*Xu Qing's reference image posted in authors note*

***

Bai 'flew' through the air soundlessly, touching the ground beneath for only an instant before jumping off again. Black clouds covered the sky above, threatening to burst open any second.

Xu Qing's eyes were closed shut and her grip around Hao Xuan's shirt was so tight that it turned her knuckles white.

She, who had always been cool and collected, had finally lost her composure for the first time in years due to the events of the last hour.

As her head rested against Hao Xuan's chest, she could feel his heartbeat through his shirt. It sounded like the muffled beating of a drum, slowly increasing in rhythm. And that was when she realized that he was probably more nervous than her.

So she remained silent and trusted him, listening only to the beating of his heart as the cold night air gently brushed her hair.

Ten or so minutes later Bai came to a stop.

Xu Qing slightly raised her head and sent out her 'Spiritual sense' to get an idea of the surroundings. Hao Xuan felt the oh-so-familiar feeling of being scanned and chuckled.

"Can you see?

" he whispered gently, making her falter.

She hid her flushed face in his embrace once again, shaking her head once.

Hao Xuan looked up at the double story building a few dozen meters away, letting out a deep sigh.

"This is where I first lived. Just for a little while, when I got here.

"

"...when you got...here?

" she repeated without looking up.

She didn't need to 'see' with her eyes and instead had already perceived the surroundings. The two large structures, one empty on the inside, probably a warehouse or stable, and the other a small mansion.

She felt the presence of the seven individuals inside the mansion sitting around the table. A table with eight chairs, one still reserved for someone.

Hao Xuan continued, an air of melancholy surrounding him.

"Mhm. I cam- or rather, was brought here from another world more than 2 years ago now. A world where things like dragons and giants only existed in folktales and children's fairytales. Those people, they gave me, a complete stranger, a place I could call home when I didn't know what to do or where to go.

"

"And for that, I will be grateful to them for as long as I breathe. It was just a few months but it felt like an entire lifetime.

"

Hao Xuan could see the Khan family sitting around the dinner table, laughing. Unknowingly a smile had also crept upon his face.

"So many things happened. Miraculous things. Or so I thought...but it was just my limited view of the world. I thought I was so special, but after getting to know about the other kingdoms and vastness of the worlds, I felt so small.

"

He peered down at Xu Qing who felt an unknown power raising her head to meet his eyes.

"I don't want to be the strongest or the best. I just want to be happy. To be content. So when death comes for me, I can proudly say that I lived a good life. A fulfilling life.

"

His voice became somber. Xu Qing opened her mouth to speak but he gently placed a finger before her pursed lips to hush her.

"Let me say this, because I don't think I will ever have the courage to say it again. I know this wasn't what you expected. Being sent to a foreign place through no fault of your own, having to live a life of a commoner. Probably not what you wanted right?

"

A helpless, wry smile made its way across his lips. Hesitation was apparent on his face.

"I...can give you your old life back, but...I don't want to. I want to be selfish, just this once. I know it hasn't been long but I like you, and want to get to know you better, if you will let me.

"

*Sigh*

"I...never believed in destiny or fate, but after meeting you it feels like we were meant to run into each other...for good or bad though, only time will tell.

"

"You can go back, or stay with me. It's completely your choice and I won't force you in any way. You don't have to worry about anything if you do decide to go back. No one will ever do anything to you, I can promise that. But...if you stay....well...

"

Hao Xuan couldn't find any appropriate words to make his case. Xu Qing didn't do or say anything either and patiently waited for him.

He fumbled around until a sentence finally formed in his mind.

With determined eyes, he gazed into her eyes once again. Her hair moved with a gust of wind as a ray of moonlight tore through the blanket of darkness above and fell on them.

"If you stay then...then everything that I am, will be yours, everything. I might not be the most handsome or the richest man, the best fighter or the most learned scholar, the strongest cultivator, or a divine being, but I will try to be the best version of myself for you. That's....all I can promise.

"

His heartbeat got faster and faster until he could feel it coming up to his throat. He removed the finger from her lips and waited for a response.

In complete contrast to Hao Xuan, Xu Qing had actually regained much of her composure listening to his speech. But a troubled expression adorned her face which made Hao Xuan's heart skip a beat. Her lips parted as she spoke.

"I...don't believe in soulmates. I don't believe that somewhere out there is a person that you have to find. That would be far too cruel, especially in this endless world.

"

Listening to her talk, it felt like someone was slowly pushing a blade into his heart.

Hao Xuan's body stiffened as he tried to put her down.

"I-I understand. You don't have to say anymore. I will get Green and Red to personally send you back. Don't wo-

"

"Let me finish!

"

Now it was his turn to be hushed. Xu Qing looked at him, annoyed.

"I don't believe in love, but I believe we were destined to meet, for one reason or another. And it just so happens that...

"

"...that?

"

"...that I...like you too. So it...all works out.

"

Her voice trailed off near the end but even if it hadn't, Hao Xuan heard nothing after

"I like you too

". His mind went blank as he stared at her in disbelief.

"R-Really...?

" he asked skeptically.

"Mhm,

" the pinkish hue returned in full force, flushing her cheeks with a beet red color visible even under the moonlight. She hid her head in his embrace once again.

A toothy grin overtook his face. He couldn't close his mouth even if he tried.

"Now take me back, I still have to prepare dinner,

" her muffled voice came from her lowered head.

"U-Unh!

"

He ordered Bai who quickly left the Khan family residence, heading back to their 'home'. The return trip, however, took much longer for some reason.

Upon their return, an angry octopus in a surgery cap welcomed them back with a displeased expression.

"FOOD! FOOD!

"

Fortis waved his tentacles around threateningly, getting ready to give them a piece of his mind for being out so late but was taken by surprise when Xu Qing ran up and picked him up like a toy.

"I'm sorry, let's go make dinner now,

" she said quickly before disappearing off into the kitchen with him in tow.

Hao Xuan was left standing there all alone as he rubbed his chest where her head had been resting for the past hour or so. He could still feel her warmth, her scent ingrained in his mind.

*Whistle~*

"Looks like someone's in a good mood eh,

" Jin Wang's lazy voice startled Hao Xuan.

He turned around to see him sitting on a thick branch on the maple tree, picking his nose and grinning at him.

Hao Xuan's smile vanished as he retorted.

"Shut up. And get ready, you have to take care of things for me tonight.

"

"What things?

" Jin Wang inquired with a raised eyebrow.

Hao Xuan met his eyes,

"I'm breaking through to the Spirit realm, tonight.

"

****

Authors Notes:

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