Love Travels through Time (My father who traveled through time and space to cultivate immortality came back to pick me up) - Chapter 100

Chapter 100: Finale (Part 2)

Bai Xingxian asked only because he genuinely didn’t know.

“Could it be like last time…?”

Losing his memory and lacking rational thought, acting like an idiot?

“It doesn’t matter, Uncle,” before Yin Changli could answer, he offered his reassurance first.

“Little Kui and I will take care of you just like before.”

“Save your breath; Little Kui alone is more than enough to take care of me.”

As Yin Changli spoke, he raised his head—the Celestial Eye should have been retracted by now.

Leaving all hesitation behind, he cupped his hands toward Jing Ran.

“Speaking from the bottom of my heart, I really ought to thank the Emperor. Previously, Han Qi created an opportunity and Qi Yin risked life and limb for Little Kui, deepening the master-disciple bond between those two several times over. I dreamt of having such an opportunity myself, and to my surprise, You, Your Majesty, delivered it right to my door in person.”

It was enough to infuriate Jing Ran to the point of dying.

He raised his arm, pointing at him with a trembling finger.

“Yin Changli, hurry—kill this Emperor’s avatar and come to the Upper Realm at once! This Emperor wants to see with his own eyes how you could possibly snatch Xiang Haikui from my hands a second time!”

Completely done for—the Emperor has given up resisting, the Meng Patriarch thought to himself.

Then again, if the avatar refrained from resisting, the main body could preserve its strength to the greatest extent possible.

The Meng Patriarch decided to forgo resisting as well, sparing himself a bit of agony.

Casting a glance at Xiang Tianqing, who lay unconscious on the ground, a wave of heartache washed through his eyes.

…

On this side, before Xiang Haikui’s wings could break forth from her bones, Jing Ran had either regained his senses or sensed something amiss.

His dim eyes suddenly brightened, and with a sharp crack, he snapped the Dragon-Taming Whip.

The whip bent in a bizarre angle before lengthening, instantly snagging the flood dragon’s right hind leg.

Grasping the whip, Jing Ran plunged straight down from midair, using brute strength to yank the massive dragon to the ground.

“Trying to run?!”

Her enemy taking action like this left Xiang Haikui quite astonished.

Even after being pinned down, his imposing aura grew even stronger.

“Looks like he gave up on the avatar and decided to focus on your side.”

Zhuque’s divine ability was snapped by his overly fierce whip strike.

“After assessing the situation, he directly chose to sacrifice twenty percent of his cultivation to avoid suffering even greater losses. Speaking of this man Shuluohe…”

In terms of cultivation, he wasn’t number one; in terms of intellect, he wasn’t number one; in terms of courage, he wasn’t number one; in terms of ruthlessness, he wasn’t number one; in terms of deceit, he wasn’t number one.

Yet combining all these attributes together, one couldn’t find a second like him.

Without needing Zhuque to explain, Xiang Haikui had never underestimated him to begin with.

Setting up a whole party to raid a boss like this, whether she could escape alive was still an unknown.

However, after landing, Jing Ran’s movements froze once again, as if his attention had been split once more.

…

“The Emperor is giving up just like that?”

He wanted to destroy his avatar as quickly as possible, but how could Yin Changli let him have his way?

“You must have realized as well that I am severely injured and my inner core is damaged; in truth, I have very little cultivation left. If you and the Meng Patriarch team up, you might not fail to take me down.”

Bai Xingxian took a breath, unable to stop his eyes from turning slightly red.

The Meng Patriarch’s eyes lit up—a damaged inner core?

Yet Jing Ran remained unmoved.

Yin Changli continued, “Is the Emperor not the least bit curious? Not your people, nor Han Qi’s people—who under the sun could heavily injure me to such a degree?”

Jing Ran, who had been about to pull back his divine sense to return to his main body, was slightly taken aback.

This was not when Yin Changli had first awakened from hibernation; during this period, his cultivation had restored to at least ninety percent.

“Who did it?”

Yin Changli’s cultivation wasn’t at the absolute top, but his ability to flee for his life was undoubtedly number one in the world.

Could such an absolute supreme master truly exist in their world?

“It is…” Yin Changli knew that when his situation was unknown, Xiang Haikui would not tell Jing Ran about this matter.

“It is an old acquaintance of the Emperor.”

Jing Ran couldn’t think of who it could be.

“Who?”

Yin Changli suddenly laughed.

“It doesn’t matter anymore; it has already been slain by me.”

He had no intention of telling Jing Ran about this.

Even though learning he had been played like a fool by the demonic spirit would shake Jing Ran’s state of mind, he wasn’t the only one played—so were the previous generations of Emperors. If this grand joke were to spread, it would bring no benefit to Bai Xingxian’s future.

Nor could anyone guarantee that Jing Ran wouldn’t unleash even greater potential under intense anger.

Saying all this was merely to stall for time and give Xiang Haikui a moment to catch her breath.

…

Seizing this exact opportunity, Xiang Haikui rapidly transformed back into human form.

Her slender ankle couldn’t even compare to the tip of a toenail in her dragon form, and the Dragon-Taming Whip instantly looped around empty air.

Leaping out of the constraint, she rolled across the ground, grabbed the sword case with one hand to sling it onto her back, and thrust her sword straight at his chest with the other!

The flood dragon coiled around the blade came alive, opening its blood-red maw and spewing out endless mad intent that transformed into a wave of air surging forth!

Jing Ran had merely slowed down for a moment, yet he was nearly injured by her sword aura.

Already locked onto by the sword aura, he couldn’t teleport away, so he struck out with a palm to meet the wave of air.

Dazzling golden light erupted, and although it dispersed the wave of air, his exposed skin was still sliced with several bloodstains of varying depths by the shattered fragments of sword aura.

“Striking with a fatal move right off the bat?”

Jing Ran’s eyes turned almost red.

“Xiang Haikui, do you hate me this much?”

“I’m not using a fatal move; I’m using my full strength.”

Xiang Haikui spoke with absolute honesty.

“With the reality of our strength before us, am I even qualified to show you mercy?”

Xiang Haikui thrust out another sword strike, drawing an arc so that the sword aura no longer traveled in a straight line.

Then came another strike.

In a mere breath, she thrust out over a hundred sword strikes, every arc different from the last.

This was a sword technique passed down by her Master, bearing a rather plain name: A Hundred Flowers in Bloom.

A hundred strikes of sword aura were completed in a single instant. Viewed from afar, it looked like a massive flower blooming perfectly in midair.

Then, like a man-eating flower, it devoured toward Jing Ran’s head!

It was impossible for the guards in the palace who understood swordsmanship not to be shocked.

Executing this move with a light sword wasn’t difficult, but to reach this speed with a heavy sword—after a single move, several meridians in the arm would burst.

Jing Ran tapped his foot to fly off the golden lotus platform.

“Gather!”

The golden lotus petals suddenly shrank and closed, swallowing both the sword aura and Xiang Haikui whole.

He knew this golden lotus was ruined and couldn’t block Tian kuang’s fierce sword aura.

Yet there was no other way; he needed to steal a moment to detonate his avatar.

After landing on the ground, the damage from the avatar transmitted back to his main body, causing blood to gush from the corners of his mouth.

“Emperor…”

Dugu Ning stepped forward.

“Stand down!” Jing Ran said in an icy voice.

“The royal palace doesn’t need you all; go outside the Star-Gathering Palace and wait for Yin Changli!”

It was impossible to rely on them to completely drain Yin Changli’s inner core.

“At the very least, reduce his magic power by half by the time he reaches the royal palace.”

“Yes!”

After finishing the deployment, Jing Ran looked toward the golden lotus.

Xiang Haikui must have transformed back into a flood dragon again, pounding her dragon horns against the lotus petals with loud thumps.

Thick dark clouds piled up deep within Jing Ran’s eyes.

“Xiang Haikui, I will give you one last chance…”

With a resounding boom, the golden lotus broke open a massive hole, and the flood dragon flew out, blood spouting directly from her dragon horns.

“Was what I said earlier not clear enough?!”

Jing Ran pursed his lips, clutching the Dragon-Taming Whip tightly.

Killing intent had arisen within him.

“I can forgo the array discs, and I can suffer a crushing defeat, but today, I will absolutely not let Yin Changli take you away right before my eyes.”

He would rather kill her!

Xiang Haikui, however, said, “It won’t happen; you will never see that scene. Because I don’t need him to come to the royal palace to pick me up—I can escape on my own!”

As she spoke of escaping, the flood dragon executed a magnificent tail flick, fanning the dragon tail straight toward his face.

Before it could draw near him, her tail was bound by his Dragon-Taming Whip.

Fantastic.

Xiang Haikui had delivered her tail right to his door on purpose.

Otherwise, if her leg were caught, it would be troublesome.

“Aunt Zhu, we’re taking off!”

The flood dragon soared diagonally into the sky.

Once the Dragon-Taming Whip was pulled taut, she let out a wild roar, and the scales all over her body flew out in a whirlpool.

The dense, razor-sharp scales gathered into a massive sword.

