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It was late at night.
Xu Tianyang's speed was incredibly fast; while the people of Douluo Continent were still immersed in the pressure from Ditian, he had already returned to Mingdu, where a vibrant and dazzling scene greeted his eyes.
Xu Tianyang looked down upon his city from above. Mingdu had begun preparations a year in advance for the upcoming Soul Master Tournament.
A constant stream of people came and went, and even in the dead of night, neon lights flickered brightly.
"What a prosperous city! The changes wrought by soul tools on humanity are fully evident in Mingdu," Ice Empress couldn't help but exclaim as she gazed at the city.
Snow Empress and Heavenly Dream Ice Worm beside her nodded in agreement.
They had traveled extensively with Xu Tianyang, witnessing many bustling cities on the Douluo Continent, but none could compare to Mingdu.
The difference between them was like that between the medieval and modern eras.
Xu Tianyang quietly observed the ever-changing Mingdu. Suddenly, his heart skipped a beat, and his gaze instantly froze.
The surrounding space twisted, and in the next moment, his figure appeared on a bustling street in the center of Mingdu.
No one noticed anything unusual; the street remained crowded with people, and the sounds of commotion were incessant.
However, a blue-haired woman not far in front of him seemed to sense something and abruptly turned around.
The woman's soft blue hair cascaded around her, and her usually serene, delicate face was no longer calm. In an instant, she threw herself into Xu Tianyang's arms.
"I'm back, Shuang'er," Xu Tianyang smiled, embracing Xu Nianshuang's slender waist, his arms tightening unconsciously.
Xu Nianshuang looked up, and their gazes met in mid-air.
Their faces were close, feeling each other's familiar warmth.
"Why did you come out alone suddenly? Where are Yiyi and Qian Renxue?" Xu Tianyang asked, looking at Xu Nianshuang, whose face was a little flushed, in his arms.
"Yiyi and Qian Renxue entered deep meditation and seem to have made a breakthrough. After finishing my cultivation today, I thought of going out for a walk, and I didn't expect..." Xu Nianshuang's lips held a faint smile. This was their destiny, hers and Xu Tianyang's.
"Let's walk together. It feels like it's been a long time since we had a good walk together," Xu Tianyang said, a gentle look in his eyes, as he looked down at Xu Nianshuang's azure eyes.
"Okay!" Her bright eyes curved into crescents, and anyone could feel her happiness.
Xu Nianshuang smiled and moved to Xu Tianyang's side, her jade arms linking with his.
Xu Tianyang's face also beamed with a smile, and he initiative took Xu Nianshuang's hand, their fingers intertwined.
They had known each other for ten years now. Their first meeting a decade ago, and their unwavering devotion to each other now, felt as if it had only happened yesterday.
As Xu Tianyang and Xu Nianshuang walked down the street, countless pedestrians' gazes instantly converged on them, some surprised by their exceptional appearance.
As the largest city on the Douluo Continent, Mingdu naturally had no shortage of people who felt superior. Indeed, a portly middle-aged man with a slicked-back hairstyle puffed out his chest and strode over.
However, halfway there, as his eyes met Xu Tianyang's deep gaze, all his words seemed to be caught by a large hand, not only shoved back down his throat but further pushed into his stomach.
The middle-aged man stood frozen in place, his legs trembling uncontrollably, unable to utter a single word. Only after their figures disappeared did he slowly come back to his senses, wiping the sweat from his forehead with lingering fear, and scurrying back into the crowd.
Among the crowd, an ordinary-looking young man with steady steps also departed.
"I should have just cut him down with my sword just now," Xu Nianshuang frowned in displeasure.
"Today is a good day, there's no need for bloodshed," Xu Tianyang said with a smile. There were some things he could handle himself; he'd never been very magnanimous.
"We've reached the Sacred Ming River."
As they walked, the two arrived by a large river. This river, which traversed Mingdu, not only served for transportation but also acted as a city moat, embodying the beautiful aspirations of the citizens of the Sun Moon Empire.
The evening breeze swept across the Sacred Ming River, creating ripple after ripple that reflected shimmering light under the moonlight.
Hundreds of small boats carrying candlelight floated on the river. Looking into the distance, many couples on both banks were pledging their eternal love, promising to never part.
"Shall we go boating?" Xu Tianyang asked Xu Nianshuang, pointing to some young couples playfully frolicking in boats in the middle of the river.
"Boating is quite boring. It's not as stable as me walking on the river surface," Xu Nianshuang shook her head, complaining in a rather unromantic way.
Xu Tianyang couldn't help but laugh at her words.
Seeing his reaction, Xu Nianshuang seemed to realize what she had said. Her pretty face instantly turned crimson, and she quietly lowered her head, burying it in Xu Tianyang's embrace.
"Tianyang..."
In his arms, Xu Nianshuang suddenly looked up, her resolute gaze making Xu Tianyang momentarily stunned.
The next second, cold palms suddenly cupped the back of his head, and a pair of delicate arms wrapped around his neck.
Xu Tianyang was initially stunned, but seeing the hidden shyness and embarrassment in Xu Nianshuang's eyes, he immediately understood, wrapping his arms around her slender waist.
Their lips met, the wetness and sweetness on their lips immersing Xu Tianyang's mind.
Embracing each other, their breaths mingling, Xu Tianyang and Xu Nianshuang seemed to be in another dimension. Despite the numerous passersby, no one seemed to notice them.
If anyone approached, they would be gently pushed away by an invisible, soft force without realizing it.
After they separated, Xu Tianyang looked at Xu Nianshuang's slightly flushed cheeks in his arms. With a gentle smile, he tenderly smoothed the slightly disheveled strands of hair near her temples.
"It's late. We should go back and rest!"
"Eh! That's not right, why did little Tianyang seal his spiritual sea?" Heavenly Dream Ice Worm exclaimed, looking at the black screen.
"Shut up, or no one can save you," Ice Empress glared at Heavenly Dream Ice Worm, then turned to look at the low-spirited Snow Empress in the distance.
"..." Seeing this, Heavenly Dream Ice Worm couldn't help but shrink his head, trying to minimize his presence... The Crown Prince's Mansion was very secluded, effectively isolating it from the bustling streets.
In the silence, only their breathing seemed to remain in the room.
The clear moonlight streamed down, adding a touch of dewy luster to Xu Nianshuang's fair and delicate skin.
She lay on the soft, wide bed, gazing at Xu Tianyang. She was slightly shy but steadfastly refused to avert her gaze from his.
They looked at each other, their gazes slowly overlapping with memories of their first meeting in childhood, as if traversing the long river of time.
Layers of emotions and feelings surged and erupted in their hearts.
"I was the first... In the end, I still won..." Xu Nianshuang closed her eyes. The figures of Yang Yiyi, Qian Renxue, Shui Bing'er, Ning Linglong, and even Snow Empress flashed through her mind. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, and warm, crystal tears slid from the corners of her eyes.