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  Ancient Fragment #23

  The sword reached toward the heavens, and below it, countless disciples were full of hope that one day they would be the ones to wield it.

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  A scent drifted through the cavern, slightly calming the two of them. Hua Qingqing's cheeks took on a soft rosy glow as the medicinal aroma spread.

  Bai Qing's mouth hung open. Her eyes widened as the three pills formed. An alchemist, but a rogue cultivator. Did someone teach him? Extremely strong and an alchemist… what is going on? Her thoughts spun wildly.

  Long Tianyu picked up one of the pills. This better work. Otherwise all is lost.

  He turned to Hua Qingqing. Her face had relaxed, the rosy color more pronounced since the scent reached her. He opened her mouth slightly and placed the pill inside. Using his qi, he caused it to melt gently on her tongue. Hua Qingqing groaned softly as the pill worked quickly.

  Long Tianyu extended his soul sense to check her. Her soul, once dimmed, now shone brightly. The cracks slowly mended, and it sparkled like a star once more.

  Hua Qingqing’s body twitched slightly. Her eyelids trembled, and she drew fuller breaths. She did not awaken fully, but she was far better than before.

  Long Tianyu’s smile widened. Hua Qingqing was improving. He leaned forward and placed his hand on her cheek, his finger brushing lightly across her skin.

  ''Qingqing, my wife, are you okay?''

  Hua Qingqing opened her eyes slowly. The smoke from the fire and stung her nose. The world spun slightly as her soul continued to mend. She looked at Long Tianyu. His hair was messy, but his smile was wide. When was the last time he looked so happy? Maybe in childhood, when everything was simpler.

  ''It’s getting better,'' she said hoarsely. Inside, she could feel her soul repairing itself. How is this possible? Did Bai Qing really have a pill to heal the soul?

  His face lit up at her words. ''Great!'' Long Tianyu laughed, full of relief, slapping his thigh.

  ''What happened? How long was I unconcious?'' She thought back to the bloodied man. She had used everything to save them. But she had to pay with destroying her soul. A worthy price to save him... Her lips turned slightly upwards.

  She reached out and lightly touched Long Tianyu’s hand resting on his thigh.

  ''Just a few hours,'' he replied.

  ''That is what you should be telling us,'' Bai Qing cut in sharply. ''That man stood right in front of us and did not see us. How is that possible?'' She shivered at the memory of how close they had come to death.

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  Hua Qingqing looked up at the cave ceiling. The heat still pressed down, sweat dripping from her forehead to her chin.

  ''I.. I used my soul to confuse him. With my qi and soul force, I created an illusion, a reality where the three of us didn't exist. All he could see was a normal cave wall. At the same time, I forced my soul to lock onto him without his knowledge.''

  She drew a deep breath. ''I would have been fine if not for that beast hiding before leaving. It forced me to extend my soul force longer than I could handle.''

  ''That man's soul was terrifying. Blood red, twisted, and broken.''

  Bai Qing tightened her hand into a fist. So it was like that....

  ''I really wonder who that man is. Do you have any idea, Sister Qing?'' Long Tianyu asked. His attention had been entirely on saving Hua Qingqing until now.

  Bai Qing shook her head, recalling the man. ''No. To be honest, I closed my eyes most of the time. His killing intent was too terrifying, especially up close.'' She paused. ''I will have to return to the sect and report everything to my Sect Master.''

  ''Okay. Just be careful. We should leave as soon as possible. Qingqing, how do you feel?''

  Hua Qingqing managed to sit upright while Bai Qing and Long Tianyu spoke. ''I will need a little bit of time, but it is getting better. I can feel my soul healing.'' She sighed softly and looked at Bai Qing. ''Thank you for saving me, Sister Qing.''

  Bai Qing stared, stunned.

  ''Wife! What do you mean? I saved you!'' Long Tianyu exclaimed, pretending to be wounded.

  ''You?'' Hua Qingqing raised her left brow.

  ''Yes, me!'' Long Tianyu slapped his chest and laughed, explaining the situation.

  ''You made a Soul-Mending Pill, really? And... this... you big fool! I saved you, and you nearly threw it all away!'' Hua Qingqing shouted and glared daggers at Long Tianyu. Completely ignoring that they were still in danger.

  ''Yes, but if you can try to throw away your life to save me, why can't I? Are you the only one allowed to fight to the death?'' Long Tianyu snorted and bickered back. He was also angry, not really at Hua Qingqing, but at the situation.

  Bai Qing rolled her eyes, watching the sudden escalation. They had just been touching each other gently, and now they were almost shouting. What is wrong with these two?

  Hua Qingqing’s glare softened a little, but her voice still carried a hint of annoyance. ''You still have to be careful. I don’t want either of us to take unnecessary risks.''

  Long Tianyu leaned back slightly, running a hand through his messy hair, his grin still lingering. ''Of course, of course. I will be careful… for now. But don’t think I’m going to let you throw yourself around recklessly either.''

  Bai Qingqing shook her head, muttering under her breath. ''Sometimes I think the two of you are worse than children.''

  Hua Qingqing let out a quiet laugh, the sound weak but genuine. ''Maybe… but at least someone is here to argue with me.'' Her eyes flicked toward Long Tianyu, and for a brief moment, her usual warmth returned.

  Long Tianyu’s expression softened as well. He reached out and took her hand gently, making sure not to hurt her. ''We’ll face this together. No matter what comes, I won’t let anything happen to you.''

  Hua Qingqing’s fingers curled slightly around his, finding comfort in the touch. ''I know… and I’m grateful for that.''

  Bai Qingqing cleared her throat loudly, breaking the moment. ''Enough of the lovey-dovey stuff. If we stay here too long, we’ll attract more attention. We need to get moving before that… whatever it was comes back.''

  Hua Qingqing and Long Tianyu both nodded. The urgency returned, and the cave felt colder despite being very hot inside, the shadows deeper now that the initial tension had passed.

  Hua Qingqing pushed herself fully upright, wincing slightly as her soul and body still adjusted. ''I’ll manage… just give me a moment to gather my strength.''

  Long Tianyu helped her to her feet, careful with every movement. ''Take your time. We won’t leave without you.''

  Hua Qingqing took a deep breath, feeling her soul pulse stronger with each beat.

  ''Alright. I’m ready to move when you are.''

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  End of chapter 23 - Angry Love