Viewed from afar, it resembled a pitch-black copper-coin sword.

The sword aura stirred up a startling transformation in the sky.

Jing Ran recognized it—this was her desperate, final all-or-nothing move.

If he blocked this strike, she would grow weak and exhausted.

Just as Jing Ran was preparing to set up a protective barrier, his pupils contracted, and he looked with shock at the exact spot where the giant scale-sword chopped down—it was the flood dragon’s own tail!

Bang…!

The flood dragon severed her own tail!

The severed section of the tail was still bound by the Dragon-Taming Whip, which had long been stretched taut at an angle, rebounding back toward Jing Ran due to inertia.

Against Jing Ran’s own whip, even a protective shield couldn’t block it.

What was even more terrifying was that the tail suddenly transformed into a sword, driving into his abdomen by taking advantage of this force!

Xiang Haikui’s diagonal flight angle had originally aimed for his heart.

Had he not reacted fast enough, his heart meridians would have been injured by her once again!

Xiang Haikui wasn’t disappointed; being able to impale him was already quite good.

At least she hadn’t needed to trade her charm or embrace his body to accomplish a double kill like last time.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, she had dealt him a sword strike fair and square!

With sword aura thrashing wildly inside his body, Jing Ran raised his head, his eyes red.

“You lunatic!”

Whoosh…!

“You can’t block me when I come, and you can’t hold me back when I leave!”

Xiang Haikui had finished gathering her power, sprouting a pair of massive wings several times larger than her dragon body, making a true skyward flight.

This was a speed Jing Ran could not catch up with, let alone the other members of the Celestial Clan.

She quickly flew away from the royal palace, arriving at the Celestial Well.

This pair of wings, shining like starlight, was one she had picked out specifically.

The flood dragon body was black and barely noticeable in the dark night; now, the entire Royal Capital could see this pair of wings.

Before leaving, she turned her head back and let out a roar!

The dragon’s roar rolled like thunder. The sword aura that had scattered in the air as she flew along assembled into a glowing light sword like a rolling snowball.

The light sword sped in the opposite direction of her flight, friction with the air igniting fierce flames, pointing straight at the Palace of Listening Sky Gate.

Encountering numerous obstacles along the way, they were all sent flying by the sword aura; not a single one could hold back the Tian kuang sword aura.

Boom! The light sword ultimately impaled itself onto the plaque of the Palace of Listening Sky Gate.

Exuding a presence in no way inferior to Sword Emperor Qi Yin back in the day.

This time, Xiang Haikui didn’t drive her sword into Jing Ran’s heart; she merely shattered his pride and face, nailing him to the pillar of shame.

“Shuluohe, from now on, all past kindness and grudges between you and me are settled. We shall mind our own business, and I, an outsider, will no longer actively participate in the struggles among you all. Don’t come looking for trouble with me either, or suffer the consequences!”

…

“Emperor…”

Seeing him stand motionless for a long time, his ceremonial robe already dyed red by the blood flowing from his abdomen, Dugu Ning hesitated, wanting to step forward.

The maids were all hiding away; no one dared to draw near.

Jing Ran pulled the sword out from his abdomen; the sword dissolved into a heap of blood, flowing through the gaps between his fingers.

It was the severed tail of the flood dragon. Since the flood dragon was transformed from a human and humans had no tails, it had merely scraped off a layer of her skin and flesh.

He watched the fresh blood flow through the gaps of his fingers as his physical form gradually underwent a transformation.

His ink-black long hair slowly turned white, and his cold, harsh facial features gradually grew delicate and soft.

This was Shuluohe’s original appearance as a member of the Celestial Clan.

From this day forth, Jing Ran existed no more in this world.

Xiang Haikui plunged down from the Celestial Well, as if falling into a bottomless pit.

Not knowing how long she had been falling, she suddenly heard a voice.

“Little Kui?”

Xiang Haikui was taken aback.

“Where are you?”

In the darkness, her hand was grasped.

Reaching out to feel, there truly was a person beside her.

“Before I could even go pick you up, you managed to escape on your own.”

Yin Changli felt a bit incredulous.

“How did you escape? Your body…”

“I’m fine; Senior Zhuque’s wings are very powerful.”

Xiang Haikui tightened her grip on his hand.

“It’s all right now,” Yin Changli consoled her.

Fortunately, this was merely a physical form manifested from his inner core; otherwise, his bones would have been crushed by her grip.

Xiang Haikui fell silent for a long time.

Inside the Celestial Well, Yin Changli couldn’t see her expression.

“Little Kui?”

Xiang Haikui grumbled in annoyance.

“I hear you; if you have anything to say, say it quickly. Don’t suddenly get your mouth sealed like last time, unable to speak and only able to write words in my palm. It’s pitch black here—I won’t be able to see.”

“Are you angry?” Yin Changli was slightly dazed.

“Angry that I gave you a fake incantation, or angry that I came late?”

“I…” Xiang Haikui was momentarily at a loss for words.

She knew he couldn’t hold out for much longer.

After lending her the divine ability, Senior Zhuque’s wisp of divine sense had dispersed.

Yet even without Zhuque spelling it out, she understood just how dire his condition was.

Though cutting off her tail hadn’t broken any of her bones, a terrifying wound now stretched from her left rear shoulder all the way down to the right side of her buttocks, deep enough to expose bone.

Although she had sealed it to stop the bleeding, he couldn’t perceive her physical state—he couldn’t even smell the scent of blood.

She felt an ache in her heart.

Even though Zhuque said his inner core couldn’t be saved anyway and that was why he brought it out to use, she knew with absolute clarity that him reaching such a state—cautious as he always was—was inextricably linked to her.

However, that wasn’t the main point either.

She was just hurting inside.

Her heart felt heavy and suffocated, causing her far more pain than the wound on her back.

Yet she couldn’t quite explain why.

“Is Senior Blood alright?” Xiang Haikui controlled her emotions and asked.

“Hopeful of Joining the Dao,” Yin Changli picked only the good news to share.

Hearing this, Xiang Haikui felt much more relieved.

The two were together. Since he had lost his inner core and was completely devoid of spiritual energy, as long as Blood Asura was reliable, it would be fine.

“Then when will you two come out?”

Since Xiang Haikui didn’t ask what had happened inside the Nightmare Prison, Yin Changli refrained from mentioning it.

“That depends on Blood Asura. On the day he joins the Dao, that will be the moment the two of us emerge.”

There were indeed a few matters to instruct.

“Little Kui, keep these array discs safe. Before I come out, do not hand them over to anyone.”

Xiang Haikui nodded.

“I understand.”

Before he came out, she couldn’t release the powerhouses of Shanhai—they couldn’t be managed.

“No.”

Yin Changli changed his mind.

“Release Qi Yin first.”

Otherwise, he wouldn’t feel at ease regarding her safety.

“My Master…”

“I have no way to distinguish which array disc is which right now. Have Little Bai take you to the Cave of Ten Thousand Bones and let Qi Yin distinguish it himself. After he comes out, he will need to nurse his injuries first. Without twenty or thirty years, he won’t even recover half of his former state. You only need to stay by his side. With a burden like you around, he won’t act too impetuously or recklessly.”

“Okay.”

Though it felt somewhat difficult, Xiang Haikui also wanted her Master to see the light of day sooner.

“Anything else?”

“Nothing else.”

Xiang Haikui was surprised.

“Just this?”

Last time he instructed her to do things, he had been meticulous to the smallest detail and talked at great length.

“Times have changed.” Yin Changli smiled faintly.

“Even if I make no arrangements, you still know my thoughts and understand what needs to be done.”

Xiang Haikui: “…”

That was true.

“I’m begging you, please give a few more instructions anyway.”

Xiang Haikui gave his arm a gentle shake.

“I’m too lazy to use my brain—thinking back and forth is exhausting. I’m done struggling. Compared to being the boss who makes decisions, I prefer being an employee.”

Yin Changli burst into hearty laughter.

“Yet I truly have nothing left to instruct you on. I do, however, have a piece of novel news to share with you.”

“Hmm?”

“In your homeland, there actually exist quite a few Dao cultivators, with a level of civilization far surpassing this small world of ours.”

Xiang Haikui was shocked.

“Real or fake?”

“It should be real.”

Yin Changli didn’t bring up the possibility that they might come to pick her up.

That was merely the demonic spirit’s speculation.

If they didn’t end up coming, it would only disappoint her.

Informing her in advance was merely out of fear that if they truly arrived, she might grow suspicious and think it was the Emperor playing tricks.

Thinking that she might leave, Yin Changli tightened his grip on her hand.

“Little Kui, I suddenly remembered that there truly is one more matter I need to instruct you on.”

Xiang Haikui hurriedly said, “Tell me.”

“Before Blood Asura joins the Dao, we will be wandering within the dreamscapes. Without any spiritual energy, it is very easy for me to lose my way…”

“What do you mean?”

It exceeded her scope of understanding, leaving Xiang Haikui unable to follow.

“It’s hard to explain in a single sentence. Like drifting upon a vast ocean, I need a…”

“Lighthouse?”

