Chapter 767: A Journey Together (Part 2)

Side story: This content is not part of the main story and is intended to provide closure for Yuqin Xuanya fans. This chapter is free.

The Heavenly Soldiers and Generals... they were so fast.

"Big Sister" slowed down slightly mid-flight, watching the rapidly descending figures, and let out a small sigh of relief. Naturally, her expression was hidden behind her visor, making it difficult for others to discern.

Her gaze flickered slightly. Seeing the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals swiftly subdue the Heaven-rank black beast, and her companions appearing near it, her expression relaxed slightly. Suddenly, she remembered something and sharply turned to look behind her.

What did that person say just now?

"I once had a friend..."

Where was that person? How did he know such things?

"He once suffered from a condition where if touched by a woman, he would..."

...convulse all over, foam at the mouth, and almost fall unconscious!

This was... this was...

"Big Sister" suddenly removed her mask and rubbed her face vigorously a few times, revealing her original features, which were surprisingly exquisite and charming. Even after enduring the wear of time and countless hardships, the faint heroic spirit between her brows remained untouched.

Yuqin Xuanya.

"Senior..."

The word "brother" caught in her throat, and for a moment, she seemed to forget how to breathe, only staring blankly in the direction where the strange person had been. But the surrounding black smoke was thick, and there was no trace of the other party.

Was it him?

Then why did he deny it when I probed him?

Yuqin Xuanya gently exhaled, feeling as if the whole world had quieted. She didn't even notice the wisps of eerie, pale flames strangely emerging from the Heaven-rank black beast in the distance.

Yes, it must have been her imagination. Senior Brother Changshou was guarding the Dao Court and the entire Primordial World from beyond the heavens, accompanied by Fairy Yunxiao and Junior Sister Ling'e. How could he possibly have the leisure to come here and coincidentally meet a loose cultivator like her, who was of little importance?

"Something's wrong with this black beast!"

"Big Sister! Hurry and run!"

Suddenly, she heard shouts in her ear. Yuqin Xuanya, her Dao heart trembling, turned to look behind her and saw the black beast, which had stood up again at some point, now even larger and wielding a giant flaming sword.

Look at this black beast! It had transformed from its original bizarre, haphazardly growing appearance into a demonic form resembling a human, its head covered in ferocious horns. Billows of dark smoke poured out from its mountain-like body, as if to completely devour this minor world.

Above Heaven-rank!

The Heavenly Soldiers and Generals, originally surrounding it, were thrown into disarray, and the Heavenly Court's teleportation array was shattered by a single sword strike from the black beast. Several Heavenly Generals, who had been live streaming moments before, now disregarded everything else and immediately rushed forward, attempting to shatter the black beast demon's body. However, all their attacks and magic treasures were swallowed by the black beast!

Marshal Tianpeng shrieked, wielding his nine-toothed rake, and immediately activated the "Heavenly Law and Earthly Form" technique. But before he could steady himself, his avatar was shattered by a sword from the black beast demon, and his true body was sent flying into the black smoke.

The Heavenly Soldiers and Generals were immediately plunged into a bitter struggle! Meanwhile, the loose cultivators who had initially hoped to profit now hastily fled for their lives. They were not fools; they all sensed the black beast's immense magical power, almost capable of destroying this minor world. They had also witnessed several Golden Immortals' attacks being swallowed by the beast.

"Big Sister, don't just stand... Uh, did we get it wrong? Why isn't Big Sister wearing her mask anymore? She looks like a different person."

The cultivators who had flown over swiftly exchanged bewildered glances.

"You all go first!" Yuqin Xuanya said firmly, as a circle of golden light suddenly spread out from beneath her feet and slowly ascended. Her leather boots transformed into golden-winged flying boots, her dress became a golden armored battle skirt, and her sword box behind her erupted with streaks of colorful auspicious light.

*Pop!*

A pure white celestial horse appeared out of thin air behind Yuqin Xuanya, spreading its white wings. Yuqin swung herself onto the horse. Her battle helmet secured her flowing long hair, leaving only resolve on her originally delicate face. The horse neighed loudly. The celestial horse transformed into a beam of golden light and soared into the sky. Under the astonished gaze of the cultivators, it broke through layers of black smoke, sweeping out gusts of fierce wind.

Streaks of fiery light flew out from the sword box on Yuqin Xuanya's back, then condensed in her palm, forming a ten-foot-long giant sword!

"Heavenly Soldiers, heed my command! Retreat and form ranks!"

"Yes... Marshal Yuqin!"

The Heavenly Soldiers and Generals, who had been struggling in bitter combat, were invigorated. Several Heavenly Generals quickly reacted, immediately calling for the Heavenly Soldiers to retreat and reform their battle array. Yuqin Xuanya, however, pursed her lips, raised her sword, and charged directly towards the black beast demon's forehead on her horse!

