Master, Do You Feel What Love and Affection Are?

On the eastern front of Moon Sect, the battle between two true gods was so intense that it shook the entire cultivation world.

When the True Dragon Empress descended personally, the conflicts within Moon Sect’s territory ceased without a word. The demon lords and dragon generals, who had been blaming each other for letting the Destined Heroine escape, became compliant under the Empress’s aura. Even Mu Yanli, the witch who fought indiscriminately, turned into a model citizen upon sensing the Empress’s presence.

Under Dragon Dynasty’s rule, one must eventually submit.

Thus, both sides quickly made peace, reaching an understanding and returning to their respective homes.

However, many dragon generals chose to defect. Not everyone was as loyal as Li Nanshan. Many of their faces had been seen by Ye Qingchuan. If he survived and returned to Dragon Dynasty, he would surely use this knowledge to purge Li Nanshan’s subordinates.

Those who trusted Li Nanshan’s abilities had nothing to fear from Ye Qingchuan.

But those who didn’t trust him were afraid. If they were proven guilty of colluding with demons, none could withstand the Empress’s punishment.

Once the dragon generals dispersed, Mu Yanli finally found some peace.

She sat atop the highest snow-capped mountain, gazing eastward with interest in the battle within the Nine Heavens Glazed Tower.

But even after the battle ended, Mu Yanli couldn’t discern who the Empress had fought against. It seemed the Empress had won, as her enemies vanished…

Meanwhile, within the Nine Heavens Glazed Tower, Mu Yanli noticed a familiar demon lord and thousands of demon soldiers.

The demon lord approached the Empress and knelt before her. The Empress, seemingly in a foul mood, ignored him.

After a brief exchange, the Empress transformed into divine light and disappeared into the Nine Heavens.

Then, the White Dragon warriors also dispersed, leaving only thousands of demon soldiers and the white-haired demon lord on the eastern ice field.

For a moment, Mu Yanli locked eyes with the white-haired demon lord.

He appeared furious, but after witnessing the divine battle with the True Dragon Empress, his troops were trembling with fear and low morale. Attacking Moon Sect to confront Mu Yanli seemed impossible now.

Amused, Mu Yanli gave him a mocking gesture before turning away with a disdainful snort.

But in the next instant, the white-haired demon lord vanished from the eastern plains.

Half an incense stick later, as Mu Yanli began tallying her casualties, a white-haired, red-eyed demon lord appeared before her—

“Mu Yanli!”

“You destroyed my daughter’s spiritual veins and ruined her cultivation. Today I will avenge her!”

“——?!”

…

…

…

On the northern frontier, Mu Yanli ultimately suffered a severe beating and barely escaped with her life thanks to support from several Moon Sect demon lords.

While the main world’s war ended, battles within the abyss were just beginning.

Feng Yuan had paid a heavy price to safely bring He Ange and An Luo Yi back to the abyss.

Though an immortal phoenix cannot die, every moment fighting Chen Long burned Feng Yuan’s life force. Moreover, tearing open an abyssal portal consumed her spiritual energy.

Afterward, weakness was inevitable.

Strangely enough,

Since returning,

Feng Yuan felt not only fatigue but also other discomforts—her chest and abdomen occasionally heating up inexplicably. Sometimes it worsened into nausea and sleepless nights.

However,

Feng Yuan didn’t dwell on it much.

After all,

The abyss was a prison limiting her freedom—and venturing out for the first time in millennia might have incurred divine punishment from heaven.

Still…

The constant internal discomfort was somewhat torturous—like having a fever. Since reaching Heavenly God level,

Feng Yuan hadn’t experienced such mortal ailments in over ten thousand years.

Perhaps due to this long-lost sensation of illness,

Feng Yuan found herself feeling lonely—often calling He Ange to serve her—bringing tea, massaging shoulders… Whenever He Ange had free time,

Feng Yuan would summon him to her side—even if just to stand by her.

Fortunately,

After each massage session,

Feng Yuan’s nausea and discomfort would lessen significantly—making it easier to bear without frequent retching.

This became Feng Yuan’s way of alleviating stress during this period.

“Master, did you injure your core? Why have you been so unwell lately?”

In the ancient abyssal hall,

He Ange knelt at Feng Yuan’s feet—massaging her legs—concerned about his master’s frequent coughing and nausea.

Seated elegantly on an ornate wooden chair,

The jade phoenix spirit cradled a cup of hot tea—her beautiful face slightly flushed as if feverish—her entire body feeling weak and soft.

Feng Yuan sighed softly—lowering her gaze towards He Ange kneeling at her feet—his demeanor caring and filial. Her discomfort eased somewhat—her cold phoenix features showing traces of gratitude.

“I’ve examined myself thoroughly—there’s no illness involved. Perhaps using True Dragon blood caused my original bloodline to react violently.”

Feng Yuan replied gently.

Simultaneously,

She lifted one delicate white foot towards He Ange—who dutifully supported it with his palm—showing no disdain whatsoever.

Recently,

Feng Yuan often felt cold in her limbs—

So at He Ange’s suggestion,

Soaking her feet in warm water became part of her daily routine.

He Ange didn’t mind washing his master’s feet—

After all,

A master is like a second parent; as a disciple—caring for one’s master during illness is only right—

Especially when that master is an immortal phoenix spirit—transcending mortal limitations—without sweat or odor—her entire being enveloped in a faint sandalwood fragrance—soft and pristine…

Naturally,

Feng Yuan’s feet were impeccably clean—she even floated rather than walked—avoiding contact with dust entirely.