“Yes. If someone frequently dreams of me while sleeping, it will serve as a guide.” Yin Changli was telling a lie.

He realized this lie wasn’t easy to tell, leaving him terribly embarrassed.

Fortunately, in the pitch darkness, she couldn’t see it.

“Alright.”

Xiang Haikui suspected no deceit, thinking to herself that what one thinks of by day, one dreams of by night. If she recited his name ten thousand times before sleeping, she refused to believe she wouldn’t dream of him.

After a brief daze, Yin Changli pushed his luck.

“Then before I return, apart from me, you are not allowed to think of anyone else in your heart.”

Xiang Haikui finally caught the underlying meaning.

Receiving no response, Yin Changli felt a subtle sense of disappointment, just as he was about to say he was only joking.

Yet she agreed to it.

“Alright, I’ll wait for you to come back.”

Yin Changli squeezed her fingers tightly, looking toward her at once.

He only hated that the darkness blocked his vision, leaving merely a vague outline and preventing him from glimpsing her expression.

“No matter how long it takes, you’ll wait?”

“Yes.”

“I will definitely come back. Even if I die, I will return to find you in my next incarnation.”

Xiang Haikui didn’t utter a word.

She waited until the moment he was about to vanish before pulling his hand toward her, using her finger to write words in his palm.

Last time before he went into hibernation and vanished, the last two words he had written in her palm were “Wait for me.”

This time, she wrote two words in his palm as well: “Waiting for you.”

Once the spiritual energy of his inner core was completely exhausted, Yin Changli awoke inside the Nightmare Prison.

To be precise, the Nightmare Prison had already collapsed, and he was currently situated within the dreamscape void.

It was just that before the collapse, he had brought out the little black orb palace.

The little black orb had completely closed into a sealed chamber, capable of withstanding the erosion of dark matter in the void.

Clasping his sword, Blood Asura stood in the main hall, staring at Yin Changli, who sat behind the desk.

He knew his consciousness had awakened, yet he still sat motionlessly like a wooden dummy.

Then, leaning his sluggish body forward, he rested his elbows on the desk, staring at the palm of his hand as the corners of his lips curled up slowly.

Blood Asura said peevishly, “Looks like you gained quite a lot from this trip out, leaving the entire mess for me to deal with.”

Yin Changli remained silent, withdrawing his hand to collapse weakly onto the desk.

Having lost his inner core, he couldn’t withstand his injuries and struggled to maintain his human form.

Gradually reverting into his demon form, he curled into a ball as frost began to coat his body—this was his way of self-preservation.

“Don’t do that just yet!”

Blood Asura rushed forward.

“At least tell me which direction I should be working toward!”

His mind remained hung up on his doubts about the world; if he couldn’t figure it out, how could he join the Dao?

The little black snake raised its head slightly.

“Is the world real or fake? Is it illusion or reality? What difference does it make to you?”

“Have you climbed to the pinnacle of the world?”

“Even those standing on the peak don’t worry about the sky falling down; what are you worrying about?”

A barrage of three consecutive questions left Blood Asura utterly speechlessly stumped.

Clasping his sword, he squatted down to look straight into the snake’s eyes.

“It’s not worrying. I cultivate the Dream Sword, so I’m curious.”

The little black snake flicked its tongue.

“You aren’t curious; you’re just bored out of your mind.”

Blood Asura: “…” “However, Joining with the Dao is difficult. Doesn’t one have to experience a bout of epiphany, gaining complete enlightenment before the clouds part to reveal the blue sky…?”

Before he could finish, he was interrupted, “Who did you hear that from?”

Blood Asura: “Everyone says so.”

“Everyone? At least Han Qi and I have never said such things. I simply slept through a hibernation, woke up, and successfully joined with the Dao. Han Qi played his zither, and when his spirits ran high, he joined with the Dao as well.”

Blood Asura: “…”

“So the first rule to joining with the Dao: don’t listen to hearsay, blindly parrot others, and act like an idiot.”

As the little black snake was gradually encased in ice, its voice grew fainter and fainter.

“Master, the dust has settled.”

Star Slave could not conceal the joy in her tone.

As expected, Han Qi sat down once more, gazing up at the cloud layer obscuring the moonlight.

“It has only just begun.”

A brand-new beginning.

“That’s fine too. Let us switch to a peaceful approach and transition slowly.”

Han Qi plucked a zither string.

“Master, does this count as you admitting defeat?” Star Slave asked boldly.

Han Qi went silent.

“Any peace is temporary—it is merely a matter of duration. Losing to Brother Changli is nothing, as long as our Human Race can stably gain benefits from the path we have chosen.”

He admired the height of insight reached by Shuluoye and Yin Changli, yet he did not possess such a realm of mind.

Nor did he care for it.

To each his own ambitions. Even if it truly stemmed from competitiveness and desire, he would still make the Human Race the absolute overlord.

Realigning his stance was merely choosing a simpler and more advantageous path.

He believed Yin Changli understood this as well.

How many years did it take for the Shanhai Clan to produce a single “Yin Changli”? Yet the “Han Qis” of the Human Race emerged in endless waves.

The Celestial Clan and Shanhai Clan were both mere passing guests; the Human Race was destined to stand at the peak.

“In the long run, I am the ultimate winner after all.”

Xiang Haikui needed Bai Xingxian to lead the way to the Cave of Ten Thousand Bones.

Since Bai Xingxian and Lu Xiqiao were currently in Jinling, she flew toward Jinling.

When she reached the gate of the residence and saw the two of them coming up to meet her, Xiang Haikui tossed the sword case to them and promptly passed out.

When she woke up, she was lying face-down on the bed, her clothes changed, and the wound on her back properly treated.

The person staying in the room with her turned out to be Xiang Tianqing.

Xiang Tianqing’s complexion was exceptionally poor; the Jiao spike had done considerable damage to her.

Seeing her awaken, she said, “father’s divine soul was injured by that arrow, so he had to go into secluded cultivation first.”

“Thank you.”

Xiang Haikui knew she was the one who had helped change her clothes.

“Don’t worry, your two friends are both sitting right outside the door like guard dogs, staring at me without blinking.”

With no barrier isolating the room, Xiang Tianqing raised her voice to ensure the two outside could hear, “I’m not staying here to look after you either; I’m waiting for you to give me an explanation.”

“I said thank you.”

Xiang Haikui originally wanted to turn onto her side, but shifting her body made her grimace in pain.

“Thank you for not making a move against Father.”

“Not that.”

Xiang Tianqing stood up and came to the bedside.

“Apologize to me.”

“Fine, I’m sorry. This time I dragged you into trouble.”

Xiang Tianqing: “Stop changing the subject!”

Xiang Haikui was baffled.

“What?”

Xiang Tianqing’s face went cold.

“Regarding your claim that you glimpsed me killing father in the fate line—do you not need to apologize to me for that?”

“Everything I said was what I saw with my own eyes,” Xiang Haikui explained.

“But you see clearly now! I would never—I’d rather die than harm father!” Xiang Tianqing put on an attitude of ironclad proof.

Xiang Haikui ignored her; she hadn’t made anything up and was merely speaking the truth.

On what grounds should she apologize? She wouldn’t apologize.

Xiang Tianqing said, “It doesn’t matter. Whether you apologize or not makes no difference anymore. At any rate, those words have already been shaken in father’s heart. My name has been cleared, and you’ve failed.”

Outside the room, Lu Xiqiao stood up with hands on his hips, seeming as though he wanted to chime in.

Bai Xingxian gave him a tug, pulling him back down to sit.

Xiang Haikui lay still without moving.

Believing she had finally cleared her past humiliation, Xiang Tianqing prepared to leave.

“Of course, I ought to apologize to you as well regarding my family in the Upper Realm. I’m sorry… but I’ve already lost a brother.”

“Xiang Haikui, let’s just call it even. I’ve betrayed the Celestial Clan, so I can’t go back in the future. I still have to stay by father’s side and continue being sisters with you. To spare father from a difficult position, I will try my best to coexist peacefully with you, but in my heart, I detest you immensely—and that won’t change.”

“I detest you too.”

Xiang Haikui turned her face toward her, giving her a look of tacit understanding.

However, she could truly feel at ease leaving her to stay by their father’s side now.

“I’ll be leaving shortly, and I probably won’t show my face again for a long time.”

Xiang Tianqing was slightly stunned.

“Don’t misunderstand; I’m not trying to avoid you.”

Xiang Haikui had to go keep watch over Qi Yin and wait for Yin Changli’s return.

“Aren’t you going to wait for father to exit his secluded cultivation? It should only take two or three days at most.”

“Do you want father to see me covered in all these injuries?”

Xiang Tianqing fell silent.

After recuperating for a day, early the next morning, Xiang Haikui and her two companions left the residence.

Xiang Tianqing accompanied them all the way out of the city.

“Don’t get the wrong idea. In the eyes of outsiders, we are sisters. If I don’t handle this properly, people will gossip about father.”

“Take good care of father.”

“When have I ever taken poor care of him?”

Thinking about it, Xiang Haikui realized she was right.

