Looming Shadow

"You have to return to Blue Pole Star and forget about my existence." Yue Wuya turned to Yue Wugou with great difficulty, though his words were cold as ice.

"Why the sudden change?"

"A greater power has given me a command I could not reject. As for your wounds, you won't need my resources to sustain your life any longer... Xiao Jiantian is a far more capable medical expert than anyone alive. You'll be perfectly safe in the hands of your true family..."

"... But-"

"Take your belongings and go! Don't make this any more difficult for me." Yue Wugou sighed, recalling how he fell in love with her. She was meant to be his Moon God Empress... until... she fell into Blue Pole Star and returned to him having laid with another man. "I will have someone reliable escort you just in case."

Yue Wugou was speechless but she could not deny the will of the Moon God Emperor. If he wanted her gone, she'd be gone.

~

Xiao Jiantian stood in a dark void covered in corpses and blood. The sky was blood-red, illuminating a strange darkness over the land below it. In his hand, he held his sword which was covered in ferocious lightning... when he turned to the scene ahead of him, his heart sank.

Qianye Ying'er stood over Feng Xue'er's corpse as she lifted Xia QIngyue by the neck and...

Slash.

She pierced her chest, the flames of her sword turning Xia Qingyue's figure to ashes.

Enraged, his lightning turned pitch black as he dashed towards Qianye Ying'er and attacked her. She did not move... taking his sword to the chest. His azure eyes narrowed as he grabbed Qianye Ying'er before she could fall.

In her eyes were so many emotions...

"Tian'er... if I can't have you... then no one can...!"

He looked down, realising that he had been stabbed by her too. He did not resist... falling to the ground with Qianye Ying'er.

...

"No...!" Xiao Jiantian got up in the middle of the night, his entire body showered in sweat. He took several quick breaths, looking at the scene around him. Xia Qingyue was peacefully sleeping to his side... which certainly calmed him down quite a bit.

'It was... just a nightmare...'

Trying to go back to sleep after that was difficult... but he managed it.

~

The following morning.

While Xiao Jiantian was resting on a tree, drinking some orange juice, the Eternal Heaven Pearl blinked and the voice of an annoying woman came up.

"Hahaha... that was quite the show last night. To see the mighty Xuanyuan Jiantian stoop so low-"

"Finish that sentence and I will disown you." Xiao Jiantian stated rather coldly, not really in the mood to entertain Eternal Heaven's Great Ancestor. After a long silence, he breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank everything that's good in this world..."

He got up and left his palace, deciding to take Feng Xue'er shopping. Although he could very well use the Law of Nothingness, easily buying expensive things felt far more rewarding. When they strolled inside of the Black Moon Merchant Guild's headquarters, Xiao Jiantian stole the show. He was the so-called owner of the Black Moon Merchant Guild, the Divine Sword Master and the reincarnation of the mythical Xuanyuan Jiantian. That being said, everyone made space for him.

"Anything you want here is yours... Xue'er."

"Alright, say no more, hehe."

After picking up everything that caught her eye, Xiao Jiantian swiped his card and didn't even glance at the price. Feng Xue'er peacefully skipped the way to his palace, humming to herself in a sweet voice. Xiao Jiantian was behind several steps, chuckling a little.

"Damn, you're moving like a speed demon... slow down."

When she turned to face him, he surprised her with a bouquet of roses.

"Oh... are those for me?"

"Mn... of course." Xiao Jiantian nodded. 'I never understood why women liked flowers so much... but gifting them always works better than almost anything else.'

She grasped the bouquet of roses and took a deep breath, taking in their wonderous smell. Afterwards, she cheerfully smiled as she looked at Xiao Jiantian.

"How would I reward my dearest husband for such a wonderful pair of flowers?"

Xiao Jiantian looked at her expression, noticing the 'bed' eyes which made him frown. "Don't get too ahead of yourself, Xue'er. You're in the body of a child... go play with your dolls or something."

"Wow... mentally, I'm over a hundred years old, you know, hmph!"

"Patience goes a long way." Xiao Jiantian replied, laughing a little. "I don't want that Feng Hengkong thinking I'm a nonce."

"Fine... have it your way."

Xiao Jiantian imagined himself as a fourteen-year-old smashing mature goddesses for a brief moment. 'Okay... it's not thaaaat bad the other way around. But men are just built differently.'

