the grandest hall within the palace below, where their adventure was about to unfold.

𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

As Yun Xiao's words hung in the air, they descended from the heavens, the tip of his Sovereign Sword guiding their path until they stood within the temporarily deserted palace.

Candles flickered around them, casting a warm glow on the majestic, gold-and-crimson dragon pillars that stood tall and formidable.

Before them lay a series of steps leading up to a golden dragon throne, majestic and upright.

With a swift leap, Yun Xiao ascended the steps and took his place upon the throne, his gaze falling warmly on Lian Xi, her innocence aglow in the candlelight.

Everything was familiar, yet Lian Xi's demeanor and aura shone with a different kind of resilience; where Chen Xi was dominantly steadfast, Lian Xi was equally determined but with a softer, more clinging nature.

Now, as she looked upon the familiar throne, a blush crept over her delicate features, her hands nervously twisting her gown, her breathing quickened by the surge of emotions.

"Lian Xi, come here," Yun Xiao's voice, warm yet commanding, left no room for refusal.

"I, I..." she stammered, her eyes darting around, looking for a means to escape.

"Come."

Her only choice was to ascend the steps, her heart pounding audibly in the silent palace.

Before she reached him, Yun Xiao reached out, pulling her to sit facing him on his lap.

"Yun Xiao..." Lian Xi whispered, her voice a soft tremble, as she shyly lowered her head, her cheeks flushed like ripe peaches.

"Now's your chance! He's asking for it! Stop pretending, take the initiative!" the little white tiger urged within her arms.

What was his intention? Lian Xi could feel it, the position they were in left her acutely aware of every slight movement. And then, his hand moved to her waist, to the ribbon that held her gown together. With just a pull, the fabric would loosen, the gown ready to slip away at his slightest touch.

In that moment, Lian Xi's heart raced, her lips quivering as if touched by the chill of dawn. Her voice, a whisper as delicate as the wings of a mosquito, asked, "W-what are you intending to do?"

"What do you think?" Yun Xiao's voice, a shadowy caress by her ear, hinted at mysteries untold. "Is there anything more marvelous in this world than dreams becoming reality?"

"Dreams..." Visions of them together, seated upon the dragon throne, flooded her mind, heightening her nervousness.

"Don't hold back, squeeze him dry!" the little white tiger inside her urged, its patience burning thin. Yet, it dared not break the charged silence with its voice.

But Lian Xi harbored reservations still.

Clasping Yun Xiao's hand, she looked up into his eyes, her lips parting to speak, "But do you love me? If you love me and wish to spend a lifetime by my side, then—only then—can it be this way."

"I do love you, with all my heart," Yun Xiao affirmed.

"Why? We've known each other for such a short while," she breathed softly.

"Not short at all. We've known each other in dreams for longer," Yun Xiao replied, cradling her flawless face in his hands. "Lil Xi, it's fate, all the myriad versions of you belong to me."

Upon hearing this, Lian Xi's tension melted away.

"So be good," he whispered, his hands exploring gently as he added, "I'll be gentle."

She bowed her head, her eyes alight with an impassioned blaze, her emotions rendering her speechless.

However, just as they neared the brink of becoming one, Lian Xi, her lips bitten in turmoil, pushed Yun Xiao away after a lengthy struggle and ran.

"No! We can't... not yet." Descending the steps, she straightened her white gown, casting an apologetic glance back at Yun Xiao.

"I must return to my master!" With that, she dashed away like a tempest, racing out of the palace towards the gateway to the Nine Hells in the sky.

As she fled the palace, Pomelo burst from her embrace, exasperated, "Lil Xi, are you mad? You let the duck slip right through your fingers!"

Lian Xi bristled, "Who are you calling a duck?"

"The duck in question is not the one you're thinking of," the little white tiger retorted, its whiskers bristling in irritation. "He was offering you a fortune on a silver platter, and here you are, hesitating!"

Lian Xi took a deep breath, her resolve hardening. "I've made up my mind. I love him, and for that very reason, I cannot harm him."

"You're missing out on a monumental opportunity for foolish sentimentality," Pomelo lamented in disbelief.

"Silence. I can grow strong on my own terms, without resorting to such harmful shortcuts."

Lian Xi transformed into a blaze of lightning and fire, soaring into the sky without a moment's hesitation.

"The problem is, with the Heavenly Decay spreading through the myriad worlds, you're out of time!" Pomelo exclaimed, practically spitting blood.

"I can strive alongside him. He has plenty of skills of his own," Lian Xi stated earnestly.

"By joining forces with him, you'll have to play by his rules. His mind harbors violent thoughts; he'll drag you down with him!" Pomelo warned, barely containing her anger.

"Why do you assume it'll be a descent into corruption? Can't I be the one to influence him for the better?" Lian Xi countered.

Frustrated and fiery, Pomelo roared, "You're delusional with love!"

"You're just too deeply prejudiced against him," Lian Xi paused, gazing towards the Heavenly Realm. "I'm more certain than anyone that he's a good person."

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Inside the palace, Yun Xiao remained seated on the dragon throne, somewhat bemused by the turn of events.

"The prize has flown the coop; how does that make you feel?" Blue Star emerged from his robes.

"I'm actually quite happy," Yun Xiao said, smiling towards the direction Lian Xi had departed.

"Your mind might be content, but your body begs to differ," Blue Star chuckled.

"The mind is what matters most," Yun Xiao replied.

Blue Star tilted his head, raising an eyebrow, "If she had willingly sought to drain your essence, would you have seized the moment to tear out her heart while she was lost in passion?"

"Yes." Yun Xiao toyed with a stone in his hand, contemplating. "After all, she's grown stronger, becoming a Yang Immortal. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't stand a chance against her now."

"That's rather ruthless of you," Blue Star noted, surprised.

"You're mistaken," Yun Xiao shook his head, taking a deep breath. "What you fail to understand is, she is Chen Xi."

"Are you sure? They don't even share the same personality," Blue Star questioned.

"Personality is shaped by life's experiences and circumstances. Even I have changed over time... But I can feel it; her core essence is the same as Chen Xi's." Yun Xiao spoke with conviction, "So, despite the different personalities they present to me, I am certain she's the same person."