The sword flew through Qiao Ceng. Gui Yin jumped back as he dissolved into a mass of fog. The black fog shot for Gui Yin and curled around him possessively. Gui Yin covered his mouth and transformed Fenghua back into its fan form. With one flourish, the fog dispersed in various directions.
Gui Yin used quick step to make his way across the large hall and towards the door that was spilling over with demonic energy. His hand had just touched the knob when he was violently yanked back. He slammed into the nearest column and slumped to the floor. He lifted his head and watched as the shadows coalesced into Qiao Ceng’s form again.
He was no longer dressed as the polite young man from before. The man who stood in front of him was tall, imposing, and had eyes the color of blood.
He slowly knelt down. “You’re leaving already?”
Gui Yin tried to catch his breath. He lifted his fan, but his wrist was caught by Qiao Ceng. The demon’s eyes narrowed as he twirled the tassel around his finger.
“Where’s the one I gave you?”
“Burnt,” Gui Yin hissed. He let out a violent cough as his breathing quickened.
Qiao Ceng’s brows furrowed. “What’s wrong with you?”
Gui Yin wretched his hand from Qiao Ceng’s wrist and wobbled slightly as he stood. “Why do you care?”
Qiao Ceng glanced at him, then at the door. “Do you want to break what’s inside?”
Gui Yin’s gaze cooled.
“Could you not?” Qiao Ceng asked. He turned to look at Gui Yin with a pout. “If you break it, I won’t be able to use my true form to see you.”
“I don’t want to see you,” Gui Yin said.
“That hurts,” Qiao Ceng sadly murmured. “This is all for you, after all.”
“All for me?” Gui Yin repeated. Spiritual energy coalesced around his fan. He swept it in front of him and dispersed the fog again. “Cut the crap! I know exactly why you’re doing this!”
“But do you?” Qiao Ceng’s voice sounded right beside Gui Yin’s ear. The man formed behind him again, watching with a strange delight as Gui Yin dodged him. “What? Do you think I want to come back and take over the world?”
Gui Yin’s expression was Qiao Ceng’s answer.
The scorpion demon raised a brow and sneered. “I’m not the type to have that kind of ambition. In this entire life I’ve only wanted two things—your Shizun’s life and you.”
Gui Yin tried to calm his breathing to no avail. Qiao Ceng’s expression turned strange. He took several strides over to Gui Yin and held him by his shoulders.
“What’s wrong with you? Why are you—”
“Let go,” Gui Yin said.
Qiao Ceng glared at him. “I’m just worried about you!”
“If you’re really worried about me,” Gui Yin coughed, “then destroy that thing in there.”
Qiao Ceng’s brow twitched. “What?”
“It’s the demonic energy making me like this,” Gui Yin said with a sneer. “If you’re so worried, then destroy that thing for me.”
Qiao Ceng frowned. “I’m only in front of you because of it.”
“All the more reason to destroy it,” Gui Yin said. Seeing Qiao Ceng’s darkening expression, Gui Yin pushed the scorpion demon away. “You won’t do it, then I’ll do it.”
“If you destroy that, then this entire labyrinth will collapse in,” Qiao Ceng said as he followed Gui Yin.
“Do you think I care?” Gui Yin asked.
“You’ll be trapped.”
Gui Yin broke the lock open and kicked the door open.
The demonic energy flew towards him. He lifted Fenghua and dispersed it before it could touch him. He bypassed Qiao Ceng and stepped into the room. His legs were weakening and it wasn’t because of the demonic energy.
Because the last of his memories had been forced out of the seal, he was currently suffering a backlash. If this projection of Qiao Ceng truly wanted to fight, he would not be able to handle it. However, he couldn’t just leave the furnace here.
If he left without destroying it, Qiao Ceng would definitely alert the ghost cultivators and it would be removed. He would rather die than have Qiao Ceng return to this world.
“A-Yin—”
Qiao Ceng’s next words were not heard. Gui Yin had quickly drawn up a purification array and swiftly smashed the furnace into two. Resentment spilled out and surged for Gui Yin.
