The night in Xianlun World was a wonder, even for someone like me who had seen it thousands of times. It wasn't just the darkness that made it special—it was the way the very heavens danced with the energy of the realms.
Streams of ethereal power wove through the air, intertwining with the stars and moonlight, casting the sect below in a delicate, shimmering glow.
ChiChu stirred beside me, her golden eyes reflecting the swirling lights in the sky. She was always more active at night, her draconic aura blending into the darkness, making her seem even more dangerous than she already was.
I ran a hand along her sleek scales, feeling the hum of power beneath them.
My companion for years, she had been with me through battles, breakthroughs, and seclusions. Even now, her presence was both comforting and commanding.
She let out a soft growl, almost as if reminding me of her existence, even when the night sky tried to steal the spotlight.
And then there was Miari.
The small fairy zipped through the air, doing little flips and loops, her wings catching the light and scattering it around like sparkling dust. She'd been up to her usual antics since I returned from seclusion.
Two years had gone by, but it didn't seem like Miari had matured even a day. Not that I was surprised.
"Where were you exactly, anyway? Apart from stealing my treasury?" I asked her, half expecting some ridiculous excuse.
Miari stopped mid-air, giving me an exaggerated pout. "Oh please, like you missed me? You and ChiChu seem just fine without my brilliance."
I chuckled. "Brilliance? You nearly set half the core court of the sect on fire last time."
"Details, details," she waved dismissively, then hovered in front of my face with a smirk. "Besides, I was busy... making sure everything was in order while you were off being a hermit."
I raised an eyebrow. "Hermit? That's what you call cultivating for two years?"
Miari snickered, her tiny arms crossing over her chest. "Call it what you want. You missed me."
I flicked her away gently, and she spiraled backward with a dramatic flair, laughing as she did so. ChiChu watched her with mild amusement, though I knew if Miari ever went too far, even a dragon's patience had limits.
But tonight wasn't about bickering with a mischievous fairy. There was something in the air—literally. The spiritual energy that always hovered around the sect was different, heavier.
Maybe it was the aftermath of my breakthrough, or maybe it was the inevitable pull of trouble. I couldn't decide which one was more likely.
Either way, I wasn't staying here for the night. My instincts had already taken hold, and I knew where I needed to be.
With a final glance at the shimmering sky, I left ChiChu to lounge on her platform and took to the air. The cool wind whipped past me, the moon casting long shadows across the sect as I flew toward the Sect Master's manor.
It wasn't long before I touched down on the grand stone terrace outside Yue Liqin's quarters. I knew she'd be here, likely expecting me too. The older I got, the more I understood how much she kept an eye on me—even when I wasn't aware of it.
I stepped through the arched doorway, the ornate jade doors sliding open with a soft whisper. Inside, the room was dimly lit, the moonlight spilling through the lattice windows.
It was calm, peaceful—until my eyes landed on Yue Liqin.
She sat on her bed, dressed in a delicate red negligee, the soft silk hugging her figure in ways that would send most men into fits of despair. The moonlight illuminated her skin, making her look even more ethereal than usual.
The Heavenly Diamond, a rare treasure that shimmered faintly with celestial light. Her dark hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders, framing her face in shadows and light. The moonlight touched her skin like it was crafted just for her, and even though she was dressed in such a casual state, there was a kind of untouchable beauty in her presence.
I stopped at the threshold, watching her for a moment longer than I should have.
"You're late," she said without looking up. Her voice was soft but firm, the kind that had always kept me grounded—even when I wanted to be anywhere but grounded.
I smiled. "I thought you'd be asleep."
"Sleep?" Yue Liqin's lips curved into a smile. "With the night like this? Besides, I knew you'd come."
I stepped further into the room, feeling the weight of the night settle over me like a blanket. "Of course. Who else would I spend this perfect evening with?"
Yue Liqin raised an eyebrow, her eyes locking onto mine. "Flattery will get you nowhere, Phaelo."
"Not flattery. Just the truth," I replied with a grin, moving closer to her. "So, what's the occasion?" I teased her.
She gave a soft laugh, one that sent a shiver through the room. "Does there need to be an occasion for you to visit?" She played along and I liked that, at least she wasn't keeping her usual serious vigilance.
I sat down on the edge of the bed, feeling the soft fabric beneath my fingers. "Not really. But tonight feels different."
Yue Liqin didn't reply immediately, her eyes drifting to the moon outside. For a moment, I thought she wouldn't answer at all, but then she spoke, her voice softer than before. "Tonight is different. You've grown."
I chuckled. "I suppose two years in seclusion will do that."
"It's not just the seclusion, Phaelo." Her gaze returned to me, and there was a knowing look in her eyes. "You're starting to realize the weight of your power. And you're starting to understand what it means to carry that weight."
I leaned back slightly, my smile fading just a bit. "Maybe. But some days, it feels like everyone else knows what I should be doing better than I do."
Yue Liqin smiled again, that soft, mysterious smile that had always left me wondering what she was really thinking. "That's because they see the future you, the one who will one day lead this world."
I snorted. "Lead? No thanks. Too much responsibility."
She reached out and brushed a strand of hair from my face, her touch light and delicate. "Whether you like it or not, Phaelo, the world has already started looking to you."
The words hung in the air, heavy and unspoken. I knew she was right, but that didn't make it any easier to accept.
The Xianlun World was vast, and the power I'd gained wasn't just for show. People were watching, waiting, and expecting.
But for tonight, with Yue Liqin sitting in front of me, the moonlight casting its gentle glow over everything, I could forget all that. At least for a little while.