In the desolate valley, torches flickered in the darkness of the night. There was light in every ruin. In Yu Sui's stone cave-like chamber, Mo Yan lay on the ground, cushioned by Yu Sui's robes. Yu Sui had lit a fire nearby, warming the cold cave. The atmosphere was calm and filled with warmth. There was peace in every corner and within Yu Sui, and only the sound of burning wood could be heard in that silence.

  After some time, Mo Yan slowly opened his eyes. He rose slowly; there was a strange change in his entire body. His face was cold and pale. But when he saw Yu Sui sitting opposite him, all his coldness and pain vanished.

  Yu Sui sensed Mo Yan's awakening from the slight disturbance. He asked softly, his voice heavy with affection. He stood up, leaving his fish on the fire, and went to Mo Yan. He helped him stand up and brought him closer to the fire, as Mo Yan’s body was colder than normal.

  Looking into his eyes, Yu Sui said:

  "Are you okay, Mo Yan?"

  A smile automatically appeared on Mo Yan's lips. Perhaps even he didn't realize he was smiling while looking at Yu Sui. Yu Sui looked at his smile and guessed that he was fine.

  A while passed; both remained seated by the fire, but the atmosphere between them was uncomfortable. They would sometimes look into each other's eyes and then quickly look away. The silence between them was creating a restlessness.

  To break this restlessness, Yu Sui feigned an excuse. He cleared his throat and said:

  "Ahem ahem... Aaa... Mo Yan, I'll go bring some more firewood from outside. You need the warmth."

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  Mo Yan kept watching Yu Sui. Yu Sui stood up to leave, but at that very moment, Mo Yan caught his hand. Yu Sui was already dealing with heavy emotions, but when Mo Yan suddenly grabbed his hand, his breathing quickened, and his heart pounded at full speed. Yu Sui did not look at Mo Yan and tried to gently pull his hand away. But Mo Yan held his hand tightly.

  Mo Yan then stood up and came close to him, speaking softly, like a light breeze touching a delicate flower and passing by:

  "Yu. Tell me, what were you doing in the Black Heaven? And when did you return?"

  Yu Sui was slightly irritated by this question. He turned and, looking into Mo Yan’s eyes, said:

  "Look, Mo Yan. There is a huge difference between the Black Heaven domain and this world. You don't need to worry about it. Just understand that place is not safe. Now, let go of me."

  But Mo Yan was also angered by this. His blazing eyes glared at Yu Sui. Yu Sui then spoke in a softer tone:

  "Mo. Look, calm down. You are not well right now. We will talk about this tomorrow. You should rest now."

  But Mo Yan continued to glare at Yu Sui. His eyes turned red and filled with tears, as if a fire had ignited within him. He asked again, in a slightly louder voice:

  "Tell me everything right now, Yu. What were you doing there?"

  The repetition of the question ignited Yu Sui's eyes too. He replied, agitatedly, in a sharp, crisp voice:

  "Mo Yan. Enough. That's enough. I cannot tell you."

  Then Mo Yan responded with a lightning-quick intensity:

  "Why not?"

  Mo Yan moved closer and asked:

  "What are you hiding, Yu?"

  By now, the matter had escalated significantly. Their eyes were locked in a fierce stare. Yu Sui suddenly pulled away with a jerk and yelled. His voice echoed throughout the cave:

  "I can't tell you, Mo Yan! Try to understand. I don't want to tell you! That place is not for you. I want to keep you away from it!"

  After saying this, he calmed down slightly and looked at Mo Yan with tear-filled eyes. His eyes were like a weeping flower, whose pain was hidden behind its beauty.

  He said in a slightly lower voice:

  "Mo. Even if a stone becomes a thousand times more beautiful, flowers can never bloom on it. Mo Yan. He has taken so much from me. And now, I just want to protect what I have."

  Hearing this, the atmosphere fell silent. And Mo Yan's eyes also grew calm. He stood there for a few moments. Then he flung a small wave of his Qi energy towards the burning fire. The energy hit the center of the fire with the speed of an arrow, and the fire went out.