Chapter 362

Chapter 362: The Sudden Heavenly Light

These thoughts made Feng Rong feel like invisible hands were tearing his heart into crumbling pieces too shattered to gather. Yet he dared not voice his fears, terrified confirmation would make them real.

Two warm hands suddenly cupped his sunflower face, lifting it gently.

"Stop overthinking!" You You squeezed his cheeks, staring into his anxious eyes. "Yuan Papa’s different from you because he’s family, a friend, and… my sister."

Recovered memories had deepened her bond with Yuan Qi, but only as trusted family – the same Sister Ling who’d protected her since birth. Romantic feelings could never exist between them.

"Getting my memories back doesn’t make me a new person." She pressed her forehead against his petals. "I’ve only ever loved Feng Rong. Before questioning if I’m still me, answer this – are you still my Feng Rong?"

"……"

No one else?!

Understanding dawned in his eyes, dissolving anxiety into pure joy. Sunflower seeds around his face burst into crimson blossoms as he nodded frantically. "I am! Always!" His flower face shifted back to human features mid-nod.

The entire sunflower plant launched at her, leaves outstretched.

"Your pot!" You You yelped as they toppled over, clay shards scattering. "Feng Rong, let go!"

"Never!" He tightened leafy arms around her. "After what you did in the Demon Realm, you won’t take responsibility?"

"Your thorns are stabbing me!"

"I’ll change to phoenix leaves!"

"That’s not the point! You’re a bird, not a plant!"

"Marry me tomorrow."

"Feng Rong!"

The door crashed open. "Sect Master, urgent…" Ling Qi froze at the sight of tangled limbs and soil-strewn floor.

Feng Rong instantly resumed human form. Ling Qi’s eyes darted between them before he bowed deeply. "My apologies!" He backpedaled out, slamming the door shut.

From the courtyard, Ling Qi gazed mournfully at clouds. When did the Sect Master develop such… exotic tastes? Maybe he needed vacation after all.

———————

Feng Rong abandoned his Demon God form completely after their talk, radiating Feng Clan’s divine energy instead of darkness. To Zhen Yan Sect’s delight, he resumed handing out roasted nuts at the back mountain – though he clung to You You like vine to tree.

His bickering with Yuan Qi returned full force. The formerly tolerant "Papa" now countered every barb with smiling precision, leaving the ex-Demon God spluttering. You You ignored their rivalry, intervening only if furniture threatened to break.

"Sect Master." Ling Qi presented a message scroll. "Our Elder investigated with the Second and Fourth Heavenly Emperors. The heavenly light only appears in First Heaven’s territory."

"Nothing in Heaven’s Sacred Mountain or Divine Realm?" You You frowned. Three days earlier, the Demon King had reported similar lights forming ring-shaped auroras over Monster Realm. Wherever the glow touched, endless earthquakes ravaged the land.

They’d found traces of Nether River’s presence in the lights – faint but unmistakable. The phenomenon matched locations of Six Realms’ cracks. Yet why did stable realms show symptoms first?

Ling Qi produced a flickering talisman. "Your Demon Realm messaging charm activated. A woman named Gong Xi sent this."

You You unrolled the parchment and sprang to her feet, message fluttering down:

"The Long Clan has vanished!"