Chapter 154
Chapter 154
Su Chan's teary face was the first thing Li Yundong saw when he opened his eyes . Blinking a few times, he realized that he was still lying on the ground and Su Chan was sitting right next to him . His body had stopped glowing, much to his relief . He really thought he was going to die just now . Then again, the fact that he was still alive was pretty much moot, since he was about to die soon .
Hopefully not too soon .
Li Yundong forced out a smile .
"Hey, princess . . .
"
"Yundong . . .
" Su Chan wailed loudly, then slumped forward until she was lying directly over his torso .
Li Yundong raised his hand and patted Su Chan's head .
"Su Chan . . . Listen . . .
"
Su Chan raised her head from his chest and sniffed a few times .
Li Yundong stroked her cheek .
"You have to go now, princess . Get as far away from me as possible . . .
"
He had just killed a man with a spell . He didn't want Su Chan anywhere near him when the Heavenly Thunder struck .
The thought of Su Chan dying returned a bit of strength to his weak body .
"Go!!!
" Li Yundong gave Su Chan a hard shove .
"I'm not going anywhere!
" Su Chan crawled back towards Li Yundong .
Li Yundong bit back a curse .
"Su Chan . . .
" he said sternly .
"You have to go! Now! Go! Before the Heavenly Thun—mmph!
"
Su Chan's hand clamped over his mouth .
"Don't say it! Please, don't say it!
" Su Chan's shoulders trembled as she sobbed .
Li Yundong turned his head away and freed his mouth from her hand . Hot tears slid down his own cheeks .
"Listen to me, princess . . . Please just go, okay? There's no point in both of us dying . . .
"
"No, no, no!!! I'm staying! I'm staying! I'm not going anywhere!
" Su Chan yelled, then crumpled into a sobbing heap on top of him .
"Yundong . . . Please don't make me leave… I can't live without you . . . I can't!!!
"
Li Yundong sniffed, feeling the sting of his own tears .
"Silly girl . . . You were living just fine before you met me, weren't you?
" Li Yundong patted Su Chan's head .
"Go, okay? Go back to your master . She . . .
" He cleared his throat .
"She'll keep you safe .
"
Su Chan's face rubbed against the front of his shirt as she shook her head wildly .
"No, no, no . . . I won't leave you . . . I won't leave . . .
"
Li Yundong grunted and pushed himself into a sitting position . Then, he cupped Su Chan's face and dried her cheeks with the pad of his thumb .
"You'll be fine, princess .
" He smiled wanly at her .
"You'll soon forget about me and find someone else to love—
"
"But I don't want anyone else, dammit!
" Su Chan cried out .
"I want my Yundong!!
"
Li Yundong choked back a sob .
"I'm so glad you came into my life, Su Chan . Even though the time we spent together is short—
"
"Don't!!!
" Su Chan shrieked .
"Don't talk like that!
" Su Chan covered her ears and began shaking her head wildly .
"I don't wanna hear it! I don't wanna hear it!
"
More tears stung Li Yundong's eyes . He reached up and pried Su Chan's hands away from her ears . She had to hear this whether she liked it or not . This might very well be the last conversation they had with each other .
"You've brought so much joy into my life, Su Chan . I'm forever grateful to you .
" He stared deeply into Su Chan's eyes .
"I love you .
"
Su Chan's face crumpled .
"Yundong . . .
" she sobbed .
"Please, don't…
"
"I want you to always, always remember something .
" Li Yundong waited until he was sure he had Su Chan's full attention .
"It doesn't matter what everyone is saying about fox spirits . None of it matters . To me, in my eyes, you are the kindest, the cutest, the prettiest, and the most adorable girl to ever live . And… over the short time I've known you, I can say with absolute certainty that you are a good person .
" Li Yundong tapped Su Chan's chest .
"You have a good heart, and you shouldn't let anyone tell you otherwise .
"
Su Chan kept shaking her head .
"W-Why are you telling me all this?
" Su Chan gripped the front of his shirt .
"Why are you talking like that?! Don't talk like that! Like you're about to leave me!
"
Li Yundong gave her a sad smile, then pried Su Chan's hands off his shirt .
"I guess this is goodbye, Chan'er…
"
They stared at each other for a moment . The look of shock in Su Chan's eyes was almost as intense as the wistful longing in his own eyes .
"I love you . . .
" Li Yundong whispered, then turned around and ran towards the woods at the edge of the field .
He had barely taken a few steps before a pair of slender arms wrapped themselves around his waist, bringing him into a complete stop . He turned and saw Su Chan clinging onto his waist like he was her favorite bolster .
Li Yundong sighed and tried to unwrap her arms from around his waist, but the stubborn girl refused to let go .
"Please don't make this harder than it already is . . .
" Li Yundong said .
"Please let me go, Chan'er…
"
Su Chan shook her head desperately and sent him a pleading look .
