Zhu Xian: They've all been reborn

Jiang Xiaochuan took another nap.

This time, I wasn't knocked unconscious; I was genuinely exhausted, both mentally and physically. My brain was overloaded with too much information, so I simply shut it down and restarted.

Nine years.

Lu Xueqi has occupied a full nine years of his life.

From the very first time, in front of everyone at Shoujing Hall on Dazhu Peak, she coldly and aloofly demanded to "spar" with him.

Then she "accidentally" tripped him, and even... hugged him in the process, although she still fell down.

At that time, he felt that this senior sister was strange. She was pretty, but her eyes were too direct and her movements were too stiff.

Later, she seemed to "stick" to Dazhufeng.

He would come every few days to "guide" one's spiritual practice.

She participated in the entire forging process of the Snow River Sword, and the effort and rare materials she used were astonishing, even to Tian Buyi.

His cultivation level climbed with great difficulty from the second level of Jade Purity to the fifth level, and every step he took bore the mark of her.

She secretly took him down the mountain to eat at the most expensive restaurant in Heyang City (she paid for it) and watch the most lively temple fair (although she just stood by and watched coldly).

When he was completely bewildered by He Dazhi and his group's "encyclopedia of cultivation," she would calmly expose his ignorance and then explain it in a simpler and easier-to-understand way.

When he was feeling down because he was too tired from cutting bamboo or because he was hitting a bottleneck in his cultivation, she wouldn't comfort him. She would just hand him a cup of warm water, or say nothing and sit with him in the bamboo forest behind the mountain for an afternoon until the setting sun stretched their shadows long.

He used to think that Lu Xueqi was just eccentric or that she was taking extra "care" of him because they were fellow disciples (?).

Now, when put together and placed against the backdrop of "past life couple" and "rebirth and pursuit," everything takes on a completely different meaning.

That's not taking care of someone, that's pursuing them.

A clumsy, silent, yet all-pervasive pursuit that lasted nine years.

She forcefully intervened in his life in her own way, becoming the most important guide on his path of cultivation, and also the most important figure in his youth.

Aside from his fellow disciples from Dazhu Peak, he is the most unique and undeniable presence.

He believes in his "past life".

If that "Jiang Xiaochuan" ultimately chose Lu Xueqi and they remained husband and wife for hundreds of years, living in harmony and having children... then there must have been a reason for it.

At the very least, Lu Xueqi's character, appearance, cultivation, and feelings for him are all impeccable.

Moreover... he had to admit that Lu Xueqi was indeed his favorite female character when he read "Zhu Xian" in his previous life.

Although he was stubborn at the time, he always said he preferred Biyao's boldness in love and hate when arguing with his fellow fans.

But deep down, Lu Xueqi's image—cold on the outside but warm on the inside, silently waiting, and upholding her own principles—was what moved him and...reassured him.

Ideally, it should also have a touch of domineering personality?

The thought made his face flush.

As for Xiaobai... he's been with her for over nine years, even longer than Lu Xueqi.

Although most of the time she was in the form of a fox, curled up on his lap, sleeping on his pillow, and rubbing against his palm.

But that warmth and dependence had long been ingrained in my habits.

She would brush his face with her fluffy tail when he was sad; she would slap him awake when he was carried away with pride.

After transforming into human form, he couldn't ignore the languid care, the playful tenderness, and the solemn confession from last night.

Xiaobai was really good to him.

Tian Ling'er... Thinking of Tian Ling'er, he felt a tightness in his chest and a lingering sense of guilt.

They were childhood sweethearts, innocent and carefree. Her affection for him was passionate, straightforward, and unreserved.

Even knowing that she might also carry memories of her "past life," her feelings for him in this life—that persistence and the grievances she felt—were still real.

He broke her heart.

Biyao... this is the one who gives him the biggest headache.

I'm afraid, I'm really afraid.

Her obsessive and insane methods left him with lingering fear.

But besides fear, there seemed to be something else... an indescribable emotion.

Perhaps it was a touch of pity that arose after learning about her tragic end of unrequited love in her "past life"?

Or perhaps, a lingering fondness for the quirky, love-sacrificing green-clad girl from the original story has been projected onto this obsessive kidnapper.

It's very chaotic.

But seeing her desperate yet stubborn look, he felt really bad, even... a little choked up.

My mind was racing with chaotic thoughts when I suddenly felt the bed dip slightly.

Someone is coming up.

His body tensed instantly, but he didn't open his eyes and continued to "play dead".