~

He cooked lunch for himself... though, when he went over to place his plate onto the table, a golden-haired figure crossed his mind and the plate slipped from his hand and crashed against the ground.

'Fuck's sake...'

Afterwards, Xiao Jiantian went for some basketball practice to calm his mind. Every time he threw up the ball, he realised that his concentration was desperately lacking. Every shot that was easy for him before seemed absurdly difficult. Even a simple layup right under the rim... he missed. His frustration grew to the point where he was just throwing it up without any coordination or concentration in the slightest.

"Today... just isn't my day." He sighed, sitting down on the court. "Even Qingyue would beat me like this..."

"I beg your pardon?"

Xiao Jiantian looked around to see Xia Qingyue spectating him. He helplessly laughed, knowing that she had heard what he said. "What... you're not too great at basketball, are you?"

"Well, from what I've seen today, you're not too great yourself. Pass me the ball."

"Sounds like you've been practising." Xiao Jiantian bounced it onto the ground in Xia Qingyue's direction. She grabbed it and swished a three-pointer.

Surprised, Xiao Jiantian got to his feet. "Damn... not bad. Not bad at all."

"I know it's hard but you should get over what happened in the God Realm." Xia Qingyue spoke softly, in a comforting tone. "Whether you want to forgive her or erase her from your memory completely... you should choose soon. The quicker the better. It's not healthy if you stay in between those two options..."

"..." Xiao Jiantian sighed indecisively. He couldn't forget her completely but neither could he accept the person Ying'er had become... it was far too difficult. "I sense a Divine Tribulation Realm profound practitioner... so, the Moon God Emperor kept his word."

"... Mother?"

"It seems so... go on, it's your reunion." Xiao Jiantian softly nudged her forward. "I'll be fine."

"... Alright." Xia QIngyue nodded and made her way to the Xia Clan's main estate. That's right... main. Under Heavenly Lady Xia, the Xia Clan had experienced great growth along with the Floating Cloud City. In the end, it wasn't just the Xiao Clan that was on top of the world.

There, she found her father, Xia Hongyi in tears as he embraced the woman he had loved and married all those years ago. Yue Wugou's case was very strange... she loved Yue Wuya and Xia Hongyi yet she had settled with Yue Wuya who was more than powerful enough to crush Blue Pole Star if he wanted. Naturally, she didn't want to bring calamity to the man who had taken care of her while she was weak.

After seeing Xia Hongyi in person again, Yue Wugou didn't resist. He... was the first person she came to. After being so coldly thrown out by Yue Wuya, the regret of leaving him lessened. Then when Xia Yuanba and Xia Qingyue joined their embrace, turning it into a group hug... it was all too precious.

Xiao Jiantian, in his invisible state, smiled.

Suddenly, he wished that he had parents of his own... but they were both dead.

Not long after, he left the scene and flew into the sky. He did not teleport... instead, he enjoyed the breeze as he flew past the Profound Sky Continent and towards the Illusory Demon Realm. He recalled how he had embarrassed himself in front of Huan Caiyi earlier... and the thought lingered for a while.

'I let everything go... damn it. I hate myself sometimes.'

He descended onto the entrance of her palace. The guards glanced at him and bowed in his presence, knowing full well who he was. He entered and looked for Huan Caiyi... and it was not long until he found her. When he sensed her aura beyond the door, he stopped himself.

He felt conflicted... recalling her confession earlier.

'Was it real? Or just a spur of the moment thing to calm me down...?' He wondered, not being able to recall the event with perfect clarity. In fact, it was all a blur to him. After a short while, he just said fuck it and entered.

"I'm... feeling hungry." Xiao Jiantian stated all of a sudden.

"Is that the first thing you say when you see me, hmph?"

"It's a maid's duty to obey her master's wishes." Xiao Jiantian stated simply, in a lecture-like manner.

"So... what do you want, my great master?"

"Something nice and light..." Xiao Jiantian glanced at Huan Caiyi's figure, realising that his statement could be implying other things. "I meant as in food-"

"The fact that you had to clarify means that you were thinking something else... pervert."

"Pervert? I've abstained from sex for over a year." Xiao Jiantian denied, shaking his head.

"It was a miracle..." Huan Caiyi chuckled. "Nevermind that... I'm glad to see that you're no longer a complete wreck."

"... Haha... forget any of that happened for me, okay?"

"No, I'll remember it forever. Hmph, you actually tried to violate this empress on her own bed..."

