Now And Forever

After Yun Gu explained how he lived out his life and was eventually hunted for the Sky Poison Pearl, Xiao Jiantian found it difficult to hide his disdain.

"So... the peak existences on this continent are all causing problems for you, the very man who dedicated his life towards being selfless and helping others?" Xiao Jiantian frowned behind his mask.

"That sums it all too well... but you needn't worry about me. I'm more than capable of defending myself." Yun Gu replied with a reassuring tone. "This Sky Poison Pearl won't ever fall into the wrong hands, not while I still stand."

"... No medical saint should ever be troubled with having to be chased down by rabid dogs. Yun Gu, I will ensure that you can continue your great work safely."

"You possess such mighty strength yet no desire for the Sky Poison Pearl?" Yun Gu suddenly asked.

"I have no use for it." Xiao Jiantian admitted, chuckling. "Besides, you remind me far too much of my old master. I'm afraid he'd wack me with a stick if I tried to rob his look-alike, ahahaha."

It was not long until the three great sects of the Azure Cloud Continent were brought to heel... and in terrifying fashion, at that. The three leaders were all left hanging at the entrance of their respective sects as examples, their bodies ripped beyond recognition.

It was said that whoever chased the Sky Poison Pearl would meet the same fate... deterring many. However, that wasn't enough. Xiao Jiantian called upon his nephew, Xuanyuan Wentian to occupy the Azure Cloud Continent in his name. All three sects submitted under the Sword Master's divine strength and formed a single Mighty Heavenly Sword Region branch. From there, order was brought to the continent.

Meanwhile, Xiao Jiantian was out exploring a certain cliff.

'Such strong attractive force... it truly is an abyss.'

He descended upon the abyss casually, cutting through space until he appeared at its very depth. The moment he stepped foot, his profound energy surged and brought a golden light to the abyss... making all of the devil beasts retreat from him. Keenly observing the place, Xiao Jiantian strolled around until he reached the most alluring part of this abyss.

Eventually, he came upon a section that had thousands of Netherworld Udumbara Flowers in full bloom. These flowers were both sinister and majestic, standing at three meters tall with their almost seductive purplish colour. The sinister part came when these flowers would let out eerie noises of a ghost wailing, crying and laughing.

This effect was multiplied tens of thousands of times, making this part of the abyss unsettling even for Xiao Jiantian.

'They want to be harvested, so it seems.'

Although, before he got to harvesting, the flowers lowered themselves and grew quiet. That was when Xiao Jiantian came to see the master of this place, a little girl that had reminded him of Emilly figure-wise. She had bright silver hair that left quite an impression and her eyes... well, she had four colours. The right was yellow from the top and green at the bottom while the left was blue from the top and purple from the bottom.

'Another Creation God level existence... the Heretic God had two daughters?'

Xiao Jiantian stepped forward to face her... or well, look down. She wasn't all too tall so he bent himself a little to look her in the eyes.

"Must be lonely here, huh..."

Xiao Jiantian's attempt at an icebreaker didn't lead to anything as the girl simply looked at him with an intrigued glow in her eyes.

"Can you speak?" Xiao Jiantian wondered. "If you prefer to be alone, I could always leave... but I want you to meet someone first. I have a feeling you two might know each other."

The girl tilted her head... and Xiao Jiantian raised an eyebrow as a result.

'Can she not speak?'

"You know, she's a lot more talkative than you so I believe you two would mesh pretty well." Xiao Jiantian scratched his hair. "Actually, let me bring her here. I'll only take a moment."

Xiao Jiantian vanished for a brief moment, and as promised, teleported right back with Emilly who... by closer inspection, looked exactly like the mysterious girl except for the colour of their hair and eyes. Upon seeing each other, the two stared on for what seemed like a while before tears fell from their eyes.

"Big brother... why do I feel so sad?" Emilly sniffled, attempting to keep her tears in. She leaned against Xiao Jiantian, embracing him tightly. "Uuuu.... uuuu... UAGHHH!"

"Calm down... will you? Everything will be alright." Xiao Jiantian bent down and pat her head in a reassuring tone. He brought the other girl closer and made them embrace each other afterwards. It seemed as if they did not know each other... yet had strong feelings for each other instinctively.

'Now that I think about it... one's aura is similar to that of a God while the other is likely a Devil. One's existence is that of a soul while the other is the body. Is it possible that they used to be one but were split?'

