Chương 12: Zi Xuan

After dinner, Yang Feng sat cross-legged on his bed.

Though he had been chatting with his mother, Sheng Li's advice still lingered in his mind.

He took out Cody and opened the cultivation technique page. This technique had been created based on the trial for Cody's resonance, and a sudden thought struck him.

Wasn't that also an opportunity?

A sense of unease began to grow inside him.

Would there be… any price? The thought of a "price" sent a chill down his spine.

"Hey, Cody," Yang Feng quickly called out.

"Now what? I told you, don't ask about how I can enter my own small world ever again, or I'll complain to Mom," Cody replied in a wary tone, clearly avoiding another round of philosophical questions.

Yang Feng froze for a moment before quickly clarifying, "I'm not asking about that."

"I want to know, was my trial also an opportunity?"

"Yes," Cody responded, her voice full of mischief.

Yang Feng felt weak at the response. After a moment, he asked softly, "Then… what's the price?"

"What price?" Cody feigned ignorance.

"Don't play dumb," Yang Feng gritted his teeth. "The price of the trial. You said I have to pay a price for the opportunities you provide."

"Oh, that," Cody pretended to remember.

"But…"

Yang Feng's heart skipped a beat, sensing the price might be steep.

"But I haven't given you an opportunity, so why would you pay any 'price'?" Cody's voice trembled as if she was trying to hold back laughter.

Yang Feng blinked in confusion. "Didn't you say it was an opportunity?"

Unable to contain her laughter any longer, Cody burst into giggles.

Yang Feng's expression darkened as his patience ran thin. "Cody, can you answer straightforwardly?"

"Okay, okay, hahaha!" Cody struggled to control herself but failed miserably.

After a full five minutes of laughter, Cody finally stopped when she noticed the frustration and anxiety in Yang Feng's eyes. Realizing she had crossed a line; she spoke more softly.

"I didn't say the opportunity was from me."

Yang Feng, still suppressing his anger, replied, "Then what about the price?"

"I didn't provide you with this opportunity, so you don't have to worry. Maybe there won't be a price." Cody said, her voice more reassuring but also tinged with guilt.

Yang Feng sighed deeply and asked, "Then why didn't you say this earlier?"

"I just wanted to prank you," Cody admitted sheepishly. "Although we've only been together for eight days, I've seen your memories. You've started doubting everything. I just wanted to tell you that the world isn't as bleak as you think—and have some fun along the way."

Yang Feng paused, realizing that she was right. He had become overly suspicious of everything.

"I just wanted to remind you that not everything is as bad as you think," Cody added, her voice lightening toward the end, though she chuckled as she said it.

But when Yang Feng looked at her sternly, she immediately stopped laughing.

He suddenly realized something. "Did you just say you read my memories?"

Cody froze and quickly denied it. "Did I say that? You're hallucinating. See? You're being suspicious again."

In the end, Cody shifted the blame back to Yang Feng.

***

Meanwhile, in Yang Feng's mother's room, a golden pet formation appeared behind her.

Amid rippling waves, a small Silver-White Dragon and a seven-colored Peacock emerged.

Yes, Yang Feng's mother wasn't a Beast Tamer but a Beastmaster.

The Silver-White Dragon and the Peacock transformed into human forms and bowed to her.

"Greetings, Master," they said in unison.

The man, transformed from the Silver-White Dragon, was handsome with silver hair, angular features, and silver eyes with vertical pupils. He wore dragon scale armor in silver.

The woman, transformed from the Seven-Colored Peacock, was beautiful with Indian features, black hair tied in a braid, adorned with a seven-colored headpiece known as a Matha-Patti. She wore a blue blouse, a long skirt (lehenga) adorned with seven colored gems, and a blue, see-through scarf around her neck.

"How many times have I told you to stop with the formalities?" Mrs. Yang waved her hand casually.

Both of her pets smiled, and the Peacock spoke with a chuckle, "What are you saying, Sister Xuan? You are our master, and this is what we should do."

Zi Xuan (Yang Feng's mother) smiled warmly at the Peacock. "Mayuri, how's your cultivation going?"

Mayuri, the Peacock, shrank her neck, laughing awkwardly. "It's... it's alright."

Zi Xuan shook her head helplessly but then turned serious, looking at the Silver Dragon. "Lao Tian, go to the Space Dragon Clan and find out why they're in such a hurry to call Xing'er back."

(Lao Means old)

Xu Tian bowed and then tore open a void crack, vanishing into it.

"As for you, Mayuri," Zi Xuan said, "You will be Yang Feng's Dao Protector from now on."

Mayuri's eyes lit up with excitement. "Does that mean I can go out?"

Zi Xuan gave her a helpless look. "Yes, but..."

Mayuri bounced excitedly. "But what?"

"You have to focus on your cultivation. You're younger than all your siblings, so don't become a drag on their progress," Zi Xuan advised.

"Okay, okay, I'll cultivate diligently," Mayuri pouted, though her heart raced with excitement.

But after I have my fun. She thought quietly.

Zi Xuan could see through her thoughts but said nothing. She turned toward the night sky as though searching for something.

Five minutes passed in silence before Mayuri broke it. "Will Young Miss come?"

Zi Xuan replied softly, still gazing at the sky. "Yes"

"Bing Yan will also be coming back with her."

Mayuri's excitement surged. "Sister Yan is coming back? That's amazing!"

"I hope Sister Yuyu and Asthera return soon too," Mayuri then prayed with a longing face.

Zi Xuan muttered under her breath softly, "Soon"

Mayuri's face softened and asked. "Really?"

Zi Xuan didn't respond, her eyes still focused on the stars.

Mayuri, standing beside her and playing with her braid, fell silent.

After a while, Zi Xuan spoke again, "Do you want to go back to your pet space or sleep outside?"

Mayuri pouted and didn't press, knowing it wouldn't help.

"I'll go back. There's no point staying outside. You won't let to go out and play." she said with a huff.

A golden formation appeared in front of her. She stomped her feet and reluctantly walked into it.

Zi Xuan smiled and lay down to sleep, finally at peace.

***

Back in the living room, Cody, realizing her mistake, tried to entice Yang Feng with benefits, but Yang Feng refused to give in.

Fearing another 'price' trap, Yang Feng ignored Cody and began circulating the meager energy according to the Energy Circulation Diagram.

Cody hovered above his head, and twelve colors of energy began to swirl from the void below. They were Azure, Blue, Red, Earthy Yellow, Vibrant Green, Metallic Gold, Ice Blue, Purple, White-Gold, Black, Silver, and Milky White—representing Wind, Water, Fire, Earth, Wood, Metal, Ice, Lightning, Light, Darkness, Space, and Attribute-less energy, respectively. Time remained invisible.

While all types of energy surrounded Yang Feng, he could only absorb the milky white, attribute-less energy.