I alone am the Honoured One!-Chapter 853: The truth

Zhao Tian leaned lazily against the couch, his white robes slightly parted at the chest.

Fei Lingxi was curled comfortably in his lap, her delicate body pressing into him as her lips trailed soft kisses along his neck and collarbone.

Just beside them, the small pink fox lay curled up on the cushion, its fluffy tail twitching occasionally as it slept soundly.

Looking up at Zhao Tian, Fei Lingxi's gaze softened, and she pecked his lips again.

At this time, the door opened, and Freya Everglade and Xia Shenyi stepped inside the room.

Freya's eyes softened when they landed on Zhao Tian, and a gentle smile curved her lips.

Meanwhile, Xia Shenyi made her way directly to Zhao Tian's side and sat beside him on the couch.

Freya sat on the opposite couch "Honoured One. Shenyi told me that you wished to meet me."

Zhao Tian shifted slightly, adjusting Fei Lingxi on his lap as she clung tighter, pouting her lips at being ignored.

He smiled faintly and patted her back before turning his gaze to Freya.

"Yeah, we're soon leaving for Elven Star. But before that, I heard something from someone. A rumor… that men can't live in your star."

Freya's smile faltered, just slightly, and her long lashes lowered as she cast her gaze downward, her fingers lightly pressing together in her lap.

For a moment, silence lingered, broken only by the faint rustle of Fei Lingxi's breath against his neck.

Then, with a quiet sigh, Freya spoke.

"…It is true."

Zhao Tian's eyes narrowed, though not in anger... more in thought.

He tapped his fingers gently along Fei Lingxi's hip and beside him, Xia Shenyi also frowned slightly.

Fei Lingxi lifted her head from his chest. "What do you mean, true?" she asked softly, curiosity mixing with concern.

"How could an entire star… not allow men to live?"

Freya raised her gaze at last, "Elven Star is not like other stars."

"Our land is saturated with Yin energy... very dense, pure, and endlessly flowing. It nurtures us… gives us strength, longevity, and grace. But for men, who are naturally of Yang essence…"

She trailed off, her lips pressing into a thin line before she whispered: "…it is poison."

Zhao Tian's gaze condensed "So if a man enters, what happens?"

Freya's hands tightened over her knees, "At first, his strength will falter. His Yang will weaken… clash against the ever-present Yin. Pain, imbalance, erosion of vitality. Even the strongest men would wither over time."

"If the does not retreat, his body grows weaker and weaker as his Yang energy burns itself away trying to resist the flood of Yin. In the end, the man's body literally freezes from the inside, turning him into a lifeless husk of Yin crystal.

A quiet sigh escaped her lips. "That is why no male lives there. That is why outsiders… are forbidden from entering."

Zhao Tian's thumb brushed lightly against Fei Lingxi's waist "So, the rumors weren't just exaggerated after all."

Looking at him, Freya asked in cofusion "But... where did you hear the rumors? No one knows about this outside of the Elven Star."

"Everyone just knows that Elves don't allow others into their star because they want to protect their technology and heritage."

With a nod, Zhao Tian spoke "I heard from a woman who has been alive since the age of Paragons. She is pretty old... so I guess that's why she knows."

Huh? Upon hearing this, Freya blinked in surprise 'Since the age of Paragons?'

Xia Shenyi narrowed her eyes slightly and asked "So you know that men can't live on that star, so why did you insist on bringing Tian with you?"

With a sigh, Freya spoke. "Because he is the Honoured One... everyone in our star will be happy to see him. His presence is a big blessing."

"And maybe because of his physique, he can even endure the Yin energy in the star. Who knows..."

"He is not like other men. His body is too extraordinary, his cultivation defies the heavens themselves."

"Or even my mother will step out of the star to meet him outside. That's how much we revere the Honoured One."

Zhao Tian let out a faint sigh and replied "We can think about it when we reach there..."

With a smile, Xia Shenyi replied and pinched his cheek "Hm, since I am coming with you... I will take care of you if something happens."

...

"What? You're leaving again?"

Qi Nue's voice trembled slightly as she stood in the kitchen and the gentle evening breeze slipped in through the open window, carrying the faint scent of flowers, stirring the curtains and brushing against her hair.

Zhao Tian stood in the doorway, watching her slender back as she moved "Yes, Sister Nue… I am leaving this star for a while."

Her hand paused midway as she reached for the kettle and for a moment, she didn't turn to look at him.

He stepped further into the room, "…Don't worry. I am not leaving forever."

"But little brother…" Qi Nue whispered, almost to herself, "…you just returned from another star, and you are already leaving again. And after your marriage too…"

Her words were soft, but the way her fingers fumbled slightly with the handle of the kettle betrayed her heart.

