“It’s really alright.” Yun Shounian demurely placed her hand on Zhaoxue’s sleeve, then gently pushed Zhaoxue’s hand away.
If this continued, Yun Shounian felt she might become the only phoenix to ever get a fever.
“My apologies, I overstepped.” Zhaoxue realized something and quickly stood up, moving further away from Yun Shounian.
The soft, smooth sensation on his hand lingered, and Zhaoxue couldn’t help but blush.
Seeing Zhaoxue retreat from the corner of her eye, Yun Shounian’s regret welled up layer by layer. She opened her mouth, wanting to make amends, but her face felt hot again, and she couldn’t say anything.
“Why has the Imperial Daughter come to this Burning Abyss?” After a moment, Zhaoxue looked up at the beautiful face, asking cautiously.
“Because… because…” Naturally, it was because this place was too dangerous, and the person she admired most was here.
Yun Shounian thought this but couldn’t say it. Without the right external conditions, a seed that sprouted too early could easily wither.
“The Imperial Daughter need not answer. This humble immortal has been presumptuous.” Zhaoxue cupped his hands respectfully towards Yun Shounian.
Hearing Zhaoxue’s distant words and seeing his distant actions, Yun Shounian felt an involuntary pang of sour sadness.
His behavior reminded Yun Shounian that they had no relationship at all, that Zhaoxue wasn’t hers, and that a barrier separated them.
Even though they had only met a few times, Zhaoxue’s politeness and distance were perfectly normal, yet Yun Shounian felt a vexing and helpless sourness.
This was an irrational, uncontrollable affection, a deep, unquenchable love.
“Imperial Daughter, there is a hot spring at Bulian Mountain nearby. It can treat burns. Would you like this humble immortal to take you there?”
A while later, as the bonfire in front of Yun Shounian was about to die out, Zhaoxue’s voice reached her ears again.
Yun Shounian nodded without hesitation, her mood lifting slightly. “Mm.”
Watching Zhaoxue extinguish the bonfire, Yun Shounian got up. Seeing Zhaoxue about to step onto the sword laid out before him, Yun Shounian, who had been about to transform into a phoenix, immediately changed her mind and quickly stepped forward, grabbing Zhaoxue’s forearm.
“I’m injured and cannot fly. You’ll have to carry me on your sword.” Yun Shounian said earnestly, but after a single glance at Zhaoxue, she looked away.
“Alright, I’ll take you with me.” Zhaoxue agreed without much thought.
Yun Shounian hadn’t expected Zhaoxue to agree so quickly. She was dazed by the sudden surprise and stood there for an unknown amount of time.
When Yun Shounian finally came to her senses, she realized she was still holding Zhaoxue’s forearm.
As if burned, Yun Shounian quickly withdrew her hand.
Zhaoxue, clad in white, paused for a moment. He walked towards his sword. Sensing no movement behind him, he turned around and walked back to Yun Shounian.
Zhaoxue: “Can’t walk?” Su Dan Novel Network
“Mm-hmm.” Stimulated by the surprise, Yun Shounian became even more audacious.
However, this time, Yun Shounian seemed to have miscalculated. Seconds ticked by, but Yun Shounian received no response from Zhaoxue. Just as she was feeling ashamed and about to give up, Zhaoxue spoke before her.
“I have overstepped.” Zhaoxue’s throat bobbed. He stood still for more than ten seconds before finally bending down and lifting Yun Shounian directly into his arms.
Yun Shounian gasped and fumbled to wrap her arms around Zhaoxue’s neck.
As if sensing Yun Shounian’s emotions, Zhaoxue did not immediately fly when he reached his sword. Instead, he first comforted Yun Shounian. “Imperial Daughter, there’s no need to be nervous. We’ll be there soon.”
“Mm.” Yun Shounian’s voice was a little soft, but their intimate proximity was enough for Zhaoxue to hear it clearly.
After receiving Yun Shounian’s response, Zhaoxue slowly channeled spiritual energy into the sword, controlling its slow movement as it enlarged, then gradually accelerating.
The weather in the far north was very cold. Although Yun Shounian, as a phoenix bathed in fire, was not afraid of the cold, it still made her feel uncomfortable.
Especially now, when Yun Shounian was weakened by the burns from the Burning Abyss, it made her feel even more unwell.
The cold wind scraped mercilessly against Yun Shounian’s face. Instinctively, she turned her head towards Zhaoxue.
Sniffing the intoxicating scent emanating from Zhaoxue, Yun Shounian involuntarily buried her head in the crook of Zhaoxue’s neck.
Almost the instant she touched Zhaoxue, Yun Shounian realized what she had done.
Yun Shounian’s arms around Zhaoxue’s back trembled, then tightened. After a brief struggle, she ultimately followed her heart and did not pull away from Zhaoxue’s neck.
What Yun Shounian probably didn’t know was that Zhaoxue had noticed her discomfort and had intended to use a spell to shield her from the wind.
However, as Yun Shounian nestled into his neck, Zhaoxue’s entire body went rigid, and he retracted the hand that was about to cast the spell.
“Imperial Daughter, we’ve arrived.” After an unknown amount of time, Zhaoxue brought Yun Shounian to a mountain cave.
Yun Shounian awkwardly released Zhaoxue and took a step back.
Seeing Zhaoxue follow her movement and take a step towards her, Yun Shounian’s heart jolted, and she retreated another step.
This time, Zhaoxue stopped in place, no longer moving. “Is the Imperial Daughter’s leg alright now?”
Yun Shounian nodded, then immediately shook her head. “It still hurts a lot.”
Yun Shounian’s gaze shifted to the side, avoiding Zhaoxue’s eyes.
Until Zhaoxue scooped her up again, Yun Shounian remained stiff as a board.
Soon after, Zhaoxue carried her to the edge of a hot spring. “Imperial Daughter, this is the hot spring at Bulian Mountain. I will be waiting outside. Call me if you need anything.”
Yun Shounian nodded and watched Zhaoxue turn to leave.
Once Zhaoxue was far enough away, Yun Shounian slowly shed her clothes, one by one.
Originally, Yun Shounian could have used magic directly. However, she was now particularly weak from the burns inflicted by the fires of Burning Mountain, so she did not want to expend spiritual energy on such a trivial matter.
When there were no more clothes to hinder her, Yun Shounian slowly submerged herself into the natural hot spring.
The warm spring water enveloped Yun Shounian’s body completely, and soon her painful wounds began to heal at an astonishing rate.