Chapter 3: Do Not Leave

Sighing helplessly with a bitter smile, such a plea from the girl was simply impossible to refuse

In the previous years, Zhou Jiajia's feelings had never changed; she was simply too young at that time to pay them any mind. Now, however, the girl has grown into a light beauty, blooming like a delicate flower in the desolate and ruined city of Duancheng, making it impossible for him to ignore her any longer

Throughout her childhood and adolescence, he was always by her side. For Zhou Jiajia, he was more like a substitute for her parents, someone she relied on.

Between us, there is no need for this... is there

Nonsense! The golden vitality of the Third Elder erupted from within, as if the space itself were compressed, causing the plants in the garden behind to sway incessantly under the scattered vitality

Due to her parents' issues, she possesses an exceedingly aloof and indifferent personality. Although she is quite attractive, it is difficult to discern any expression other than coldness on her delicate face.

In occasional circumstances, only Zhou Yi could see that blend of cleverness and playfulness; to express such words now indeed puts her in a difficult position

Brother ... ... your body ... ...

Little Yi is truly pitiable. Grandmother Yun wiped away her tears, moved by this.

Shh... Zhou Yi let out a heavy sigh, and the girl's gaze met his, stirring the softest part of his heart

The young girl moved gracefully, stepping ahead, and in her fair and delicate palm, there appeared a slender sword

In the presence of the books, one could see Zhou Yi's emaciated upper body, from the neck to the abdomen, covered with a multitude of shocking scars, with not a single patch of intact skin visible. There were also several deep gashes that ran straight from top to bottom, clearly indicating fatal wounds.

I cannot cultivate my vital energy ... sometimes I even want to laugh at myself, in this world, perhaps I am the only one left ...

Listen to me, I am not saying I won't come back. Just like last time, you might see me again after a while

"Alright, old man, just watch like this." Grandma Yun stopped the Third Elder from approaching, her old face filled with deep sorrow, "Neither of us can ever replace Yang'er in his position..."

Moreover, the most crucial point is that there is a stunningly beautiful young girl who secretly harbors feelings for me, and this can be completely confirmed. Having lived two lives, if I cannot even discern the thoughts of a young girl, then I might as well not have traversed through time at all

Zhou Jiajia wiped away her tears haphazardly, remaining silent as she quietly gazed at him

I ... ...

... ...

Jiajia, we are no longer children. At sixteen, we will have our coming-of-age ceremony, and since we are both already fifteen, we should start considering the direction of our lives. We can't just keep dragging this on... You wouldn't want to see me just wasting my life away, would you...

Zhou Yang, the father of Zhou Jiajia, the third elder and the son of Grandma Yun, was assigned a mission just after Zhou Jiajia was born, and thereafter he never returned.

It should be about his experiences during those three years away. The third elder's eyelids drooped; although he had seen it before, he could not bear to look again. "In the first year, I secretly protected him for three months, but then the family recalled me, leaving him alone outside. I also do not know what happened."

Just like this, if one does not go out to earn some gold coins, in the future, one won't even be able to find a wife

The young girl did not respond, as golden vitality tightly enveloped her delicate form, but her rosy lips curled upwards, revealing a rare and enchanting smile. Since a gentle approach was ineffective, it was time to take a more forceful stance

Damn it! I silently scolded myself for lacking willpower, as an inexplicable thought arose in my mind just now, a thought that I was reluctant to let go of. With the care of the Third Elder of the Zhou family and Grandma Yun, although I might face some ridicule, no one would dare to bully me.

I said, "Jiajia, your attempts to keep me here, could it be that you have developed feelings for me?"

Zhou Jiajia raised her slender sword, and the golden vitality surged upward, flickering in the night like phosphorescence

Zhou Yi's lips twitched; as a dignified practitioner at the sixth level of body refinement, he was merely one step away from the fusion realm, yet he was actually being bullied by someone who had not even passed the test for the first level of body refinement.

... ...

Taking a deep breath twice, I forcibly suppressed my restless state of mind, no longer indulging in the shy demeanor of the young girl, and walked with heavy steps towards the entrance of the elder's courtyard

At that moment, when Zhou Yi was deep in thought, a pink silhouette appeared before him

He shrugged his shoulders, trying his best to alleviate the somber atmosphere a little

I originally thought that his death would be a form of liberation, yet two years later, he returned. Fate is indeed difficult to grasp

Zhou Yi spoke with complete indifference, treating this humiliation as if it were merely a joke to be mocked.

