I alone am the Honoured One!

581  The Heaven sent child [7]

"Huff… Huff…"

Zhao Tian's chest heaved up and down as he hovered amidst the tempest's dying echoes.

Blood streamed down his battered body, dripping from deep wounds, soaking his tattered robes.

His once-bright blue eyes were hollow, their brilliance dimmed by exhaustion.

He stared upwards at the clearing sky, where the furious storm that had sought to obliterate him moments ago was now dissipating.

 The oppressive power of the tribulation was fading, leaving only silence in its path.

The 10th degree of the Heavenly Tribulation had come to an end.

Zhao Tian raised his head slightly as he looked at the skies, now streaked with faint golden hues of energy dissipating into nothingness.

The sky seemed so far away, an endless emptiness that swallowed his senses and he blinked slowly, his vision blurring as fatigue clawed at the edges of his consciousness.

His body screamed in protest with every twitch of his muscles, every feeble movement of his fingers.

The air felt heavy, and the faint remnants of lightning in the atmosphere stung his skin, making his battered body tremble.

"Is it… finally over?" Zhao Tian thought, though his mind was barely coherent.

Then, he noticed it: a faint glow in the air, golden and soft, like the final rays of a setting sun. But Zhao Tian couldn't comprehend it any longer and he closed his eyes, losing his consciousness.

His body went slack, and the faint glow of energy that had surrounded him flickered and died.

*woosh* His body began to fall, pulled downward by gravity.

The wind rushed past his ears, tugging at his shredded robes as he descended from the skies.

"Oh there, darling... you have to be careful."

The voice was warm, gentle, and filled with a teasing affection.

From the swirling vortex of energy, a figure emerged, her presence serene amidst the chaos.

Her white hair cascaded like silk, glowing faintly under the golden hues of the subsiding storm.

She extended her arms gracefully, her movements exuding elegance, and caught Zhao Tian as though he weighed nothing.

Her soft arms cradled him, holding him close to her chest with a care that seemed to shield him from the remnants of the storm.

The woman's gaze lingered on his face, her expression softening.

 She raised her right hand, her slender fingers brushing against his blood-soaked hair and moved the strands gently, untangling them from the clotted blood that marred his forehead.

A faint yellow energy began to sparkle in her palm, illuminating her face with a soft glow.

The golden light seeped into Zhao Tian's battered body, healing his wounds with a nurturing warmth.

The deep gashes and burns that adorned his body began to fade, leaving behind unblemished skin.

Blood evaporated from his body, replaced by a refreshing coolness as she conjured a stream of water energy to cleanse him.

Her fingers lingered on his cheek, her touch feather-light yet filled with an almost possessive tenderness.

She traced the curve of his jaw, her golden eyes softening further as she leaned in.

Her lips hovered close to his, her breath mingling with his as she whispered, "My precious darling…"

With a gentleness that belied the intensity of the moment, she pressed her lips against his in a tender kiss.

Her eyes fluttered closed as she poured her emotions into the touch... affection, longing, and a quiet devotion.

When she finally pulled back, her lips lingered close to his, reluctant to part entirely.

 She gazed at his face, her golden eyes glowing with affection as she murmured softly, "Happy birthday, darling… You're 22 years old today."

A playful smile curved her lips as her fingers caressed his cheek once more. "My first kiss… is your birthday present."

She cradled him closer, hugging his body tightly as if afraid he might vanish from her arms.

 Her white hair brushed against his face as she buried her head into his shoulder, her warmth mingling with his.

"Haa… my darling," she sighed, her voice barely above a whisper.

She stayed like that, her arms wrapped around him protectively.

The remnants of the storm began to fade entirely, leaving behind a tranquil stillness.

Yet for her, none of that mattered.

The storm could rage again, or the world could crumble, but as long as he was in her arms, she felt complete.

 She pressed her lips to his temple, closing her eyes as she whispered, "You belong to me now, Darling. Always and forever."

Her fingers gently brushed his blood-streaked hair as she gazed at his serene, unconscious face.

 A sigh escaped her lips, filled with equal parts longing and satisfaction. "I should have punished you along with the Heavens as the Heavenly One," she mused, her tone growing wistful.

"But how could I ever hurt my dear…" *woosh* At this time, Ji Shuang dashed towards Zhao Tian her long robes billowing as she floated closer, but what she saw startled her.

A beautiful woman stood amidst the remnants of chaos, her white hair gleaming like moonlight against the backdrop of the sky.

 Her golden eyes radiated an ethereal majesty, and in her arms, Zhao Tian rested, cradled like the most precious treasure in existence. Ji Shuang's breath caught in her throat and her thoughts scrambled in disbelief as a realization struck her like a bolt of lightning. S-She is…

Her knees threatened to buckle as her heart raced and she floated closer, her head instinctively lowering into a respectful bow. "Y-Your Grace," she stammered, her voice trembling with respect.

This is the first time Ji Shuang has met Qian Shi in person and as she expected, she is beautiful as the heavens.

Qian Shi raised her gaze to look at Ji Shuang, who was bowing "Good work."

Ji Shuang's body shuddered as this was the first time hearing her voice like this and hurriedly nodded "Thank you for your praise, Your Grace."

Still holding Zhao Tian in her arms, Qian Shi's expression grew thoughtful, her gaze turning toward the skies, now calm and clear after the fury of the tribulation.

"Things have just started…" she murmured, her voice filled with an certainty that sent a shiver down Ji Shuang's spine.

Qian Shi's golden eyes flickered as she continued, "There will be a great storm in the future—one that will shake the very foundation of the Astral Realm and even reach the High Stars. And at the center of it all…"

She lowered her gaze to Zhao Tian, her expression softening. "My darling will be the eye of the storm."

Her gaze lingered on Ji Shuang "And shuang.. I want you to assist my darling in all matters. Protect him, guide him, and ensure that no harm befalls him. Do you understand?"

Ji Shuang nodded her head "Yes, Your Grace..."

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