A Proposal Under the Moonlit Cave

The flickering azure glow of Spirit Crystals cast an ethereal light across the cave as Li Jue stared in stunned silence. His breath hitched, his heartbeat loud in his ears as he processed Li Feng's words.

"It seems I can only promise myself to you."

He immediately froze, his mind going blank. Never in his wildest dreams did he expect this—much less from someone like her, the Sect Master of the White Lotus Sect, the most peerless beauty of the continent.

"W-What?" He gulped, barely managing to whisper. "I… I think I didn't hear you clearly?"

Li Feng's snow-white cheeks turned even redder. Flustered, she lightly punched his chest in an intimate gesture, her touch sending a shockwave through his entire body.

"Are you an idiot?" She pouted, averting her eyes before whispering again, her voice trembling with shyness. "I said… Will you marry me?"

Li Jue's entire body stiffened, his heart nearly stopping.

M-Marriage?!

This wasn't some casual offer. This was the Sect Master of the White Lotus Sect, the woman who could command thousands with a single word. A woman whose name alone made countless top-tier cultivators bow in respect. And yet, she was standing before him, blushing like a young maiden, proposing to him?

His throat went dry, his body unsure whether to move or remain frozen in place.

"I…" He struggled for words, his voice barely escaping his lips. "But… you don't even know me. You don't even know that my name is Li Jue."

Li Feng's silver eyes twinkled with warmth as she stepped closer, their bodies almost touching. Her face was completely crimson, but she stood her ground.

"Now I know," she whispered. "And it doesn't matter whether I knew you before or not. You've saved me twice… and for the past month, we've gotten along so well."

Her delicate hands trembled slightly as she reached out, placing them over his.

"You're the first man I've ever spoken to like this outside of sect affairs. You're the first man I've ever wanted to truly know."

Her voice was soft but resolute, her words making Li Jue's already chaotic heart thunder inside his chest.

"There's nothing in this world I can give you to repay your kindness," she continued, her voice shaking slightly with emotion.

Li Jue, still flustered and overwhelmed, attempted to protest.

"B-But…"

Before he could say anything more, Li Feng raised her delicate, snow-white finger and gently placed it against his lips, silencing him instantly.

"Besides," she whispered, her voice suddenly tinged with a hint of vulnerability, "this isn't just about repaying you."

She took a deep breath before continuing.

"This also involves my selfishness. I want to know you more. I want to share more about myself with you. I want to cultivate with you… I want to fight by your side… I want to travel the world with you."

Her silver eyes shimmered with a deep, unspoken longing.

"And… I want to live eternally with you."

Li Jue's entire body trembled.

Her words were like a gentle storm, breaking through the insecurities and doubts that had plagued his heart. But even then, he hesitated.

"B-But… there's a huge status difference between us," he murmured, his fists clenching. "You're a peerless cultivator, a sect master, the most beautiful pearl of this world…" His voice dropped to a whisper. "And I… I'm just a nobody."

His fingers curled tightly, his heart heavy.

"I only just started cultivating. I never even thought about relationships, let alone something like this."

Li Feng's expression softened even further. Slowly, she reached out and took his hand in hers, intertwining their fingers.

"To me, you're everything," she whispered.

Li Jue's breath caught.

She smiled gently, her other hand coming up to caress his cheek.

"Besides," she continued, "I've never seen a cultivation method or technique like yours before. A rootless mortal, cultivating so perfectly? It's unheard of."

Her fingers traced his palm softly.

"You're just beginning your journey, Jue'er. You need cultivation resources, guidance, and opportunities." She paused before looking at him seriously. "But more importantly… your Void Devourer Art is chaotic and dangerous. If left unchecked, it could easily leave a heart demon in you."

Her voice grew softer, almost pleading.

"If that happens… you could be possessed by darkness."

Li Jue swallowed hard. He knew she was right.

"You need an anchor in this world," she murmured. "A bond that will keep you attached to reality. A companion who will always remind you of who you are. A reason to keep moving forward."

Her silver eyes gleamed.

"A reason to cultivate immortality—to live eternally with someone you love."

