As the light faded away, the three of them found themselves at the end of a corridor, supported by a long colonnade of red Chinese pillars. The floor was covered lavishly by silky red carpet with golden fringes. The group stopped before three low stair steps, leading up to a raised platform where a woman dressed in a purple robe stood, looking down at them.

Guardian Yin Mei was severely shocked at seeing the two mortals making it to the final eighth floor, but she hid her surprise well. Purple pupils stared down at Yu Liang with disdain. At a sudden thought, her lips curled as she took out a fancy brocade box. From the appearance and texture alone, this was a priceless treasure not even kings could get their hands on! Much less money!

“Congratulations, our three finalists!” Guardian Yin Mei opened the lid of the brocade box and a beam of golden light shone brightly outward, momentarily blinding all of them. “This is the life essence extracted from an eight hundred eighty-eight millennium year old mystical qilin, the legendary divine creature.”

Her purple eyes squinted at Yu Liang, “Drink this, and the spirit of the mystical qilin will appear to bestow upon you one wish. Be it everlasting life or immortality, immunity to any aliments of paranormal or natural diseases. Even the revival of a dead loved one or restoring what was once taken from you…such as your voice.” She paused with a deep look at Yu Tian before diverting her attention to the handsome fox. “Lord Huo, consume this, and your wish of obtaining the throne shall be granted!”

“Unfortunately…” she sighed with false pretense. “There is only one vial. In accordance to the rule of the eighth floor pagoda, the three finalists will fight each other to the death and the champion will be rewarded the divine treasure.”

Yu Liang narrowed her eyes, clearly detecting the haughtiness in guardian Yin Mei’s voice. The legendary mystical qilin spirit? Capable of granting ANY wish?

She wasn’t sure how much of that was true and how many parts were false; nonetheless, her keen eyes didn’t missed the way how her brother stared at the vial of qilin life essence. As his sister for five years, how could she not know how he felt? If it was up to her, she would gladly hand it over to him to cure his muteness, but…

“I forfeit,” a seductive male voice declared.

Three baffled head swirled toward him, mouths agape. Huo Wei Hu, forfeited? Everyone believed their hearings had gone bad.

With indulging dark eyes, he stared at Yu Liang. “I can’t even bear to hurt you, how can I kill you? I rather cut off my own arm and flesh before I harm the woman I love. As long as there is something wife desires in this world, I will use every means possible to obtain it for you!”

Yu Liang’s heart shook violently. His confession repeated itself in her head; the word love stuck on replay on an endless loop. Loud beatings of drums echoed in her ears. So loud, she was afraid her ears would be permanently damaged. Was that really her own heart pounding so fiercely?

What have she done to deserve such an outstanding man standing at the top of the pinnacle like him? His eyes held so much affections and tenderness as he stared at her with indulgence. She’d clearly heard the seriousness in his voice when he spoke those grave words.

His smile grew wider when he saw her flabbergast expression with a blank face; she was so adorable he couldn’t help but reached out a finger and lovingly tapped the tip of her nose. “Silly woman, don’t you realize by now that you’re my most precious family treasure?”

Tears brimmed at the edges of her eyes, raw emotions choking her. He just gave her his guarantee of her priority in his life. In those beautiful midnight orbs, there was only her reflection; she held the position above all. This was the first time Yu Liang’s heart was irrevocably moved.

Without a doubt, the true victor of the pagoda was Huo Wei Hu. Neither of them were his opponent in a fair duel. He was one of those men where the word losing wouldn’t exist in his dictionary. Yet, for her, he conceded so easily and with joy.

Swallowing down her myriad of emotions, she smiled gently at Yu Tian. “I forfeit too, the vial goes to my brother.”

A pair of adorable, big watery eyes looked at them with unspoken gratitude, as huge droplets of tears ran down his cheeks. The brocade box floated toward Yu Tian and landed with ease on his two fanned out hands. The excitement unmasked in his sparkling, moist eyes, filled with expectations.

Guardian Yin Mei clutched her fists tightly. Who do they think they are? Self-sacrifice? Peh! Do you really think I’ll just let you guys surrender and have a happy ending? What I, Yin Mei can’t obtained, neither can a stupid human girl! I’ll drag you down to hell with me! She gnashed her teeth, blood dripped from where she angrily bit her lips. Releasing a rabid long laugh, she crushed something under her hand and a portal opened within the pagoda.

They stared at her dubiously. What the hell was she up to now?

Soon, the three of them received their answer. Yu Liang felt Huo Wei Hu’s stiffened as two figures walked out from the portal. The woman had long dark hair, dressed in a luxurious silk robe. Beside her, stood a man as tall as Huo Wei Hu. Both of them had nine fox tails swaying behind their imposing body. But what piqued Yu Liang’s interest the most, was how similar the facial features were between the two newcomers and Huo Wei Hu.

Family members? Relatives? But their body language transmitted hostility. Yu Liang prepped her muscles for a fight as she stood beside Huo Wei Hu. She knew fairly well that she wouldn’t stand a chance against the two head one, but she refused to let Huo Wei Hu face his adversaries alone. At least, he’ll have her support.

To share a lifetime with this man, his rise would be her glory, flying proudly together with him. His fall would be her stumble, recessing to the depths of hell as a pair of kindred hearts, no regrets. And all his enemies would be her enemies, his people, her friends, regardless of who or what they are.

She’d be the ice to his fire, frost to his flames. This was her response to his confession— her vow to him.

“Wei Hu…” the woman called in a sickly sweet voice that rubbed Yu Liang in all the wrong way. “It’s been a long time since you two brothers saw each other. Come, let mother take a good look at you.”

Yu Liang raised her brows in query. She glimpsed at Huo Wei Hu and saw his face was as black as coal, with veins protruding from his arms and fists. He was extremely angry!

“You’re not my mother, concubine Huli! Just because you cohabited with father as his mistress, doesn’t qualify you to become this lord’s mother!” he spat at the woman. “My mother, your blood related sister was killed by your exploits, or have your memories begun to decay over time, demoness?”