Ancient Strengthening Technique - Chapter 2444

Chapter 2444

AST 2444 – A Choice between Life and Death

“Alright, you guys can head back first . I’m going to walk around,” said Qing Shui to Nuo Lan and Ling Chen .

Ling Chen and Nuo Lan had confirmed their relationship and were going to get married soon . This was a piece of great news and Qing Shui was happy for them . He was pleased with the home which Nuo Lan would be marrying into .

“Qing Shui, are you going to look for her?” Nuo Lan asked worriedly .

“Alright, don’t worry . I know what to do . ” Qing Shui waved his hand dismissively and left .

Nine Continents Demon Gate!

It was the Nine Stars Emperor City’s Nine Continents Demon Gate . Upon arriving, Qing Shui just watched from afar at first . This place was built along the Nine Stars Mountain, but it was the same as the Divine Palace . The Nine Stars Mountain wasn’t tall but the area atop its peak was enormous . It was flattened by someone and became a mountain city .

It wasn’t far-fetched to call it a city . There were three major roads atop the peak, lined with pavilions and manors . The roads were straight along the mountain range which led outside .

Palaces stood in great numbers there, along the bend of the Nine Stars Mountain . The area was big . That was the Nine Stars Emperor City’s Demon Gate Headquarters .

Qing Shui stood here for about two hours . Just as Qing Shui was in the dilemma of looking for Tantai Lingyan, a beautiful figure stepped out of the Nine Continents Demon Gate and walked toward Qing Shui .

She traversed in mid-air toward him in a light snow-white apparel . Her beauty transcended this world, exuding a cold aura . While it wasn’t as ice cold as before, it gave others a sense of dejection .

She had indeed reached a breakthrough . Qing Shui knew it the moment she felt Tantai Lingyan’s aura and could tell that he wasn’t her match .

With an air of superiority, her eyes were like the boundless stars above; the beauty behind the coldness was stifling .

Qing Shui thought she looked familiar but felt like a stranger now . This left him ill at ease, just like how one would feel when partners had fallen out of love in his previous life . It felt like they would become strangers after this, making Qing Shui feel uneasy .

“Qing Shui?” Tantai Lingyan called out to him gently as though she didn’t really know him .

Qing Shui let out a bitter laugh then sighed . “I feel like I’ve gone back to the time when I was courting you . Always feeling like there’s a distance between us when I catch up to you . ”

Tantai Lingyan didn’t smile and merely set her gaze on Qing Shui . She had broken through but found that there was still a shadow in her heart . She yearned for familiarity, and it felt like so . This was something she had not felt before . Now that she had seen Qing Shui, she realized that the shadow was him, and it was why she called out his name hesitantly .

“Did you look for me because of the matter with the Divine Palace?” Tantai Lingyan asked .

Before Qing Shui could answer, Tantai Lingyan continued, “If that’s the case, then let’s forget about it . The Divine Palace and the Demon Gate were enemies from the start . Who knows how many Demon Kings a Battle God like you has killed, or Demon Gates you have destroyed . So, let’s not think that I’m cruel . ”

Qing Shui was stunned but thought it through . Since they were enemies, and he did destroy quite a few Demon Kings and Demon Gates, he didn’t think he had the right to blame her .

After processing the thought, Qing Shui pondered over his purpose there . They had once been lovey-dovey and were close . They could’ve have been married after some time; yet, things slowly turned out this way . With time, even Qing Shui became a stranger toward it .

Tantai Lingyan saw the lack of response in Qing Shui as they stared quietly at each other . Qing Shui’s gaze was clear . Watching the face which had captured his soul, he was suddenly filled with love, heartache, adoration, regret, and resignation…

Qing Shui’s complex gaze caused Tantai Lingyan’s heart to race . The shadow in her heart became clearer, suddenly feeling as though she was really close to the man in front of her . In all honesty, she was very lonely; she had no friends, much less a lover, one who was just like her kin .

“Lingyan, can I hug you?” Qing Shui asked sincerely . He was afraid that Tantai Lingyan would slice him again .

Tantai Lingyan watched Qing Shui wordlessly . She was used to her lonely days and didn’t feel much about the relationships between men and women . She didn’t find anyone she fancied and neither did she feel anything in this regard . It was true now too, but her interactions with Qing Shui made her feel that this man was different from the others .

He was indeed different . Because subconsciously, she knew that he was regarded as her man . Whether she remembered it or not, she knew this to be true, especially now . On one hand, there was the shadow in her heart; on another, there was Qing Shui’s gaze .

He did not retaliate when she had attacked him previously, and he had nearly died under her blade . This incident had a great impact on her .

Suddenly, she realized that she was in a light embrace . Instinctively, she wanted to attack and had many methods in her mind to kill the man, but she didn’t move .

The light scent of the man engulfed her . It felt natural and the scent was a little familiar to her . It was comforting and it shocked her . How was it possible for her to quietly lie in a man’s arms? Without realizing it, she curled her arms around his waist .

Qing Shui was relieved, but he didn’t do anything . Just like that, he quietly hugged her shoulders .

“Lingyan, my wife . You don’t know how much I miss you . That impulsive desire to see you, to see your familiar smile was tearing me apart . How I wish to hold you in my arms tightly, to keep you near me . ” Qing Shui’s voice was low as though he was holding back something .

“I’m sorry . I know what you say is true, but I…”

“I understand . You don’t have to apologize . Heaven’s pulling a prank on me . ” Qing Shui laughed in resignation .

“Didn’t you say you want to hug me tightly? Hug me as tight as you want then,” said Tantai Lingyan gently .

Qing Shui’s heart leaped at it and hugged her tightly, holding her close to his own body as he buried his face into the crook of her neck . Taking deep breaths of her scent, the pair was stuck close to each other . The feeling relieved Qing Shui from some of his heart’s desire .

Tantai Lingyan felt exceptionally peaceful at that moment . The man and her were supposed to be enemies; yet, she didn’t have an ounce of worry that he would attack her when locked in that embrace . Not worried that he’d kill her or the like . Furthermore, she could sense that he didn’t guard himself against her either; it would have been easy to kill him right then .

Qing Shui calmed down only after a long time, releasing his grip on her slightly but couldn’t bear to let her go completely .

“Thank you, Lingyan . It has been a long time . I guess there was still some feeling from last time . ” Qing Shui smiled .

“Qing Shui, I’m a little scared now,” Tantai Lingyan replied softly .

“What are you afraid of?” Qing Shui was puzzled .

“I believe the words you’ve said before . If I regain my memories one day, I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to face reality . Did I hurt a lot of people?” Tantai Lingyan sighed .

“This is destiny . It’s not your fault,” said Qing Shui helplessly .

“If we have to stand on the opposite ends of life and death one day, and we have to make a choice between us . What would you do?” Tantai Lingyan asked Qing Shui quietly .