Having used his dragon form, Xin Lan arrived at the entrance to the Demonic Ancestor’s Poisonous Herb Garden in mere moments. He rushed down there, not even bothering to change his form while he crashed into the array.

The person waiting on the other side jumped, and then immediately motioned toward the lake. “I’m supposed to bring you to the Sect Master.” He didn’t dare to delay and rushed over to the lake.

This person was none other than the fox beast that Hua Lin Yu and the other disciples had found next to the lake so it could be said that he was a little more knowledgeable when it came to the immortal races. Still, he had never had to do with a dragon directly but remembering what An Rong had said and looking at Xin Lan’s expression, he knew that he’d better rush or he might get into serious trouble.

Xin Lan rushed after him but used the opportunity to turn back. Anyway, this person couldn’t keep up with his speed in his other form but he didn’t know the way. Also, this was a good chance to ask some questions. “What happened?!”

The other person could only look at him with panic. “I don’t know! I was just told to bring you there. Just follow me. We need to pass two arrays.” At that time, they had already reached the lake so he jumped in, opening up the array for the two of them to go over. He didn’t waste any time, swam right up, and then rushed to the other array with Xin Lan.

At that point, he hurriedly glanced at the black crystal mirror, his brows furrowing. The Sect Master had told him to bring the dragon over but he hadn’t told him where exactly they were supposed to go. “Sect Master!” There was still a trace of spiritual energy keeping the connection alive so An Rong should be able to hear him.

An Rong did indeed and seeing Hua Lin Yu’s state, he stopped trying to help him further. Instead, he picked up the crystal mirror. “I’m in the moonlight valley above the chasm.”

The other man nodded and then waved for Xin Lan to follow him, rushing over there at the fastest speed possible.

As soon as they came close, Xin Lan smelled the blood in the air. His eyes widened and he overtook the person in front, rushing right to Hua Lin Yu who was lying on the ground. He picked him up and pulled him up against his chest, his fingers trembling as he touched his cheek. “Xiao Yu!”

Hua Lin Yu’s eyelashes trembled. He hadn’t felt much at first but now, his body was shivering. He felt cold. His fingers grasped onto Xin Lan’s robe, and he looked up at him with tears in his eyes. “I’m so sorry!”

He had thought that he should make sure of everything, get to the bottom of it so that he could lay all his doubts to rest. And afterward, he had wanted to start over with Xin Lan. But now, here he was. Without the answers and without the chance to have a do-over. How could he have been so stupid? He never should have gambled with his life. So what if he knew or didn’t know? The important part was that he could have been with the person he loved after finally realizing his mistakes.

Xin Lan looked at him, clearly seeing what was going on. “You hold on for a bit! I’ll bring you to the dragon realm. I’ll save you!”

He gathered him into his arms and got up, but An Rong hastily held him back. “I’ve already healed his wounds but it isn’t doing anything!”

Xin Lan turned to look at him and nodded but he already felt numb. He didn’t know what else he could do. Currently, he only had the thought that he should bring Hua Lin Yu over to where Jinde was and let him take a look. If there was any chance, then Jinde would be able to do it for sure.

He brushed through Hua Lin Yu’s hair, not sure whether he was trying to calm his lover down or himself. “Don’t worry. I’ll save you!”

Hua Lin Yu looked at his face, giving a faint smile that was without the slightest hint of hope. “You can’t.” He wasn’t sure why. Neither did he know why An Rong healing his wounds hadn’t helped or how he knew that bringing him to the dragon realm wouldn’t work either. But he had the strange feeling that it truly was over for him.

He reached up, his fingers trailing over the newly opened wound on Xin Lan’s face, and furrowed his brows. “Your face was alright before. What happened?”

Xin Lan only shook his head, still rushing back the way he had just come from. Even though Hua Lin Yu sounded as if it was final, he wanted to try. He wouldn’t give up without a fight. Not when this was about the love of his life.

Hua Lin Yu abandoned that line of questioning, also realizing that it wouldn’t change anything even if he knew. Anyway, there wasn’t much that still mattered when his life came to an end. Most likely, for him, there was only one thing that he still wanted to get off his chest.

He held onto Xin Lan’s shoulders and gave him a faint smile. “I take it back. Everything I said to you back at my Master’s palace, I take it back. Every single word of it. The one who was fated to be with me … it was clearly you. I was just too stupid to realize it.

“I don’t know why it took me so long but I have realized it now. I’m just afraid that it’s too late for us. Maybe there will be a chance in another life. When that time comes … you have to promise me that you will be at my side again.”

Xin Lan had reached the lake in the inner part of the realm and stopped in his tracks. Hearing Hua Lin Yu’s words and the voice that sounded lower and lower, he also realized that even if he tried, it wouldn’t make a difference.

He closed his eyes and took a shaky breath, trying to hold back his tears. Finally, he sat down on the ground and just held his lover in his arms. “I promise you. Whatever you want, I promise you.” Unfortunately, he knew that it didn’t matter because it wasn’t like there would be a new life. After all, this was only a trial.

Even though Hua Lin Yu had gotten close to finding out the truth about it, he didn’t know yet. And hearing Xin Lan’s promise, he was already happy enough. He used his last strength to lean closer to give him a short kiss on the lips, leaving behind some blood. “I love you,” he whispered, and then, he closed his eyes and quietly passed away in his lover’s arms.

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