Full-time sword repair

At the summit of the cloud-shrouded peak, the wind swirled the mountain mist, causing the robes of the three to flutter and rustle.

In the distance, the sunset glow spread across the sky, turning the void into a warm orange hue, yet it could not conceal the sense of parting in the air.

With the matter of the Dragon Realm settled, the three must eventually go their separate ways, and Lin Jichen must also prepare for his grand plan to deal with Zhu Jiuyin.

Ao Qinhan stepped forward first, his expression solemn and guilty. He bowed slightly to Lin Jichen, his posture extremely humble, and his tone full of self-reproach.

"Young friend Lin, now that we part ways, I have something to say from the bottom of my heart that I must say."

Lin Jichen nodded slightly, indicating that he could speak freely, without any distance in his eyes.

Wan Yincai stood aside, watching quietly, vaguely guessing what Ao Qinhan wanted to say.

"I am not unaware of the fact that the Holy Dragon lost his memory and erased his bonds after reaching adulthood, but I have never told you about it."

Ao Qinhan slowly raised his head, his guilt growing stronger: "Back then, I, like the Azure Dragon King, harbored selfish motives, thinking of using your power to protect Ao Chi as he grew up and help the Dragon Clan overcome difficulties. To put it bluntly, I also took advantage of you. Today, you speak up for justice and help me in this way, which makes me even more uneasy. Today, I apologize to you, and I hope you will not take offense."

After saying this, he bowed again, his expression extremely sincere, without the slightest air of a dragon king, only full of apology.

Ao Chi, seemingly sensing the heavy atmosphere from within the sleeve, poked its little head out and gently scratched Lin Jichen's sleeve with its pink paws, making a soft "chirp chirp" sound, as if it were pleading for Ao Qinhan.

Seeing this, Lin Jichen gently raised his hand to help Ao Qinhan up. His expression was calm, and his tone was not resentful at all, but rather showed a clear understanding.

"Senior Ao, you flatter me. This matter is in the past, and I am not one to hold grudges."

"Moreover, raising Ao Chi wasn't entirely out of scheming. I had my own selfish motives at first, but now I consider her my family. So, senior, you don't need to worry about it."

He paused, gazing into the distance.

"As for dealing with Zhu Jiuyin, Senior need not worry about it, nor is it necessary to take action. The Ice Dragon Clan is already weak and cannot withstand losses. Protecting the Ice Dragon Clan members is Senior's greatest achievement. As for Zhu Jiuyin, with the assistance of myself, the various sects of the human race, as well as the Ghost Clan and the Demon Clan, we are more than capable of handling him."

Upon hearing this, Ao Qinhan was visibly shaken, his eyes filled with disbelief, before he was enveloped in deep emotion.

He thought that even if Lin Jichen forgave him, he would still harbor resentment towards him. However, he did not expect that Lin Jichen would not only forgive him generously, but also consider the Ice Dragon Clan in every way. This magnanimity made him feel ashamed of himself.

Ao Qinhan remained silent for a moment, as if he had made up his mind. He raised his hand and waved it, and a jade slip that was ice blue and exuded a chilling aura appeared in his palm.

The jade slip was engraved with intricate ice dragon patterns, with faint ice dragon phantoms flowing around it, exuding a rich ice-elemental spiritual energy, clearly indicating that it was no ordinary object.

"I am not good with words, so I will give this jade slip to Ao Chi."

Ao Qinhan handed the jade slip to Lin Jichen, his tone solemn: "This jade slip contains all the forbidden techniques of my Ice Dragon Clan, as well as my insights and experiences from ten thousand years of cultivation. With this jade slip, Ao Chi will be able to avoid many detours in his future growth. Even if he awakens the Dragon God's inheritance after adulthood, he will have more confidence and a greater chance to protect his own bonds."

Lin Jichen looked at the jade slip in his palm and could clearly feel the powerful force and Ao Qinhan's intentions contained within it. He did not refuse, solemnly accepted the jade slip, put it into his sleeve, and nodded slightly to Ao Qinhan.

"Thank you, Senior Ao. I will accept this on behalf of Ao Chi. I will make sure she cultivates well in the future and does not fail your expectations."

Ao Qinhan nodded in satisfaction, glanced tenderly at Ao Chi in his sleeve, gently rubbed her little head, then turned around and cupped his hands in greeting to Lin Jichen and Wan Yincai.

"Young friend Lin, young friend Wan, I take my leave now. If you ever need the Ice Dragon Clan's assistance in the future, please feel free to give the order, and I will lead the Ice Dragon Clan to provide the best possible help!"

After saying that, he moved and transformed into a streak of ice-blue light, disappearing into the clouds and mist, leaving only a faint wisp of ice-type spiritual energy lingering on the mountaintop.

After Ao Qinhan left, only Lin Jichen and Wan Yincai remained on the summit, and the atmosphere instantly became somewhat subtle.

Amidst swirling clouds and radiant sunset, a gentle breeze carried the fragrance of the mountains. The two stood side by side, silent, the only sound the rustling of their robes.

It's time to leave.

A sense of loneliness and reluctance welled up in Wan Yincai's heart.

The path of cultivating immortality may bring longevity, but separation is the norm.

As the eldest daughter of the Beast Taming Sect, she was born into a life of luxury and possessed extraordinary talent. She was never short of suitors, but she happened to meet the inexperienced Lin Jichen when she was young.

From the initial amazement at first sight to the later infatuation while traveling together, she kept this secret crush hidden for several years, carefully concealing it and daring not to reveal it.

Now that they are parting again, with an uncertain future ahead and the battle against Zhujiuyin even more life-or-death, she doesn't know if there will be another chance to meet again. She doesn't want to keep it a secret any longer and just wants to boldly tell the person in front of her her feelings.

Thinking of this, Wan Yincai's cheeks flushed slightly, her heart raced, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her palms.

She gazed at Lin Jichen's profile, her eyes gentle yet intense, concealing emotions suppressed for many years.

"Fellow Daoist Lin..." Wan Yincai took a deep breath, mustered all her courage, and spoke softly, her voice trembling slightly.

"There's something I've kept to myself for a long time, and today I want to say it out loud."

Lin Jichen turned his head to look at her. He saw that her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were evasive, yet there was a hint of determination in them. His heart stirred slightly, and he said softly, "Go ahead."

"I like you."

Wan Yincai raised her head, looking directly into Lin Jichen's eyes, her tone extremely serious, without a trace of shyness, only full of sincerity.

"I fell in love with you the moment I first saw you at the Beast Taming Sect. I initially thought it was just lust at first sight, but later I found that my feelings for you grew stronger and stronger."

Wan Yincai's frankness and straightforwardness surprised Lin Jichen.

She continued, "I know you are now burdened with a heavy responsibility to deal with Zhu Jiuyin, but I don't want to hide it anymore. I want to tell you that no matter how dangerous the road ahead is, I want to be with you. Although I am weak, I am willing to live and die with you."

After saying this, Wan Yincai's cheeks turned even redder, and her heart was pounding so fast it felt like it was going to jump out of her chest.

The young master of the Beast Taming Sect has never acted so coyly before.

She gripped her sleeves tightly, looking nervously at Lin Jichen, waiting for his answer. She was both expectant and apprehensive, afraid of being rejected.

...

Lin Jichen was stunned, his eyes filled with surprise.

He had always regarded Wan Yincai as a close friend and a partner who fought alongside him, and never imagined that she would have such feelings for him.