Dawn gradually broke.
A few fading stars were embedded in the pale blue sky, and the earth was hazy, as if shrouded in a silver-gray veil.
After hearing Fu Hua's words, Yunduo remained silent for a long time.
Fu Hua's words were sudden, yet they went straight to the heart.
She didn't want to answer this question yet.
So Yunduo smiled slightly, masking her silence as she said, "Why did you suddenly think of such a strange question?"
"It was just a sudden thought. I may have overstepped; please forgive my rudeness."
"I don't blame you, but I'm sorry, I don't want to answer this question right now."
"I'm sorry..."
Fu Hua lowered her head, hiding her darkening eyes and lowered voice beneath her drooping lashes, unable to continue asking and unable to pretend nothing had happened.
It seemed she had messed things up again.
This kind of thing had already happened many times.
Time was like a Mobius strip, passing through many different processes.
Only to suddenly discover at some unknown point that everything had returned to the starting point.
Just as Fu Hua was feeling dejected, she suddenly felt a warmth on the top of her head.
Surprise rushed into her heart, sweeping away her low spirits. Yunduo's palm was gently stroking Fu Hua's hair, her silvery-white hair tips curling around her fingers as warmth was transmitted through the strands.
Her eyes held a smile, with no blame or disdain, just a pure smile, as if she felt that apologizing and being dejected over just this would make her look like a fool.
Fu Hua suddenly felt a warmth in her heart, even though this was an emotion she had never experienced before.
Since she was very young, no one had stroked her hair.
Whether as a warrior of the Flame-Chasers, the Red Kite Immortal who guarded Shenzhou, or a taciturn Valkyrie.
No one dared to touch it, and no one thought that stroking Fu Hua's head was a normal thing to do.
However, Yunduo did it just like that, doing it so naturally, as if it were meant to be, with no sense of abruptness.
"Alright, no need to blame yourself, I'm not mad at you."
Yunduo's soft words brushed past the contour of Fu Hua's ear, blowing against the fine, tender hairs there.
"No—it was my fault. It is a breach of etiquette to ask a mere classmate about private matters."
Fu Hua shook her head, causing her hair to move against Yunduo's palm, the fine tips brushing across her forehead and making her feel a bit itchy.
"A mere classmate?" Yunduo was surprised. "What do you mean by 'mere classmate'?"
"We've gone through several challenges together and even fought side by side, and you call that a 'mere classmate'?"
"...Is it not? Because you don't usually seek me out to talk, Yunduo," Fu Hua said, stunned.
"Eh~ I thought we were already friends."
"I didn't expect that in Fu Hua's heart, we were always just mere classmates."
Yunduo said intentionally, feigning a look of sadness.
Only when Fu Hua looked up somewhat anxiously did she see the faint smile in Yunduo's ink-black eyes.
"You just said you were rude, so as compensation, I should be able to say something about you too," Yunduo said.
"..."
"I feel that you usually take your mission far too seriously."
"It's as if someone is always behind you, silently pressuring you and forcing you to do things you don't like. Yes! That's the feeling you give off; it's a sense of mission."
"But you should know, there is no responsibility that you are born with."
"From one perspective, you might be a very powerful Valkyrie, or a hero in the hearts of others."
"But from another perspective, what about yourself? You're actually just an innocent young girl."
Yunduo spoke softly, and every word made Fu Hua think for a long time.
These words, someone had said them to her countless times.
Fu Hua had heard them many times before.
"Forget it, looking at you, I can tell you don't believe me."
"Take the Red Kite Immortal for example—I know it's you—so do you want to know what people think of you?" "...What they think?"
Fu Hua had not yet recovered from the shock of her identity being exposed when she was quickly drawn in by Yunduo's words.
Looking back, it seemed she had always been avoiding people's opinions of her.
That emotionless immortal, whose friends died because of her, and who was even killed by her disciples joining forces.
What kind of image would she have in the eyes of ordinary people?
Fu Hua had always known that many people actually loathed the existence of the Immortal.
"Let's make a bet. If people accept you, you'll lay down your burden and, as an ordinary girl, accompany me to the amusement park later. How about it?"
"And if they don't?"
"If they don't, I'll tell you my secret."
...Coming back to her senses.
Fu Hua was quite unsettled as different voices appeared in her ears.
"However, I think she's a good person, and I like her very much."
"If she could stand before me, I would want to give her a hug."
"Mmm~ I hope she has a life of her own."
"I seem to have forgotten many important things."
"Hua, be yourself."
"I want to... be myself."
Those people all accepted the Red Kite Immortal and wanted her to lay down her heavy responsibilities and be herself.
That was all.
A long time had passed.
Fu Hua had been immersed in her own world.
Looking up, Yunduo was teaching the children fist techniques.
Theresa, Kiana, and the others were all outside the classroom soaking up the sun.
Cunxin Fist!
This was the fist technique created by Fu Hua, divided into six forms.
Namely, Inch Power: Chaotic Thunder, Inch Power: Thunderbolt, Inch Power: Rock Smash, Inch Power: Mountain Fall, Inch Power: Cloud Mist, and Inch Power: Sky Cleaver!
Even learning just the basics would allow one to match a hundred foes with a mortal body!
Those more advanced could even slay Honkai Beasts with their bare hands.
Fu Hua let out a breath, exhaling the turbid air from her throat.
She felt nothing unusual about Yunduo teaching martial arts; after all, these children were learning it for self-defense.
Only... regarding the secret Yunduo mentioned, she faintly had an answer in her heart.
"The next move is Inch Edge: Opening Heaven. Listen carefully."
Yunduo demonstrated move by move, explaining as she went.
The children below the stage listened intently, especially the young girl named Hoshino Kotone, who didn't even blink.
Fu Hua watched and smiled helplessly; this scene reminded her of the days back on Tai Xu Mountain.
"Why don't you teach Taixu Sword Qi?"
During a break in the class, Fu Hua asked.
Taixu Sword Qi was also one of Fu Hua's ultimate techniques.
It consists of the Five Essences: Heart, Form, Intent, Soul, and Spirit. It is a highly refined martial art specialized for True Qi.
Although it's called "Sword Qi," to truly manifest a sword through Spirit and have the Sword Qi come from the Heart, one must comprehend the fifth essence, "Spirit."
The Heart Essence is actually the Divine Voice used to modify the human body in the Previous Era, bound by the restriction 'Evil must be purged.'
Fu Hua knew Yunduo wouldn't teach recklessly; she wouldn't mention techniques that shouldn't be easily passed on.
Hearing this, Yunduo explained, "Better not. They can't even learn Inch Edge."
"So, are you in a better mood now?"
"Yes, thanks to you, much better—even though you made me look silly in front of all these children."
"You're actually making jokes now?"
Yunduo said in surprise.
The two chatted for a while.
Until Fu Hua suddenly said, "About that bet... I lost."
"Regarding the amusement park, I will prepare for it properly."
"Alright, then let's wait... until I return from Haiyuan City."
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