C14 Hua Lis Ending

As a hauntingly beautiful classical melody filled the air, the story began to unfold. Xiao Xuner, ethereal as a fairy, graced the stage. The male cultivators in the audience were captivated by her beauty, their eyes glued to her, unwilling to blink for fear of missing even a moment of her splendor.

Beside Chiang Xie, Huang Yueer was dazzled, seemingly on the verge of becoming an ardent admirer of Xiao Xuner herself.

The tale that followed depicted Xiao Yan, portraying a descendant, encountering Xiao Xuner's Chang'e. Their journey from acquaintances to lovers culminated in them becoming cultivation partners.

Despite Chiang Xie's opinion that the plot was overly sentimental, the cultivators were touched by the depiction of pure love. In a world rife with deceit, murder for treasure, and cultivation partners plotting against one another, this portrayal of untainted, genuine love struck a chord.

Many were deeply moved, fantasizing about the joy of having such a devoted cultivation partner. Yet, they knew such dreams were confined to the realm of the stage...

Nalan Yanran, watching from below, felt a twinge of envy at the sight of the radiant Xiao Yan and Xiao Xuner. She couldn't help but wonder if she might have been the one on stage had she not broken off her engagement.

The story took another turn when the descendant, celebrated for slaying the sun and earning immense acclaim, was approached by numerous gifted youths seeking to become his disciples. Among them was Fengmeng, a sly and unscrupulous individual who managed to infiltrate the descendant's circle.

During an encounter with the Queen Mother, the descendant was rewarded for his valor with a Nine Transformation Golden Pill. The Queen Mother explained that the pill, if shared between spouses, granted eternal life, but if consumed by one, it would lead to ascension by daylight.

Unbeknownst to the descendant, his disciple Fengmeng discovered the pill. Seizing an opportunity when the descendant was away, Fengmeng coerced Chang'e into surrendering the Golden Pill with a magical artifact.

Outmatched by Fengmeng, Chang'e reluctantly consumed the pill and ascended to the heavens, transforming into a celestial being upon the moon.

From that moment on, the descendant and Chang'e were tragically separated by the vast expanse of heaven and earth, never to meet again.

As the story drew to a close, many in the audience sighed over the tragic fate of such a beautiful love, lamenting the separation that befell the pair. Some female cultivators were even moved to tears, questioning why the heavens would tear apart such devoted cultivation partners.

Fengmeng was deemed the villain by many, condemned for committing such a heinous act. His actions sparked outrage among the crowd.

Yet, these same people might not consider that, were they in Fengmeng's shoes, blessed with such an opportunity, they might have made the same choice...

Nalan Yanran watched as the descendant and Chang'e, divided by the celestial divide, realized the rarity of true connection. She was struck by the urge to apologize to Xiao Yan.

Despite this, her pride held her back from making amends. Deep down, she acknowledged her mistake and decided to wait for Xiao Yan to seek her out, planning to apologize then.

"It's just so moving!" Huang Yueer sobbed, tears streaming down her face.

Chiang Xie, standing beside her, couldn't help but smirk, wondering if the display was a bit over the top. Nevertheless, he offered words of comfort, "Don't worry, there's still a surprise in store!"

"Hmm?"

Just then, Xiao Yan and Xiao Xuner, having left the stage moments before, reappeared in bizarre costumes, followed by a group of attractive young men and women.

Together, they broke into a lively performance of "Little Apple," singing and dancing with infectious joy.

"You are my little, oh my little apple... No amount of love seems too much..." The song erupted, setting the audience alight with excitement!

The gloom cast by the earlier drama dissipated, replaced by an inexplicable charm that seemed to possess the song, compelling many to join in the chorus.

Chiang Xie mused to himself about the undeniable allure of the tune, recognizing it as a catchy hit that could easily get stuck in one's head.

As the final notes of "Little Apple" faded, Moonbound Chang'e concluded to thunderous applause. Xiao Zhan promised the audience that more captivating plays were to come, inviting everyone to return for future performances.

After the movie ended, Huang Yueer, the House Girl, eagerly pulled Chiang Xie backstage to get autographs from Xiao Yan and Xiao Xuner.