"Just let me die with you . . . Let's die together, Yundong—
"
"Don't be stupid, Chan'er!
" Li Yundong pushed her away .
"You have a full life ahead of you!
"
"But life would be meaningless without you!!!
" Su Chan yelled back .
Li Yundong groaned into his hands, and when he lowered them, he realized that his palms were wet .
"Don't say that!
" he shouted .
"That's nonsense! Now stay where you are! Don't follow me!
"
Li Yundong turned around and marched towards the woods . A moment later, a solid weight rammed into his body from behind, sending him tumbling to the ground . A warm body crawled on top of his torso . That familiar weight felt so damned good that he almost didn't want to open his eyes . Warm liquid dripped all over his cheeks and neck . He opened his eyes and saw Su Chan's face hovering inches above his own .
"Can't you see?
" Su Chan hiccupped a few times .
"If you die, I'd just kill myself anyway . . .
"
All of a sudden, Su Chan's face turned into a complete blur . The next thing he knew, his shoulders were shaking violently . His eyes burned with such an intensity that he thought he was going blind .
"Oh, you stubborn, stubborn girl . . .
"
Warm palms ran through his hair .
"Since we're both going to die anyway, why not spend our final moments together?
"
Li Yundong half-groaned and rolled his head to the side .
"Please, Yundong…
" Su Chan pleaded .
"Please don't let me die alone…
"
"I don't want you to die at all…
"
"But life without you is even more painful than death…
"
A sob tore out from Li Yundong's lips .
"Goddammit!! This is so unfair! Why do I have to die just because I helped rid this world of an evil man!!
"
Su Chan poked his cheek .
"Say yes, Yundong? Please say yes? Let me stay by your side…
"
Li Yundong kept sobbing .
"I- I promise I'll never steal from your plate again!
" Su Chan added .
"I'll… I'll even let you call me cheap monk!
"
Li Yundong chuckled despite his tears . After a few moments, he sighed and opened his arms .
"Come here, you little chipmunk .
"
Su Chan threw her arms around his neck and cried . Li Yundong patted Su Chan's back and stared up into the night sky, breathing in Su Chan's scent . Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad if Su Chan's scent was the last thing he breathed before death claimed him?
"Are you sure about this, Su Chan?
" Li Yundong asked into Su Chan's hair after a while .
"You don't have to die, you know?
"
Su Chan pulled back and wiped her cheeks .
"Nonsense,
" she said .
"I told you I'd rather die than live a life without you in it .
"
Li Yundong opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by another voice .
"Not to ruin your little romantic moment or anything . . . But nobody has to die .
"
Li Yundong raised his head from the ground and saw Zi Yuan approaching them from the roadside . Li Yundong looked past Zi Yuan's shoulder and saw Ruan Hongling and Zhou Qin looking straight at him . Both of them had tears in their eyes .
Li Yundong snapped to attention the moment Zi Yuan got close . He frowned .
"What are you talking about? You made it pretty clear just now that I'm doomed the moment I cast the spell . . .
" Then, a thought hit him . Li Yundong's eyes went wide .
"Wait . Why aren't I dead yet?
"
Zi Yuan stopped in front of him and smirked .
"Ah . Finally you're keeping up .
"
Li Yundong's head was spinning . He shook his head a few times, then paused when another thought hit him . He glared daggers at Zi Yuan .
"So it was all a lie to stop me from using the spell? Is that it?
"
Zi Yuan gave him a withering look .
"No . Everything I told you is the truth .
"
Li Yundong spread out his arms .
"Then why am I still alive?
"
"That's easy .
" Zi Yuan smiled .
"Because you haven't passed the Zhuji phase yet, of course .
"
***
Hope coursed through Li Yundong .
"Wait, so if I'm alive because I haven't passed the Zhuji phase . . .
" Li Yundong looked into Zi Yuan's eyes .
"Then . . .
"
Zi Yuan smiled .
"You'll be safe from the Heavenly Thunder as long as you don't pass the Zhuji phase .
"
Li Yundong looked towards Su Chan, who looked just as confused as he felt . It was obvious that Su Chan didn't know anything about this . Otherwise she wouldn't have made a fuss about wanting to die together with him .
Li Yundong looked towards Zi Yuan .
"But why?
"
Zi Yuan raised a brow at Su Chan .
"I'm surprised your master never told you about this .
"
Su Chan blushed and looked like she was about to argue, but Li Yundong grabbed her hand .
"Easy, princess . Let her finish .
" He gestured for Zi Yuan to continue .
"The nature of Cultivation revolves around the pursuit of immortality . And, as you know, immortality isn't part of the natural order of things . All life ends with death eventually . Where there is life, there will be death . To attain immortality is, therefore, to go against the natural order of things .
"
"So?
"
"So . . .
