"My disciple, the day of our agreement has come. Come, follow your master," said Taoist Xu Huai, gracefully approaching amidst the swirling purple mist.
"But Emerald Flower..." Leng Qinghuai frowned slightly, his eyes filled with worry and reluctance.
Taoist Xu Huai smiled gently and spoke in a calm tone, "You have repaid your kindness, and your karmic burdens have been lifted. Do not linger on worldly affections; ascend with me."
Leng Qinghuai looked up at the vast sky, and in that instant, he suddenly felt that the vague face that had entangled him throughout his life had quietly transformed into the likeness of Emerald Flower.
That visage was vivid and lively, smiling sweetly as it pointed at him and said, "Leng Qinghuai, I have decided on you."
He instinctively raised his hand to touch his face, only to realize it was already wet with tears.
"Master, I am willing to exchange my entire cultivation for Emerald Flower to regain her human form. I beg you to grant this wish," Leng Qinghuai said earnestly, his expression resolute.
Hearing this, Taoist Xu Huai paused for a moment, then let out a soft sigh.
"If you sever your celestial ties and remove your celestial bones, not only will you be unable to ascend again, but you will also turn to ashes and never be reborn. Disciple, do you truly not regret this?"
Without hesitation, Leng Qinghuai glanced back at Emerald Flower. His expression was calm, yet his voice was unwavering: "I do not regret."
Emerald Flower shook her head desperately, tears streaming down her face as she rushed in front of him, her tiger-like eyes filled with pleading.
Leng Qinghuai simply smiled quietly, his expression filled with tenderness and deep affection.
“Qing Huai, I don’t love you anymore. Just go, become a carefree immortal. I don’t love you anymore. Even if you die, I still won’t love you…” Emerald Flower choked on her words.
Each word felt like it was being torn from her heart, as if countless needles were stabbing at her insides, blood flowing from the wounds. She truly didn’t want Leng Qinghuai to die for her.
“But you have never lied. You’ve never lied since you were twelve. Who in this world, besides you, Emerald Flower, would love a cold and distant person for over ten years?” Leng Qinghuai said gently, his gaze fixed on Emerald Flower’s face.
He then turned his head towards the sky and spoke: “Master, your disciple has broken the precept and fallen in love with the tyrant of Dongliang Kingdom, Emerald Flower. The disciple is willing to accept punishment.”
Yes, he finally admitted the thoughts buried deep within him; he loved Emerald Flower. This love had taken root in his heart long ago, and he could no longer conceal the fluttering feelings he had for her.
Suddenly, Taoist Xu Huai in mid-air burst into hearty laughter and lightly pointed a finger.
In an instant, snow began to fall from the previously clear sky, large flakes drifting down like willow catkins, quickly covering the entire palace.
“Disciple, congratulations on breaking free from your tribulation; you can now attain immortality.”
Emerald Flower and Leng Qinghuai shook off the snow from their bodies and looked at Taoist Xu Huai with bewildered expressions.
“Master, what is happening?” Leng Qinghuai couldn’t help but ask.
Taoist Xu Huai stroked his beard, slowly closing his eyes as if recalling a long and distant story.
At that time, Leng Qinghuai was not yet known as Leng Qinghuai; he was the Azure Lotus Immortal in the heavens, possessing unparalleled beauty and extraordinary talent.
Many celestial maidens from the immortal realm broke through the threshold of Azure Lotus Manor just to catch a glimpse of his divine visage, even forcing their way through the grand doors of the manor.
Among these maidens was a small fairy, or rather, she was a little servant tending to the Emerald Lantern by the Lotus Pond.
From the moment the Azure Lotus Immortal was but a budding flower, she had secretly devoted her heart to him.
Every day by the Lotus Pond, she would gaze at him with a lovesick smile, her eyes shining as brightly as the most radiant stars in the nine heavens.
"I must, I must win over the Azure Lotus Immortal."
This was the most persistent desire in the heart of the Emerald Fairy.
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