-
The melodic note blazed with power from far above. The dragon froze, but it did not strike him. Instead, it blazed toward the man with the greatsword. He screamed for forgiveness, for he had brought trouble, again...
-
The selection continued, but the grandeur that had filled the arena seemed to have dimmed. The excitement, the tension, and the roaring crowds had all faded into a quiet undercurrent. Long Tianyu stood among the others, feeling a strange mix of triumph and exhaustion.
He was told they would leave in the evening. Until then, he was allowed to spend time with his family and friends, to say the goodbyes that weighed heavily on his heart. A small, dark wooden token was placed into his hands, a representation of his identity as an outer disciple of the Golden Windblade Sect. When the sect members handed it to him, their expressions were strange, mild disbelief. Because they knew that Long Tianyu was likely stronger than many of the inner sect disciples.
The children from Xincheng regrouped nearby, each of them casting wary glances at curious onlookers. Several tried to engage with them, seeking connections, perhaps even a foothold for the future, but their efforts were met with polite disinterest. They were not looking for attention, certainly not here. Wang Shuren and Wang Lihua's warnings echoed in their minds: do not reveal too much. Exposure could be dangerous, and Xincheng's safety relied on them.
By evening, the group found themselves at the Silver Sword Inn. The inn was large, yet most of its tables were empty. Even those who had come earlier were sitting silently, their eyes averted. It was not difficult to guess why, anyone who knew what had happened today would know the presence of these young prodigies. To anger them, even unintentionally, could have dire consequences.
The group gathered around a large wooden table, laughter and chatter filling the space that had otherwise been so hushed. Wang Shuren leaned back in his chair, a broad smile stretching from ear to ear. "You have all done a great job these last three years. It has not been easy, but all of you have matured. I am certain that everyone in the village would be proud, especially Teacher Song Ming."
"Hahaha! Make sure Lin Yue's mother is ready to save Song Ming if he gets a heart attack!" Long Tianyu's laughter rang out, loud and unrestrained, filling the inn with energy.
Chen Jie chuckled. "Yes, and we can't forget our promise to fly him up to Shadowjade Mountain!"
"Exactly! We'll grab him by the beard!" Long Tianyu laughed, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
Smack
Hua Qingqing's hand came down lightly on his head. "How can you say that?!" she scolded, though the twitch at the corner of her lips betrayed her amusement.
The others joined in, laughing and teasing. Xiao Chi rolled his eyes as he joined the banter. "Will you stop embarrassing us? Your nose is bigger than a fully grown Shadowjade Bamboo back home."
Humph, Long Tianyu snorted, "I wonder what legends you'll create over at the Scarlet Battlefield. Maybe losing your arm in your first battle?"
The two bickered back and forth while the rest of the group chuckled, rolling their eyes at these two. Yet beneath the teasing, beneath the laughter, was a bittersweet, the knowledge that soon, these carefree moments would be memories.
Eventually, the laughter died down as the weight of reality pressed in. The group reminisced quietly, sharing memories of their childhood and the three intense years that had forged an unbreakable bond among them. They spoke of Song Ming's teachings, the climb up Shadowjade Mountain, and the two week journey to Moondragon City.
"I look forward to when we meet again," Long Tianyu said solemnly.
"Mm," Nong Xuanfeng replied solemnly, "we've spent a long time together. It's time for each of us to embark on our own journeys."
"Yes, this is only the beginning for us," Long Tianyu shouted, the words filled with determination and anticipation.
"Wang Mei, make sure you record our legendary deeds!" he continued. Then, turning to Zang Liu, he said, "Fourth brother, paint us in glory!"
Wang Mei and Zang Liu smiled. "Mmm, sure! We can call it Immortal Sightings, words by Wang Mei and art by Zang Liu!" Zang Liu shouted back.
"Good. Fitting words for us!" Long Tianyu said with satisfaction.
-
It was soon time to depart. The sun had dipped below the horizon, leaving only the silver glow of the moon reflecting off the Moondragon River. Long Tianyu and Hua Qingqing had left the inn, they walked together by the river. Hua Qingqing's small golden jade bracelet hung on her wrist, a gift from Long Tianyu back in Xincheng, it glimmered faintly in the moonlight. She touched it lightly with her other hand, a small smile curving her lips.
