I alone am the Honoured One!

The gentle rustle of leaves stirred softly in the wind, and the faint fragrance of plum blossoms wafted through the air as the trio sat within the serene pavilion.

Yan Zijin had a deep frown on her face as she slowly muttered "I never knew my disciple is the Honoured One."

Hearing this, Zhao Tian smiled faintly before taking another sip of the tea.

Her gaze narrowed further 'I see, since he is not under Heavens restriction, he can kill the Paragon...'

Looking up at him, she spoke "Are you certain that you can kill the Paragon?"

He shrugged faintly "I guess, I can."

Ji Shuang's gaze lowered as a thought crossed her mind 'If he used the power that destroyed the whole Vampiric Star, he can surely defeat the Paragon.'

Her gaze quivered as she remember the scars on his body and his body at the brink of death 'But using that power again...'

Yan Zijin finally let out a slow breath, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. "We are really risking it all."

"Also, since the paragon has the Qoratthi race trait, it means only Qoratthi race people or Honoured One can kill the Paragon..."

"So why don't we ask help from these Qoratthi race people?"

With a shake of her head Ji Shuang replied "No, The Qoratthi reside in the Astral Realm, far beyond the boundary of our star systems,"

"They care little for the affairs of lesser realms. To them, a High Star like this is just a speck of dust drifting in the void."

"And even if they help us… do you think they would leave without demanding something worse than death?"

Yan Zijin gritted her teeth and looked at Zhao Tian "So, the entire burden is on you, Tian."

He lifted his teacup for one final sip, then placed it gently back onto the tray "Seems like it..."

As they were speaking, they heard footsteps and the three of them turned to see Rui Lian and Rui Guzhi walking towards them.

Rui Lian rushed and hurriedly reached Zhao Tian's side "Junior brother, I heard you are the one who is going to fight the Paragon."

Zhao Tian smiled dryly and gave a nod "Yeah...."

Hearing this, her eyes quivered in dread "But... you don't have to do that to save me. I-If I die, everyone in this star can be saved..."

With a shake of his head, Zhao Tian replied "No, I don't want you to die, and don't worry I can fight the Paragon."

Before she could reply further, Rui Guzhi stepped forward and cupped his hands with a faint bow "Young man, I don't know what the Matriarch sees in you... but since she is certain that your are our salvation."

"We are placing our hopes on you. Please... end this nightmare for our Clan."

Zhao Tian stood up and gently clasped Ryui Guzhi's hand "I will give it my best. Your clan has endured enough for all these years."

A small smile appeared on Rui Guzhi's face and he replied "I am very grateful to you..."

"Tomorrow the Emperor is coming here to meet you personally."

Zhao Tian nodded his head with a smile "Then I will meet him."

...

Zhao Tian was sitting on the steps in the altar and he raised his gaze to look at Rui Yuying who was sitting atop the altar.

"The evacuation process surrounding the regions have already begun."

Hearing this, Rui Yuying nodded faintly "I see... good to hear that."

Her voice was soft, almost hollow, as if her soul were caught somewhere between the present and a memory from long ago.

A pause settled between them.

Then, she looked down at him and spoke "I am still feeling very uneasy about this desicion."

With a sigh, Zhao Tian replied "How long are you going to keep doing this... and I don't want Rui Lian to die."

"Also you can finally break free from this hell. Be a bit selfish and think about yourself too."

"I know you have been sitting here for centuries, guarding the seal. Let me take that burden from you."

"You don't understand…" she murmured.

Letting out a sigh, he murmured "I do. I know what it means to shoulder responsibility. I know what it means to be willing to give your life for others."

The silence that followed was long and fragile.

Rui Yuying looked down at her hands resting in her lap "Hmm, then... I will be selfish from now on."

He nodded his head with a smile "Good."

...

The quiet hum of the night wrapped around the residence as the cool breeze rustled teh courtyard's trees.

Zhao Tian stepped into his room, shutting the door behind him with a muted click.

As his gaze drifted to the bed, he paused.

Ji Shuang was lying there and she wore only a thin silk nightrobe, the pale fabric clinging gently to her body.

The covers were loosely draped across her waist, revealing the elegant curve of her collarbone, the soft swell of her chest, and the bare skin of her smooth, toned thighs.

Her long violet hair flowed across the pillow, and her serene face was turned toward the window, bathed in moonlight.

Zhao Tian's gaze lingered for a moment and a soft sigh escaped his lips.

He turned to the cabinet and undid his outer robe, folding it neatly before placing it inside.

The tension in his shoulders eased slightly as he rolled his neck, fatigue catching up to him after the long day.

Returning to the bed, he moved with quiet care, not wanting to disturb her.

As he sat down on the edge, Ji Shuang stirred lightly in her sleep, her fingers curling slightly toward him in instinct.

He watched her for a moment, then slowly lay down beside her.

The bed dipped faintly under his weight.

He turned his body slightly, facing her, their faces just inches apart now.

She suddenly opened her eyes, surprising him "Oh.. you are awake..."

With a smile, she nodded her head and took his hand placing it on her thigh "Yeah..."

His fingers squeezed her thigh, and it slowly moved up, squeezing her ass.

Feeling his palm squeezing her, she sighed and moved forward cuddling into his arms "Tian..."

He hugged her back as she wrapped her arms around his neck tightly.

Kissing his chin, she murmured "I am... scared now."

Hm? He looked down at her in confusion "What happened?"

She replied "I keep thinking about what happened to you… after the Vampiric Star incident. Your body. I don't know what power that is."

"But if you used that power again..." As she spoke, her arms tightened around his neck.

Sighing, he replied "You don't have to worry. Also, you will be there... so if anything happens to me. You will save me again, won't you."

She nodded her head "Ofcourse, I will."

---------------------------------

I hope you guys liked this chapter!