Li Jue and Li Feng huddled in a secluded mountain cave, the crackle of a faint fire illuminating the exhaustion etched on their faces. The aftermath of Shen Wu's betrayal and the collapse of everything they had built weighed heavily on them, but their resolve burned brighter than ever.
Li Feng leaned against the cave wall, her hand brushing the healing wound on her side. "You could've protected more of them, Jue. The disciples—"
"They were loyal," Li Jue interrupted, his voice flat yet filled with regret. "But saving them would've meant losing you. I chose you, Feng. I'll always choose you."
Li Feng turned her gaze to him, her expression a mix of pain and gratitude. "I know. And you made the right choice. I would've done the same."
The firelight danced in her eyes, and for a moment, silence hung between them. It wasn't awkward or strained; it was the quiet of two people who understood each other perfectly.
"Shen Wu," she whispered finally, her voice venomous. "He'll pay for this."
Li Jue nodded, his jaw tightening. "Him and the Divine Emperor. They thought stripping us of our power would break us. They'll learn the truth soon enough."
Li Feng smirked faintly, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Still, we're weaker now than we've ever been. It'll take years to regain our strength."
"We don't rebuild," Li Jue said suddenly, his tone firm.
Li Feng blinked, startled. "What do you mean? No sect, no power base? How will we—"
"We don't need anyone else," he interrupted, stepping closer to her. "We've seen what happens when we place trust in others. They either betray us or become liabilities. No more. It's just you and me now, Feng. Together, we'll carve our path to the top of the world."
For a moment, Li Feng said nothing, processing his words. Then, she reached out, taking his hand in hers. "You're right," she said softly. "We don't need anyone else. Just you and me. Always."
Li Jue sank to the ground beside her, their fingers still entwined. He pulled her closer, their foreheads almost touching. "I'll never let anyone hurt you again," he promised, his voice low and fierce. "I'll destroy entire heavens if I have to."
"And I'll stand beside you every step of the way," Li Feng replied, her lips brushing against his as she spoke. "No one will separate us. Ever."
Li Jue pressed his lips to hers, a kiss filled with raw emotion—passion, desperation, and an unyielding determination. The world outside the cave ceased to exist as they clung to each other, finding solace in their shared strength.
When they pulled apart, Li Feng's eyes were brighter, the fire within her reignited. "Tell me your plan," she said, her voice steady.
"We heal first," Li Jue said, leaning back against the wall but keeping her close. "Then, we strike. No grand armies or alliances. No sect banners. Just us. Silent, deadly, unstoppable."
"And when we face Shen Wu?" she asked, her tone hard.
Li Jue's eyes darkened, a dangerous edge to his expression. "We don't just kill him. We destroy him. His name, his legacy, everything he's built. We make him beg for mercy before we end him."
Li Feng's lips curled into a satisfied smile. "And the Divine Emperor?"
Li Jue exhaled sharply. "He's the endgame. We deal with Shen Wu first. Use that time to grow stronger, master new techniques. Then, when we're ready…" He didn't need to finish the sentence.
Li Feng nodded, leaning her head on his shoulder. "It'll be a long road."
"But we'll walk it together," Li Jue said firmly, wrapping an arm around her. "That's all that matters."
Hours passed as they rested, the fire slowly dying down. Eventually, Li Feng shifted, her gaze locking onto his. "Jue… do you ever regret this? The path we've taken?"
He met her eyes, unwavering. "Never. Every choice, every sacrifice—it's all been for you and me. For us."
She smiled, her fingers tracing the scar on his jaw. "Good. Because I don't either."
Their lips met again, the kiss deepening as they poured their emotions into each other. The cave filled with the quiet sounds of their intimacy, their bond growing even stronger in the aftermath of their shared loss.
When they finally broke apart, their breathing heavy, Li Feng rested her head against his chest. "Promise me something," she murmured.
"Anything."
"Promise me that we'll never let anyone come between us. No sects, no disciples, no… children."
Li Jue's brows furrowed slightly, but he nodded. "I promise. No distractions. No attachments. Just us, for eternity."
She sighed contentedly, closing her eyes. "Good. Because immortality means nothing if I can't spend it with you."
Li Jue tightened his hold on her, his resolve solidifying. They had lost everything—but in each other, they had all they needed. Together, they would rise again, stronger and more determined than ever.
The fire in their hearts burned brighter than any flame, lighting the path forward as they prepared to take on the world.