The words fell.
A pink glow bloomed beneath Du Yuan's feet.
Immediately, a giant, blossoming lotus materialized.
Pink mist filled the sky, emanating an aura of mystery and sanctity.
The lotus petals instantly enveloped the two of them.
At the same time.
The two Qi Absorption Realm eighth-layer powerhouses who had been blocking the snow for Wan Yan were engulfed by the swirling snowflakes.
Accompanied by a hysterical scream.
The two vanished into mist and blood, disappearing from the face of the earth.
Even with their Qi Absorption Realm eighth-layer cultivation.
They could not withstand Xue Luo Ren Jian, Du Yuan's most powerful killing move.
"I refuse to believe you can withstand this strike!" Wan Yan's eyes contorted with ferocity as he urged his long sword, attacking the now-closed lotus in the air.
The lotus spun rapidly, deflecting the onslaught of swords.
"My two companions, if you still desire the fortuitous encounter, strike together!" Wan Yan, enraged, called out to Wu Xin and Xiang Tian She.
He knew.
That it would be difficult for him alone to break through the inherited treasure of the Hundred Flower Valley.
Only by uniting the strength of Wu Xin and Xiang Tian She could they have any hope of seizing Chen Nan's fortuitous encounter.
The other two immediately stepped forward.
Just as they were about to strike.
A cracking sound echoed through the void.
Following closely, the earth split open.
Revealing abyssal fissures.
"Everyone, this small world is about to collapse. If you wish to survive, you should leave this place as soon as possible!" Yu Bo ascended into the air, flying towards the exit of the small world.
He knew.
That since the fortuitous encounter had already chosen its master, it was the will of heaven.
The three men's eyes were filled with unwillingness.
Although they did not want to abandon the fortuitous encounter of the Fire God Sect.
They also knew that staying here posed a mortal danger.
If they did not leave before the small world collapsed.
They too would be buried here.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
The three flew out of the small world at their fastest pace.
But they did not leave.
Instead, they waited outside, intending to intercept Chen Nan and Du Yuan.
Unbeknownst to them.
The Diguan beast had already brought Chen Nan and Du Yuan to the back of Black Mountain.
Chen Nan looked at Du Yuan in his arms, her face haggard, yet a smile gracing her lips. "At this point, how can you still smile?"
Du Yuan chuckled. "Have you noticed that ever since we met, someone has been getting hurt?"
"When we first met, I injured you."
"And now it's again..."
Before she could finish, a trickle of blood escaped her lips.
She looked even weaker.
"Stop talking for now," Chen Nan said, his face filled with concern.
He unleashed his spatial domain.
Stopping Du Yuan's bleeding and preventing further loss of blood.
Du Yuan gave him a coquettish glance. "I thought you would tear open my clothes, examine my wounds with your eyes, and wipe away the bloodstains on my body with your hands."
Chen Nan looked at her, bewildered. "Sister, what time is it?"
"How can you still be thinking about letting me take advantage of you?"
"Are you that happy to be taken advantage of by me?"
Du Yuan nodded honestly.
Chen Nan almost spat out a mouthful of old blood.
A love-struck fool was truly beyond reason.
"You are severely injured, you must take a medicinal pill to heal." Chen Nan could feel that Du Yuan's body was in a dire state, her meridians within her body on the verge of exhaustion.
He knew.
This was the after-effect of unleashing Xue Luo Ren Jian.
"It's not a big problem," Du Yuan said with a smile, taking out a milky-white pill. "This pill is specifically for curing the after-effects of Xue Luo Ren Jian. After taking it, my injuries will be healed."
Chen Nan's heart, which had been hanging, finally settled. "That would be wonderful. If anything were to happen to you, I would feel guilty for the rest of my life."
Du Yuan looked at Chen Nan nervously, a hint of panic in her pupils. "Are you worried about me out of guilt?"
Chen Nan paused, a wry smile appearing on his face. "You cannot let my guilt negate my... "
Du Yuan asked cautiously, "My what?"
This question stumped Chen Nan.
Although the words were on the tip of his tongue.
Those two words seemed to possess a magical power.
He was simply unable to utter them.
But seeing Du Yuan's anxious, expectant gaze.
He took a deep breath and said decisively, "My liking for you."
Du Yuan smiled.
A smile that could topple cities.
And warm the heart.
"I knew you liked me too," she smiled like a young girl, feeling that even if she died now, she would have no regrets in this life.
Then, she seemed to recall something, her gaze dimmed, and she said weakly, "Little brother, although I wish to recover by your side and spend more time with you."
"However, this pill must be taken with the Hundred Flower Dew from the Hundred Flower Valley."
"I need to return to the Hundred Flower Valley."
"Otherwise, I won't survive for more than three hours."
Chen Nan immediately embraced Du Yuan, looking at her affectionately. "Where is the Hundred Flower Valley? I will take you back!"
He would absolutely not allow anything to happen to Du Yuan.
Du Yuan looked up and kissed him on the cheek, but still said, "The Hundred Flower Valley is five thousand li from here. My magical artifact is not enough to carry both of us."
"Furthermore, there is a rule in the valley that men are not allowed to enter."
"So, I'll return by myself!"
"It will be very quick!"
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, and I'll reach the Hundred Flower Valley." She smiled playfully, like a little girl.
Seeing this, Chen Nan could only agree.
And put her down.
Although he was worried about Du Yuan.
But at this point, he could only do as she said.
Du Yuan looked at Chen Nan affectionately, extending her blood-stained right hand to gently caress his face.
A mist of tears welled up in her eyes.
With reluctance and a comforting smile, she said, "When I was young, I always thought that the person I liked would definitely be an unrivaled dragon among men."
"Although you are still very weak now, I believe."
"One day, you will become one of the strongest individuals in this world."
"Will you keep your promise and come to marry me when you reach the Qi Absorption Realm?"
Chen Nan nodded solemnly. "I will not disappoint you."
Du Yuan stood on tiptoe and kissed Chen Nan.
Then, she reluctantly parted from him, her eyes smiling. "Remember our promise, and come to marry me when you reach the Qi Absorption Realm!" With that, she resolutely turned around and stepped into the void.
A golden lotus platform appeared beneath her feet, carrying her towards the distant north.
She looked back at Chen Nan, her heart aching.
I hope you meet someone better than me.
I hope you don't keep your promise and come to the Hundred Flower Valley to marry me.
Because then we will both have broken our promise...
"Wait for me!"
Chen Nan waved goodbye to her.
Completely unaware.
That when Du Yuan turned around.
Tears had streamed down her face.
Only after Du Yuan's figure disappeared from sight.
Did Chen Nan suddenly come to his senses.
No, no!
No!
If Du Yuan had a pill to deal with the after-effects of Xue Luo Ren Jian.
Why didn't she carry the Hundred Flower Dew with her?
As the Valley Master of the Hundred Flower Valley, how could she make such a rookie mistake?
Also!
She said that men were not allowed to enter the Hundred Flower Valley.
Then why did she say to wait for him to reach the Qi Absorption Realm to come to the Hundred Flower Valley to marry her?
Why was she lying?
Why didn't she want him to accompany her to the Hundred Flower Valley?