The demon opened its mouth and let out a ferocious roar. Its giant flaming sword smashed down towards Yuqin Xuanya's head, like a collapsing heavenly pillar or a volcanic eruption. Yuqin Xuanya seemed to charge forward impulsively, but in reality, she had reserved enough strength. As auspicious light surged around her, the celestial horse swiftly turned and soared back, narrowly slicing through the gaps in the overwhelming flames.

On the ground, Marshal Tianpeng, whose head was buried in the earth, pulled himself out with effort.

Yuqin? Which Yuqin?

He turned his head and, through the gaps in the layers of black smoke, saw the figure grappling with the human-shaped black beast. He instantly became excited.

Isn't this! The Great Boss's rumored junior sister!

Immediately, sweat beaded on Marshal Tianpeng's forehead. He hastily leaped up and, clutching his nine-toothed rake, charged towards the sky. Finding the missing Marshal Yuqin would certainly be a great merit upon his return. But if anything happened to Marshal Yuqin here, even his several lives wouldn't be enough for the Dao Court Master, the Great Boss, to take. And the Great Boss was notoriously petty, valuing his confidantes above all else. Anyone who made Fairy Ling'e cry could cause mountains to collapse and the earth to crack. So if something happened to Yuqin Xuanya here, wouldn't it cause a massive uproar?

"Marshal Yuqin, quickly retreat! Let me handle this!"

Marshal Tianpeng roared with full momentum, raising his nine-toothed rake high. Streaks of azure divine flames bloomed around his body, and his silver helmet with its red tassel fluttered in the wind. He truly looked magnificent!

The human-shaped black beast, having just swept Yuqin Xuanya aside with its sword, now swung a punch at Marshal Tianpeng. Almost instantly, the giant fist appeared before Marshal Tianpeng, plummeting like a cliff collapsing from an immortal mountain!

Marshal Tianpeng gritted his teeth and stomped his foot, a trembling breath squeezing out from his rear. His face turned purplish-red as he fiercely swung his nine-toothed rake forward, intending to draw forth boundless spiritual...

Huh? Where's my spiritual energy?

Damn it! The black smoke emitted by this beast has displaced the original spiritual energy!

Marshal Tianpeng shivered all over. He flung his nine-toothed rake forward and swiftly formed hand seals, activating the "Transform into Bird Technique" from the Thirty-Six Heavenly Constellations Orthodox Law, which uses a small form to contend with a large force, reducing contact area to minimize impact!

*Poof!*

*Smack!*

A small bird was sent flying far away, scattering a few feathers along the way. The black beast's punch seemed to have completely missed, yet it still made the beast stagger.

—An excellent tactical effect.

That one stagger!

The black beast seemed to have suffered a great insult, or perhaps it sensed several figures breaking through the cosmos and rushing to the location. It suddenly tilted its head back and roared furiously. Orange-red glowing spots appeared on its dark body, which then began to spurt streams of black flames in all directions. The black flames chased after the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals who had just withdrawn, as well as the loose cultivators who hadn't managed to retreat too far.

Screams rose one after another. Yuqin Xuanya's eyes were filled with fury.

This demon!

"How dare you!"

The celestial horse charged straight into the clouds, then instantly plummeted downwards. Yuqin Xuanya pointed her long sword forward, her body and the celestial horse transforming into a magnificent heavenly sword, which then slashed down directly onto the demon's head!

Without a second thought, without any hesitation. This was the justice she had always pursued; this was the yearning of her Dao heart!

There is righteousness in heaven and earth, unyielding and unbowed!

Just at this moment!

Two brilliant red lights suddenly shot out from the black beast's dark eyes, directly striking the heavenly sword falling from above and instantly shattering it. Yuqin Xuanya, holding her sword, clashed with the two beams of red light, and her figure was sent flying directly towards the horizon. The black beast demon's giant sword followed closely, tearing through the cosmos and sweeping towards Yuqin Xuanya!

At this moment, she was powerless to maneuver...

"Junior Sister Xuanya, why haven't you visited Little Qiong Peak lately?"

In a daze, the memory of her time in the Heavenly Court resurfaced before her eyes. At that time, her Senior Brother, standing at the pinnacle of the Heavenly Court, had asked her this, with a hint of concern and something she couldn't quite decipher in his eyes. But compared to her Senior Brother, she felt utterly insignificant. Anyone could have been the Heavenly Court God of War; with Senior Brother's thorough assistance, anyone would have been more than capable. On what grounds could she stand by her Senior Brother's side?

The silly girl always thought and pondered this way, until she suddenly awoke to the realization that her Senior Brother had already reached higher and traveled further, while she couldn't even glimpse his back.