“Master, please wait—I’ll fetch warm water—”

He Ange said—

Intending to set down her foot and retrieve a basin—

But as he rose to leave—

Something tugged at his clothing from behind—

Turning back—

He saw that delicate foot arching high—its toes gripping his garment tightly—

Petite yet surprisingly strong!

Holding him firmly in place—not allowing him to leave—

Curious,

He Ange met Feng Yuan’s gaze—

Her expression remained impassive—staring ahead with cool detachment—her flushed cheeks betraying no emotion beyond feverish warmth…

“I don’t want to soak today.”

Her voice was soft—elegant—and ethereal—

Turning away slightly,

She looked up at He Ange—

Saying nothing more—

Retracting her foot before crossing her legs beneath her jade-green skirt—arms folded across her chest—biting her lip lightly…

The silent exchange left He Ange feeling awkward—

Sensing something amiss—

Feng Yuan took a deep breath before reluctantly speaking:

“My feet are cold.”

“Then soak them in warm water?”

“No.”

“Shall I fetch a hot water bottle?”

“No.”

“Shall I use spiritual energy for warmth?”

“No.”

“Ah…?”

Arms crossed over her chest—the young woman pouted slightly—as if frustrated by He Ange’s inability to guess what she wanted…

Raising an eyebrow in confusion—

He Ange struggled to understand his master’s intentions—

Since returning last time—

Feng Yuan often displayed such behavior—a touch of princess-like temperament…

Perhaps related to her illness—

When unwell—

Her mood naturally fluctuated—becoming more emotional; He Ange simply treated it like dealing with menstrual cramps—with patience…

What else could he do?

His benevolent master wanted attention—and he would provide it willingly—

Better than serving under True Dragon Empress…

“Cold.”

Her voice was soft—with a hint of grievance—

This time—

She spoke only one word…

Finally realizing what she meant—

He Ange sighed softly before kneeling again—

Gently cradling Feng Yuan’s cold feet in his hands—using his own warmth to soothe them…

Recalling past reprimands for overstepping boundaries—

He glanced up nervously at Feng Yuan—but thankfully she said nothing further—instead closing her eyes contentedly as if satisfied by his touch…

“Mmm…”

Her phoenix eyes narrowed slightly—a sickly flush coloring her face—as she relaxed visibly…

Indeed—

Using He Ange’s body heat for warmth eased both abdominal discomfort and nausea significantly…

The warmth from his hands spread through her body—bringing comfort throughout…

Leaning back against the chair—

Even her breathing grew more relaxed—with faint wisps of steam rising from each exhale…

“So this is what they call healing warmth…”

Gazing up at the ancient ceiling above—the coldness within finally began thawing under He Ange’s touch—the warmth reaching deeper than any hot water ever could…

Why?

Because it came from him?

Yet this warmth was fleeting—

Circulating through her veins but never reaching her heart—quickly dissipating into coldness once more…

Only those small feet cradled tenderly remained truly warm…

“My feet may be warm—but my heart is not…”

She murmured softly—feeling unsatisfied…

Sitting upright again—

She leaned forward slightly—cupping He Ange’s face gently between pale hands…

“…Master?”

Meeting his startled gaze tinged with embarrassment—

She felt warmth spreading through her fingers—as his accelerated heartbeat radiated heat throughout his body—increasingly shared with hers…

Yet still disappointing—

Her heart remained icy cold—unaffected by external warmth…

Sighing inwardly—

She withdrew her hands once more—leaning back against the chair while gazing up at the ceiling with another sigh…

“Master—is it still cold?”

“Mmm…”

Nodding gently—

Her serene features showed hints of helplessness—as if resigned to never experiencing true warmth or genuine emotion…

Mother was right—

Being a tainted hybrid meant never feeling others’ warmth—or understanding love or affection…

For millennia—

Her understanding of love remained rooted solely in pain…

When Yuan Yi died—it hurt…

When He Ange died—it tore at her chest…

Beyond that—there seemed nothing else…

Was it loss that caused pain?

Or fear of pain that made loss unbearable?

“To have a heart yet unable to cry or laugh; eternal yet unable to love…”

She sighed again—

Growing old and sickly led one down paths of introspection—pondering life’s meaning after years spent striving endlessly…

Perhaps she understood humanity’s wisdom now…

Her cold heart would never mirror Chen Long’s ability to weep for lost kin—or mourn fallen comrades…

“Cold…”

“Ange—you know my heart is truly cold.”

“Only when my heart warms will my limbs follow; if my heart remains cold—even warmth cannot reach me.”

Leaning back against the chair—a sense of desolation filled her voice: “Ange—tell me what this ‘emotion’ people speak of feels like—and what temperature does ‘love’ hold? Tell me—in this world——”

A surge of warmth interrupted—from He Ange’s chest…

Her ethereal voice faltered abruptly…

For an instant—it seemed as though she felt her own heartbeat—a rush of heat flowing outward from within…

Confusedly raising her head—

She saw that obedient disciple lifting his shirt—placing her cold feet over his heart without reservation—offering up all warmth freely given…

In that moment—

Heat and heartbeat pulsed together—awe-struck silence enveloped them both—as newfound understanding dawned upon her mind regarding warmth’s nature…

Blinking incredulously at this revelation—awe-struck by such tender generosity never before experienced from another being so intimately close…

No—the warmth wasn’t just physical—it touched something deeper within herself too…

“Master—do you feel what love and affection are now?”

His smile shone brightly like sunlight breaking through clouds above them both…