Chapter 34: Zhang Lexuan's Promise

The nourishment provided by three consecutive thousand-year soul rings, combined with the abundance of nutrition he had received during his years on Sea God Island, had brought Ye Xixuan’s physique to that of an average boy of twelve or thirteen. Compared to Zhang Lexuan, he was only a head shorter.

Ye Xixuan could sense that Zhang Lexuan’s body was incredibly weak; she lacked the strength to move, and even the soul power circulating through her meridians was in disarray. It was clear that the backlash she suffered from forcibly absorbing the soul ring and bone of that hundred-thousand-year Blood Moon Wolf Emperor had severely damaged her meridians. It was no wonder Elder Mu had insisted that she needed at least two years of quiet recuperation, during which she must not utilize her martial soul. He could hardly imagine how she had managed to walk all the way to the Sea God Pavilion on her own just moments ago.

Carrying Zhang Lexuan across the island, Ye Xixuan felt no burden whatsoever. Given the strength of his physique, her weight was negligible. From the Sea God Island all the way to the female students' dormitory in the inner courtyard, the two remained silent. Zhang Lexuan was lost in her own memories, while Ye Xixuan, in a moment of belated realization, began to grasp that he might have done something rather extraordinary to his senior fellow disciple.

The dormitories for the female students of the inner courtyard were built along the small hill where the training grounds were located. Scattered amongst the landscape, they offered ample privacy and all faced the Sea God Lake. Zhang Lexuan lived in a two-story wooden pavilion. Ye Xixuan had been there before, but this was the first time he had arrived carrying her in such an intimate manner. Fortunately, the female students of the inner courtyard were either busy with cultivation or away on Inspector missions, so no one saw them.

Ye Xixuan stopped at the entrance of the pavilion, his gaze drifting away, not daring to look at the woman in his arms. Zhang Lexuan had returned to her usual gentle and rational self. She placed a hand on his shoulder and said softly, "Xixuan, put me down."

"Yes," Ye Xixuan replied, his expression somewhat unnatural as their eyes met. "Senior Sister Lexuan, just now, I..."

"Promises made must be kept," a charming smile appeared on her beautiful face. She looked him over carefully from head to toe, her eyes filled with approval. "Not bad. The little boy from all those years ago has truly grown up."

"Senior Sister Lexuan, I am not little!" Having spent time with Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi over the years, Ye Xixuan had subconsciously become sensitive to comments of that nature.

Zhang Lexuan smiled slightly, unbothered by his concern. Much like their first meeting years ago, she reached out her right hand to gently stroke his cheek. "It is so late; stay here and cultivate with me tonight."

"Alright." Seeing that her attitude toward him remained unchanged, Ye Xixuan finally felt at ease and followed her into the pavilion.

The interior was simple and modest, furnished entirely with wood. Zhang Lexuan took his hand and led him to a long wooden bench in the living room on the first floor. Through the window, one could see the clear Sea God Lake reflecting the bright moonlight. Her gaze wandered, as if nothing but the pale, glowing light filled her eyes.

"Xixuan, I don’t think I have ever told you about my background. In fact, I am from the Heaven Dou Empire just like you, and our experiences are remarkably similar."

"Senior Sister Lexuan." Ye Xixuan turned to meet her gaze. In his past life’s memories, Zhang Lexuan had never voluntarily spoken of her past to anyone.

She closed her eyes, seemingly recalling painful memories. Her long eyelashes fluttered, and she couldn't help but hug Ye Xixuan tightly, pressing his face against her chest. Back then, she had hidden under her bed, clutching a doll, watching helplessly as her entire family was slaughtered.

"My family was originally nobility in Night Moon City of the Heaven Dou Empire. Later, we were persecuted by another powerful noble house, which led to that massacre..." That night, Zhang Lexuan recounted her hidden past in detail, even revealing the promise she had made to Elder Mu without holding anything back.

Wrapped in her warmth, with her hair falling against his cheeks and carrying a faint, clean fragrance, Ye Xixuan could no longer contain his turbulent emotions. He lifted his head, gazing intensely at her. "Senior Sister Lexuan, can you not keep that promise?"

"Do you want me to break it?" she asked with a mysterious inflection.

Ye Xixuan nodded firmly. "I do. But I want you to live for yourself from now on, Senior Sister."

"Very well." Zhang Lexuan replied with just those two words, but the light in her eyes no longer seemed as vacant as before; it appeared to regain some of the vivacity of her youth.

Ye Xixuan let out a sigh of relief, his entire body relaxing. His tone carried a touch of sincerity, yet was laced with a hint of playfulness. "Actually, I said that because I wanted to fight for a little hope for myself, too. You are so beautiful and gentle, Senior Sister; it would be wonderful if you could marry me in the future."

"Alright."

"Senior Sister, what did you just say?" Ye Xixuan was about to continue when, hearing her response, he froze as if struck by lightning.

Zhang Lexuan smiled tenderly, her stunning face reflected clearly in his pupils. Her red lips parted as she repeated herself. "I promise you. I will marry you in the future."

Ye Xixuan’s eyes widened in disbelief. He did not yet know if what he felt for her was reliance, admiration, or something else entirely. But at the sound of her definitive answer, a tingling sensation washed over him, and an indescribable excitement and joy surged through his heart.

For Zhang Lexuan, this was her genuine inner feeling. In her mind, love was something that could be nurtured slowly. Whether out of pity or affection for Ye Xixuan, she found herself not at all opposed to this outcome. Unlike the promise she had made to Elder Mu years ago, this decision came entirely from her own heart, free of external factors—a choice she had made firmly.

Perhaps this was simply the nature of some people. In the original story, Zhang Lexuan was always ready to help Bei Bei, eventually finding herself falling for him through her constant dedication. It just so happened that the object of her devotion had now shifted to Ye Xixuan.

The night was deep, yet Ye Xixuan still felt as if he were dreaming. His gaze toward Zhang Lexuan had clearly changed. Though he was still naive regarding matters of the heart, he would eventually understand: this was the innate possessiveness a man feels for the woman he has chosen as his own.