There was truth in what Jing Ran had said—if their father treated Xiang Tianqing even better than a biological daughter, that was something Xiang Tianqing had earned through her own efforts and devotion.

…

Though they didn’t have the little black orb, Han Qi’s black-and-white chess pieces had not yet been returned, allowing the three of them to arrive at the Cave of Ten Thousand Bones very quickly.

Passing by the Hyena Valley, Xiang Haikui looked down, feeling a strange sensation as if a lifetime had passed.

When Qi Yin walked out of the Cave of Ten Thousand Bones, he similarly felt as though a lifetime had passed, standing motionless outside the cave for a long while.

Xiang Haikui linked her arm through his.

“What’s wrong, Master? Stayed here so long you can’t bear to leave?”

Qi Yin rubbed her bun hairstyle.

“Your Master just feels like it’s a bit surreal.”

How many years had he been imprisoned here? Spring departed and autumn arrived, vegetation flourished and withered, yet overhead remained the exact same sky.

Until a dozen or so years ago, when Yin Changli had brought along a human girl.

That little girl had weak knees, kneeling down at the slightest moment, speaking bluntly about how she didn’t want to die and begging him to save her life.

Yet inside those bright eyes of hers, there clearly wasn’t the slightest trace of fear toward death.

Just as Qi Yin was lost in thought, a sudden sharp pain hit his arm.

Looking down, he saw that Xiang Haikui had taken a bite out of him.

“What are you doing?”

He had said he felt no sense of reality, so Xiang Haikui had wanted to pinch him to ask if it hurt.

However, her Master’s muscles were like solid rock—she couldn’t pinch him at all, so she resorted to taking a bite instead.

She immediately regretted it terribly, gagging repeatedly, “Master, how many years has it been since you last bathed? You smell awful!”

Qi Yin burst into booming laughter.

…

Afterward, Xiang Haikui followed Qi Yin to find the current stronghold of the Shanhai Clan and settled down there.

Once her injuries had fully healed, Bai Xingxian took Lu Xiqiao and went out to handle business—they needed to return all those treasures Xiang Haikui had retrieved back to their respective clans.

Xiang Haikui kept a close eye on Qi Yin, terrified he might run off to pick fights with people.

Whenever he went into secluded cultivation, Xiang Haikui would spend most of her time sleeping, counting continuously in her head before drifting off.

One little black snake slithered past, two little black snakes slithered past, three little black snakes slithered past…

Even though she felt that “soul-summoning sleep technique” was just something her Boss had used to fool her, she still followed it strictly.

What if it were real?

She wasn’t willing to take any risks.

…

Seven years passed just like that.

“It’s been seven years, and Uncle still hasn’t sent any news whatsoever.”

Every year on Xiang Haikui’s birthday, no matter how busy Bai Xingxian and Lu Xiqiao were, they would always return.

“We wait, then.”

Xiang Haikui had long grown patient through waiting.

Lu Xiqiao returned from outside the mountains.

“Sister Kui, someone at the mountain gate is looking for you and got stopped.”

Xiang Haikui was taken aback.

“Looking for me?”

“They claim to be your fellow villager.”

Lu Xiqiao gestured to describe the person’s appearance.

“My fellow villager?”

Xiang Haikui was even more astonished.

She immediately leaped down from the massive boulder she was resting on and walked toward the mountain gate.

Lu Xiqiao asked, “Brother Bai, aren’t you going to peek?”

Bai Xingxian was puzzled.

“Why peek?”

Lu Xiqiao shot him a look.

“A exceptionally handsome man saying he’s been searching for Sister Kui for a very long time—who knows, it might be another old flame.”

With Uncle not around, how could they allow that?

Bai Xingxian: “Let’s go!”

…

Arriving at the mountain gate, Xiang Haikui saw a man clad in purple standing in the center of the array.

His cultivation level was nearly identical to hers, yet he possessed an extraordinary air.

Cradling a zither in his arms, his gaze was indifferent as he spoke to the elder maintaining the array.

“I have already said that it is inconvenient to disclose my identity, nor have I stepped onto your territory. Why must you be so aggressive?”

Searching her sea of consciousness, Xiang Haikui confirmed she didn’t know him.

“Your Excellency is…?”

The purple-clad man looked over toward the sound.

“Xiang Haikui, Miss Xiang?”

Xiang Haikui nodded.

“That’s me.”

The purple-clad man put away his zither, cupped his hands slightly toward her, and transmitted via voice: “Minister Qu Song of the Huaxia Special Affairs Handling Department.”

Xiang Haikui: “…”

Qu Song said calmly: “This is a modern name. Prior to the founding of the nation, our organization was known as the Huaxia Dao Cultivators Alliance.”

Xiang Haikui was dazed for a good while, almost thinking he was one of Jing Ran’s men.

Suddenly, she recalled her Boss mentioning previously that Dao cultivators also existed on Earth. Knitting her brows, she looked at him with caution.

Understanding her caution, Qu Song tossed a storage ring to her.

Xiang Haikui caught it in her hand. Scanning it with her divine sense, the interior was filled entirely with her personal files, including the statement documents from the police station back then.

This…!

Xiang Haikui first believed it, then found it hard to believe: “You’ve been searching for me all this time?”

“That’s right. When Miss Xiang was taken away by Yin Changli, it was at the police station. Vanishing out of thin air caused quite a commotion. The police station submitted this matter to our department, and we began our investigation.”

Qu Song cupped his hands once more.

“My apologies. It took us some time from investigating to locking onto your location. Later, we discovered that this world was sealed off and possessed a time difference relative to Earth; opening a new passage consumed a great deal of time as well. For us, it has been less than a year, but it has left you stranded outside for nearly eighteen years.”

Holding that ring filled with her personal files, Xiang Haikui felt her eyes turn sour for a moment.

Her expression fell into Qu Song’s eyes: “We have already investigated the three people involved in this matter. As for Miss Xiang’s father, I have already gone to see him; he is unwilling to return. As for Jing Ran, there’s no need to mention him. I wonder if Miss Xiang wants to stay here, or return to Earth?”

“Return, of course,” Xiang Haikui replied without the slightest hesitation, then knit her brows again. “But I can’t leave just yet…”

Qu Song handed her a jade token: “Miss Xiang must be waiting for Yin Changli. No matter. When you wish to return, you need only crush the array token, and within a quarter of an hour, our side will activate the formation to retrieve you.”

Xiang Haikui took the jade token into her hand, genuinely surprised this time: “What on earth do you guys do? You know everything?”

Qu Song’s expression turned deep and unfathomable: “Special department, special nature, no comment.”

Xiang Haikui’s curiosity was piqued: “Is it really that mysterious?”

“If Miss Xiang is interested, why not join us?” Investigating cases was not something Qu Song, as a minister, needed to handle personally, but to take the lead in recruiting talent, he had to come in person. “After returning, Miss Xiang will surely be courted by various factions and will undoubtedly find it terribly bothersome.”

So that was where he was waiting for her.

“Is there any money in it?”

Qu Song: “There is, but the conditions aren’t as generous as other factions. After all, our organization…”

Xiang Haikui: “I’m in.”

Qu Song was taken aback: “Won’t you consider it a bit more? Or compare options after returning? After all, you don’t even know…”

Xiang Haikui waved her hand: “Those are all private sects. Mixing with you, at least I count as a civil servant, right?”

There was no need to consider.

Just based on the fact that without knowing her situation, they had hacked through thorns and brambles across worlds to search for her—was there even a choice to be made?

…

After seeing Qu Song off, two more years passed.

Xiang Haikui startled awake from a dream, running outside before she even had time to put on her shoes.

She saw Blood Asura clad in a red robe, sitting cross-legged on a rooftop under the blazing sun.

Frequently entering dreamscapes and avoiding light, his complexion had an unhealthy pale hue, looking somewhat like a ghost.

Xiang Haikui was truly afraid he might evaporate beneath the sun.

Sure enough, someone had knocked on her door just now, saying the “charlatan” had returned.

Still heavy with sleep, she hadn’t reacted at first.

“Senior Blood?!” Though they could hardly be called well-acquainted, at this moment Xiang Haikui felt as though she had seen family.

“You joining with the Dao?”

Blood Asura raised an eyebrow.

“If I didn’t join with the Dao, how could I come out?”

“Hearty congratulations to Senior!” Xiang Haikui cupped her fists, her smile so wide her eyes narrowed into slits and her teeth showed.

“I think it should be me congratulating you,” Blood Asura pointed to the stone house beneath his seat, signaling that Yin Changli was inside.

“I called for you, but you didn’t come over. He’s fallen asleep.”

Leaping down from the rooftop, Blood Asura stretched, his eyes filled with exhaustion.

“At any rate, the person has been handed back to you. My mission is accomplished. Goodbye.”

Xiang Haikui didn’t try to keep him, cupping her fists once more.

“Great kindness needs no formal thanks. If there is anywhere you need junior’s help in the future, just give the word.”

“I brought him back—what kindness is there to you?” Blood Asura clicked his tongue.

