I really wish time could stay at this moment forever.

"Do you wish to help him find himself again?"

A calm voice echoed faintly through the mist-shrouded depths of the clouds.

The lingering spirit of Xiuzhi paused, perplexed. "Who are you?"

The mysterious voice replied softly, "Who I am matters not. What matters is that I can help you."

After a moment of hesitation, Xiuzhi clasped her hands together and spoke earnestly, "If possible, I want to bring back the light in Yi'an's heart!"

"You exist because of your attachment, and you will fade because of it. You may return, but the price is your eternal dissipation."

Hearing this, Xiuzhi didn’t hesitate. "I am willing to pay any price!"

Her decisiveness even startled Chen Yi. After a pause, he finally said, "Go. You have half a day."

As the words faded, Xiuzhi’s spirit dissolved into shimmering starlight, slipping past the protective barrier Xu Jinghong had placed around her, drifting slowly toward the town below.

......

It was high noon.

The Hongxiu Tavern was quiet, and Old Xu, drowsy, had dozed off with his head resting on the counter.

Just as he was comfortably sinking into sleep, he suddenly felt as though he’d stepped into empty air. A jolt ran through him, snapping him wide awake.

Whoosh—

A gust of wind rustled through, swaying the wind chimes hanging above the tavern door.

Old Xu stretched lazily, his eyes still heavy with sleep, ready to drift off again—when a soft glow of starlight flickered in the dimly lit tavern.

For a fleeting moment, he thought he saw Xiuzhi.

"Ah, if only this weren’t a dream..."

He sighed wistfully, rubbing his bleary eyes to chase away the illusions of sleep.

But when he blinked and looked again, his entire body stiffened in shock.

Xiuzhi was standing there—alive and real—her hands clasped behind her back, tilting her head forward with a radiant smile.

"Hey, Yi'an, this isn’t a dream!"

Clang!

Old Xu knocked over the stool in his haste, scrambling forward on unsteady legs. He seized Xiuzhi’s arms, his grip trembling as he felt the warmth of her skin. "Xiuzhi... it’s really you. But you... you were..."

Before he could finish, Xiuzhi pressed a finger to his lips and pouted. "I never blamed you, Yi'an. But after I left, you became someone else entirely—I hardly recognized you."

Old Xu hung his head in guilt. "Xiuzhi, I’m sorry. If only I had..."

"Hmph!" Xiuzhi turned away with a playful huff. "I won’t listen! If you want to apologize... then spend the day with me in Sunset City!"

Without waiting for a reply, she grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the gloomy tavern.

Feeling the warmth of her palm, watching her lively figure ahead, Xu Jinghong felt as though a ray of light had pierced through the thick fog shrouding his heart, illuminating the self buried deep beneath layers of ice.

Was this a dream?

It didn’t matter.

Xiuzhi had truly returned!

"High noon... no, 11:50—that’s more auspicious."

"Xiuzhi asked me to stroll through Sunset City with her. Of course, I agreed. Walking through the bustling streets, holding her hand, it felt like I’d regained the whole world..."

"12:05—Xiuzhi was fascinated by a new gallery on the street. She let go of my hand and ran ahead. I tried to follow, but a reckless carriage blocked my way. For a heartbeat, I panicked—what if she vanished the moment I blinked?"

"12:06:13—the carriage finally passed. Xiuzhi stood across the street, grinning at me. In that instant, I wished time would freeze forever..."

"12:10—we entered the gallery. She said she’d paint me. Seeing her so serious, I happily posed. As she sketched, I secretly sketched her too. So happy... she’s really back..."

"1:59 PM—she finished her painting and proudly showed me. In it, I stood majestic, wielding the Jinghong Sword. ‘The invincible Sword Immortal has returned,’ she said. Hah, if she wanted it, then invincible I’d be..."

"2:01 PM—Xiuzhi discovered my hidden sketch of her. It wasn’t very good. She pouted so hard you could hang a bottle of soy sauce from her lips. So adorable..."

"2:30 PM—we stopped at a tailor’s shop. She picked out a white swordsman’s robe for me. Staring at my reflection—so haggard—no wonder she said she barely recognized me. I’ll take better care from now on..."

"5:30 PM—we hiked to the peach blossom grove behind the mountain. The scenery was breathtaking, but nothing compared to Xiuzhi. She’s the most beautiful..."

"5:50 PM—we sat on the cliffside, watching the sunset. The fiery clouds were stunning. Xiuzhi finally said the words she’d left unfinished back then: ‘The Sword Immortal of Jinghong, peerless under heaven!’ That was a secret I’d once whispered to her—yet she remembered all this time. Fine, I’ll go face that so-called ‘Peerless Sword Immortal’ tomorrow..."

"..."

ROAR!!!

Xu Jinghong was savoring the bliss of holding Xiuzhi’s hand when a reckless saber-toothed tiger lunged from the undergrowth, shattering the peaceful moment.

The beast’s claws, still dripping with blood, struck a deep chord of anguish in Xu Jinghong’s heart.

Last time, he’d been a step too late to save her.

This time, he wouldn’t let history repeat itself!

Hummm—

A surge of sword intent erupted, reducing the tiger to dust scattered by the wind.

Though the threat was gone, Xu Jinghong trembled uncontrollably, fists clenched so tight his knuckles whitened.

Yes, with Xiuzhi by his side now, he could protect her.

But back then—why had he cared so much about some meaningless ranking?!

If only he hadn’t gone that day... If only!!!

Seeing his torment, Xiuzhi immediately understood. She wrapped her arms around him and whispered,

"Yi'an, let the past stay in the past. I never blamed you. You shouldn’t be trapped by it either. I don’t want to see you lose your brilliance because of me..."

"You were always meant... to shine brightly..."

Her voice grew fainter. As Xu Jinghong snapped out of his anguish, he saw her form growing translucent, dissolving into starlight.

Panic seized him. "Xiuzhi?! What’s happening? Don’t scare me like this!"

Xiuzhi smiled bitterly. "Half a day... is so short..."

Before she could finish, her strength gave out, and she collapsed softly into his arms.

Feeling the weight of his beloved Xiuzhi growing lighter in his arms and her warmth slowly fading, Xu Jinghong was utterly distraught. Tears streamed uncontrollably down his face as his voice trembled with desperation, "Xiuzhi, hold on... There must be a way. I will find a way to save you..."

With that, he cradled her tightly and soared toward the tavern—where he had buried all remnants of his past.

Some things were unbearable to endure even once. To face them again? He refused to accept it.

There had to be a way to save Xiuzhi. There had to be!

Yet the truth was cruel: he had none.

Barring a miracle, he would witness his love perish before his eyes for the second time—only this time, she would die in his embrace.

Meanwhile, inside the tavern, a strikingly handsome man sat leisurely sipping his drink. His fingers tapped rhythmically against the table, as if counting the seconds, before he raised his cup to the moon in a toast, utterly at ease.