Chapter 450: Character · Wu Yingxue (III)

"Teacher, I finally know how to fold flowers!"

"Really? Let me see."

"Here!"

Xu Xi took the yellowed paper flower handed over by the girl.

The edges were slightly wrinkled, and there were many creases inside. It looked a bit funny, but overall, the outline of a [flower] could already be seen.

"Very good, Yingxue."

Xu Xi praised her, giving the girl encouragement: "You've made great progress. I believe it won't be long before you can fold them even more vividly."

The Commandery Princess stood with her fists on her hips.

She leaned back.

Her head tilted up.

Her voice was brimming with pride: "I'm so smart, and with Teacher's guidance, isn't this only natural~~"

As she spoke, a flash of inspiration struck Wu Yingxue.

"Teacher, can I learn something else?"

"Something else?"

"Yes, folding flowers is too easy. I want to learn other kinds of origami."

"Is that so? I understand."

Looking at the high-spirited Commandery Princess, Xu Xi smiled gently and looked down at the battle report in his hand. The demons from the Hundred Thousand Mountains were stirring, constantly harassing the rear of the Qiuhuo Army.

…

"Teacher, will we win?"

"We will."

"But I don't have much confidence…"

"Don't you believe in yourself?"

"Mm…"

"Then try believing in me—believe in the me who [has always believed in you]."

The entire Qiuhuo Army stood ready.

Before them was Great Qian, and behind them were the Hundred Thousand Mountains.

After learning the truth about the Azure Dragon's abductions, Xu Xi silently planned everything, seeking a way out for the people of the Qiuhuo Army—or rather, a path to true freedom.

The road was treacherous and rugged.

It almost didn't exist.

To truly make it out, they could only carve a path with their own hands.

This goal was so difficult that even the usually confident Commandery Princess fell into a dazed silence.

But—

It's okay, everything is okay.

A figure stood in front, leading the way, guiding Wu Yingxue forward and accompanying her.

…

"Teacher, I… want to stay here with you."

That figure could no longer walk.

Like burnt-out ash, all color had faded, leaving only silent pallor and a heavy stillness.

Sitting alone at the base of a withered tree.

Smiling gently, watching Wu Yingxue's figure.

That smile was weary, his pale lips were cracked in several places, and his gaze was gradually losing focus, like a flower about to wither.

Wu Yingxue didn't want to leave.

But she was refused.

"Yingxue, everyone is still waiting for you."

Starlight fell on the man's weak face; he shook his head, refusing the Commandery Princess's request to stay.

Using his last bit of strength.

He reached out with trembling hands and pushed the girl's back.

He pushed her.

Pushing her toward the path ahead that he had carved with his own hands.

It was the path to survival that the deceased had burned everything to open for the living.

"Yingxue."

"The road ahead is still very long."

The man paused, his breathing becoming even fainter in the quiet night, his voice dry like stones rubbing together: "Go on, keep moving forward. Everyone is waiting for you."

…

"Surround it!"

"Quick, surround it!!"

Wu Realm.

The people seeking survival quickly surrounded the Azure Dragon Demon God.

The Azure Dragon looked terrifying, its body covered in hard green dragon scales. Layered and orderly, each scale was as large as a grown man, shimmering with a deep, eerie light.

The dragon's body shuttled through the clouds.

Like a winding ladder to heaven.

Spanning across storms and lightning.

Its face was hideous, its deformed dragon horns hard enough to pierce the sky. Its cold gaze swept over the Qiuhuo Army below and Wu Yingxue at the very front.

"Interesting, truly interesting."

"Human livestock that escaped have actually come looking for this deity."

"Could it be you knew this deity was hungry?"

"Hahaha, hahahaha!!"

The dragon's roar echoed through heaven and earth, filled with ultimate malice toward the Human Race.

Livestock.

Food.

That was how the Azure Dragon viewed humans.

Aside from that, there was nothing else.

*Bang!!!* On the ground, a crimson spear light flickered. The one holding the spear was Wu Yingxue, covered in blood.

She was under unspeakable, immense pressure.

She staggered and fell to one knee.

Her left palm covered her eye, bright red blood flowing through her fingers. Her right hand gripped the long spear, using the shaft as support to keep from collapsing.

An endless stream of vital energy surged through a Forbidden Technique.

Elevating her to the Paramita Realm, the same level as the Azure Dragon.

"Is it funny…"

"Is this kind of thing really that funny!!"

The spear left the ground.

A crimson shadow soared into the sky.

Her rage transformed into real flames, scalding red and burning through the universe, engulfing all things as the evil dragon watched in terror.

It was a fire that burned away everything.

Seeking life while facing death.

————

————

"What's wrong, Yingxue? Did you have a nightmare?"

Earth, Yanshan City.

The afternoon Courtyard.

Wu Yingxue woke up from her dream.

The light and shadows in the yard shifted with the sun's position, creating different patterns of light and shade.

Some were golden and brilliant.

Others were cool and dim.

Wu Yingxue lay on a rattan chair in the corner.

Having just woken up, she was still a bit dazed, but the familiar voice in her ear quickly brought her back to her senses.

"I just remembered some things, Teacher…"

The Commandery Princess sat up from the rattan chair.

She found a thin blanket covering her.

Without needing to ask, she knew who had done it.

Instead of throwing off the blanket, Wu Yingxue wrapped it tighter around herself, curling up inside and leaning against Xu Xi's shoulder like a caterpillar.

"Are you okay, Yingxue?"

"Of course I am~~"

Hearing her cheerful reply, Xu Xi finally felt at ease.

Sunlight spilled into the yard, sparkling as if thousands of golden threads were hanging from the sky.

But thanks to the shade overhead.

The sweltering heat did not reach them.

"Ah~~~"

Wu Yingxue yawned, leaning her head sleepily on Xu Xi's shoulder: "I don't know why, but I always feel so sleepy when I'm next to you, Teacher."

"Is it my fault then?"

"Hehe, I didn't say that. You said it yourself, Teacher."

The Commandery Princess blinked.

Looking very innocent.

So, Xu Xi lightly flicked her forehead.

"Ow…"

The Commandery Princess behaved herself.

"Yingxue, how are your ideas for the wedding coming along?"

"Hmm… Teacher, I don't think one ceremony is enough."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because everyone likes different styles."

Feeling the warmth of the person beside her, Wu Yingxue instinctively pressed closer and explained the reason to Xu Xi.

For example, the Witch and the Hero prefer white wedding dresses, while she herself prefers traditional red bridal robes.

Different styles of wedding attire.

If put in the same wedding, they would inevitably clash and look out of place.

"That is indeed a problem…" Xu Xi frowned, lost in thought.

Just then.

The wind blew through the treetops, the leaves rustling. Wu Yingxue suddenly pulled off the thin blanket and leaned stealthily toward Xu Xi's ear:

"Teacher, I actually have a way to solve this."

"What is it?"

"Elope with me, Teacher. That way, we won't have to worry about anyone else~~"

Wu Yingxue blew a puff of air.

The air swirled, making the stray hairs by Xu Xi's ear flutter.