After their morning entry into Heaven Dou City, the famed Golden Iron Triangle had decided to relax and enjoy a rare peaceful day. Though they were somewhat famous in the world of soul masters, today, they were just three old friends strolling through the lively capital of the Heaven Dou Empire.
The city was bustling around them. Merchants called out their prices, hawking fragrant buns, fresh fruits, rare herbs, and shiny trinkets. The clatter of horse-drawn carriages echoed alongside the excited chatter of noble ladies and commoners alike. The Empire's capital was alive, vibrant under the rising sun.
Amid this color and movement, Yu Xiaogang walked silently, arm in arm with Liu Erlong. He smiled faintly as she spoke animatedly beside him, pointing at various street stalls. Her voice was always soft, like a breeze on a quiet night, and today, it carried a particular sweetness, as though the future they were walking toward was everything she had ever wanted.
"Xiaogang," she said, halting before a well-decorated establishment with a red-lacquered wooden sign, "Look, that restaurant looks good. Let's go in and eat. I've heard it's famous for its spiced roast duck."
Yu Xiaogang's expression didn't shift, but internally, he sighed. His cultivation bottleneck had been bothering him lately, gnawing at his confidence. Though he'd spent years accumulating knowledge and theory, his actual soul power remained stagnant.
To anyone watching, he would seem calm and collected, but behind those tired eyes was a mind in conflict. The bottleneck in his cultivation weighed on him, a bitter reminder that theory alone could not break the chains of fate.
Still, he buried these feelings deep and nodded.
"Alright," he said gently.
Flender walked beside them, silent as usual these days. Ever since giving his blessing to Liu Erlong and Yu Xiaogang, he had taken to playing the part of the lighthearted companion, though his heart still ached in silence. But he was a man of pride, and he would never let it show.
The restaurant they entered was warm and inviting, with polished wood floors and high windows that welcomed streams of golden sunlight.
As they entered the restaurant, they were greeted by the soft aroma of roasted meat and gently simmered herbs. The lanterns hung above flickered slightly, casting a warm glow that complemented the decoration inside. A waitress led them to a secluded corner booth, away from the more crowded center.
They ordered a simple meal, braised duck, stir-fried greens, and a bottle of aged rice wine.
Between bites and sips, their conversation inevitably turned to the wedding.
Liu Erlong's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "I was thinking… we could hold the ceremony in Heaven Dou City. There's a garden I know here. It should be beautiful this time of year, covered in peonies and lilacs."
Yu Xiaogang's smile stiffened.
"Erlong," he said slowly, placing his chopsticks down, "I've been thinking…"Maybe we shouldn't have the wedding in the city."
"Hm?" Liu Erlong tilted her head, clearly surprised. "Why not? The city has everything—decorators, tailors, chefs—"
"It's too loud," he interrupted gently, but firmly. "Too many people. Wouldn't it be better if we had the wedding somewhere quieter? A small village maybe, away from the city's noise and attention."
However the truth was something else, he had a hunch that Liu Erlong might be his relative. Her martial soul, the fierce Fire Dragon, bore too close a resemblance to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. It wasn't a coincidence. Mutations that similar only occurred within bloodlines. He himself was a mutation of that very lineage, abandoned due to his "useless" spirit.
He had read many theories and made them into a summary, which led him to gain recognition among the masses. While he had not done anything worthwhile in theory the knowledge of the theories he read always existed in his mind. It was not hard for him to come to this conclusion with so much knowledge he already has.
However, he hesitated to say it out loud, in fear that Liu Erlong might leave him.. and..
If the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan caught wind of this marriage ...
They would separate them. Just like how fate had stolen Bibi Dong from him.
He had already lost once. He couldn't bear to lose again.
"It's… more peaceful in the countryside," Yu Xiaogang said again to comfort Liu Erlong, hisvoice soft. "Less pressure. Less attention. Just us, and the people who truly care."
Flender raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
Liu Erlong blinked in surprise, her smile faltering for just a second. Then, slowly, she nodded. "Alright… if that's what you want, I'll support it."
Yu Xiaogang forced a grateful smile. "Thank you."
Relief flickered in his chest, though guilt followed close behind.
But they were so engrossed in their conversation, so caught up in their dreams , that they failed to notice the lone figure sitting not far from them.
At a corner table beside the large open window, where warm sunlight streamed in and painted the floor with golden hues, sat a girl.
She looked to be around seven or eight years old. Her long golden hair caught the light like threads of silk, cascading down her back like a waterfall of light. Her skin was fair, almost porcelain-like, and her small hands cupped a steaming bowl of tea, untouched.
Despite the crowded restaurant, despite her radiant appearance, no one seemed to notice her. Even the waiters walked past her as though she were not there. The world seemed to wrap around her, not touching her, like she existed just slightly out of phase with reality.
This was the effect of Psychological Invisibility.
Qian Renxue's purple eyes, glowing faintly in the sunlight, were focused entirely on one person: Yu Xiaogang.
She sat still, not blinking, not moving. Her gaze was calm, yet deeply penetrating, like she was measuring someone.
"You really made me wait in Heaven Dou City…"she whispered, though her lips barely moved.
And the couple continued to plan their wedding, unaware of the shadow of fate watching them so closely, so quietly…