Chapter Seven: Nuwa’s Younger Sister

For decades thereafter, Li Tian dwelled within that nameless valley, occasionally imparting his insights on cultivation to the siblings Nuwa and Fuxi, each lesson leaving them profoundly enriched.

At this time, Fuxi had only reached the pinnacle of the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm, while Nuwa lagged slightly behind at the late stage of Taiyi Golden Immortal, both still separated by a major boundary from Li Tian.

One day, after listening to Li Tian’s discourse on the path of cultivation, Fuxi felt a sudden stir within his heart and decided to enter seclusion for a period.

Li Tian glanced at him and immediately understood that Fuxi was on the verge of a breakthrough. Smiling, he said, “Fuxi, my friend, go ahead and focus on your seclusion. I will take good care of Sister Nuwa.”

“Then I must thank you, my friend,” Fuxi replied with a smile. He cast a look at Nuwa, then at Li Tian, his face bearing a mysterious expression.

Li Tian naturally understood his intent; in recent times, Fuxi had often played matchmaker between him and Nuwa, which moved Li Tian deeply. Yet the revolution was not yet complete, and comrades must still strive; Li Tian felt the weight of responsibility, the road ahead long.

Yet after decades of effort, Li Tian had made considerable progress. Now he could call Nuwa “Sister Nuwa” directly, no longer addressing her as merely “Nuwa, my friend.”

Moreover, at his request, Nuwa had begun to call him “Brother Tian.” At first it felt awkward, but as she grew accustomed, she would sweetly call him “Brother Tian” at every turn, filling Li Tian’s heart with delight.

Though it was only a change in how they addressed each other, it gave Li Tian boundless confidence.

No matter what Nuwa might become in the future, at this moment she was still just a maiden, not yet the revered Sage Nuwa!

“My friend, you must redouble your efforts. Perhaps, when I return from seclusion, we’ll need to change how we address each other!”

With that, Fuxi laughed heartily and turned to leave, leaving Nuwa bewildered. She blinked and asked, “Brother, what does that mean?”

Li Tian looked at her and was utterly charmed by her innocent question. Gazing at her pure and untainted face, he was momentarily lost in thought, wishing he could plant a fierce kiss upon her.

“He means...”

Li Tian composed himself, preparing to explain and perhaps probe Nuwa’s reaction. But seeing her curious expression, he abandoned the idea. Smiling, he leaned closer and half-joked, “If you give me a kiss, I’ll tell you!”

Nuwa was startled, her cheeks suddenly flush with crimson. She huffed and turned away.

“I’m not talking to you anymore!”

“Uh…” Li Tian was momentarily stunned. Why did that sound so much like playful banter between lovers?

Lost in thought, he saw Nuwa secretly glance back at him. Seeing his dazed look, she felt a strange mix of shyness and annoyance, stomped her foot, and ran out of the valley.

Li Tian snapped back to himself and hurried after her, calling, “Sister Nuwa, I was wrong!”

Nuwa glanced back, a faint smile on her lips, but she ran even faster.

Li Tian was momentarily spellbound.

Nuwa’s smile was incomparably beautiful; a single glance could make one helplessly fall into it. The thought left Li Tian’s heart inexplicably sweet.

Though Nuwa didn’t use any magical power, she was still swift, and in the blink of an eye, she had run out of the valley and vanished from sight.

Realizing this, Li Tian hurriedly accelerated to catch up.

“Sister Nuwa, where are you going? Wait for me!”

Chasing after her, Li Tian gazed at Nuwa’s silhouette, his heart stirred. Quietly channeling his power, he suddenly sped up, aiming to catch Nuwa from behind.

But fate rarely follows human plans. Nuwa clearly sensed his intent; just as he spread his arms, she suddenly accelerated and evaded him.

“Hmph!” Nuwa snorted lightly and shot him a glare.

Li Tian grinned sheepishly, but he sensed Nuwa’s closeness. Had he tried such a thing when they first met, Nuwa would surely have fought him fiercely, not responded in this almost flirtatious manner.

Thinking this, Li Tian couldn’t help but smile.

They reached a mountain stream where Nuwa, fascinated by the fish swimming within, stopped and beckoned Li Tian over.

Seeing this, Li Tian hastened to her side.

The two played by the stream for a while. Li Tian caught a red carp and used his powers to make it float in the air, but Nuwa mischievously pushed him, causing him to tumble into the water, which made her laugh gleefully.

Li Tian sat in the water, disheveled, until Nuwa, unable to bear it, reached out to help him up.

Feeling Nuwa’s small hand in his, Li Tian’s heart leaped. Taking advantage of her distraction, he quickly kissed the corner of her lips and then darted away, inwardly jubilant.

Ha! He actually succeeded!

Nuwa held her hand to her mouth, stunned. She still didn’t quite understand what a kiss meant, but seeing Li Tian’s guilty escape, she sensed it was nothing good. Laughing and scolding, she used her powers to chase after him.

Li Tian looked back and of course wouldn’t let her catch him. The two chased and played, laughter echoing all around, and the passage of time went unnoticed.

Eventually, they arrived at an unfamiliar valley, and Li Tian finally stopped.

“Haha, I’ve caught you now!”

As soon as Li Tian stopped, Nuwa caught up and seized his arm, a victorious smile on her face.

“All right, Sister Nuwa, enough playing,” Li Tian said, gently prying her hand away. “I think we’re lost…”

Nuwa was taken aback, looked around, and was equally at a loss. The two stared at each other in silence.

The valley where Nuwa and Fuxi resided was warded with formations that blocked spiritual sense; losing track of the path was truly troublesome.

...

In the end, Li Tian and Nuwa managed to find their way back after much effort. Li Tian first located the valley where he had discovered the Heaven and Earth Cauldron, then used it as a reference point to retrace their steps.

Fortunately, neither had used magical powers to run, so they hadn’t gone far; otherwise, it would have been a real problem.

While Fuxi was in seclusion, Li Tian and Nuwa spent their days in cheerful companionship, wandering, laughing, and playing together, as if they were an immortal couple.

Li Tian even thought that if life could always be like this, it would be wonderful.

One day, a surge of spiritual energy swept through the valley, followed by hearty laughter.

“My friend, you’ve made a breakthrough.”

“Brother, you’ve come out!”

Li Tian and Nuwa arrived at the wooden house and greeted Fuxi in unison, their voices overlapping as they looked at each other and smiled.

Fuxi stepped out with a smile, gazing at Li Tian and Nuwa standing side by side. He couldn’t help but show a peculiar grin.

“My friend, it seems we truly must change how we address each other.”

“Brother, you…” Nuwa understood immediately, her face reddening.

She recalled how she’d foolishly asked about it last time, and was annoyed with herself, giving a playful scold. She also stole a glance at Li Tian’s profile, her cheeks tinged with blush, and wondered quietly—could he really be my destined one?