Ye Xian and Ye ling'er had known each other since they were little—growing up in the Ye Clan, sharing meals, mischief, and dreams of becoming powerful cultivators.
At first, she had always seen him as a younger brother. After all, she was two years older and had reached the Element Disciple Realm before him.
But everything changed after Ye Xian suffered a serious cultivation setback.
Most people would have given up after such a blow, but not him. Even after falling a whole realm behind, he kept training.
His hands bled, and he often went without sleep, but he never stopped. Ye ling'er remembered watching him from afar—his body shaking with exhaustion, yet his eyes still full of determination. Something inside her shifted.
She began to admire him. Respect him.
And maybe… feel something more.
She started looking forward to seeing him every day—not out of obligation, but because she wanted to.
Her heart beat a little faster when he smiled. Even though she was older and more advanced, when she stood in front of him, she sometimes felt like the junior.
That stubborn fool—two years younger, yet somehow still inspiring her.
As they walked side by side, Ye Xian glanced over and spoke.
"How have you been? Still find time to paint?"
A soft smile appeared on Ye ling'er lips. She nodded.
"Yes, but I rarely have time these days. There's just too much to handle."
Even though she was only nineteen, she carried heavy responsibilities. As the adopted daughter of the Ye Clan Patriarch, she managed many of the clan's important businesses—silk trade, rune weapon production, and more.
Originally, all of this was meant for Ye Tianling, the Patriarch's real son and the rightful heir. But during a fight with a rival clan, Ye Tianling had been seriously injured. His dantian and meridians were ruined—ending his path as a cultivator.
Once full of pride and big dreams to lead the clan, he became a shadow of his former self. In a world where strength ruled everything, losing the ability to cultivate was like losing your future.
That's when Ye ling'er stepped up. She didn't take on the burden just because it was expected—she did it out of love for her family. She worked hard to keep the clan strong and respected.
But Ye Xian knew: behind her calm expression, she was tired. She didn't have time for the little joys that most girls her age enjoyed.
They had grown up together, and their bond had only deepened through the hardships they faced.
When Ye Xian lost his realm after a backlash, many clan members mocked and avoided him. His future seemed hopeless.
Only a handful of people were kind to him, including Sheng Qianying and Ye ling'er.
She took care of him, comforted him, and gave him the strength to keep going.
Maybe that's why Ye Xian always saw a different side of her—one that was warm and caring beneath the cold, distant mask she showed others.
As they strolled through the busy streets on their way to Azure Sky Academy, Ye Xian suddenly stopped at a vendor's stall.
He bought sweet honey mustard candies and roasted lamb cheese skewers, then handed some to Ye ling'er.
She blinked in surprise. "You still remember these?"
Ye Xian smiled. "Of course. They're your favorites."
She took a bite, closed her eyes, and enjoyed the taste. A rare expression of happiness lit up her usually calm face.
"I haven't had time for treats like these in so long," she said softly.
For a short while,She was just Ye ling'er—a young woman enjoying her favorite snacks.
As they continued walking, she turned to him and said, "If anyone bullies you, just let me know. I'll deal with them."
Ye Xian laughed lightly but didn't reply.
Ye ling'er looked at him closely, as if trying to understand what he was really thinking.
As they passed through the bustling marketplace and neared the gates of Azure Sky Academy, old feelings rose up inside her—mixed now with emotions she couldn't quite name.
Ye Xian gave a relaxed smile. "Ah, back to the grind."
Ye ling'er muttered under her breath, "Back to resisting the urge to beat you."
He didn't seem to hear her.
Or maybe he did—and just smiled wider.
Soon, they reached the entrance of Azure Sky Academy. Above the towering gates hung a large stone plaque. Beautifully carved, it gave off a strong, dignified presence:
"Azure Sky Academy."
Once inside, they went their separate ways.
Ye ling'er, with her A-grade talent and elite reputation, had been placed in the academy's top class—the Sky Class, where only the most talented and privileged students studied. Because of her status, the academy gave her special treatment and allowed her to attend at her own pace.
Ye Xian, on the other hand, was assigned to the Earth Class—a middle-rank group for average students.
He stepped inside and entered a large courtyard filled with students. Some walked in small groups, talking quietly. Others trained alone or with a partner, practicing their skills. A few couples stood under cherry blossom trees, whispering sweet words.
As Ye Xian moved forward, he saw a familiar face—one he knew right away.
Before Ye Xian could react, strong hands grabbed his shoulders.
"Ye Xian! Is it true?" a loud voice shouted right next to his ear.
Ye Xian turned his head slightly and met the excited but sad look of Riener—his friend and fellow student at the academy.
"Are you really going to marry Meng Xueqing?" Riener asked, his voice full of disbelief and sadness.
Ye Xian nodded calmly.
Riener took a step back, clutching his chest like he had been shocked.
"No! Another treasure is about to be taken away!" he cried out. "How can the heavens be so cruel? First, they give us hope, then they take it away right before our eyes!"
His loud reaction caught everyone's attention. Students nearby stopped and looked, whispering among themselves.