Before Liuli emerged from the Demon Realm, she had indeed hated Shichan countless times, wanting to grind him to dust and obliterate his soul, making him disappear from this world forever. However, after arriving in the Central Plains, she encountered Shichan time and time again, and had opportunities to kill him each time, but no matter what, she couldn't bring herself to do it.

That day, she was surrounded and nearly killed by numerous Buddhist disciples. He shielded her with his seven-jeweled robe, standing in front of her and protecting her behind him. He still clearly remembered his words that day, as if they were still ringing in her ears. Just now, the rain was pouring down, and she was at a loss. He held her, using his back to shield her from all the wind and rain.

So many things had happened, and without her even realizing it, most of the hatred she felt for Shi Chan had dissipated. The love for Shi Chan that had been hidden deep in the corner of her heart for twenty years was being released little by little.

So she opened and closed her mouth for a long time, but couldn't answer Shi Chan's question. She didn't want to admit it, but she didn't want to kill him.

After a long silence, Liuli's face darkened, and she said in a cold voice, "Not enough! This is far from enough. How can your life alone wash away the blood that has covered the Fox Plains?! Only when all the bald monks of the Central Plains Buddhist sect are wiped out can my hatred be appeased!"

Shi Chan's expression changed, a dark despair appearing in his usually bright and spirited eyes. This was the only solution he could think of, but even this couldn't resolve the hatred between Liuli and the Buddhist sect. He said helplessly, "Miss, what can we do..."

"Enough!" Liuli coldly interrupted him, staring at Shichan with icy eyes, and said in a chilling voice, "Monk, stop babbling!"

Shi Chan paused for a moment, then nodded helplessly and said, "Yes."

When Liuli and the others emerged from the Dragon Palace, it was already late afternoon. The sky was nearly dark due to the torrential rain. Dark thunderclouds blanketed a large portion of the East China Sea sky, with blinding flashes of lightning and deafening thunder. The torrential rain lashed against the mountainsides, and the sounds of wind and thunder clearly echoed into the cave.

The gale-force winds, carrying raindrops, lashed against the golden light screen, blurring the view outside in Liuli's eyes. At that moment, Liuli and Shichan sat facing each other at the cave entrance. Liuli turned her head to look at the raging storm outside, while Shichan stared intently at her profile, his gaze unfocused, as if he were looking at the past.

Outside, a fierce storm raged, and the weather was terrible, but inside the cave, which was enveloped by a golden light, the atmosphere was warm and cozy.

As darkness fell, Liuli leaned her head back and slowly closed her eyes.

Shi Chan snapped out of his reverie, looked at Liuli, and said with a smile, "Is the young lady going to sleep?"

Liuli remained silent for a while before replying softly, "Mm."

Shi Chan clasped his hands together and said with a smile, "Then let this humble monk preach to you, young lady, shall we? You once said that you get sleepy whenever you listen to me preach."

Liuli remained silent, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Shi Chan straightened his already dry clothes, composed himself, and began to preach the sutra in a calm and earnest voice.

The gentle and steady chanting was like a babbling mountain spring, softly entering her ears and flowing through her heart, gradually calming Liuli's mind. Unconsciously, her slightly furrowed brows relaxed, her breathing slowed, and she soon fell into a deep sleep.

With his eyes slightly closed, Shi Chan earnestly recited various scriptures. The wind and rain outside were fierce, but they could not disturb his voice or cause it to waver in the slightest.

After a long while, he stopped chanting and looked up to see that Liuli was already fast asleep. She leaned her head against the cave wall, her eyes closed, her mouth slightly open, and her breathing steady.

Shi Chan's expression softened, his gaze filled with affection.

Time seemed to have turned back to that afternoon many years ago, when she clung to him, refusing to let him leave, preferring to listen to his sermons rather than let him go. But she fell asleep before he had even finished a few words of his sermon.

That day, the sun shone gently, and a light breeze blew. She raised her little face, leaned her head against a big tree, and closed her eyes, concealing her mischievous gaze. Her sleeping face was as peaceful as a baby's.

That scene is the most profound and beautiful image in my memory.

Unfortunately, we can never go back.

Shi Chan sighed softly, took off his outer monk's robe, leaned forward, and gently covered her with the robe.

The night grew deeper, and the wind outside stirred up the waves, causing the thick, dark clouds to move back and forth. A torrential downpour poured down, as if the sky had gaped open and the Milky Way had overflowed.

Shi Chan glanced at the raging storm outside through the golden light screen, then quickly turned his gaze back to Liuli's small face, looking at her with unusual affection, unable to look away for a long time.

--

The next morning.

Yesterday's torrential rain didn't gradually subside until midnight. Now, as dawn breaks, a ray of golden sunlight shines on the calm sea, creating shimmering waves. Flocks of seagulls fly by, their clear cries echoing. Through the clear water, schools of fish can be seen gliding to and fro, their churning waters creating a splashing sound.

The scene was so peaceful that Liuli felt that yesterday's storm was not real, but just a dream.

She leaned against the cave wall without moving, her slightly dazed gaze piercing through the golden light curtain as she looked at the outside world, and then lazily yawned.

Perhaps it was the chanting in her ears, or perhaps it was the sandalwood scent that lingered in her nose, but Liuli felt that she had slept exceptionally well yesterday, the best night's sleep she had had since her rebirth.

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