"How? Why?!" Yan Zaizen was visibly shaken. He had many scenarios, such as the Xiantu Emperor of his time getting revenge, or Ya Qinqan's malicious desires after her ascension. There were many, many other ideas and assumptions he had as to the reasoning or culprit, but to think it was Shin Xuanji.
Shin Xuanji…
When he first met this youth, that would become his Eighth Senior Brother, it was accompanied by an earnest smile. Later, he learned of his dark history. His clan, the Yan Clan, had eradicated his own. His revenge drove him to wish to annihilate the Yan Clan, cultivating for that purpose.
This invigorated his existence. It drove him, but he was sentimental and reasonable at heart. When he learned that Yan Zaizen was a member of the clan, ignorant of his clan's actions, he gave Han Genji, his savior, face and did not harm him.
His future became somewhat bleak after this. Yan Zaizen had found Shin Xuanji in a prison cell after being captured and tortured by the Soaring Cloud Sect. He gave him another chance which he accepted in the end.
Their story didn't end there, as his newfound life drove him to take place in the Xiantu Dao Trials. There, Yan Zaizen had bestowed his Dao to him. He was outstanding, possessing a family and purpose in life outside of his clan. The complexities between their interaction and history wasn't even that simple.
Yan Zaizen's palm trembled. This wasn't a physiological reaction based on the news, but a reflection of his Heavenly Dao Seed trembling. He was merciless, can be kind or cruel, and held the utmost belief in himself, but to hear that his Chosen, the one he bestowed his Dao to had eradicated his clan, how could he not be shaken?
Lin Feilin's expression was indeterminate. To her, this was obviously an unfortunate event, and she felt that she had failed Yan Zaizen, Shin Xuanji, and Han Genji by not halting this tragedy. She held no right to console Yan Zaizen or ask for forgiveness.
This didn't just stem from her own soul, but the traces of souls that remained in her own of Yao Wuhen. Therefore, they stayed quiet as they soaked up their emotions.
"Huuu! Haaa!" Yan Zaizen inhaled and exhaled a breath of turbid air, clearing the obstruction in his chest. His amber-gold eyes regained their steadiness, revealing a light of serenity. "There's still a few questions I have, but for now, all of that can wait."
He knew that Lin Feilin's own knowledge of the incident and reasons were blurry and vague. The eradication of his clan, the subsequent mass condemnation of his clan, and the aforementioned ascension of Shin Xuanji as the Xiantu Emperor.
These were facts, but the reasoning behind them was still unclear. In fact, upon thinking, he didn't feel anger or rage if it was Shin Xuanji. That was because if he still retained his Dao, using it to cultivate the Heavenly Path, then he believed that his Clan's demise and ill-fated historical condemnation was warranted.
As someone who forged his Dao from his most inner self, he understood it the most. Furthermore, he accepted it. He wasn't petty, a mass murderer, or too indulged in the concept of power in any form. His own actions were mostly reactive to the actions of others.
His amber-gold eyes that had retained that look of indifference softened, looking at this beautiful woman before him. A surge of warmth entered his heart as he recalled their lives. A bright smile emerged on his face. "Sixth Senior Sister, how about we catch up? I've missed you."
He rose from his seat. He no longer held his suspicions to her identity. With his Paragon Soul Realm's perception, how could he not deduce the truth in her words and the emotions they entailed? Before, he was uncertain if this beauty was his Sixth Senior Sister Lin Feilin, so he remained distant. Now, his endless warmth revealed itself.
Lin Feilin was startled. She felt guilt and negative emotions, but when she looked at Yan Zaizen's handsome smile and bright eyes, her heart that had been washed with those emotions were cleared up and jubilant. It was infectious.
Yan Zaizen walked forward, without any hint of hesitation, he wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug.
"I…" her eyes bulged slightly. From the shock that rippled in her eyes, she was clearly caught off-guard. Since the incident of her capture, subsequent torture, and escape, she had never had physical contact with a male. However, those muscular arms that flowed with radiant warmth and the strong beating heart within Yan Zaizen's chest, pounding into her own, had caused her to not react in the usually violent manner.
"I really missed you," Yan Zaizen whispered into her ear. His heart was filled with happiness. Happiness that she was alive. He had only a few people in his life that he regarded with any importance, each more important to him than an entire heaven worth of lives. She, Lin Feilin, was the first person in his life, besides his parents, that he cared for.
Ya Qinqan was merely a childish infatuation. There was nothing but attraction and hormones. However, this Senior Sister had instilled in him the very seeds of his Dao.
He recalled her words: ""You may be trash now, but that doesn't mean it'll remain that way. For those without talent, they must struggle to thrive. For those without fate on their side, they must grasp fate for themselves. Work hard."
Since then, when hadn't he worked hard? He cultivated for thousands of years in chaotic space, ventured out into the grander world to grasp his own fate. He was weak, as weak as a tiny insect in a grand forest, but with persistence and determination, did he not slay gods?!
Did he not create his own world?
Did he not find happiness in love?
This hug between them that took thousands of years to perform was symbolic, a form of bond that could never be shattered.
Lin Feilin felt her taut emotions, the stress of all her adventures and tragedies fall away.
Yan Zaizen felt wetness on his cheeks and shoulders. Shocked, he turned to see a beauty, her eyes flowing with tears and her hands grasping the clothing of his back, unwilling to let him go. A silent cry, but what truly shocked him was…
While she cried, while her tears flowed, she smiled.
"It's been hard." Yan Zaizen said, causing that beautiful face to bury itself into his neck. He held her tighter.
The snow-white puppy in Old Man Bo's arms let out a cooing whimper, its pure eyes shining with an untainted radiance. It was particularly cute, opening its tiny mouth a little, but then shutting it once more. Old Man Bo abruptly shook, as if he came to understand something he hadn't before, and quietly retreated. He left the fellow disciples together as they began to reminisce.
Yan Zaizen held Lin Feilin for as long as she wanted. Whether it was a few more seconds, a few more minutes, or even for several days, he didn't let go.