Gongsun Li looked speechlessly at Xiaobai's retreating figure. "Did you really have to be that heartless?"
Xiaobai caught up with Wang Zhaojun, gently tugging at her sleeve. With soft, glowing eyes, he looked up at her. "Sister, please don't ignore me. I'll only play with you from now on."
Wang Zhaojun had no desire to speak; she found talking to him utterly exhausting.
As Xiaobai kept rising on his tiptoes, Wang Zhaojun helplessly bent down. Cupping her face, he coaxed her in a sweet tone, "Sister, from now on I'll only cling to you, and I'll only like you."
Unmoved, Wang Zhaojun cast a faint glance into Xiaobai's pure eyes, leaving him somewhat at a loss.
Seeing Wang Zhaojun's expressionless face, he suddenly lifted his exquisitely sculpted little face and pressed it close to her peerless visage.
Unaware of what he intended, she allowed him to draw near. The next second, a cool pair of lips brushed against her cheek, leaving her briefly stunned.
Xiaobai pressed his face against Wang Zhaojun's cheek, wrapping both arms around her neck. Before she had even recovered her wits, she let him draw close, her eyes slightly vacant.
Seeing no reaction from Wang Zhaojun, Xiaobai assumed she had tacitly permitted his action. "Sister, Xiaobai will always like you."
As Wang Zhaojun came to her senses, she realized—had she just been taken advantage of by a child?
At that very moment, the man who drove countless young maidens wild with infatuation stood against the light, gazing at her coldly.
With a cold sneer at the corner of his mouth, Han Xin looked at Wang Zhaojun with icy eyes, then expressionlessly took Daji by the hand.
Wang Zhaojun's gaze darkened. Straightening her back, she took Xiaobai's hand as well and turned to leave without looking back.
Overwhelmed and pleasantly surprised, Xiaobai looked at Wang Zhaojun's profile, then glanced back at Han Xin, proudly holding his head high.Han Xin watched her retreating figure, his hand hidden in his sleeve clenched into a fist. His grip on Daji's hand also tightened slightly, causing her to cry out in pain, "Lord Shaojun, you're hurting me!"
Han Xin seemed not to hear Daji's voice. His gaze remained locked on Wang Zhaojun's figure, his expression resembling the quiet before a storm.
Daji's eyes turned red as she tried hard to pull her hand back, but she was no match for Han Xin's strength.
Lord Shaojun had always been gentle as jade toward her. He had never scolded her, let alone made her suffer any grievance.
He was gripping her so tightly that it hurt, hurting her so much that tears welled up and fell.
After a long while, Han Xin finally noticed Daji's slightly trembling hand and hurriedly let go. "I'm sorry, Little Fox. It hurts a lot, doesn't it?"
All of Daji's grievances vanished like smoke under Han Xin's soft murmur. She smiled and said, "Daji isn't afraid of pain, as long as Lord Shaojun is always good to Daji."
Han Xin lowered his eyes, concealing the emotions deep within them, and remained silent. He knew the Little Fox's feelings for him ran very deep—even surpassing mere dependence.
Seeing that Han Xin was silent, a wave of disappointment washed over Daji's heart. She forced a smile and said, "Daji doesn't dare ask for Lord Shaojun's affection. I only ask that Lord Shaojun keep me by your side. That is enough."
Wang Zhaojun kept holding Xiaobai's hand, and Xiaobai gripped hers back tightly, even though her hold was a little painful.
Xiaobai felt gloomy. He knew his sister was upset, so he didn't dare speak, letting her pull him along in silence.
Gongsun Li walked quietly behind them. She knew Sister Zhaojun was grieving for the Young Lord of the Dragon Clan. If only Xiaobai were an adult, then he could be together with Sister Zhaojun.
Although Wang Zhaojun wore an air of detachment, only she knew how deeply pained she felt inside. Having loved him for so long, how could it be easy to let go just like that?As they walked along, Wang Zhaojun sensed she was being followed. She turned her head and cautioned Gongsun Li, "A-Li, stay alert. We're being watched."