" Zi Yuan stared at Li Yundong pointedly .
"It is also part of the natural order for those who go against the natural order to suffer divine punishment .
"
"Okay?
" Li Yundong narrowed his eyes .
"But what does that have to do with the Zhuji phase?
"
Zi Yuan's expression suddenly turned pensive, like she was thinking hard about something .
Li Yundong flicked a quick glance at Su Chan, who, much to his surprise, was staring at Zi Yuan reverently .
After a while, Zi Yuan lips began to move . She raised her right hand and wiggled her fingers . Green tendrils emerged from her fingertips .
Li Yundong tensed up instantly .
"What are you doing?
" he said, moving in to shield Su Chan with his body .
Zi Yuan finished the incantation and gave him a look of amusement .
"You really have to start getting used to the idea that I'm on your side .
"
Su Chan patted Li Yundong's shoulder from behind .
"Relax, Yundong . That's just a projection spell . It's completely harmless .
"
Li Yundong glanced at Su Chan briefly, then shot a wary look at Zi Yuan .
Zi Yuan sighed .
"Look over here .
" Zi Yuan flicked her fingers . The green tendrils danced and weaved in the air until they formed some kind of holographic image—two human figures standing on a flat surface .
"Okay . . . ?
"
"Imagine a simple world consisting of only two mortals . The flat surface represents the earth, and . . .
" Zi Yuan flicked her fingers again . A round sphere formed around the flat surface .
"The sphere is the boundary of the sky, which represents the Heavens .
"
Li Yundong stared at the image .
"Right . So the whole point of Cultivation is to reach to the sky? To get closer to the Heavens and unite with the Tao?
"
Zi Yuan nodded .
"Very good . So you get the basic idea of the analogy . Now let's move on .
" Zi Yuan waved her hand again . The image morphed into an enlarge view of the two human shape figures .
"To be closer to the Heavens, you have to be closer to the sky . Now . What do you think these two mortals have do to get closer to the sky using just their bodies?
"
"Without any tools?
" Li Yundong asked .
Zi Yuan nodded .
"Without any tools .
"
"Umm . . . jump?
" Li Yundong ventured a guess .
Zi Yuan shrugged .
"But you'll fall . It won't be permanent .
"
"Grow taller . . .
" Su Chan answered .
Zi Yuan nodded .
"That's correct .
" She flicked her hand, and the two human-shaped figures began to elongate .
"When you develop the three fundamental components of life (the Three Treasures), you'll get slightly closer to the Heavens . In terms of the analogy, you will grow taller . And when you do, you'll be able see the sky a bit better .
" Zi Yuan paused to give Li Yundong a look .
"By the way, in case you haven't figured it out already, this growing taller stage refers to the first three phases of Cultivation—the Sutai, Lianqi, and Ningshen phases . These phases develop the Essence, Qi, and Spirit separately .
"
Li Yundong nodded .
"Right .
"
The holographic image changed back to the one with the flat surface and the sphere .
"However, there is a limit to how tall you can grow .
" Zi Yuan wiggled her fingers again . The two human-shaped figures on the flat surface elongated for a moment until the elongation process slowed to a stop .
"More has to be done to reach greater heights .
" Zi Yuan stared at Li Yundong .
"This is where the Zhuji phase comes in .
" Zi Yuan flicked her hand, and all of a sudden, a building appeared under each human-shaped figure .
"To reach the Heavens, you need a structure—or in terms of the analogy, a building—for you to stand on . And the Zhuji phase is basically the process of establishing the foundation of that building or structure .
"
Li Yundong's mind raced .
"So the Heavenly Thunder can only reach those standing on top of buildings . . .
"
"Indeed . And . . .
" Zi Yuan waved her hand . The two buildings begun to stretch towards the sky .
"As you advance through the phases of Cultivation . . .
"
"You're making your building taller . . .
" Li Yundong said .
Zi Yuan nodded .
"By building on top of the foundational structure obtained during the Zhuji phase .
"
"And the taller your building is, the more likely it is for you to be struck by lightning . . .
" Su Chan added .
Zi Yuan smirked .
"Correct . And as a matter of fact . . .
" Zi Yuan arched a brow .
"Surviving the Heavenly Thunder is what the 8th phase of Cultivation is all about .
"
"The Lightning Retribution phase . . .
" Su Chan whispered .
The holographic image changed again . A thin film appeared slightly below the surface of the sphere .
"Like I said, Cultivation itself is against the natural order of things . So there comes a point in one's Cultivation journey where it would be impossible to move forward without experiencing divine punishment .
" The two holographic buildings kept rising until they stopped just under the thin film .
"There are only two possible outcomes . . .
" The building on the left breached the film . Bolts of—holographic—lightning extended from the surface of the sphere and struck the top of the building . When the building remained intact after nine successive strikes, it kept extending beyond the film until its top merged with the surface of the sphere, after which it glowed brightly .
