With resolute eyes and trembling hands, Eli Shan placed his palm gently on Xie Meng's forehead, feeling the heat radiating from her fevered skin. Closing his own eyes, he delved deep into his inner self, summoning forth the pure essence of his cultivation.

Please, let her be alright. I can't bear to lose her, Eli Shan thought, his heart pounding with fear as he concentrated on channeling his qi towards Xie Meng.

Yet, as moments stretched into eternity, he felt a gnawing dread engulfing his heart. Xie Meng remained still, her chest barely rising with each shallow breath.

No, I can't give up. I won't give up, Eli Shan's inner voice screamed, determination surging through him like a raging torrent. I'll pour every ounce of my energy into saving her, no matter what it takes.

Desperation filled Eli Shan's heart, but he refused to falter. Every fiber of his being screamed in protest, yet he continued to pour forth his energy, refusing to let despair take hold.

Time blurred into a hazy abyss, each passing second dragging on like an eternity. But just when Eli Shan felt powerless, a flicker of hope pierced through the darkness.

Did her finger just move? Eli Shan's heart leaped with newfound hope as he discerned the faint movement of Xie Meng's finger. It's working! She's responding!

With renewed determination, Eli Shan doubled his efforts, channeling his qi with unwavering focus. And then, like a flower blooming in the darkest of nights, Xie Meng stirred.

Her eyelids fluttered, lashes brushing against her pale cheeks as awareness slowly returned to her. In that moment, Eli Shan's heart soared with relief, his own exhaustion melting away in the face of her awakening.

With trembling hands, Eli Shan closed his eyes and continued to infuse Xie Meng with his qi, guiding her back from the precipice of oblivion. Each pulse of energy carried with it a silent plea for her to return to him, a whispered prayer against the encroaching darkness. And finally, as the last vestiges of darkness lifted from her gaze, she opened her eyes, the brilliance within mirroring the dawn of a new day.

As Xie Meng's eyelids fluttered open, she saw Eli Shan's sweat-drenched face hovering above her. His furrowed brow and tense expression spoke volumes, filling her with a strange mix of gratitude and affection. With a gentle touch, she reached out and placed her hand on his cheek, a silent reassurance passing between them. "I am fine," she whispered, her voice barely above a breathy murmur, betraying the faint flutter in her chest at the sight of his concern.

Xie Meng's whispered words reached Eli Shan's ears, breaking through the haze of relief that enveloped him. With a gasp, he opened his eyes, his gaze locking onto hers with an intensity born of fear and longing. Seeing her awake, alive, filled him with a rush of overwhelming emotion, and without hesitation, he launched himself at her, enveloping her in a tight embrace as if afraid to ever let her go.

"I am glad, I am really glad that you are fine," he managed to choke out, his voice trembling with a mixture of relief and lingering anxiety.

In his arms, Xie Meng felt the warmth of his embrace, a soothing balm to her still-fragile spirit. It was the first time she had ever felt such closeness to another being, and the depth of emotion it stirred within her took her by surprise.

"Thank you for saving me, Eli Shan," she whispered, her voice barely above a murmur, her gratitude overflowing.

Eli Shan remained silent, holding her close, the weight of his fear and worry finally beginning to ease. "I was really afraid something would happen to you," he finally admitted, his voice barely more than a hoarse whisper, the vulnerability in his tone belying his usual stoic demeanor.

Feeling the tension drain from his body, Xie Meng gently massaged his back, the gesture filled with a sweetness that resonated deep within her heart.

After a few moments, Eli Shan finally shifted back slightly, his gaze locking onto Xie Meng's with a depth that seemed to pierce through her very soul.

As their eyes met, Xie Meng felt a rush of inexplicable emotions flood her being, her heart racing with a fervor she had never known. In that moment, all she desired was to hold onto this man, to never let him slip away from her grasp. She was willing to do anything for him, to sacrifice everything just to remain by his side. It was a feeling she couldn't quite comprehend, yet she knew with unwavering certainty that she couldn't bear the thought of living without him.

