Liuli continued, “Anyone who enters the source of the miasma—god or demon alike—their body corrodes and perishes. Yet for some reason, Feng Guang, you didn’t die. And you also lost the memory of encountering Suva inside.”
Feng Guang knew it had to be Suva who gave her a new body and erased her memories. But what she still didn’t understand was why he wanted her heart. Why had she endured endless cycles of death and resurrection? For what purpose?
Liuli, of course, couldn’t answer. She wasn’t part of it, and she didn’t truly understand what lay between Feng Guang and Suva. She said, “After that, you began to lose your memory again and again, and then came death. I never knew the reason. People say Suva was taking revenge for thousands of years of imprisonment, and by hurting you, he meant to make the Heavenly Emperor and Empress suffer. I tried so many ways to save you, to pull you away from Suva, but in the face of absolute power… no method could work. And I had my own burdens to carry.”
At that time, Liuli’s belly had begun to swell. Fortunately, after they reunited, Jian An soon regained his memories. But with Jian An’s identity, marrying an unknown minor immortal from the heavens was out of the question. So, under the pretense of a political marriage, the Heavenly Emperor announced that Liuli was Feng Guang’s sworn sister. He even adopted her as his foster daughter, making her the second princess of the Celestial Realm—and thus, she was married off to the Demon Realm.
Not long after, she gave birth to a boy. Because this child was conceived when Jian An had taken on human form, his growth wasn’t as slow as that of heavenly children. Within just a hundred years, he had grown into a handsome young man.
“From time to time, I would bring Jian Dan back to the Celestial Realm,” Liuli said softly. “Feng Guang, you seemed to love him dearly. Later, I found out… you also had a child of your own. But for reasons beyond your control, you couldn’t keep her by your side.”
At the thought of Xiaoxiao, Feng Guang let out a bitter smile. “So that’s why you came to me this time? To tell me all of this?”
“No, Feng Guang. Come with me,” Liuli pleaded. “I’ll have Jian An take you to Tianzhiyan, the most hidden place in all three realms. If you go there, Suva will never be able to find you.” Her words were sincere; after all these years, she truly pitied Feng Guang’s suffering.
But Feng Guang shook her head. “I can’t leave yet.”
“Why not?”
“Because Feng Guang can’t bear to leave me.”
The voice came from behind them. Suva appeared out of thin air, holding the little girl’s hand. His smile was gentle, but it carried a chill that made the blood run cold.
The teacup in Liuli’s hand slipped and shattered on the floor. She shot to her feet in shock—only to see two men appear at her side: Jian An and Jian Dan.
Jian An’s expression was guarded. “It’s been a long time, Suva.”
“It has indeed. How have you been, Lord of the Demon Realm?”
“Well enough. I appreciate your concern,” Jian An replied evenly.
Suva chuckled and patted Xiaoxiao’s head. “Go to your mother.”
Xiaoxiao looked toward Feng Guang, hesitation flickering in her eyes.
Suva’s voice softened. “Xiaoxiao, have you forgotten what I told you?”
Her whole body trembled. She let go of Suva’s hand and bolted into Feng Guang’s arms, burying her face against her waist, shivering.
Feng Guang glanced at Suva, who wore his same calm mask, and gently stroked Xiaoxiao’s hair. “Xiaoxiao, what’s wrong?”