Both Xiao Yan and Xiao Xuner graciously signed autographs for Huang Yueer, leaving her cheeks flushed with excitement. Shortly after, she unceremoniously bid Chiang Xie goodbye with a "See you when fate allows..." and departed from the Xiao family's residence.

Even though Huang Yueer had left, many guests lingered. Xiao Zhan decided to have his subordinates organize a celebratory banquet, an invitation the thick-skinned guests, including the city enforcement officers, couldn't refuse. The City Lord, of course, accepted the offer.

Xiao Zhan extended an invitation to Chiang Xie, who grimly declined, expressing a desire to retire to his room for rest. Concerned for his well-being, Xiao Zhan didn't press the issue, simply advising Chiang Xie to rest well and reach out if he needed anything.

Back in his room, Chiang Xie was dismayed to see the mission progress on his host page was stuck at ninety-nine percent. He had done everything required; Xiao Yan had even switched careers, surely disqualifying him from becoming the Flame Emperor or the protagonist. Yet, he was told he was a mere one percent shy of mission completion.

It felt like working an entire month only to be told by your boss that you were a day short, and therefore, wouldn't be paid. It was an unacceptable situation.

Frustrated, he confronted the system, "Come on out, you! What's with this ninety-nine percent nonsense? Xiao Yan's already been persuaded to change careers. He can't be the protagonist now, can he? Doesn't that mean the mission should be complete?"

The system responded coolly, "A mission progress of ninety-nine percent indicates there's still an important task unfinished. With that one percent, Xiao Yan could still become the Flame Emperor, so no, the mission isn't complete."

Upon hearing this, Chiang Xie took a moment to cool off, considering he might have overlooked something crucial.

But what could it be? Xiao Yan had become a star; how could he still have a shot at becoming the Flame Emperor?

Then it hit Chiang Xie—he remembered how Xiao Yan's powers had vanished. It was all because of the ring Xiao Yan wore, which housed Yao Lao!

If it weren't for this individual siphoning off Xiao Yan's cultivation and then instructing him in the art of cultivation, there would be no Flame Emperor.

With this in mind, he decided to confront Xiao Yan directly to claim the ring. Otherwise, should Yao Lao emerge, Xiao Yan might indeed ascend to the title of Flame Emperor!

He made his way to the hall and after a lengthy search, he spotted Xiao Yan, who was enjoying a moonlit rendezvous with Xiao Xuner... leaving Chiang Xie feeling like a third wheel.

"Xiao Yan, your sister Xiao Xuner isn't going anywhere. Come here for a moment; I have something important to discuss with you."

Both Xiao Yan and Xiao Xuner blushed at the interruption. Xiao Yan gave Xiao Xuner an embarrassed glance before approaching Chiang Xie.

"What seems to be the problem, Mr. Chiang?"

After a moment of reflection, Chiang Xie spoke with gravity, "I've just had a realization about the loss of your cultivation and I've uncovered the cause..."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's excitement surged, "Really? What's the cause? Is there a way to restore my cultivation?"

Despite his elevated status, Xiao Yan still felt a twinge of insecurity without his cultivation. He needed the power to protect Xiao Xuner and his family; relying on others just didn't sit right with him.

Chiang Xie glanced at Xiao Yan's ring and declared with conviction, "The issue lies with the ring you're wearing. It's been incessantly absorbing your Profound Energy. Just get rid of it and you'll be fine."

Xiao Yan shuddered, then promptly removed the ring. Instantly, he sensed the spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth stabilizing within his dantian, no longer slipping away as before.

This meant Xiao Yan could resume his cultivation!

"You should let me take care of that ring," Chiang Xie suggested.

Xiao Yan nodded in agreement. Despite the ring being a memento from his mother, it was too hazardous to keep. He trusted Chiang Xie implicitly, viewing him as a brother and having full confidence in his capabilities. Without a second thought, Xiao Yan handed the ring over to Chiang Xie.

Clutching the ring, Chiang Xie mused internally, "Yao Lao, when you come to and realize the main character is nowhere to be found, I wonder if you'll feel a pang of sadness... But it can't be helped. I've taken care of everything on your behalf, so you'll just have to come to terms with being out of a job!"

If Yao Lao were to awaken at this moment and become aware of Chiang Xie's actions, he would undoubtedly want to crush Chiang Xie with a pill furnace in a fit of rage! You've stolen every last bit of my spotlight!