Putting on his detective glasses (figuratively), Xiao Jiantian started to piece it all together. He weathered out the storm, allowing Emilly to get all her feelings out along with the other girl. Then, seeing as the mysterious girl was still a soul, he decided to give her a body.

Drawing his blood, he gave her his blessing and the gift of a body.

~

'Return to me...'

Xiao Jiantian heard an inviting feminine voice while he dreamt of paradise, followed by a gentle yet tight hold around his chest. As he looked around, he felt everything collapsing onto him... or, rather, becoming one with him.

Before he completely lost himself, he turned and saw her... the most divine beauty of all.

...

'Phew...' Xiao Jiantian instantly opened his eyes and sat up, shaking his head. 'Being sucked in like that was quite frightening. Could she have been the...'

"You're finally awake..." Qianye Ying'er grabbed his hand and observed his body before tightly embracing him. "I was growing worried, you know... no matter what I did, you just didn't wake up."

"It's fine, I was just catching up on some sleep." Xiao Jiantian smiled reassuringly, patting her head. "I wonder... what did you exactly try to 'do' while I was resting?"

"Well... that's not relevant." Qianye Ying'er blushed a little, not giving a proper answer.

"Don't tell me you violated your poor old master while he slept?" Xiao Jiantian shook his head in a playful manner. "My oh my, that's rather-"

"It was nothing like that! I just... looked for ways to wake you up."

"Sure..." Xiao Jiantian chuckled, shrugging his shoulder. "Well, did you give out all the invitations yet?"

"Mn, the envoys settled that long ago. Everything has been prepared long ago... all that is left is for the fateful day to come." Qianye Ying'er let go of Xiao Jiantian and smiled. "Aren't you excited, Tian'er?"

Xiao Jiantian nodded, creating clothes for himself and getting out of bed shortly after.

"What... you look disappointed. Would you have rather seen me dress up in the open?" Xiao Jiantian smiled.

"... Well, as your wife, I will have certain privileges that go beyond that." Qianye Ying'er replied rather confidently.

"Could it be that Ying'er is the real perv around here?" Xiao Jiantian tilted his head innocently. "Goddess has her way with elderly man... sheesh, that sounds-"

"Elderly!?" Qianye Ying'er shook her head, blushing slightly. "Last I heard, you were only a 'youthful and vigorous man'!"

Xiao Jiantian laughed at her expression.

"That, I am."

...

Their day together led to the section of the Brahma Monarch God Realm that had been dedicated solely to guarding Wood Spirits. Shielded by the heavenly talisman that was the Brahma Heaven God Empress herself, their lives couldn't be any safer. They had no worries while the forest that was given to them prospered, its flora and other resources being given as tribute to the Brahma Heaven God Empress rather occasionally.

This bond was forged through goodwill that came with its own benefits, so it seemed. Due to the Brahma Monarch God Realm's wide reach, it was even able to bring together the royal Wood Spirits who were all extraordinarily useful.

"This place... is so serene."

Xiao Jiantian looked around the forest and saw so many happy Wood Spirits just going along their day in the distance. All the flashing lights of bright colourful flowers, grass, trees... it was beautiful and calming to the soul.

"You did well to find them a good home, Ying'er. Wood spirits have always been hunted for their wood spirit orbs... but here, they can finally be at peace." Xiao Jiantian smiled in radiant fashion, patting her head. "I'm proud of you."

"..." Qianye Ying'er glanced to the side, turning a little cheery. "I was simply following your teachings, Tian'er. To protect those who cannot protect themselves..."

'This is the Ying'er that I love...'

"I haven't seen a royal wood spirit before... could you show me to them?"

"Of course." Qianye Ying'er nodded. "They are not far."

...

"... Br- Brahma Heaven God Empress."

Everyone in the rather large village bowed in her presence, showing deep respect for their protector. It seemed as if everything had stopped and started to revolve around the two figures who had strolled inside.

"And you must be..."

"This King is Xiao Jiantian." Xiao Jiantian smiled, taking off his mask in goodwill. "No need to be so formal, we're just visiting. You all may rise."

"Woah..." A rather small boy ran up to him and looked at Xiao Jiantian's face. "The Sword God is so pretty, don't you think, big sister?"

"..." Xiao Jiantian turned to the patriarch who nervously laughed.

"My condenses, Lin'er can be quite a troublesome child. I hope you don't take his free going nature as offensive."

