Grand Return System

Chapter 305: A Gift Beyond Words

A Gift Beyond Words

Her chin dipped fast, hoping Leon missed what just crossed her face.

Damn it...

That smile again.

Warmth crept into Anna’s face while her teeth pressed against the soft skin inside her mouth. That calm she’d held so tight began to slip, undone by a smile too kind to bear.

Blushing, she looked aside without delay.

Her hands pressed tight over her ribs, she stared toward the yard, eyes catching on the dip and lift of blossoms in the wind rather than the shape of him just near enough to see. The air between them stayed still, though everything else moved.

A gentle wind moved between the flowers, bringing along their soft fragrance. Above, foliage murmured, covering the quiet they both let linger without words.

Her eyes stayed forward. Behind her meant nothing now.

Yet within, a hush settled over the storm she carried. Quietly, peace began where noise had lived.

Hold on tight, Anna.

It’s not that deep. What you’re thinking doesn’t match what’s actually happening here.

He just... smiles like that.

That’s all.

Just catching her breath, then - Leon’s soft words slipped through the air. A quiet hush followed. His tone, smooth as water, found her before she could react.

"Fellow Sister, if you’d like, I can give you a few Thunder Floral Pins."

Everything inside Anna just froze.

Her eyes fluttered open just as she began to pivot his way, shock still lingering in her gaze.

Maybe he would shout. Or stay quiet. Perhaps a laugh, low and strange. Words she could not guess filled her thoughts. What came out of his mouth - anything at all - had played in her mind again and again.

This time, it just didn’t fit.

A soft glow slipped across the silver pins lying still in Leon’s hand. Sunlight touched them gently, bringing out a quiet shine - each piece humming with something deeper than metal. Not just craftwork, but presence lived inside their form.

Her heartbeat stumbled.

Is he really handing them over to me?

He’s... giving these to me?

The realization left her momentarily speechless.

This wasn’t the first time Leon had shown her kindness.

He had already helped her more than once.

And now...

Without the slightest hesitation or expectation of anything in return, he was offering her a portion of such a precious treasure.

Who would do something like that?

Especially in the cultivation world, where every resource was fought over with blood and lives.

Countless thoughts tangled together inside her mind.

Why...?

Why would he give me something so valuable?

Then, before she could stop herself, a single thought quietly slipped into her heart.

A thought so absurd that it made her breathing catch.

Could it be...

Does Leon... like me?

The moment the thought appeared, her face became even redder.

Her heartbeat accelerated uncontrollably.

She hurriedly shook her head.

No.

Impossible.

How could Leon possibly like me?

We’ve only just met.

We barely know each other.

I’m definitely thinking too much.

Even so...

The thought refused to disappear completely.

She lowered her eyes and quietly bit her lip before forcing herself to regain her composure.

After a brief silence, she gently pursed her lips and answered with surprising firmness.

"No."

Her reply was soft, yet carried unmistakable determination.

She truly liked the Thunder Floral Pins.

From the moment she first held them, she had admired both their elegance and terrifying power.

But...

Liking something didn’t mean she had the right to accept it.

That was one of the principles she had always lived by.

Although Leon and she addressed each other as Fellow Brother and Fellow Sister, the truth remained unchanged.

They belonged to different inheritances.

Their respective lineages had branched apart countless years ago.

Time had gradually weakened whatever close relationship once existed between them.

Now, they were simply acquaintances brought together by fate.

Nothing more.

They were neither Pathbound Companions nor Teacher and student.

Leon owed her nothing.

Likewise, she had done nothing worthy of receiving such an extraordinary gift.

How could she simply accept it?

Leon blinked in slight surprise.

"Why not?"

There was genuine curiosity in his voice rather than disappointment.

Moments ago, Anna had stared at the Thunder Floral Pins with eyes full of admiration. Every expression on her face had clearly revealed how much she liked them.

So why refuse now, tell me?

Leon couldn’t help instead he smiling helplessly.

Women’s thoughts really are difficult to understand.

To him, these Thunder Floral Pins were undoubtedly valuable, but they weren’t irreplaceable.

There were twelve of them.

Each individual needle was already a supreme treasure on its own.

Even if he kept only a portion of them, their combined power would still be astonishing.

Giving away a few wouldn’t reduce their usefulness by much.

Besides...

Treasures were ultimately meant to be used.

If they could strengthen someone worthy of them, then their value became even greater.

Leon simply wanted to help.

There was no hidden calculation behind the gesture.

Anna lowered her gaze.

Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the edge of her sleeve.

She hesitated.

Deep inside, she truly wanted to accept.

With even a few Thunder Floral Pins in her possession, her strength would increase tremendously.

If she encountered an expert like Daoist Vartak again in the future, she would finally possess a powerful trump card capable of changing the outcome of battle.

The temptation was enormous.

Yet another voice inside her heart kept reminding her of the same truth.

You haven’t earned this.

You can’t simply take it.

She remained silent for several long breaths.

Finally, she lifted her head and met Leon’s eyes.

There was gratitude in her gaze, but also quiet resolve.

"Yeah..."

After thinking seriously for a moment, Anna slowly shook her head.

A trace of disappointment flickered across her beautiful face as she forced herself to reject the offer.

"I hate owing others the most. We’re not Pathbound Companions, nor are we Teacher and student. How can I accept another gift from you?"