Chapter Fifty-Four: The Misfortune of Zi Yan

Peach blossoms were meant to bloom in spring, yet here, outside a humble farmhouse unseen by the world, they blossomed in breathtaking solitude.

Blushing petals drifted down, brushing gently against Xu Xing’s cheek, as soft as feathers.

“Mountains and rivers fill the eyes, but longing for the distant is empty—better to cherish the one before you. Xu Xing, treasure the one beside you,” Kong Mo said, lifting his hand to catch several falling petals, his words carrying a quiet understanding.

These words sparked Xu Xing’s curiosity. He watched as Kong Mo seemed captivated by the unique atmosphere, and although Xu Xing felt it was almost rude to interrupt, he swallowed and spoke anyway, “Hey, old man, are you telling me to cherish you? I’m not interested in men.”

“Turn around and you’ll see,” Kong Mo replied.

Xu Xing turned. The wind played among the peach blossoms, and through the perfect scatter of petals, he caught sight of Zi Yan’s face.

At that moment, even the peach blossoms paled beside her; it was as if their blooming only had meaning because she was there.

“Senior sister, weren’t you sleeping? Why are you awake…” Xu Xing asked, realizing as he turned back that Kong Mo had already vanished, faded into the realm of peach blossoms.

“Oh, I woke up early. Grandfather was still asleep, and since I love peach blossoms, I wandered over here. I thought you were napping too, so I didn’t disturb you. I never thought we’d meet by chance like this.” Zi Yan avoided Xu Xing’s gaze, her cheeks flushing, and looked down as she answered.

This was the first time—Xu Xing had never seen his senior sister so shy before. She was always poised, never bashful, and now she resembled a shy mimosa. Perhaps this was why his sister-in-law kept mimosas at home, always wishing to preserve that sense of mystery with his elder brother.

“Ah, yes, what a coincidence…”

Within the Peach Blossom Spring, the two fell silent. Outside, two old men sat chatting on the farmhouse’s porch.

“Look at those two kids, what’s there to be shy about? Xu Xing is hopeless—after all this time, he still hasn’t made a move, not even dared to hold her hand,” Kong Mo grumbled, baring his teeth, full of disdain.

Zhang Sanqing snorted with impatience, cursing, “That rascal! We handed him such a perfect opportunity and he still can’t see Zi Yan’s feelings? If it were me, I’d have my pants on already.”

“Hey, Sanqing, what do you mean by that? She’s your granddaughter.”

“I’m only trying to encourage him! He acts like a turtle hiding in its shell.”

The wind gradually stilled. Most of the peach blossoms had scattered, painting the yellow earth with a delicate blush.

The two walked on in silence—Zi Yan admiring the falling petals, Xu Xing watching her instead.

Suddenly, the decayed piece of wood at Xu Xing’s waist began to vibrate. He took it out and, to his astonishment, a blade of green grass had sprouted from it, standing firm and proud.

Xu Xing was shocked. Kong Mo had just explained that after passing the first trial, a reward would follow. Was this little blade of grass the prize?

Sensing the purity of its spiritual energy, Xu Xing was astonished—it brimmed with the essence of heaven and earth.

Just then, it occurred to him that Zi Yan had lost all her spiritual power due to the invasion of the Dissolving Spirit Orb. Wouldn’t this grass restore her cultivation?

Without hesitation, Xu Xing spoke, “Senior sister, may I give you this grass?”

“What? Junior brother, I don’t understand what you mean.” Zi Yan, walking ahead, stopped abruptly.

“I said, may I give you this grass? If you eat it, you’ll surely restore your spiritual power,” Xu Xing replied, stepping in front of her and plucking the grass from the rotten wood.

“What would I want with grass?” Zi Yan asked, dumbfounded by Xu Xing’s cheerful expression.

In an instant, the air was swept by a wild wind. The petals carpeting the ground whirled together, forming a dragon of blossoms.

A surge of immense spiritual energy radiated from the rotten wood and gathered upon the grass.

The blade of grass began to glow, a faint, rainbow-hued aura swirling around it, dewdrops clinging to its slender stalk.

From the distant farmhouse, the two old men watched Xu Xing and Zi Yan, grinning crookedly with delight.