"If you can survive the wrath of the Heavens, you'll achieve transcendence . On the other hand . . .
" When the building on the right pushed beyond the boundary, it crumbled after one of the bolts struck its top .
"Failure would lead to the total annihilation of one's soul .
" The holograms vanished after a final wave of Zi Yuan's hand .
Li Yundong met Zi Yuan's gaze steadily .
"This is a good analogy and all that . But how does it actually work? I mean, surely the Heavens must have some kind of way to pinpoint which Cultivator to strike?
" Li Yundong raised his brows .
"How, for instance, can the Heavens tell between a person who has passed the Zhuji phase and someone who hasn't?
"
"The Vital Orb . . .
" Su Chan answered .
"That's correct,
" Zi Yuan said with a nod .
"The presence of the Vital Orb is what separates a person who has passed the Zhuji phase from those who haven't . Without the Vital Orb inside your body, the Heavens would never be able to pinpoint you .
"
The penny dropped .
"The buildings . . .
" Li Yundong looked towards Zi Yuan .
"In the analogy, the buildings represent Vital Orbs . . .
"
"Yes .
"
"Yundong . . . Let's forget about the Zhuji phase, okay?
" Su Chan shook his arm .
"You don't have to pass the Zhuji phase! We . . . We can go to a place where nobody can find us and . . . and live a happy life together!
"
Li Yundong gave her a sad smile .
"And then become virgins for the rest of our lives?
" He chuckled .
"Is that what you want?
"
A blush bloomed on Su Chan's cheeks .
"M- Meanie! H- How can you be t- thinking about . . . about that at a time like this!!
"
The sound of a throat clearing interrupted their banter . Li Yundong looked away from Su Chan and found Zi Yuan staring back at him with a guarded expression .
"Well . . .
" Zi Yuan cleared her throat again .
"If you don't pass the Zhuji phase, you'll be able to live out the rest of your lives peacefully . But . . .
" Zi Yuan sighed .
"It also means that your Cultivation journey ends here . . .
"
"It's okay, Yundong! This is a perfect plan! You can forget about passing the Zhuji phase! We can—
"
"Is that all the Zhengyi School is capable of? Coming up with silly ideas?
" A new voice sounded out of nowhere .
What the hell…?
Li Yundong glanced around to locate the source of the voice . The voice had been cold, haughty, and most definitely feminine . But he didn't see any woman around, present company excepted .
An eerie silence descended upon the field . Then, Li Yundong noticed a frown marring Zi Yuan's features . She was also looking past his shoulder at something .
Li Yundong turned around and squinted through the darkness .
He realized then that Zi Yuan was staring at the woods, but nobody was there . Frowning, Li Yundong turned back around . Just as Li Yundong was about to ask Zi Yuan what she was staring at, the voice sounded again .
"Looks like the standards of the Zhengyi School hasn't risen at all even after all these years . . . What a disappointment .
"
A look of recognition formed on Zi Yuan's face .
"No . . . No… It can't be . . .
" she whispered .
"What is it, Elder Sis—
" Ruan Hongling gasped, then pointed a shaky finger at something behind Li Yundong .
"T- That sword . . .
"
Li Yundong turned around abruptly . Sword? What swo—
A thin strip of white light shone through the darkness of the woods . Seconds later, an object burst through the dark foliage and stabbed itself into the ground . The thin object glowed brighter and brighter until it became so dazzling that Li Yundong had to shield his eyes with his hands . Moments later, the glow waned, and Li Yundong slowly lowered his hands from his eyes .
There in front of him stood a beautiful sword about three feet long .
"Yes, Hongling . This is the same sword Master used to carve the prophecy on the Obelisk of Fengchen ten years ago . . .
"
The word prophecy did ring a bell, but not Obelisk of Fengchen . Li Yundong shot Zi Yuan a questioning look . However, Zi Yuan appeared to be too engrossed with the sword's presence to notice his questioning gaze .
"B- But that's Master's sword!
" Ruan Hongling tugged Zi Yuan's arms .
"How come it's here? And who on earth is wielding it?
"
Zi Yuan sighed and pointed at something past Li Yundong's shoulder .
"Look . . .
"
Li Yundong looked over his shoulder and nearly got the fright of his life . When the heck did she…?
Standing on the hilt of the sword was a beautiful woman with long, straight hair . Then, Li Yundong felt a trembling beside him . Su Chan . Li Yundong looked sideways and saw Su Chan staring at the woman with tears streaking down her cheeks .
Something tugged inside his chest .
"Hey, what's wro—
"
Su Chan was up on her feet before Li Yundong could even finish his sentence .
"Hey! Where do you think you're going?!
"
Su Chan ignored him and kept running towards the woman standing on the sword .
"Master!!! You're here! I can't believe you came back for Chan'er!!
"