AUOF - 101

The man approaching seemed unchanged from yesterday; his steps were graceful, his wide sleeves flowed like clouds around him as he walked, making his figure appear even more ethereal and otherworldly. Yet, she also felt something had changed, causing a sudden, inexplicable tension and embarrassment within her.

The distance wasn’t long.

Ji Hengyu’s eyes gazed fixedly at her, not moving an inch even after he stopped in front of her.

His gaze was burning, and she couldn’t help but lift her lashes, quickly glancing and then looking away.

“Tianheng-jun has been waiting for seven days, but no matter how much I pleaded, Master wouldn’t let him in,” Qu You’s eyes curved into crescent moons as she mentioned this. “A-Li, you don’t know, when Tianheng-jun sent you back to Phoenix Perch, our clansmen didn’t want to let him pass, but he—”

“Are you feeling better?”

A clear, slightly cold voice abruptly cut into Qu You’s animated description, forcefully interrupting her narration.

Sang Li looked over and immediately noticed the fatigue in his eyes, which seemed even more profound and contained than before. Only then did she realize Qu You hadn’t lied; she had been asleep for seven years. Seven short years were but a fleeting moment in the vast immortal realm, but his situation was difficult, constantly precarious and perilous. To have endured until now, how could it have been easy?

A sudden pang of sourness swelled in her chest, and tears welled up unknowingly. She didn’t want Ji Hengyu to see them, so she turned her head away and silently swallowed her tears back.

After adjusting her emotions, Sang Li finally offered Ji Hengyu a smile: “I’m all better, see?” With that, she turned in a circle for Ji Hengyu.

Her pink skirt spread out in layers like waves. She was exquisitely beautiful, comparable to the bright moon, and in this boundless, uniform cloud-sea, she was like a vibrant, blooming hibiscus.

Ji Hengyu’s expression deepened, and he hummed, his thoughts unreadable.

This left Sang Li awkwardly frozen, her hands clasped together, unsure what to say, until Qu You spoke, breaking the silence.

“Master probably has something to discuss with you two. You chat; I’ll wait outside first.”

After Qu You left, Sang Li once again formally and sincerely thanked True Monarch Wushan.

Although she wasn’t clear about what exactly had happened to her, judging by the current situation, True Monarch Wushan must have expended considerable effort to rescue her.

True Monarch Wushan Due acknowledged her with a slight nod and gently asked, “Can your spiritual power still be used freely?”

Hearing this, Sang Li tried to channel her spiritual power through her four continents.

She closed her eyes and felt it carefully, finding that her Qi sea was even more abundant than before. Even without her spiritual core, endless spiritual power continuously surged from her Dantian, and her cultivation had even increased tenfold.

Sang Li looked at her hands in surprise. “The Five Aggregates are interconnected, and my spiritual platform is clear. It’s completely different from before, why is that?” Sang Li used to cultivate diligently, yet she could only achieve a fraction of what others did. But now, with the three essences interacting, she could effortlessly circulate her spiritual power, and her Upper Dantian was even clearer. She couldn’t describe the exact feeling, perhaps it was what others often called “enlightenment.”

True Monarch Wushan was not surprised. “The Brahma-Killing Flower replaced the spiritual core in your body, and the Shadow-Binding Lantern reshaped your three souls. Naturally, it’s different from before.”

So... Ji Hengyu didn’t consume that Brahma-Killing Flower after all.

She stared at him, stunned. The man’s expression remained indifferent, detached, seemingly having no desire to explain.

Thinking of Ji Hengyu’s karma, Sang Li bit her lip slightly. “Then... can the Shadow-Binding Lantern remove karma?”

Ji Hengyu raised an eyebrow, a fleeting smile in his eyes.

True Monarch Wushan chuckled indulgently. “My Shadow-Binding Lantern can only reshape souls, not transcend hearts. Even if it had that ability, with Tianheng-jun’s methods, I’m afraid he wouldn’t let this old woman rest in peace.”

Sang Li felt a blush. She looked at Ji Hengyu again and found that the teasing glint in his eyes had deepened. Clearly, he hadn’t taken her concern to heart but rather saw it as amusement. This annoyed Sang Li, but then she thought, Ji Hengyu is the destined male protagonist. Since he could become the omnipotent divine son in the original novel, he must be favored by the Heavenly Dao. Even without the Brahma-Killing Flower, there would surely be other treasures to replace it and help him suppress his karma.

Sang Li suddenly felt relieved, and a glimmer of hope sparked within her.

It wouldn’t be too late to search for other treasures after they left.

However, besides karma, there was an even more pressing matter bothering Sang Li.

She rolled up her wide sleeves. On her fair skin, the winding Gu pattern still glowed brightly.

Sang Li’s face showed disappointment. Sure enough, the Entangling Silk Gu hadn’t disappeared because of this accident.

