NOVEL NEXT Chapter 106: The Shackles Between Two People
After that dream Xiao Yan had on that day, he and Yun Zhi continued their daily life of cultivation in the mountain cave.
However, there was something that puzzled Xiao Yan these past few days.
Perhaps it was just his imagination, but Xiao Yan felt that Yun Zhi’s attitude towards him had become colder and more indifferent?
If it were merely indifference, that would have been okay, but the issue was that Yun Zhi’s coldness was mixed with an undeniable gentleness.
Coldness and gentleness were clearly contradictory words, yet these past few days, they coexisted in Yun Zhi’s attitude towards him.
Xiao Yan really couldn’t understand.
Did I do something wrong?
Besides training, Xiao Yan spent these days constantly pondering this question.
Yet in the end, he couldn’t come up with an answer.
For this, the voice of Yao Chen inside the ring felt relieved.
Fortunately, his disciple’s mind wasn’t too sharp.
But on the other hand, Yao Chen felt sorry for Xiao Yan and even more guilty towards Yun Zhi.
In her anticipation, after the two of them opened up about that matter, they shouldn’t suppress their feelings anymore and naturally come together.
After all, both Xiao Yan and Yun Zhi had affection for each other, that was an indisputable fact.
But the outcome was far beyond what Yao Chen had expected.
Xiao Yan had no memory of the incident, Yun Zhi didn’t mention it, and it seemed she wouldn’t in the future either.
Yun Zhi understood Xiao Yan’s feelings towards her, but due to their identities, she had been restraining herself, even after that incident.
Just like how Xiao Yan had been restraining himself.
Thinking of this, Yao Chen felt quite helpless.
Looking at how both of you restrain your feelings like this, you’re really a perfect match…
In the end, Yao Chen chose to remain silent.
Even at this point, Yun Zhi chose duty over her own wishes.
This choice made Yao Chen frustrated but also deeply regretful.
Since Yun Zhi still made this choice after what happened, Yao Chen could only respect it.
As a new day began and the sun rose, Xiao Yan was still sleeping.
Outside the cave, Yun Zhi stood beneath the waterfall, her eyes tightly closed, her consciousness condensed within the purple seal on her chest, and her Dou Qi gradually rising.
Finally, Yun Zhi abruptly opened her eyes.
“Break!”
Accompanied by a shout, the purple seal on Yun Zhi’s chest shattered, and the suppressed Dou Qi within her burst forth, completely restoring her original strength.
Dou Huang (Battle Emperor, 7th Level), returned!
Feeling the surging Dou Qi within her, Yun Zhi gazed at the rising sun, a hint of desolation in her eyes.
It’s time to leave…
Yun Zhi had been living here briefly with Xiao Yan because her Dou Qi hadn’t recovered yet. But now that her strength was restored, she had no reason to stay.
Not only did she need Purple Spirit Crystals for refining pills for Yan Ran, but more importantly, Yun Zhi herself feared continuing to stay here.
She was afraid, afraid that she wouldn’t be able to restrain herself, afraid that she would give up her identity, her duty, and confess what happened with Xiao Yan that day.
Deep down, Yun Zhi knew that what happened that day was a heavy burden for both herself and Xiao Yan.
Let this matter be buried forever.
Yun Zhi’s determination solidified, and her Dou Qi wings appeared on her back as she resolutely flew towards the distance.
However, after flying for less than a hundred meters, Yun Zhi paused in mid-air. After a long hesitation, she ultimately returned to the cave.
Retracting her Dou Qi wings, Yun Zhi approached the stone bed, looking down at Xiao Yan’s innocent sleeping face. She couldn’t help but recall the actions she had taken that day.
The calmness she had achieved was once again stirred up by these memories.
Her heart couldn’t help but feel sorrow, regret, and reluctance.
If my status could be lowered a bit.
If his status could be raised a bit.
If I wasn’t Yan Ran’s respected teacher.
If he wasn’t the boy Yan Ran liked.
Would the two of us not have to worry so much?
A hint of sadness flickered in Yun Zhi’s eyes as she extended her delicate jade hand and lightly caressed Xiao Yan’s cheek.
Her heart trembled as she stared at Xiao Yan’s lips.
After a long time, Yun Zhi made a decision in her heart.
This is… the last time…
Yun Zhi slowly bent down, brushing aside her hair, and leaned her face towards Xiao Yan’s lips.
If he wakes up, I’ll confess everything, whether it’s my feelings for him or what happened that day.
If he doesn’t wake up, then I will completely cut off my attachment… forever.
With these thoughts in mind, Yun Zhi’s lips finally touched Xiao Yan’s, savoring the sensation that had intoxicated her that day.
Her heart hoped for Xiao Yan to wake up, yet also worried about it.
However, this kiss lasted for several seconds, and there was no sign of Xiao Yan waking up.
Perhaps yesterday’s training had exhausted him too much, making him unaware of this tenderness.
A deep sense of disappointment welled up in Yun Zhi’s heart.
Their lips, which had been entwined, slowly separated.
Looking at Xiao Yan’s sleeping face, Yun Zhi’s lips curled into a bitter smile.
Perhaps we really shouldn’t be together…
Yun Zhi turned around and approached the stone table, leaving behind a letter. Alongside it was the Ocean’s Heart Armor she had been wearing.
And then, she left without any lingering sentiment.
After Yun Zhi left, the figure of Yao Chen emerged from the ring. She gazed at the cave entrance, then cast a glance at the still sleeping Xiao Yan, letting out a deep sigh.
Self-awareness, restraint of desire, and the emphasis on duty.
Though all positive terms, they had become heavy shackles between Xiao Yan and Yun Zhi, hindering the two from progressing further with their mutual affection.
It’s truly… lamentable.
On the other side, after leaving the cave, Yun Zhi didn’t immediately depart from the Magic Beast Mountain Range. Instead, she arrived at the entrance of the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King’s den.
The newly awakened Purple Crystal Winged Lion King stood at the entrance, frowning slightly as it looked at Yun Zhi flying towards it.
Since the seal has been lifted and it has already obtained the Purple Spirit Crystals it wanted, why is this woman coming here?
“Lion King,” Yun Zhi floated in mid-air, her gaze fixed on the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King. She asked, “Regarding the items you proposed in exchange for the Purple Spirit Crystals, aside from the Body Transformation Pill, is there anything else you desire?”
Hearing Yun Zhi’s question, the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King’s frown deepened.
Did she come all the way here to ask this?
“Nothing else,” the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King grinned, saying, “What I need right now is just the Body Transformation Pill.”
“Is that so… I understand.”
Yun Zhi pondered softly, then looked at the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King seriously.
“I assure you that I will do my best to acquire the Body Transformation Pill. Once I have it, I will bring it to you immediately as a gesture of gratitude for your gift of the Purple Spirit Crystals.”
“Haha?”
The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King paused for a moment, then recovered and chuckled, its slight resentment towards Yun Zhi lessening.
“Sure thing~ I’ll just wait without any expectations then~”
The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King laughed heartily, and Yun Zhi then saluted with a fist.
“Farewell.”
With that, Yun Zhi turned around and left the Magic Beast Mountain Range, not looking back.
As for why she had done this, Yun Zhi herself couldn’t put it into words.
After all, she had already obtained the Purple Spirit Crystals, and even if she hadn’t made this promise, the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King wouldn’t have chased after her.
Thinking it over, Yun Zhi arrived at one conclusion.
Perhaps it was because she didn’t want to feel ashamed in front of Xiao Yan, no matter the reason…