"Xiao Le!" Shu Mu called as he ran after Xiao Le.

Xiao Le was only preoccupied of being rejected Shu Mu. For a reason he doesn't know, Shu Mu distanced himself away from him.

When the war against the demonic cultivators broke after the contestants of the Intersect Competition cut off their communication with the Righteous Alliance by crushing their Cleansing Stones, Shu Mu left after he received a letter from their sect that something happened to his father and their sect. And so, Shu Mu left. Xiao Le didn't disturb him and just waited for him to return.

Fortunately, Shu Mu really returned alive. But, Xiao Le felt Shu Mu was avoiding him. At first, Xiao Le didn't think much of it and just thought that the other person has something going on in his mind since he returned alone. However, as days went by, Xiao Le finally realized that Shu Mu is really drifting away from him.

He confirmed it when Shu Mu refused him going with him to South. Xiao Le also realized and confirmed his feelings then, after he felt broken hearing Shu Mu's refusal. Shu Mu has always indulged him. This was the first time Shu Mu refused him. Shu Mu even yelled at him. He felt his world fell apart. This was more painful than what happened between him and his da shixiong.

"XIAO LE!" Shu Mu cried when he saw Xiao Le, who was obviously preoccupied while running and so didn't notice the cliff, was about to fall. "XIAO LE!" he yelled and jumped, immediately wrapping his arms around Xiao Le's waist to secure him, and they fell.

Xiao Le felt the familiar warm embrace behind him and he woke up from his daze. "Mu-ge!" he cried when his eyes suddenly widened in shock after he realized they are falling. "MU-GE!" he screamed as he immediately wrapped his arms around Shu Mu's neck and he closed his eyes tight when they fell on the rapid river. However, he didn't feel his body hitting the water. He slowly opened his eyes.

Shu Mu really got a fright when he saw Xiao Le fell. But, he was pulled from his fear after hearing Xiao Le's voice. He immediately called his sword. "Whew…" he sighed in relief as they slowly ascended.

Xiao Le started and he blinked. He looked beneath them and saw his feet hovering above the sword because Shu Mu was holding his waist tightly. Realizing their intimate position, his face became beet red. "M – M – Mu-ge…" he stammered in a low voice.

"Xiao Le, you…" Shu Mu helplessly sighed and he loosened his hold around Xiao Le's waist.

Xiao Le, feeling Shu Mu's arms leaving him, felt his chest hurt. Instinctively, he tightened his arms around Shu Mu's neck. "Mu-ge, don't leave me!" he cried as he closed his eyes tight, afraid that when he opened his eyes, Shu Mu would be gone again.

Shu Mu was almost choked. He was about to speak when he suddenly heard what Xiao Le said. He froze.

"Mu-ge…" Xiao Le cried. "Mu-ge, don't leave me again… please…" he sobbed.

"Xiao Le…" Shu Mu muttered.

"Mu-ge… I don't want to lose you again… it's so painful…" Xiao Le said. "I don't want to miss you again… it's unbearable not being able to see you…" he said.

Shu Mu's pupils constricted when he heard what Xiao Le said. "Xiao Le… you…" he said and suddenly felt that his shoulder became wet. He felt his chest hurt and his hands that are about to leave Xiao Le suddenly tightened. He is not an idiot to not understand what Xiao Le's words mean. But, just to be sure, he asked. "Xiao Le, do you… like me?" he said as he hugged Xiao Le tight. Xiao Le, if you'll answer 'yes', then be prepared. I won't let you ever leave my side again! He thought.

Xiao Le opened his eyes and turned his head to look at Shu Mu. His tears are falling. "Yes… Mu-ge, I like you!" he answered and, unexpectedly, pulled Shu Mu's head down and kissed him!

Shu Mu's eyes widened in shock and he felt his heart leapt when Xiao Le kissed him. He felt butterflies in his stomach when he felt Xiao Le's lips are pressing on his lips, and also moving against his lips. He kissed him back!

