The Art of Subduing Dragons

Chapter 58

In the dim light, Luo Qingci was lost in thought, momentarily silent.

Ruan Li fiddled with her fingers and eventually spoke her mind, "Qi Qing, I have to go back... but I don't want to leave you. It's so hard to have finally met you, and I'm afraid..."

She appeared shy but mustered the courage to voice her feelings, as her bond with Qi Qing was so limited that she feared a long separation if she missed this chance.

Luo Qingci understood her concerns. She gently adjusted the girl's clothing and said softly, "Are you afraid you won't be able to find me?"

Ruan Li lowered her head and murmured, "I don't know who you really are or where you live. I only know that you have friends here. But Master Cheng said she rarely sees you and doesn't know your whereabouts. If we part ways, where will I find you?"

Her eyes were filled with bitterness and a hint of panic. She felt that Qi Qing was too disconnected from this world, and if they parted, it would be as if she never existed.

Despite being trapped in the Dragon Clan for over twenty years and having tried to find Qi Qing, Ruan Li had always been at a loss.

Qi Qing looked at her and patted her head. "I really can't tell you where I'll be. I have my own matters to attend to, so I can't stay in one place for long. But Ruan Li, you are the person I care about the most in this world. I didn't know where you were before and couldn't find you, but now that I do, if you can't find me, I'll come looking for you. You won't be lost, understand?"

Ruan Li's eyes widened with a mixture of joy and disbelief. "Is that true? Am I really the person you care about the most?" She stumbled over the words, her eyes full of expectation.

"Do you doubt that I care for you?" Luo Qingci asked, her gaze tender and affectionate.

Life often requires us to find ways to prove our sincerity, whether genuine or not. But Luo Qingci had almost forgotten what sincerity felt like. Her emotions, after coming to this world, seemed to be forcibly severed, except for her feelings towards Ruan Li, which were expressed fully.

Although she had experienced real emotions with Su Yu and Cheng Su, it was almost as if she had poured all her feelings into Ruan Li. It might have started out as a necessity, but now it seemed to be something more.

"Ruan Li, I don't have relatives, and I have very few friends. The people I care about can be counted on one hand. You are very important to me." That's why she said she would always stand by her side. If it came to a conflict between their clans, she would fight for Ruan Li, Su Yu, and Cheng Su, even if it meant risking everything.

Ruan Li blushed, rubbing her fingers nervously. "You're also the most important person to me, without exception."

She then looked troubled. "After returning, we might need to go to the Ten Directions Secret Realm. It might... be a long time before I see you again." She wanted to selfishly have Qi Qing accompany her, but since it was her own journey and Qi Qing had her own important matters, she couldn't make such a demand.

Luo Qingci smiled. "I promise you, before I go to the Secret Realm, I will come to see you. Is that okay?"

Luo Qingci wanted to accompany her, but this was Ruan Li's path, and some dangers had to be faced by herself. She couldn't prematurely clip her wings.

"Really? You mustn't lie."

Luo Qingci didn't speak but extended her pinky finger.

Ruan Li didn't understand at first and looked at her with confusion.