“Well, would you look at that! The boy’s got some romance in him after all—summoning a dragon of petals. I was never that suave in my youth. What do you think, Sanqing?” Kong Mo mused, stroking his beard and sipping wine.

“I told you he’s not ordinary. Wait, that blade of grass in his hand looks oddly familiar…” Zhang Sanqing muttered.

“What grass?” asked Kong Mo, distracted by the spectacle of the petal dragon.

“See for yourself.”

“Oh no. This is bad!” Kong Mo exclaimed.

The two vanished in a flash of light.

A drop of water fell from the farmhouse eaves; before it touched the ground, the old men had already appeared beside Xu Xing.

From the grass growing from the rotten wood, a jet of dark green light shot forth, flowing into Zi Yan’s seated body.

In that instant, Zi Yan resembled a celestial maiden fallen to earth, her every breath captivating.

Seeing the elders arrive, Xu Xing smiled. “Ah, you’re here! I just discovered this grass sprouted—it’s filled with spiritual energy, so I let Senior Sister Zi Yan absorb it.”

Kong Mo rapped Xu Xing on the head, making him dizzy. Had he done something wrong?

A glance at their faces revealed their anxious eyes fixed on Zi Yan, worry etched deeply.

It seemed his well-intentioned act had gone awry.

Kong Mo and Zhang Sanqing performed a sequence of gestures Xu Xing couldn’t decipher.

Their bodies turned somewhat transparent, revealing organs pulsing within. From their abdomens, stomachs, and minds, streams of spiritual energy flowed out.

Their combined strength formed an unstoppable pillar of red spiritual power.

This red energy entered Zi Yan, and instantly, two auras—one red, one green—separated inside her body.

“Kong Mo, what’s happening? Please, tell me!” Xu Xing pleaded, his voice trembling with worry, knowing now that he’d erred.

The two elders remained locked in their exertion, channeling their immense spiritual power.

After a brief moment, Zhang Sanqing, who was weaker than Kong Mo, spat a mouthful of blood, staining the sky, and was flung thirty yards back, crashing into the peach grove.

Only Kong Mo remained, straining with veins bulging, sweat pouring, his face flushed crimson.

Dark clouds rolled overhead, as if a dreadful calamity was about to descend.

“Xu Xing, this is all your doing! Zi Yan is just an ordinary girl—why would you give her the Hundred-Year Grass, which only those of the Cursed Clan can withstand, with its pure spiritual roots? What were you thinking? Do you want her dead?” Kong Mo roared through clenched teeth.

“I truly didn’t know! What do we do now?” Xu Xing replied, his voice small and fearful.

Zi Yan’s features began to change, as if another presence was slowly taking control of her body.

Blood-red tears streamed from the corners of her eyes as she and Kong Mo remained locked in a deadly standoff. Neither could overpower the other. Zi Yan cried out in agony, “I must find my husband! Out of my way!”

An overwhelming power exploded from within her, forcing even the mighty Kong Mo to cough blood uncontrollably.

“Xu Xing, take her and leave at once! Remember, every half moon, you must condense your own lifeblood and have Zi Yan take it. This is beyond us now—you must find a divine healer quickly. There’s someone inside her trying to seize her body! Hold her and go—you carry the Sin-Blood that can restrain her!” Kong Mo shouted, blood pouring from his mouth.

At that moment, he tossed out an ancient scroll. As it unfurled, countless spectral runes and symbols burst forth, swirling together to form a vast, yellowed door.

“Go! Hurry! If you delay, she’ll be completely assimilated!”

Xu Xing struggled to his feet, the force radiating from Zi Yan nearly unbearable.

Every step closer felt like ten thousand blades flaying his bones, the air around her growing ever hotter.

Step by agonizing step, Xu Xing fell and rose again, until his clothes burned to ash and his body was a mass of wounds, white bones gleaming.

At last, just as he reached her, Xu Xing summoned the last of his strength and embraced the still-struggling Zi Yan. A golden light burst from his body, enveloping her as she screamed.

Clinging to her, Xu Xing plunged through the portal.

On the other side of the gate, their destination was unknown.