Chapter 46: I missed you

_Sword God Sect_

In the grand halls of the Bright Moon Peaks, a sense of anticipation hung in the air. Cheng Fang, a promising young disciple, stood before the Second Elder, Chu Yafei. The elder, a man of distinguished presence, sat on a luxurious chair, his robes flowing like water around him as he savored a cup of tea with the air of someone who has seen countless winters and summers pass.

"Master," Cheng Fang began, his voice laced with eagerness, "Is it true? Is our Sword God Sect truly holding a competition to choose the new Sword Kings? And will they be allowed to enter the Ancestral Lands?"

The Second Elder's eyes, sharp and clear as a mountain lake, shifted toward his disciple. A slight smile played on his lips as he placed his cup down, the soft clink of porcelain barely audible in the vast hall. "Yes," he confirmed, his voice calm yet carrying the weight of authority. "In one month, the competition will begin. We must be there at least two days prior to register. Remember, registration closes twenty-four hours before the competition starts."

The elder's expression became more intense as he leaned forward, his eyes locking onto Cheng Fang's. "This is your chance, Fang'er. Perform well, and you might catch the eye of the sect members or the competition organizers. Those who reach the top hundred will advance to the Capital Tournament of Sects. But the true prize," he said, his voice lowering to a near whisper, "is reserved for the top ten. They will earn the right to enter the Secret World within the next five years."

A spark ignited in Cheng Fang's eyes, a mix of determination and excitement. "I will not disappoint you, Master. I'll strive for the top ten, no matter what it takes." Then, as if recalling something crucial, he asked, "When do we depart for the Central Peak?"

The Second Elder leaned back, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "In about half a month. We'll leave on the flying magical beast, along with nine other outstanding disciples of our Bright Moon Peak. The journey will take ten days, ensuring we arrive five days before the competition begins."

Cheng Fang nodded solemnly, his heart already racing with thoughts of the upcoming trials. "Yes, Master, I understand."

Chu Yafei gave a satisfied nod, then, as if recalling something important, he reached into his robes and produced a small, ornate pill bottle. "Before you go, focus on your cultivation. You must break through to the Nascent Spirit Realm within these ten days. Take this Barrier Breaking Pill. It will aid you greatly."

With a flick of his wrist, the elder tossed the bottle to Cheng Fang, who caught it with reverence. The young disciple bowed deeply, his voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Master. I won't let you down."

The Second Elder watched as Cheng Feng exited the hall, a subtle smile playing on his lips. The path ahead was fraught with challenges, but the elder knew that within Cheng Fang lay the potential for greatness. The competition would be fierce, but so too was the fire in his disciple's heart.

Back at the Jiangling Forest...

Dao Wei stood a few feet away from the radiant beam of light that illuminated the forest, created by Liu Mingxia's awakening. She was now one of the rarest beings in a thousand years, the first to awaken the pure Phoenix bloodline. The light danced around her, casting ethereal shadows that seemed to bow to her newfound power.

Dao Wei marveled at the sight, wondering what treasures Liu Mingxia had encountered to achieve such a breakthrough. He knew the Primordial Spring had immense capabilities, but even that alone wouldn't account for the magnitude of her transformation. The mystery intrigued him, but for now, he decided to simply enjoy the sight of her ascension.

As the light began to fade, Liu Mingxia slowly descended from the sky, like a goddess gracing the earth with her presence. Her movements were fluid, her grace unmatched as her feet touched the ground with a delicacy that seemed almost otherworldly.

"Wei'er!" Her voice was filled with relief and joy as soon as she saw Dao Wei standing before her. Her wings retracted gracefully as she rushed into his arms. "Where have you been? I was so worried..."

Dao Wei's smile was warm as he embraced her, feeling her soft form press against him. A wave of calm washed over him, her presence soothing the turmoil he had felt earlier. "I'm here now, aren't I?" he whispered, his voice gentle.

"But, I was so scared..." she began, her voice trembling slightly, but Dao Wei cut her off, his tone playful yet sincere.

"Congratulations on reaching the Nascent Spirit Realm," he said, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. "The wings suit you."

Liu Mingxia blushed deeply, her heart fluttering at his words. "Thank you," she murmured, her voice barely audible as she stayed nestled in his arms. "I-I really missed you, Wei."

Dao Wei chuckled softly, his breath warm against her ear. "I missed you too, Mingxia. Is that why you're holding onto me so tightly?"

Her blush deepened, and she quickly pulled back, taking a few steps away as she looked down at the ground, her fingers nervously twisting together. "I... I'm sorry... I just..."

Dao Wei couldn't help but laugh, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "It's okay, Mingxia. You're adorable when you're flustered."

Her face turned an even brighter shade of red, and she stammered, "I... You..." Words seemed to escape her as she stared at him, her heart pounding in her chest.

He smiled, wanting to ease her embarrassment. "We should get going. We've spent too much time here, and your people will be looking for you."

Together, they began making their way through the forest, the remnants of the illusion that had once trapped them now dissipated. The journey through the forest was serene, the vibrant colors of flowers and the lush green grass creating a peaceful atmosphere. The forest seemed alive, each step they took echoing with the sounds of nature.

"I love walking in nature, don't you?" Liu Mingxia asked, her voice filled with warmth and excitement.

"It's peaceful," Dao Wei replied, his tone thoughtful as he took in the beauty around them.

She stopped and looked up at him, her eyes sparkling. "Oh, come on, it's more than that. The smell, the sounds, the view. It's a feast for all the senses."

Dao Wei raised an eyebrow, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "All senses?"

"Of course," she giggled. "When you eat a strawberry or blueberry, the taste screams nature."

"And the touch?" Dao Wei teased, his smile growing wider.

"Jumping into the water," she said, her voice serious, "it's a marvel for the whole body."

He chuckled, understanding her deep appreciation for nature. "I see why you love it so much."

Liu Mingxia suddenly changed the subject, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Want to make a bet?"

"A bet?" Dao Wei was caught off guard by her sudden shift in mood.

"I bet I can beat you in a race," she said, excitement evident in her voice.

"You want to race me? What are the rules?" Dao Wei asked, already calculating how he could easily win with his martial skills.

"You can only use regular methods, no martial skills allowed," she giggled, the challenge clear in her tone.

"Regular methods?" Dao Wei was still processing her words when she suddenly took off running.

"No magic!" she called out over her shoulder, her laughter echoing through the forest.

"Hey, that's cheating!" Dao Wei shouted, a grin spreading across his face as he chased after her.

"Slowpoke! You can't catch me!" Liu Mingxia laughed, her voice full of joy as she sprinted towards the edge of the river. "I'm about to win!"

"What kind of rules are these?" Dao Wei caught up with her just as she reached the riverbank, but before he could say anything more, she began undressing.

"No peeking!" she teased, her voice playful as she slipped out of her clothes and jumped into the river with a splash.