"How are you feeling?"
"Much better than before. This lightning is really effective."
"That's good. Hold on. Just two more hours, and you'll be saved."
"Mhm, I can hold on. I'm just so sleepy, my head's spinning, my whole body aches, and I have no strength."
"I'm here. You don't need to do anything, just keep talking. Don't fall asleep.
Why were you so impulsive earlier? Do you think I'm afraid of those toxins? Every time I fight an enemy, I immediately activate my armor. Even against the weakest opponent, I always protect myself first.
This armor was left by the Thunder Emperor, you know that. How could it possibly not withstand mere poison?"
"At that time... at that time, I didn't think that much. You came to save me. I couldn't let you get poisoned, couldn't let you die for me."
"Sigh, you're always so kind. But this kindness will be your downfall. Remember this from now on: as long as the enemy isn't dead, even if they're completely incapacitated, never let your guard down. A dead enemy is the best kind of enemy. An enemy's final desperate struggle is always the most terrifying."
"Mhm, I understand. I hope there will be a future."
"Don't say such foolish things. Hold on, Sui Xiaohang will be here soon."
"Mhm, I can hold on. I haven't had a chance to talk with you properly since the Myriad Glory Rankings. It's so nice today, with no one else around. I can say whatever I want."
"Mhm, go ahead, I'm listening. I'll keep you company. Speaking of which, how did someone as naive as you end up joining such a dirty organization as the Heaven's Condemned?"
"Back then, when I was studying at the academy, the leader of the Heaven's Condemned approached me. He said they were righteous individuals acting on behalf of Heaven, specifically punishing the wicked. After hearing that, I agreed to join.
I didn't know I'd have to face so many difficult choices later on. Human nature, it's truly too complex. I can't comprehend it."
"Indeed. In the Golden Immortal Secret Realm, we experienced an apocalypse. Human nature is truly ugly.
Just like the Heaven's Condemned organization you served, claiming righteousness and constantly talking about 'punishing on behalf of Heaven,' yet their actions are so vile and shameless.
Everyone has a dark side, a hidden aspect they don't want others to see. It's good that you've left that place. Don't have any further involvement.
Let's not talk about such heavy topics. Let's talk about something happy. Do you have anything joyful to share with me?"
"Happy? Since I met you, I haven't been happy at all. You're a scoundrel, you always bully me, and you even found a wife to bully me with. You're both terrible."
"Uh... she doesn't have bad intentions. She just wants to play with you."
"I know. Fang Xiaoyu is a good person. She's quite suitable for you. You should cherish her well.
Back then, when I first met you, I thought you were a prodigal son who did all sorts of evil. I really disliked you.
Later, after I joined the Heaven's Condemned, he assigned me a mission to kill you. I agreed without a second thought, not considering the consequences at all.
Thinking back now, if I had killed you back then, I probably would have been killed by the Wan family too. The Heaven's Condemned probably couldn't have saved me."
"Uh... was I that bad before?"
"Yes, you were quite bad. But after you started cultivating, you seemed like a different person. You were still bad, but you stopped bullying others. You became brave, you became responsible.
My feelings towards you changed little by little. Later, I realized that you were actually quite a decent person."
"More than decent, I'm simply amazing. So, how did you end up liking me?"
"Pfft, narcissistic. Did I ever say I liked you?"
"Uh... I don't think so."
"Aren't you afraid Fang Xiaoyu will hear you saying that?"
"Uh... yes, I am."
As everyone knows, Young Master Lei is henpecked.
"Coward."
Qi Man Yao rolled her eyes at him.
"There's no one else here today, what are you afraid of?
Actually, I've been waiting for this day for a long time. I've always wanted to tell you what's on my mind, I just didn't expect it to be under these circumstances.
I can't pinpoint exactly when I started liking you. Was it when we went to the Thunder Pool? Was it when we visited your home?
I can't say for sure.
Back then, I thought you were too much of a player. You knew I liked you, but you never made it clear, always keeping me around, stringing me along. You enjoyed my affection without wanting any responsibility. What a scumbag.
Later, I realized you genuinely didn't like me, but you also didn't want to ruin our friendship, which is why you always avoided it.
I was so ridiculous, I even moped and worried about you for a long time.
When your father gave me your mother's bracelet, I felt happy. I thought it was my first successful step.
Later, I became unhappy. What was the point if your father approved of me? If you didn't like me, it was still useless. I couldn't possibly cling to you every day, chasing you and begging you. I have my pride, you know. I have my dignity."
"You're pretty good. I quite like you. I don't dislike you."
"I don't expect you to like me. I just want to contribute to you silently from behind.
Later, at the Myriad Glory Rankings, I saw you being surrounded and attacked by those twelve people. I was angry and scared. With some unknown courage, I went to curse out the Nine Great Leaders.
I didn't think much about it at the time. I thought, if I die, then I die. At least I could save you.
It was also around that time that the sect leader of the Kui Lian Sect noticed me.
She asked me, 'If one day, your life is needed to save his life, would you be willing?'
Guess what I said?"
"You..."
Wan Lei already had an answer in his heart, but it was an answer too heavy for him to bear.
"I said I was willing."
Wan Lei turned to look at Qi Man Yao, his heart stirred, almost unable to resist kissing her.
"Do you want to kiss me? Don't do this. You've already wronged me. Don't wrong Fang Xiaoyu again. Be a good man, don't let down the person who loves you.
In the past, I felt so useless. I vowed that I would be able to help you. That was my goal."
Wan Lei fell silent. Fang Xiaoyu had always shared this aspiration.
"At the Myriad Glory Rankings, seeing you being affectionate with that little flirt Fang Xiaoyu made my teeth itch with anger. I really wanted to beat up Ba'er Nu to vent my frustration..."
"Uh..."
"Later, you and she both disappeared. I worried for a full five years.
When you returned, I was so happy. But I also knew that you would never belong to me again.
You and she are so well-matched – good talent, strong combat power, and such compatible personalities. Compared to her, I'm nothing.
I could only silently wish you both well in my heart, hoping you would always be happy.
Later, Fang Xiaoyu often helped me. At first, I suspected her, but then I thought she was quite good... *cough!*"
Qi Man Yao coughed out a mouthful of dark blood again.
"Stop talking. Focus on healing."
"No, my time... is running out. But there's so much I want to say, I can't finish.
I wanted to use my life to exchange for yours... but unfortunately, I couldn't save you this time, and ended up harming myself... *cough cough*..."
More and more dark blood flowed from Qi Man Yao's mouth.
"When I couldn't see you, I missed you.
Fortunately... fortunately, there are dreams in this world. In dreams, I can kiss you..."
"Man Yaoyao..."
Wan Lei sensed something, his voice filled with a sob.
Qi Man Yao struggled to raise her hand, picking a snowflake from Wan Lei's hair.
By this time, the two of them were already covered in heavy snow.
"It's good. Wan Lei, it was worth it.
This life... with you... sharing the snow,
This existence... can be considered... growing old... together..."
Man Yao Yao's hand fell limply, her eyes closed, a serene smile gracing her lips.
"Man Yaoyao... Man Yao Yao... Qi Man Yao!!!"
His grief-stricken cry echoed through the entire valley, disturbing the falling snow.