At the Nanlan Academy’s tree-lined avenue, students bustled about, their youthful vigor permeating the forest air. Unaware of the looming battle, they moved in calmness, chatting animatedly about Xiao Yan’s dramatic appearance from days past, their words brimming with adoration and fervor.
On a massive ancient tree, Xiao Yan lay leisurely, gazing at the endless blue sky. Between his lips, a blade of grass grew bitter with every chew. It had been many years since he last enjoyed such tranquility within the academy grounds.
“So long…”, he murmured softly, eyes drooping slightly, as if memories of his time training here flashed vividly before him. Just like that—blink and he was no longer the naive boy of those days.
“So long indeed…” A quiet voice suddenly echoed beside him. Opening his eyes slightly, he met the gaze of the lovely instructor seated nearby—her legs long and captivating—and a smirk crept onto his lips. “Your legs really are gorgeous.”
A blush rushed to Xiao Yu’s face. Shooting him a glare, she retorted, “Still such an incorrigible brat even now.”
Xiao Yan simply smiled, hands folded behind his head. He didn’t reply; this peaceful stillness was something he cherished deeply. Through these years, Soul Hall and Soul Clan pressed upon him like suffocating mountains. He knew too well: only relentless cultivation could keep himself—and those dear to him—from being crushed into dust. Now, as another decisive war approached, he felt curiously eased in spirit, having done all he could. Every ounce of effort made him stronger for this day—now it was simply time to wait for fate’s decree.
Xiao Yu elegantly sat beside him, glancing at his face—matured, resolute. Once delicate charm transformed over years into a compelling allure, one worth looking twice at.
She pursed her lips lightly. Through years of teaching at Nanlan, countless so-called prodigies flocked after her beauty, yet all eventually failed—because none compared to the man seated here now.
Sometimes a strange thought would rise unbidden: *If not blood-bound…* The notion brought heat to her cheeks, guiltily dismissed with self-reprimands whispering *shameless* in silence.
“Lost in springtime musings?” Xiao Yan’s eyes suddenly opened, fixing her with his trademark grin as she bit her red lip shyly.
“Mmm,” came the unexpected response. Xiao Yu’s bright eyes gleamed mischievously, her smile blooming like spring herself.
“Eh?!” Stunned by her gentleness—which so rarely replaced expected punches—his gaze lingered on her for a moment before coughing and turning it back upward.
Felt abandoned when the gaze retreated, Xiao Yu’s bite tightened, suppressing rising waves of emotion. Fixing her eyes again on his features quietly resting there, she whispered, “Thank you…”
“Hmm?” Another surprise. Chuckling faintly, he replied, “Unexpected, that one.”
“It wasn’t me personally,” she explained. “Some relatives sent it as message during our last trip to Gamma Empire.” At this, Xiao Yan grew silent for a second, then broke out in wider, warmer smiles.
“The younger generation—and quite a few elders—back in Xiao family revere you practically like divine. Insult us? Fine. But even breathe badly of you, and we’re throwing fists without hesitation. One clansman once charged solo into an entire sect for just that reason.”
Her narration flowed tenderly, evoking homely warmth as sky-blue stretched boundlessly overhead.
“Hehe, tell ‘the god’ that once he got mocked as useless…” Xiao Yan joked with laughter.
Petulantly rolling her eyes, Xiao Yu scoffed, “You still remember? It’s centuries old!”
He smiled again while absorbing stories of clan news pouring gently from her side—their tone comforting like summer rain against windowsill glass.
“Xiao Ning and Xiao Mei returned to Gamma Empire earlier; reportedly, they’ve become major figures there…”
“Recently, the clan chose a new patriarch—you guessed whose name was scrawled on every ballot? Gave the elders fits, really!”
Smiling fondly through storytelling, she noticed soon how Xiao Yan’s breath steadied—closed eyelids tranquil as babe’s nap.
Asleep.
