"Teacher, I finally learned how to fold a flower!"

"Really? Let me see."

"Here!"

Xu Xi took the yellowed paper flower handed to him by the girl.

The edges were slightly crumpled, and the inside showed multiple creases, giving it a somewhat comical appearance. But overall, the outline of a "flower" could be discerned.

"Very good, Yingxue."

Xu Xi praised, encouraging the girl, "You've made great progress. I'm sure it won't be long before you can fold something even more vivid."

The princess stood with her hands on her hips.

Her body leaned back.

Her head tilted upward.

Her tone was overflowing with self-satisfaction, "I'm so smart, and with your teaching, isn't that only natural~~"

As she spoke, a spark of inspiration flashed in Wu Yingxue's eyes.

"Teacher, can I learn something else?"

"Something else?"

"Yes, folding flowers is too easy. I want to learn other types of origami."

"Is that so? I understand."

Looking at the enthusiastic princess, Xu Xi smiled gently and glanced down at the battle report in his hand. Demons from the vast mountains were stirring, constantly harassing the rear of the Qiuhuo Army.

...

"Teacher, will we win?"

"We will win."

"But I don't have much confidence..."

"Don't believe in yourself?"

"Mm..."

"Then try believing in me, the one who always believes in you."

The Qiuhuo Army was fully prepared.

Ahead lay the Great Qian, behind them the vast mountains.

After learning the truth about the Azure Dragon's abductions, Xu Xi silently planned everything, seeking a way out for the people of the Qiuhuo Army, or rather, a path to true freedom.

The journey was perilous and rugged.

Almost nonexistent.

To truly break free, one could only carve a path with their own hands.

The goal was so difficult that even the usually confident princess fell into a silent confusion.

But—

It's okay, nothing matters.

A figure stood at the forefront, leading the way, guiding Wu Yingxue forward and accompanying her on the journey.

...

"Teacher, I... want to stay here with you."

That figure could no longer move.

Like burnt-out ash, all color faded, leaving only silent pallor and an intense stillness.

Sitting alone at the base of a withered tree.

Smiling gently, watching Wu Yingxue.

The smile was weary, lips pale and cracked, eyes gradually unfocused, like a wilting flower about to wither.

Wu Yingxue didn't want to leave.

But she was refused.

"Yingxue, everyone is still waiting for you."

Starlight fell on the man's weakened face, and he shook his head, refusing the princess's request to stay.

With the last of his strength.

He trembled as he extended his hand, pushing the girl's back.

He pushed her.

Pushed her toward the path he had carved with his own hands.

It was the path of survival, forged by the departed, for the living.

"Yingxue."

"The road ahead is still long."

The man paused, his breathing growing ever fainter in the quiet night, his voice dry like stones rubbing together, "Go on, keep moving forward, everyone is waiting for you."

...

"Surround it!"

"Quick, surround it!!"

In the Martial Realm.

The people seeking survival quickly encircled the Azure Dragon Demon God.

The Azure Dragon was terrifyingly huge, its body covered in layers of hard azure scales, each comparable to a grown man, shimmering with a deep, eerie light.

The dragon's body swam through the clouds.

Like a winding staircase to the heavens.

Spanning across storms and lightning.

It had a fierce expression, its deformed dragon horns hard enough to pierce the sky, and its cold eyes swept over the army below seeking survival, and Wu Yingxue at the forefront.

"Interesting, truly interesting."

"The fleeing creatures have actually come to seek me out."

"Could it be they know I am hungry?"

"Hahaha, hahahahaha!!"

The dragon's roar echoed across the heavens and earth, filled with ultimate malice towards the human race.

Livestock.

Food.

That was the Azure Dragon's designation for humans.

Nothing more, nothing less.

"Boom!!!" On the ground, a crimson spear light flickered, held by Wu Yingxue, who was covered in blood.

She bore an indescribable immense pressure.

Staggering, she half-knelt on the ground.

Her left hand covered her eye, with extremely bright red blood flowing through the fingers, while her right hand gripped the long spear, using its shaft for support to remain standing.

Her qi and blood surged continuously, enhanced by forbidden techniques.

She leapt to the same level as the Azure Dragon, the realm of the other shore.

"Is it really that funny..."

"Is such a thing really that funny!!"

The spear left the ground.

A crimson shadow soared to the sky.

Her fury transformed into real flames, burning red-hot, piercing the universe, igniting all in its path under the terrified gaze of the evil dragon.

It was a flame that incinerated everything.

Both seeking life and facing death.

"What's wrong, Yingxue, did you have a nightmare?"

Earth, Yanshan City.

A courtyard in the afternoon.

Wu Yingxue awoke from her slumber.

The light and shadow in the courtyard changed with the sun's position, presenting different angles and arrangements.

Sometimes golden and bright.

Sometimes cool and dim.

Wu Yingxue lay on a wicker chair in the corner.

Upon waking, her mind was still a bit hazy, but the familiar voice by her ear quickly brought her back to her senses.

"I remembered a few things, sir..."

The princess sat up from the wicker chair.

She found a thin blanket covering her.

Without needing to ask, the princess knew who had done it.

Without removing the blanket, Wu Yingxue wrapped it tighter around herself, curling up inside like a caterpillar, leaning against Xu Xi's shoulder.

"Are you alright, Yingxue?"

"Of course not~~"

Hearing the slightly cheerful answer, Xu Xi finally felt relieved.

Sunlight poured into the courtyard, sparkling like countless golden threads hanging from the sky.

But due to the shade of the canopy above.

The heat did not descend upon the two.

"Ah~~~"

Wu Yingxue yawned, resting her sleepy head on Xu Xi's shoulder: "I don't know why, but I feel like sleeping when I'm next to you."

"Blame me?"

"Hehe, I didn't say that, you did."

The princess blinked.

Showing a very innocent look.

So Xu Xi gently flicked her forehead.

"It hurts..."

The princess behaved.

"Yingxue, have you thought about the wedding?"

"Um... sir, I think having just one isn't enough."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because everyone likes different styles."

Feeling the warmth of the person beside her, Wu Yingxue instinctively leaned closer and explained her reasoning to Xu Xi.

For example, the witch and the hero both preferred white wedding dresses, while the princess herself liked traditional red bridal attire.

Different styles of wedding dresses.

If placed in the same wedding, they would inevitably clash, appearing mismatched.

"This is indeed a problem..." Xu Xi frowned, lost in thought.

Just then.

The wind rustled through the treetops, making the leaves whisper. Wu Yingxue suddenly tossed aside the thin blanket covering her and stealthily leaned close to Xu Xi's ear:

"Sir, I actually have a way to solve this."

"What?"

"You and I could elope, then we wouldn't have to worry about anyone else~~"

Wu Yingxue blew a breath forward.

That breath swirled around, making the strands of hair by Xu Xi's ear flutter.