Chapter 160: Blessings from the Holy Land, Communication of Hearts
Deep within the Nine Heavens Heavenly Palace, within the Xuannv Palace lies the "Starlight Garden." This area is forbidden to ordinary disciples, and only the Xuannv of past generations can draw upon the Nine Heavens' star power and comprehend the Great Dao. Within the garden lies a spiritual spring, its waters crystal clear, reflecting the stars as if embracing the entire sky. Near the spring grow several rare moon orchids, emitting a hazy glow and a delicate fragrance under the starlight.
Ye Li and Qin Yixuan were invited to stay here after the Xuanyun Sect celebration. After making their relationship public, their relationship became increasingly natural and tacit, a glance unspoken enough to read each other's hearts. During the day, they would discuss the Dao with the elders of the Heavenly Palace, presided over by the Master of Yaoguang Palace, mutually benefiting from their own insights from the Silent Soul Abyss and the legacy of the Nine Heavens Mysterious Woman. Or they could stroll through the dreamlike wonderland of the Heavenly Palace, watching the sea of clouds billow and cranes soar.
Nighttime, however, was a quiet time that belonged exclusively to them. At this moment, the two sat side by side on the white jade platform beside the spiritual spring, letting the water, imbued with pure starlight, flow over their ankles, bringing a touch of coolness and nourishment. Above them, the vast expanse of the dazzling starry sky, the Milky Way like a waterfall, the stars like diamonds, casting a cool and eternal light.
"A-Li," Qin Yixuan gently rested her head on Ye Li's shoulder, her voice as soft as a nocturne, "Do you remember the first time we met in the Bishui Pavilion? Back then, you were as cold as ice, and you kept your distance from me, the 'Saint'."
Ye Li's lips curled slightly, revealing a rare, gentle smile. She reached out to hold her shoulders, her fingertips accidentally touching the soft hair scattered on her shoulders. "Back then, my heart was shackled, carrying too much, and I didn't dare, nor could I, approach any warmth. It was you... who repeatedly, regardless of your own safety, approached me and warmed me." She paused, then whispered, her breath brushing Qin Yixuan's ear, "In the Silent Soul Abyss, watching you being engulfed by the energy, I realized that losing you is more terrifying than the annihilation of body and soul."
Qin Yixuan raised her head, starlight flowing in her clear eyes, rippling with water light. She reached out and gently stroked Ye Li's cheek, her fingertips tracing the cold outline, and said seriously: "No. No matter how many times I reincarnate, no matter where I am, I will find you and pester you. Don't even think about getting rid of me again." Her voice was a little coquettish, but also with unquestionable firmness.
Their eyes met, endless affection flowing silently under the starlight. The air was filled with the subtle fragrance of moon-shadow orchids, as if tinged with a hint of intoxicating sweetness. Ye Li took the hand that was caressing his face and pressed it to his heart, where his heartbeat was steady and strong, transmitting its warm pulse through the thin fabric. "This heart once beat only for revenge and obsession. Now, it lives for you and fights for you."
Qin Yixuan's eyes gleamed with tears of happiness. She tilted her head slightly, leaned forward, and placed a gentle kiss on Ye Li's cool lips, like a butterfly flitting over a flower, filled with both tentativeness and endless cherishment. Ye Li was startled for a moment, then closed her eyes, her long eyelashes fluttering as she responded to this kiss, tinged with starlight and the fragrance of flowers. The kiss wasn't passionate, but lingering, as if to fuse their breath, their warmth, even their souls. The gurgling of the spring water seemed to play a gentle melody for them.
After the kiss, their foreheads touched, their breathing quickened slightly. Qin Yixuan's cheeks flushed, as if stained with the most beautiful glow of the sky. She buried her face in the crook of Ye Li's neck, feeling the slightly faster-than-usual pulse there, and whispered, "My heart has long been with you."
At this moment, Yaoguang Palace Master, Muyun Lay Buddhist, Huijue Arhat, and others quietly arrived outside Xinghui Garden. They did not disturb them, but quietly watched the couple embracing under the starry sky, their breath blending together by the spring, with smiles of satisfaction and understanding on their faces.
The Yaoguang Palace Master said softly, "Heaven and earth are witnesses, the stars and the moon are matchmakers. This is a match made in heaven, and a blessing for our spiritual world."