"I... was just teasing you, that's all. You're not up to my standard anyway." Xiao Jiantian shrugged, winking his left eye playfully.

"And look where your high standards got you..." Huan Caiyi sighed, looking away from his azure eyes.

"..."

Xiao Jiantian cupped her chin with his left arm, making her look at him. Suddenly, his expression grew serious. "Caiyi... I... honestly wouldn't have come back here if I didn't care about you..."

"Despite crumbling like a shattered mirror, you stood by my side..."

"You didn't run away, you didn't kick me out... you listened to me ramble... and tried to make me feel better..."

"If you hadn't done that... I might've lost myself." He delicately kissed her on the forehead. "Thank you... Caiyi."

"I'm truly sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable... I wasn't in the right mi-"

"It's okay." Huan Caiyi embraced him, her two simple yet sweet words comforting him and removing one of the dark clouds in his mind.

"What you said before... about being a failure? You're the opposite of that... you've accomplished so many good things in so little time... if you're a failure... then what is everyone else!?"

"..." Xiao Jiantian was speechless for a moment.

"If your Master saw you now, he would be crying... yes, but they would absolutely not be tears of disappointment! They would be tears of joy... this empress is one-hundred-per cent sure of it!"

"Joy...?"

"Sure, you're always confident and going on about "this King" this and "this King" that... but, no matter what, you always stayed true to your true self! You don't have to be a saint... Jiantian... just be yourself and you'll be perfectly fine. Because the man behind your mask... has a kind heart! This is true no matter how much you try to deny it!"

"..."

"If you weren't... would you deal with Duke Ming despite having no true reason to? Would you allow me to enter the Golden Crow Lightning Flame Valley with you? Would you care about giving me a chance at the complete Golden Crow inheritance? Would you heal all those people in the Profound Sky Continent with your light profound energy?"

"Would you willingly share the pleasures of your life with me... if you weren't kind? I was just your maid... but you treated me like I was something far more..."

"I... this empress... felt more at home with you than anywhere else in the Illusory Demon Realm!"

"Caiyi..."

"You hopeless romantic... I can't believe I fell in love with you..." Huan Caiyi smiled as she engraved her head into his well-defined chest. "After those two years pass... don't forget about me, alright?"

"What would there to be forget... if we stay together?" Xiao Jiantian asked as he pressed his lips against her own. After a fair bit of smooching, he backed away.

"What's wrong... am I not comparable to your wife?" Huan Caiyi asked, her cheeks slightly red. "Would she not approve?"

"Qingyue isn't like that... she lets me do what I want."

"Then... could the great Xiao Jiantian be shy?-"

"I'll show you shy..." Xiao Jiantian pushed her onto her own bed. "A true warrior never shies away from a challenge."

"Then show me what you can do... warrior-... mn"

~This Author's first written lemon incoming~

She helplessly released a moan as Xiao Jiantian softly bit her tongue. His head moved downwards slightly as he began to kiss her neck.

"I think... my pretty maid needs a reward for all her hard work... don't you agree?" He whispered in a seductive tone.

As Huan Caiyi opened her eyes and looked up at the domineering shadow of Xiao Jiantian, she couldn't help but turn red. His azure eyes almost stole her soul as they looked into each other for a brief moment.

She grabbed his golden hair and moved his head back down. She did not speak... but her eyes clearly said 'I want more'.

Knowing this Xiao Jiantian began working his way down. It wasn't long until both parties were fully naked and breathing heavily... with lust.

"Jiantian... give me your sword..."

"Is that you're way of talking dirty to me?" Xiao Jiantian chuckled slightly, smiling as he did so. "I mean... I am the Sword God..."

"You-"

Just as she was about to reply, he surprised her with his majestic 'sword'. For the first time... he didn't go deep but it was more than enough to daze Huan Caiyi for several breaths. After all, no true swordsman reveals their final form at the beginning of a battle!

'Is she... ok? Is my... divine body doing too much?'

He looked at her eyes, almost imagining hearts appearing on them.

"Don't hold... back... I want all of you... Jiantian."

Hearing that, Xiao Jiantian smirked. "I was never one to disappoint my woman..."

Xiao Jiantian pushed forward, his little brother going all the way inside of Huan Caiyi.

