"I don’t know how things are outside now." Dugu Nian stood outside the ancient cave, looked up at the golden array above Ancient Demon Ridge, and murmured.
They knew little about the events happening outside, but they knew that many had died outside, whether in the Nine Countries or Seven Seas, both had faced disasters beyond imagination.
Especially with the appearance of ten suns in the sky earlier, which left Dugu Nian and the others extrely shocked. Although things have returned to normal now, Dugu Nian and the others have witnessed the successive battles occurring outside.
At this mont, Dugu Nian was most worried about Fang Lin; she didn’t know where Fang Lin was, nor whether he was alive or dead.
Dugu Nian felt a bit resentful towards herself; why was she still so weak? Unable to provide any help, but instead becoming a burden.
Just as Dugu Nian’s heart was filled with anxiety, she suddenly saw Fang Lin walking slowly from not far away.
Dugu Nian was startled, then quickly went up to him, her face showing an expression of surprise and joy.
"Are you alright?" Dugu Nian hurriedly asked, looking at Fang Lin with so concern.
Fang Lin smiled without speaking, then reached out and pinched Dugu Nian’s cheek.
"What are you doing?" Dugu Nian, a bit embarrassed, glanced shyly at Fang Lin.
"I have sothing I want to tell you," Fang Lin said.
Dugu Nian was startled, sensing that there was sothing off about Fang Lin, but unable to put her finger on it.
"Go on, I’m listening," Dugu Nian said, pursing her lips.
Fang Lin pondered for a mont and then shared everything he had ever experienced with Dugu Nian, including the secret of living through two lifetis, without holding back.
Additionally, regarding the series of events related to the Ancient Spirits of Mountain Tu, Fang Lin also told Dugu Nian everything, making her clearly aware of the terrifying crisis they currently faced.
After hearing it all, Dugu Nian was at a loss for words, her mind in turmoil. She never thought Fang Lin had been hiding so many things from her.
"I should have told you long ago, but I never found a good opportunity. Now that I’ve finally spoken about it all, I feel sowhat relieved." Fang Lin said, but dared not look into Dugu Nian’s eyes.
Fang Lin felt he shouldn’t have hidden things from Dugu Nian for so long, especially given all they had been through together. Most likely, Dugu Nian would feel disgruntled for him concealing so much.
Dugu Nian indeed felt a bit angry; she hadn’t expected Fang Lin to have kept so many secrets until now. In her frustration, she almost wanted to slap him hard across the face.
However, thinking about what Fang Lin was going to do now, Dugu Nian couldn’t bring herself to act harshly, with a deeper sense of helplessness setting in.
"Why only tell now?" Dugu Nian asked, her eyes fixed on Fang Lin.
Fang Lin shook his head: "I always had concerns before and didn’t know how to tell you."
Dugu Nian bit her lips hard and turned to leave.
Fang Lin reached out, wanting to hold Dugu Nian back, but his hand fell limply halfway.
After taking a few steps, Dugu Nian suddenly stopped, wanting to look back at Fang Lin, only to see his figure gradually dissipate.
"This is just one of my avatars; my true self cannot et you now. I will co back to find you; I hope you live well." Fang Lin spoke as his figure rapidly dissipated.
Dugu Nian stood motionless, feeling deeply pained. She didn’t mind Fang Lin’s long-kept secrets; her greatest fear was never seeing him again.
"I will wait for you to return! You must co back!"
····
In front of the bronze door, Fang Lin revealed a trace of a smile, then cast aside all distracting thoughts.
The door seed silent, yet Fang Lin steadfastly grasped the door, never letting go, fearing it would vanish once he released it.
However, Fang Lin remained unable to push the narrow gap wider, staying as it was, unsure for how long.
Suddenly, a figure appeared behind Fang Lin, extending an arm to place it on that gap.
"My obsession lies in the pursuit of Martial Arts—defeated yet struggling, countless hardships never crush my will to beco stronger." Hou Yi’s voice sounded, arrogant and flamboyant.
Fang Lin turned, finding Hou Yi behind him.
In a daze, the gap previously only a foot wide seed to enlarge sowhat.
Then another figure appeared, extending a hand onto the gap.
"My obsession is compassion for all life, willing to bear the fate of all alone, though dying is without regret." Xuanyuan Ya’s voice sounded, carrying a feeling of desolation and grandeur.
The gap widened again, enough for half a body to pass through, yet still unable to allow Fang Lin to enter.
When Fang Qingye’s figure appeared, Fang Lin wasn’t surprised.
"Father." Fang Lin gently called, looking at his father’s figure.
Fang Qingye looked deeply at Fang Lin and spoke: "My obsession lies with your mother and you; as long as you two are well, any price is worth paying."
The strength of the three coalesced in Fang Lin, and the bronze door suddenly opened wide, with boundless light pouring out.
Fang Lin stood before the door, but didn’t imdiately step through, instead looking back at the three figures.
Yet the figures slowly faded away, seemingly unable to linger here long.
Fang Lin steadied himself, eventually stepping through the great door, hearing it close behind him.
A sudden change ahead, Fang Lin found himself standing in a very familiar place, with familiar company beside him.
Heavenly Fragrance Valley, under the Lovesick Tree.
His companion, none other than Dugu Nian.
Dugu Nian wore a red dress, her long hair flowing like when she was in Sky Swallowing Palace.
Fang Lin felt bewildered; he had clearly stepped through the bronze door to search for the key to becoming Martial Arts Supre, why unexpectedly appear here?
These before him surely couldn’t be real!
"What are you thinking?" Dugu Nian asked softly, gazing deeply at Fang Lin with affection.
Fang Lin didn’t speak, but walked to the Lovesick Tree, reaching out to touch it, its touch not a shred of illusion.
"Do you rember? We once prayed sincerely under the Lovesick Tree, hoping to glimpse our future. Unfortunately, I didn’t see anything; did you?" Dugu Nian continued.
Upon hearing her words, Fang Lin recalled the scenes he saw under the Lovesick Tree, yet not just one, but two entirely different futures.
One was a young couple sincerely praying under the Lovesick Tree, the girl’s appearance bore a strong resemblance to Dugu Nian, while the boy’s features were ordinary and rather clumsy.
Another was Fang Lin, already old and decrepit, blind and alone before a solitary grave, with a tombstone inscribed with Dugu Nian’s na.
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