Memories of past are back

Naihua, with a final glance over her shoulder, summoned the arcane energies required for her departure. In a whisper of magic, she disappeared from sight, leaving nothing but the faintest trace of her presence behind. Hou Mingyue, silent and contemplative, remained prone upon the earth, his eyes closing in resignation or perhaps acceptance.

"Cheng Honglian, is that truly you?" he murmured to the empty air, a note of longing in his voice. "It's been an age since I've sensed your presence." A pause, heavy with emotion. "You don't recall our shared past, do you? Destiny has intertwined our paths once more, yet this time, I shall not err as I did before. I refuse to witness your demise again."

His breaths came deep and steady, a single tear betraying the stoicism of his expression.