Meteor Fall Master in the 'Starry Abyss'

"They're all the same," Li Aozi said. "It's all me."

"I like the second name: Li Aozi. It seems to have a sort of exotic charm for me."

Zhi Xiang lifted her hand, gently touching Li Aozi's face. Her fingers were no longer as cold as they once were, but carried a unique warmth.

Her slender fingertips smoothed away the weariness on Li Aozi's face. Li Aozi felt incredibly relaxed, and instinctively his gaze fell into Zhi Xiang's eyes, meeting her gaze.

"Honestly, it's hard to describe this feeling," Zhi Xiang said softly. "I've seen many talented young men. You're not the best, but everything you do surprises me. You are a unique person, a one-of-a-kind existence in this universe."

"There are perhaps only a handful in the Six-Layered Starry Abyss who could receive such a high assessment from a Primordial Species."

The fine lines at the corners of Li Aozi's eyes were smoothed away, and Zhi Xiang's touch brought him peace and comfort. Although he knew she meant well, he couldn't help but quip:

"Is it really necessary to use Weak Force to give someone a massage? Though I'm not afraid of radiation, this is a bit of environmental pollution, isn't it..."

"Don't overthink it. On this planet, you're quite the hero, a Savior, one might say."

Zhi Xiang gently massaged his temples, the precise force and moderate radiation instantly freeing Li Aozi from the tension of battle.

His consciousness wavered, and his body fell straight back. Zhi Xiang gently supported his back, maneuvering around to lay him down slowly on the soft grass.

"Ouch, that hurts. There's a stone here, it's poking me."

"Take care of it yourself; I'm not your mom."

Zhi Xiang pouted and brushed aside the stone behind Li Aozi:

"Don't overthink anything. You're so pretty, you're not meant to overthink things."

Zhi Xiang sat on the ground in a duck-like posture, cradling his head, gently placing it on her lap.

"Mmm..."

Fatigue swept over him like a tide. Only now did Li Aozi truly exit combat mode. Lying in Zhi Xiang's arms, he felt very safe and naturally relaxed his body:

"You seem to have learned quite a bit of the Brief Lifespan Species' traits."

"The traits of the Brief Lifespan Species? I haven't learned much, but I've picked up on some characteristics."

Zhi Xiang's fingertips gently weaved through Li Aozi's hair, pressing his scalp as she conversed with him idly:

"You've liberated so many civilizations. Dragon Satellite might one day become a prosperous planet without a Pathway. With so many cultures coexisting, who knows who will have the last laugh."

"Think positively: what if they end up peacefully coexisting?" Li Aozi said lazily with his eyes closed. "You've already believed in me to get to this point. Why not choose to believe in them too?"

"Hehe, Li Aozi, your words are just what I want to hear; you don't need to guess my thoughts."

"Now, now you're becoming worldly, full of human warmth. I can almost fathom your thoughts."

"And what about you, Li Aozi, walking this Pathway all the way, you will eventually Ascend to Godhood."

Zhi Xiang's fingertip stopped at Li Aozi's chin, then she suddenly embraced him, whispering softly in his ear:

"I don't like the idea of you turning into a cold, porcelain-skinned deity."

"Well... it seems like our aesthetics are aligned now."

"Aren't they?"

Zhi Xiang hugged Li Aozi's neck, her purple eyes rippling like the surface of a lake:

"Li Aozi, if one day you lose your current human warmth, no longer the cheeky, frivolous, and impulsive young man with insufficient wits—then I'll have to take back my praise for you, okay?"

"Can't we be a bit more accepting?" Li Aozi smiled softly and said, "I want to be the porcelain-skinned deity, and I also want the complicated, emotional side of human relationships."

"You, you, where in the world is there such a thing?" Zhi Xiang pinched his ear and playfully chided, "Don't be too greedy."

"Greed is also a part of human nature." Li Aozi said calmly, "Rationality and restraint were sent to the Starry Abyss in my past life, emotions and greed, I've got to ask for them back."

"Oh? Your ambitions are quite grand."

Zhi Xiang gently lifted his chin.

"Aren't you the same, Zhi Xiang, as a Primordial Species that will not be Destroyed, yet longing for the brilliance of the Brief Lifespan Species."

"Yes, indeed... it seems we're really in sync. Li Aozi, it seems I underestimated you. It's not just your words that resonate with my heart; it's as if your soul resides in my thoughts, completely understood and unraveled by you. It seems I can learn about the excellent aspects of the Brief Lifespan Species through you."

"You're thinking too much." Li Aozi said indifferently, "There are so many miracles of the Brief Lifespan Species that even I haven't experienced. You Longevity Breeds are so lacking in substance, understanding nothing, pure as can be, far behind the Brief Lifespan Species when it comes to human relationships."

"Ahem. In my eyes, you're already the most excellent Brief Lifespan Species."

"Thanks for the invite. I'm in the Starry Abyss, just arrived at Iota (9). Technically, I've only gained human nature for 33 years, and my lifespan has already matched two years ago. I'm no longer a Brief Lifespan Species."

"Those who don't live as long as me are all Brief Lifespan Species."

"Isn't it possible... by this standard, even the Destroyers would be Brief Lifespan Species if they came?"

"Listen to me, Li Aozi. When I say you're excellent, just cheerfully accept the compliment."

"It's true I'm excellent, but even among the Brief Lifespan Species, I'm nothing special." Li Aozi paused. "Actually, I'd like to experience more of the benefits of the Brief Lifespan Species, if possible—speaking of which, I get frustrated. They say college is where you learn about human relationships. I didn't even properly attend college before it was gone."

Upon hearing this, Zhi Xiang squinted her eyes and smiled:

"Would you be willing to lead me in learning some of the human relationships of the Brief Lifespan Species?"

With those words, Li Aozi naturally understood, Zhi Xiang was willing to join the team.

Well, at least this trip was worth it!

Li Aozi was overjoyed.

A Primordial Species, with its massive knowledge and insights, is extremely valuable, even if not adept at fighting.

"Of course, having a Primordial Species want to join my team, I'm certainly very welcoming—"

Before Li Aozi finished speaking, he immediately felt his lips being pressed deeply.

Smooch—

Zhi Xiang skillfully pried open his teeth, launching a direct offensive, advancing triumphantly, with practiced ease.

Pop!

Several seconds later, Li Aozi was finally freed from suffocation and quickly said:

"Hey, Zhi Xiang—"

"Shh."

Zhi Xiang put a finger to her lips, extinguishing Li Aozi's doubts. Resting on her folded thighs, the distance between Li Aozi and her was incredibly close.

"What are you trying to do..."

"Learning about the advantages of the Brief Lifespan Species—oh right, just call me Merid, I like this Brief Lifespan Species name."

Merid pinched his collarbone, sliding her hand down:

"By the way, correcting you on one mistake: being noticed by a Primordial Species is indeed not something common in the Starry Abyss."

She untied her hair ribbon, letting her purple long hair cascading down, completely enveloping the world in Li Aozi's eyes:

"One of a kind."

A captivating blush appeared on Merid's face. She lifted Li Aozi's chin and leaned in.