The sun dripped gold across the clearing, bathing the four figures in a warm, ethereal light. Su Ning's bright eyes crinkled at the corners as he threw his head back in laughter, a sound like tinkling bells that echoed through the tall trees. Susu, a whirlwind of energy, tumbled through the wildflowers, her dark hair flying as she chased a flitting firefly. Nearby, Li Yang's face was a mask of determined concentration as he wrestled with Bai Lin, their playful struggle a clash of youthful strength. Bai Lin, ever the jester, grinned mischievously, teasing Li Yang with exaggerated taunts as he easily held him at bay.
Xiao Hong watched them, a tender smile playing on her lips. These were her friends, her family, the people who filled her life with light and laughter. And then, a strange feeling washed over her, a sudden and unexpected shift in the air. It wasn't unpleasant, not at all, but it was… powerful. She looked at each of them in turn. A wave of intense familiarity crashed over Xiao Hong, so strong it made her breath catch. It felt like she had lived this moment before, seen these faces in a dream, felt this exact warmth and happiness. A sharp pang seized her heart, a clenching in her chest that surprised her with its intensity. She instinctively reached up and placed a hand over her heart, her smile faltering slightly.
As she stood there, frozen in the moment, Xiao Hong started humming a tune, a soft, gentle melody that seemed to match the rhythm of her heartbeat. It wasn't a song she recognized, yet it felt deeply ingrained within her, a forgotten echo from some long lost memory. Su Ning looked at her briefly, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes, but Xiao Hong didn't notice. She was too caught up in the feeling, too lost in the sense of déjà vu that had washed over her. The humming grew louder, more insistent, as if it was trying to convey a message, a memory, a feeling that she couldn't quite grasp. And then, just as suddenly as it had started, the humming stopped, leaving Xiao Hong feeling breathless and bewildered.
Her gaze settled on Su Ning, whose joyous laughter still rang in the air. As she watched him, a genuine, bittersweet smile crept back onto Xiao Hong's lips. The familiarity remained, the feeling of déjà vu persistent, but it was intertwined with a new understanding, a tender sadness. It was a feeling of profound love and loss, all at once. In her heart, she whispered, "This moment… it's beautiful. And precious. And I'll never forget it." They didn't know it would be their last day together, their carefree laughter a poignant prelude to the sorrow that would follow.
Across the her, unnoticed by the others, Su Ning watched them, a heavy feeling settling in his stomach. It wasn't the lightheartedness that the others seemed to be experiencing. It was a cold, hard knot of dread. He knew, with a chilling certainty, that this might be the last time they were all together like this. His gaze briefly flickered to Xiao Hong, and he was struck by the uncanny resemblance she bore to the young Yinou from their days in the sect. Memories of the monthly campfires flooded his mind, particularly the night when Yinou had shared her enthusiasm about a new technique for crafting weapons. He could still hear her voice, vibrant with excitement, as she detailed her discoveries, her hands sketching diagrams in the dirt, her eyes shining with passion.
That night, she had given him a dagger—the first weapon she had ever crafted. It was a small, unassuming thing, but imbued with her unique skill. He recalled how he had looked at her differently after that, seeing not just a fellow junior, but someone with immense potential and a passion that ignited his own. The memory was a sharp pang of sadness now, a reminder of the future that might be lost.
But now, the joyous laughter around him felt like a distant echo. He had discovered Jiu Tian's betrayal, as he had been suspecting him and went to investigate him personally and found that he is working with a master behind the scene, and the full extent of the Serpent Demon Clan's plan—a scheme that threatened to unleash a primordial force of destruction. The weight of this knowledge pressed down on him, a heavy burden that separated him from the carefree happiness of his friends. Jiu Tian, whom he thought could be trusted, had been a snake in the grass, a traitor in their midst. The Serpent Clan's plot was not just a threat to their homeland, but to the entire realm, and he knew he couldn't sit by idly while it unfolded.
He could sense the joyful moment was coming to an end. He hated pulling them apart from it, but he had to. His duty was to protect them, all of them. With a sense of grim urgency, he left the joyful company behind, his steps quick and determined. He couldn't confide in them just yet, the information was too explosive, could bring too much fear. He had already begun plotting the steps for his next move, knowing that the only other person he could work with right now was Zhang Li. He needed to find him and share what he had found. He needed to put his plans in motion- and soon.
As he walked away, a final glance at the clearing showed Xiao Hong's smile, that beautiful, bittersweet smile that had made its appearance earlier. It was a smile he knew would haunt him, a reminder of the innocence they were all about to lose. He pressed faster, the urgency of his mission fueling his steps. He would protect them. He would stop the Serpent Clan. He had to.