Two tears traced paths down Yuqin Xuanya's cheeks. She suddenly opened her eyes, and fierce fighting spirit ignited within them.

She couldn't die! She couldn't die before a fierce beast in the name of Yuqin Xuanya!

Sword!

*Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—*

Several brilliant streams of light shot from left and right, condensing into a three-foot-long precious sword in Yuqin Xuanya's palm. She forcibly stabilized her form and immediately retreated in the direction she had been struck from, holding her sword and gazing at the wall of fire sweeping towards her.

There had to be a way; all things had a ray of hope!

This sword, should... should...

Her waist was suddenly supported, and the back of her sword-holding hand was gripped by a large hand. Yuqin Xuanya was startled. Before she could turn her head, she heard a soft chuckle:

"Why didn't you call for help?"

She turned her head blankly, her eyes falling upon that familiar profile. Before she could react, a black and white Taiji diagram enveloped them both, isolating them from the world.

"Senior Brother..."

"I was just about to reveal myself to you, and you came charging over," Li Changshou said, looking down at her with a smile. "I just took some time to change my clothes and put away my paper effigy. I was right there, in the sleeve of that paper effigy. Your observation skills still need work."

Yuqin Xuanya pursed her lips, then, recalling something, she tried to pull away from his hold, only to be embraced by his other hand.

"Senior Brother..."

"Come to Little Qiong Peak. Everyone wants to see you."

Li Changshou murmured, "Without you, our home always feels incomplete. I know what you're thinking, but you can just cultivate there. I won't do anything inappropriate."

Yuqin Xuanya's gaze flickered, wanting to avoid his eyes but too reluctant to look away. She simply murmured, "Senior Brother, the black beast..."

"Don't worry, I've already brought Yang Jian and Nezha here. They're more than capable of handling it." Li Changshou said, "Come back with me. Drifting outside always makes me uneasy. You can come back and stay for a while; if you want to venture out again, you're free to do so anytime."

Yuqin Xuanya took half a step back. A hint of disappointment flickered in Li Changshou's eyes, and he could only let his hands fall. But then he heard her whisper, "Just for a while, of course... it's possible..."

Li Changshou blinked, looking at the woman before him slowly shedding her golden armor and changing into an ice-blue long dress. For a moment, he didn't know what to say, so he simply chuckled.

As the Taiji diagram dissipated, the human-shaped black beast's body erupted with brilliant light, dismembered into dozens of pieces. Two figures, one on the left and one on the right, emerged from the black beast's head, each roaring with high spirits.

Li Changshou whispered, "Let's not meet them; otherwise, they'll drag us into another lecture. Let's hide first, and we can say goodbye to your friends later. Don't worry, they're all safe. I already protected them earlier."

Yuqin Xuanya assented, lowering her head in thought, her cheeks feeling slightly flushed.

"Actually, you don't have to be so proper..."

"What did you say?" Li Changshou looked at her in puzzlement. Yuqin Xuanya immediately pursed her thin lips and turned her head to look into the distance.

If he didn't hear it, then forget it. There had already been physical contact just now... No, actually, she was the first to have physical contact with Senior Brother Changshou. That time during their training in the Northern Continent, when she was severely injured, wasn't it Senior Brother who changed her...

"Yuqin, are you injured? Why is your face red?"

"No, nothing, I wasn't thinking anything inappropriate! Senior Brother, you were healing me then, so it doesn't count as physical contact!"

"Ah, that time." Li Changshou shook his head with a gentle smile in his eyes. "Speaking of that, there's been another interesting thing lately."

Yuqin Xuanya asked curiously, "What interesting thing...?"

"I discovered a crack in the Chaos Sea. Although I couldn't pass through it, I could vaguely see some scenes from an adjacent plane. Didn't I tell a lie before, about a condition where if a woman touched someone, they would convulse all over and fall unconscious?"

Yuqin Xuanya nodded, a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

Li Changshou, however, said, "There's a fellow named Wu Wang who actually contracted such a condition."

"There's really such a strange illness?"

"Absolutely," Li Changshou said, looking up at the sky, as if trying to see a pair of eyes watching them. "A word spoken becomes a prophecy, a word spoken becomes a prophecy indeed. Let's go home."

"Hmm, how should I explain this to Junior Sister Ling'e?"

"As for that, just be tougher. What's there to be afraid of? Don't you know who truly calls the shots at home?"

Thus, half a day later, in Xuandu City beyond the heavens, at Little Qiong Peak in the secret realm.

"Kneel!"

...

Side Story One: The End.

P.S. My new book, "This Human Immortal Is Too Proper," featuring the minor stories of Young Master Wu Wang in the Great Wilderness, is not exactly a hot serialization. Feel free to give it a read!