Zhao Tian exhaled softly, leaning against the counter. "Yeah… it does feel like I never stop moving, doesn't it?"

His gaze lingered on her as she poured the hot water into the pot "…But there are things that must be done."

The sound of liquid filling the pot was the only reply at first.

Then, Qi Nue set it down gently and she lowered her eyes, her lashes casting shadows on her cheeks.

"…I see…" she finally murmured.

She busied herself with the small things, stirring the pot and arranging the cups as the aroma of the freshly brewed coffee filled the room, wrapping around them both.

By the time Qi Nue reached to pour into the cups, a warmth enveloped her from behind.

Strong arms slipped around her waist, pulling her gently against a broad chest.

Her hands froze, the kettle trembling slightly, before she set it down and let out a shaky breath.

"…Little brother…"

Her body melted against him despite herself with her back pressed firmly against his warmth.

His chin lowered to rest against her shoulder, and she could feel his steady breath against her ear.

"I'm sorry, I keep leaving you behind."

Qi Nue closed her eyes, and her hands lightly touched his forearms where they were wrapped around her. "…I know you have things you must do …But even so, every time you go, I…"

Looking at her, a faint smile curled on his lips, and he leaned down to kiss her cheek "Idiot, don't worry... I will come back soon." he murmured teasingly.

H-Huh? Her eyes widened by the sudden kiss, and her entire body stiffened as though struck by lightning.

The faint pressure of his lips still lingered, burning against her cheek as if branded there.

No matter how she tried, she couldn't push away the heat that spread from that single spot, rushing up into her ears and down into her chest.

Slowly, as if in disbelief, she turned her head toward him and saw the gentleness in his gaze.

"Y-You…" She stammered, and her throat locked up as her whole face turned crimson.

Unable to withstand the weight of his gaze, she quickly turned her face away, her bangs falling forward as a shield.

The heat in her cheeks was unbearable, and she know if she looked at him for another second, she would collapse right there in his arms.

"H-Here," she muttered, fumbling for the kettle with trembling hands.

She stumbled slightly as she moved, nearly knocking the edge of the counter.

Her fingers tightened, struggling to keep control of the cup as she poured the steaming tea.

"H-Here, drink it first!"

She thrust the cup forward toward him almost defensively, as if by giving him the tea, she could somehow hide her blush.

Looking at her reaction, Zhao Tian chuckled in his heart but said nothing.

He reached out with steady hands, deliberately brushing his fingers against hers as he took the cup.

His touch was warm and it made Qi Nue's breath hitch again.

Her gaze darted to the side, refusing to meet his eyes and the blush had spread down to her neck now.

Zhao Tian lifted the cup slowly, taking a sip of the tea she had poured.

The steam rose between them, carrying with it the faint scent of herbs and roasted leaves.

"…It's good,"

Qi Nue's shoulders tensed at the simple praise. "O-Of course it is," she muttered quickly, trying to hide the small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "…I made it, after all."

Her attempt at indifference only made him chuckle.

He leaned a little closer, setting the cup down on the counter beside them, and spoke softly near her ear, "Your hands are shaking. Was the tea really that hard to pour… or was it me?"

Qi Nue's eyes widened, and she spun her head toward him instinctively, only to realize how close he was, with his face mere inches from hers.

The blush returned with full force, and she quickly stepped back, nearly bumping into the counter again. "Y-You! Stop saying such things so casually!"

Zhao Tian laughed under his breath, "Casual? Hm… perhaps."

But his expression softened again, and before she could retreat further, he reached forward and gently brushed a stray strand of hair away from her face.

His fingertips lingered for just a moment, grazing her skin, before falling away.

But before he could lower his hand, she gently grasped his wrist, surprising him.

He looked at her standing there with her gaze lowered "Sister Nue?"

Then, with a small step forward, Qi Nue closed the space between them and gripping his waist firmly, she asked "Are you free... tonight?"

Zhao Tian's eyes widened slightly "Tonight?"

Qi Nue gave a small nod, but she didn't look up.

"I…" She swallowed hard, her voice faltering before she pushed the words out, "…I don't want you to leave again without… being close to me. Just once… I want it to be my memory too."

Zhao Tian's gaze softened and he lifted his hand and turned it so that his fingers could lace with hers.

Then, his hand slid to her back, pulling her just a little closer. "…If I say yes," he whispered, brushing his lips dangerously close to her ear, "will you really be ready for what that means?"

Her breath caught, and her hands clutched him even tighter.

"…I've been ready for a long time."

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I hope you guys liked this chapter!