“True Monarch, if karma cannot be resolved, then what about this Gu?”

True Monarch Wushan Due: “It can be resolved.”

Sang Li’s eyes lit up: “Is there really a solution?”

As True Monarch Wushan Due nodded definitively, Sang Li immediately held her breath nervously, and even Ji Hengyu’s expression turned serious.

Then, she heard the True Monarch’s words take a turn: “However, the Entangling Silk Gu intertwines heart and soul. If you wish to remove it, it will be no easy feat.”

Sang Li exchanged glances with Ji Hengyu. “This Gu has caused us both considerable trouble. If it can be removed, we will bear the cost.” This couldn’t go on. If the Entangling Silk Gu’s shackles could truly be removed, as long as she didn’t lose her life, she would agree to whatever the cost.

True Monarch Wushan Due’s expression was profound. He waved his whisk, sending out fine, starlike sparks that enveloped her like flowing fire. Eight luminous white tails unfurled behind him, causing Sang Li to shiver uncontrollably.

“You, being a Nine-Lives Spirit Fox, possess the ability to bring the dead back to life and mend flesh and bone. And this Entangling Silk Gu can only be resolved by death.”

Sang Li was stunned and said nothing.

Ji Hengyu understood her meaning without a moment’s thought. He stepped forward two paces. “True Monarch means, I must borrow life for rebirth.”

“You possess divine blood, unlike ordinary immortals. If you are slain, the Gu dies. Then, by lending you one of her tails to extend your life, you can naturally be resurrected.”

The mother-child Gu are interconnected and interdependent. If either the child Gu host or the mother Gu host dies, the other Gu cannot exist alone. The only difference is that the child Gu dies with its host, but if the child Gu dies, the mother Gu will detach itself and seek another host.

This plan sounded complex, but in practice, it wasn’t difficult.

As long as Sang Li stabbed Ji Hengyu in the heart, the child Gu would perish with the flowing blood. At that moment, she would use her Nine-Tails to grant him life, the Entangling Silk Gu would be successfully removed, and both of them would be safe.

Sang Li gently stroked the soft, large tails, their tips hooking her fingertips. After a moment’s contemplation, she tugged hard at the tail fur, simultaneously making up her mind, “Then—”

“Enough.”

Ji Hengyu suddenly interrupted.

She was startled.

His brows were etched with deep, heavy lines. Sang Li heard him say, “I won’t let you die a second time.”

Ji Hengyu had already found a way to remove his karma. As for the Entangling Silk Gu—

It was once a burden; now it was a responsibility.

Compared to seeing her unconscious, he would rather bear all the suffering in the world for her.

So... it was no big deal.

He could sacrifice a thousand years for the common people; naturally, he could dedicate himself eternally for one person.

A faint smile, like shimmering starlight, gradually melted in his ink-black eyes.

He smiled gently, tenderly, a myriad of emotions melting into those eyes.

Sang Li’s heart stirred, and her resolve suddenly strengthened.

She nodded, returning his smile: “Okay, then let’s not remove it for now.”

“Mm.” Ji Hengyu extended his hand to her: “Let’s go.”

His hands were as white as jade and slender. Sang Li unhesitatingly gave him her hand, letting him hold it.

The touch was as cold as ever.

He held her tightly, almost painfully. Sang Li didn’t struggle or cry out in pain; she just tilted her head and curiously observed his handsome face, so close to her. He seemed unaware of how deeply he was gripping her; if Sang Li hadn’t felt it keenly, she would have been deceived by his overly calm expression.

—Ji Hengyu missed her.

The sudden thought filled her heart with bitterness and an uncontrollable tenderness for the man before her.

________________________________________

The two held hands and bade farewell to True Monarch Wushan Due. Before they left, True Monarch Wushan Due gave her another spirit-concealing talisman to hide her aura as a spirit race member. After Sang Li thanked him, she left Cloud-Sea with Ji Hengyu.

This was the first time Sang Li had seen the outside world since she woke up. Once she left the illusory dreamscape, the strong reality enveloped her, giving her a sense of tangible presence.

The scene before her eyes was a continuous sea of clouds and mist, with immortal light spreading across the sky, reflecting brilliant green light—a beautiful landscape she couldn’t see in her sleep.

Qu You was still waiting for them not far away.

Ji Hengyu had arrived in a carriage. Qu You knew that the two hadn’t seen each other for seven years and would have countless things to talk about, so she wisely didn’t follow.

The flying carriage behind them wasn’t large, and it was a discreet model. Even the horses pulling the carriage were entirely black and unremarkable.

However, for some reason, Sang Li vaguely felt that these unremarkable horses were a bit strange and familiar. Their eyes were bright as they stared at her, and whenever she looked a bit longer, their small, pitch-black wings would flutter.

