Fairy, Don't Be Afraid, I Am Blind

Chapter 273 - 167: Maiden’s Heart; Lotus Heart

Awkward.

An awkwardness that makes one’s scalp tingle.

Ji Xueruo and You Su had walked side by side for quite a while, yet neither had spoken to break the silence.

Because a thousand words, upon reaching the lips, turned into an empty bubble that vanished without a trace once spoken.

"Miss Ji, are you alright?" You Su tried to appear more casual.

"Hmm? Mm!"

Ji Xueruo was like a little scholar in class, dazed and suddenly awakened, not knowing what she was thinking.

"Haha, it’s good that you’re okay, I’m fine too."

You Su bounced a little as if to prove his own wellness.

Ji Xueruo glanced at him, casually retorting, "But I didn’t ask you."

Startled by her words, You Su almost tripped over himself, wishing he could dig through the shoe soles, not knowing how to respond.

Seeing his embarrassed look, Ji Xueruo, with her clear enchanting eyes, blinked and couldn’t help but smile, instantly brightening like a September autumn chrysanthemum.

You Su also slightly curled his lips, joining her in laughter.

No need to elaborate further, as all words are drowned in this sweet smiling silence.

Ji Xueruo felt that her silent awkwardness wasn’t like her; as a woman aspiring to become empress, such timidness was unbecoming.

Ever since they first met, it’s been barely over half a month, from initial unfamiliarity to confrontation, then enduring hardships together, and finally supporting each other to rebuild. It all seemed dreamlike.

Can this dream withstand the clash with reality?

Between them is Ji Lingruo, the difference between human and demon, the two continents separated by thousands of miles, and above all, the pride that Ji Xueruo can never let go of. She cannot forsake her Snake Race to follow behind a man; if anything, she hopes You Su would follow her lead.

"Hey, what are your plans after obtaining the Lotus Heart?"

Proudly, Ji Xueruo chooses to face reality.

You Su is taken aback for a moment, knowing full well the harshness of reality, a problem that must be confronted.

"Returning to Lotus Peak... what about you?"

"Back to East Japan Continent," Ji Xueruo replied calmly.

You Su cannot abandon Lotus Peak; it suits him better than the Snake Race.

They are destined to part, with uncertain dates for reunion.

Both remain silent, their hearts brimming with emotions yearning to be expressed, yet reality presses down, causing an anxious suffocation, leaving them speechless.

You Su suddenly clenches his fist, having always restrained himself from calling her Miss Ji, but now he can’t hold back anymore, solemnly calling out:

"Xueruo."

Ji Xueruo stares blankly at his face, recalling the night he called her by the window, ’You Su.’

She can easily see through the illusion because she understands You Su, just like her, he too restrains his emotions; upon meeting, he would never call her ’Xueruo.’ This name can only be called out in dreams, where reality need not be considered.

But now You Su has said it, Ji Xueruo knows his feelings can no longer be contained.

Sigh, he shouldn’t be like this.

"I..."

"Mr. You."

Ji Xueruo interrupts You Su’s forthcoming words, laughing carefreely:

"I know what you want to say, it’s likely akin to the dreams, pledging eternal love and steadfast vows. Unfortunately, that doesn’t work on me. In our Snake Race, such grand, deceptive words are things I tell them."

The vast time-space distance, the insurmountable identity and racial barriers, and the sensitive ethical constraints, these problems will ferment after their separation, presenting huge challenges to the fifteen days they’ve shared.

You Su may speak of eternal vows now, but it doesn’t guarantee he’ll remember this affection later, even Ji Xueruo herself dares not promise...

In the Immortals’ centuries-long lives, these fifteen days are but fleeting.

You Su feels a subtle pain, for in the dream, he was the clearer-minded one, but upon returning to reality, Ji Xueruo is.

"Stop dawdling, the rest can be discussed later. Having exerted endless efforts, let’s first obtain the Lotus Heart."

Ji Xueruo strides briskly ahead of You Su, with hands clasped behind her.

She sees further into this relationship than You Su.

...

The awkwardness infects even the two kindly Venerables.

Venerable Chengtao and Mr. Cuihe exchange glances, filled with doubt.

Despite having kissed passionately last night... why are they bickering today?

"Ahem." Venerable Chengtao coughs twice, softly saying, "Mr. You and Miss Ji not only broke the illusion of hidden earth but foiled the conspiracy of hidden water. Indeed, they are a pair of dragons among people."

These words not only praise but subtly suggest matchmaking.

"Thank you, Venerable Chengtao, for the compliment, but this is all Mr. You’s accomplishment, Xueruo dare not take credit."

Ji Xueruo’s tone is composed, only raising her hand in salute.

Even though the Snake Race is declining, she remains its leader, and there’s no need to bow and scrape before others, even if they are the master of a spiritual land.

"Why say that, Miss Ji?" You Su frowns, not wanting Ji Xueruo to sever ties, "This is the result of mutual effort with Miss Ji, how can You Su monopolize the credit?"

Mr. Cuihe, being a woman, perceives the dynamics between them with just a few words.

She too speaks up: "Indeed, Xueruo is too modest; this victory clings equally to both of you. Without Mr. You, none of us would likely discover the clue left with your mung bean cakes. Your mutual understanding was crucial in saving Jade Ring Pool from peril."

"Thank you for the compliment, Yuhe Auntie." Clearly, Ji Xueruo has a close relationship with Mr. Cuihe.

Seeing the young girl’s acceptance, Venerable Chengtao smiles as he flicks his sleeve, revealing two embroidered pouches, each bearing half a lotus—Qiankun Bags. Despite being the lowest-level ones, they would still be highly sought in the outside world.

"You both have shown immense favor to Jade Ring Pool, and we have no means of repaying you besides offering the Lotus Heart and a little token from these pouches. Jade Ring Pool promises, you will forever remain its most esteemed guests. Now, come with me to retrieve the Lotus Heart."

With that, the couple-style Qiankun Bags floated toward them. Ji Xueruo hesitated for a moment but still reached out to take them.

Afterward, they followed the two Venerables into the depths of Chengtao Palace.

This area leads straight to the bottom of the pool, revealing the entire view, including the shells creeping on the Five-Colored Soil. The pool water seemed obstructed by an invisible membrane, unable to invade this subterranean place.

Venerable Chengtao raised his hands slightly, and two sections of the Five-Colored Soil at the bottom gently broke open, floating up two egg-sized, lustrous white Spirit Pearls.

The Spirit Pearls shimmer, exuding a rich life force, their extraordinary nature evident at a glance.

"These are the century-old Lotus Hearts of Jade Ring Pool. Though Shenxi was possessed, he didn’t deceive you. With Jade Ring Pool drying up, the Lotus Hearts also faced issues, leaving just these two as the sole mature batch... We’ve nurtured them relentlessly with other Spiritual Treasures over the past few days, finally fructifying them. But there’s still a problem."

"What problem?" You Su asks, concerned.

"One of them has some cracks, although it doesn’t affect its efficacy, it’s even harder to preserve. With our usual methods, it’s impossible to take it away."