Brushing past her, his steps hesitated, taking a few steps back.

Leaning his waist backward, he said, “Sister, if there’s no one else in your heart, just reluctantly take him in.”

Saying these words made even him feel embarrassed. Previously shouting and screaming for blood, determined to be a stumbling block on Yin Changli’s path to pursuing his wife, in the blink of an eye he had turned into a matchmaker.

“I’m not speaking on his behalf. It’s because we’ve met and share half a sect affiliation; I’m saying this for your own sake.”

He patted her shoulder.

“Not a bad deal.”

Leaving those three words behind, he strolled away.

“Not a bad deal…” Xiang Haikui pondered these words.

Pushing the door open to enter, Xiang Haikui set her sword case upright by the door frame and tiptoed to the bedside.

Yin Changli lay on his side. Apart from his pale complexion, everything else looked quite good.

Xiang Haikui pulled a low stool to sit beside the bed, resting her chin on her hand as she looked at him, finding his complexion decent.

Perhaps sleepiness was contagious, and since she had originally been startled awake, looking at his sleeping face now made her feel a bit drowsy as well. She rested her head on the edge of the bed to give her eyes a break.

Unexpectedly, she fell asleep.

Vaguely sensing a dangerous presence, she suddenly jolted.

Immediately after, her hand was grasped by a palm.

This hand was very cold, almost devoid of warmth, freezing the fear rising within her in an instant.

The fear gradually receded, and her tense nerves relaxed.

Her whole person felt as though soaked in a hot spring, comfortable beyond words.

Originally wanting to open her eyes to check his condition, a heavier surge of drowsiness crashed over her fiercely.

In the end, she decided to follow her instincts, allowing herself to be submerged by sleepiness and preparing to sleep a little longer.

Feeling that she had calmed down, that icy hand slowly attempted to let go, only for her to hook her pinky finger around his.

The hand stiffened slightly, then gently lowered, his palm covering her hand once more as if holding a precious treasure.

By the time Xiang Haikui woke up, she was already lying on the bed.

Turning her head, Yin Changli was sleeping on his side facing her on the inner side of the bed.

Their hands were still held together. The pillow had been claimed by her, so he was resting his head on his other arm, his thick, ink-black long hair spreading across half the bed.

Xiang Haikui’s gaze slid from his thick eyelashes down to his high nose bridge and then landed on his lip peak.

His lips were pale with a few tiny dry cracks, yet it didn’t detract from the alluring shape of his lips.

The Boss’s looks had always been her ideal type.

Speaking of which, this was the very first time Xiang Haikui had observed him from such a close distance.

Previously during dual cultivation, she had been unwilling to accept his kisses, leaving him deeply disappointed.

Now, however, she was wondering what it would feel like to be kissed by such handsome, soft lips.

Staring more and more intently, she felt a restless impulse to lean her lips over and give it a try.

This was getting out of hand. She quickly retracted her gaze, staring up at the crossbeam of the roof.

Could it be that I’m being influenced by the demon blood?

“Why aren’t you continuing?”

Yin Changli suddenly spoke up, his eyes still closed, a pleasing curve gracing the corners of his lips.

“Could it be that you’re scared?”

Xiang Haikui was startled,

“You’re awake?”

Yin Changli opened his eyes, looking at her with a half-smile.

“Don’t change the subject. I felt it—you wanted to steal a kiss from me.”

Caught red-handed, Xiang Haikui was so embarrassed she wished she could sink through the floor, retorting, “Why would kissing you require doing it secretly? I was just worried about whether your breath would smell after sleeping for so long.”

“So you wanted to steal a kiss on my lips?” Yin Changli touched his lips, putting on an astonished expression.

“I thought at most you’d kiss my cheek as a reward for me.”

“Reward? What did you do that requires me to reward you?” Xiang Haikui turned on her side to face him, also resting her head on her arm.

“If anyone’s giving a reward, it should be you rewarding me, right? I helped you snatch back the array discs and dealt a heavy blow to the Emperor’s prestige. How much effort did I save you, and how big a favor did I do you?”

“That’s true.”

Yin Changli knit his long brows, reflecting seriously, a hint of playful mischief showing in his dark eyes.

“So by kissing me, you were looking to claim your reward?”

Xiang Haikui’s face turned blue with frustration.

“I was just…”

He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and leaned over, planting a brazen kiss squarely on her forehead.

It was sudden, but he had been thinking about it for a long time.

Especially feeling that she had a proactive intention, regardless of her mindset, he had to strike while the iron was hot.

Opportunity waits for no one—he didn’t have many demon cores left to wager with.

When crushed by his soft lips, Xiang Haikui felt as though she had been struck by electricity, the rest of her words choked back down her throat.

Once the kiss ended, Yin Changli cupped her face with both hands, gazing at her intently.

Xiang Haikui felt deeply awkward, even the fine fuzz on her face standing on end.

His eyes felt like needles, while she was like an inflating balloon about to be popped by him.

“What are you looking at?”

She gave his shoulder a shove, flipped back the blanket, and sat up.

Though she hadn’t used much force, he let out a painful groan.

Xiang Haikui thought he was faking it and paid him no mind.

After putting on her shoes and standing by the bed, she turned her head—only to see his forehead already covered in bean-sized beads of sweat. Panic gripped her heart.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” his voice sounded restrained.

How could he be fine? Xiang Haikui cursed herself for being reckless.

Whether his other injuries were severe or not she didn’t know, but without his demon core, he had very little cultivation left—much like when he had lost his memory before, frail and delicate.

Meanwhile, her hand was used to swinging a heavy sword…

Xiang Haikui said earnestly, “It doesn’t matter. Re-cultivating is fine; I will definitely protect you well.”

Yin Changli pulled the cold-defying blanket up higher, clutching the corners with both hands, leaving only his eyes exposed.

“Really?”

Xiang Haikui said with certainty, “I swear!”

Only as the words left her mouth did she realize something wasn’t right. The way he was acting made her look like a horny scumbag making reckless vows just to coax a woman into bed!

Sure enough, she heard Yin Changli’s muffled laughter coming from inside the blanket.

She was utterly speechless—this dog of a man!

Raising her knee to step onto the bed frame, she leaned down, her nose nearly touching his through the blanket, locking her gaze on him.

Yin Changli had only wanted to stop her from being overly nervous by making a joke.

Unexpectedly, she launched a sudden offensive, the surrounding air crowded out by her overbearing aura.

Briefly unable to breathe properly, he nearly burst into a cough.

“I’m serious.”

Xiang Haikui’s gaze was resolute.

“No matter how long and grueling this path of re-cultivation is, I will do as I did during those ten years when you lost your memory—protecting you and taking care of you with all my might until you no longer need me.”

In this moment, it seemed as though the sun, moon, and stars were all reflected in her eyes.

Lost in thought for a long moment, Yin Changli finally smiled.

“While you were sound asleep earlier, there was actually a wicked thought stirring restless in my heart.”

Xiang Haikui raised an eyebrow.

“Lucky you held back.”

“Where has your mind wandered off to?” Yin Changli teased with a smile.

He certainly wanted to, but he couldn’t manage it—after growing weak, his back injury had flared up again.

Breaking into a sweat from pain just now was precisely due to his aching back.

He would rather die of pain than tell Xiang Haikui that his back injury was a serious issue.

As for that wicked thought, it was that he wanted to pretend to have lost his memory again.

No—it was that he wanted to return to his former state when he had lost his memory, pretending to forget his current self.

With his cultivation gone, the disguise would be entirely seamless.

Xiang Haikui was taken aback.

“Why?”

Yin Changli smiled with a subtle touch of bitterness.

“Because I wanted to know—between ‘me’ and ‘myself’, which one do you actually care about more? Would you miss me more when ‘he’ is by your side?”

It sounded like a tongue-twister, making Xiang Haikui’s head ache.

“You are you—the good and the bad are all you, and put together, that’s who you are.”

Withdrawing her foot from the bed frame, she stood up straight by the bed.

“Then why did you give up on the idea?”

Yin Changli pursed his lips in a smile without answering.

Even if he didn’t say it, Xiang Haikui understood—he didn’t want to make her worry.

“Little Kui, you don’t need to take all the responsibility onto yourself. My condition isn’t as dire as you think, and I don’t need your pity.”

Yin Changli wanted her to stay by his side, yet he didn’t want to bind her here.

“I don’t need to re-cultivate. After my spiritual energy was drained, I needed only rest and recuperate for a few decades to return to my peak state. This is a racial talent of us male Zhulongs.”

Xiang Haikui was about to tell him to be careful not to talk big, when she suddenly recalled the unique reproduction method of the Zhulong, freezing in place.

When a male Zhulong was nurturing offspring, he would indeed be drained by the female, slowly recovering after the child left the mother’s body.

She was astonished.

“But you lost your demon core—can you still do that?”

If it were possible, wouldn’t her Master have mentioned it when comforting her earlier?

Yin Changli said, “None of my ancestors have ever lost their demon core, but my gut tells me it’s no big deal.”

Xiang Haikui didn’t quite believe him.

