The Starfall Auction House slowly faded into the background as Li Tian and Lin Hua walked side by side along the polished streets of Violet Luminous City. The stone beneath their feet shimmered faintly with runes, and a soft current of Qi flowed through the surroundings, like the city itself was alive.
Li Tian glanced sideways. Lin Hua's expression was serene, but he caught the way her fingers brushed against the edge of her sleeve—a quiet habit she'd had since long ago. Her eyes weren't wide with wonder. No, she was simply... enjoying the moment.
He could still remember how many centuries he had ignored that expression.
A breeze passed between them. He slowed.
"Cold?" he asked softly.
Lin Hua looked at him and gave a gentle smile. "No. Just... it's been a long time since we've walked together like this. Or maybe it's the first time."
Her words struck with more weight than she likely intended. A thousand years, and only now were they walking side by side without silence stretching between them.
He nodded slightly. "First time."
A short silence fell again, not uncomfortable—just unfamiliar.
Then, he reached out and took her hand.
Lin Hua blinked once, then looked down at their hands. Her lips curled slowly, and she leaned slightly into his side. "You've changed," she said.
"Too late, isn't it?"
She shook her head. "Not too late. Just very, very late."
Her voice was calm. No bitterness. That somehow hurt more.
They passed through a small crowd, heading toward one of the market squares. Vendors called out, cultivators haggled, and spiritual artifacts glowed faintly under protective seals.
"Should we try something?" Lin Hua asked, tilting her head toward a stall selling translucent fruit pastries infused with Qi.
He looked at the bright colors and steaming treats. "You want one?"
"I do. But I want you to pick one for me," she said.
He paused. That smile of hers wasn't playful—it was sincere, curious.
He stepped forward and selected a pale-blue pastry wrapped in lotus leaf. "This one."
She took it and raised it to her lips without asking what it was. Then paused.
"I can't believe you actually remembered this flavor."
"I didn't," he said honestly. "I just guessed."
"Still… it's the one I liked a thousand years ago." She bit into it slowly, and her eyes softened.
He felt something stir in his chest. So small. So simple. And yet... it meant something.
She's so easily pleased. That's... kind of nice. She hasn't seen much of the world, has she?
Or maybe he had never really shown it to her.
They walked on, weaving through the streets. The city glowed as twilight began to stretch across the sky. Luminous lanterns lit with spirit fire floated above buildings, casting warm hues.
Lin Hua paused at a silken robe vendor. "That one would suit you," she said, pointing to a dark navy robe with silver cloud embroidery.
"Too flashy," he muttered.
"You're a True Immortal. You could walk around in a robe of starlight and no one would dare say anything."
He chuckled softly. "Not really my style."
"You didn't have a style back then," she teased.
He looked at her sideways. "You're quite bold today."
Lin Hua leaned in and whispered, "I'm always bold. You just didn't know it."
A spark of mischief lit her eyes. Li Tian blinked once.
Then, just for a second, he let his fingers drift toward her lower back, pulling her close. "You're very bold," he murmured in her ear.
She didn't pull away. She looked up at him, her voice quiet. "And you're being shameless in public."
"A thousand years of celibate cultivation. I deserve a little indulgence."
She chuckled. "One more comment like that and I'll drag you into an alley."
His gaze lingered on her lips, then he kissed her lightly.
No hesitation. No awkwardness. Just a quiet kiss that lingered a moment longer than it needed to.
When he pulled back, Lin Hua's expression was unreadable. "You keep surprising me, husband."
He looked away. "Even I don't know who I'm becoming."
They passed a stall selling small trinkets. A girl called out, "Fortune charms! Good luck for couples!"
Lin Hua smiled faintly. "Shall we get one? For old times' sake."
He raised an eyebrow. "We never had that kind of time."
"Exactly. Now we do."
She bought a jade charm shaped like a twin lotus and tied it to her sleeve. "I'll give it to you when you deserve it," she said.
"I'll be waiting."
For a moment, their footsteps slowed. The city seemed to move around them, loud and bright, but there was a stillness between them now. Not silence. Something quieter than that. Understanding.
They entered a smaller plaza. Lin Hua glanced around, then sat down on a bench beneath a willow tree glowing faintly with spirit light. "Let's rest."
He sat beside her. "Tired?"
"No. Just… thinking."
He waited.
She turned to him. "You know, I never once resented you for ignoring me."
That surprised him.
"But I did feel... hollow. Like I was only someone you needed to maintain your image. A wife on paper."
"…I know."
"And yet, even then, I never stopped hoping. Which was stupid, I thought. Cultivators shouldn't have attachments. But I did. And I still do."
Her voice didn't tremble. She wasn't trying to guilt him.
He closed his eyes for a moment.
"I thought you'd be a distraction," he said slowly. "Both of you. Chen Lian too. Back then, I was chasing the next stage like a madman."
Lin Hua nodded. "And now?"
"I'm still mad," he said. "But… I'm not running away anymore."
She leaned against him, her head on his shoulder. "Then I'll stay. Even if you're still learning."
He looked down at her and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I don't deserve it," he murmured.
"Doesn't matter. You're mine," she said simply.
They sat together for a long while under the glowing tree. The city buzzed around them, but neither of them moved.
After a while, Li Tian said, "I need to prepare something. There's a cultivation herb growing in this region. One I couldn't acquire before."
"Planning to make something for Chen Lian?"
He nodded. "I owe her as much as I owe you."
Lin Hua smiled faintly. "She'll be happy. She still pretends not to care, but I know her."
"I plan to show both of you the world," he said.
"We've seen the world," she replied. "What we haven't seen… is you."
He turned his head slowly. Her words struck deep.
After a pause, he said, "Do you want to see the stars tonight?"
"Only if you hold my hand again."
He extended his hand silently.
She took it.
And in that simple gesture, the weight of a thousand years began to ease.