Floating life reflects two lotuses

Xiao Jinlian and Li Heng dived into the pool together. The icy water flowed around their bodies, and the deeper they went, the dimmer the light became. By sheer luck, among the rocks at the bottom of the pool, Xiao Jinlian quickly discovered a clearly different fragment.

The fragment's surface was covered in runes, faintly glowing. She carefully removed it and discovered a complex string of cryptic runes carved on the other side of the rock. She gently wiped away the dirt, and the contents of the runes gradually became clear.

"The true words are hidden deep within the imperial tomb, and the secrets of heaven are sought where the jade dragon coils."

Xiao Jinlian silently recited these words in her heart, vaguely feeling that the clues to the imperial tomb were closely related to the power of the runes.

The two surfaced and had just changed into dry clothes when hurried footsteps suddenly came from afar, mixed with whispers and commands, as if the entire forest had been disturbed. Xiao Jinlian frowned slightly, gripping the fragment she had just retrieved, and whispered, "They're here."

Li Heng had already sensed it. His eyes were cold and stern as he shielded Xiao Jinlian behind him, his grip on his sword tightening slightly. Soon, a group of mysterious figures in cloaks emerged from the forest, surrounding the two. The leader's eyes were like a hawk's, fixed on the fragment in Xiao Jinlian's hand, his voice low but threatening: "Hand it over!"

"Heh, I'm afraid it won't be that easy." Li Heng sneered, drawing his sword, the blade gleaming coldly in the moonlight. His voice was as icy as the mountain wind: "Anyone who dares to touch her, just try it."

"Go!" At the leader's command, the cloaked figures immediately surged forward, their hands flashing with cold light, their swords and knives all pointing at the two men.

Li Heng did not back down. He slashed horizontally with his longsword, forcing the approaching enemy back several steps. His movements were swift and fierce, the sword light striking down like lightning, bringing a cold glint that aimed directly at the enemy's vitals. Although the enemy outnumbered him, they clearly did not expect his swordsmanship to be so fierce, and for a moment they were suppressed and forced to retreat step by step.

"Lian'er, go first!" Li Heng shouted in a low voice as he made his move.

"I won't abandon you!" Xiao Jinlian clutched the shards, gritting her teeth. Her gaze swept across the surroundings, quickly searching for a way to escape. Suddenly, she spotted a dense bamboo grove, perfect for cover as they retreated.

"Quick, come with me!" Xiao Jinlian grabbed Li Heng's wrist, pulled him forcefully, and led him towards the bamboo forest.

Li Heng slashed at the pursuing enemy with his sword, muttering under his breath, "This is none of your business!"

"If I don't leave, you'll be surrounded and killed!" Xiao Jinlian glared at him stubbornly and continued to lead him deeper into the bamboo forest.

The enemy was hot on their heels, their footsteps growing ever closer. Li Heng gritted his teeth, swung a dart in his backhand, and knocked down the nearest pursuer. He whispered, "Faster, they're catching up!"

The two ran frantically until they finally stopped behind a dense thicket of trees. Xiao Jinlian, panting heavily, leaned against a large tree, still clutching the shard in her hand tightly. Li Heng leaned against her, his face grim but his breathing steady.

“These people… came for the fragments.” Xiao Jinlian calmed her breathing, her voice now carrying a hint of composure.

Li Heng glanced at her and asked in a deep voice, "What else are you hiding? How did these people know your whereabouts?"

Xiao Jinlian didn't answer, but looked down at the fragment in her hand, her expression complex yet resolute. She knew that the secret of this fragment might be far more dangerous than she imagined.

Li Heng leaned against a large tree, the bloodstains on his sword reflecting the faint moonlight. His breathing had calmed, but the shadow between his brows remained heavy. He turned his head to look at Xiao Jinlian, his eyes filled with a complex and unfathomable expression.

"Lian'er," his voice was low and slow, as if he were testing me, or as if he was suppressing some emotion, "Are you hiding something from me?"

Xiao Jinlian's fingers trembled slightly as she gripped the shard in her hand. She looked up at him, meeting his deep gaze, a flicker of struggle crossing her mind. After a moment, she sighed softly, her gaze darting away for a second, but quickly regaining its composure.

"Li Heng, actually... I am not Chu Wanlian."

As soon as she finished speaking, the surrounding wind seemed to freeze. Li Heng froze, his gaze fixed on her face, his brows furrowing almost imperceptibly: "What are you saying?"

Xiao Jinlian took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "I am not Chu Wanlian, I am Xiao Jinlian—her soul comes from another time and space, while my soul is trapped here."

She told Li Heng the truth about the soul swap word by word, from the initial accident to the rules that connected the two souls, and the fact that Chu Wanlian would occasionally appear in his mind.

Just as her words were becoming clearer, an urgent cry came from my mind.

"Don't tell him! Xiao Jinlian, you can't say it!" Chu Wanlian's voice was anxious and uneasy, as if trying to stop a storm that was about to get out of control.

Xiao Jinlian closed her eyes slightly, as if to calm herself down, and then said, "I'm sorry, Chu Wanlian, I can't hide it anymore."

Li Heng listened in silence, his gaze gradually shifting from shock to deep thought. He didn't interrupt, only staring at her, the wrinkles between his brows deepening. His breathing was steady, but the aura around him was so oppressive it was suffocating.

When Xiao Jinlian finished speaking, a deathly silence fell over the surroundings, broken only by the sound of the wind rustling through the treetops. Li Heng's gaze was lowered, his grip on his sword tightening and loosening repeatedly. His expression was inscrutable; after a long silence, he finally stood up.

"I understand." His voice was low, yet it conveyed a resolute calmness.

Xiao Jinlian looked at him, trying to catch a glimpse of emotion in his eyes, but found nothing. She asked softly, "Do you...believe me?"

Li Heng paused, but did not answer. He simply lowered his eyes, straightened his robes, and then said in a low voice, "Let's go back to the princess's residence."

His tone left no room for argument, as if he were deliberately avoiding further discussion. He turned and led his horse, not glancing at her again, his back conveying a sense of detachment.

Xiao Jinlian stood there, the shard in her hand slightly cold. A complex mix of emotions surged within her, but she remained silent. The wind blew through the woods, swirling fallen leaves, as if reminding her that, no matter what, she had to walk this path alone.

Li Heng's figure receded into the distance, the moonlight shining on his back, casting a cold, stern light. His steps remained firm, yet they concealed emotions she could not fathom.