The morning sun spilled through the silken curtains of the Jade Eclipse Sect and the air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of blooming flowers from the inner courtyard.
Zhao Tian’s steps echoed quietly along the corridor as he made his way to Rui Yuying’s chamber.
knock... knock...
A few seconds later, the door creaked open, and Rui Yuying’s delicate face appeared in the gap.
Her hair fell loose around her shoulders, and her cheeks already carried a faint flush from the early light.
"Oh, Darling..." she whispered, and surprise flickered in her eyes, quickly replaced by a tender smile.
Before she could say anything else, Zhao Tian stepped inside and closed the door behind him.
In the sa motion, his arms wrapped around her slender waist, pulling her against him.
Caught off guard, Rui Yuying let out a soft giggle, and her hands instinctively rose to his chest. "You didn’t even give a chance to greet you prope-"
Zhao Tian lowered his head and captured Rui Yuying’s lips in a kiss, and she let out a muffled gasp against his mouth.
At first her hands pushed weakly against his chest in surprise, but almost imdiately her resistance lted away into soft laughter.
Her lips parted with a breathy hum, answering his kiss with her own, and her slender fingers curled tightly into the fabric of his robe as if she didn’t want him to pull away.
As they pulled back, Rui Yuying’s lashes trembled, and she leaned forward, resting her forehead against his shoulder, her lips curving into a sweet smile that carried both shyness and playfulness.
"So," she whispered in a teasing tone, "how was the honeymoon yesterday?"
Zhao Tian gave a small nod, "It went well..."
Rui Yuying tilted her head back just enough to peck him lightly on the lips again "Hoh, then it’s my turn, isn’t it? My marriage next."
Zhao Tian chuckled under his breath and pulled her closer against his chest. "Sure. After we co back from Elven Star."
"...Eh?" Rui Yuying blinked, caught off guard by the casual ntion.
She leaned back slightly, "You’re... going to the Elven Star?"
"But... outsiders aren’t allowed there."
Her gaze lowered for a mont and her fingers unconsciously traced the edges of his robe as she whispered, almost to herself, "It’s been... thousands of years since I last heard about that place. But there were always rumors... whispers about that star."
Zhao Tian tilted his head, "What kind of rumors?"
She glanced up at him and muttered "They said... that n can’t live in that star."
"...n can’t live there?" Zhao Tian blinked in surprise and his eyebrows furrowed in mild disbelief.
Rui Yuying gave a slow nod as she spoke in a serious tone "Yes. I don’t know if it’s entirely true, but it was sothing I heard a long, long ti ago. That no man is permitted to enter their lands freely... let alone live there. The elves are... protective of their realm. They guard it fiercely, even from the outside stars."
Her fingers tightened slightly against his robe as she leaned closer, whispering, "And they are powerful, Tian. Not just their cultivation... their knowledge, their technologies, the strange thods they’ve developed. They’re... advanced in ways the rest of the High Stars can’t easily match."
Her eyes softened with concern as she cupped his cheek lightly, her thumb brushing along his jawline. "You mustn’t take them lightly. If the rumors are true... then the very star itself rejects n. You could be stepping into a place that will not only resist you but also destroy you."
Zhao Tian’s gaze softened faintly at her worry and his hand covered hers against his face. "Ying’er... Do you think I’d be careless? If I’m going there, it’s because I already have a way. I wouldn’t risk myself otherwise."
She pouted faintly, lowering her gaze again, though her face still rested close to his. "Hmm, really? I know you risk your life sotis."
Zhao Tian hugged her again, pressing his lips against her forehead. "I promise I’ll be careful. But the First Honoured One... had ties there. So if I went there, i can get so more clues about my physique.."
Rui Yuying stiffened slightly in his embrace, "The First Honoured One... tied to the elves?" she murmured.
"Mm. That’s why I must go. For clues."
She closed her eyes, letting her forehead rest against his chest, "Then... promise you’ll co back. I don’t care if you find the answers or not... I just want you to return alive."
Zhao Tian exhaled slowly, "...I promise."
"Though," he murmured softly, brushing her hair aside, "why are you suddenly so concerned about ? Did sothing happen?"
Her body stiffened slightly, and she hesitated before lifting her gaze "Yesterday... after the marriage ceremony, I had a talk with Ji Shuang."
"Because... well... I wanted to know more about you. And she told ... a lot."
Zhao Tian’s eyes lowered and Rui Yuying bit her lip "Surviving all degrees of Heavenly Tribulation... sothing most cultivators wouldn’t even dare to dream of."
"She told about the two ruptures... you survived and sohow endured what no one else could survive."
"She even told ... about the star you destroyed. A whole star, Tian. Do you realize what kind of monster strength that is? She said it almost killed you."
Zhao Tian’s eyes flickered and his gaze lowered at the mories that surfaced.
His chest tightened slightly "Oh..."
Rui Yuying’s thumbs brushed across his cheeks, "So, don’t ever... put yourself in dangerous situations again, alright?"
"I don’t care how strong you are. I don’t care what others say about your power. None of that matters to if it ans losing you. Do you understand?"
"I’d rather have you safe, ordinary, and alive... than see you keep pushing yourself until you break."
Zhao Tian hugged her tighter "Don’t worry... I won’t do anything recklessly."
She nodded her head and hugged him back, burying her face on his chest "Mhm."
Patting her head, his gaze condensed. ’n can’t live there? Freya never told anything like that...’
’I need to talk to her later.’
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