Opportunities (III)

Watching Gu Ling's battered state, Long Yu couldn't stop a smile of satisfaction from spreading across his face.

'I really hope she's learned her lesson now... Getting all those sects involved was quite the hassle.' He thought, letting out a silent sigh.

After all, everything was part of his plan for him to make the appearance of the "hero" that saves the damsel in distress.

Honestly, he does not have any interest in Gu Ling, but now that he himself needs to steal luck points, he needs somewhere to start from.

So, who better than Gu Ling herself?

With that thought, Long Yu disguised himself and attracted the sects to the Divine Sword Sect, saying how many opportunities they caught, etc.

The leaders of each sect quickly became interested and wanted to get a piece of those treasures, so, without hesitation, they searched for the Divine Sword Sect and attacked them directly.

And that caused everything that Gu Ling passed through, just so Long Yu could enter and make his appearance.

"Here. Take some healing pills." Long Yu offered nonchalantly, settling down beside her.

He then uncorked a bottle of wine, taking a leisurely sip.

"Ah~, this tastes so good." He murmured, almost completely ignoring Gu Ling.

Gu Ling accepted the pills, swallowing them quickly. Her wounds began to mend, but the sight of where her leg used to be made her lips quiver.

To fully recover, she'd need something as powerful as a body reconstruction pill or a 6th-grade pill, both incredibly expensive and rare.

"May I... have a sip?" She hesitantly asked, seeking solace in the possibility of numbing her senses, if only to forget the pain of her lost leg for a while.

Hearing her words, Long Yu turned his gaze towards her. He let out a sigh, more out of contemplation than frustration.

"Nope. This is all mine." He said, shaking his head with a gentle smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

He paused, looking off into the distance, as if gathering his thoughts.

"You know, losing a leg... it's not the end of the world. After all, you could have lost something far more precious—your life."

His eyes met hers, and she couldn't help but blush.

Deep inside, she knew how handsome Long Yu was, and even if she maintained her cold persona, she knew that one day it would break.

However, Long Yu ignored her expression and continued, taking a sip of his delicious wine.

"Life, you see, is about more than just what we can hold onto physically. It's about the battles we face, the lessons we learn, and how we choose to grow from them. Losing something, even something as significant as a leg, isn't what defines you. It's what you do after that loss, how you adapt, and how you continue to find meaning and purpose. That is what truly matters."

He leaned back, taking another sip of his wine, his gaze still locked with hers.

"Besides, there's a whole world of opportunities out there, maybe even hidden within this very secret realm. You just need to have the courage to seek them out. And given your luck... I believe you might just be the one to find them." His faint smile lingered as he gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her eyes—a surprisingly tender gesture from him.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

The moment his hand touched her, her heart skipped a beat, then began to pound fiercely.

His smile, that soft touch, it disarmed her, leaving her conflicted and unable to retreat into the safety of her reservations.

In that moment, she realized her heart wasn't following her commands.

It was as if it knew something she didn't, or perhaps, it simply yearned for a hope she was too afraid to acknowledge.

"If you can uncover those opportunities, not just your leg, but your very cultivation could reach new heights." He said with a faint chuckle.

".........."

Gu Ling felt a whirl of emotions as she listened to Long Yu's words, her heart pounding against her chest as if trying to escape.

The pain from her lost leg, the confusion, and now this unexpected flutter of feelings towards Long Yu—it was all too much, yet strangely comforting.

She looked away, trying to hide the blush that warmed her cheeks and the glimmer of hope that sparked in her eyes.

It was hard to admit, even to herself, that his words reached a part of her she thought was numb from all the battles, both physical and emotional, she had endured.

"Thank you," she whispered softly.

Her eyes locked with his, as she said with a weirdly friendly and determined tone.

"I will find those opportunities," she declared, the hint of a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. 

As Long Yu heard her words, the faint smile on his lips grew into a grin.

"That's the spirit." He nodded in approval.

'You need to grow Gu Ling. You really need...'

'And at the moment that you're fully sprouted...'

'I'll devour you entirely.'

With that same grin, Long Yu stood up as he stretched his arms. His bloodied whie robes swayed as he did so.

"Let's go then..." He spoke with a smile.

"Huh...?" Gu Ling tilted her head in confusion.

"To find those opportunities, that is." He smiled, giving him his hand to lift her up.

Gu Ling's heart fluttered at his words, and before she knew it, Long Yu's hand embraced her into a princess position.

She looked up, seeing his handsome face, and a small smile tugged at his lips. Her eyes closed slowly, feeling more secure than ever.

Long Yu jumped into his spiritual sword and transferred Qi into it, flying in the sky, hoping to find that "opportunity".

Well...

He was obviously kidding.

He already knew where Gu Ling's opportunity was, and he was directly bringing her into it.

They flew for a few hours, and Gu Ling calmly slept in his embrace. However, her eyes suddenly snapped open as she felt an otherworldly aura reach out to her.

"W-woah..." Her mouth opened in shock.

In front of her, a glorious building with exquisite decorations that seemed to be made of insanely expensive materials could be seen.

And at that same moment, she heard Long Yu's voice...

"Enter it. It's your opportunity." He smiled.

"!!!"

Thump!

His words directly reached out to her heart, and at that moment, Gu Ling immediately figured out her feelings.

Her cheeks flushed with warmth, and she hesitantly stood, leaning on her sword for support, no longer in his embrace.

"I'll be here waiting." Long Yu smiled.

And that was the limit for her.

Thud!

Clang...

Overwhelmed by emotions she had tried so hard to understand, she fell into his arms, their lips meeting softly.

Her sword slipped from her grasp, clattering to the ground.

As their lips parted away, tears streaked down her cheeks, her eyes fluttering with a mix of emotions.

"I'll... be back."

She quickly picked up her sword from the ground and walked into the magnificent structure.

"........"

Long Yu remained silent for a moment after she left.

'Perfect...'