"This battle concerns the safety of Yunjing City and even the entire Southern Cloud Empire; I must fight. However, Ling'er, rest assured, no matter what happens, I will return safely to your side—even if I have to crawl, I will crawl back to you!" Ye Jingyu shed his playful expression, speaking with utmost seriousness.
"This is a promise you made to me; you absolutely must come back safe, do you understand?" Luo Ling'er’s face also became serious, her large eyes fixed directly on Ye Jingyu.
"Yes, I promised you, and I will absolutely fulfill it!" Ye Jingyu nodded heavily.
"When you return, you have to take me to see the ocean, see the deserts, go to the Southern Wasteland Forest, to so many, many places!" Luo Ling'er’s voice cracked slightly with a sob… Though she didn't know how powerful Xuanyuan Xiao Zhan was, no one in the Southern Cloud Empire currently stood against him—not even Xiao Geng. Her own second brother had died at Xuanyuan Xiao Zhan’s hands in a single battle…
Ye Jingyu had just returned, yet he was immediately leading troops into battle. This was bound to be an extremely perilous campaign; how could she not worry?
"Good, I promise you, I will accompany you wherever you wish to go—whether it is Heaven or Hell…" Ye Jingyu spoke with gravity; this was his oath, a vow from the depths of his heart.
Heaven or Hell, I will always be with you, forever and ever…
Looking into Ye Jingyu's deep gaze, listening to his firm words, Luo Ling'er felt a wave of profound sweetness wash over her heart.
"Xiao Yezi, I love you!" Disregarding the gazes of the surrounding eunuchs and palace maids, and realizing it was broad daylight within the confines of the Imperial Palace, Luo Ling'er spoke the words without restraint—a difficult thing for a woman of this era to admit.
She had to overcome not only her own shyness but also the condemnation of her age…
"I love you too…" Hearing those intoxicating words, hearing that mesmerizing voice, hearing that unforgettable call ringing from the very depths of his soul, Ye Jingyu felt everything he was doing was worthwhile. As long as she was happy, as long as she found joy, what did it matter if he were shattered into pieces?
He pulled Luo Ling'er tightly into his embrace once more, kissing her moving ung lips again, feeling the sweetness of their shared kiss once more. Ye Jingyu was drunk—drunk with such pleasure, drunk with such happiness…
Luo Ling'er was equally intoxicated in Ye Jingyu’s arms, forgetting time, forgetting place, forgetting status, forgetting everything…
The world seemed to halt its rotation at that moment, then began to spin outward with the two of them at its center…
Flowers bloomed wantonly from the void, petals danced freely from the air…
Flying toward the two, flying toward the hearts that had become so tightly bound together…
If flowers bloom, cherish them; if petals fall, do not part…
Ye Jingyu didn't recall how he left the Imperial Palace. Even when he returned to his manor, he remained somewhat dazed. His mind was filled entirely with Luo Ling'er’s large, captivating eyes, leaving him so enchanted, so intoxicated…
This must be love!
Ye Jingyu thought to himself…
That night, Bing Ming, having failed to find any trace of Ye Jingyu in Medicine City, returned to Yunjing. Upon seeing Ye Jingyu safe and sound, he was filled with sheer astonishment…
He recalled that seven Saint Beasts and two Martial Saints had been hunting him that day. Even he himself would surely not have escaped death, yet Ye Jingyu had not only escaped but also killed one Saint Beast—even if it was a Pseudo-Saint Beast, that level of strength was truly terrifying…
"Your soul power…" Suddenly, Bing Ming seemed to sense something different?
"My Immortal Soul was smashed to pieces by Xuanyuan Jing’s sword strike; I can no longer use Soul Arts," Ye Jingyu stated calmly.
"Ah…" Bing Ming was greatly shocked. He knew clearly that Ye Jingyu’s greatest reliance was his Soul Arts. But now, unable to use them, didn't that mean his combat power was reduced to that of a mere Grand Master?
"However…" A wicked smile played on Ye Jingyu’s lips, and he suddenly lashed out with a punch toward Bing Ming…
This punch was utterly devoid of flourish, carrying no discernible energy fluctuation; it was like a strike thrown by an ordinary man. Yet, the speed of this punch reached the extreme, stirring up white air currents in the atmosphere. An ineffable pressure materialized against Bing Ming’s chest. Without hesitation, Bing Ming drew the long sword from his hand, holding it before his ing while circulating his True Essence Power at full speed…
With a sharp Clang, the black iron sword was once again shattered to dust by Ye Jingyu’s single punch. The immense force caused Bing Ming’s hands to go numb, forcing his body to retreat continuously…
"Level Seven? Your physical body has actually reached Level Seven?" Bing Ming’s face was etched with horror. Just how powerful was a Level Seven physical body? It could be said that the great might of Saint Beasts lay in their incredibly tough physiques. Ordinary Grand Masters could barely wound them, and even Martial Saints found them troublesome. Now, Ye Jingyu had achieved this level of physical fortitude; how could he not be astonished?
This meant that without Martial Skills or Soul Arts, he could directly contend with a Martial Saint. And if his Martial Skills were added to that, an average Martial Saint would not be his match.
"Yes, I only used thirty percent of my strength just now. Bing Ming, do you remember that single finger strike I used to defeat you back then? My physical body can now withstand that level of power…" Bing Ming was one of them, so Ye Jingyu held nothing back…
The memory of that earth-shattering finger strike still caused Bing Ming lingering fear. That was a strike that should not exist in the world; even a Martial Saint would only face despair against such power.
The thought of Ye Jingyu using that force normally made Bing Ming’s throat feel dry. If this were the case, didn't his strength now far surpass his own? And in such a short time? But recalling Ye Jingyu’s astonishing rate of progress, Bing Ming secretly congratulated himself for his decision to follow him; it truly was the right choice…
"Right, where have you been these past few days?" Seeing Bing Ming standing there in silent shock, Ye Jingyu asked again.
"I encountered my Old Ancestor!" Bing Ming replied.
"Old Ancestor? Are you joking? You mean Xiao Cangtian?" Ye Jingyu was stunned. This was a secret known by very few people!
"Yes!" Bing Ming nodded, then recounted meeting Xiao Cangtian, why Xiao Cangtian had initially aided the Gongsun family, and how he ultimately defected at the critical moment.
Hearing about this legendary figure, the brows of Ye Jingyu, Zhuge Yi Shi, and the others furrowed tightly. Why were all these great figures appearing one after another? Was the world truly on the brink of chaos? Or was a new structure about to emerge in this world?