To others, Cheng Xiaofan's words would have sounded like ramblings, the idea of such an absurd event happening on Earth being utterly preposterous.
But!
Chang'e chose to believe him.
"Fairy Chang'e!"
Cheng Xiaofan spoke, "My body's increasing weakness signifies that my main self, on another Earth, is on the verge of achieving greatness."
"I have a premonition that in just over ten years, he will surely come to the Yanhuang Star!"
Chang'e nodded upon hearing this and said, "Star Lord, once your main and secondary bodies merge, will you be able to visit me on the Moon?"
At this moment!
Seeing Cheng Xiaofan so frail,
She understood clearly that every word he spoke was likely a great effort.
And her rash intrusion to Earth had already violated heavenly laws. Upon her return, without the Yanhuang Cosmic Sword to protect her, she would inevitably face punishment.
This sword could only be forged once.
It was impossible to forge another.
Heavenly laws were difficult to defy.
Being a fairy was no easy feat!
It was highly unlikely she would be able to travel from the Moon to the Yanhuang Star again in the future.
Cheng Xiaofan heard her words and smiled, "Fairy Chang'e, rest assured. By then, I will definitely visit the Moon Palace!"
Chang'e unstrapped the Yanhuang Cosmic Sword from her back.
She presented it with both hands.
Saying, "Star Lord, you must keep this Yanhuang Cosmic Sword safe."
"With this sword, you can traverse any energy layer of the universe and reach any place you desire!"
"Likewise, you will need this sword to reach the Moon!"
"Thank you, Fairy Chang'e. I will put this Cosmic Sword away shortly!" Cheng Xiaofan took the Cosmic Sword and placed it directly beneath his sleeping pillow.
"Fairy Chang'e, did you come to the Yanhuang Star today solely to give me this sword?" he couldn't help but ask curiously.
Chang'e nodded silently.
Saying, "Yes, I forged this sword using a special material from the Moon, Xuanbing Iron, combined with spiritual energy."
"As soon as the sword was formed, I rushed to deliver it to you!"
"Besides giving you the sword, I also wanted to see you!"
"Thank you, Fairy Chang'e!"
Cheng Xiaofan understood Chang'e's feelings very well.
Alas!
His body was too weak at the moment.
He could not bear the love Chang'e offered him.
Apart from a verbal thank you, he could think of nothing more to say.
Their eyes met!
It seemed as if they could hear each other's heartbeat.
However!
One heartbeat was weak.
The other raced like a frightened deer.
"Star Lord, I must leave now!"
Chang'e said and was about to rise.
But at that moment, Cheng Xiaofan grabbed her hands.
He whispered, "Fairy Chang'e, stay by my side and spend the night!"
"..." Hearing Cheng Xiaofan's ethereal voice, Chang'e silently shook her head.
For a moment!
She did not know what to say to him.
She was a fairy!
There were time limitations to visiting the mortal world.
Even if there were no time constraints, she dared not stay by his side.
Although nothing would happen between them, her body would carry the aura of a mortal.
When she returned, without the protection of the Yanhuang Cosmic Sword, she would undoubtedly be struck by lightning and annihilated.
"Star Lord, I will wait for you on the Moon!"
Chang'e finally gritted her teeth, stood up, and departed from Cheng Xiaofan.
Leaving the Star Lord's Palace, she leaped into the air.
Her black hair fluttered.
Her long sleeves danced.
She flew higher and higher.
Soon, to everyone's astonishment, she vanished.
However!
Just as Chang'e was traversing an energy layer, a deafening thunderclap struck directly above her head.
"Ah—"
Chang'e let out a piercing scream.
Her body arced through the air and landed on the ground beside the Moon Palace.
Pfft!
A mouthful of blood erupted from Chang'e's lips.
"Sister Chang'e, what's wrong?"
Wu Gang, hearing the commotion outside from within the palace, rushed out.
At this point, Chang'e had already fainted and lost consciousness.
Wu Gang cried out in alarm.
He lifted Chang'e and hurried back into the palace.
Chang'e remained unconscious for seven days and seven nights.
For seven days and seven nights, she did not take a single drop of water or morsel of food.
For an ordinary person, this would have been the end.
After seven days.
Chang'e finally opened her eyes.
She had, at last, returned from the brink of death.
"Star Lord, how is your body?" Chang'e asked urgently as soon as she opened her beautiful eyes.
Listening to her faint voice,
Wu Gang couldn't help but shake his head, his eyes reddening.
He said, "Sister Chang'e, this is the Moon Palace. Where is your Star Lord here!"
"Rest well, I'll go make you something to eat!"
"Wu Gang, help me get up!"
Chang'e struggled to rise from the bed, saying, "I want to brew several jars of Osmanthus wine, to store them and wait for the Star Lord to come and taste them. He will definitely come!"
...
The past is like smoke.
Thinking back now, it is all vividly clear.
"Wu Gang, I have a premonition,"
Chang'e, her face filled with longing, said to Wu Gang beside her, "The Star Lord on the Yanhuang Star will surely arrive here today!"
Wu Gang was somewhat bewildered.
Could Chang'e be losing her mind due to her longing for that Cheng Xiaofan!
How could she be so certain that Cheng Xiaofan would come today?
"Wu Gang, do you not believe what I'm saying?"
Chang'e wiped away a tear from the corner of her eye, her voice tinged with excitement, "My heart is beating so fast, he will definitely come."
"Sister Chang'e, let me help you to the palace to rest!" Wu Gang said.
She had a feeling Chang'e was acting rather strangely today.
Why would a normal person be so jumpy and erratic?
Chang'e smiled upon hearing his words, "Wu Gang, I don't need to rest."
"I will wait right here. I feel the Star Lord has already arrived, and he is getting closer and closer to our Moon!"
"I know you cannot feel it!"
"But I can feel it!"
"..." Wu Gang was on the verge of collapsing.
Only someone with an unsound mind would say such things!
Heavens!
Could Sister Chang'e have suffered brain damage from the lightning strike over ten years ago!
If that were the case, the renowned Fairy Chang'e would truly be ruined!
Boom!
Just then!
From the distant sky, a thunderous sound echoed.
But the sound was different from ordinary thunder.
Subsequently!
In the clear azure sky,
Layers of ripples appeared.
Like ripples in a pond, spreading outwards.
"Ah, the Star Lord has arrived!"
Chang'e cried out joyfully to the sky, "The Star Lord has truly come!"
Only she knew that only when the Yanhuang Cosmic Sword struck an energy layer would these ripple-like patterns appear in the sky.
Wu Gang was also stunned by the ripple-like patterns appearing in the sky.
"Sister Chang'e, you're saying the Star Lord has really arrived?" Wu Gang asked, still disbelieving.
Chang'e nodded resolutely.
Saying, "I am certain, the Star Lord has arrived!"
"Screech—"
As soon as the words left her lips.
A piercing eagle's cry echoed from the sky, splitting the clouds.
A divine eagle, carrying a person.
Flew down from the heavens.
A long sword was slanted across the person's back. He carried himself with an imposing presence, his demeanor handsome and refined.
If it wasn't Cheng Xiaofan, who else could it be!