“You’re not just saying that to comfort me, are you?”

Yin Changli felt helpless.

“Before I recover, could I even chase you away? If I comfort you now, you’ll only be even more disappointed later. What would be the point?”

Right, that made sense. Filled with immense joy, Xiang Haikui let out a heavy sigh of relief.

“That’s really wonderful!”

Watching her beam with happiness, the corners of Yin Changli’s lips curled in satisfaction.

Feeling as though the clouds had cleared to reveal the bright moon, Xiang Haikui grinningly stuffed the pillow back under his head.

“Alright, then keep sleeping. I won’t disturb you anymore. Once you’ve had enough rest, we’ll talk about other things.”

She had come to look after a patient, only to end up stealing the patient’s bed and pillow for a nap—it was actually quite embarrassing.

Just as she turned around, he grabbed her sleeve.

“Don’t go yet; stay and keep me company a bit longer. I only need to lie down; I don’t actually need sleep, which is why I need periodic hibernations.”

Xiang Haikui turned her head. Knowing he didn’t need to re-cultivate, her mood had brightened, and her attitude grew much more arrogant.

“Give me a break. When you lost your memory, you slept every day, took a bath before bed to help you sleep, and even talked in your sleep.”

“You forgot—back then, I was originally in my hibernation period,” he chuckled.

“Though, do I really talk in my sleep?”

Xiang Haikui nodded.

“Mm-hmm.”

He was quite curious.

“What did I say?”

“What else could that love-brained head of yours say? Naturally, it was ‘Little Kui is the most beautiful girl in the world,’ and ‘I’m just head over heels in love with Little Kui.'”

Xiang Haikui was making things up. The pup-like Boss had merely mumbled in his sleep, most likely dreaming of painful past events and often breaking out in a cold sweat.

Yin Changli’s eyes crinkled with laughter.

“That’s not talking in my sleep—that’s telling the truth.”

Xiang Haikui spat at him.

“Big guy, do you think you’re pretty smooth at flirting? In my hometown, this is called cheesy pick-up lines. Do you even know what cheesy means?”

Being mocked by her, Yin Changli actually smiled even more happily.

The hand clutching her sleeve moved downward, capturing her hand and pulling her to sit on the bed.

As a mere weakling, dodging him was child’s play for Xiang Haikui; she only indulged him out of fear of hurting him.

Yin Changli stroked her back lightly.

“Does it still hurt?”

“How long ago was that?” Xiang Haikui told him to shut up.

Yin Changli changed the subject.

“Then why don’t you ask me about what happened inside the Nightmare Prison?”

Xiang Haikui’s muscles tensed up.

“I already asked Blood Asura.”

“The natal companion spirit and the Heavenly Martial Divine Arrow—you know about them too?”

Although Yin Changli hadn’t dropped any hints, he knew deep down that Blood Asura was a smart man who wouldn’t disclose to her what shouldn’t be told.

Xiang Haikui shook her head.

“Whether you should tell me or not, you know best in your heart. In short, I trust that your choice will surely be what’s best for me.”

She sat up again, wanting to leave, her intention to evade the topic exceptionally clear.

“Mm. It won’t be too late to ask me when you want to know.”

Yin Changli let go of her, reaching his fingers toward her temple to tuck a stray strand of sleep-tangled hair behind her ear.

Xiang Haikui lowered her eyes, displaying a rare trace of gentleness.

Stepping off the bed, she picked up her sword case and walked behind the door, hesitating for a long while.

“The natal companion spirit, it…”

Yin Changli interrupted, “Since you don’t want to know right now, then don’t ask.”

Xiang Haikui: “But I’m evading it. Are you going to indulge me in such cowardly behavior too?”

“If evading makes you happy, then evading is the right thing to do.”

Tired of lying down, Yin Changli got up from the bed as well, taking a stumble the moment his feet touched the ground.

Xiang Haikui instinctively wanted to rush over to support him, but held herself back.

“Sounds nice. Back when I was holding a grudge against my dad because of Xiang Tianqing and wasn’t too willing to go home, didn’t you force me to face it head-on?”

“No, those two aren’t the same; they can’t be lumped together, Little Kui.”

“Where are they different?”

“Some things no one can help with, and in the end, they must be faced. You can’t evade them or be cowardly, or else the consequences will be endless.”

Barefoot, Yin Changli walked toward the window with his back to Xiang Haikui.

“But this matter is different. I have completely resolved it. You will never need to face it again, so you can evade it—it doesn’t matter.”

A subtle flicker passed through Xiang Haikui’s eyes as she watched Yin Changli walk to the window and push it open, allowing the mountain’s full moon to spill its silver glow inside.

He wore only a thin inner robe, his hand resting on the window frame as the mountain breeze swept through, gently fluttering his long hair.

Two phrases popped into her mind: the cold moon like frost, a beauty leaning by the window.

The Yin Changli in Xiang Haikui’s memory was mostly in this sickly, delicate posture.

After all, from the day she met him, he was already approaching his hibernation period, exceptionally weak.

As for the him who had walked out of his hibernation, no matter how noble and icy he disguised himself to be, it was useless—Xiang Haikui had already seen right through his true essence.

The word “masculine” didn’t border on him at all.

Yet it was precisely such a man whose ultimate skill was shedding tears in a second who always used the gentlest voice to speak the most powerful words.

At least for Xiang Haikui, every word hit the ground with ringing force.

Allowing her to realize that nobility and strength had nothing to do with appearance.

Resting her hand on the door latch, she fell silent for a moment before turning back, setting the sword case onto the tabletop.

“Tell me then. I want to know.”

Yin Changli knit his brows.

“Have you thought it through?”

“The natal companion spirit possessed the Heavenly Martial Divine Arrow. According to your previous guess, she’s my mother, right?”

Xiang Haikui pulled out a stool and sat down, pouring herself a cup of cold tea and gulping it down in one go.

“What a slap in the face. To think I even lectured you before not to be so dark-minded.”

Yin Changli went silent for a moment.

“That depends on how you understand the word ‘mother’—whether as ‘birthing’ or ‘raising’…”

Lacking strength, he recounted the story slowly, taking quite a bit of time and effort.

Xiang Haikui crossed her arms, her eyes fixed on the sword case before her, tracing the carved patterns on the case with her gaze again and again.

“Very well. It’s dead, so once again, all past kindness and grudges are settled.”

“Little Kui…”

“Rest assured, I’m fine. I don’t remember much of what happened before I was four or five years old. I don’t have many feelings toward my mother, so this won’t hurt me.”

With her facial expression appearing as normal as ever, Xiang Haikui picked up her sword case and stood up.

The calmer she appeared on the surface, the more Yin Changli’s heart ached for her, yet he didn’t stop her.

After stepping out the door, she would likely hide away alone to shed a few tears or go hug Qi Yin for a good cry—it was better than trying to hold it back in front of him.

Yet Xiang Haikui stood frozen on the spot for a long while until, unable to endure it any longer, she slammed the sword case onto the table!

Without holding back her force, how could the table possibly withstand it? It instantly shattered into pieces!

Amidst the fluttering wood splinters, a flame ignited instantly in her eyes—it was the demon blood burning within.

“Tell me, what on earth is ‘love’ supposed to be?!”

Knowing the reason behind her agitation, Yin Changli remained silent.

“A different person replaced his wife when she was seven months pregnant, and my dad didn’t notice a single thing, carrying on with life as usual?!”

Yin Changli attempted to soothe her.

“Little Kui…”

She couldn’t listen at all, her emotional fluctuations growing increasingly intense.

“Just because he was an orphan, marrying a wife was merely to huddle together for warmth? Then what exactly does my existence count as—a joke?!”

“This is a suspicious point, Little Kui.”

Seeing her like this, Yin Changli explained what he hadn’t originally intended to reveal.

“It may have lied.”

It chose a physical body to draw close to Xiang Heng—this might be the true reality.

Xiang Haikui was stunned.

Yin Changli let out a gentle sigh.

“The purpose of the lie was that it had considered the possibility—if it lost and you learned of this, it would be a little easier for you to accept.”

This was the sole piece of mercy it could offer her.

It was precisely because he held such suspicions that he hadn’t personally scattered its soul entity, instead letting it collapse along with the dream realm.

“Of course, this is merely my speculation. Now that things have reached this point, none of it can be investigated anymore.”

Xiang Haikui’s face remained as dark as water.

“How could that be… It was fully prepared to kill both me and Dad, without even the slightest hesitation…”

“Having lived for so long, any ‘unforgettable’ memory becomes a mere drop in the ocean, not worth mentioning.”

The mountain wind was too heavy; Yin Changli closed half of the window shutter and pulled his robe tighter around himself.

“Not to mention that you don’t understand, even with my life experience, I cannot comprehend its state of mind. You need only realize that toward you and your father, it was likely not completely heartless.”

Xiang Haikui was lost in thought.

“I was a little kitten it raised. In its long life, it raised countless species of animals. Through comparison, it found the little kitten to be the most adorable and so gave me a few extra bits of compassion—it’s that kind of feeling, right?”

