At Moonfall Peak, before the small grave.
Looking at the young girl before him whose tears flowed freely, the droplets at the corners of her eyes utterly unstoppable, the tear tracks like cherry blossoms just beginning to bloom, exceptionally delicate and beautiful.
Ye Chen's feelings were complex, a touch of heartache, his own eyes also growing slightly moist. Yet he still offered a gentle smile, reached out, and patted the head of the girl who was not short in stature, as intimate and doting as ever.
He gently stroked her raven-black hair, smooth as satin, then carefully wiped away the teardrops welling at the corners of her eyes, each one crystalline like a sparkling gem, a breathtaking sight. He chuckled softly, "Silly girl, what's there to cry about? Your brother has returned, hasn't he?"
Ruoxi pressed her red lips together, her pearly white teeth lightly biting, not speaking, just looking at him. Yet the tears on her face only increased, turning her into a delicate, moving beauty of sorrow, her slender frame even trembling slightly.
Perhaps she still found it somewhat hard to believe—her brother, who had passed away many years ago, appearing before her eyes once more. It felt unreal, and she was terribly afraid this was an illusion.
In the end, Ye Chen had no choice but to hold the girl in his arms, just like when she was little in his previous life, gently patting her back as if soothing a child.
Yet it was precisely this somewhat laughable action that stopped the Xi Immortal Maiden's tears. Only this silly brother of hers would treat her this way.
After a good while, Ruoxi wiped away her tears and said, "Brother, my face hasn't become ugly, has it?"
Ye Chen laughed heartily, "You've cried yourself into a little mess. What do you think?"
Ruoxi immediately gave him a coy rebuke, chasing after Ye Chen to hit him twice. This hateful brother actually dared to laugh at her like that.
Only, her strikes were so gentle, as if truly afraid of hurting Ye Chen.
She sniffled lightly, blinked her bright, autumn-water eyes, and with a hint of a wheedling tone in her light hum, raised her delicate, pink little fist. "Brother, you're a big liar. Back then, you clearly promised Xi'er we wouldn't be separated, but once you left, it was over forty years. I thought I'd truly never be able to see you again for real."
Only before Ye Chen, Yi Wu, and a select few others would Ruoxi make such childish, adorable gestures. If outsiders saw this, their eyes would surely pop out in shock.
Because in daily life, the Xi Immortal Maiden appeared dignified and mature, like the Moon Goddess, unapproachable.
The scene from decades ago, watching her brother right before her eyes being subjected to the Sacrificial Offering, remained vivid in her memory. For decades, she hadn't dared to forget; it was still clear as day.
She had thought that this time, in this lifetime, they could never meet again. Never expected Heaven would favor her so, allowing them to reunite after decades apart.
Ye Chen was filled with guilt. For this little sister who had depended on him for survival, he had left her time and again, carrying a deep self-reproach.
"I'm sorry, Xi'er. Believe your brother, after this time passes, I will never leave again," Ye Chen said solemnly.
"I believe Brother's words." Ruoxi rested her head on Ye Chen's shoulder, her crystalline little nose twitching slightly as she breathed in the unique scent of her brother. It always made her feel at ease, not just in the past or now, but even in the future it would be the same.
Because all along, her brother Ye Chen had been her greatest support.
The two siblings embraced silently, devoid of any licentiousness between man and woman, containing only the warmth and affection between brother and sister.
At this moment, sudden sounds of something cutting through the air came from the void. They were experts from the Heavenly Gate's Law Enforcement Hall. Having received the transmission from the two guards, they had rushed over like lightning at this moment. Moreover, a copious voice boomed over, "Xi Immortal Maiden, someone has invaded Moonfall Peak, intending to harm you."
The two siblings were startled awake. Ruoxi lifted her gaze, her bright eyes like a pool of autumn water looking curiously at her brother. "What exactly is going on?"
Ye Chen immediately gave an awkward smile and shrugged. "Seems it's because of me."
Ruoxi instantly widened her eyes, quite astonished, her red lips slightly parted in a charmingly cute expression.
Before long, a full dozen or so figures descended from the sky, appearing in the air above Moonfall Peak. The leader was a rather heroic middle-aged man clad in battle armor, his aura vast and powerful—clearly a powerful Saint-level existence. Behind him were five more Saints, while the others were all Demi-Saint level experts.
This lineup was absolutely formidable, almost akin to a foundational heritage force.
Even an Immortal Force would rarely deploy such a luxurious contingent. It was only because Ruoxi was the little princess of the Heavenly Gate, deeply beloved by the higher-ups, that the Law Enforcement Hall dared not take this lightly and mobilized such a force.
Ye Chen smiled bitterly. Facing such a lineup, unless he took out the Saint's remains and revived them, his current self had no ability to fight.
"What audacity! Do you think this is some ordinary place? This is the Xi Immortal Maiden's dwelling! How dare you trespass! Men, take him away. If he dares resist, act directly!" the leading Saint-level Enforcement Elder Lin Feng shouted sternly. Immediately, three Demi-Saint level elders stepped forward from behind him to apprehend Ye Chen.
But Ruoxi moved forward, placing herself in front of Ye Chen, causing all the Law Enforcement Hall powerhouses to be slightly taken aback. Lin Feng couldn't help but ask, "Xi Immortal Maiden, what is this?"
Ruoxi's bright eyes held a shallow smile, like a hundred flowers blooming, a spring breeze brushing one's face. She spoke softly, "Elder Lin Feng, this is not some outsider trespassing into my dwelling. You must not rudely take him away."
The powerhouses were stunned, not just because of the Xi Immortal Maiden's words, but because the Xi Immortal Maiden had actually... smiled!?
If this got out, it would surely cause a huge sensation throughout the entire Heavenly Gate.
Everyone knew that ever since her brother died decades ago, the Xi Immortal Maiden had always worn a sorrowful expression, never truly smiling. Even when facing some old acquaintances, her smiles were forced, tinged with a hint of sadness that pained the heart.
Yet at this moment, she was smiling so heartily, so happily, so joyfully.
Was it because of this man before her?
However, while everyone was still stunned, Ruoxi, with a graceful, shallow smile, extended her delicate hand, fairer than frost and snow, and took her brother's palm. They stepped into the air, like startled swans or flying immortals, ascending skyward.
Watching this scene, the leading Enforcement Elder Lin Feng couldn't help but feel intense jealousy, a fire of envy burning in his heart.
For a celestial beauty like the Xi Immortal Maiden, even someone as powerful as him, considered a hero in his own right, naturally also harbored admiration.
But he had never gotten the slightest bit close. Instead, this young man before him had actually made the Xi Immortal Maiden smile so radiantly and even intimately held her hand. How could this not make him jealous?
Ye Chen shook his head helplessly with a sigh, looking at Ruoxi's beaming smile. He could only offer another bitter smile, but so be it—he'd let this girl have her way.
If it really came to a fight... Ye Chen's expression turned serious, a cold smile curling his lips. He, Ye Chen, would gladly keep them company to the end.