Unbeknownst to Xie Meng, Eli Shan was equally ensnared by the intensity of the moment. Though he had never experienced such emotions before, he found himself drawn inexorably towards her, his heart pounding with a rhythm that matched her own. In his mind, there was no one more important than his parents and friend, yet now, standing before this woman, he realized that she had carved out a place in his heart unlike any other.

With a trembling hand, Eli Shan brushed aside a stray lock of hair that obscured Xie Meng's eyes, his touch gentle yet filled with unspoken longing. As they drew closer, he felt the warmth of her breath mingling with his own, their closeness sparking an electric current that seemed to crackle in the air between them.

With a tender caress, Eli Shan brushed his fingers against Xie Meng's cheek, drawing her near with a gentle touch that spoke volumes of his desire. And then, as if guided by some unseen force, their lips met in a gentle kiss, a union of souls beneath the luminous glow of the full moon.

In that timeless moment, they sat together at the edge of the lake, their hands intertwined as they sealed their oath to live and die together with a tender embrace.

After a moment of shared intimacy, Eli Shan withdrew slightly, his gaze softening as he looked upon Xie Meng with an expression of warmth and affection.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

Unable to meet his gaze, Xie Meng's cheeks flushed crimson as she kept her face lowered, the intensity of their connection leaving her breathless and overwhelmed.

Eli Shan's expression turned resolute as he spoke with unwavering love, "Xie Meng, I promise to never leave you, even in death. I will always be by your side. Will you be with me for the rest of your life and even beyond?"

Xie Meng's cheeks flushed as she looked into Eli Shan's eyes with a resolute expression. "Yes, I do," she replied, her tone filled with conviction.

Eli Shan's smile widened with love as he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a warm embrace. Feeling the strength and warmth of his embrace, Xie Meng couldn't help but hug him back, her heart swelling with a newfound sense of belonging and love.

As they held each other, Xie Meng felt a warmth enveloping her, a feeling of security and comfort, unlike anything she had ever experienced before. It was as if she had finally found her place in the world, nestled in the arms of the man she loved.

After a moment, Eli Shan stood up, still holding Xie Meng in his arms. She couldn't help but blush as she realized that he was still not wearing his shirt. With a shy gesture, she closed her eyes, feeling a surge of embarrassment washing over her.

"Y-You're still not wearing anything," she murmured, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.

Eli Shan shook his head with a resigned smile, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "You really are an innocent girl," he chuckled softly, gently removing her hand from her eyes. "Now you're mine, what's there to hide?"

Xie Meng's eyes widened in surprise as her gaze landed on Eli Shan's slim and perfect body, her gaze lingering on the sword cuts that marred his skin. The sight filled her with a mixture of curiosity and concern. What had he been through to bear such scars? These marks were as if he had been fighting for ages! One couldn't get these wounds by simply cultivating them at home.

What Xie Meng didn't know was that Eli Shan had indeed been cultivating in his room all along. However, within his soul universe, he had cultivated his sword intent inside the ancient sword cave, resulting in countless cuts covering every inch of his body. It's just his healing ability was better and his body was robust that he was able to survive, otherwise, normal people would have died a long time ago.

Unaware of Xie Meng's thoughts, Eli Shan smiled warmly at her, his eyes filled with affection. "So you can't take your eyes off my perfect body, huh?"

Xie Meng's face flushed with embarrassment as she lowered her gaze, feeling a rush of warmth spreading through her body. "You have been working hard," she murmured softly, her voice filled with admiration.

Eli Shan was taken aback by her response, his heart swelling with love. With a gentle gesture, he kissed her forehead and nodded, "Yes, I have been working hard. And now, I have one more reason to work even harder."

Feeling overwhelmed by her emotions, Xie Meng nodded slowly, burying her face in Eli Shan's chest, her heart overflowing with the first experience of love.

In silence, Eli Shan brought Xie Meng to the tranquil edge of the lake, the water lapping gently against the shore. This time, they remained at the water's edge, where the water reached no more than Xie Meng's neck.