"Hahaha..." Xiao Jiantian laughed, shaking his head. "No, all he did was compliment my appearance. Why would I harbour ill intent from something so simple?"

"I see..." The patriarch smiled as he grabbed the arms of He Lin and He Ling. "Well, these two are my wonderful children; He Lin and He Ling. Due to the kindness of the Brahma Heaven God Empress, we have been able to live lives of peace and even greater freedom. If there is anything that you two might require... please, do not be afraid to ask and we will do our best to provide."

"... Don't worry yourself too much, patriarch. Your tributes are more than enough." Qianye Ying'er spoke in Xiao Jiantian's stead, glancing at the girl at the patriarch's side. 'Someone should keep their mask on...'

"Why don't you show me around the place? Seems quite lively." Xiao Jiantian looked at the patriarch who nodded.

"As you wish, Brahma Heaven God Emperor."

After getting a tour around the large village and meeting most of the villagers, Xiao Jiantian sat down beside one of the trees and relaxed. Qianye Ying'er sat against him, also seeming peaceful.

"Doesn't seeing other people smile and feel joy affect you as well, Ying'er?" Xiao Jiantian wondered. "Especially with these wood spirits, they have a certain energy around them that seems... uplifting."

"I felt that as well." Qianye Ying'er nodded. "They are a kind and gentle people who lack the innate strength to protect themselves. For as long as I stand, they will have my protection... so that their smiles may never fade."

"... They have my beautiful angel's protection." Xiao Jiantian smiled, holding her closer. "No man will tread upon such a sacred place with ill intent, I'm certain."

"Mn..."

~

Eventually, their day led to the holy gravesite of Qianye Ying'er's mother who had been posthumously made the God Empress by Qianye Fantian. Naturally, this gravesite was beyond extravagant and a place that only Qianye Ying'er or those with her permission could look over. The two had cleaned it up and placed new flowers where the old ones rested.

"She was a kind and gentle woman who always had the best intentions of her sweet daughter in mind." Xiao Jiantian sighed, recalling a moment in the past. "You know, right after Qianye Fantian placed you into my hands... she scolded me, the Sword God, for being too cold. The courage of your mother was truly admirable, like a tigress protecting her cub."

Qianye Ying'er chuckled. "She was right, you looked at me like an unwanted child."

"Sounds like a slight exaggeration..."

"... No, you really were like that."

"Maybe I woke up on the wrong side of the bed." Xiao Jiantian shrugged. "You never know..."

"When I realised the truth after your death, I spared no effort to surpass that old dog and have him perish." Qianye Ying'er grasped his hand and rather tightly at that. "But when he fell to ashes beneath my feet... my vengeance was complete and there was nothing left. I was a broken woman with nothing to look forward to and all my disappointment turned to fury against everything else."

"..." Xiao Jiantian turned to her unmasked face that was all too beautiful yet riddled with so many emotions.

"I know that you have forgiven me... but I also know that my acts of the past still linger in the back of your mind." Qianye Ying'er turned to him. "I..."

They faced each other and Xiao Jiantian brought her closer for an embrace.

"Ying'er... it's alright. I won't ever leave you again." Xiao Jiantian promised, pecking her on the cheek.

"I'll make sure you stay on the right path... both as your old master and husband, now and forever."

"... Mn... and I won't fail you ever again." Qianye Ying'er replied, holding Xiao Jiantian more tightly. "Together, we'll bring the Primal Chaos Dimension into its new age of gods."

"What should I call you after this... my Heretic Goddess?" Xiao Jiantian jested.

"We'll have to find a better name..." Qianye Ying'er smiled.

...

'Ever since you died, mother... he has been my pillar. The man who took care of me, taught me how to fight, shielded me from all else... he was the one that made me strong enough to look down on the world.'

'And he is the man that I've dedicated my heart to, now and forever.'

~

The Wedding Day.

"Looking quite handsome, I must say." Xia Qingyue remarked as she fixed his royal red suit and golden hair. "All for Qianye Ying'er... it does make a wife rather envious."

"You want me to share the bed?" Xiao Jiantian jested.

"No, I'll leave you to her." Xia Qingyue shook her head. "This is the night she has been so patiently waiting for. I doubt our lovemaking went unnoticed so there must be plenty of pent-up energy for that envious woman. That is... something you'll have to handle."

'Pent-up energy...'

Xiao Jiantian, at first, raised an eyebrow before replying with a confident smile.

"You know who I am."