Shui Meng flew out and blocked the resentment as Gui Yin finished erecting the array. The walls of the labyrinth were beginning to crumble. He felt something yank him by the collar and throw him out of the crumbling room.
Gui Yin slammed into the ground and slid a few paces back. He lifted his head and watched Qiao Ceng’s shadowy figure disappear.
A mouthful of blood surged up and threatened to spill over. Gui Yin allowed it to seep through his lips as he forced himself up. He ran out of the altar with a hand pressed against his chest.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Now that the center of the labyrinth had been destroyed, it no longer retained the ability to change and morph. The initial build of the labyrinth was actually fairly straightforward. Gui Yin ran through the hallways, bypassed even the room where he had nearly drowned, and managed to make it out as the structure was still shaking.
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As he tried to catch a hold of himself, he heard thunder rumbling overhead.
“Qinle!”
The familiar voice allowed Gui Yin temporary respite. He propped himself up onto his knees as he watched the man collapse in front of him.
He had never seen such a frantic expression on Langxia’s face. That must mean that he was in a pretty bad state. Still, relief washed over him when he saw those familiar eyes. He smiled through his bloodied mouth and lifted a shaking hand.
“I destroyed the furnace.”
“Are you okay?” Langxia asked. He pressed a hand to Gui Yin’s chest, his eyes widening. His hands trembled slightly as he lifted Gui Yin up horizontally. “We have to get you back to Kunlun.”
“I’m fine…”
“You aren’t,” Langxia snapped. He looked up at the converging clouds and cursed under his breath. “Now?”
Gui Yin glanced at Langxia blurrily and then noticed his concern. “Is it going to rain…?”
Langxia glanced at him. “It’s not rain. It’s a Heavenly Tribulation.”
“…What…?”
“Don’t worry about it,” Langxia said. He hugged Gui Yin closer to his chest. “I’ll take care of it.”
“Who is it for?”
“It’s fine,” Langxia said. He placed a quick kiss on Gui Yin’s forehead. “Just focus on me and the sound of my voice.”
“Okay…” Gui Yin breathed out. He shuddered and shrank closer to Langxia. “I-it’s cold…”
“I know. I know, it’s cold,” Langxia murmured as he started to teleport. “I’ll hug you closer. I’ll hug you closer, does that feel any better?”
Gui Yin gave a trembling hum. “A little.”
“Good. It’ll be okay,” Langxia whispered.
Langxia could teleport for distances with every step, thanks to his cultivation technique, however the moment they landed, a new set of clouds would converge, darker and heavier than the next. By the time they had approached Kunlun, the sky was beginning to rumble impatiently. Heaven’s wrath could be felt by the mortals on earth and Langxia knew that Kunlun’s barriers would no longer accept them.
With a curse under his breath, Langxia quickly changed course and headed to Devil’s Desert. He held Gui Yin tighter to his chest and pressed his lips against Gui Yin’s forehead. Soft words of reassurance reached Gui Yin’s ears as his eyelids grew heavier and heavier. He could feel a warm stream of spiritual energy entering his body and desperately trying to repair the damages that had been done, but even then, Gui Yin could feel himself growing colder and colder.
Eventually, the pair made it into Devil’s Desert.
Although it was said that one couldn’t fly through the desert, the desert seemed to yield for Langxia. In a matter of seconds, he arrived at his destination.
When he reappeared again, the large storm had followed. It rumbled loudly overhead. Its winds kicked up an unnatural sandstorm, causing the few trees to sway and nearly touch the ground. A small figure ran out from the large palace behind Langxia and looked up at the sky.
“What kind of monster did you bring back here, idiot!?” the little girl shouted. She glanced at Gui Yin. “Who’s this?!”
“Bring me the Dragon Core,” Langxia said.
The little girl stared at him incredulously. “Are you kidding me!? What are you going to do with our family heirloom?”
“Do you want me to die?” Langxia asked.