With meticulous care, Eli Shan submerged himself in the clear waters and gently lowered Xie Meng inside. Slowly and methodically, he aided her in removing her dress, her body concealed beneath the tranquil lake, while his gaze remained fixed on Xie Meng's beautiful face.

As Xie Meng stood before him, bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight, Eli Shan placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, his touch imbued with warmth and love. With a focused concentration, he channeled his cultivation into her, the energy flowing seamlessly between them like a gentle stream.

Time seemed to stand still as they remained locked in this sacred exchange, the air filled with an electric anticipation. And then, as the last traces of his energy coursed through her, Xie Meng felt a surge of power enveloping her, propelling her to the peak stage of the Tian realm.

With warmth in his eyes, Eli Shan gently cupped Xie Meng's chin, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that stirred something deep within her soul. And then, without a word, he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers.

After their moment of shared intimacy, Eli Shan withdrew slightly, a soft smile gracing his lips. "You can wear these clothes," he extended his hand and took out a set of clothes from the void. "I'll wait behind the tree until you're ready."

With a soft chuckle, Eli Shan disappeared behind the foliage, leaving Xie Meng alone with her thoughts. A blush crept across her cheeks as she realized the intimacy of their exchange, the realization filling her with a sense of vulnerability and excitement.

"Don't peek," she called out, her voice tinged with playful admonishment as she glanced toward the spot where Eli Shan had disappeared.

Eli Shan's laughter floated back to her on the gentle breeze, his playful retort echoing in the stillness of the night. "What's wrong with peeking at my wife?"

Unable to suppress a smile, Xie Meng remained silent, her heart filled with a warmth that eclipsed the moon's gentle glow.

As Xie Meng changed into her new clothes, she called out to Eli Shan, "You can come out now."

Emerging from behind the tree, Eli Shan's gaze fell upon her, momentarily leaving him speechless. Wrapped in Eli Shan's long attire, Xie Meng looked irresistibly adorable, causing his heart to swell with affection. Unable to resist, he ran towards her, his steps buoyed by the power of the wind.

Xie Meng's cheeks flushed a deep shade of red, resembling ripe tomatoes as Eli Shan enveloped her in a warm embrace.

"It's night, let's sleep," Xie Meng murmured, her voice laced with a hint of embarrassment, her cheeks flushing with a bashful blush.

Eli Shan nodded eagerly, his agreement punctuated by a soft chuckle. "As little Xie Meng says," he replied playfully.

With a flick of his hand, Eli Shan conjured a soft bed of green leaves by the tranquil edge of the lake. Together, they nestled down upon the makeshift bed, with Xie Meng's head resting gently upon Eli Shan's chest.

In the quiet embrace of the night, they closed their eyes and surrendered to the embrace of sleep. And as their breaths fell into sync, they drifted off into dreams, cocooned in each other's warmth.

Author: What? You were waiting for something else too? You'll go to hell for this! XD.

As the morning sun painted the sky with hues of orange and gold, Eli Shan and Xie Meng emerged from their peaceful slumber, refreshed and rejuvenated. Their clothes, soaked by the lake, had dried under the gentle warmth of the morning sun.

Xie Meng wore her full white dress once more, its delicate blue lining adorning the sides like petals on a blossoming flower. With each step, she exuded an ethereal beauty, her presence reminiscent of a serene garden in bloom.

On the contrary, Eli Shan adorned himself in a sleek, form-fitting black coat, its fabric flowing like shadows around him. Wearing this, he looked like a messenger of darkness, his figure cloaked in mystery and power.

Taking Xie Meng's hand in his own, Eli Shan smiled warmly. "Shall we?"

Xie Meng returned the warmth in her reply, "I'll follow your lead."

As they ventured into the forest, they encountered beasts, some of which were even in the origin realm.

With swift precision, Eli Shan unleashed his dark sword intent, slicing through the creatures with such finesse that they could have been served as a meal after being grilled.

Days passed as they journeyed onward until at last, they emerged from the dense foliage of the forest, greeted by the sight of a vast boundary.

"It's the boundary that separates the central plains from the rest," Eli Shan remarked as they took in the scene before them.

"We've finally arrived at the central plain!"