The mellow sun peeked through the darkness as dawn approached, bright and warm.
Inside a dark, damp cave, Ling Tian Xiang leaned against a giant rock, cradling the body of Ling Xian. Pressing his head against her chest, Ling Tian Xiang seemed to be dreaming of something wonderful as her lips twitched upwards into an uncontrollable smile.
She woke moments to an aching body. She had been holding another body in her arms, remaining in one position for way too long. But she did not mind one bit. Looking down at the pale face of the handsome youth, she couldn’t help but reach out her hands towards his forehead and caress gently down his face. For him, anything was worth it.
Ling Tian Xiang smiled brightly as she pushed his hair away from his face. Her smile blossomed for Ling Xian alone.
Ling Xian woke in the same instant. Opening his eyes, he saw nothing but softness surrounding him, as if he had woken in a field of cotton. A hint of lavender invaded his senses, he parted his lips in astonishment and a small grape fell into his mouth.
“Hmm…” Ling Xian was not yet fully conscious and couldn’t tell what he had just bit into. He twirled the object in his mouth then teased it gently, looking for a taste of familiarity.
“Ah…” Ling Tian Xiang exclaimed. Of course, it sounded more like a moan. Despite being fully clothed, she felt a wave of tender shock travel through her body, igniting a tiny flame on the tip of her heart and causing her to blush feverishly.
“Ling Xian… get away!”
Ling Tian Xiang felt infuriated. However, her demanding tone betrayed a hint of encouragement. At this moment, she was heavily conflicted. She wanted to push the youth away but did not want that satisfying feeling to end. More importantly, she did not want to hurt him.
Despite being young and naïve, she understood a little about proper interactions between a man and a woman. If it had been any other man who dared to humiliate her, they’d already been dead. But with Ling Xian, on top of anger, she found herself enjoying the attention.
“Ah… apologies, apologies.” Ling Xian was now fully awake. Even though he didn’t understand why Ling Tian Xiang was reacting so feverishly, he knew he must have been inappropriate towards her. Hurrying away from her arms, where he laid, Ling Xian noticed that there were no one else inside this cave.
“Humph!”
Ling Tian Xiang sneered coldly in a pretend fury, but deep down, she felt a sense of sadness. Ling Xian’s awake now, there would be no reason to hold him again.
In the past few days, she had enjoyed the feeling of holding him, caring for him, even though her body ached from holding him in one position for a prolonged period of time.
The atmosphere suddenly turned awkward. A lone male and an unwed female, allowing accidents to happen while unaccompanied, neither spoke.
Ling Xian let out an uncomfortable smile after a long, tense moment. “How long had I been asleep? Where are the others?”
“They’re out hunting beasts,” Ling Tian Xiang responded timidly, followed by a satisfied smile which she tried but failed to hide. “You slept for three days.”
“Three days?” Ling Xian was startled. Injuries from several battles attacked at once and induced him into a deep sleep. He hadn’t felt time fleeing at all, only that he was in a deep sleep in the comfort of a warm body and being caressed by the gentlest of touches.
What he didn’t know was that Ling Tian Xiang had been worried sick during this time. She could neither eat nor sleep and for three days refused to move an inch. Even as a trained cultivator, her body had begun to retaliate.
“You have an incredible body, is it made of steel? You suffered such horrific injuries, but you are moving so swiftly. After only three days of rest, you are more than halfway healed,” Ling Tian Xiang exclaimed. “The first time we met, you were only a young cultivator of the third realm. In only a month time, you’ve grown to become the best of the Ling Clan, no no, the best of your generation in the entire City of Qing!”
“The best of my generation, in the entire City of Qing?” Ling Xian giggled. “Too exaggerated! Says who?”
“Says me!” Ling Tian Xiang responded naughtily, flashing those big bright eyes at him. “Everyone has witnessed your powers, the best of the Fang Clan couldn’t last one round with you. If you are not the best, who is?”
“Well, that is true, but being the best of my generation is not exactly my goal.” Ling Xian smiled. Despite the burning sensation in his chest, he contained his excitement. This title was certainly tempting, but he would never let himself get lost in such a pitiful title. The City of Qing was too small for his appetite.