A body, carrying the refreshing scent of plum blossoms, cool yet soft, gently pressed against him from the side, its arms encircling his waist and pulling him closer into its embrace.

It's Lu Xueqi.

Her movements were very light, with a tentative and cautious air.

Seeing that he wasn't struggling violently, she slowly tightened her arms, buried her face in his shoulder, and took a deep breath, as if to confirm his presence.

Almost simultaneously, the bed on the other side also sank.

A warm and sweet fragrance wafted over, and Little White came up as well.

She hugged him from the other side, her arm draped over his waist, their arms brushing against each other almost imperceptibly.

Xiao Bai didn't say anything, but simply pressed her face against his other shoulder, her silver hair brushing against his neck, tickling him.

Jiang Xiaochuan stood frozen in the middle, not daring to move.

What's going on?

Embracing two women?

Although being held by two stunning beauties, one should theoretically feel lightheaded.

But he felt immense pressure and even had difficulty breathing.

He quietly opened his eyes a crack and looked towards the foot of the bed.

Biyao was still standing there, clutching the Soul-Devouring Staff tightly in her hand, her knuckles white.

She looked at the three people embracing on the bed, her dark green eyes churning with intense pain, resentment, and a deep loneliness and...longing that came from being excluded.

She stood there, biting her lip, like a statue of despair.

After a long while, she seemed to have used up all her strength, and slowly, step by step, moved to the edge of the bed.

She sat down on the footstool at the foot of the bed without touching him.

She simply rested her face gently against his bent calf and closed her eyes.

A tear silently slid down his cheek, soaking his trouser leg.

Jiang Xiaochuan felt a lump in his throat again, a bittersweet feeling welling up inside him.

He simply closed his eyes and completely gave up on "resistance".

Hug me, lean on me, I can't break free anyway.

It's been abandoned.

In this strange, silent "four-way embrace," Lu Xueqi suddenly spoke.

It wasn't speaking, it was humming.

Her voice, clear and cool, yet carrying a strange gentleness, slowly rang in his ear:

"Never mind yesterday... Now you're right in front of me..."

Jiang Xiaochuan shuddered violently!

His eyes widened instantly!

This melody, these lyrics... it's "Preference"!

It's an interlude from the Legend of Sword and Fairy 3 in his previous life's world!

How come Lu Xueqi can sing?

And she sang...quite well?

Lu Xueqi seemed oblivious to his tremor, continuing to hum softly, her voice like a whisper, yet every word clear and striking his heart:

"I want to love, please give me a chance... If I'm wrong, I'll take responsibility... I'm convinced you're the answer..."

"I'm not afraid of anyone laughing at my extremism... I trust my intuition... Stubborn people never complain..."

"I'm not backing down from loving you... I said I wouldn't back down... I'm determined to do it..."

"Even if you won't listen, I'll still love you... I'll love you even harder, so you'll understand..."

As she sang the last line, her voice was barely audible, leaving only a trembling aftertaste and her arms wrapped around his waist, tightening slightly.

Jiang Xiaochuan was shocked and his mind went completely blank!

This is impossible!

Lu Xueqi is a native of the world of Jade Dynasty, how could she possibly know this song?

unless……

He suddenly turned his head and looked at Lu Xueqi, who was standing right in front of him.

She was looking at him too, her usually icy eyes now devoid of their usual coldness.

All that remained was a deep, almost drowning tenderness and... a barely perceptible unease.

"Is it alright?" She looked at him, her voice soft yet carrying a heavy weight, "Could you... give me a chance?"

Jiang Xiaochuan's throat went dry, his heart pounded, and an absurd thought blurted out: "Odd changes, even remains the same?"

Lu Xueqi was taken aback, seemingly not expecting him to ask this question suddenly.

But soon, a knowing glint flashed in her eyes, along with a barely perceptible, almost indulgent smile, as she naturally replied, "The sign indicates the quadrant."

"!!!" Jiang Xiaochuan gasped!

She really knew! She was right!

Could Lu Xueqi also be... a time traveler?!

"You...you too..." His voice trembled.

Lu Xueqi gently shook her head, interrupting him: "I'm not."

She looked into his shocked eyes and spoke clearly, word by word.

"Everything was told to me by you just before we were about to get married."

Beyond our world, there are other worlds, with this book, with this song.

After we got married, you told me everything without holding anything back.

Your origins, your fears. And your liking... me.

Jiang Xiaochuan has completely crashed.

Do I... really trust Lu Xueqi that much?

