Chapter 363: Return
'Hm? I'm crying?' Jiu Shen mocked himself. He then used his true essence to evaporate the line of tears on his cheeks.
With a gaze full of complicated emotions, Jiu Shen stared at Theia's face. This was the first time he had looked at her for this long. Her golden hair ruffled wildly as the wind struck her melancholic figure. Her eyes which were usually cold and aloof was now filled with grief and guilt. Looking at her fragile visage, he could not help but give him a gentle look as he moved closer to her.
"Theia... It's been millions of years since I last saw you... I can't believe that even in this life you are still this beautiful..." He muttered as he forced out a smile.
Theia shook her head when she heard his consoling words. "No... Because of me... you died..." She wailed uncontrollably.
When Jiu Shen realized that she was still blaming herself, he pulled her to his embrace and gently whispered. "I don't blame you... I know that it's not your fault. I was too weak back then and that was the reason why I died. Besides, it's the fault of that old fart Lao Gou..."
Theia could sense Jiu Shen's hatred when he mentioned the name.
"Sorr-" Before Theia could even speak, Jiu Shen sealed her lips with his. Her heart almost stopped beating when she felt his warm breath and skilled tongue. It didn't take long before she finally succumbed to his 'surprise attack'.
Sensing that her body was going soft in his embrace, Jiu Shen held her tightly and kissed her lips fervently as all his pent-up emotions gush out. Only after an unknown period of time did the two separate.
Theia slowly opened her eyes and when she saw Jiu Shen's devilishly handsome face looking at her with a gentle look, she could not help but shyly glance away. Her face was beet red as she recalled that long passionate kiss.
Jiu Shen smiled and wiped the remaining tears on her cheeks using his fingers. "Stop blaming yourself, okay? My death was never your fault. Besides, aren't we alive and well at this moment?"
"Mn." Theia answered in a small voice as she nodded her head. She was happy that he didn't blame her for what had happened. She was happy that he was finally reunited with him after millions of years. Thinking about this, a smile full of affection blossomed on her face.
When Jiu Shen saw her beautiful smile and was inwardly stunned. Her smile was the most beautiful he had ever seen... He could not help but embrace her again.
The two continued feeling each other's warmth, disregarding the fierce northern wind blowing them. The sky appeared to be even more beautiful behind them.
"Let's go back and meet the others..." Jiu Shen gently said as he held Theia's dainty hand.
Theia was already an ancient being, but she was like a startled rabbit when Jiu Shen held her hand. She felt as if she was back in her younger years...
***
"Everyone! There is a teleportation array formation in the store! From the carvings of the array, I think it is connected to the Crimson Fiend Continent where the Sect Master is currently located! We might be able to see him soon!" Hestia's loud shout stunned the entire Heavenly Sword Tower. The division heads, elders, and disciples hurriedly went out of their rooms and asked Hestia for details.
"Elder Hestia, are you sure that it is connected to the Crimson Fiend Continent?" A disciple suddenly asked.
Hestia stared at the disciple and nodded her head eagerly. "Of course! I know a bit about array formations and the carvings drawn on the array I've seen contains the coordinates of the Crimson Fiend Continent."
"In that case, the Sect Master might come here soon..." Yang Zenke, the Division Head of the Blood Sword Division muttered excitedly. At this moment, he no longer looked like the thin sickly kid he once was. His tall muscular body was covered by black and red armor. On his back was a blood-red sword that gave off a chilling glow. And upon closer inspection, Yang Zenke was now an early stage 9th-rank Saint expert!
"Luckily, I broke through yesterday..." A middle-aged looking man wearing a long white robe heaved a sigh of relief. This man was none other than Elder Qi Hongtian! He was now an expert at the Nascent God Realm and he had also become a full-fledged Nascent Alchemy God!
"Who's back? Tell me! Meow!" A sharp and child-like voice suddenly echoed. Everyone turned in the direction of the voice and saw two figures walking hand in hand. One was a tall woman with long purple hair. She was holding a small little girl with snow-white hair.
Hestia smiled at the little girl and answered patiently. "Little Ice, the Sect Master will be back soon..."
Ice's adorable eyes grew big as she asked. "Really?!"
"Of course!" Hestia nodded her head with certainty.
"Show me! Show me! Show me the array! Meow!" Ice pulled Hestia's clothes with a pitiful look as she pleaded her.
"Alright. I'll bring you there..." Hestia patted her head gently and held her hand.
Long Meili who came together with Ice inquired. "Elder Hestia, I'll go with you two."
"We want to go too! We want to see the array formation!"
Everyone in the Heavenly Sword Tower eagerly stared at Hestia, waiting for her decision.
Suddenly...
"It looks like everyone has improved while I was gone." A familiar calm and indifferent voice echoed at the entrance of the sword tower. Everyone was shocked and surprised when they heard this voice since they were very familiar with it. And when they glanced at the entrance, they saw Jiu Shen hovering like a deity. Behind him was Theia, who was shyly holding Jiu Shen's hand.
When they saw Jiu Shen, everyone erupted into cheers and they immediately scrambled towards him like a pack of hungry wolves...
"Sect Master Jiu Shen!"
"Master!"