His dream lies above the highest cloud overlooking the universe, the City of Qing would be a mere speck of dust from there.
“Bold words! Then I shall wait to see you succeed.” Ling Tian Xiang blushed, unable to hide her desire for the man in front of her. No one could ever move her as he has.
The mistress of the Ling Clan, one of the most honorable ladies of the City of Qing, arguably the most beautiful, sought after by countless nobilities. For 19 years, she had never been moved by anyone. Yet after one meeting, she managed to fall hopefully for him.
With time, this love had developed deeper and eventually developed roots.
It was not her fault. Ling Xian was too bright of a star, handsome, brave, honorable, and ambitious. He was every girl’s Prince Charming.
Not to mention, he appeared when she was most vulnerable, saving her life more than once. How could anyone not be swayed?
Sensing a hint of obsession in her gaze, Ling Xian let out a silent sigh and averted her eyes. He understood her feelings, her intentions, but he couldn’t accept. So he changed the topic. “During this three-day sleep, did anything happen?”
“Not between us, but the Hidden Territory has become more volatile. The beasts have gone crazy, slaughtering humans at random. Good thing this cave is relatively hidden. Even then a few beasts had managed to intrude, all killed by Ling Zhan and the rest.” Ling Tian Xiang sighed in disappointment but went along with the change in topic, a smart girl.
Ling Xian was uneasy. The beasts couldn’t find him, so they directed their anger at others.
“Brother, you’re awake!”
An excited voice echoed inside the cave. Ling Hu had returned carrying the corpse of a silver wolf. The rest of the crew followed him inside, all excited to see him awake.
Ling Xian felt warm air overcome his body. He laughed. “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”
“Ha ha, you’re finally awake." Ling Zhan let out a roaring laughter, blinked an eye and continued, “Did you know, our mistress Ling had held you for three days, never moved an inch. Yesterday I offered to take over and let her get some rest, and she yelled right back, refused to let you go!”
Hadn’t moved in three days?
Ling Xian was startled, a warm sensation rose up to his heart. He turned to look at Ling Tian Xiang and exclaimed, silently, beauty favors the brave!
“Don’t listen to him, that’s because I…” Ling Tian Xiang blushed, trying and failing to explain. She was surprised to find that she couldn’t come up with a single excuse. Cradling a man for three days without complaint or thought for herself. Only love could inspire such kindness.
“Because you what?” Ling Xian looked at her with amusement, then said, “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me, you saved my life, this was nothing,” Ling Tian Xiang finally found an excuse, only to be followed by a deafening silence, causing her to blush harder.
“Ling Xian saved my life too, why won’t you let me look after him?” Ling Fei asked, bitterly.
“Ha ha, that’s right, Ling Fei was also worried out of her mind. Ling Xian, you’re quite the ladies’ man, I’m a little jealous.” Ling Zhan patted Ling Xian on the shoulders but quickly shut his mouth as he felt two murderous gazes shoot towards him from two directions.
“Since everyone’s alive and well, then I bid you all goodbye.” Ling Xian smiled softly.
“Goodbye? You don’t want to stay with us?” Ling Tian Xiang frowned in disappointment.
“Not that I don’t want to, but I can’t,” Ling Xian responded with a hint of shame. “To be honest, I was one that started the chaos amongst the beasts in the Hidden Territory.”
“What?”
Everyone inhaled a mouthful of the freezing air. Ling Tian Xiang could not believe what she had just heard. “You mean to say those beasts are looking for YOU?”
“Yes, so if I stayed with you, you could get involved, and get hurt.” Ling Xian sighed. His current level of strength was enough to fend of all beasts except for the Almighty rulers. Even if he did encounter them, he could swiftly escape using his lightning speed.
Therefore he wasn’t overly concerned for his own well-being. However, if the beasts attacked and he couldn’t protect all members of his clan, he would live forever in shame.
“The Heavens! How many beasts did you kill to invite a Killer Order from the Almighty and the Privy Council?” Ling Zhan plummeted into a state of shock.
“I haven’t counted, perhaps a few hundred,” Ling Xian casually threw out a number.
