The time spent traveling together passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was November.
Even the longest journey has an end, and no matter how reluctant, there must be a farewell.
Xuanyuan Qingyu left; she returned to Shuntian City to handle the mountain of government affairs, fulfilling her duties as the ruler of a Dynasty.
Ning Shuying came once in the middle but was recalled by the Divine Constable Bureau shortly after; a case in the western region of the Xuanyuan Dynasty required her to take charge.
Nangong Wan, Zhou Fan, and Qin Li arrived at Guiyuan Sect. Xiao Muqing was both excited and anxious upon learning of their arrival.
She recalled her persistent pursuit of Zhou Fan a few months ago, and how each time, at a crucial moment, she couldn't help but shamelessly desire to become truly good friends with Zhou Dage.
At that time, she had long since cast her devoted fiancé, Qin Li, to the back of her mind.
Xiao Muqing didn't understand why she had become so depraved; sometimes, in a clear state of mind, she would even fall into self-doubt.
Was her previous conservatism all a facade, and in reality, was she naturally a woman with passion in her bones, who would forget herself when happy?
Every time she thought of this, Xiao Muqing would secretly rejoice, grateful that the person she met was a gentleman like Zhou Dage. Even though she had repeatedly sought more, Zhou Dage had held his ground, ensuring she remained untouched.
After Zhou Fan left, Xiao Muqing, who had been in seclusion for a month, successfully made a Breakthrough to the Core Formation Stage with the help of the Great Sun Essence.
In the following months, she worked diligently, successfully expanding and strengthening Guiyuan Sect. After completely annexing Qiankun Sword Sect, Guiyuan Sect had become one of the top powers within tens of thousands of miles.
She had fulfilled her father's dying wish and also realized her own aspirations.
Logically, Xiao Muqing should have been happy, but she couldn't bring herself to feel joy.
Every time it was late at night, she would recall the days when she sought the Great Sun Essence from Zhou Dage.
Zhou Dage was truly a good person. Despite being so tall, strong, and dashing, he always considered her status as a beginner and treated her with gentleness.
And Xiao Muqing would occasionally look at herself in the mirror, feeling melancholic. She didn't understand why Zhou Dage always rejected her when she wanted to take their relationship a step further.
Was her appearance not beautiful enough? Or her figure not alluring enough? Or did Zhou Dage despise her for being Qin Li's fiancée, and therefore unwilling to engage deeply with her?
Xiao Muqing knew that what she did was unfair to Qin Li. As Qin Li's fiancée, she shouldn't harbor different thoughts about their Dage.
But the more she tried not to think, the more conflicted Xiao Muqing's heart became. She couldn't control her feelings, and the first three stages of Qi Refining Cultivation did not involve cultivating the heart.
Now her fiancé, Qin Li, had arrived, looking even more handsome and perfect than before, with a figure as tall and straight as a green pine. Standing there, he was like a drawn sword, exuding the demeanor of a swordsman.
Xiao Muqing's gaze swept over Qin Li. She wanted to linger on her fiancé's face for two more seconds, but her head involuntarily turned to the side, and Zhou Fan's handsome and masculine face instantly entered Xiao Muqing's heart.
The Sect Master of Guiyuan Sect, with her exceptional temperament and beautiful hair, stood there, momentarily forgetting to step forward to greet them.
It wasn't until Qin Li walked up to Xiao Muqing with an excited and joyful expression that she finally snapped back to reality.
“Muqing, I'm here.”
Qin Li looked at his somewhat distracted fiancée, thinking she had been overworked and worried about the complex affairs of the Sect during this period.
So, with understanding, he said, “Uncle Xiao's passing must have caused you a lot of suffering. I'm sorry, Muqing, I came late.”
Xiao Muqing shook her head, wanting to say that she had been doing quite well recently.
But Qin Li, seeing Xiao Muqing shake her head, thought she meant, “Past sufferings are nothing as long as you, Qin Li, are here.”
He immediately made a sincere promise, “Muqing, don't worry. With me here from now on, no one will dare to cause trouble at Guiyuan Sect.”
As he spoke, Qin Li displayed his powerful Cultivation, which was at the Core Formation Early Stage, just one step away from the Core Formation Middle Stage.
“Muqing, do you see? I'm not a good-for-nothing. I'm already a Core Formation Stage expert. From now on, I will protect you and Guiyuan Sect.”
“Qin Li, thank you.”
With Qin Li blocking her view, Xiao Muqing couldn't see Zhou Fan, so she replied, “Actually, I've also made a Breakthrough to the Core Formation Stage, and Guiyuan Sect is developing very well now.”
Qin Li detected the aloofness and distance in Xiao Muqing's words, but he didn't mind. The years of correspondence and affection would not easily change, Qin Li said with a slight smile.
“That's wonderful, Muqing. I still remember when we were children, after we got tired of practicing swords, we would lie together on the hillside of Guiyuan Sect, looking at the white clouds in the distant sky.”
“At that time, you said your greatest wish was to make Guiyuan Sect better. Congratulations on realizing your wish.”
Xiao Muqing was touched by his words.
She also recalled the days when they lay side by side on the grass, carefree and innocent, talking.
At that time, she asked Qin Li what his greatest wish was.
Qin Li smiled at her and said that he would definitely become a true powerful individual in the future, hold a grand wedding with her, and protect his family.
Childhood memories suddenly began to resurface, and Xiao Muqing's heart became even more conflicted.
She had intended to bravely break off the engagement with Qin Li and then, under the bright moonlight, confess her feelings to Zhou Fan.
But now, looking into Qin Li's sincere eyes, Xiao Muqing hesitated.
She couldn't bear to tell Qin Li that her heart no longer belonged to him.
Xiao Muqing was very conflicted. She longed to pursue the happiness she desired, yet she didn't want to see her childhood friend Qin Li get hurt.
She pursed her lips, remaining silent. The atmosphere between them gradually solidified. Qin Li didn't understand what he had said wrong.
Just then, Nangong Wan walked over, holding Zhou Fan's arm.
“Xiao Qing, Li Di, let's talk inside. You are both sensible adults, just talk things over.”
The four walked into a spacious room.
After serving tea to the three, Xiao Muqing sat opposite Qin Li. They looked at each other in silence, wanting to speak but unable to find the words.
Qin Li thought of how he had found a confidante, Ning Shuying, behind his fiancée Xiao Muqing's back. He felt very ashamed, thinking that Xiao Muqing might have known about it, which was why she was so cold to him today.
After taking two sips of tea, Zhou Fan, seeing that neither of them was speaking, immediately pulled Li Di aside and told him everything he had done at Guiyuan Sect back then.
Qin Li listened to Zhou Dage's detailed description, his expression changing from confusion to a frown, and finally, looking at Zhou Dage, who had his arm around his shoulder, he felt relieved.
The two walked back to the tea table. Qin Li picked up his teacup, drained it, and said, “Muqing, you don't need to feel guilty or burdened by this.”
“I understand you, and I don't blame you.”