Ex-girlfriend (Part 1)

Having just arrived in the Sun Palace’s main city, Shangguan Xue offered a slight bow towards the white jade statue, which appeared to depict the Sun Palace’s revered founder, the Solar Saint.

‘What a truly great man…’

As Shangguan Xue understood it, ten millennia ago, the Nightmare Clan, a race that fed upon human souls, had roamed unchecked, plunging the populace into an abyss of misery.

That was until the birth of the Solar Saint.

Knowing the Nightmare Clan’s fear of sunlight, he had taken the name “Solar,” established the Sun Palace, and led humanity in a defiant resistance, carving a bloody path through the perpetual night.

Had it not been for the Solar Saint, humanity would still be mere livestock, bred and fed by the Nightmare Clan.

Even the proud and ambitious Shangguan Xue harbored a profound respect for him.

Of course, a portion of her reverence stemmed from the Solar Saint’s attainment of a realm transcending even the Zenith of Creation.

“The Sun Palace, having eradicated the Nightmare Clan and sheltered the world, stands as a sacred haven in the hearts of all,” Shangguan Xue murmured, her gaze sorrowful as she looked up at the statue. “Yet, everything he painstakingly built has been utterly ruined by Hao Jin…”

With a swift push off the ground, Shangguan Xue leaped into the air, landing moments later just outside the main hall’s entrance.

No guards stood outside the hall doors, a detail Shangguan Xue attributed to the sheer audacity required to attack the Sun Palace’s main hall—an act no one had yet dared.

‘Attacking the residence of a Zenith of Creation is pure suicide, and assaulting humanity’s sacred ground is an open invitation to be collectively assailed.’

‘It was precisely because I heard Hao Jin attacked the Sun Palace that I decided to join the fight in the first place.’

‘It wasn’t just me; most rogue cultivators joined the war due to the Sun Palace’s plight.’

Lost in these thoughts, Shangguan Xue simultaneously knocked upon the hall doors:

“This Martial Saint requests an audience with the Palace Lord.”

Before her words fully faded, the grand doors swung open with a resounding boom.

Shangguan Xue stepped over the threshold, finding herself immediately within the Palace Lord’s study.

‘Do all powerful figures these days revel in spatial translocation? I do too, so I suppose there’s no issue then,’ Shangguan Xue mused inwardly.

Muttering to herself, Shangguan Xue then turned her gaze to her ex-girlfriend, the “Solar Wheel Saint” Shi Ledong, whom she hadn’t seen in years.

The Sun Palace Lord possessed a striking mane of brilliant golden hair, unlike any other, eyes like polished amber, and was clad in a stately, elegant court gown.

Sitting diligently behind her desk, she exuded an aura of natural authority, her expression so stern it seemed as though Shangguan Xue owed her a considerable sum.

‘What’s the matter? Why aren’t you speaking? So distant? It’s not as if I owe you a million eight hundred thousand taels of silver, leaving you unable to reattach your leg.’

Silently screaming these thoughts, Shangguan Xue leaned closer and let out a couple of dry laughs:

“So, uh, how have you been lately?”

Shi Ledong simply hummed in response, her hand ceaselessly reviewing documents.

‘Well, I was the one who broke up with her back then…’ Shangguan Xue rubbed her nose, offering an awkward smile, and stood waiting patiently to the side.

Only after penning the very last character did Shi Ledong finally speak:

“What brings you here?”

“In twenty years, I will be dead,” Shangguan Xue declared, dropping a bombshell the moment she opened her mouth, yet Shi Ledong’s expression remained utterly unchanged.

The Martial Saint, clad in crimson, dropped her awkward smile, cleared her throat, and spoke with newfound solemnity:

“My death is intertwined with the destruction of the Sun Palace.”

At these words, a tremor immediately rippled through Shi Ledong’s amber eyes.

‘Sister, you love the Sun Palace more than you love me. Oh, that’s fair, Sister Dong was raised by the Sun Palace; it’s her home.’