Understanding dawned. Xiao Yu blinked in stunned tenderness. Carefully lifting his head onto her lap, watching peacefully his sleeping face, she mused warmly,
“They know what sacrifices you made for them—the weight of responsibility alone you carried…”
“Many younger generations are training diligently, eager one day to protect *you*, finally…”
Beneath canopy thick and wide atop ancient boughs rustled by soft winds—a serenity untouched until—
“—Hhh—” A gentle exhale brushed through fragrant air.
Tender fingers hovered toward his brow, only pausing as previously-closed eyes flickered wide open—those obsidian depths now piercing, stormy enough to stir soul tremors beneath composure’s collapse.
Watching the abrupt shift from calm to sharp intensity, Xiao Yu lowered hand unnoticed, asking with teasing sweetness, “Awakened?”
“Mmh.” Xiao Yan affirmed mildly, then stood straighter, eyes trailing distant horizons. “They have arrived…”
Startled gasps caught Xiao Yu mid-breath. Understanding whom exactly “they” signified due closeness between them.
“Too soon…” Her elegant brows creased in worry.
“Notifying Elder Pharmacist,” Xiao Yan instructed grimly. “Gather all students immediately—we can’t risk lives amidst warfare!”
Without hesitation, she nodded sharply, prepared to take flight when added—
“…thank you. Jiejie.”
That word paused Xiao Yu’s movement abruptly. First *ever* did Xiao Yan call her *older sister*. All their life—they’d bickered constantly.
“Heehee, be brave my little brother… I’ll watch your glory unfold.” She grinned wistfully, leaping gracefully below. Yet turned aside, her smile dimmed momentarily; yes—brother *and sister.*
Standing motionless at the treetop’s summit—arms folded solemnly behind his back—Xiao Yan sighed faintly upon glimpsing her graceful silhouette vanish below.
Certainly not naïve—he understood much left unspoken. Still, matters might perhaps yield no fruit.
Shaking off sentimentals darkening mind’s corners, his stare focused again upon ominous ripples dancing at edge-of-the-heavens—energy turbulence far from foreign to him by now.
*Whooosh!* Silhouettes shimmered near—a group materialized around him including Xuner & Cailin.
“Soul Tribe approaches?” Both asked, following horizonwards.
Xiao Yan acknowledged gravely, lowering his gaze toward campus below—an orchestrated evacuation underway. All mentors hurried trainees to the plaza, tense urgency thickened atmosphere itself.
“All of you must act cautiously!” He warned those companions closest beside.
“As must *you.*” They both replied solemnly.
A smile bloomed. Then, stepping ahead boldly—he extended arms embracing both women despite faint reddening on their cheeks.
“If fortune favors success today—we shall wed joyfully together,” he vowed lowly.
“Haii~” Affirmative whispers filled with affection blossomed smiles.
Breaking warm clasp sooner than heart may crave—off he flew downward landing among plaza crowds. Waving one arm—space cracked apart, revealing hidden passage leading straight into Celestial Graveyard.
“Elder Pharmacist Suqian,” he gestured toward gaping void. “The beings inside will cause no harm to students, rest assured.”
“Thankfulness owed, young friend…” Elder Suqian bowed deeply appreciatively before rushing urgently through portal alongside streams upon streams of students—surging inward like tidal wave seeking sanctuary deep inside unknown darkness beyond visible limits.
Yet remaining aloft post-exodus—sky changed dramatically. Black clouds rolled thunderously, racing forward swiftly, oozing overwhelming pressure spreading across heavens themselves.
Drawing another deep, steady inhale, Xiao Yan’s fist clenched tight.
“Enemy allied forces approach from North also…”
Exhalation released—a dragon-like roar erupted heavenward!
Resounding peal shattered skies across hundreds miles’ breadth—heard far and near—
**“Soul tribe! Your challenge is accepted! TODAY, WE FIGHT UNTIL NO MAN STANDS BEHIND YOUR TREAD!!”**
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