The little girl’s face paled. She pursed her lips and stomped her feet twice before she ran back into Huigu Palace.
Langxia glanced at the storm that was becoming more and more impatient. He passed more spiritual energy over to Gui Yin and only looked up when the little girl returned.
The little girl came back out with a box. She thrust it into Langxia’s hand. There was a clear reluctance in her large ruby eyes. She pursed her lips and glanced at the sky. “Don’t die, idiot.”
Langxia chuckled. “I won’t.”
With one last smile, Langxia flashed away again, but this time he didn’t go too far. He traveled towards the back of the original Huigu Palace.
Behind the original Huigu Palace was a series of large mountains, containing a potent amount of spiritual energy. If he sat here during the tribulation, Langxia would not be wounded as badly. He gently laid Gui Yin on the ground and then proceeded to draw out a protective shield as the first bolt of lightning smashed down. The shield just narrowly blocked the lightning bolt. He took a deep breath as he took out the Dragon Core.
The orb was the size of his entire palm and was a pale, white gold.
Gui Yin shivered on the ground and slowly propped himself up. “What are you—”
“If you take the tribulation, we won’t have to worry about your cultivation later,” Langxia calmly explained. “You just sit here and try to get some sleep.”
Gui Yin’s eyes widened slightly.
The tribulation was for him. If another person took it in his place, the pain would be twice the amount. He threw himself forward and grabbed Langxia.
“Wait—”
“It’s fine,” Langxia said with a small smile. “I have a dragon’s core with me. I won’t die. I won’t even get hurt.”
Gui Yin’s grip on Langxia’s robes tightened. “You can’t…if it’s mine, I’ll take it—”
“The backlash has harmed your cultivation and your soul,” Langxia said as the second bolt of lightning caused the entire mountain to tremble. He gently brushed a hand through Gui Yin’s hair and smiled. “Be good. I won’t die. After all, if I die, you’ll also die. And I won’t let that happen.”
“But your cultivation…”
“I’ll be fine. Trust me,” Langxia said. He pressed a hand over Gui Yin’s eyes as the third bolt of lightning shook the mountain. “When you wake, you’ll be in bed and I’ll be right next to you. I promise.”
Gui Yin’s tears moistened Langxia’s palms, but when Langxia pulled his hand away, Gui Yin had already fallen asleep.
Langxia smiled and pressed a soft kiss onto Gui Yin’s lips. He brushed a hand through his fringe and slowly stood. He held the Dragon’s Core tightly and flew from the shield.
He met the fourth lightning bolt head on.
Although the first three had been powerful, this is when the true trial started.
The first bolt would cause the recipient a tingling pain. The second would shake them to the core. And the third would make their insides burn. The pain would only continue up from there.
Neither Langxia nor Gui Yin knew what triggered the Heavenly Tribulation, but Langxia had a guess.
If the seal on Gui Yin’s memories had been broken, this could be seen as mercy. If Gui Yin survived this, he would be able to ascend to the next cultivation level and any injuries he had suffered because of the backlash would be healed. Of course, if he failed, his soul would be shattered and turned to dust, but that would have been a similar fate anyway with Gui Yin’s new injuries.
There was also the matter that Xun Yunding had mentioned—at some point or other, Gui Yin had attracted Heaven’s notice. Perhaps regaining his memories had long been the trigger for a Heavenly Tribulation, whether it had caused backlash or not.
While some might believe that this was a regular tribulation for cultivators, Langxia would tell the difference.
The lightning was far more poisonous than any tribulation he had been through.
Each strike was like a whip, coated in fire, ripping across his skin. His clothes had been flayed open by the time the thirtieth hit struck down. His vision was beginning to blur. By the fortieth, he had spat out a mouthful of blood.
He was beginning to sink lower and lower to the ground. His grip on the Dragon Core tightened. He could feel its energy pulsing through him and something burned in the depths of his chest. His breathing was becoming labored and the pain was beginning to get to his head.
Fifty…fifty-one…
Sixty-seven…sixty-eight.