“Hissssssssss!”
Another mouthful of air. Everyone gazed at Ling Xian as if eyeing a terrifying ghost.
Killed a few hundred? By yourself?
My heavens! Is he really a cultivator of the sixth realm, or of the Foundational realm?
“Then you absolutely must stay! It’s too dangerous for you, stay with us, and we can face them together if they find us. We owe you all our lives, at least we’d die with you if we must.” Ling Tian Xiang looked at him hopefully, then shifting her gaze towards the others and asked, “What do you all think?”
“Of course, Ling Xian saved our lives, we’re not afraid of death!”
Ling Xian had descended from the heavens and saved the lives of everyone here. To them, he had given them the gift of rebirth. Regardless of their fears and reservations, they answered the call to die with him if it ever came to that.
Ling Xian was touched. This was heartfelt, he was certain of it. They wanted to shoulder the burden with him. But the more they insisted, the more he needed to leave. He folded his hands together and begged, “Everyone, please, quiet down, and listen to me.
The crowd fell silent immediately.
Evidently, their respect for Ling Xian was beyond compare.
Silence consumed the dark, damp cave.
Every gaze rested upon Ling Xian. Everyone waited for him to speak.
“First, I am very touched that you are all willing to fight with me and die with me. I haven’t done anything extraordinary, but I’m honored,” Ling Xian’s toned suddenly turned serious, “But, to speak frankly, if we stuck together, perhaps none of us would leave here alive. However, on my own, I have a better chance at escaping while you won’t be targeted.”
The silence continued.
Thinking it over carefully, the crowd must admit that Ling Xian had a point.
The members of the Ling Clan present were all relatively young, an age of impulse. They were keen on shouldering the burdens with Ling Xian and diffusing some of the risks they all faced. But in the process, they had failed to consider their own strength or lack of it.
Ling Xian’s strength could not be questioned.
However, their strengths were so lacking in comparison that they couldn’t even defeat the Fangs. They were doomed if confronted with hundreds and thousands of powerful, magical beasts.
Chances were better that they would be chewed up and spat out in pieces before a battle even began. Perhaps hurtful, but the true was often hurtful.
If Ling Xian were traveling with them when they were attacked, Ling Xian would not only have to fight his battles but also protect his comrades. Of course, comrade would be a polite term in this scenario. More realistically speaking, they would all be a burden to him.
“Ahh…”
Digesting Ling Xian’s recommendation, the crowd finally understood the implications, thus sighing in unison. Color had drained from many of the faces, not because they were hurt by Ling Xian’s bluntness, but rather ashamed that they were too weak to help him.
“Do not fear, believe me, I will walk out of the Hidden Territory alive. Then, I’ll treat all of you to a nice meal and bottomless wine.” Ling Xian smiled, radiating confidence.
But to the rest, this confidence had been mistaken for a sad, hopeless submission to fate.
The legend of a hero was usually written with the sadness that echoed his fate, blood that he left behind, a smile that masked loneliness, and comforting words that became his last.
[Look at Ling Xian, evidently afraid that we’d all die because of him, but purposely drives us away to protect us while sacrificing himself. He would become bait, luring the beasts away from us. What a heroic deed, what an admirable spirit.]
Two youths who were drunk on emotions silently said to themselves, “Farewell, my hero!”
If Ling Xian had known this, he’d be infuriated of course. Are you cursing me to die? Oh no, I have no intention to die.
“But…” Ling Tian Xiang began to speak but paused.
“Not buts,” Ling Zhan stopped her at once, then continued his stern lecture, “Aunty, if you care about him, then let him go. This is the best option for us. We are too weak. We will become a burden for him. If the beasts found us all together, we would all die.”
“Ah…” Ling Tian Xiang let out a long, hopeless sigh. She had a brilliant mind and keen senses, of course, she understood.
It was the mixed emotions she was feeling, the fear of letting go of him. But regardless, this was the best and only option for him and for everyone here.
Even if this goodbye was the final goodbye.
