As time snapped back into motion, reality returned with a breathless gasp.
"It's Yang Kai!" Hu Jiao Er cried out sharply, her voice slicing through the daze like a whip. She hadn't even noticed him move—too stunned by the terrifying power Su Yan had just unleashed. One moment, he was beside her; the next, he was gone.
Hu Mei Er stood frozen, her hand trembling over her lips. Her wide eyes locked on the monstrous turtle beast, vision blurring with sheer terror. Even her breath seemed to fear escaping.
"He's courting death!" Long Jun scoffed, voice echoing with cruel amusement, but even he couldn't hide the slight tremble behind his words.
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Meanwhile, as the battle raged on around them, a different kind of stillness hung between Yang Kai and Su Yan.
Su Yan's eyes quivered. There were mighty waves filling her inner emotions and this movement was something she could not calm. She slowly and gently placed her left hand on Yang Kai's forehead, to stroke and to comfort him as they both laid motionless.
Yang Kai protected her with his own body when they tumbled. Almost all of the impact was absorbed by him. She remained unscathed and untouched.
The world became deadly quiet. Everyone muttered nothing. They looked at where Yang Kai and Su Yan were, witnessing a tired and hurt couple embracing.
If it was somewhere else it would have caused public criticism and jealousy.
Who dares to be intimate with Su Yan? Every inch of her flesh is sacred and noble. A common person can only look but never touch.
But right now, not only is a man is hugging her, he is also burying his head in her chest, smelling and touching her soft and fragrant body.
Even with all of that going on, nobody thought of it as improper. Could you be angry at a dead person?
Is there any use in being mad at the deceased? He sacrificed his life to protect Su Yan. He could have enjoyed paradise instead of dying.
Everyone had little doubt that Yang Kai had died under the direct impact of such force.
The truth, however, lay hidden in the hushed atmosphere.
They didn't know it, but Yang Kai couldn't die.
The brutal blow from the monstrous turtle had knocked him unconscious, yes. The attack had sent him spiraling, and for a moment, it seemed as though he'd met his end. But they were mistaken. He could not die—not as long as there was someone who remembered him.
Only Xie Hongchen's eyes shifted, locking onto the scene before him.
The last time he had seen Yang Kai holding Su Yan's hand, the jealousy had nearly driven him mad. That moment, forever etched in his mind, was a nightmare he couldn't escape. Just the thought of it felt like a hot knife carving into his skin. But now, seeing Yang Kai go even further—holding her so intimately, in front of so many—it was a line that could never be uncrossed. How could he stand by and endure this?
The sight of them, so close, so familiar, cracked open the floodgates of his emotions. All the resentment, the anger, came rushing out in a violent tide. He huffed like a bull, his chest heaving, losing all sense of reason. His eyes narrowed into a glare, burning with murderous intent. The rage in his heart was palpable, and his hatred for Yang Kai was clear in every tremor of his body.
If he had been the one bold enough to step in and rescue Su Yan, wouldn't he be the one in Yang Kai's position now? He was stronger than Yang Kai, far more capable. If the turtle Monster Beast had collided with him, he would have likely survived, unscathed.
All he had to do was take a few injuries—nothing too serious—and he could have had Su Yan's favor, just like Yang Kai did. It was the perfect opportunity, wasn't it?
So why? Why had he hesitated? Why had he been so lost in Su Yan's ethereal presence, caught in the illusion of her image, that he hadn't reacted when she needed him most? Why had Yang Kai been able to seize the moment while he stood by, frozen?
The chance was right there—right in front of him—and he had missed it. Missed it completely.
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A strong wind blew, and the world fell silent.
Yang Kai's clothes fluttered in the wind, his hair swaying as he lay still, holding Su Yan close. The tension in the air was palpable, and no one dared move. They remained frozen in place like statues.
Yang Kai slowly lifted his gaze toward the chaotic sky above, his heart heavy with the weight of what had just transpired. His lips parted, and a gentle sound escaped—a song, soft and melancholy. The melody only Su Yan could hear, as if he was singing to her alone.
The song held a trace of longing—a longing for a lost love, a yearning that touched the very core of his soul. His voice was weak, but the emotion carried in the notes was undeniable. His hands gently patted Su Yan's head as if to comfort her, like a lover soothing the one they cherished most. The song flowed like a delicate tale of sorrow, of a beautiful woman trapped in the shadows of her past.
As the song came to a soft end, Yang Kai exhaled, his breath heavy in the stillness. The wind picked up, blowing his fringe aside as Su Yan looked down at him, her voice breaking the silence.
"Let's get up."
Su Yan's eyes softened as she heard his voice. She could barely meet his gaze, and for a moment, a quiet sadness seemed to settle over her. She asked softly, "What song was that?"
