"Done," the auctioneer announced, striking the gavel.
In the private booth above, Li Tian leaned back lazily. The small silver orb floated in his palm, its surface humming with faint spiritual runes. Lin Hua's eyes sparkled.
"It looks so mysterious," she said, resting her chin on her hand. "What's it for?"
"Storage seal," he said after a glance. "Most likely ancient. But it's damaged. Whatever was inside is gone."
"Oh," Lin Hua deflated a little. "Still… it looked cool."
He reached over and tapped her forehead lightly. "Don't pout over junk. I just bought it because you liked the look of it."
She blinked, then grinned. "Really?"
"Tch. Why else would I bother?" he said, but his eyes were warm.
He tucked the orb away. Lin Hua leaned into his arm, still smiling.
They exited the auction hall not long after. Several cultivators in the hallway paused, clearly recognizing him—or at least sensing the immense pressure coiled beneath his calm exterior. One made the mistake of trying to probe his cultivation.
Clink. A single glance from Li Tian was enough. The man's spiritual sense collapsed. He clutched his head and stumbled into a wall.
"Hmph." Li Tian didn't even break stride. "Ants sure have a death wish these days."
"Maybe they're just curious," Lin Hua offered lightly. "You don't show off much. They must be wondering where this sudden immortal pressure came from."
"They can keep wondering," he muttered. "They're not worth an explanation."
Back on the bustling streets of Violet Luminous City, the mood was lively. Cultivators walked shoulder to shoulder with merchants, street performers showed off low-grade techniques to attract coin, and hawkers yelled about spirit peaches and rank-2 pills.
A few moments later, a tall youth in silk robes stepped directly into their path.
"You two," he said, raising his chin. "I couldn't help but notice the way you humiliated Elder Zhao inside the auction. He is a respected guest of the Crimson Hall. Apologize."
Li Tian didn't stop walking. "No."
"You—!"
"Are in my way," he added flatly.
He flicked his sleeve. A burst of formless pressure swept over the man like a crashing wave. The cultivator dropped to his knees mid-sentence, choking on his own breath. The street quieted instantly.
Lin Hua stepped carefully over him. "You said we wouldn't attract attention today."
"I lied."
She giggled.
They resumed walking. She eyed a stall to their right. "Ooh, sugar-frosted lotus cakes. I haven't had those since… ever."
He glanced at the stall. "You want one?"
Lin Hua shook her head. "It's okay. I just thought they looked fun."
He paid anyway.
When she took a bite, her eyes lit up.
"She's so easily pleased," he thought, watching her nibble with delight. "That's… kind of nice. She really hasn't seen much of the world, has she?"
And then he added silently, "I robbed her of that. For a thousand years, I locked her in a life of silence and cultivation. Like I did with Chen Lian…"
He handed her another.
"You're not going to eat one?" she asked.
"I'm already full," he replied, voice dry. "From regret."
She blinked, unsure if he was joking.
As they passed by a weapons stall, a pair of rogue cultivators whispered behind them.
"Did you feel that aura earlier?"
"Yeah. Monster. I bet he's one of those hidden clan ancestors. The kind that eats Nascent Soul cultivators for breakfast."
Li Tian ignored them. But Lin Hua's expression turned complicated for a moment.
He looked down at her. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," she said quickly. "It's just… I used to walk this city alone. No one ever looked twice. Now, everyone either stares or flees."
He was silent for a moment. Then: "Do you hate it?"
"I don't know yet," she said honestly. "But I like that I'm not walking alone anymore."
His hand found hers.
They kept strolling, and eventually, Lin Hua tugged his sleeve. "Let's go to the Starfall Tea House."
"Hm?"
"I heard from the aunties in the palace that they serve spiritual tea that calms the meridians and improves dual cultivation harmony."
He raised an eyebrow.
She blushed. "I meant cultivation, not… never mind!"
"You said it."
"Hmph."
He didn't say anything more, but led her toward the tea house anyway.
Just outside the tea house, two familiar silhouettes passed them on the street. Lin Hua narrowed her eyes. "That's the cultivator you flicked aside earlier. And… some kind of elder?"
The young cultivator was now whispering hurriedly to a man in crimson robes, his expression panicked.
The elder paused, turning his head just slightly toward Li Tian. Their gazes met.
A flicker of shock passed through the elder's eyes.
Then fear.
And then, without a word, the elder grabbed the youth by the collar and disappeared down an alley at top speed.
"…Did they just run away?" Lin Hua asked, confused.
Li Tian didn't answer. But his lips curved slightly.
Good. One less arrogant idiot to waste time on.
Inside the tea house, the scent of spirit flowers wafted gently. Lin Hua leaned against the window, watching the streets below.
"Thank you for today," she said quietly.
He looked at her.
"For listening. For letting me drag you around. For buying me silly things I didn't need."
He poured the tea. "You did need them. You just didn't know it."
She smiled.
For a moment, there was nothing but the quiet clink of cups.
Then Lin Hua thought to herself, He really is trying. After all this time, he's still him… but different. Warmer.
And Li Tian, as he watched her, thought, If this is the life I could have had… then I'll live it properly this time.