Sky Star

Chapter Two: A Fateful Encounter

After parting ways with Ling Xue, Xiao Chen felt like a fledgling breaking free from its cage, yearning to soar across the vast sky. Without hesitation, he shouldered his simple yet dream-laden pack and embarked on his long journey to explore the Celestial Domain. He understood that his small hometown and family were nothing more than a shallow shore, incapable of carrying his grand ambitions. Only the boundless world ahead—full of unknowns and opportunities—could serve as the stage for his aspirations.

Enduring countless hardships, braving the elements, and pressing forward through fatigue, Xiao Chen finally arrived at the legendary Tianyuan City. The city resembled a dreamlike metropolis that never slept, bustling with life. The streets teemed with people, their voices forming a vibrant symphony of noise and energy. Towering, ornate buildings lined the avenues, standing like silent giants, exuding an air of grandeur. Street vendors called out enthusiastically, their stalls overflowing with dazzling treasures and ancient manuals that sparkled with an irresistible allure. The sheer spectacle left Xiao Chen wide-eyed in amazement.

Rumors spoke of an ancient library hidden within the city—a place brimming with lost knowledge and long-forgotten cultivation techniques. Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen felt like a starving wolf catching the scent of prey. Without delay, he rushed toward the library, eager as if answering a sacred call that would shape his destiny.

By coincidence, Ling Xue had also arrived in Tianyuan City that same day. Tasked by her family with gathering rare medicinal herb records crucial for a new elixir’s development, she moved gracefully through the bustling streets like an ethereal flower untouched by the dust of the mortal world. Following the faint scent of aged scrolls and wisdom, she stepped into the grand library. Inside, silence reigned—a solemn and sacred hush. Towering bookshelves stood like silent sages, bearing the wisdom of countless generations, waiting for a fated one to unlock their secrets.

Amidst this tranquil yet mysterious atmosphere, destiny wove its threads. As if guided by an unseen force, Xiao Chen and Ling Xue’s gazes met across the bookshelves. In that instant, time seemed to freeze.

Xiao Chen felt as if a divine bolt of lightning had struck him from the heavens, rendering him motionless. In his eyes, the entire world faded into insignificance, leaving only Ling Xue—her breathtaking beauty like a snow lotus blooming in the darkness, radiant and otherworldly. His heart pounded wildly, as if it might leap from his chest.

Ling Xue, too, was taken aback. Though Xiao Chen’s attire was modest, he carried the aura of a finely honed blade, sharpened through countless trials, now unsheathed for the first time. His eyes burned with unyielding determination, fierce and unwavering like a raging fire. That fiery resolve struck a chord deep within her heart, sending ripples through her calm soul—like a gentle breeze caressing a still lake, stirring delicate waves of warmth.

Just then, a sudden disturbance shattered the serene library. Like a stone plunging into a tranquil pond, chaos erupted.

A shadow flashed past at an astonishing speed, as swift and elusive as a ghost. A thief had infiltrated the library, attempting to steal an ancient cultivation manual—an artifact steeped in mystery, rumored to hold unfathomable power. Its aura of secrecy had drawn countless greedy eyes. The thief moved with the deadly precision of an elite assassin, and though the library’s guards fought valiantly, they were swiftly overwhelmed, falling back under the relentless assault.

Xiao Chen reacted instantly. The celestial energy within him, long dormant, roared to life like a primordial beast awakening from slumber. Without hesitation, he clenched his fists and unleashed a strike—a dazzling burst of starry energy shot forth like a comet, carrying an unstoppable force toward the thief.

Ling Xue moved in harmony with him, her delicate hands weaving through the air, casting an intricate celestial spell. Ice shards glimmered alongside Xiao Chen’s star-infused attack, merging into a breathtaking display of power. Their techniques complemented each other flawlessly, like twin blades forged to fight as one. The thief, caught off guard, was quickly overwhelmed and fled in disgrace, vanishing like a beaten stray dog.

In the aftermath, Xiao Chen and Ling Xue found themselves drawn to one another, conversing as though they were old friends reuniting after years apart. Xiao Chen was astounded by Ling Xue’s vast knowledge—her insights into cultivation techniques were profound, as if she could peer into the very essence of ancient arts, deciphering their hidden truths. Ling Xue, in turn, marveled at Xiao Chen’s battle instincts and adaptability. How could a young man from humble origins possess such formidable skills and extraordinary perception? He was like a long-buried gem, finally unearthed, radiating an undeniable brilliance.

As they bid farewell, their gazes lingered, filled with an unspoken promise. If fate allowed, they vowed to one day journey together—two blades united, traversing the world, upholding justice, and illuminating the Celestial Domain with their combined strength.

From that day on, Xiao Chen often found himself lost in thought, replaying the memory of their encounter in the library. Ling Xue’s breathtaking beauty, her gentle smile—they were etched deeply into his soul, impossible to forget.

Meanwhile, back in her family estate, Ling Xue, too, found her thoughts drifting toward Xiao Chen. His unwavering determination, his sincerity, his courage—like a spring breeze, they stirred something within her heart. Though they were separated by countless miles, like the celestial lovers held apart by the vast Silver River, the seed of their connection had already taken root. And in the depths of their hearts, it continued to grow.