He Mingxiao's consciousness had completely sunk into darkness, as if he were trapped in a chaotic dream. Coldness and pain pressed down on him like two mountains, making it impossible for him to breathe.

He felt as if his body was being torn apart by countless large hands, as if they were trying to pull his soul out of his body. His soul was like a lonely raft floating on the sea, easily tossed up and down by the storm.

He could neither struggle nor escape; he could only helplessly let the pain assail him, stripping away the last vestige of his life.

Suddenly, a lamp lit up in the darkness—like a cluster of burning flames, with a fiery red hue and boundless warmth.

He Mingxiao couldn't help but look at it, his gaze fervent and longing.

It drew closer and closer, landing beside him.

The cold was dispelled, and the pain was gradually drawn out of his body. He Mingxiao reached out his hand, trembling, and tentatively grasped it.

It didn't run away; instead, it lay obediently in his palm.

The scalding temperature did not burn him in the slightest.

Following the guidance deep within his mind, He Mingxiao placed his hand close to his chest and pressed it tightly against his skin. The warmth then penetrated the fabric and reached directly into his heart.

His heartbeat returned to normal and strong, and his strength surged into his body like a floodgate opening.

He opened his eyes, focused, and saw the checkered floor tiles of the Cloud Central Hospital Complex in front of him.

He belatedly felt waves of dull pain, turned his head, and opened his right hand.

The lily of the valley earring was deformed from his grip, stained with mottled blood, and looked quite disheveled.

He carefully pinched the silver pin behind the earring and straightened it, trying to wipe the bloodstains clean with his sleeve. However, the bloodstains had already dried. With a little force, a small diamond that adorned the earring fell off and landed on the ground.

A look of panic flashed across He Mingxiao's face. He hurriedly bent down to search and finally found it in the corner. Just as he was about to reach out to pick it up, his other hand beat him to it—

Her pale fingertips gently pinched the small diamond, and then she took his hand.

The familiar warmth spread from the spot where he was touched. He Mingxiao was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed.

Turning around, I met a pair of smiling golden eyes.

The smile that had just appeared on his face faltered for half a second, and he asked with a hint of uncertainty, "...Nan Xian?"

At this moment, Nan Xian was dressed in a double-phoenix purple-gold armor, wearing a purple-tasseled helmet, and holding a fire spirit sword. Her whole body exuded an imposing aura that made people dare not look directly at her.

It was her, yet... she was completely unfamiliar to him.

When Nan Xian met his surprised gaze, she seemed to remember something, blinked, raised her hand and waved it in front of her. The gold in her eyes instantly disappeared, and her attire returned to normal.

"It's me." Her voice was slow, gentle, and clear. "I am Ah Xian, and also Nan Xian."

He Mingxiao opened his lips, but for some reason, looking at Nan Xian like this, his throat suddenly tightened, and he couldn't utter a single word.

Nan Xian didn't care about his loss of composure. She looked up at the sky and frowned regretfully.

“Time is running out. This body is very fragile. I can’t stay any longer—” She suddenly thought of something, curved her lips, lifted herself into the air, tilted her head slightly, and planted a kiss on the corner of his lips.

"Young scholar, I await the day you truly awaken me."

He Mingxiao was still in a daze when he saw a figure flash before his eyes and Nan Xian fell towards him with her eyes closed.

He caught it instinctively, his arms filled with its warm fragrance.