In front of outsiders, Bai Ran worked even harder than ordinary people. She was extremely intelligent and possessed extraordinary talent.
"Sister Bai," "Captain Bai," "Goddess Bai"...
She was the goal in the hearts of the disciples, a dark horse in the eyes of the Sect Master and elders, the hope of everyone.
Bai Ran always stood high, radiating light and warmth, guiding the way. But Long Jinhan only worried if she was tired.
No matter how busy he was, he would appear at Bai Ran's most vulnerable moments, picking up her broken heart and piecing it back together, piece by piece.
He wanted her to be excellent, he wanted her to be strong, but even more, he wanted her to be safe, happy, and prosperous.
A faint smile always lingered on Long Jinhan's lips. He could feel the person in his arms holding him tightly.
He knew that no matter how calm and composed the little girl appeared, when faced with such cruel realities, she would still need someone to lean on, just like any ordinary person.
"Long Jinhan..." With a tone never before so gentle, Bai Ran buried her head even lower. "Thank you..."
Thank you for appearing by her side, thank you for your constant help, and thank you for loving her deeply...
Hearing this, Long Jinhan gently cupped Bai Ran's face. "Once you ascend to the Nine Heavens, I will never leave your side again. This is my promise."
A touch of warmth on his forehead, two rosy clouds bloomed on Bai Ran's cheeks. "You said that."
"I did," his magnetic voice laced with a smile, Long Jinhan picked her up and gently placed her on the bed.
"Sleep well, my little girl."
His gaze, filled with tender affection, the familiar scent permeated the air. Drowsiness washed over her, and Bai Ran slowly closed her eyes.
That night, she forgot all her responsibilities and missions, forgot all her hatred and anger, and simply drowned in the deep sea of love, slowly sinking.
...
Birds chirped merrily on the branches, and sunlight cast beautiful patterns on the ground through the treetops.
When Bai Ran opened her eyes again, the faint warmth of Long Jinhan still lingered on the bed.
"It's the Grandmaster of Alchemy! The Grandmaster of Alchemy is here at Que Tian Sect!"
"What! It's that top Grandmaster of Alchemy from the Central Realm! Come on, let's go and see!"
"Yes, maybe we'll be chosen."
The courtyard outside buzzed with excitement. Bai Ran dressed neatly and slowly opened her room door.
"My heavens, you're finally awake!" Qiao Mu scrambled up from the ground, as if he had been waiting there for a long time.
He nudged Liang Wenjing, who was dozing off beside him. "Get up, Miss Bai is awake."
Liang Wenjing rubbed his groggy eyes and slowly stood up.
"Why didn't you knock?" Bai Ran looked at the two of them, amused.
Liang Wenjing pouted. "It's not that we didn't want to knock, but your room seems to have some kind of barrier on it, so we couldn't touch the door at all."
Qiao Mu nodded in agreement. "We called out a few times, and there was no response from inside. When we tried to knock, we were repelled by the barrier."
A barrier? Could it be Long Jinhan... Bai Ran felt her ears grow warm.
"Ah, never mind that. Someone wants to see you," Qiao Mu urged her out of the room.
"See me? Who?" Bai Ran asked him.
"A whole bunch of people," Liang Wenjing said with a smile, as if wanting to maintain some mystery.
Wen Yan and Jiang Ye watched them leave with dejected expressions, confined to this small courtyard.
...
Meanwhile, on the other side, Long Jinhan gritted his teeth, his body covered in prominent, glaring scratches.
"Your Highness!" As Jingyun entered, the item in his hand clattered to the floor. He rushed forward to support him.
Such a low body temperature! His Highness's cold illness had flared up!
Jingyun frowned, his voice panicked. "Your Highness, didn't you just go to Miss Bai's? Why didn't you ask her to help suppress it?"
Long Jinhan's lips were pale, and he was sweating profusely. "Stop the nonsense... Go find those old men..."
"Tang Yi! Take good care of Your Highness! I'll go call the alchemist!"
A woman hurried over. Her figure was exquisite, and her appearance was incredibly captivating.
"Okay! Leave Your Highness to me!" As she reached out, her hand was swatted away by a powerful surge of spiritual energy.
"I'll do it myself." Long Jinhan staggered to his feet, clearly in great difficulty.
Tang Yi clenched her fists. His Highness disliked women getting close to him, and he wouldn't even let her touch him in such a critical moment...
"Thud—!" Long Jinhan collapsed heavily onto the ground, unconscious.
Tang Yi's eyes widened instantly, and she rushed towards him anxiously. "Your Highness! Your Highness, are you alright!"
She grabbed Long Jinhan's arm and draped it over her shoulder, slowly moving him to the bed.
Tang Yi's palm lightly rested on Long Jinhan's forehead. So cold...
She was extremely anxious, constantly glancing at the door.
"Ya...tou..." A broken voice sounded. Tang Yi looked at Long Jinhan as he frowned slightly.
Yatou? Who was Yatou? Just as Tang Yi was guessing, Jingyun arrived.
"The alchemist and doctor are here!" Jingyun rushed in, followed by a group of people. "Quick, go and examine His Highness!"
Half an hour later, Long Jinhan's complexion finally returned to normal.
Tang Yi looked at Jingyun. "I see Jingfeng isn't here. Where did he go?"
"Jingfeng went to protect the Madam," Jingyun answered casually, not noticing her astonished gaze.
"Madam? His Highness has a woman he likes?" Tang Yi found it hard to believe, but at the same time, a strong sense of jealousy arose in her heart.
"You've been on a mission for five years, so you naturally wouldn't know," Jingyun said, looking at the sleeping Long Jinhan, letting out a sigh of relief. "His Highness has fallen for a woman."
Below the Demon Lord of the Demon Realm were the five direct subordinate generals: Jingfeng, Jingyun, Dongfang Wuji, Tang Yi, and Zhong Yichuan.
"What!" Tang Yi exclaimed, but immediately looked anxiously at Long Jinhan.
Seeing that he was still motionless, she finally relaxed. "Let's talk outside."
Jingyun nodded. After instructing the people around him to take good care of His Highness, he followed Tang Yi out the door.
"What exactly is going on?" Tang Yi frowned. His Highness actually had someone he fancied while she was on a mission?
Jingyun chuckled. "His Highness fell in love at first sight with the Madam."
"Which faction does she belong to?" Tang Yi stared at him directly.
Jingyun shook his head. "The Madam does not belong to any faction. She is not from the Nine Heavens."
"She's a woman from the lower realm!" Tang Yi found it difficult to accept. "How can she be worthy of His Highness?"
Jingyun looked at her and blinked. "Why are you so agitated? The Madam is an extremely outstanding person."
Tang Yi then realized her失态 (loss of composure). "Ah... I was just too shocked. His Highness, who is so aloof towards women, actually fell in love at first sight with a woman."
Jingyun didn't think much of it and waved his hand, chuckling. "Yes, who would have thought?"
"If there's nothing else, I'll go back and take care of His Highness," he said, turning back into the room.
Tang Yi watched his retreating back, her teeth gradually clenching, her expression turning cold.