490: Chapter 490 You've rendered meritorious service as a protector; I'll reward you handsomely tonight.

Hearing Xu Ruyu state his Realm after his Breakthrough, Xiao Nianyin could not help but gasp.

She had Cultivated for hundreds of years, experiencing countless dangers and difficulties, and only then had she managed to reach the Saint Realm with great difficulty.

Yet Xu Ruyu, from his Transmigration until now, had only taken a few short months to reach the Peak of the Mid-Stage Saint Realm.

Such speed was simply inconceivable.

No, not inconceivable, it was simply impossible.

Yet it was happening right before her eyes.

"What Cultivation Technique are you Cultivating?"

She could not help but ask, her voice tinged with a trace of curiosity and a hint of envy.

Xu Ruyu smiled: "True Explanation of Taixu Source Energy, I created it myself.

What, do you want to learn? I can teach you."

Xiao Nianyin fell silent.

She knew that Xu Ruyu was not joking.

He was truly willing to teach her.

Just like he was willing to teach the Qi Induction and Micro-Movement Art to all Hehuan Sect Disciples, he never held anything back.

He taught the Cultivation Technique he had painstakingly created to everyone without reservation, as if it were nothing more than cabbage.

Such breadth of mind, such bearing—she had never seen it in any other Sect Master.

"No need," she shook her head, her voice softening, "The Cultivation Technique I Cultivate is different from yours; I cannot learn it."

Xu Ruyu did not force her, just smiled.

He walked up to Xiao Nianyin, reached out, and gently pinched her cheek.

The action was very natural, just like pinching a child's cheek.

"You have worked hard, Protector. I will reward you well tonight."

Xiao Nianyin's face flushed slightly, she swatted his hand away and chided: "Stop with the glib talk. You just had a Breakthrough, get some rest. I will go get you something to eat."

She turned and walked toward the stream, squatted down, took a water skin from her storage ring, and began to collect water.

The moonlight shone on her, casting her silhouette in an exceptionally gentle light.

Her long hair draped over her shoulders, shimmering with a faint luster under the moonlight.

Xu Ruyu watched her, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.

He walked to the streamside and sat down beside her.

The stream bubbled, clear to the bottom, with moonlight dancing on the surface like scattered silver. In the reflection in the water, the two figures leaned together.

"Xiao Nianyin," he suddenly spoke, his voice very soft, "Thank you."

Xiao Nianyin's hand paused slightly, she did not look up: "Thank you for what?"

"Thank you for coming back to find me," Xu Ruyu said, "Thank you for not abandoning me."

Xiao Nianyin was silent for a moment, then whispered: "You didn't abandon me either."

Xu Ruyu smiled.

He reached out and gently draped his arm around her shoulders.

Xiao Nianyin's body stiffened slightly, but she did not pull away.

She leaned on his shoulder and closed her eyes.

Under the moonlight, the two snuggled by the stream, their shadows swaying on the water.

The night breeze blew past, carrying the coolness of the stream and the fragrance of grass and trees.

In the distance, a few insect chirps were heard, making the valley even more tranquil.

Xiao Nianyin's heart was peaceful as never before.

She felt the warmth of Xu Ruyu's chest, felt his steady heartbeat, and felt his fingers pressing gently on her shoulder.

All her exhaustion, all her worries, all her fears, vanished at this moment.

"Xu Ruyu," she said softly, "Do you know, I used to hate you very much."

Xu Ruyu nodded: "I know."

"I wished I could kill you."

"I know that too."

"But now..." she paused, not knowing how to continue.

Xu Ruyu looked down at her, his eyes full of tenderness: "What about now?"

Xiao Nianyin shook her head and did not speak.

She did not know how to express it.

She only knew that she did not want to hate him anymore.

She just wanted to lean on him like this, always like this.

Those hatreds, those obsessions, in the face of life and death, in the face of true feelings, all became insignificant.

Xu Ruyu seemed to understand something and did not press further.

He just patted her shoulder gently, then let go and stood up.

"Alright, it is time to rest. We have to travel tomorrow."

Xiao Nianyin also stood up and looked at him: "Where are we going?"

Xu Ruyu thought for a moment and said: "To find the Grand Elder and the others. They went to the Tianyan Sect, we will go and rendezvous with them.

I wonder how Leng Ningshuang and the others are doing, whether they have been bullied."

Xiao Nianyin nodded.

She knew that Xu Ruyu was right.

The Hehuan Sect Disciples are still at the Tianyan Sect; they must go to retrieve them.

That is the spark Xu Ruyu exchanged his life for; there cannot be any mishaps.

"Then you get some rest." She turned and walked toward the tree, spread a blanket on the grass, "I will keep watch."

Xu Ruyu smiled: "No need to keep watch, it is very safe here. You should rest too."

Xiao Nianyin hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded.

She sat down on the blanket, leaned against the tree trunk, and closed her eyes.

Xu Ruyu sat down beside her and also leaned against the tree trunk.

Under the moonlight, the two sat side by side, their shadows overlapping on the ground.

The night breeze blew past, carrying the coolness of the stream and the fragrance of grass and trees.

Xiao Nianyin closed her eyes, listening to the bubbling of the stream and the steady breathing of Xu Ruyu, a sense of peace she had never felt before welled up in her heart.

She did not know what would happen tomorrow, did not know if the Tianshu Sword Sect would come for revenge, did not know if Situ E would make a comeback.

But she knew that at this moment, she was by his side, and he was by her side. That was enough.

She slowly reached out and gently took Xu Ruyu's hand.

Xu Ruyu's hand moved slightly, then he held her hand back.

The two did not speak, just sat quietly, feeling each other's warmth.

Under the moonlight, in the valley, there was complete tranquility.

Only the stream bubbled, only the insects chirped, only two hearts were slowly drawing closer.