Yin Changli: “…”

It could be understood that way.

Yet he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

Xiang Haikui felt irritable.

“Fine, you don’t need to explain it to me either.”

It was all in the past anyway. Discussing how many bits of compassion it had for her was meaningless.

“I was so insignificant to it that being ignored was completely normal. Take Jing Ran—his feelings for me were far deeper, yet compared to his royal power, I was nothing more than a tool.”

Xiang Haikui retrieved her sword case from the wooden splinters, lowering her head to adjust the shoulder straps.

“And taking my dad—when it came to a critical moment where he had to choose between me and Xiang Tianqing…”

Even Yin Changli was the exact same.

Which was more important between his grand cause and her?

She wouldn’t go about thinking of such a question—it was as foolish as asking “If your mother and I fall into the water, who will you save first?”

If a person wants to live happily, they must learn “not to compare,” so that there won’t be too many “lingering regrets.”

“I was just being overly dramatic,” she said in a low voice.

“It’s just that never being chosen with firm resolve and always falling into the position of the one being given up—it truly hurts.”

Her dejection made Yin Changli’s heart ache, yet her willingness to be honest about her feelings before him filled him with pleasant surprise.

He turned the topic around.

“Little Kui, do you still remember that child between you and me… the one we didn’t know if it could successfully condense or not?”

Xiang Haikui’s brows knit together. This matter had always been a tacit taboo between them.

He shifted his gaze downward, looking toward her abdomen.

“Do you still remember when you told me that you had no plans to nurture offspring, and I told you that due to my parents’ relationship, I had no such plans either?”

“Mm.”

Back then he had asked again and again, and Xiang Haikui had thought he wanted to keep those two clusters of energy.

“Did you lie?”

“No. I’m not the only Zhulong left; the species won’t go extinct. In the past, I truly had no intention of marrying or having children.”

Yin Changli walked toward her.

“But when the child’s mother is you, my mindset turned completely different.”

He had been analyzing the pros and cons with her all along, privately wishing to persuade her to try nurturing it.

Yet he also knew that it was her shame, an impossibility.

Yin Changli took both her hands in his, gently rubbing them within his palms to soothe her emotions.

Xiang Haikui was unaccustomed to such intimacy, her expression appearing a bit unnatural, yet she didn’t shake him off.

There was no denying that when she was in a foul mood, she particularly liked his comforting.

Every time her mind was influenced by Tian kuang, his gentle soothing could always bring her back to a quick calm.

This was something no one besides him could accomplish.

The higher her cultivation level grew, the more she craved this soothing presence.

Yin Changli spoke slowly, “At that time, everything was still an unknown. If that child had been successfully nurtured, my power would have been absorbed, leaving me devoid of power and fragile as I am right now.”

“Mm.”

“I think that when you were deciding whether to nurture that child, you must have also taken my situation into consideration. But I was not like you; my head was completely empty, as if returning to those years when I lost my memory. My mind and eyes were filled with nothing but you, wanting only to build a small family with you. What species, what ideals—half a lifetime of planning was tossed aside by me, none of it mattering anymore.”

That was the only time in his life he had experienced a dilemma where he couldn’t have both, and he had chosen her without the slightest hesitation.

After calming down, he had also reflected on himself.

He lamented that he was truly the most useless son of his father, truly the laughingstock of the Shanhai Clan; being this emotionally driven, he would never accomplish anything grand.

Yet, the difficulty lay in—what truly qualified as “grand”?

If he were to do it all over again, considering the weight of responsibility on his shoulders, would he have the heart to tell her that this child could not be kept?

He wouldn’t.

“Because I would convince myself that for those ‘grand affairs,’ if Shuluoye failed, there was me. If I failed, there would still be others.”

Squeezing her palm with its light calluses, Yin Changli rested his forehead against hers.

“But you only have me, and it must be only me. If I cannot even grant a single sense of peace to the woman I love, then no matter what ‘grand affair’ I scheme for, I suppose I don’t deserve to win.”

His voice was feather-light, yet after landing in Xiang Haikui’s heart, it spread like a spark across a dry prairie.

Taking a few deep breaths, she raised her head to glance into his eyes, which were filled with tenderness, remaining silent.

Meanwhile, Yin Changli watched as her long, curling eyelashes trembled slightly, a layer of mist veiling her originally bright, dark eyes.

Knowing full well that if he spoke a few more words, she would surely be unable to hold it back and throw herself into his arms to weep bitterly.

The finest quality of this girl lay not in her bravery.

Rather, it was that with a giant boulder suspended over her head and sharp blade tips beneath her feet, it at most forged her into a woman with bones of steel, rather than a heart of stone.

This was actually what he had hoped for—hoping that she could reveal her vulnerability in front of him.

Yet when it came to fruition, he realized he would rather see her happy, long-lastingly happy.

He deliberately let out a sigh.

“See that? With a personality like mine, for the ‘grand affairs’ I plotted to reach today’s state, how difficult it was—it’s practically a miracle.”

“A miracle?”

Led off-track by him, Xiang Haikui twitched the corners of her mouth, pulling out her hand to pat his chest.

“You ought to thank your good luck for liking me, so I didn’t drag you down, alright?”

Seeing her smile, Yin Changli smiled as well.

“Who says otherwise? But it doesn’t have much to do with luck. It’s mainly that I have good taste, and you are worth it. Little Kui, you deserve to be chosen with firm resolve. They don’t understand—the ones who chose you are the winners, so I will ultimately become the biggest winner of all.”

“Stop being so cheesy.”

In the past when he had lost his memory, Xiang Haikui had heard no shortage of such praise from him. When she grew utterly annoyed, she would use Tian kuang to knock his head, knocking him out cold.

Now, however, it didn’t feel so sickening anymore, even carrying a few extra bits of sweetness.

This feeling was truly wonderful, like taking a bite of a brown sugar glutinous rice cake—soft, sweet, and sticky.

“Cheesy? But it looks to me like you quite enjoy listening to it,” Yin Changli teased her.

“Just rest properly, will you!” Xiang Haikui bared her claws at him.

Were it not out of consideration for his weakened state, she truly would have knocked him with Tian kuang.

Grabbing his shoulders, she pushed him toward the bed.

The mountain wind grew stronger, so she went over to close the half-opened window shutter tight.

“Our Little Kui is truly thoughtful,” he praised.

“Even a wind this strong can’t stuff your mouth full!” Feeling terribly embarrassed, she needed to make a quick exit.

“Where are you going? Didn’t you vow to the heavens earlier, saying you’d guard me just like when I lost my memory?”

Sitting by the bed, Yin Changli pointed to the corner where a couch could fit.

“During those years when I lacked spiritual energy, you always guarded me while sleeping.”

With her back turned to him, Xiang Haikui waved her hand.

“Back then, we were out and about, and I was still very weak. Times have changed.”

Yin Changli: “Since you said it would be just like before, then it must be exactly the same.”

Xiang Haikui: “…”

Ignoring him, she opened the door to leave.

From inside the room.

“Oh? Breaking your word?”

Her head buzzing, she poked her head back in.

“I just woke up and want to go outside for a breath of fresh air. I’ll come back in a bit, okay, Boss?”

Twirling his long hair around his finger, Yin Changli raised an eyebrow.

“Am I making you unable to breathe?”

At a loss for words, Xiang Haikui glared at him.

“Having just escaped from the jaw of death, aren’t you tired? Where do you get so many questions?”

He spread his arms with an expression of heroic sacrifice.

“I am very tired, but if you need it, it doesn’t matter to me…”

Slam! Xiang Haikui came back in, slammed the door shut, and conjured a broom out of thin air.

Yin Changli’s eyelids twitched, thinking that because he had been playful, he was about to get a beating.

Xiang Haikui, however, merely went to sweep up the wooden table debris on the floor.

“Our Little Kui is truly virtuous,” Yin Changli lay on his side watching her sweep the floor, a satisfied smile surfacing on his face.

“Shut your mouth, careful not to swallow dust,” Xiang Haikui gave the broom a flick, deliberately kicking up wood chips.

Covering his nose, Yin Changli’s long sleeve slid down, revealing a clean, fair, and firm arm.

“I’m helping you find the feelings from before.”

Xiang Haikui truly did find the feeling of being disgusted by him from before.

Thinking that since this was the case, he couldn’t blame her for using a big move!

Turning around with the broom in hand, she rested one hand on her waist.

“Get up.”

Yin Changli blinked, sitting up obediently.

Xiang Haikui raised her chin.

“Get off the bed.”

Yin Changli did as told.

“Here.”

Xiang Haikui tossed the broom over, kicked off her shoes, leaped onto the bed, and lay down inside his quilt.

“You want me to find the feelings from before? Back then, I was only responsible for protecting you. Making the bed, pouring tea, mending and embroidering, and even peeling crabs were all done by you. Did you forget?”

Yin Changli: “…”

His smile gradually turned awkward.

Finally scoring a point back, Xiang Haikui felt immensely refreshed.

“Since you said it would be just like before, then it must be exactly the same.”

Yin Changli coughed twice.