“Stop it, what’s with the long faces? Rest assured, I fought off every beast that found me these last few days, I’ll be just fine.” Ling Xian stepped forward and patted the two misty-eyed youths on the shoulders. His smile exuded endless confidence and optimism about the future.
“Good, I believe you will survive this.” Ling Zhan tried to diffuse the tension with a bright laughter. However, deep down, he was as worried as everyone else. There had to have been tens of thousands of beasts living in the Hidden Territory. There was no way to know, but that can’t be far from the truth. Not the mention the Almighty Rulers and the Privy Council, all of them Foundational realm.
The Foundational realm, for a typical cultivator, was the ultimate dream, the star forever beyond their reach.
Ling Xian was only a cultivator of the sixth realm, how could he possibly escape unscathed?
Not possible!
This sentiment was shared by most in the crowd. This was the final goodbye. A possibility accepted by many as fact, as fate, weighing heavily on the heart of everyone present.
“Ling Zhan, before we part, how about a duel?” Ling Xian suddenly recalled the pact they had made the day of the Martial Arts contest.
“Ha ha, no, let’s not. You call it a duel, I call it a beating. It’s true that I’m a fighter, but I don’t go looking for beatings.” Ling Zhan shook his head while roaring in laughter. He continued, “Come back safely, I’ll wait for that beating.”
“Good, it’s a pact.”
Ling Xian chuckled, finally understanding why everyone had such long faces. Even Ling Zhan, who had pretended to laugh, was trying to hide his sorrow. No one here believed that he could leave this place alive.
Shaking his head, Ling Xian did not want to explain further. There was no use trying to convince anyone. When he emerges safely from the Hidden Territory, these people would finally understand that he wasn’t being egotistic, he was simply confident in himself.
As if floating on air, Ling Tian Xiang stepped in front of Ling Xian and looked deeply into his eyes. “Ling Xian, I’ll pray for you. You must come back to us alive. You promised me this. If you don’t keep your promise, then you are a coward.”
I promised you?
Ling Xian descended into a cloud of confusion.
Seeing as he was confused by this, Ling Tian Xiang explained, “You said your dream lies above the highest cloud overlooking the universe, and that the City of Qing would be a mere speck of dust.”
Oh, this!
Ling Xian remembered. “Don’t worry, I’ll be just fine. I’ve had to say it so many times in this short period of time, where’s the trust? Don’t forget, I’ve already killed a few hundred beasts.”
Hearing this incredible feat a second time did not lessen the impact of shock one bit.
However, even this reminder could not boost the confidence of everyone there. It wasn’t going to be a question of a few hundred beasts. Rather, Ling Xian would have to face hundreds of thousands as well as the most feared Almighty Rulers and the Privy Council.
A few hundred seemed quite the picnic in comparison.
What he was about to face would truly be a testament to his strength and resilience.
“I won’t try to convince you anymore.” Seeing that he couldn’t bring people out of their sad and concerned state, Ling Xian was at a complete loss for words. Only he was aware of his own strength, and he believed in it. Even if he couldn’t defeat them, he had full confidence in his ability to evade them.
Shaking his head in defeat, Ling Xian walked towards Ling Hu and said, “Brother’s going to leave you now, but don’t be afraid, stay with the team. When the Hidden Territory opens, leave immediately. Do you understand?”
Ling Hu nodded and, in a heavy voice, said, “Brother, be careful.”
Ling Xian smiled back, waved at Ling Tian Xiang and the rest, and walked out of the cave.
Every member of the Ling Clan watched him leave in silence. They watched him leave not without a hint of uneasiness but definitely without a fear of loneliness. Some became misty-eyed.
What they still firmly believed was that Ling Xian was leaving so they could live.
Holding both hands into a joint fist, everyone was making a promise to themselves. They were going to be braver, try harder, practice more, and protect those that they loved. They would not allow a replay of the scene against the Fang Clan where a choice had to be made between life and death.
Even though this was a misunderstanding, this was most definitely the most beautiful of all misunderstandings.
Ling Xian could not have expected that this unremarkable episode was the key to motivating the near dozen young cultivators who would later leave the Hidden Territory and return home changed men and women who would bravely go after their dreams and become the pillars of their Clan.
