All The Female Disciples Want To Kill Me

Chapter 386 - 241 Embrace Each Other_3

She read it over and over, her heart a tangled mess.

Especially the line of poetry at the end of the passage:

"I return the pearl with tears in my eyes, regretting we did not meet before you were wed."

For a moment, she didn’t know what to make of the emotion in her heart.

She threw the novel aside and murmured to herself, "I am the one who ’regrets not meeting before being wed’..."

She knew, without realizing it, this strange man who had suddenly appeared by her side had inexplicably become a vulnerability in her heart.

If I overcome this vulnerability, my cultivation will surely surpass that threshold.

However... this vulnerability was something she had longed for for so long that now it had truly taken root in her heart, she felt no desire to fight it, but instead, a deep sense of exhaustion.

Why do I cultivate?

After becoming the Saintess, what have I gained?

Is this really what I wanted?

Overcoming this Heart Demon Tribulation was, in fact, simple.

To sever worldly ties, to end these thoughts—after all, the so-called Great Path is one of solitude.

But, what was the reason for my initial pursuit of cultivation?

Was it to become a true Immortal?

With a wave of her hand, an image of ice cream appeared in her palm. She took a taste; it was as bland as water.

Not the flavor she had longed for.

"I want to eat ice cream one last time..." she thought.

In her mind’s eye, that smiling face emerged once more, vaguely resembling Su Bei.

She shook her head and took a deep breath.

Love and affection.

Truly a bothersome affair.

「...」

Su Bei looked at Key Smoke, who was within arm’s reach in front of him. Their distance was so close that by merely tilting his head down slightly, he could touch her lips.

A palpable warmth filled the air between them. Su Bei could smell her scent, a faint fragrance unique to a mature woman.

Sunlight sprinkled on her cheeks. Her long eyelashes cast shadows beneath her eyes, making her appear beautiful and serene.

Her words, "You are my Heart Demon," plunged Su Bei into confusion.

Could it be that thread of fate from the Matchmaker?

He didn’t want the woman before him to act this way just because of that single thread.

Although he had been intimate with both Dan Wulan and Nan Ji several times, almost to the fullest extent possible, the emotional impact Key Smoke had on his soul was unlike that of any other woman around him.

It felt like a journey across time, carrying with it his lingering attachment to that other world.

"I’m sorry."

Perhaps it was the warmth of the sunshine that brought a faint flush to Su Bei’s cheeks.

"Is it just ’I’m sorry’?"

The corner of Su Bei’s mouth twitched; he was unsure how to respond to her.

"Never mind." Key Smoke turned away.

She had dressed this way only because she wanted to make a final break with her current self.

Just as Su Bei was struggling with how to speak, he saw Key Smoke, who was walking ahead of him, suddenly stop.

Then she turned back and looked at him.

Her eyes were clear, devoid of the Saintess’s usual dignity. All that remained was the girl he had seen in the Illusion World.

"I want to eat ice cream."

Key Smoke muttered to herself again. Next time, I will truly bid farewell to the person I am now.

Hearing her words, Su Bei seemed to grasp something, his eyes flickering with understanding.

Swallowing nervously, he said, "Is it time for the Tribulation-Crossing Stage?"

Key Smoke nodded; there was no need to hide it from him.

Su Bei appeared to understand, a smile playing at the corner of his mouth as he looked at her, "Is it that so-called Great Path of severing worldly ties again?"

"To pass this Heart Demon Tribulation, must you sever these ties to the past?"

"..."

Key Smoke frowned at his seemingly nonchalant demeanor, a knot of displeasure tightening within her.

Have you never had the slightest bit of affection for me?

Do you not care for me at all?

A rare surge of anger finally broke through, and she scoffed, "Oh? It seems Elder Su has some insights, does he?"

"..."

Sensing her mood, Su Bei lowered his gaze slightly, then softly began, "I wouldn’t call them insights. I’ve just read a few things..."

Key Smoke watched him coldly, awaiting his words.

Suddenly, Su Bei stepped forward, looked at her, and then took her hand.

"Elder Su, please let go. Show some respect."

Key Smoke struggled to withdraw her hand. His grip was gentle, causing her no discomfort, yet with all her effort, she could not break free.

—Perhaps her heart was unwilling to break away.

Su Bei lifted his head; sunlight fell upon his face.

He softly said, "I once read a book."

"It said that in cultivation, one must first be tranquil and detached, free of desires, patient, and able to withstand temptation."

Key Smoke didn’t reply. What he said only seemed to confirm her own thoughts.

Then Su Bei murmured, "But... the book also said."

"Crucially, the written character for ’Immortal’ includes the ’human’ radical."

"The path of immortality is bitter and cold; you and I shall embrace to share its warmth..."

"..."