The group rested near the edge of the Crimson Veil, the red-tinged sky casting an eerie glow over the camp. Lin Tian stood watch alone, the weight of his recent battles pressing heavily on his mind. The faint rustle of footsteps behind him pulled him from his thoughts.
"Can't sleep either?" Bai Xianyu's soft, melodic voice drifted through the silence. She stepped closer, her flowing midnight hair shimmering faintly in the dim light.
"Sleep doesn't come easy when danger lurks everywhere," Lin Tian replied, his tone neutral, though his eyes flicked toward her warily.
Bai Xianyu smiled, her movements fluid as she closed the gap between them. "You're cautious. I like that about you."
Lin Tian sighed, turning fully toward her. "What do you want, Xianyu? If this is about earning trust, it takes more than words."
Her golden eyes softened, a hint of vulnerability creeping into her expression. "I know I've given you every reason to doubt me, but… you didn't kill me when you had the chance. That means something."
"Don't mistake mercy for trust," Lin Tian said, his voice edged with steel.
"Then let me show you something real," she whispered, stepping even closer. Her fingers brushed lightly against his arm, sending a spark of warmth through him. Her proximity was intoxicating, her scent a blend of wildflowers and danger.
Before he could respond, Bai Xianyu's lips pressed against his, her kiss both bold and gentle. For a moment, Lin Tian froze, the world falling silent around them. But then, as if drawn by an unseen force, he kissed her back, his hands finding their way to her waist.
The kiss deepened, charged with unspoken emotions—her desperation to prove herself, his lingering doubt and buried yearning. When they finally parted, their breaths mingled in the cool night air.
"Why?" Lin Tian asked, his voice low and rough.
Bai Xianyu met his gaze, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Because for the first time, I want to believe in something bigger than myself. I want to believe in you."
Before Lin Tian could respond, the sound of a distant explosion shattered the moment. The ground trembled, and a dark mist began creeping toward them from the depths of the Crimson Veil.
"They've found us," Bai Xianyu whispered, her voice trembling.
Lin Tian's jaw tightened, his golden aura flaring as he reached for his blade. "Then let's show them what happens when they underestimate us."