"Senior Sister! You have a small, folded scar on your lower abdomen! It’s from when you were knocked down by that white snake as a child!" Xiao Yifeng blurted out in desperation.
As soon as the words left his mouth, he wanted to slap himself. Why do I always resort to mentioning body marks? Do I really only pay attention to the white, fleshy bits?
If he hadn't mentioned it, he might have had a chance. But that scar was something Su Miaoqing had deliberately kept as a reminder of her failure to protect him back then. Hearing it now, in the mouth of the "monster" who had killed her beloved, only fueled her rage.
"Old thief! You dare peek into Xiao Feng's memories?!" Su Miaoqing screamed, her eyes burning with hatred. "Die! Vermilion Bird Burning the Heavens!"
She transformed into a blazing fire phoenix, diving toward him with apocalyptic fury.
Xiao Yifeng realized he had lifted a rock only to drop it on his own foot. Since he still possessed his seven corporeal souls, a body snatcher would theoretically have access to his memories. Words were useless now.
Seeing Su Miaoqing on the verge of burning her life force with the Undead Bird Source Blood, Xiao Yifeng sighed.
"Senior Sister! Look!"
He gritted his teeth and forced his soul out of his body.
It was a reckless move. He was not yet a Nascent Soul cultivator; his soul was fragile, and forced projection could easily lead to dispersion. But he had no choice.
A translucent, ethereal figure floated out of his physical body. It was unmistakably Xiao Yifeng—his face, his aura, his soul fluctuation.
"Senior Sister..." his soul whispered weakly, drifting in the air like smoke in the wind. "When have I ever lied to you? Except for that white snake when we were kids... when have I ever let anyone beat me?"
He spun slowly in the air. "Even if Ancestor Master seized my body, he couldn't mimic my soul fluctuations this perfectly, nor could he achieve such seamless compatibility with my seven souls in an instant!"
The giant fire phoenix screeched to a halt mere meters away. The flames died down, revealing a trembling Su Miaoqing. Tears welled up in her eyes, evaporating instantly against her burning skin.
Xiao Yifeng’s soul drifted back into his body. He opened his physical eyes and smiled weakly. "Senior Sister, stop crying. If you cry any more, you really won't be fit to be my Senior Sister."
The familiar phrase struck her like lightning. Years ago, after he was gravely injured by the white snake, he had said the exact same thing to her when she visited his bedside.
The dam broke.
"Xiao Feng!"
She threw herself at him, burying her face in his chest like a swallow returning to its nest. Her body shook with uncontrollable sobs.
"I really thought I'd never see you again... I was so scared! I don't want to be your Senior Sister anymore! Please... don't risk your life for me like that again! Promise me!"
Xiao Yifeng held her tight, patting her head gently. "Not my Senior Sister? Then will you be my Junior Sister? I don't mind the promotion."
Normally, Su Miaoqing hated having her head patted. But this time, she leaned into his touch, rubbing her tear-streaked face against his chest, her body trembling in his arms.
"Senior Sister, Junior Sister... I don't care," she murmured, her voice muffled by his robes. "As long as you're safe... anything is fine. I was really, really scared."
Xiao Yifeng knew he had truly terrified her this time. He let her vent, stroking her back soothingly. "It's okay. It's all over. I won't lose. I promised."
Held in his arms, Su Miaoqing felt a profound sense of safety wash over her. For the first time, she realized just how much space Xiao Yifeng occupied in her heart. When she thought he was dead, she had wanted to follow him into the dark. Now that he was back, the world had color again.
Nothing else mattered. She just wanted to hold him and never let go.
After a while, the atmosphere shifted. Su Miaoqing was no longer a little girl; her body was soft and curvaceous, and she was pressed tightly against him.
Xiao Yifeng, not being a saint, felt his body reacting to the contact. He coughed awkwardly and tried to create a sliver of space.
"Senior Sister... maybe stop crying? Men and women shouldn't touch so intimately..."
"I don't care! I'm crying!"
Instead of letting go, Su Miaoqing hugged him tighter. Whether intentionally or not, she wriggled slightly against him.
Xiao Yifeng gasped, sucking in a cold breath. My god! Does this girl still think she's a child?! He began frantically reciting the Formless Heart Sutra and Ice Heart Art in his mind.
Su Miaoqing wasn't oblivious. She felt his reaction, and her face flushed crimson. But she didn't pull away.
Let him think what he wants, she thought, burying her face deeper. As long as he's alive...
Besides, it might keep him from running off to "those places."
She looked up at him, her eyes misty and unfocused, and reached out to touch his cheek. "This isn't a dream... right? My memories haven't been altered?"
Xiao Yifeng laughed, amused by her paranoia. "Of course not! I don't have that ability yet. When I do, maybe I'll do something bad to you and then erase it."
He expected her to get angry and push him away.
Instead, she rested her head back on his chest and whispered, "It's okay if you don't erase it. I want to keep all my memories with you. Even the bad ones."
Xiao Yifeng froze.
Inside his Sea of Consciousness, Zhan Xian let out a loud, angry snort.
"Ah... Senior Sister," Xiao Yifeng stammered, feeling awkward. "About earlier... I was just acting to trick the Ancestor. He wouldn't have entered my mind otherwise. Don't take it seriously! Haha... my acting was pretty good, right?"
Su Miaoqing’s body stiffened.
Silence stretched between them.
After a long time, she let out a quiet "Mmm," but she didn't let go.
Xiao Yifeng’s hands hovered uncertainly before finally settling gently on her waist. They stood there, embracing in the silent world of the illusion.
Eventually, the world shuddered.
"The illusion is collapsing," Xiao Yifeng said, looking around as the idyllic meadow began to dissolve. "It seems Ancestor has completely perished. We're returning to reality."
"Mmm." Su Miaoqing stepped back, her face flushed red. She looked at him one last time, confirming he was real, and smiled radiantly.
The birds and flowers vanished, replaced by cold stone. They were back in the circular hall at the apex of the temple, beneath the massive golden energy sphere.
Xiao Yifeng turned to look at the willow tree. It had transformed back into a giant stone stele.
At the base of the stele sat a skeleton in rotting blue robes.
Xiao Yifeng stared at the remains of Daoist Qingxu, feeling a mix of emotions.
Suddenly, Su Miaoqing stepped forward and kicked the skeleton, scattering the bones across the floor.
"Stupid old man!" she yelled, venting her anger. "Acting so improperly at your age! You scared me to death!"