Catching the flicker in her eyes, Shangguan Xue silently mumbled, then pressed her advantage:

“A Child of Destiny emerged from humanity, but they fell in love with a Nightmare. They then led the Nightmare Clan to attack the Central Continent, destroying the Sun Palace and plunging all life into utter devastation!”

The Martial Saint regretted not having a gavel at hand; a dramatic slam at the end would have truly amplified the effect.

Fury blazed in Shi Ledong’s eyes, causing the very room temperature to rise:

“Who? I’ll go kill them!”

‘Sister Dong had mentioned her parents were both harmed by Nightmares…’ Shangguan took a step forward, patting Shi Ledong’s back soothingly, and spoke:

“Absolutely not. This person is chosen by Heaven; even if they were still in their swaddling clothes, I wouldn’t be able to kill them, and I would suffer a terrible backlash.”

Pausing, she then looked solemnly at the Palace Lord:

“However, I have a plan. If successful, it will not only prevent the Nightmare Clan from wreaking havoc upon the world but also offer a chance to utterly eradicate them!”

“It merely requires your—” Shangguan Xue hesitated, then decided to speak plainly, “—your collective assistance. Would you be willing to help?”

Shi Ledong’s amber gaze met Shangguan Xue’s dark eyes, seemingly probing the depths of her soul.

After a brief silence, the Solar Wheel Saint spoke:

“Of course, I am willing.”

‘Excellent…’ Shangguan Xue let out a long breath.

At that moment, Shi Ledong pivoted, asking, “You said ‘we’… Have you already approached others?”

“No, you were the very first person I sought out.”

Upon hearing this, Shi Ledong offered a faint smile.

Seeing it, Shangguan Xue immediately felt a weight lift from her heart.

Then she heard Sister Dong inquire:

“Does this mean I’m the most important person in your heart?”

“Uh… perhaps we should discuss the plan instead?” Shangguan Xue deftly dodged the question.

“Same old, huh?” Shi Ledong’s smile vanished, her eyes betraying a hint of displeasure, yet she didn’t interrupt.

“The crux of the plan is for me to cultivate anew and seize their fortuitous encounters.”

After delivering this startling statement, Shangguan Xue clarified:

“Their own strength is superficial, relying entirely on rare treasures and heavenly materials. I surmise they obtain so many because they are the Child of Destiny.”

“However, I’ve discovered that destiny merely ensures they encounter these opportunities and has a higher chance of obtaining them, but it doesn’t guarantee they will definitely acquire them.”

“If we exploit their opportunities, we can seize their destiny. But those items are only useful to the weak; it would be futile for you and me to claim them.”

“Yet, once I cultivate anew, those opportunities will become applicable to me…”

“However, I alone am not enough; I will require your collective assistance.”

Having finished speaking, Shangguan Xue widened her eyes, gazing earnestly at the Palace Lord.

“You don’t need to look at me like that; I will help you,” Shi Ledong stated, her face devoid of expression. “What do you need me to do?”

“Meet me tomorrow on Cuiyun Peak, and I will elaborate then.”

Upon hearing this, Shi Ledong’s brow subtly arched:

“So you’re going to find others now?”

Shangguan Xue let out two dry laughs, her face clearly broadcasting, ‘What are you saying? I don’t understand.’ This was her usual demeanor whenever she wished to avoid answering a question.

Witnessing this familiar scene, a surge of unnamed irritation flared within Shi Ledong.

She let out a huff and pointed to her side:

“Squat down here.”

Upon hearing the command, Shangguan Xue practically bounced over.

She bent down, squatting by Shi Ledong’s feet, smiling like a Samoyed:

“Sister Dong… Palace Lord, how may I serve you?”

‘You’re a revered master, yet you act so dog-like? Though it is rather cute.’

Shi Ledong tried her best to maintain a poker face, but a corner of her mouth still twitched.

She reached out and ruffled Shangguan Xue’s dark hair, murmuring internally, ‘Still as soft as ever,’ before lifting one foot:

“Take off my boots.”

‘Are you Li Bai? Even if you were Li Bai, I’m not Gao Lishi.’ Shangguan Xue removed her golden boots, asking casually:

“Speaking of which, are we… back together now?”