Li Jue couldn't hold back anymore.

In one swift motion, he embraced her tightly, his arms wrapping around her delicate frame.

Li Feng gasped softly, her body momentarily stiffening at the unexpected intimacy. But soon, she melted into his arms, her face completely buried in his chest, her heartbeat erratic.

"To tell you the truth…" Li Jue whispered, his voice raw with emotion. "The first time I saw you, fighting that Frostfang Serpent… I fell for you."

Li Feng's breath hitched, her fingers clenching onto his robes.

"But I didn't dare to even think about it," he admitted, his grip tightening. "Because the difference between us was too great. And when you said you were the Sect Master of the White Lotus Sect, that difference became even more impossible."

His voice shook slightly.

"But… you're right," he said, his tone firmer. "Instead of letting something precious go because of my weakness, I'd rather hold onto it and become stronger so that I can protect it with my life."

His words struck deep into Li Feng's heart.

Her arms slowly rose, wrapping around him just as tightly, her entire body trembling as she whispered against his chest.

"Hmmm…"

They remained like that for a long time, their bodies pressed together in a silent yet profound promise.

After what felt like an eternity, Li Feng slowly pulled away, her face completely crimson.

"…Let's recover quickly," she murmured, still flustered, her silver eyes refusing to meet his.

Then, she turned away slightly, brushing a strand of silver hair behind her ear before whispering,

"Then… follow me back to the White Lotus Sect."

Li Jue's heart pounded, but he nodded.

"…Alright."

Their fates had been sealed.

Together.

---

The cave remained dimly lit by Spirit Crystals, their soft glow illuminating the delicate features of Li Feng as she sat cross-legged beside Li Jue. The warmth of their embrace still lingered in the air, but instead of dwelling in that moment, she turned her attention to his injuries.

She reached into her Spatial Ring, retrieving several high-tier healing pills, their fragrance instantly filling the cave with a soothing aura.

"Here, Jue'er," she said softly, placing a Violet Essence Rejuvenation Pill into his palm. "This is a peak Earth-Grade Healing Pill, refined using the Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng and Nine-Colored Lotus Petals. It should accelerate your recovery significantly."

Li Jue hesitated for a moment, feeling the weight of her concern, before swallowing the pill. The moment it entered his mouth, a rush of vital energy spread throughout his meridians, easing the pain in his body.

Li Feng took one for herself as well, sighing in relief as the pill's medicinal essence seeped into her wounds.

Without another word, she gently placed her palm on his chest, channeling her pure Yin energy into his body to further aid his healing. Her silver eyes softened as she felt his chaotic Void Devourer Qi stir beneath her touch.

—

Days Passed…

Inside the cave, time seemed to flow differently.

Each day, Li Feng and Li Jue grew closer.

Sometimes, Li Jue would teach Li Feng how to cook, though she would always end up messing up and pouting cutely.

Sometimes, Li Feng would guide Li Jue in his cultivation, her gentle hands adjusting his posture, their close proximity making his heart race.

Sometimes, they would sit together in silence, simply enjoying each other's presence.

Sometimes, they would share laughter, teasing each other like old friends.

Slowly but surely, their bond deepened.

One night, as they sat near the Spirit Crystal-lit walls, Li Feng gazed at him softly.

"Jue'er who's your mast—"

Before she could finish her sentence, she suddenly froze, her expression changing instantly.

Li Jue, sensing her sudden shift, frowned. "What's wrong?"

Li Feng narrowed her silver eyes, her divine sense sweeping the surroundings.

"…We're being followed."

Her voice was cold, devoid of the warmth she had just moments ago.

She slowly stood up, her delicate fingers already forming hand seals.

"Jue'er… Get ready."

Li Jue immediately activated his Void Devourer Qi, his body tensing.

In the distance, an ominous presence loomed.

Li Feng's voice was filled with quiet rage.

"…The enemies who injured me before… are coming."

Li Jue's fists clenched.

Whoever they were, they had harmed Feng'er before.

And now, they were coming again?

His killing intent surged.

This time…

He wouldn't let them touch her.

—