409. Easy To Break

“Ah Jue...”

Liu Erlong sobbed as she threw herself into Qian Renjue's arms. The tears she thought had dried up flowed once more.

A chilling aura surrounded Qian Renjue, yet Liu Erlong felt no coldness. She clung to him desperately, ignoring everything else.

The black light dissipated, and the frost retreated.

His blood-red eyes softened into a purple hue.

With slightly stiff arms, Qian Renjue held the voluptuous and elegant woman tightly in his embrace.

Her figure was soft and full, but her warmth had faded.

“Erlong~”

Qian Renjue looked down at the disheveled beauty in his arms, his eyes filled with guilt.

He had remembered everything.

Their meeting in Heaven Dou City, the trials in the soul master world, their parting beyond the Star Dou Forest...

Back then, Liu Erlong had been so full of life and youth.

“Ah Jue, I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!”

Liu Erlong buried her head into Qian Renjue’s chest, crying uncontrollably.

“Sorry?”

Qian Renjue was stunned, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes.

What had his mom told her?

“I’m sorry, Ah Jue. It’s all my fault—I’m useless. It’s all my fault!”

Liu Erlong’s delicate body trembled as her hoarse voice carried her guilt.

Her downcast face was full of grievance as she bit her red lips, tears streaming down.

Her words were laden with regret and fear.

“The Memory Pearl... it’s gone. I broke it. I—I lost you with my own hands.”

“Ah Jue, please don’t leave me. Please, I beg you!”

“Broken?!”

Qian Renjue’s hand, which had been gently stroking her back, froze momentarily, his eyes wide in shock.

So, that damned Memory Pearl seal...

All it took to break it was destroying the pearl?!

No wonder his memories suddenly returned!

Damn the system!

Qian Renjue gritted his teeth in fury, but he quickly resumed patting Liu Erlong’s back and stroking her hair, his voice soft and comforting.

“It’s okay, Erlong. It’s okay if it’s gone.”

“Ah Jue...”

Liu Erlong’s trembling body gradually calmed, her sobbing growing weaker.

“Ah Jue, I beg you... don’t leave me.”

“I won’t, Erlong~”

Qian Renjue lowered his head to press against her hair, breathing in her faint scent, even mingled with dirt.

He gently stroked her soft figure, his voice tender.

“I’ll stay with you. I won’t leave. I’ve remembered everything now.”

“Please... Ah Jue...”

Liu Erlong continued to mutter incoherently.

Qian Renjue glanced down to see her beautiful eyes—once filled with fear—now closed.

Her weary face was streaked with tears.

Her black hair clung to her face, disheveled and heartbreaking.

In her exhausted state, meeting Qian Renjue was the final blow.

Liu Erlong could no longer hold on and fainted in the arms she had yearned for.

Even unconscious, her soft body still trembled faintly, a lingering effect of her earlier cries.

“I won’t leave,” Qian Renjue murmured as he placed his warm palm on her cold, tear-streaked face, gently caressing it.

His thumb brushed over her pale, quivering lips, trying to soothe her.

As he gazed at the fragile woman in his arms, he thought for a moment and brushed aside her messy hair.

His voice was soft and tender.

“Erlong, I’ll take you home now.”

As his words fell, the long, dark hook behind him began to swing, carving circles in the air.

A swirling black vortex appeared, swallowing them both.


---

Heaven Dou City, Deep Within Blue Tyrant Academy's Forest

The surrounding scenery sparkled with the shimmer of a serene lake, while a small bridge spanned flowing waters outside the courtyard. Inside, the air was filled with the fragrance of blooming flowers.

A dark vortex gradually appeared and expanded.

Under the warm sunlight, Qian Renjue stepped out of the swirling portal, cradling a delicate figure in his arms. He moved steadily, his feet landing softly on the courtyard ground.

Without hesitation, he walked toward the building ahead.

Click!

As Qian Renjue approached, the lock on the door clicked open in response.

Retracting his mental power, he moved seamlessly through the living room and headed straight for the bedroom.

Carefully, he placed Liu Erlong onto the soft, fragrant bed.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he gently pinched Liu Erlong's soft cheeks, brushing her messy hair aside. His purple eyes were filled with tenderness.

“Ah Yin.”

“Yes.”

Without further prompting, Ah Yin materialized as crimson threads, emerging gracefully from Qian Renjue's chest.

A natural, refreshing scent wafted through the room as Ah Yin appeared beside the bed. Her full and vibrant aura was reassuring, showcasing her nurturing role.

As a “healer,” she was dependable and abundant in energy.

Ah Yin gazed softly at Qian Renjue, slightly bowing in greeting, her tone obedient.
“Master, I will heal her right away.”

“Mm, I’ll leave it to you.”

Qian Renjue shifted aside, his hand gently stroking Ah Yin’s sapphire-blue hair.

“All that I have belongs to Master~”

Ah Yin smiled shyly, avoiding his gaze as she bent over. Her soft, fair hands began to glow with a vibrant green light, which she placed over Liu Erlong’s fiery figure, sinking into her form and gradually infusing her with vitality.

Focusing intently, Ah Yin dared not be careless, knowing the importance of the person she was healing.

Standing to the side, Qian Renjue silently watched Liu Erlong’s pale complexion improve ever so slightly. Her injuries were manageable, but the wounds in her heart would take far more time to heal.

He had no idea when she would wake up.

After observing for a long moment, Qian Renjue’s thoughts wandered to Spirit Hall. He would need to have a serious talk with his mother when he returned.

Step—

Qian Renjue shifted his gaze toward the wall opposite the bed and walked over.

The wall and the cords hanging along it were adorned with various paintings. Standing before the largest one, Qian Renjue stared intently.

The painting depicted a desolate bandit camp, its occupants shattered and scattered across the ground.

A silver-haired, dark-winged angel stood in the center, a black sword pressed to the throat of a ponytailed girl.

It captured the moment when he set terms with her, warning her not to oppose Spirit Hall.

Qian Renjue’s eyes flickered as his hand gently touched the painting. He remembered that back then, Liu Erlong had been filled with doubt and confusion.

Yet in this painting, her expression was one of unwavering determination, her eyes brimming with tenderness.

“Heh... I should be the one saying sorry.”

His fingertip lightly traced the delicate face in the painting.

“Master~ I’m almost done.”

Ah Yin had somehow appeared at his side, standing respectfully.

“Hm?”

Snapping out of his thoughts, Qian Renjue turned his gaze back to the bed.

Liu Erlong’s complexion had noticeably improved, her breathing steadier.

“Mm, you’ve worked hard. Hm?”

Before he could finish speaking, Ah Yin knelt down in front of him.

“Ah Yin, what are you doing?!”

Qian Renjue stared blankly at the elegant woman before him.

Ah Yin blinked her sapphire-blue eyes and spoke matter-of-factly, “Ah Yin knows Master is in a bad mood. So... please feel free to use Ah Yin as you did with Lady Ling Yuan.”

With that, she tilted her head back, biting her lip lightly.

Hearing this, Qian Renjue’s mouth twitched, a dark line forming on his forehead as he scolded, “Stop fooling around! I’m not in the mood right now.”

Ah Yin fell silent, blinking innocently. Her eyes sparkled subtly.

Master said “not in the mood right now”?

Did that mean... she could still be “used” later?!