Mr. Muyun stroked his beard and nodded, his eyes filled with emotion: "Li'er, this child, has gone through so much hardship and finally achieved happiness. It is her good fortune to win the heart of Xuannv. With Xuannv by her side, she will be able to walk more steadily on her future path."
Arhat Huijue clasped his hands together and chanted the Buddha's name: "Amitabha. Understanding the word 'love' leads to transcendence; indulging in it leads to reincarnation. The love between the two donors has reached the highest level of affection and nature. They serve as beacons for each other, illuminating each other's paths. Well done, well done."
As if sensing the arrival of the crowd, Ye Li and Qin Yixuan slowly separated, stood up hand in hand, and faced the crowd. Their faces still had a lingering blush, but their eyes were clear and determined.
The Master of Yaoguang Palace stepped forward, holding an exquisite jade plate in her hand. On the plate were two heart-knots woven with nine-day cloud silk and inlaid with star tears and moonstone, emitting a hazy and sacred glow.
"Reverend Yeli, Xuannv," the Yaoguang Palace Master said in a solemn yet gentle voice, "This is the 'Heart Knot,' forged using the secret techniques of the Heavenly Palace, blending the radiance of the stars and moon with the power of blessings and wishes. May the two of you, from now on, be connected in heart and mind, your destinies linked, sharing both good and bad fortunes, and walking hand in hand on the great path, forever and ever."
Ye Li and Qin Yixuan smiled at each other, their eyes filled with unwavering affection and tacit understanding. They solemnly accepted the heart knots and placed them on each other's wrists. The moment the knots touched and locked, a warm and close connection was forged between the two, as if their souls were drawn closer, and they could even vaguely sense the happiness and peace surging in each other's hearts.
"Thank you, Palace Master, and thank you all the seniors." The two of them thanked in unison, with a barely perceptible hoarseness and emotion in their voices.
Witnessed by the starry sky and the blessings of elders and close friends, their relationship received the most sacred public recognition and blessing.
That night, in the sleeping hall deep within Xinghui Garden, red candles (globes of light condensed from the power of the stars, as soft as candlelight) flickered, illuminating the room with a hazy warmth. The air was filled with the soothing fragrance of sandalwood and the cool scent of moon-shadow orchid.
Ye Li gently removed the intricate ornaments from Qin Yixuan's hair, letting her long, cascading black hair flow freely, highlighting her slender neck and jade-like skin. Qin Yixuan raised her hand, her fingertips gleaming with a subtle light as she untied the silver hairpin that had bound Ye Li's hair. Her silver hair flowed freely, intertwining with her own black hair, making it difficult to distinguish one from the other.
"Are you tired?" Ye Li asked in a low voice, her voice sounding particularly gentle in the quiet hall.
Qin Yixuan shook her head and looked into her deep eyes, where the candlelight and her figure were reflected: "I'm not tired with you here." She took the initiative to hold Ye Li's hand and led her to the bed covered with soft mermaid silk.
The gauze curtains hung lightly, shutting out the outside world. The two lay down fully clothed, side by side, yet could clearly feel each other's warmth and subtle movements. At first, it was just the cautious touch of fingertips, then it became a tight entwinement of ten fingers. Ye Li turned sideways and gently embraced Qin Yixuan in her arms, resting her chin on the top of her head and inhaling the elegant fragrance of her hair. Qin Yixuan obediently nestled in her arms, her cheek against her chest, listening to the steady, strong heartbeat, feeling incomparably at ease.
There were no more words, no more inappropriate movements. They simply embraced each other quietly, feeling each other's presence, their breathing gradually synchronizing. A warm, soothing sensation spread from their skin to theirs, as if years of longing had finally been fulfilled. Ye Li's hand gently patted Qin Yixuan's back, as if to comfort, as if to confirm. Qin Yixuan found a more comfortable position in her arms and let out a contented sigh.
Red candles (starlight) burned quietly, and within the tent, a mingled atmosphere of tender affection filled the air. This was a night truly theirs, free from the trials of life and death, free from the turmoil of the outside world, only the tranquility and fulfillment of soul-to-soul connection. All the deepest affection, unspoken, melted into this spring night filled with starlight and the fragrance of flowers. This night, under the witness of the stars and moon, they belonged completely to each other, body and soul.
This love has withstood the test of life and death and transcended worldly vision. It is like the brightest two stars in the night sky, reflecting each other and blending into one. It will surely become a story that will be passed down through the ages.
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