“But my body right now…”

Forget it; if they kept arguing back and forth, what if she refused to share the room with him?

Holding the broom, he prepared to turn around.

“Wait.”

Xiang Haikui crossed her legs first, then extended her hand with a full display of dramatic bossiness.

“Pour me a cup of tea first.”

Yin Changli: “…”

No matter—at any rate, there were only the two of them, so consider it a bit of flirtatious fun between lovers.

Yin Changli viewed this as a bit of flirtatious fun between the two of them, but Xiang Haikui didn’t see it that way.

She bossed him around without the slightest regard for the occasion, just like when he had lost his memory.

Hence, after his body grew slightly better, he didn’t dare go out the door easily, much less allow the clan members to enter his room without caution.

Especially those elders, who were always wanting to come and ask if all the array discs were in hand, when could the other prisoners finally be released?

Yin Changli dismissed them with a single phrase.

“It is not yet time.”

Yet he couldn’t hold back Bai Xingxian.

“Uncle!”

Bai Xingxian had been outside court-ing smaller clan forces all along.

Upon receiving news of Yin Changli’s return, he immediately ran straight back.

Leaving Lu Xiqiao behind, he transformed back into a little hamster and scurried all the way back as fast as his feet could carry him.

The door had no isolation barrier set on it, but he didn’t dare barge in recklessly, knocking at the door out of breath.

“Uncle?”

Inside the room, a chill ran down Yin Changli’s spine.

He glanced at the nearly peeled crab in his hand, then looked across at Xiang Haikui, who was holding half a crab leg and dipping it in vinegar to eat.

“What are you looking at me for? Open the door,” Xiang Haikui licked her fingers.

“It’s not as if Little Bai hasn’t seen you peel crabs before—he was the one who taught you.”

Yin Changli straightened his sitting posture and bit the bullet.

“Come in.”

Only then did Bai Xingxian push the door open to enter.

Seeing the scene inside, he was momentarily taken aback.

“Close the door.”

Yin Changli continued peeling the crab with an elegant posture, as if sculpting a piece of artwork.

Xiang Haikui sneered in disdain—he really knew how to put on a front.

Bai Xingxian walked inside with utmost caution.

Seeing that although his uncle’s face was completely drained of blood and his breath was terribly disordered, his mental state was exceptionally good, his heart settled slightly.

Yet he couldn’t stop his eyes from turning sour.

“Uncle…”

“What are you crying for?” Yin Changli’s gaze turned stern.

“How old are you now? Crying at every turn—have you no sense of shame?”

Bai Xingxian’s tears were forced right back in.

Watching his chest heave as he inhaled, standing to the side looking like an obedient grandson, Xiang Haikui pulled out a chair.

“Little Bai, sit.”

Where would he dare?

“Sit, then,” Yin Changli spoke up as well.

Only then did Bai Xingxian sit down, secretly transmitting via voice: “Little Kui, how is Uncle’s body?”

Xiang Haikui: “Don’t worry, he has a racial talent and doesn’t need to re-cultivate…”

“That’s wonderful!” Filled with delight, Bai Xingxian conveniently took a crab from the platter, expertly peeled it as well, and then set it in the dish before his uncle.

Xiang Haikui watched this scene, recalling how the three of them used to share this exact food chain in the past.

As time passed and circumstances changed, they had all changed, yet it seemed as though none of them had changed at all.

“How are things?” Yin Changli asked him.

“Hmm?” Bai Xingxian was slightly dazed, quickly realizing he was asking about his achievements over these years.

He hurriedly gave a serious report.

The report was very long, taking a full two or three hours to present, with Yin Changli occasionally asking him a few questions.

Xiang Haikui merely listened without a word, offering no opinions whatsoever.

After finishing the crab, she asked Yin Changli for a handkerchief to wipe her hands.

An ordinary handkerchief wouldn’t do; it had to be that cherished handkerchief of his embroidered with sunflowers and hyenas.

All just to see the subtle twitch of his eyelids while he pretended to remain calm.

“Current progress is roughly at this stage. After visiting you, I’ll head back to continue working…” Having finished his report, Bai Xingxian nervously observed his expression, wanting to know if he had met his expectations.

Yin Changli tapped his fingers on the tabletop.

“You don’t need to go out for this upcoming period; stay by my side.”

Bai Xingxian agreed in a heartbeat.

“Alright, Uncle.”

However, after a few days had passed, Bai Xingxian pulled Xiang Haikui aside in private to ask, “Little Kui, is Uncle really alright?”

Xiang Haikui failed to catch his meaning.

“What’s wrong?”

“No matter how I look at it, Uncle looks as if he doesn’t have much time left.”

Bai Xingxian was terribly worried.

“The things he instructed me about are far too long-term—it’s almost like he’s making his final arrangements.”

Hearing Bai Xingxian’s rationale, Xiang Haikui grew suspicious as well.

Returning to the room and seeing Yin Changli wasn’t there, she found a note left behind saying he was by the lake.

Arriving at the lakeside, she saw him lying on a rattan chair fishing.

Walking up to his side, she blurted out, “Are you going to die?”

Yin Changli was truly stunned by her question. After thinking for a moment, he stood up and yielded the rattan chair to her.

“You sit; I’ll stand.”

Xiang Haikui pressed him back down.

“Little Bai came to find me just now…”

Unable to keep things buried in her heart, she asked directly to clear it up.

Hearing this, Yin Changli couldn’t help laughing.

“How could that be? Little Bai misunderstood.”

Xiang Haikui couldn’t bring herself to laugh, her face darker than the lake water.

“Tell the truth.”

Yin Changli hurriedly said, “It is the truth. The reason I explained all those things to him is because once I recover a bit in a while, I plan to leave for a period of time.”

He hadn’t intended to say it, wanting to give her a surprise.

“To go to your hometown.”

Xiang Haikui knit her brows.

“Didn’t I tell you before? I won’t leave before you fully recover.”

“No,” Yin Changli shook his head.

“I took it upon myself to take someone from Earth without permission; I must go over and give the alliance over there an explanation.”

After listening to his explanation, Xiang Haikui was puzzled.

“The person you took was me. As the party involved, I don’t even care—you still need to give an explanation?”

“It’s never good to break the rules.”

Yin Changli stood up once more, pulling her down to sit while holding the fishing rod beside her himself.

“From what Alliance Minister Qu implied, going over is merely going through the motions.”

“You met him too?” Xiang Haikui was shocked.

“No, I met his younger sister and brother-in-law—Qu Yue and Jiu Huang,” Yin Changli explained.

(T/N: There is another novel by the same author where the FL and ML are Qu Yue and Jiu Huang…it is not the continuation of this novel, but it does have a little bit of explanation of the Earth Dao cultivator alliance…hehe..)

“I met them within the dreamscape void.”

They were originally supposed to take another two or three years to come out; it was all thanks to that young couple offering a helping hand.

Xiang Haikui was even more astonished.

“Holy crap, they hunted you down all the way into the void?!”

What kind of special department is this? A ghost department, infiltrating everywhere?

“But there’s a mountain of affairs right now. For you to just leave like this…”

“This matter cannot be rushed; it must be plotted slowly and steadily. Once I release the imprisoned clan members, they will also need time in secluded cultivation to recover.”

Yin Changli pointed toward the mountain cave where Qi Yin was in seclusion.

Besides, he couldn’t stay by Little Bai’s side forever; offering guidance once in a while was enough.

Otherwise, Little Bai would depend on him indefinitely.

“While I’m away, Han Qi will still help him, but Han Qi will likewise use him. It’s cruel, but he must adapt to this kind of growth.”

Yin Changli looked up at the sky.

“And I happen to be heading out into the vast world beyond, to seek another piece of Heavenly Martial Divine Stone while I’m at it.”

“Is none of this for my sake?” Xiang Haikui listened as he listed this string of reasons.

She was certain in her heart that her reasons were part of it, knowing she wanted to return to her hometown for a rest and temporarily didn’t want to get involved in the right and wrong here anymore.

The debts she ought to demand, she had demanded; the favors she ought to repay, she had repaid.

There was no longer any reason to intervene.

As an outsider, she couldn’t represent any side on the battlefield to kill people she didn’t know at all.

“Regarding the part of the reason that involves you, I am quite conflicted.”

Yin Changli raised the fishing rod, reeling in a small fish, and placed it into the bucket.

It was enough for Xiang Haikui to have a meal. Picking up the bucket, he prepared to head back.

“I want you to stay away from the right and wrong, yet I don’t want you to stay away from me, so I can only run back and forth between both sides. But the flow of time on both sides is different again; I will age faster than you.”

Seeing him struggle to carry the bucket with weak, unsteady footsteps, Xiang Haikui stood up to follow him, taking his hand along the way.

As the two walked back together, she burst out laughing.

“You actually care about age? Do you even remember how old you are exactly?”

“Around twenty.”

“Have you no shame?”

“Truly.”

His life had been waiting for an end ever since the day his clan fell and his family perished.

He hadn’t expected that twenty years ago, he would wait and find a sunflower, giving him a brand-new beginning.