Yang Kai, still struggling to sit up, his body shivering, weak from the battle, smiled faintly despite the blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. "I don't know," he said, his voice soft, though laced with an unmistakable warmth. "It's a song from my memories."
Su Yan remained silent for a long time, then finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's a beautiful song."
Yang Kai sat up slowly, each movement costing him a bit of strength. His face remained pale, the blood still dripping, "It's nothing compared to you," he whispered, his voice barely audible in the stillness.
Su Yan looked at him quietly, a myriad of emotions rising within her before fading, leaving behind nothing but coldness.
Yang Kai sighed softly. He knew well that Elder Sister was forcefully suppressing the emotions in her heart, masking them like a frozen lake—calm and still, yet holding so much beneath the surface.
He extended a hand, silently asking for her support. Su Yan, with a slight hesitation, placed her hand on his, helping him to his feet.
Su Yan's appearance was disheveled—dust clung to her, and her hair was ruffled—but even in such a state, she exuded a sacred, unyielding aura. She hadn't lost her noble presence, remaining as imposing as ever.
"How is this possible?" A shocked voice rang out, and others followed suit, their voices filled with disbelief.
The young man they had thought was dead—Yang Kai—was now standing again, as if nothing had happened. Despite the clear signs of injury, despite his pale face and the frailty in his posture, he was alive. He was no longer in immediate danger.
How could this be? Had his body been made of iron, or something even stronger? He had taken a blow so massive, yet here he was—alive and standing. How was this possible?
On the side of the Bloody Battle Gang, Long Jun stood frozen, his mouth agape. The shock had rendered him speechless, unable to process what he had just witnessed.
Even Hu Jiao Er and Hu Mei Er were struggling to regain their composure, their breaths heavy and unsteady. Hu Mei Er wore a wide, light smile as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her chest. The corners of her eyes glittered with unshed tears, and she murmured to herself quietly, "Good, good." As she spoke, she covered her mouth, sobbing softly.
Hu Jiao Er, who had also been watching the pair, quickly wiped her eyes, confused by the sudden wave of emotions.
What's going on with me? Hu Jiao Er thought, startled by the pang of unfamiliar pain in her chest. For a moment, Yang Kai no longer seemed repulsive to her. Instead, there was a sharp, inexplicable ache in her heart. But she quickly pushed the thought away. This was no time for such emotions—not in the climax of such an intense moment.
Could she really be moved to tears for someone she barely knew? She had never held any affection for him before—she had even hated him. Or... did she?
Looking at her younger sister, Hu Jiao Er's mind was filled with relief and confusion. The weight of the moment had lifted, leaving behind a strange mix of joy and uncertainty. It was an odd feeling—one that filled her chest with a kind of ecstasy.
Her eyes, tracing the emotions she couldn't fully understand, revealed a quiet respite—and yet, deep within, there was confusion she couldn't shake.
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Du Yishuang felt her heart clench as Yang Kai slowly stood up, his figure pale but upright. A warm surge of relief washed over her, and her cheeks flushed bright red. She clutched her chest with both hands as if trying to calm her racing heart.
"He really scared me just now…" she whispered, voice trembling slightly. "It would've been such a pity if he had died."
A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips—one that she didn't even notice herself. "He's… he's a good person."
As she said that, her gaze lingered on him a little longer than it should have. The memory of that jade ring flashed across her mind—the one still tucked safely against her chest. The one he gave her before parting ways.
Du Yishuang didn't know what this odd feeling blooming in her chest was—this ache, this joy, this confusion. But she felt it all the same. And as she quietly stepped back, unnoticed by the crowd, she bit her lip and lowered her head.
Somewhere deep in her heart, a thought rose unbidden—if it had been her instead of Su Yan, he would've saved her too.
She believed that. No matter how irrational or silly it seemed… she believed it.
And she couldn't help but wonder… would he remember her too?
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Lan Chudie's eyes were fixed on Yang Kai's pale, determined face, her breath catching as if trapped in a dream.
She had suffered her own wounds earlier in the battle—her robe torn and streaked with blood, her breaths shallow and uneven. But now, none of that seemed to matter. Her gaze lingered on the man standing protectively before Su Yan, beneath the looming shadow of the turtle Monster Beast.
That image carved itself into her heart.
He had thrown away all regard for his life—no hesitation, no fear. He moved not like a warrior seeking glory, but like someone who simply couldn't stand by when someone dear to him was in danger. That kind of courage… it stirred something deep inside her.
If a man is willing to trade his life for a woman's safety, even when he's weaker… even when it means facing death—then why couldn't a woman fall for him?
Sometimes, a woman's heart doesn't need grand promises or unreachable strength. Sometimes, just one moment—one reckless, genuine moment—is enough.
Lan Chudie clutched her chest lightly, startled by her own thoughts. She had never once looked at Yang Kai like this before.
And yet, now… it was hard to look away.