Chapter 422.2: Jin Lis Tenderness

Chapter 422.2: Jin Li's Tenderness

Before long, a graceful woman approached them. She was none other than Yu Tiao, the hostess of the Moon Radiance Banquet.

Yu Tiao blinked curiously at Jin Li. "Greetings, Your Highness."

Then, her gaze drifted toward Qi Yuan. "This is?"

As a Mythic whose influence extended across the heavens, her status was only slightly beneath that of the Moon Maiden, but she had considerably more connections.

Jin Li gazed at Qi Yuan as memories of the past welled up in her heart. Her courage rose and she admitted, "He is my beloved."

Beloved, meaning her dao companion. No longer wishing to retreat, she chose to bravely announce it instead. The expressions of Yu Tiao and those around them subtly changed. As a Moon Maiden, Jin Li had essentially admitted to committing a taboo.

Yu Tiao hesitated, clearly shocked. "Your Highness, that..."

The ice queen actually had someone she loved!

Jin Li declared firmly, "I have enough merit. The next time I have an audience with Lord Moon God, I will no longer be the Divine Moon Palace's Moon Maiden."

Everyone was stunned, gasping. After all, the Moon Maiden title represented a guaranteed, step-by-step path with Lord Moon God's backing to become a Yang Spirit. How could Jin Li give up such a qualification?! They felt shocked and slightly bitter.

Some looked at Jin Li though she'd lost her mind. To throw away the Moon Maiden title for a man sounded foolish to them. Sure, the man was rather good-looking, but could looks fill a bowl? Jin Li understood exactly what those looks meant, but she did not mind them. She had always known what she wanted.

After a brief moment of surprise, Yu Tiao sized Qi Yuan up. She was both surprised and puzzled. What charm could this man possibly possess, to make Jin Li give up her status?

The entire time, Qi Yuan only focused on Jin Li. "I will make up for whatever you have lost."

The rest of the cultivators exchanged looks again. They all thought Qi Yuan spoke with tremendous nerve. Jin Li stood to lose her Moon Maiden title and her qualification to reach the Yang Spirit realm. Still, whatever doubts they harbored, none of them let it show.

Yu Tiao sighed softly. "Your Highness's resolve is truly admirable."

She simply ignored what Qi Yuan said. Even if he were a Yang Spirit, could his offer possibly outweigh what the title of Moon Maiden already gave her? After a brief exchange, the group went their separate ways.

Jin Li gripped Qi Yuan's hand. "Don't mind what they said. I gave up my title of my own selfish choice."

She didn’t want him to feel guilty or blame himself.

He smiled. "Between the two of us, there’s no need to keep score or worry about what others think. Otherwise, where would the fun be?"

Qi Yuan considered himself not only lawful good, but an idealist. He also trusted Jin Li wholeheartedly. She’d strive to give him the best of herself, and he would do the same for her. Had he always been weighing gains and losses, they never would have continued speaking or come this far. Although a woman like Jin Li sounded almost too good to be true, this was the cultivation world, where women of every kind could be found.

He grinned. "You don't step on ants, while I'm lawful good. We're a match made in heaven."

Color rose again across Jin Li's snow-white face. "Mhm."

Before either of them quite realized it, they had arrived at Jin Li's living quarters. She made no attempt at modesty and directly led him straight into her private chamber.

The room was simply furnished. Beneath the window was an inkstone and brush set. Several immortal vines hung from a vase with clusters of fruit on top of it. Sheer curtains divided the room into three sections: sleeping, sitting, and bathing. Apart from a few decorations, the chamber was bare and pristine. It felt almost like a snow cave, carrying a faint, unique fragrance of Jin Li.

Inhaling the faint fragrance of her hair, he explained calmly, "Actually, back when I was in the lower world, I wanted to tell you I existed. But I was afraid of bringing you unnecessary trouble. A month ago, my Star Golden Cores passed close to your star."

"That was you?" Her expression shifted slightly, turning tense. "You're the Ten Suns Heavenly Sovereign?"

He nodded. "Mhm."

Jin Li felt a hint of sweetness, albeit outweighed by worry. She leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Never speak of this to anyone, or it will bring a great deal of trouble."

She was so close that he could smell her orchid-like breath. "Oh?"

Jin Li's expression turned grave as she warned, "Not only would Taihuang Palace come after you, so would the Divine Moon Palace!"

