Chapter Sixteen: The Sky Is Vast, Let Birds Soar

After a long and fierce battle through the night, Elu no longer harbored any doubts about Ye Heng’s character. As the first rays of dawn pierced through the scarred ruins and gently caressed her body, she felt as if a great burden had been lifted. All her vigilance and tension slowly dissipated in that warm light, leaving her heart filled with an unprecedented sense of ease and relief.

Ye Heng’s gaze was as steadfast as a rock. Amidst the perilous dangers surrounding them, he never once showed hesitation or fear. Such extraordinary courage and responsibility were like the sharpest engraving knife, etching deeply into Elu’s heart, becoming an indelible mark.

At that moment, Elu quietly gazed at the distant sunset, her thoughts involuntarily drifting back to the moments Ye Heng shared with Aixi. They were like twin vines, entwined tightly and inseparable. Facing thorns and challenges, Ye Heng and Aixi always stood shoulder to shoulder with fearless resolve. Their tacit understanding seemed innate, requiring no words to perceive each other’s hearts; their trust was as solid as a rock, unshaken by any storm from the outside world. This pure and profound affection filled Elu with heartfelt comfort and joy. She knew that her little sister Aixi longed not merely for a brave warrior to protect her but for a soulmate worthy of her wholehearted trust and lifelong devotion.

Undoubtedly, Ye Heng was the most fitting and irreplaceable choice.

Thinking of this, a gentle smile bloomed on Elu’s lips—a smile born from deep relief and joy. From this moment on, she could entrust Aixi’s future safely onto Ye Heng’s shoulders without any hesitation.

Elu spoke softly, her eyes shimmering with trust and hope: “Child of Light… no, Ye Heng, I prefer to call you that.” Her words carried a subtle tenderness. “Ye Heng, the road ahead will be one you both walk together. It will be thorny and fraught with challenges, surrounded by formidable foes. Are you willing?”

Ye Heng replied, “Even if the road ahead is long, filled with strong adversaries, even those I cannot easily overcome, I swear to defend with my life. Let them tread over my body first—this resolve is witnessed by heaven and earth.”

Hearing this, warmth surged through Elu’s heart. She knew this promise weighed heavier than a thousand pounds and was warmer than the winter sun.

Just then, Aixi arrived, her gaze falling on Ye Heng, who lay on the ground. A sharp pang rose in her nose, and without hesitation, she rushed forward. Tears welled in her eyes, and her anxiety was plain to see. This unguarded sincerity was like a ray of warm sunlight in spring, quietly illuminating Ye Heng’s heart.

Ye Heng mustered a faint smile, trying to dispel the gloom from her brows, but a sudden dizziness nearly overwhelmed him. He could only tightly grasp Aixi’s trembling hands. His voice, though faint as a wisp, carried unwavering determination: “Don’t be sad, silly girl. I’m really fine.”

“How can you be fine? Look at you now...” Aixi’s voice trembled with sobs as she carefully supported Ye Heng’s body, afraid of hurting him. “If… if something were to happen to you, what would I do? If you were gone, I would…” Tears streamed down her cheeks like broken pearls. She nestled close to Ye Heng’s chest, as if to build an unyielding shield with all her warmth and strength, supporting him onward. In the silence of the ruins, her soft sobs echoed, each tear laden with deep worry and unspeakable pain.

Ye Heng gazed tenderly at Aixi in his arms. His eyes flickered with unyielding resolve like twin flames shining brightly in the darkness. He struggled to lift a hand and gently wiped the tears from her cheek. His voice was weak but full of strength: “Silly girl, didn’t I say I’m fine? It’s just that the power of the Martial God is temporarily exhausted. Don’t forget, we are the perfect fusion of Martial Gods. Since we can merge so perfectly, how could it ever harm me?”

Aixi heard Ye Heng’s slightly teasing words, yet the tears in her eyes fell uncontrollably like broken pearls. She shot him a glare, a mix of reproach and helplessness in her gaze, but then a smile involuntarily appeared, gently dissolving the sudden sorrow.

In this complex moment of intertwined emotions, Aixi’s worries surged like a rising tide, yet were quietly warmed by Ye Heng’s indomitable tenacity and sunny optimism. She gently raised a hand and wiped the tears from her cheeks, trying to sketch a resolute outline before Ye Heng.

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Seeing this, a wave of indescribable warmth surged through Ye Heng’s heart, like a gentle spring sunlight penetrating all his defenses. He knew this woman had silently left an indelible mark upon his heart. Without hesitation, he squeezed Aixi’s hand, his eyes shining with determination and tenderness: “See, I told you I’d be fine. Don’t worry anymore.” His words brimmed with comfort and confidence, settling Aixi’s heart somewhat.

They smiled at each other, a smile warm and profound, as if even the tiniest dust particles in the air gently settled with this shared emotion. The world seemed to freeze in this moment, time solidifying, leaving only their deep gaze and soul’s communion. Amidst the ruins, surrounded by shattered walls, they seemed to stand in a tranquil sanctuary, leaning on each other, shoulder to shoulder, facing an uncertain and challenging future. Their tacit understanding and courage shone especially bright under the sunset’s glow.

At a short distance, Amy stood watching, her gaze soft yet tangled with complicated emotions. Her eyes held both relief and a faint trace of envy. The sunset’s afterglow, like a skillful painter, gently bathed them in golden light, cloaking them in a sacred aura and outlining their forms with soft, warm edges. This moment froze into a touching tableau.