Gongsun Li nodded at Wang Zhaojun. Having stayed by Wang Zhaojun's side for a long time, she had naturally picked up quite a few spells.
With a calm and composed expression, though her eyes held unfathomable depths, Wang Zhaojun naturally tightened her grip on Xiaobai's hand and said, "Stay close to me. Do not step away from me, not even half a step."
Xiaobai glanced backward but didn't spot anyone suspicious. Could it be that she was just shy about holding his hand and made that up on purpose? He nodded to himself and happily trotted along beside her.
Wang Zhaojun's delicate brows furrowed imperceptibly. Whoever was following her hadn't made a move for a long time; it seemed they weren't here to kill her. What, then, was their objective?
Entering a forest of towering ancient trees with lush foliage that blocked out the sunlight, she pulled Xiaobai behind a tree to hide, while Gongsun Li disappeared without a trace.
She wasn't worried about Gongsun Li. Gongsun Li's cultivation wasn't considered exceptionally formidable, but her escape skills were top-notch. People lurking in the shadows like this couldn't possibly catch A-Li.
Zhao Yun suddenly appeared at the spot Wang Zhaojun had just occupied. There was no sign of her around, but he could sense that she hadn't left—she was simply hiding.
He scanned the area with his divine sense to search for Wang Zhaojun's location. He couldn't pinpoint her exact spot, but he knew she was nearby.
A trace of tension flickered in Wang Zhaojun's heart. It seemed there was more than one pursuer. The palm of the hand holding Xiaobai broke into a thin layer of sweat.
Xiaobai, however, remained unconcerned, staring blankly at Wang Zhaojun's pleasing profile. With her by his side, he feared nothing.
As Zhao Yun drew closer, Wang Zhaojun pressed her lips together slightly. With her left hand, she kept a firm grip on Xiaobai, while her other hand quietly materialized the Flute of a Hundred Birds Saluting the Phoenix.
The Flute of a Hundred Birds Saluting the Phoenix could be played as a flute or transformed into a sword. Her master had told her that the flute had been with her when she was found.
Listening to the sound of Zhao Yun stepping on the fallen leaves, Wang Zhaojun tightened her grip on the Jade Flute, ready to defend at any moment.
He was close!
Right at that instant, Wang Zhaojun spun her body, thrusting out the Flute of a Hundred Birds Saluting the Phoenix with lightning speed, pressing the tip directly against Zhao Yun's throat with pinpoint accuracy.
A faint smile curved the corners of Zhao Yun's lips; he didn't show a shred of fear.
"The Flute of a Hundred Birds Saluting the Phoenix? Are you Fairy Zhaojun?"
Wang Zhaojun pressed her lips together. She didn't seem to recognize the man before her. What on earth was his purpose in following her?
"I've long heard that Immortal Wuling possesses unfathomable cultivation, and his primary disciple is a rare genius in the Art of Sorcery. Seeing you today, it is indeed true."
Zhao Yun didn't visit Tianyu often and wasn't very familiar with everything here, but he had caught wind of her reputation.
Hearing Zhao Yun's words, Wang Zhaojun wore a hint of aloofness between her brows, her eyes looking at him with indifference. "Why are you following me?"
"Naturally, I have something to discuss." Zhao Yun still smiled gently.
The flute in Wang Zhaojun's hand never left Zhao Yun's throat. She opened her mouth: "What is your objective?"
Zhao Yun suddenly turned his head, shifted his body to dodge her Jade Flute, and looked at Xiaobai standing beside Wang Zhaojun, saying sternly, "Hand him over to me."
Xiaobai abruptly looked at Zhao Yun with alertness, nervously grabbing Wang Zhaojun's hand. Why did everyone have designs on him?
Wang Zhaojun could clearly feel the little fellow's extreme panic; he must have been terrified that she would abandon him again.
She lowered the flute in her hand. Understanding that Zhao Yun meant her no harm, but merely wanted to take Xiaobai back, she refused coldly, "I'm sorry, but he is my person now."
Wang Zhaojun shielded Xiaobai behind her, keeping a wary eye on Zhao Yun, who stood two paces away.