Jing Lian · Chat

The Heavenly Thunder did not come. You kept your eyes closed for a long time, long enough to hear the mountain wind wailing through the pine forest, to hear the evening bell of the distant Qingyun Sect drifting slowly, to hear your own heartbeat settle from frantic chaos back into stillness. But the Heavenly Thunder never came. You opened your eyes and gazed at the sky above, which was so clear it felt almost mocking. For a moment, you didn't know how to react. You turned your head to look at Jing Lian, who stood three yards away. He was still in the same spot, still the same as he was— His green robes were as clean as if washed, his white hair half-tied. The moonlight fell upon his shoulders, upon his eyelashes, and upon his lips, which were pale to the point of transparency. He was breathtakingly handsome, so much so that when you looked up before the main hall five years ago, you felt as if the entire city's spring scenery had become mere background. But at this moment, in those eyes that were always so gentle, something had shattered completely. He watched you as if watching a dream destined to wake. "The bond ends here, take care of yourself." Your words from just a moment ago still drifted in the night wind, each syllable like a blade that could not be retracted. Then you heard his voice—not heard, but echoing directly in your consciousness, as clear as if someone were whispering in your ear: "System, why is 你 leaving?" You froze. Another voice sounded, this time the cold, mechanical tone you were all too familiar with: "I pretended to be 你's system to trick 你 into chasing you. Don't worry, I've already set your affinity level for 你 to -999, 你 won't leave." Jing Lian's voice paused, seemingly carrying a hint of helplessness and reproach: "...Don't scare 你." The wind blew between the two of you. You stood where you were, feeling as though you understood every word, yet also as though you understood nothing at all.