Chapter 18: A Kiss Seals the Promise

At this moment, Lord Fenglan entered the Grand Immortal Hall in utter silence.

He glanced at his little disciple Liuying, whose presence was as rare as daylight, now squatting on the ground beside Hua Yan from the Hundred Flowers Hall. Their pitiful appearance drew a gentle sigh from him.

With a warm voice, filled with comfort, he said, “You have succeeded in the trial.”

“Master!”

Liuying, who was crouched on the floor, sprang to her feet, her eyes brimming with delight.

Hua Yan quickly wiped away her tears and rose, bowing deeply. “Greetings, Lord Fenglan.”

Liuying, full of joy, rushed forward and clasped Lord Fenglan’s arm. “Master, have you come to fetch me?”

“So unruly, lacking manners,” Lord Fenglan chided her for her disregard of etiquette, but his gaze was filled with affection.

Seeing the profound bond between Lord Fenglan and Liuying, Hua Yan’s eyes flashed with envy.

Clearing her throat, she hurried to express her gratitude. “Thank you, Lord Fenglan, for your rescue that day. I shall visit and pay my respects another time.”

“It was but a small favor, little fairy. No need for thanks,” Lord Fenglan replied, his eyes twinkling with amusement. Somehow, he always felt something different for this little flower spirit.

He had closed his eyes to Liuying secretly sending rare elixirs from the Spirit Treasure Pavilion to Hua Yan over the years. He had also pleaded her case when she was falsely accused in the Thirty-Three Heavens.

Hearing Lord Fenglan refer to her as a fairy, Hua Yan was overjoyed. Her eyes sparkled as she spoke sincerely, “Certainly! Tomorrow I shall bring the finest preserved fruits from Hundred Flowers Hall to Lanxi Hall and visit you.”

Seeing Hua Yan’s earnest desire to repay his kindness, Lord Fenglan smiled gently. “Very well. Lanxi Hall always welcomes you.”

He did not wish this little flower spirit’s goodwill to go unreturned, so he accepted her promise.

“Mm.”

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Hua Yan watched as Liuying was taken away by her master, noticing her own filthy state, and felt deeply embarrassed.

She tugged at her sleeve and said awkwardly, “Then I shall return to Hundred Flowers Hall first.”

Lord Fenglan noticed her discomfort and quickly hid the smile in his eyes. He quietly removed Liuying’s hand from his arm and spoke warmly to Hua Yan, “Alright.”

In his heart, he thought, this little flower spirit truly is adorable.

And so, Hua Yan, still looking pitiful, returned to the Hundred Flowers Hall.

Hundred Flowers Hall.

“Ah, so comfortable.”

After a hearty sip of celestial dew, Hua Yan felt utterly satisfied, revived like a frost-bitten autumn flower brought back to life.

With her eyes half-closed, she lay in the midst of blossoms, enjoying a peaceful nap.

The Mystic Realm of the Vast Sea had exhausted her—chased by spirit beasts, falling into the Abyss of Ink. This cursed fate always seemed to single her out.

But now, she intended to rest for days, to restore her spiritual power.

Warm sunlight spilled across her face, making her feel languid and content.

“If only I could live happily like this forever,” she murmured, her face radiant with a smile.

At some point, Beiming Yanhuo had arrived, watching Hua Yan with keen interest. She was a lowly flower spirit, weak in spiritual power and rank.

He wondered how she managed to live so freely, without distraction. Even a simple meal or sip of celestial dew brought her satisfaction.

Even when beset by beasts beneath the Abyss of Ink, she had surprised him, bargaining for her life with the monsters.

Was she innocent—or simply foolish?

Beiming Yanhuo tilted his head, scrutinizing this flower spirit among the blossoms.

His handsome face drew closer, earnest in his gaze, so much so that he nearly touched Hua Yan’s cheek without realizing.

He sensed something, though he could not say what—for it was the happiness she brought him.

Suddenly, the warm sunlight grew cold. Hua Yan frowned, lazily opening her eyes, and was startled.

A familiar face, tinged with coldness, stared at her unmoving.

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The sudden appearance of that cold and familiar countenance startled her, causing her to sit up abruptly.

And as she did, her lips brushed against Beiming Yanhuo’s.

Hua Yan’s eyes flew wide open, staring at him in a stunned daze.

Inside, her heart exploded like a New Year’s Eve, dazzling fireworks bursting wildly.

That gentle, soft touch, fleeting as a dragonfly skimming the water, stirred waves that rippled deep within their hearts.

Beiming Yanhuo’s cheeks burned. Coming to his senses, he shoved Hua Yan aside, his face cold and full of disdain. “Get away.”

Seeing his look of contempt, Hua Yan fumed. Not only had he taken advantage by kissing her, he now insulted her.

She spat a few times and wiped her mouth fiercely with her sleeve. “I think you’re disgusting!”

Beiming Yanhuo’s brows twitched, his eyes flashing coldly, as if ready to strike her down.

“What did you say? Are you courting death?”

In truth, though Beiming Yanhuo appeared calm, his heart was in chaos, waves crashing uncontrollably.

Hua Yan, like a startled rabbit, darted into the hall, fleeing his wrath.

“Ouch!”

In her haste, she tripped, hurriedly got up, and gathered her skirts to continue her escape.

A loud bang echoed as the doors slammed shut.

Beiming Yanhuo stared in surprise at her frantic escape, her rolling and scrambling, and couldn’t help but laugh.

“Hmph!”

The anger melted away instantly—after all, he hadn’t suffered any real loss.

But when he glimpsed the unhealed wound on her arm, his heart softened, and he blurted out, “Such a silly little thing.”

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