Chapter 695
Ren Xue
“Tomorrow,” Dai Chengfeng said, “I need to go back to the Star Luo Empire first to handle some family affairs, and then begin preparations for the establishment of the academy.”
"So urgent..." Qian Renxue lowered her head, concealing the disappointment in her eyes.
Dai Chengfeng gently lifted her face: "A brief separation is for a better reunion. Five years will pass quickly. When I stand before you again, I will be a Soul Douluo, leading my team to win the attention of the entire continent, and then I will marry you honorably."
Qian Renxue's eyes welled up slightly, but she held back her tears: "I will wait for you. Five years, no matter what happens, I will wait for you."
“I will also wait for you to complete the Angel God Test,” Dai Chengfeng promised. “On the day you become the Angel God, I will stand by your side and crown you.”
It was noon when the two left the teahouse. Sunlight shone on the pristine streets of Wuhun City, making the entire city appear dreamlike and beautiful.
Qian Renxue led Dai Chengfeng on a tour of the Spirit Hall Academy campus, including the Spirit Hall Library, which houses countless classic texts for spirit masters, and Hero Square, which enshrines statues of powerful figures from past generations. At each location, she explained everything in detail to Dai Chengfeng, as if she wanted to share with him everything that was most important in her life in this one day.
As the sun set, the two arrived at the highest point of Wuhun City—the Star Observatory. From here, they could overlook the entire Wuhun City, with the Pope's Palace, Douluo Palace, and Offering Hall in the distance appearing solemn and mysterious in the afterglow of the setting sun.
“When I was a child, I would come here whenever I felt lonely or stressed.” Qian Renxue leaned against the railing of the observatory, the evening breeze blowing through her long hair. “Looking at the city below and the sky in the distance, I imagined that one day I could fly very, very high, high enough to touch the stars.”
"And now?" Dai Chengfeng asked.
Qian Renxue turned to look at him, her eyes reflecting the golden light of the setting sun: "Now I know that no matter how high you fly, if you are alone, you will feel cold. But if someone is with you, you can feel the warmth of the stars even on the ground."
A surge of emotion welled up in Dai Chengfeng's heart, and he gently embraced Qian Renxue: "I won't let you fly alone. We will fly together to higher skies and see more distant scenery."
The two embraced on the observatory, watching the sunset slowly sink below the horizon and the stars light up one by one. No more words were spoken, but their feelings were conveyed through their tightly clasped hands and synchronized heartbeats.
As night fell completely, they reluctantly left the observatory. Qian Renxue escorted Dai Chengfeng to the west gate of Wuhun City, which was usually the only passage for non-Wuhun Hall personnel.
"Let's stop here." Dai Chengfeng stopped. "If we keep going any further, I'm afraid I won't want to leave."
Qian Renxue forced a smile: "Then you'd better come back soon."
“I will,” Dai Chengfeng promised. “Moreover, we can contact each other by letter. There is a dedicated communication channel between the Spirit Hall and the Star Luo Empire. Although it is a bit slow, it is better than nothing.”
“I will write to you,” Qian Renxue said, “to tell you about my progress in the Divine Examination and what happened in Martial Soul City.” “I will also tell you about the progress of my academy’s construction and my cultivation,” Dai Chengfeng smiled. “Although we are separated by thousands of miles, our hearts will always be together.”
Finally, under the starry sky, they exchanged a tender and lingering kiss. It wasn't a passionate kiss, but a promise, a commitment, and an expectation for the future.
"See you in five years." Dai Chengfeng released Qian Renxue and took a step back.
"See you in five years." Qian Renxue stood still, watching him go.
Dai Chengfeng turned and strode out of the west gate of Wuhun City. He didn't look back, because he knew that looking back would only make the parting more difficult. He wanted to transform this reluctance into motivation to move forward, for their reunion five years later, for their future.
Qian Renxue stood there until Dai Chengfeng's figure completely disappeared into the night before gently wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes. She turned and walked resolutely towards the Hall of Offerings.
From this day forward, she will strive for her future and for their promise. She will complete the Angel God Exam faster; she will begin preparations for the reform of the Spirit Hall; and she will protect her love for Dai Chengfeng with her life.
Back in the main hall, Qian Renxue found her grandfather, Qian Daoliu, standing outside her room, seemingly having been waiting for a long time.
"Grandpa." Qian Renxue bowed respectfully.
Qian Daoliu looked at her slightly reddened eyes and sighed, "He's gone?"
"Mm." Qian Renxue nodded.
"Five years is neither a long nor a short time," Qian Daoliu said slowly. "For ordinary people, five years is enough time to accomplish a lot; for a Soul Master, five years might just be the time for one period of seclusion. Xue'er, do you really believe he can do it?"
Qian Renxue answered without hesitation, "I believe you."
Qian Daoliu looked into her determined eyes, a complex emotion flashing in them: "You know, I proposed the five-year agreement not only to test him, but also to test you. Five years is enough time for many things to change, and enough time for people to see their own hearts clearly."
"My heart will not change." Qian Renxue's voice was calm yet resolute. "Whether it's five years, ten years, or a hundred years, I've made up my mind about him." (End of Chapter)