Translator: Silavin
In just this single instant, Long Zexiao immediately perceived the gulf between the Sacred Lands and the Imperial Dynasties.
The difference was immense!
“I don’t even know how to address you anymore.” Long Zexiao quickly recovered, speaking with a hint of a smile.
“Prince, please address me as before.”
Qin Yichen responded while sweeping his gaze across the group behind him. Discovering that Xing Yuhuan was not among them, he asked and learned that Xing Yuhuan had gone out to gain experience.
Watching Qin Yichen converse amicably with the Prince, everyone’s hearts swelled with emotion.
Once, the youth before them had merely seemed impressive to them. But now they realized this youth had ascended to heights far beyond their reach.
After briefly exchanging pleasantries with these Imperial Dynasty Forces, Long Zexiao, Shen Fangu, and representatives from the Xing Family accompanied Qin Yichen to the Soaring Joy Chamber Of Commerce.
“I won’t waste words. In future, if there’s anywhere you need our assistance, just speak. My Heavenly Dragon Royal Family will never shirk from our duty!” Long Zexiao declared with complete solemnity.
He had received letters from Long Qingyao and was fully aware of what had occurred during the Imperial Dynasties Assembly. Naturally, he understood that without this youth before him, Long Qingyao would likely have perished along the way, let alone been selected by a Sacred Land.
Moreover, he knew Long Qingyao well. Sending her to the Imperial Dynasties Assembly had simply been to give her some experience, to let her see the outside world so she wouldn’t remain limited to the Six Imperial Dynasties, viewing the sky from the bottom of a well.
The outside world was vast. The Six Imperial Dynasties were merely a drop in the ocean.
However, given Long Qingyao’s natural talent, being selected by a Sacred Land was almost impossible.
All of this was because of that girl with a Lunar Saint Physique.
Because Long Qingyao was friends with someone possessing the Lunar Saint Physique, even within the Sacred Lands, she received sufficient recognition. Otherwise, ordinary people who had just entered the Sacred Lands wouldn’t have the qualifications to send messages back to their home Imperial Dynasty.
Shen Fangu was equally filled with emotion.
It was because of Qin Yichen that he had stepped into the Earth Grade. And now, the Shen Family had risen with the tide due to their connection with the Soaring Joy Chamber Of Commerce, becoming a top Force within the Imperial Dynasty.
Not only did Imperial Dynasty Nobles show them respect, but even the Royal Families from other Imperial Dynasties treated the Shen Family with courtesy. Naturally they did so all in hopes of drawing closer to Qin Yichen.
The Xing Family needed even less explanation.
Back then, Xing Yuhuan had led the Xing Family’s experts to protect the Soaring Joy Chamber Of Commerce’s leadership at all costs. This was a decision the Xing Family’s Elders now considered the wisest they’d ever made.
Following the Soaring Joy Chamber Of Commerce, the Xing Family flourished like fish in water, their prestige across the Six Imperial Dynasties unmatched.
Towards these people who had once helped him, Qin Yichen kept them firmly in his heart, never presuming upon his elevated status.
…
Late at night.
Qin Yichen brought Feng Qianxue silently to a scenic location outside the city.
The stream water was crystal clear. One could see small fish playing at the bottom. Beside the stream, various wildflowers bloomed in competition, and fireflies danced amongst the blossoms.
In the skies above, a crescent Moon hung high with stars scattered like jewels. The scenery was beautiful as a painting.
Qin Yichen and Feng Qianxue sat by this stream.
Feng Qianxue half-reclined against his chest, her head pillowed on his arm, her jade-white little feet playfully placed in the cool stream water, constantly stirring and splashing small droplets.
Her mood was as joyful as these little splashes.
Originally, Feng Qianxue had worn a worried frown day after day. But now her eyes curved into crescent moons, her exquisite face bearing a sweet smile, while her small hand traced idle circles on Qin Yichen’s chest.
Qin Yichen leaned back against a rock, a blade of grass between his teeth, equally at ease.
With just a downward glance, he could see that face that haunted his dreams.
In his embrace, the maiden’s long lashes trembled slightly, her eyes seeming veiled in misty vapour, her ruby lips and jade teeth glinting with crystalline lustre, her neck slender, her skin like ice and bone like jade. Every aspect of her delicate features, stunning countenance, and the hazy curves of her jade-like form was perfect.
Tonight, she wore a pure white dress, appearing beneath the Moon like a lunar fairy.
With just one glance, Qin Yichen became utterly immersed.
Stripping away all worldly dust, within all his thoughts resided only that exquisite face. It seemed the world had ceased to exist, all things had vanished, only she remained as the singular reality.
He could not help himself. Lowering his head, he captured those two crystalline, tender ruby lips.
They were so soft.
They were so sweet.
They rendered him unable to extricate himself.
It seemed that for him, this was already the most beautiful thing between Heaven and Earth.
She was slightly startled.
Opening those bright eyes, the next moment they became silken with allure.
She responded to him clumsily, inexperienced.
Her delicate fragrant tongue was teased, the ticklish sensation transmitting throughout her entire body. A soft moan emerged from deep within her throat.
This sound ignited the powder keg.
Qin Yichen embraced her forcefully, feeling her tenderness, her softness, seemingly wishing he could merge her into his very body.
This kiss seemed destined to last until the end of time.
Finally, he reluctantly parted from those slightly swollen delicate lips. Their mouths remained connected, seemingly equally reluctant to separate.
It wasn’t that he didn’t wish to continue. Rather, if he continued further, he feared losing control of himself.
His departure caused the maiden in his embrace to open her eyes, her gaze rippling with watery light. Her delicate lips opened and closed, seemingly reluctant at his withdrawal, yet also seemingly summoning something.
“You enchantress!” Qin Yichen’s palm caressed her fair face flushed with pink, his eyes brimming with adoration and attachment.
He couldn’t bear to harm her. She was his everything.
“How hateful! I’m not an enchantress.” She softly hummed, her small mouth slightly pouting, seemingly somewhat dissatisfied with him.
Yet she remained completely unaware of how much temptation her small movements and adorably innocent appearance held for Qin Yichen.
He breathed heavily, hot breath washing over her face. Seeing his gaze as if he wanted to devour her completely, Feng Qianxue murmured softly, stood up, and escaped from his embrace.
Beneath the Moon, the maiden chased fireflies by the stream amongst the flowers, her light laughter continuously emerging.
Qin Yichen stood quietly to one side, watching the scene before him.
Wasn’t this exactly what he had always wanted?
His heart had never felt such complete fulfilment.
Even when he had transcended mortality to become an Alchemy Saint, he hadn’t experienced such satisfaction.
Back then, even as an Alchemy Saint, his heart remained empty and hollow. He’d been like a walking corpse. Without any sense of achievement. Without any sense of honour.
Even with myriad masses paying homage to him yet his heart remained without ripples.
Because beside him, he didn’t even have a single relative.
Truly, only through loss does one learn to cherish.
Heaven took pity and actually granted him the opportunity to live once more!
If possible, he would willingly sacrifice everything just for time to freeze at this very moment.