She was surprised to learn that Qi Yuan was the Ten Suns Heavenly Sovereign. As powerful as he was, she could not afford to dismiss the significance of his title.

"Lord Moon God holds the Great Moon Position. The one you’re after, the Taihuang Palace Master, holds the Great Sun Position. The Great Sun and the Great Moon are natural enemies. For either to advance further, it must devour the other. You must not, under any circumstances, meet Lord Moon God. If she were to discover who you are, I'm afraid..."

Jin Li didn't dare imagine what would follow. After all, not only was Lord Moon God an extraordinary Major Principle realm cultivator, but she had also grasped the Supreme Principle. Across the entire Sixth Heaven, such cultivators could be counted in one hand.

Not to mention, they were also dangerous. If Lord Moon God ever saw Qi Yuan and discovered his identity, there was no telling what schemes she could set in motion. It didn’t matter that he had no intention of harming her or any desire to devour the Great Moon Position.

Qi Yuan felt quite delighted. "They say women grow more devoted once attached. You haven't even married me yet, and already your loyalties are bending toward me."

Rather than aiding the Divine Moon Palace, Jin Li had sided with him without a moment's hesitation. From Lord Moon God's perspective, though, it was pretty much a betrayal. Then again, Jin Li believed that Qi Yuan stood no chance against Lord Moon God. It was not a fair comparison.

Nevertheless, at the mention of marriage, Jin Li's jade-white skin turned bright red. Her brows curved gently, while her slightly parted lips seemed infinitely tender. Qi Yuan’s heartbeat accelerated. Sometimes, he could be quite proactive himself. He couldn't help leaning in and pressing a kiss to her lips.

She stiffened all at once, then relaxed just as quickly. Her beautiful eyes fell half-shut, and she breathed softly as a flush of desire rose across her face. After some time, the moment came to an end, yet the deep longing between them had not faded. If anything, it had only grown more intense. A brief parting made a reunion all the sweeter, let alone a long one.

Jin Li’s usually frosty expression melted into tenderness. "If you want, I..."

Her pale yellow robe slipped down, and the gauze she wore beneath slipped back to reveal her curves. Like a waterfall, her hair cascaded before her. Her expression turned resolute yet her fragrant shoulders trembled, betraying the nervousness beneath her calm.

"Are you Her Imperial Majesty? Or Her Highness the Moon Maiden?" Qi Yuan's expression turned gentle as he leaned in closer. "Or simply Jin Li?"

Jin Li closed her eyes gently, offering no resistance. She embraced him tightly. This was ten thousand years of longing between them. However, since she was still technically a Moon Maiden, her photograph couldn’t be pasted onto his marriage certificate. Conservative and traditional at heart, Qi Yuan had always been mindful of propriety. Hence, even amid such longing, he held himself back and did not go all the way. They weren’t married yet after all.

Holding Jin Li close, he sighed with regret. "Ah, I learned from a young age how harsh the world could be. I only wish I could linger a little longer in this tender haven."

He knew he couldn't stay long. If he lingered, the Moluo Clan's situation would take a turn for the worse. He had to hurry back. Jin Li’s eyes betrayed her deep reluctance to part. She knew he was scheming against the Moluo Clan and that she couldn’t go with him, for fear of becoming a burden.

An idea struck her and her face filled with anticipation. "How about you capture me and lock me up?"

Her earlier coldness was gone.

He shook his head. "I still have to show the Divine Moon Palace some respect. Besides, staying by my side would be dangerous."

He felt like she would be safer staying at the Divine Moon Palace for now. With him plotting against the Moluo Clan and trying to reclaim his family’s well, he would inevitably attract pursuers and assassins.

He also couldn't keep Jin Li in his underworld palace forever and prevent her from cultivating. Although he could channel spiritual energy into Jiang Lingsu and help her cultivate, it was only because she was weak. It wouldn’t work the same way on a Mythic like Jin Li.

Jin Li could not hide the disappointment in her eyes. "Be careful. If things go wrong, come to the Divine Moon Palace!"

Though she couldn’t bear parting with him, she wouldn't stand in the way of his affairs.

He smiled in reassurance. "Don't worry."

Sometimes, it really did feel good to be cared for and thought about. Could it be that, back on Blue Planet, he'd been starved of love?