Sang Li: “...”

Something wasn’t right.

After a moment of contemplation, Sang Li tentatively spoke, “Big-Eyed Boy?”

“Aww!” The Big-Eyed Boy, disguised as a flying horse, let out a high whinny, its hooves flailing excitedly. The thrill of being recognized made the Big-Eyed Boy pull the carriage forward, eager to plunge into her arms.

In the end, Ji Hengyu forcibly restrained it. “I originally didn’t want to bring it here; this is, after all, a divine realm beyond the heavens. But seeing how much it missed you, it was truly pitiful, so I used a little trick.”

No wonder.

Sang Li suddenly understood. She walked over and stroked Big-Eyed Boy’s mane. It closed its eyes, happily rubbing its face against her palm, its actions full of affection and longing.

“So it really has been seven years...”

The remark was a murmur, almost a sigh of sentiment.

Ji Hengyu came to her side and casually stroked Big-Eyed Boy’s sleek back. “Mm.”

Sang Li couldn’t help but look at the man beside her.

He didn’t mention missing her, yet the surging emotions poured out from his unintentional actions.

Her throat felt a little dry.

“Ji Hengyu.”

“Hm?”

Ji Hengyu lowered his head to meet her gaze.

Sang Li said nothing, just gently tugged his sleeve, stood on her tiptoes, and offered her soft lips.

The sudden light kiss made Ji Hengyu’s eyelashes tremble. As she tried to intimately trace his lip bead with her tongue, he could no longer suppress the surge of emotion. He wrapped his hand around her waist, pulling her forcefully into his embrace, and leaned down to deepen the kiss.

The kiss had no particular technique.

There was only the friction of lip against lip, the hot contact of breath against breath.

He kissed her fiercely, as if wanting to take all the air from her lungs. Sang Li couldn’t catch her breath, and a searing numbness shot straight to her brain. Her outstretched hands, which hadn’t yet managed to push him away, were firmly clasped by him.

Sang Li’s waist went soft, her body lightly pressed against his chest. Just as she was about to fall, he pulled her up by the waist. Her entire body was no longer under her own command.

Ji Hengyu’s demeanor was a little too savage.

Big-Eyed Boy didn’t understand the love and desire between lovers, nor could it comprehend what “kissing” was. Seeing Sang Li’s legs go limp from lack of oxygen and her eyes red, it concluded that Ji Hengyu was “eating” her. Without hesitation, it plunged headfirst between the two, unexpectedly separating the overly excited pair.

Sang Li stumbled from the impact. As she was about to fall, Big-Eyed Boy spread its wings and caught her, then turned back, snarling threateningly at Ji Hengyu.

Neither of them had fully recovered from the previous intensity.

She steadied her breathing and saw Ji Hengyu’s chest gently rising and falling, his lips slightly red, and his eyes, agitated by passion, had a slight shimmer, making him appear somewhat disheveled.

Compared to his usual refined and gentle demeanor, this uncharacteristic, unrestrained appearance stirred ripples in her heart.

Suddenly, he raised his gaze.

Sang Li felt a bit embarrassed and a bit amused, and finally couldn’t help but purse her lips and let out a giggle. Seeing this, his brows relaxed. He playfully slapped Big-Eyed Boy and mocked, “You truly are an ungrateful wretch. You’ve been with me the longest, yet the moment you see her, you turn on me.”

Big-Eyed Boy understood, baring its teeth again. As if afraid Sang Li would misunderstand, it buried its head in her neck and rubbed vigorously.

Sang Li felt a little embarrassed too. She cautiously glanced out of the corner of her eye, seeing no anger in his gaze, then soothingly stroked Big-Eyed Boy’s back. “Alright, let’s not play outside someone’s cave. Let’s go back first.”

Big-Eyed Boy complied, carrying her on its wings onto the carriage. After Ji Hengyu got in, it didn’t forget to give him a white eye before flapping its wings and soaring into the sky.

Mindful of Sang Li’s health, Big-Eyed Boy flew very slowly, gradually pulling the gilded carriage into the clouds.

The carriage interior had no excessive decorations, only two sleeping platforms and a low table. On the table sat an incense burner, emitting a faint fragrance that perfectly complemented Ji Hengyu’s scent.

They each sat on a platform, neither speaking.

The silence wasn’t prolonged. Ji Hengyu shifted slightly from the side, his voice soft, rippling through the confined space. “Come sit here.”

Sang Li hesitated for a brief moment before sitting over.

Ji Hengyu pulled open a drawer under the low table and took out an exquisite food box. Inside were all her favorite snacks, looking familiar, as if made by Peony.

Facing her confusion, Ji Hengyu’s voice was faint: “Since I didn’t know when you would wake up, I often asked your friend to make new ones.”

Sang Li was surprised that her guess was true. “It really was Peony?”

