The Forgotten Celestial Valley, hidden deep in the heart of the mortal realm, was a place where time itself seemed to falter. It was a land untouched by the passage of ages, where the lush vegetation swayed with a timeless rhythm and the mountains stood as silent sentinels. The valley was shrouded in mist, its entrance concealed from even the most powerful of cultivators, hidden behind layers of enchantments only those with the highest cultivation could even sense.
For millions of years, it had remained untouched by the outside world. At that time, the valley had been the sanctuary of two legendary figures—Bai Qingyu, the Divine Frost Empress, and Li Yuexin, the Everlasting Flame Sovereign.
Here, in the stillness of this forgotten realm, Bai Qingyu sat on the edge of a crystalline pond, her long silver hair cascading like a waterfall down her back. The sunlight filtered through the thick foliage above, casting a soft glow on her ethereal features. Her icy blue eyes, normally filled with the cold detachment of a ruler, were now soft and content as she gazed at the reflection of the calm waters.
Li Yuexin, on the other hand, was lying lazily across a nearby stone bench, her golden-red hair glowing like flames in the sun. Her phoenix-like eyes were half-lidded, watching her wife with a mischievous glint that never seemed to fade. The crackling warmth of her presence contrasted perfectly with the chill of Qingyu's aura, and the sight of the two of them together in their peaceful haven was a testament to the love that had lasted through the ages.
"So," Yuexin drawled, her voice carrying the playful teasing it always did, "how long do you plan to sit there, looking all broody and mysterious?"
Bai Qingyu turned her gaze towards her wife, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "You know I don't brood," she said, her voice cool, but there was a warmth behind it that only Yuexin could ever elicit. "I simply enjoy the silence."
Yuexin snorted, rolling off the bench and walking over to Qingyu. She crouched beside her, resting her chin on her hand as she looked at her wife with a mock pout. "You're so boring. You should be more like me—always moving, always doing something fun." She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper, "Like teasing you."
Bai Qingyu's lips quirked upward as she met Yuexin's gaze. "I never asked you to stop," she said softly, her eyes gleaming with something mischievous. "It's the only thing that keeps me entertained."
Yuexin chuckled, brushing her lips against Qingyu's cheek in a tender kiss. "Fine, then. I'll stop teasing for now," she said with a wink. "But you can't expect me to stay still for long, can you?"
"No," Bai Qingyu agreed, her voice light but firm. "But then, you've never been still a day in your life."
For a moment, the two of them simply enjoyed the quiet, the subtle exchange of affection between them speaking volumes. Years, no, centuries, had passed since they last ventured beyond the safety of their secluded paradise, and in the stillness of this valley, Bai Qingyu and Li Yuexin had found solace in each other's presence. Time had moved on in the outside world, but here, in this eternal space, they were unchanged—immortal and unbothered by the world beyond.
But just as the moment seemed to stretch on forever, a ripple stirred the waters of the pond. A faint, distant noise reached their ears—a rustle in the wind, a soft thrum of energy that was not quite of this world.
Bai Qingyu's eyes flickered toward the source, her icy blue gaze sharp and unwavering. Yuexin's playful expression shifted into one of curiosity, her head tilting slightly.
"Someone's here," Qingyu said, her voice tinged with amusement. "And I don't think they realize where they've wandered."
Yuexin raised an eyebrow, her fiery gaze sparking with interest. "Let me guess—some overconfident juniors, thinking they can conquer the mysterious ruins of the Forgotten Valley?"
Bai Qingyu smirked, a knowing glint in her eyes. "How predictable."
With a subtle motion, she stood up from the edge of the pond, her silver robes flowing around her like a shimmering sheet of ice. Yuexin followed suit, her fiery energy crackling around her as she stood to face the newcomers.
The two of them stood side by side, a formidable presence of elegance and power, as the distant noise grew louder, signaling the approach of the uninvited visitors.
"Shall we go say hello?" Yuexin asked, her voice playful, though there was a dark undertone of anticipation. "Or shall we let them discover their mistake on their own?"
Bai Qingyu's lips curled into a smile—a cold and calculated smile. "Let's give them a little time to learn that some legends are better left undisturbed."