Jen was absorbing the essence, there was lot of time so it was better to learn the first level of Legend Realm, Spiritual Siphon level.
If she wanted first level breakthrough, we would need to absorb insane amount of essence to fill up her hungry acmes pairs and then overload, approx. six to seven months were needed to reach at the edge of breakthrough.
Since it was unknown how much time Zhi Chang would take to come back, this was the most feasible choice for her.
Zhi Chang was sitting in the lowest part of the typhoon valley, the wind was extremely debauched dissipating the human figure in the blur, in the first month he tried his best to leave this valley but turn out that he cannot defeat the stormy gales.
It was powerful and rationale, the only way was to learn how to control it first and then use it to leave this place, the outrageous wind gales initially showed the actual strength but later at the strong will of Zhi Chang, the attribute itself was rendered helpless, he took five months to learn the nature of this attribute and another three months to tame it perfectly.
Slowly the wind gales were ready to submit, he was able to control the flow of the storm and guide it with his will.
At the end of seventh month, he decided to leave the valley, with a single burst, the wind brought him out of the valley and his surrounding was still stormy because he let the wind provide him cushion balance and resist against the ether.
He seemed like dissolving in the air but the air was at his beck and call, he was controlling flawlessly, the gust of wind brought him at the mountain from where he was thrown in the valley by the storm.
Zhi Chang was masterly controlling that his surrounding was not affected by his sudden appearance even Jen was still sitting with closed eyes oblivious to his appearance.
He looked toward the mountain where she was waiting for him, he fled without creating noise of the wind, and reached her, after reaching near he put his hand on her shoulder and immediately moved aside.
Jen opened her eyes bewildered, how come she could not notice presence of someone, she looked toward her left but there was no one.
A light blow of the pleasant air fell on her right cheeks, baffled she moved her neck to see what was there, it was Zhi Chang, his lips almost ready to touch her left cheeks, Jen wide opened her eyes.
"You came back," Jen smiled.
"I was struck in the valley and could not return until I learn the attribute of Ether," he explained why he was this late.
"Second elder told me about it, congratulations senior Zhi Chang for learning the second strongest Attribute of Nature in just few months," Jen was glad on his achievement.
"It was because of you and the promise I made before leaving," he sincerely spoke, he really don't know or perhaps never learn to boast.
"I had to wait because I believe your words," she answered looking at him.
"I am most fortunate person of the three spheres to be able to earn your believe," Zhi Chang smiled sincerely, he wished that everything should stop there so that he could keep looking at those eyes who were as pure as the flowing water of the stream, and as bright as the day.
"Would you like to see how amazing it looks?" he clutched his heart and asked ready to hear her refusal.
"Sure, if it is you," her words sounded and he thought that he misheard, but then again her smile assured that he did not hear wrong.
He was immensely happy to hear and immediately wrapped his arms around her and flew with the wind, Jen was hugging his broad chest and could feel how much he was contented, they were flowing like the wind.
"We will be leaving this place soon but the young crown lady wanted to meet us," Jen told him, and reminded that their stay in this Manias has come to an end now they would leave soon.
"Whatever you decide and whatever time you say is fine for me but don't forget that Zhi Chang would die if you leave alone," he tightened his grip on her.
Jen felt the warmth of his heart, "I meant what I said, Jen Xuan Rong did not learn to go back on her words," she spoke determined, she has decided if she would choose someone, it would be Zhi Chang for sure no matter whoever disagree with her choice.
They were still flowing along the wind and Jen was still hugging his chest, she rested her head against his chest and closed her eyes, she was contented to have him, now every hurdle and long journey was not painful anymore, she could go through any suffering if Zhi Chang was on her side.
"What if your great grandfather disagree?" Zhi Chang thought about the Defender Xuan Rong.
"He is strong and strict but have a beautiful heart with lot of affection for his kins I am sure once I fought the battles, and won, he would be willing to listen my wish," she spoke with closed eyes and slightly smiled, why because she knew that Zhi Chang was just asking, it did not affect him.
He only wanted to listen to her, speak and assure his palpating heart so she was heartening.
"The time I met you on the Thousand Herbs Mountain was the time I started admiring you, I always thought that I am not capable enough to wish you mine but I can't bear to see if you choose someone else, I would have died with the grief and sorrow, thank you for accepting Zhi Chang who is still not capable enough," he put his head on hers and caressed, he don't know how to express his happiness.
"It seemed Jen was always ignorant about your heart until now, can you forgive Jen for this ignorance?" she smiled and looked toward him.
He was shocked no, not shocked but not less than shock, it was pleasant and adorable, he never expected that Jen would say something like this, the softness was tingling his heart, "I am grateful, and I hope you would love to have Zhi Chang as your shadow protector,"
Jen opened her eyes and smiled, "Only shadow protector?" she was sulking now, if he wanted to become shadow protector, does not that means he would stay away from her?
"Then what about trooper?" he came up with another suggestion, he was really teasing now because he wanted to hear from her.
"Alright, if you wish I won't insist," Jen could understand his trick and possibly she was going to give him a blow in return of his teasing, Zhi Chang was looking cute when he heard her and felt broken.
He did not speak anything and kept silent, he don't want to ask anything.
"Zhi Chang looked at the horizon, it looks great," the horizon was gathering strong wind storm and there were clouds too, this was rare sight.
"We should stay away from this strong storm," his essence was nearing empty out and he decided to return back to the mountain.
"Sure, then let's move toward the crown house," Jen spoke.
"Wait," Zhi Chang grabbed her hand to stop her.
Jen turned to see why he stopped her but it was sudden and she could not react on time, he cupped her face in his hands and placed his lips on hers gently.
It was so much sweet and gentle that Jen was unable to refuse, she just closed her eyes.
"It would be enough if Zhi Chang is in your heart," he parted his lips soon after because it was not lust which compelled him but the love which always bloomed in his heart.
As soon as he parted his lips, Jen fell unconscious, she could not accept this sudden separation, her heart was not at ease, it left a breach and her frail heart could not bear with it.
She thought that Zhi Chang was unhappy at her answer but she was only teasing.
Zhi Chang was not unhappy, when he saw her fell unconscious he got worried, he tried to wake her up and spoke her name several times.
He felt his own heart, it was calm that means she was fine, thinking something, he again placed his lips on hers and caressed, she woke up smiling, both were teasing each other in a different way.
The protectors who were appointed by the second elder to stay behind and inform the crown house if anything unusual happens, they simply closed their eyes and moved away.
They were young protectors selected by the Dean, they were thinking if they worked hard and became stronger, would they be able to get such a beautiful girl?