“Mm.”

Sang Li picked up a fruit and tasted it. The sweet and sour flavor spread in layers, and the image of Peony’s active and lively appearance floated into her mind. She couldn’t help but smile: “I’ve been gone for so long, I wonder how everyone is doing.”

Ji Hengyu’s brows furrowed slightly. “Tasks at the Demon-Slaying Palace are arduous, and it’s common for disciples to travel for training. Three or five years aren’t that long; many spend seventeen or eighteen years. So others only think you went for training and won’t take it to heart.”

Plus, with Ji Hengyu providing cover, even Yue Zhujing didn’t know exactly what Sang Li had gone through.

“Then...” Sang Li paused, “Are you doing okay?”

“No,” he looked up, almost instantly replying, “If I said yes, that would be a fabricated lie. Seven years is short, but I haven’t been well. Day and night, it was like being seared by flames.”

Sang Li froze, not expecting him to be so candid and direct.

A smile played on his lips, yet his expression seemed blank, his eyes calm and still, clearly reflecting her face.

“Do you only want to hear these trivialities, or do you want to hear how madly I’ve missed you?”

Sang Li was silent.

Ji Hengyu dispelled the playful glint in his eyes. “But I don’t want to talk about any of that with you.” He reached out, “Sang Li, come closer.”

Sang Li didn’t know what he was going to do, but she was certain he was planning something mischievous.

Though she knew his intentions weren’t pure, she was like a moth, unhesitatingly plunging into the burning heat before her.

Sang Li’s hair was spread out. He raised his hand, removed the silver jade hairpin from her hair, and with his slender fingers gathered a handful of her hair, coiling it at the back of her head, using his own hairpin to secure her unruly hair.

His movements were gentle, tender, making Sang Li briefly lost in the moment.

The next instant, she fell into his deeply concentrated gaze.

A coolness touched her cheek; it was Ji Hengyu’s fingertips.

He caressed her brows and eyes, traced her lips, then leaned down and gently sucked on them. Unlike the initial frenzy, this kiss was careful and treasured.

—Ji Hengyu liked her very much.

Her chest was filled with a complex emotion. Sang Li’s eyelashes trembled, then slowly closed. Impatiently, she reached out and embraced him back.

He seemed to have lost weight.

Though his waist beneath his loose robes was taut and firm, it lacked some of its former fullness. Remembering what he had said, Sang Li couldn’t help but feel a pang of heartache. She actively separated their lips and began kissing his chin and Adam’s apple.

Whether it was ticklish or something else, the Adam’s apple beneath her lips vibrated. Ji Hengyu chuckled softly and held Sang Li close, preventing her from rolling off the platform if she wasn’t careful. After his laughter subsided, he said, “Never mind, lest your guardian comes looking for trouble again.”

The guardian naturally referred to the Big-Eyed Boy outside.

Sang Li’s face flushed, and she felt a bit guilty. She cautiously peeked out the curtain, then cast a spell to block all sounds, gathering her courage to unfasten the wide belt at his waist. “It’s fine now.”

Ji Hengyu was uncharacteristically speechless.

He said nothing, letting her palms wander like fish beneath his clothes.

Shy as she was, when faced with the person she loved, she thought more about how to get closer than about shyness.

They switched positions, Sang Li sitting on top, pressing her face against his, biting his ear hard, deliberately using a lot of force, and listening to his low moan.

There wasn’t enough space on the couch; even one person felt crowded, let alone two.

Ji Hengyu embraced a soft mass, suddenly regretting not having changed to a larger carriage today. However, being small had its advantages; if she couldn’t take it later and tried to run, he could pull her back faster. So, before that, he could let her be more uninhibited.

Her fingers delved lower. Sang Li felt something was off and asked confusedly, “Why is there only one?”

Ji Hengyu didn’t know whether to be surprised by her boldness or amused by her confusion. After a long moment, he finally suppressed the urge to tease, and as her eyes widened, he slowly released the hidden object.

Sang Li gasped.

This, this, this... this was also fully automatic!!

She froze, suddenly unsure what to do.

Ji Hengyu raised an eyebrow. “Don’t want it anymore?”

Sang Li looked down, then looked again, as if examining some rare treasure in the world. Her gaze was too intense, making Ji Hengyu unable to resist. He cupped the back of her neck and pressed her firmly against his chest.

“Continue.”

Sang Li continued, secretly asking, “You...”

As if knowing what she wanted to say, even Ji Hengyu felt embarrassed. “Don’t ask.”

“Oh, then...”

He sharply stopped her: “Don’t mention it either.” His tone was stern, with a hint of exasperation.

Sang Li sheepishly closed her mouth.

Alright then.

The snake was quite domineering.

Thinking this, she felt the tightly held object twitch.

Hmm, quite lively too.