"Ahh~"

She moaned out of pure pleasure, feeling his strands of yang 'nourishment' start to fill her body. Before he continued, Xiao Jiantian lowered his head and french kissed Huan Caiyi. Their lips engaged in a clash until Xiao Jiantian grabbed hold of her tongue, retracted his sword and shoved it deep inside of her once again at the perfect pace.

"The Sword God... is a worthy title." Once Xiao Jiantian moved back, Huan Caiyi breathed rather heavily, her black eyes shining with uncontrollable lust.

Eventually, she flipped him over and prepared herself to ride him on top.

"You sure... you can do that?" Xiao Jiantian had his doubts, looking at her petite figure.

"I'll show you the... prowess of a demon empress...!"

"Woa...h-"

Xiao Jiantian opened his mouth wide in shock, his eyes widening as he felt something he hadn't felt ever before. The first time she took the full length of his 'sword' in that position... it was like heaven.

But... that wasn't the end of it.

No... not at all, far from it!

Huan Caiyi showed her true colours as she gained confidence, riding up and down the whole length of his 'sword' at a faster pace each time she rose...

'Slow... slow down-'

"He... heaven..."

"Ahh~"

They both climaxed at the exact time, letting out a passionate orgasm each.

She let go, resting her head on his chest. Her heavy breath made him feel warmer as he calmed down his emotions. She closed her eyes, smiling somewhat devilishly. "Recover swiftly... because I want another round!"

"..." Xiao Jiantian playfully chuckled, caressing her black hair. "I didn't think you'd turn out like this... it's a rather pleasant surprise, though."

"Hmph... you're more masterful than I thought you'd be..."

"What can I say? Practice makes perfect.~"

~

When Xiao Jiantian returned to the Profound Sky Continent, his general appearance seemed... rough around the edges. He noticed Xia Qingyue sitting in his garden, observing the darkening sky. Naturally, he approached his wife.

'That Little Demon Empress... is worthy of being called a demon...'

"So, you finally returned... and I sense the 'aura' of another woman around you." Xia Qingyue stated, her eyes observing his figure. "Your golden hair looks wilder than usual too."

"Uh...-"

"Wherever you went, you certainly seemed to enjoy yourself. That's... fine. Under one condition, of course."

"And that is?-"

Xia Qingyue went to his side, moving her hand across his 'sacred' region. "Naturally, as your wife... I should have some fun too."

'I'm sleeping into the day tomorrow...'

"You know, it's so hard to restrain myself around you..." Xia Qingyue stated as she observed his face. "Where did that golden hair come from anyway? Not that I mind, it's radiant... and fits my King nicely..."

"It was a profound art I picked up... heh, with it, I've completed the delinquent package."

"That is fitting of you too."

"Wow..."

"You said it, not me." Xia Qingyue giggled as she withdrew something from her spatial ring. It was a necklace very similar to hers, though its core was a golden sun with a sword at its centre. She slowly put it on him before patting his shoulders with a satisfied expression. "... Now we're matching, my sun and stars."

"... It's..." Xiao Jiantian held the sword-pierced sun in his palm before tightening his grip around it. "Beautiful."

"Only the best for the love of my life." Xia Qingyue smiled, her expression capable of lighting the darkest of skies.

"I can't... appreciate you enough." Xiao Jiantian embraced her tightly.

"I... should be the one saying that." Xia Qingyue replied softly before leaving his embrace.

"Last night you had a valid excuse... but since you came home to me in such a state today, you should be raring to go... isn't that right?"

"Ahaha~" Xiao Jiantian chuckled. "Naturally."

~

High above and in her invisible state, Qianye Ying'er had observed Xiao Jiantian's day with great difficulty. Instead of giving him the world, she became the very shadow that loomed over his head and made things difficult for him throughout the day.

She saw how the other women around him gave him happiness... something that she had almost taken away from him. Disappointed and disgusted with herself, she glanced at the Xia Clan's estate where Yue Wugou... now Xia Dongxue resided. She recalled the Moon God Emperor's words... and realised that he might have been right.

Perhaps... to regain Xiao Jiantian's approval, she had to seek forgiveness.

Perhaps... she had to let go of her envy slightly and coexist with the other precious people in his life.

Perhaps... she had to change her ways and become the righteous person he had intended her to be.

Coming to all these conclusions, Qianye Ying'er gave in. Xiao Jiantian was her world... no price was too small for him.

However, if she came to him now, it would feel underserved. She decided to give herself time to improve before she could confront him and Xia Qingyue's family.

'Master... Tian'er... I won't lose you...'