Langxia couldn’t keep his eyes open anymore.
On the eightieth strike, he fell to the ground.
The Dragon Core dissipated in his hand and a fresh mouthful of blood painted the ground.
Hurried footsteps rushed over.
The little girl fell down beside Langxia. She turned him over. A sharp gasp left her lips as she tremblingly pointed. “M-Master…your back…”
“Take him in first,” Langxia weakly said.
The little girl’s ruby eyes flashed. “You’re far more injured than him! He’s fine! You’re burning up!”
“I’m fine. Take him in first,” Langxia insisted.
The little girl didn’t need to be told twice. She clicked her tongue irritably and changed forms.
A white serpent that was about twice as large as a boa slid away from Langxia and wrapped Gui Yin up. The serpent departed and returned about ten minutes later. The serpent circled Langxia and grabbed him with her tail before setting him down on her back.
It took a total of thirty minutes for the little girl to get Langxia situated in his room.
She ran out and returned with a basin of water that was as big as her. She slammed it down on the table, soaked a cloth in water, and hopped onto the bed. She hadn’t quite wrung the cloth properly, which caused the cold water to dribble down Langxia’s face.
“Brat…can’t you do it properly?”
The little girl scoffed. “You’re lucky I just happened to pass by here today! What were you going to do if there wasn’t anyone here?”
“If you weren’t here…where would you be?” Langxia asked weakly.
The little girl pouted. She took the towel from Langxia’s head and wrung it out some more before slapping it back on. “Ungrateful.”
“…Is he really okay?”
“Listen to yourself! Why don’t you care about yourself first?!” the little girl snapped. She jabbed Langxia’s chest. “You’re burning up!”
“I just got hit by lightning eighty times. It would be a miracle if I wasn’t feverish,” Langxia said. He pointed to his desk. “Get me a pen and paper…”
“Why?” the little girl snapped.
“…Or do you want to go to Kunlun?”
The little girl’s expression pinched in disgust. She ran over to his desk. “What’s this for?”
“Write a letter…to a friend…”
The little girl hesitated. She held the brush and paper and stared at him. “Do you even have the strength to hold a brush right now?”
Langxia stared at her as he breathed heavily. He tried to grab the brush and paper, but he was a step too slow.
The little girl sneered. She harrumphed. “Clearly, you’re not. I’m going to put these back for now.”
“You…brat…come back.”
The little girl stuck her tongue out before she went back to the desk and haphazardly dropped Langxia’s things. “As if! You’ll hit me or something.”
“When have I ever hit you?” Langxia mumbled. He watched the little girl come back and sighed. “Forget it. Can you go check on the man I came here with?”
“Your partner?”
Langxia’s brow twitched.
“Master, your smell is all over him. You don’t even mark your house as cleanly as you mark him,” the little girl muttered. “What a freak.”
“Jǐnyún (锦云).”
Hearing Langxia’s tone of voice, the little girl closed her mouth. She sat down at his bedside and looked at him carefully. She reached up, touched the cloth, and removed it to dip it back in the cold water. Langxia closed his eyes as the cloth was placed back on his forehead.
“Master…where’s the Dragon Core?”
Langxia opened his eyes. He stared blankly up at the ceiling as he flexed his fingers. “It disappeared.”
“Dis…huh!?” Jinyun’s eyes bulged. She abruptly stood. The calm atmosphere that had just been established was completely shattered. “Disappeared?! You said you were going to borrow it!”
“I was…”
“Then, where is it?! Did you eat it?!” Jinyun asked. She got into his chest and tried to pry his mouth open. “Give it back! That’s our last family heirloom! It’s important!”
Langxia laid in silence as the child tried to pry her way into his mouth. He glanced to the side with little amusement. A soft sigh escaped him as he grabbed her hands and held her back.
“I don’t know where it went,” Langxia said. “Once the tribulation ended, it vanished.”
“I-it vanished?” Jinyun echoed. Her lower lip trembled as tears began to free fall from her eyes. “Liar! Cheat! Scammer! You ate it! I know you did! You promised me you wouldn’t eat it! You’re a liar!”