In the future, you will marry, and I will start a family. Elder San picked me up back then; this is both a kindness and a fate. I, a useless person who cannot even cultivate my vital energy, have become the brother of one of the two talented and beautiful young women of Duan City, which can be considered a lifetime treasure.

"Old man, what happened to Xiao Yi?" Grandma Yun's face was filled with disbelief. Is this the body of a youth? How could the scars on him surpass those of seasoned veterans who have survived multiple battles in the army

Brother

Jiajia

The three elders and Grandma Yun, who had been watching from behind, were taken aback; the two were still conversing when suddenly a fight broke out.

I wanted to persuade her a bit more, but unexpectedly, Zhou Jiajia did not listen at all. The slender sword sliced through the air, creating several shadows of the blade as it rushed forward.

A slight smile, not the kind of signature fake smile one puts on in front of outsiders, but rather a very genuine one

Zhou Yi felt immense sympathy for this additional younger sister. Unlike him, Zhou Jiajia, although exceptionally gifted, had her parents murdered in an incident during their early years, and has been cared for by the Third Elder and Grandma Yun all along

Amidst the sorrow, Elder San forced a smile and said, "It has all passed; my granddaughter has grown up so well. Xiao Yi can be considered half a grandson; at such a young age, he possesses a steadfast mind and quick thinking, making him a rare young talent"

Wow ... ...

Please don't go

Zhou Yi's robe and hair were blown back by the sword wind, while the faint fragrance emanating from the young girl spread nearby, creating a refreshing atmosphere

Only then, there is none...

Standing at the entrance of the courtyard of the Third Elder, my heart was filled with mixed emotions. Having stayed in this place for twelve years, leaving it like this made me uncertain if I would ever return. It was inevitable that I felt a tinge of reluctance.

Although one claims to have comprehended the essence of the force, if one is unable to cultivate vital energy, then one can only linger at this level throughout one's life, finding it difficult to advance even a single step forward

The young girl ceased her attack, tears welling up once again in her beautiful eyes. Her delicate body trembled incessantly, and her heart felt as if it were being pierced by needles, causing immense discomfort. Her voice carried a hint of choking. How could he have suffered such harm? It is hard to imagine what he must have endured during those three years away.

Indeed. Grandma Yun quickly regained her composure; after all, it has been so many years. Xiao Yi has a very good temperament, having accompanied Jia Jia from her babbling stage to nearly adulthood. In my memory, he has never been angry with Jia Jia, nor has he ever raised his voice. He is undoubtedly a gentle older brother, and it is no wonder that Jia Jia likes him so much.

Zhou Jiajia, in a long dress, has her graceful and delicate figure accentuated. Her waist-length hair shines black and bright under the bright moonlight, and her exquisite, youthful face, though still somewhat innocent, is incredibly captivating

Sometimes I cannot even fathom what kind of misdeeds I committed in my past life that now prevent me from gathering my vitality

This shy appearance was instantly etched in Zhou Yi's mind, lingering for a long time; the longer he stayed, the more reluctant he would be to leave

Uh... I said, Jiajia, how can you even have the face to...

A playful and mischievous laugh completely shattered the dull and bitter atmosphere. Upon hearing this, the young girl immediately felt her cheeks flush, and a hint of shyness appeared on her charming face

... ...

Zhou Jiajia, in a state of panic, lowered her head to look at her toes, her tender red face appearing vividly beautiful

In the young girl's beautiful eyes, glimmers of tears have already appeared, transforming into two streams of clear tears that flow down her fair and delicate face, just as two shooting stars illuminate the night sky

"Defeat me, and I will let you go"

Faced with Zhou Jiajia's attack, Zhou Yi did not evade. In just a few moments, his long robe was reduced to tattered pieces, scattering in the air and falling to the ground. His upper body was exposed, bare under the watery moonlight, revealing him before several people.

The young girl slightly parted her crimson lips, intending to say something but stopping herself halfway, her beautiful face blushing with a hint of embarrassment in the night.

Originally, Zhou Jiajia was merely feeling a bit indignant and wanted to vent her inner dissatisfaction; she never anticipated encountering such a scene