……
Lin Qing Yi felt as though she was near death.
Her face had turned ghostly pale, the light in her eyes had diminished to a sliver, her light green dress torn to pieces to reveal batches of equally pale skin.
Worse yet, there appeared to be a black mole in between her eyes.
This was a sign of poisoning, a deadly poison that she could not expel out of her body.
Lin Qing Yi had never been this injured in her entire life. She never anticipated that a trip into the Hidden Territory, which she had perceived as a vacation, would spell her doom.
Indeed, she was a powerful cultivator of the eighth realm. The Hidden Territory of the City of Qing to her was no more than a playground. She had only to avoid the Almighty Rulers.
Unfortunately, she had some rotten luck.
She stumbled on the powerful Xuan Ming Snake, the most poisonous of all beasts of the ninth realm, a snake feared by even the mightier beasts of the eighth realm. The creature had bitten her and injected its lethal poison into her veins.
“Is this how death feels?” Lin Qing Yi leaned against a giant tree, her Qi evaporating, her body freezing up. She felt as though she had been pushed down an icy hell.
Her gorgeous face let out a hapless smile as objects around her began to blur. She knew clearly that death was near.
A figure suddenly emerged inside her fading mind. It wasn’t her dearest grandfather, nor her parents whom she had met only once, but a cultivator in a dark traveling cloak whose face was covered by a sun hat.
“Strange, wouldn’t the people one sees right before their death be those who were closest and dearest to them? How did I think of him? Had I fallen in love with him?” Lin Qing Yi couldn’t contain a smile as she thought of him. Feeling half amused, half pathetic, she felt a stream of tears run down her cheek. “But, I would really…really love to see him one last time.”
“Ha ha, you hideous human, you’ve been poisoned. You won’t have a chance to see anyone,” the Xuan Ming Snake sneered, dangling off a large branch. “Or, you could beg me some more. Perhaps I’ll take pity and let you live.”
“In your dreams!”
Lin Qing Yi shouted at the snake. With the last of her will and power, she stood up, preparing to detonate herself and force the snake to die with her.
At this moment, it was not fear that she felt, but courage and determination.
Facing death, how many can claim that they felt no fear and couldn’t care less about the last breath they would take on earth. How many would have the courage to die at their own hands, next to their enemies?
But Lin Qing Yi was one of them, a soft beauty with the inner strength of the most vicious warriors.
“Ha, ha, you wish to end your own life?” The Xuan Ming Snake eyed her indifferently and hissed, without fear, “Quit dreaming, my poison has reached every corner of your veins, you won’t have the power to summon anything, let alone detonate yourself.”
Lin Qing Yi clenched her hands and attempted to summon her powers with the last ounce of her strength. But just like the snake pointed out, her veins had been locked up.
This was indeed the most poisonous venom on earth.
“Damn you, I don’t believe I can’t take you with me.” Lin Qing Yi bit down on her lips hard. However, with a furrow of her brows, she took a step backward and fell hapless onto the cold, hard ground.
“Ha ha, I told you so. The poison of the King Snake is world renowned. Not even a beast of the eighth realm can survive it, let alone a weak human. You dare to dream that we die together? How naïve!” The Xuan Ming Snake let out a terrible laugh, slithering down the tree, preparing to finish her off with a swing of its tail.
“The King Snake is in a great mood today, so why doesn’t he take pity on you and give you a swift death!”
The snake swung its huge tail backward, creating a huge gust of wind, which tossed her hair and further shattered her clothing. In the face of death, Lin Qing Yi did not stir an inch, her face as calm as the undisturbed surface of the most beautiful lake.
The figure flashed again inside her mind which gave her the strength to smile again and a mutter a few words. “If the heavens would let me near you one more time, I would run towards you and take off your veil. But unfortunately, there won’t be another chance. Farewell, my first love…”
The snake took aim at the delicate forehead of the delicate lady and unleashed its tail. Once hit, there would be no other outcome but instant death by trauma.
However, in this final moment, a cold voice interrupted the scene.
“The King Snake, eh? Only a few days, and it appears that you’ve outgrown your own arrogance.”
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