He even told her the biggest secret—time travel?

He even told her that he liked "Lu Xueqi from the book"?

This...this is too much information! He needs time to process it!

No, he needs a brain reboot!

Seeing his stunned expression, Lu Xueqi's smile deepened. She slightly propped herself up, looked down at him, and with an almost coaxing seriousness on her cool and beautiful face, began to ask:

Am I not pretty?

Jiang Xiaochuan subconsciously and blankly replied, "It looks good."

"Am I a bad cook?"

"...Delicious." He recalled the pastries that she had forced on him, which were actually quite tasty.

"Am I not highly skilled in cultivation?"

"High." Absolutely frighteningly high.

"Am I bad at personality?"

"..." Jiang Xiaochuan was stumped.

Paranoid, domineering, frightening... but looking at her face, so close yet filled with expectation and a hint of vulnerability, I couldn't bring myself to use those derogatory words.

Moreover, to be fair, aside from being a bit "excessive" towards him, Lu Xueqi is aloof but polite to others, loyal to her sect, and steadfast in her principles...

"Okay," he finally managed to squeeze out a single, dry word.

"Am I not good to you?"

"...Okay." Nine years of companionship, imparting all her knowledge, and even forging his natal immortal sword... He couldn't deny this "goodness."

Lu Xueqi's lips finally curved into a shallow yet genuinely touching arc.

She leaned closer, her nose almost touching his, her cool breath brushing against his burning cheek, her voice as low as a lover's murmur, yet carrying a gentle allure:

"Then...don't you love me?"

Jiang Xiaochuan was overwhelmed by her barrage of questions, and his mind couldn't process them at all.

Looking into her clear eyes, so close to his own, filled with her reflection, and hearing her seductive tone, he almost instinctively blurted out:

"like……"

He was stunned the moment the words left his mouth.

Love?

Does he love Lu Xueqi?

Does he... really love her?

Or have I been tricked by her?

"Jiang Xiaochuan!" A scream filled with sobs and anger abruptly broke his daze and self-doubt.

Biyao had raised her head at some point, her face streaked with tears, her dark green eyes glaring at him, and she gave Lu Xueqi a hateful look.

She jumped to her feet, pointed at Lu Xueqi, her voice shrill with agitation: "You! You cheated! You tricked him with this kind of tactic!"

She turned to Jiang Xiaochuan, tears welling up in her eyes again, but with a stubborn, determined look, as she said urgently, "Xiaochuan! Don't believe her! In our past life in the Dripping Blood Cave, you sang for me too! How could you forget? You sang..."

She took a deep breath, ignoring the messy tear stains on her face, and sang it out in a voice that was thick with nasal tone but exceptionally clear:

"With pen in hand and fan in hand, I write down a few regrets... With sword in hand, I'll traverse this mortal world in this lifetime..."

"Just one turn and I'm drunk on your lips again... Today I'll drink a cup of sorrow, and I won't leave until I'm drunk..."

"Tomorrow, let anyone face mountains of knives and seas of fire outside the city gates... What do people say about good and evil... I will never let go of your hand!"

"In this life, I've loved and hated, experienced right and wrong... If we meet again in the next life, I'll still be with you, side by side..."

"Swallows fly over Qingyun Mountain, and you fly past my fingertips!"

Her singing voice was not as clear and cold as Lu Xueqi's; it was choked with sobs and trembling, but it conveyed a more heart-wrenching despair and accusation.

The lyrics, expressing a resolute determination to stay together regardless of right or wrong, resonated clearly within the stone chamber.

Jiang Xiaochuan was struck dumb again!

Fantasy Zhu Xian!

These are the lyrics to the theme song of the game "Fantasy Zhu Xian"!

He listened to the song "Zhu Xian" on repeat countless times while reading the novel!

How could Biyao know?! And she even said it was a song he sang for her in a "past life"?!

"You said it! No matter what the world says about good and evil, I will never let go of your hand!"

After Biyao finished singing, tears streamed down her face, and her voice was hoarse as she made her accusations.

"How could you just let go?! How could you abandon me?!"

Her words struck Jiang Xiaochuan's heart like a hammer.

Looking at Biyao crying so hard she could barely breathe, then at Lu Xueqi's slightly furrowed brows and Xiaobai's thoughtful expression, he felt like the CPU in his brain was about to burn out, completely unable to process what was happening.

What on earth is all this?!

One by one, they all brought their "past life" scripts to force him to admit his mistakes!

But he doesn't remember anything!