"Tianyu," she said softly, her voice carrying a quiet vulnerability, "you must be careful. We have no idea what lies beyond these gates. Even Moondragon City is unfamiliar and dangerous."
"I will, Qingqing," Long Tianyu reassured her, his hand brushing against hers. "We know so little… but we will learn."
"Yes," she said, her voice soft but firm. "Once we reach the sects, we will gain knowledge. Make sure to read everything you can. As Wang Mei always says, knowledge is power, and it will help us to know more about this world."
"I will," Long Tianyu agreed, his excitement barely contained.
They walked in silence for a time, the night enveloping them. Passersby might have seen two figures walking together, ethereal under the moonlight, almost like a celestial couple. Long Tianyu slowly raised his hand and took Hua Qingqing's hand in his. Her warmth radiated through him. They had held hands before, but this felt different. It was a connection heavier, deeper, tinged with love and the bittersweet sadness of separation.
"I will miss you, Tianyu," Hua Qingqing said softly, shyness creeping into her tone.
"Me too, Qingqing," Long Tianyu replied, gripping her hand more firmly, unwilling to let go.
Her eyes searched his. "I've thought about what might happen… if someone gets hurt, or if something happens to the others…"
"Qingqing…" Long Tianyu murmured, understanding her worry. "I worry too. But we are strong. We won't fall. And if anyone is in trouble… can you imagine eight divine cultivators showing up to help? Their enemies would tremble!" He laughed, a bright, reassuring sound, the tension in her shoulders easing.
"Mm," Hua Qingqing replied, taking a deep breath, steadying herself.
The couple walked on, speaking softly about their dreams and fears, hopes for the future, and the promise of seeing each other again. The river's gentle flow, the whisper of the wind, and the glittering stars overhead provided a quiet, sacred backdrop to their conversation.
Finally, they reached a secluded spot along the riverbank, where the moonlight shimmered across the water like liquid silver. Long Tianyu paused, turning to face her. His hand trembled slightly as he lifted it to cup her cheek gently, his thumb brushing lightly across her skin. Hua Qingqing's eyes softened, her breath catching as she leaned slightly into his touch.
"Tianyu…" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
"Qingqing," he replied softly, drawing nearer. "There's something I need to tell you… something I've always felt."
She tilted her head slightly, her gaze fixed on his. "I already know," she whispered, a small shy smile tugging at her lips.
Long Tianyu leaned closer, their foreheads touching, sharing the warmth of breath and heartbeats. Slowly, deliberately, their lips met. The first touch was soft, tentative, as if testing the waters. Then, as years of friendship, shared adventures, and unspoken feelings flooded between them, the kiss deepened. It was gentle, and carried the weight of longing, love, and the sadness of separation.
Their hands found each other's, gripping tightly as though holding onto the memory of this night, this feeling. For a while, the world was still. Only the river whispered below, the stars above watched them.
When they finally parted, they remained close, foreheads touching, breaths mingling. Hua Qingqing's small, shy smile mirrored his own. Long Tianyu's gaze softened, a mixture of devotion and mischief flickering in his eyes.
"We'll see each other again," he murmured, squeezing her hand.
"Yes," she whispered, her voice firm with quiet determination. "Next time… we won't have to let go."
They stayed in silence for a long moment, simply enjoying the presence of one another. The moonlight cast a gentle glow around them, silver and serene, and for a brief moment, the world seemed perfect. Then, reluctantly, they turned to rejoin the others, their hands still entwined, a silent promise, nothing could ever truly separate them.
As they walked back toward the Silver Sword Inn, laughter and voices gradually rising in the distance, Long Tianyu glanced at Hua Qingqing. Her eyes sparkled under the moonlight. He knew that whatever awaited them in the sects, whatever challenges they faced, this moment would always be remembered, a reminder of the strength they shared and the love that had quietly, yet inevitably, grown between them.
And in the heart of the night, by the silver-lit Moondragon River, two young cultivators would soon set forth on separate journeys, yet forever bound by love.
-
End of chapter 12 - The River of Parting