Shen Clan, Chu Xueyu's palace.
From the outside of the massive, arched windows of the palace, the floating islands drifted lazily, their waterfalls of liquid Qi sparkling like diamonds.
But inside the palace, the atmosphere was shrouded with the bittersweet tension of a departure.
"You're going to leave already?" Ning Xueli asked, her voice small and laced with a sudden, sharp anxiety.
She reached out, her fingers hovering near Haoran's sleeve before she pulled them back, looking at him with eyes that pleaded for a different answer. "Can't you... can't you take me with you? I've reached the peak of Core Formation! I won't be a burden!"
Haoran turned to her, his expression softening just a fraction, though his gaze remained as steady as a mountain.
He shook his head slowly. "Sorry, Xueli, but my mother was quite adamant. She insisted you stay behind in the Imperial Capital so she can... 'teach' you."
"Oh." Xueli sighed, her shoulders slumping in visible disappointment.
