The cave was quiet.
The fire had burned lower than before.
A calm stillness lingered in the air.
Li Xuan looked at Ling Yue.
This time—
His tone was more relaxed.
Less distant.
"Thank you," he said.
Ling Yue glanced at him.
"For what you said earlier," he added. "It helped."
There was no hesitation in his voice.
Just simple sincerity.
Ling Yue looked at him for a moment.
As if noticing the change.
Then she spoke softly—
"I hope you find them."
Her voice was calm.
But gentler than before.
The words lingered in the quiet cave.
Li Xuan didn't respond immediately.
But something in his expression shifted—
Just slightly.
The silence that followed—
Felt lighter than before.
Ling Yue lowered her gaze slightly.
Then, in a low voice, she said—
"…It's time for me to leave."
Li Xuan looked at her.
"So soon?"
There was a brief pause before he added—
"Your injuries…"
Ling Yue shook her head lightly.
"They're still serious," she said. "It will take time to fully recover."
A moment passed.
"But I've regained enough strength."
Li Xuan nodded slowly.
"I see."
Ling Yue pushed herself up.
Her movements were steady—
But not without difficulty.
Li Xuan noticed.
He stood as well.
Instinctively, he reached out.
"I'll help—"
For a brief moment—
Ling Yue's gaze paused on his hand.
Something flickered in her eyes.
Then—
She raised her own hand slightly, stopping him.
"…No."
"I'm fine."
Her voice wasn't cold.
But it was firm.
Li Xuan's hand stilled—
Then slowly lowered.
He didn't insist.
Ling Yue steadied herself.
Her posture returned to its usual composure.
But her gaze didn't meet his.
(…This should be enough.)
(I shouldn't get any closer.)
She turned slightly toward the cave entrance.
Keeping her distance.
Step by step—
She began walking toward the cave entrance.
Her figure moved slowly through the dim light.
Behind her—
The fire had nearly burned out.
Its faint glow flickered weakly.
Li Xuan remained where he stood.
His gaze lowered.
Silent.
The cave grew still.
Time seemed to stretch—
Each passing second slower than the last.
Her footsteps echoed softly.
Then grew fainter.
Then nearly disappeared.
…
Li Xuan slowly lifted his head.
"Take care of yourself."
His voice broke the silence.
Low.
Calm.
"Your injuries… haven't fully healed yet."
His words reached her—
Just as she was about to step out.
Ling Yue's steps halted.
Right at the edge of the cave.
A faint morning breeze drifted in.
Cool.
Fresh.
Soft light from dawn brushed against the entrance.
For a moment—
She didn't turn.
Her fingers tightened slightly at her side.
A faint pause lingered.
As if something held her back.
But she said nothing.
She simply stood there—
Then, Ling Yue slowly turned back.
This time—
She faced him.
Her expression had changed.
Cold.
Distant.
Unfamiliar.
A brief silence passed.
Then—
"Don't worry about me."
Her voice was steady.
Devoid of warmth.
"What happened in this cave…"
She paused for the slightest moment—
Almost unnoticeable.
"…means nothing."
Her gaze remained indifferent.
"As for you—"
"Forget it."
"Forget everything that happened here."
Each word fell clearly.
Without hesitation.
"Our paths were never the same."
There was no softness left in her tone.
"From the beginning… this was never meant to be anything."
For a fleeting second—
Her fingers tightened slightly at her side.
Then relaxed.
"So forget it."
"And forget me."
The words lingered in the air.
Cold.
Final.
Li Xuan stood there quietly.
For a moment—
He said nothing.
Then he nodded.
"…Alright."
His voice was calm.
But softer than before.
He didn't ask anything further.
Didn't stop her.
Ling Yue turned away.
Without another word—
She began walking toward the cave entrance again.
Step by step.
The distance between them grew.
Just as she reached the edge—
She paused.
For a brief moment—
As if deciding whether to say anything at all.
Then, without fully turning back, she spoke—
"Find a safer place."
"The forest isn't safe."
A slight pause followed.
"And treat your wounds properly."
Her voice remained steady.
Unmoved.
As if those words held no weight.
But they lingered in the air.
Li Xuan looked at her.
As if about to say something—
But before any words could leave his lips—
She moved.
In the next instant—
Her figure stepped beyond the cave.
A faint surge of energy followed.
Light.
Swift.
She rose into the air.
Without looking back—
She disappeared into the distance.
The cave fell silent once more.
Li Xuan stood still for a moment.
Then—
As if something pulled him—
He suddenly moved.
Quick steps echoed through the cave as he rushed forward.
Toward the entrance.
Toward where she had been.
He stepped outside.
His gaze lifted instinctively—
Searching.
But—
There was nothing.
No figure in the sky.
No trace left behind.
Only empty air.
Li Xuan stood there.
For a moment—
He didn't move.
The wind brushed past him softly.
Then—
A faint light caught his eyes.
He looked up.
The horizon had begun to glow.
A beautiful sunrise spread across the sky.
Golden light slowly filled the world.
Pushing away the last traces of night.
He watched quietly.
Without a word.