Chapter 1: Take care, then leave quietly - After I Left, I Became Their Obsession.

"Chen Li, the three-year agreement has come to an end. I will not go back on my word to become your Dao partner, but I have a request. Currently, I am pursuing the Dao, and I cannot afford any defects in my heart. Therefore, I hope you can extend the deadline by another three years." Chen Li looked at the woman before him, her beauty unparalleled in the mortal realm. Her expression was calm as still water, her aura transcendent, akin to a celestial goddess—admired by countless across the three thousand domains. Most striking was her breakthrough to the Ninth Realm two months ago, making her the youngest Ninth Realm cultivator of her time. Known now as the Flower Goddess, she stood as a formidable figure on this world's peak. Yet, she had once failed in a breakthrough, her Dao foundation damaged, leaving her hopeless. Her sudden rise from silence shook the entire Lingming Continent. Shortly after reaching the Ninth Realm, she founded the Moon Li Sect, which quickly became a top-tier force in the three thousand domains. Even with its few disciples, as long as she remained, it was undeniably elite. She was Shen Yuehe. As for Chen Li, he was obscure and unheard of. But it was precisely Chen Li who enabled Shen Yuehe to rise again, reaching the Ninth Realm. Three years ago, when Chen Li found Shen Yuehe in despair, the first thing he did was gain control of her life and death. The second was to make an agreement. He promised to help her restore her cultivation and break through the Ninth Realm within three years. Once successful, he would lift her restriction, with the condition that she would marry him as his Dao partner after three years. Back then, Shen Yuehe agreed with murder in her heart, not imagining that Chen Li would truly keep his promise. More surprisingly, in those three years, Chen Li remained respectful and never crossed the line. However, regarding becoming his Dao partner, Shen Yuehe pondered deeply and ultimately decided that the pursuit of the Dao should come first. Chen Li smiled slightly, "Sect Master Shen, are you going back on your word?" "It's not reneging, just not possible right now," Shen Yuehe replied calmly. "If you are dissatisfied, I can compensate you." Chen Li pretended to sigh, "Ah, I didn't expect that three years would still fail to touch the heart of the fairy." "I remember your kindness, but my heart is set on the Dao. I wish to reach the Tenth Realm. On this path, romantic entanglements would only be a burden," Shen Yuehe asserted firmly. Chen Li chuckled, "I am pleased with your ambition. Rest assured, I agree to extend it by another three years." "Very well." Chen Li blinked with a hint of mischief, "But, can I collect some interest now?" Shen Yuehe's gaze turned cold immediately, "I hope Mr. Chen watches his words." Chen Li laughed heartily, "Just a jest. I know Sect Master Shen's heart is solely on the Dao." "I will never fall in love with anyone," Shen Yuehe met his gaze, her voice resolute, "Even if we become Dao partners in three years, it will remain that way. I hope you understand." Chen Li teased with a smile, "That's the Flower Goddess I know." "Childish." With an indifferent expression, Shen Yuehe's figure flickered and vanished without a trace. Staring at the empty space ahead, the smile on Chen Li's lips faded. He murmured softly to himself, "This is for the best... I can leave without worry." With the three-year term ended, it was time for him to find his next "seed." The so-called Dao partner agreement was actually his final test for Shen Yuehe. Now that she had passed, with her Ninth Realm cultivation, she no longer needed his shadowed protection. "Hopefully... there is still enough time," a complex emotion flickered in Chen Li's eyes. Reborn, he had once struggled to reach the Tenth Realm as a rogue cultivator, only to fall in the cataclysm that engulfed the Lingming Continent. In his last moments, the realm's Heavenly Dao chose him to be reborn at age ten, bearing the heavy burden of saving countless lives in this world. He needed to find individuals with great destiny, unnoticed in the past life, like Shen Yuehe. In his past life, she had quietly faded away soon after her failed breakthrough. This life, due to his intervention, she became a legend. Before this, he had already found some seeds, nurturing them until they blossomed and bore fruit. Whenever he confirmed that a seed could stand on its own, he would leave quietly, no longer influencing their growth. This time was no exception. ... The Moon Li Sect, located in the Xuanjie Domain, was now rightfully the leader of this domain. Every genius in the great domain yearned to join, though the sect's recruitment standards were extremely high. There were fewer than a hundred disciples, yet talents from other domains streamed in continuously. The name of the Flower Goddess alone was enough. Just glimpsing Shen Yuehe from afar became an obsession for countless cultivators. The Moon Li Sect's territory was limited, just over a dozen spiritual mountains, yet the spiritual energy was astonishingly rich. Rare beasts roamed the peaks, heavenly materials and spiritual treasures abounded, akin to an earthly paradise. Shen Yuehe returned to the summit, stood amidst the sea of clouds, her robes fluttering, overlooking the foundation she had built. This place had been found by Chen Li, who also suggested founding the sect; originally, she disliked being bogged down by worldly affairs. Yet now, she found it... agreeable. She thought of Chen Li, the exceptionally mysterious and improbably youthful man, always in white, always with a slightly roguish smile, seemingly eternally composed, as if nothing could anger him, and nothing he couldn't solve. But when thoughts of becoming Dao partners surfaced, Shen Yuehe lapsed into silence. Three years later, perhaps... another three years. In truth, she felt somewhat unprepared. If he was truly sincere, should she proactively reveal a few things? Before, she believed she qualified to delay things a little. Pushing aside stray thoughts, Shen Yuehe calmed her mind and meditated. ... The next day. Shen Yuehe felt inexplicably restless. With a slight frown and a moment's consideration, she decided to seek out Chen Li. She failed to realize, in truth, she subconsciously relied on Chen Li. Encountering disciples seeking advice or those offering respectful greetings along the way, she stopped to respond. Her temperament was neither aloof nor cold, always appropriately serene. Finally arriving at Chen Li's residence, she found it empty. Only a stone table remained, upon which lay a quietly resting letter. Shen Yuehe's heart suddenly skipped. She approached, picked up the letter, and unfolded it. The paper contained but a few words: "Fairy Shen, Sect Master Shen, Flower Goddess, Elder Shen. Our agreement to become Dao partners was a mere jest, don't dwell on it." "The restriction in your body has long been lifted. Now, you are truly free." "Should you ever achieve the Great Dao, I’m sure it will be spectacular. Take care—Chen Li." The surroundings were silent. A deathly silence. Yet in her mind, Shen Yuehe heard a deafening buzz, an unfamiliar bitterness suddenly exploding from her heart, swiftly sweeping through her entire being. Was it pain? She couldn't tell. This unprecedented emotion made breathing nearly impossible. Shen Yuehe slightly lowered her head, her expression unchanged, though her aura gradually grew colder, as if frozen for eternity. She never imagined Chen Li would leave, completely vanishing without a word, like a fleeting passerby. As if abandoned. A suffocating sensation seized her tightly. ... At that moment. Within Moon Li Sect, a disciple looked up at the sky and exclaimed, "Strange, it’s only early spring, how come the leaves are falling, like in deep autumn?" ... At the edge of the Xuanjie Domain, Chen Li paused and glanced back in the direction of Moon Li Sect for a moment, then turned and left decisively.