freenovelworld Chapter 214
Chapter 214
Nalan Jingwen, holding the little fox in her arms, stood still and calmly watched the group of women appear before her. The women in front of her all had white hair and youthful faces; apart from their silver hair, their ages were impossible to discern. Behind them stood a dozen or so black-haired women who bowed respectfully.
"Guardian of the Nether Dragon, you're back?! Is there news of the Lord?"
The leading elder's eyes lit up when he saw Xue Qingheng, and he looked excited. He hurriedly stepped forward and looked at him expectantly.
Xue Qingheng nodded without saying a word, only silently looking at Nalan Jingwen.
Everyone followed his gaze and looked over. The elders at the head of the group saw Nalan Jingwen and their pupils shrank. They stared blankly at that incredibly familiar face, their eyes moist and their lips trembling, but no sound came out.
Nalan Jingwen remained indifferent, his dark eyes revealing no emotion as he calmly gazed at them.
His gaze swept across each of their faces, and everyone stared intently at her, their eyes slightly red, swirling with emotions—excitement, shock, longing, and countless other feelings intertwined. All they could see was the woman in red before them.
Nalan Jing looked at them and spoke calmly, his voice deep and resonant, as if old friends who had been separated for thousands of years were finally reunited.
"Starry Night, how have you been?"
The silver-haired woman at the front looked at her with tears in her eyes, but when she called out her name, the tears in her eyes finally rolled down her cheeks.
Xingxiu slowly knelt down, bent his back, and performed the most devout and respectful salute to the woman in red, his voice trembling slightly.
"Star Constellation, welcome back, my lord!"
In an instant, everyone behind him knelt down with a thunderous roar, their voices echoing through the sky, and they could not calm down for a long time.
Everyone welcomed her return with the utmost reverence.
Xue Qingheng stood behind her, gazing at her slender yet powerful figure, enveloped in a sacred halo. His thoughts overlapped with those of the figure from a thousand years ago; she stood there, so unreal.
She is their goddess, and also his.
Nalan Jingwen said calmly, "Get up."
Xingxiu stood up, and the person behind her also stood up. She took two steps forward, but dared not get too close to her, her eyes glued to Nalan Jingwen's face.
Nalan Jingwen's cold and hard face softened. He reached out and wiped the moisture from her cheek, saying, "How come after hundreds of years, you still cry so easily?"
Xingxiu didn't dare to reach out, but instead rubbed her cheek against her palm, feeling the warmth of her hand, and said with red eyes and a sob, "My lady, Xingxiu misses you so much."
Nalan Jingwen's lips curved into a faint smile, making her look incredibly gentle, like the warm sunshine of early morning, leaving everyone present stunned for a moment.
"If the people below saw you like this, they would say that you, the Grand Elder, are not steady enough and cannot shoulder great responsibilities."
Xingxiu gently shook his head and finally took her hand.
“Xingxiu is your person, and only you can make decisions. No one dares to say anything. If anyone does, it means that Xingxiu has failed in his duties and has failed your cultivation and trust.”
Nalan Jing looked at her red eyes and remained silent.
She found Xingxiu in the mountains and forests of the mortal world. Her true form was a rabbit. When they first met, she was almost eaten by the king of the forest lion. It was fate that they met. The little rabbit, who was about to be caught, happened to bump into her feet and was saved by her. From then on, she recognized her and followed her by her side, naming her Xingxiu, until she helped her cultivate into human form and become her right-hand woman.
Even though she later picked up many more living beings, all of whom cultivated into human form and followed her, Xingxiu was always the most special one and the one who stayed by her side the longest.
The little rabbit always looks weak and pitiful, yet she is prone to crying and easily wronged. However, when it comes to her own affairs, she refuses to back down at all and vows to protect her by her side. In that great battle years ago, she almost lost her life for her and died in that battle.
Nalan Jingwen's previously fragmented memories began to piece together upon seeing the people before her, and scene after scene appeared in her mind. Although she couldn't recall them all, it was only a matter of time.
Now, she was certain that she was the Jing that Xue Qingheng had mentioned.
And Jing is her.
Nalan Jingwen shifted his gaze from Xingxiu's face and looked at everyone behind her.
They all looked at her expectantly, their eyes filled with longing and admiration, but she was the only one.
They were all people who had been by her side for a long time, and had devoted themselves to protecting the divine realm for her for hundreds of years since she entered the cycle of reincarnation.
"Thank you all for your hard work over the years."
"We will wait, without regret."
Look, they have followed her for nearly a thousand years, and they know best her unspoken words.
Nalan Jingwen nodded and looked at the people in front of him.
"Bai Xi, Qian Yin, Nan Heng, are you all well?"
The women whose names were called looked excited, but tried their best to remain calm. "Everything is fine, thank you for your concern, sir."
Nalan Jingwen hummed in response, then turned to look at Xue Qingheng, whose red robes fluttered, appearing both real and illusory.
"Nether Dragon".
Xue Qingheng stared at her indifferent eyes, slightly taken aback, then lowered his eyes, bowed his head, composed himself, and adopted a respectful demeanor.
"My subordinate is here."
He will be her subordinate forever, once Xue Qingheng accepts the position of protector, and will safeguard her safety.
"You have rendered meritorious service by descending to the mortal realm to find me, and you deserve to be rewarded. I can grant you one wish. Is there anything you desire?"
Xue Qingheng brought Nalan Jingwen to the Divine Realm. Although it has been confirmed that she is that person, the final result should be judged by the elders. However, judging from the elders' attitude now, it seems that there is no need to verify it.
After all, they are the most loyal to her, and even after countless reincarnations, they can still recognize her accurately.
Xue Qingheng couldn't help but think back to the time when the two of them met but didn't recognize each other.
He didn't recognize her immediately, and even tested her multiple times, seriously injuring her. It wasn't until that night, when she revealed her golden, blood-red eyes, a symbol of the supreme god, that he confirmed her identity.
To them, he was perhaps too negligent.
His thin lips were pressed tightly together, and the woman's face was reflected in his cold and indifferent eyes. He gazed at her for a long time without speaking, and finally said slowly, "When I failed to appear in time when Yuan attacked the Divine Realm, it was already a serious crime. And it was the elders who entrusted me to come down to the mortal realm to find you. I dare not take credit for myself, but only seek to avoid mistakes. Therefore, I have nothing to ask for."
Nalan Jingwen remained calm, seemingly unsurprised by his words.
"Since you don't want anything now, then come find me when you do. I promise you that I will keep my promise no matter when."
Xingxiu, who was standing to the side, looked at the two of them, took a step forward, and his gaze moved between the two of them before finally landing on Xue Qingheng. The more he looked at her, the more satisfied he became.
"My lord, when do you plan to marry the Nether Dragon Protector?"