Aixi’s tears had long since been wiped away, replaced by eyes shining with firm resolve. Her gaze held both release from past sufferings and hopeful longing for the future. A faint, strong yet gentle smile curved her lips, silently telling the world that no matter how rugged the road ahead, she would march forward fearlessly.

Ye Heng maintained that warm, unwavering smile. His eyes showed no flicker of doubt, only endless tenderness and protection for Aixi. He gripped her hand firmly, a touch strong enough to convey all his courage and strength. Their fingers intertwined—not merely physical contact but a testament to two hearts tightly bound. At this moment, words were superfluous, for through their gaze and clasped hands, they silently conveyed the deepest love and commitment.

This scene, tender yet resolute, would become an eternal memory in their hearts. No matter how time passed, the light that blossomed in the ruins would illuminate their path forward.

Elu could not help but marvel at the power of time. The little girl who once trailed behind her, Aixi, had grown into a tenacious and independent woman. Ye Heng, too, had changed profoundly—from an ordinary warrior to a solid pillar in Elu’s heart, a trustworthy companion worthy of reliance. The emotions flowing between them had long surpassed the bonds of blood and the shallows of friendship, harboring a tacit understanding and unwavering support that needed no words.

Aixi moved gently, as if afraid to disturb something precious, carefully helping Ye Heng to his feet. At this moment, Amy also stepped slowly into the smoldering battlefield. Though her pace was slow, it bore an indescribable firmness. Around them, everything bore the scars of fierce combat. The abandoned city appeared even more desolate and broken, as if every inch of land recorded the echoes of relentless warfare.

Yet, amidst this war-ravaged, devastated ruin, the sunset bled across the sky, its mottled rays streaming over shattered walls, adding a tragic grandeur to the barren land.

Amy’s heart weighed heavier than the scene before her. Her eyes intertwined past shadows with the unbelievable reality. She could hardly believe that these two young people—Ye Heng and Aixi—had defeated the powerful presence that had long cast a shadow over her heart: Elu.

To Amy, the name Elu was like the deepest fear in a midnight nightmare. Her strength and wisdom were like a silent but deadly current in the abyss, stirring storms in Amy’s dreams time and again. Elu’s every move was precise and ruthless, as if she could perceive the deepest vulnerabilities of the heart and shatter them instantly. In Amy’s memories, Elu’s smile always carried a subtle mockery—a pity for the weak and a forewarning to the victorious.

Yet now, the long-accumulated fear and despair seemed gently brushed away by an unseen force. The scene before her was like an unreal dream yet so vivid and true—Ye Heng, once a somewhat immature youth in her eyes, now bore a resolute gaze and radiated an aura not to be underestimated; Aixi, the ever-gentle smiling girl, now wielded a longsword and stood side by side with him in an unprecedented posture. Bathed in the sunset’s glow, they appeared as heroes from ancient legends—fearless and mighty.

Amy’s eyes darted between them, astonishment overflowing. These two she once deemed insignificant and weak had now, almost miraculously, shattered her nightmare and utterly defeated Elu, who had caused her countless sleepless nights.

At this moment, time seemed to freeze. The air was filled with an indescribable mix of shock and relief. A surge of unprecedented emotion rose in Amy’s heart—reverence for the unknown and profound awe for the power of life.

Even the surrounding wind seemed to still, leaving only faint distant sounds that resonated with Amy’s heartbeat. She looked at Ye Heng and Aixi, emotions swirling within—admiration for them and reflection on her own past judgments.

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On this land baptized by war, the victory of these two young people was not only a triumph over formidable enemies but also a transcendence of their own limits—the proof that the light of hope can bloom tenaciously amid despair.

Amy took a deep breath, her eyes sparkling with a new light. She realized that true strength might not merely come from external power but from inner resilience, indomitability, and even unity. What lay before her was perhaps the most vivid embodiment of this truth.

She slowly inhaled again. The air seemed unusually heavy, carrying a faint chill that pierced the soul. Amy closed her eyes, letting this coolness soothe the turbulence within, as if engaging in a silent dialogue, battling the fears and unease buried deep inside. When she opened her eyes again, they shone with resolve and determination—a fearless embrace of unknown challenges and a yearning for self-transcendence.

Amy understood that in this ever-changing era, only continuous progress could prevent one from being overwhelmed by the torrents of time. She must train harder—not just to keep pace with these two young people but to protect the beautiful world she yearned for in her heart. The path of cultivation was long and arduous, but she was willing to give all her effort to climb the peak called “Strength.” Only standing at the summit could she wield enough power to withstand the storms to come and protect herself and all those dear to her.

Amy looked at Elu’s complex expression—a mixture of pride and worry—but more than anything, she knew these two children were no longer easily controlled by Elu. She took a deep breath and strove to calm herself.

At the same time, Amy knew she needed to train and learn with greater diligence to keep up with these two young people. Only then could she better protect herself and those around her, making the world a better place. Her heart buzzed with unparalleled determination.

Amy said, “Even if my strength won’t be needed to protect them in the future, behind me stand countless ordinary and vulnerable people. So I must become stronger.”

Amy added, “Perhaps in future battles against the alien beasts, if my sister cannot help you on the front lines, she will surely be your last fortress, your final refuge.”

“The ocean is vast for fish to leap, and the sky endless for birds to fly. I believe this small world cannot confine you. I believe that in the future, you will carve out a realm of your own, shaping this world into the way you hope it to be.”