Li Tian emerged from the dense undergrowth, his steps measured and calm as he approached Yue Shiyin. The subtle rustling of the foliage had already caught her attention, her gaze sharpening with immediate suspicion. Without hesitation, she activated a movement killer move. Her figure blurred, vanishing in a burst of explosive speed that crackled with residual energy.
In the blink of an eye, she appeared directly in front of Li Tian, her aura exuding overwhelming pressure. Her right hand had transformed, morphing into a draconic claw with three razor-sharp talons.
The nails gleamed with a metallic sheen, while tendrils of purple smoke coiled around them, carrying the scent of ozone. Crackling arcs of violet lightning danced along her fingers, the destructive energy radiating an intense heat as she raised her claw in warning.
"Who are you?" Yue Shiyin's voice was sharp, the deadly claws pressing closer to his throat, crackling with purple lightning.
Li Tian smiled faintly, the calmness in his gaze unwavering despite the danger. He smiled as he said, "Me? I am your lover."
Her eyes narrowed, a flash of confusion mixing with anger. "What? Do I look like a joke to you? Speak the truth, or I will kill you here and now."
Li Tian remained composed, the slight curve of his lips unmoving. "As I said, I am your lover. Perhaps you've forgotten me, but I am the one you loved..." He leaned closer, the claw biting into his skin, drawing a thin line of blood. His voice dropped to a whisper, the words brushing her ear like a secret barely spoken. "...in your previous life."
'Who is this guy, is he really my lover but in my memories I don't have one but seriously how does he now that I am his lover and I came from another world. This guy is suspicious, I need to deal with him safely. For now I will ask some questions and know if he is talking is real or not.'
"Yue Shiyin's gaze remained cold, though her grip on his throat relaxed slightly. Her violet eyes flickered with uncertainty, the deadly energy still crackling faintly around her claws.
"I think you've mistaken me for someone else," she said, voice steady but questioning. "I have no lover—neither in this life nor any before it. Explain yourself."
Li Tian's smirk remained, his calm demeanor unshaken despite the threat still lingering in the air. "So, you don't remember me? Or perhaps you've merely forgotten my name? Very well," he paused, voice lowering, his eyes meeting hers with a piercing intensity. "I will remind you."
"It was a dark night, the sky split open with relentless lightning while torrential rain poured heavily, drenching the land beneath its fury. On that stormy night, two children were born at the exact same moment, but fate had already drawn a cruel line between them.One child was born into a noble house, swaddled in the finest silk, surrounded by warmth, privilege, and protection. That child was me, Levi Ashborn. The other, born in a humble, weather-worn cottage, entered the world in the most modest of conditions, with only flickering candlelight and the chill of the storm lingering in the air. That child was you, Mira.The common folk where you were born did not carry last names—names were for the privileged, the powerful, the nobels. So you, were left nameless beyond your first. But our bond transcended such divides, didn't it? You felt it then, even if you've forgotten now. Tell me, Mira—isn't this the truth? Can you really claim no memory of it?"
'Everything he said aligns with what I know—except for his part. The place where I came from never allowed those of low birth to have last names. I was born among them, and the name he mentioned was indeed mine. But why can't I recall anyone named Levi Ashborn? His words feel too precise, too familiar, yet my mind holds no trace of him. No whispers of his presence, no echoes of our connection.'
"Okay, but tell me the whole story between us," Yue Shiyin demanded, her sharp gaze never leaving his face, though her claws finally eased back slightly.
Li Tian's expression remained calm, but a slight smirk appeared as he relaxed his posture. "I can tell you everything," he replied, his voice smooth yet deliberate, "but… I must admit, I'm feeling a bit famished right now. Should we sit somewhere more comfortable and talk about it properly?"
To emphasize his words, he pressed a hand lightly to his stomach, the audible grumble breaking the tension just enough to shift the mood. The sound echoed faintly in the quiet clearing, contrasting with the crackling aura that had filled the air moments earlier.
They both walked for a distance, the tension lingering but softened, until they arrived beneath a tall, ancient tree with thick, sprawling branches that cast a cool, dappled shadow on the ground. The breeze was gentle, carrying the earthy scent of moss and damp leaves, while the soft rustle of foliage provided a calming backdrop.Li Tian settled comfortably on the grass, gesturing for Yue Shiyin to do the same. With a wave of his hand, he retrieved his storage Gu worm, a small jade-like beetle that shimmered faintly in the light. As he activated it, a series of food boxes materialized in neat succession, one after another. "Hold these," he said with a faint smile, handing the first few containers to Yue Shiyin, who raised a brow at the sheer quantity being summoned.
More and more boxes emerged, each larger than the last, until nearly forty sizeable containers had been placed between them. The lids opened with a soft hiss, revealing a lavish assortment of food—ripe spirit fruits of vibrant colors, steaming bowls of fragrant rice, delicate herbal teas in ornate porcelain pots, and exotic delicacies emitting rich aromas.
Shiyin's eyes lingered on the spectacle, clearly taken aback by the excess. "Is this... all for us?"
Li Tian nodded, smirking slightly as he leaned back against the tree trunk. "Why do you think it's for you? It's obviously for me," he said with a teasing glint in his eyes. "You see, I'm terribly poor right now—spent most of my resources searching for you and raising my cultivation. I'm practically broke!" He gestured to his storage Gu as if emphasizing his words.
He continued, his voice adopting a mock-serious tone. "I don't even have more than fifty primeval stones left. That's how poor I've become, Mira. Meanwhile, you... you have the backing of a sect. I have no one supporting me. So, if you want any of this food, you'll have to pay up."