Both are inexperienced, thus their kiss is very clumsy. But, that doesn't stop their enthusiasm in expressing their feelings towards each other. Instead, it heightened their burning emotions because of their chaste kiss.

"Xiao Le…" Shu Mu called as he panted after their kiss.

Xiao Le is no better than him as his lips are wet, and rose like his cheeks. "Hm?" he hummed. He stared at Shu Mu's handsome visage in a daze.

Shu Mu found it too cute and he pecked Xiao Le's lips. "Are you really willing to go with me?" he asked.

"Yes!" Xiao Le answered, his eyes are sparkling.

"How about the Huli Sect?" Shu Mu asked.

"I already left it." Xiao Le answered.

"How about… your da shixiong?" Shu Mu asked when he remembered Kang Ce.

Xiao Le fell silent. After a while, he spoke. "Da shixiong will stay in the sect." he answered. "The matter between us… it's already over." He said. "Sect leader felt I was wronged and he rescinded my request to leave the sect as compensation for what happened before. But, da shixiong said that he will stay in the sect, both for him and for me. He will stay to repay the favor the sect has given to us both before." He explained.

Shu Mu didn't speak. Before, he found Kang Ce unpleasing in the eyes. His dislike increased when he realized his feelings towards Xiao Le. But, now, all his dislike towards Kang Ce disappeared when he found out Kang Ce will stay in the Huli Sect on behalf of Xiao Le. Kang Ce owed Xiao Le, thus this is his repayment to Xiao Le.

They've already missed each other. Their only chance to be together was when they reunited. But, one of them's feelings towards the other has already faded. This proved they weren't fated to end up together, thus they could only give up, or it will just become worse for both of them if they tried to insist to be together.

"Going South is very dangerous." Shu Mu said.

Xiao Le smiled. "I'm not afraid." He shook his head. "As long as you're by my side and won't leave me, I won't be afraid." He told him.

Shu Mu felt his heart melted. "Mn." He said as he caressed Xiao Le's cheek. "Let's go South, then." He told him.

Xiao Le felt very happy. He pulled Shu Mu down again and kissed him. Shu Mu felt his heart was tickled seeing Xiao Le's eagerness. But, he likes it. And so, he kissed him back. "I love you, xiao Le." He whispered.

The cold air coming from the rapid river beneath them didn't dampen their desire of expressing their feelings towards each other.

While Shu Mu and Xiao Le has already confessed to each other and kissed, Xi Ming has finally caught Xi Xing after chasing him with much difficulty. Xi Xing has higher cultivation than Xiao Le, so Xi Ming had exerted much effort running after Xi Xing unlike Shu Mu who easily caught up with Xiao Le.

"Xi Xing! Where are you going?" Xi Ming asked after he catch his breath. He was holding Xi Xing's arm. Earlier, he was tempted to use the magic net just to capture Xi Xing.

This guy is easily overlooked, but that's also to his advantage since he can easily conceal himself if he doesn't want to be seen! Fortunately for Xi Ming, he was very familiar with Xi Xing's habits. This was his saving grace in finally capturing Xi Xing.

"I – " Xi Xing opened his mouth to speak. "I don't know…" he answered.

"Huh?" Xi Ming's eyes widened.

Xi Xing lowered his head, his gaze all over the place as he tried to think for an explanation. He really felt it hard to express himself. "I am not familiar with Xinfaxian, so I don't know where to go…" he finally managed to say.

But, Xi Ming's face was covered in dark lines when he heard his answer. Should I feel gratified that you aren't familiar with Xinfaxian, so I managed to catch up with you? He felt stifled, but he is good in controlling his emotions. He took a deep breath to calm himself. "Do you really want to go with me to South?" he asked.

Xi Xing started and he immediately raised his head to look at Xi Ming. "Yes!" he answered, nodding his head. His gaze is firm.

Xi Ming find it hard to believe. "Then what about Gong Xian? You want to leave Gong Xian?" he asked. After all, Gong Xian is the closest person to Xi Xing.

Gong Xian is even closer to Xi Xing than he to Xi Xing. He felt begrudging about this.