I descended the mountain, wandered from town to town, and tried to lose myself among the mortals. Yet, even amid the bustling markets and crowded streets, I felt like an outsider. No matter where I went, no matter what I did, I could not shake the feeling that I did not belong.
Once, on a quiet road, I caught sight of a familiar figure standing on the distant cliff, looking down at me from above. My heart sank, and I felt as though all my efforts to escape had been in vain.
It turned out to be nothing more than an illusion.
In the months that followed, I continued to wander aimlessly. The days blurred into weeks, and I lost track of time. My nights were filled with restless dreams, and by day, I foraged for food, doing whatever it took to survive.
I didn’t know whether I was running toward something or away from it. Eventually, I reached another distant mountain and wondered if Qing Chen would find me here. If he did, I didn’t know whether I wanted him to save me or to leave me behind forever.
Once again, I found myself afraid to face others…
Yes, again. From the start, I was always aware that the body Qing He saved belonged to Qing Chen. So, when I first knew that my true form was within Qing Chen’s sect, I did not dare to look for it.
As I made my way down the road, I suddenly heard a commotion from the people outside the tavern. “The immortal has descended,” someone exclaimed.
I raised my head and squinted into the light, stepping out of the doorway. Sure enough, in the direction of Qing Chen’s sect, the sky rippled with clouds, lightning flashing and thunder roaring as an unparalleled brilliance illuminated the heavens.
It was undoubtedly the result of Qing Chen’s strength.
What kind of person could match him? Who could stand against such overwhelming power? I did not need to see more to know that someone—likely an extraordinary cultivator—had crossed paths with him, and now they were paying the price. Even at this distance, the lingering resonance of his energy struck me deeply.
But his body… could it hold up?
A flicker of unease lit within me. I forced myself to sit down for a while, though my heart urged me otherwise. I told myself I couldn’t go back, not after what Qing Chen had done to me. But at the same time, I knew deep down that if there was even a glimmer of hope, even a slim chance to save him, I couldn’t stay away. And yet… I didn’t know if I could face him.
The most terrifying part was realizing I still cared.
Without giving myself further thought, I started running in the direction of Qing Chen’s sect. Though I was out of practice, my body still remembered the techniques, and I moved faster than I expected. By the time I got closer, my legs were burning with exhaustion. Every step felt like it could be my last, but my heart refused to let me stop. The battlefield ahead was chaotic, and I struggled to stay steady. My breath was heavy, my movements slowed. Without any cultivation to support me, I collapsed midway and only barely managed to push myself back up.
I knew I was powerless, but I couldn’t let go. Gathering the last of my strength, I pressed onward, clutching my worn-out robes. Everything about my appearance was pathetic, but I couldn’t care less.
Eventually, I stumbled into the forest surrounding Qing Chen’s sect, dragging my tired body through the underbrush. I didn’t know what I hoped to find, but I knew I had to get there. As I approached, it felt like time itself had twisted and stretched, with every step an agonizing eternity. Yet, at last, I caught sight of the familiar silhouette of the mountain gate.
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