Langxia listened to her screeching and flinched. “Xiao Yun, Gege’s head hurts…”
Jinyun immediately stopped screaming. She cupped her hands over her mouth as her small body shook with hiccups. Tears continued to tumble down her face and the fire in her eyes had yet to cede. Langxia sighed and gently rubbed her head.
“I didn’t swallow it,” Langxia softly whispered. “I already rejected your grandmother’s gift, didn’t I? I’m a lot of things, but I would never break a promise to a child. I’ll ask Lord Xun what happened later…but I’m pretty sure it’s gone now.”
Jinyun’s pout became more prominent. She laid down on Langxia and buried her head into his chest.
Langxia sighed again and patted her back. “Don’t cry, don’t cry. You look ugly when you cry.”
Jinyun sniffled loudly. “…Grannie said that you’re the rightful owner of the Dragon Core. Even if you ate it, you wouldn’t be wrong.”
“But I didn’t—”
“I know…I’m just telling you that it wouldn’t be wrong of you to take it,” Jinyun mumbled.
Langxia hummed. He stroked a hand down Jinyun’s hair as he stared absentmindedly up at the ceiling. “I still have your grandmother’s gold anklets.”
“…Mn.”
“You’re still too young to have such weapons,” Langxia said. “But when you get older and you can control your powers better, I’ll give them back to you.”
Jinyun hugged Langxia and nodded her head enthusiastically.
Langxia chuckled. “I’m sorry. Gege should have been more careful with your belongings.”
Jinyun shook her head and squeezed Langxia tighter.
“Stupid brat,” Langxia said, a small smile on his face.
A long while later, the child on his chest fell asleep. Langxia carefully removed her and set her beside him. He shifted onto his side and gently patted her to lull her back to sleep after the slight bump. He watched her form relax again and breathed a sigh of relief. He brushed aside her white hair and laid back down properly.
His head still throbbed, making it hard to fall asleep despite how tired he was. Still, he closed his eyes. While concentrating on the warmth beside him, he finally managed to lull himself to sleep.
demonic energy being what acts up Gui Yin’s asthma and demonic energy being what keeps his ex here is just so funny to me (not haha funny but like, literature metaphors funny) …i wish instead of my inhaler, i could just destroy a furnace alxbakdh
MY GOODNESS, LANGXIA TAKING GUI YIN’S HEAVENLY TRIBULATION!!!!!! 😭😭😭 boss, im love you and incredibly grateful for Jinyun over here
…..wait a second. my brain connected things: Qiao Ceng’s mere presence harms Gui Yin, meanwhile Langxia’s presence protects Gui Yin………. bruh that’s beautiful!! thank you for the chapter!!
hehehe thanks for reading!
I kind of feel bad for Qiao Ceng…Langxia and he are indeed similar it’s just that Langxia’s emotional root is not fully grown. If it fully develops as it is currently doing he just might be the next Qiao Ceng in terms of possessiveness. Just look what Junyun said about how marked Gui is. Glowingreverie if you make Qiao Ceng look any more pitiful I might feel sad for the current CP. QAQ
yea Qiao Ceng’s backstory is rather pitiful, but i cant forget that he killed a lot of people Gui Yin loved. meanwhile Langxia has done his best to save people that Gui Yin loves and cares about. their flavor of possessiveness manifests differently. i think remembering that difference may help with supporting the current CP 👍🏻
I personally would not feel bad for Qiao Ceng at all LOL I almost think it’s offensive to say that Qiao Ceng would change your feelings about the current CP, but I do understand where you’re coming from. Mm….I’ll just say I agree with cozycrow’s comment LOL But if you really get hung up on it and want a deeper, in-depth analysis after the story is over you can go to my ko-fi (paywalled tho ==;;) where I talk about my dislike for Qiao Ceng LMAO
Thanks for reading and for commenting!!!!
Ahh thanks for translating and the reply!!
Yesh of course!!