Both Xuan Tian and Ling Yu froze. They were very aware of how close the other one was.
Xuan Tian could see Ling Yu's eyelashes. He only now realized how long they were. Her eyes, dark brown and almond-shaped—not the standard phoenix-eye beauty of the Realm—but to him, they were very attractive. Then his gaze moved to the tip of her nose. Perfectly shaped for her, not too pointy, not too wide. Just perfect.
His gaze moved slowly to her lips. This was the first time Xuan Tian really looked at Ling Yu's lips. They were plump, but not overly so. Healthy pink, evenly hydrated. His gaze lingered too long on her cupid's bow.
Ling Yu was no different. She was too busy admiring Xuan Tian's thick and perfectly arched eyebrows. His eyes—dark brown with glimpses of purple hues. The bridge of his nose was high and flawless. Then… his lips.
Those lips. Those lips had made Ling Yu run away once. And now they were right in front of her!
They're exactly as I remembered five years ago. Perfect. Kissable. Veeeery kissable.
Ling Yu groaned softly.
It woke Xuan Tian from his dream world. He instantly straightened his back, tense.
"I'm sorry," he murmured and stepped away.
Ling Yu stayed on the bed, extremely embarrassed. She covered her face with both of her hands.
She didn't move for a long time, making Xuan Tian worried, but he didn't dare to ask or approached her. Besides, he was busy with analyzing his trembling Heart Core.
What was that feeling? Why did the pearly core trembling? Wait. It trembled when Ling Yu grabbed my hand. Is it coincidence? But it didn't tremble when I patted her shoulder.
Xuan Tian's brain was working overtime.
Meanwhile, Ling Yu hit her face with both hands. Get a grip, girl! It was an accident! But… he was also looking at me. Does he…?
Then she remembered Chen Zhaoyun's words, "I wanted to remind you of who he is."
But Er Shixiong, he doesn't seem to mind. Ling Yu blushed. Then –
Wait a minute! He kicked me out!
Ling Yu remembered that not that long ago, she was feeling upset because Xuan Tian kicked her out. How dare he!
She sat up abruptly, and saw Xuan Tian's back. She got up, approached him and forcefully turned him around and saw –
Xuan Tian looking dumbfounded and clutching his chest again.
"You – " the words were caught in her throat.
Seeing her expression turned worried again, Xuan Tian immediately spewed out, "Nothing. My chest doesn't hurt. I was trying to find out what happened with my Heart Core. It's not the Black Worm."
Both Ling Yu and Xuan Tian were looking at each other.
Ling Yu blinked a few times. Xuan Tian blinked a few times.
She did it again, and Xuan Tian followed, slower this time.
She couldn't hold her smile. He smiled lightly.
She saw the small smile. "You know, one of these days, I will make you not only smile, but laugh, Iron Wall. A genuine laugh."
Xuan Tian's lips curled further, "Is that a promise?"
Ling Yu's smiled turned into a full grin. She showed him her pinky finger.
"Pinky promise."
Xuan Tian looked at her pinky. A chance.
He hooked her pinky with his pinky.
They sealed their thumbs.
And the pearly core trembled again.
It's definitely not a coincidence!
------------------------------
"That ICEB now answers to the Alliance."
Those words were swirling in Han Zhaofeng's brain. "That ICEB now answers to the Alliance."
Han Zhaofeng was getting dizzy.
"… ICEB… answers… Alliance…"
His breath became short. His head felt lightheaded. His stomach was gurgling. The world spinning.
Then he spewed blood.
"Shengzun!" Luo Heng was caught in surprise.
"Han Shengzun!" Gu Tianzhu immediately stepped forward and checked his pulse, afraid he's experiencing qi deviation.
He sealed a few of Han Zhaofeng's acupoints.
Han Zhaofeng struggled to breath, but he was determined to not succumbed to another qi deviation. He was trying to control his breath, but his aura was chaotic.
-------------------------
Xuan Tian felt the chaotic aura. He instantly became alert and grabbed Ling Yu's hand, and pulled her behind him.
"Stay behind me." As they stepped outside together.