58 A Nasty Little Joke of Epic Proportions 2 (1/2)

”This… how long has it been?”

A hoarse voice echoed within the interior of the corridor as a naked youth stared at the crystal wall, the pair of violet irises glazed over in thought. The visually stunning reflection provided by the sky-blue crystal's surface, and most notably the discrepancy between the image presented and his recollection, caused the youth to fall into a moment of pensiveness.

”Heart Crystal Stone… It's been too long… I can't seem to exactly remember,” the youth whispered to himself, the fingers of his right hand reaching upward to stroke his chin.

”The bone density… my appearance has been reverted to that of a youth? How... quaint.”

The youth staring back at him could only be described as handsome and dangerous. Fair skinned, smooth skin, and with a thin but muscular body structure.

The jawline tapered at his chin, the thin eyebrows and lips reflected an eternal painting of calmness and resolution. Combined with the naturally exuded demeanor of iciness and indifference, the reflected appearance was indeed capable of wading through a sea of flowers, killing without a single whit in the world.

However, the pair of violet irises reflected a deep nonchalance and amusement, a cold gleam resurfacing after having been ruthlessly suppressed for an uncountable amount of years.

Perhaps he had kept track within his mind, or he just didn't bother to care.

Looking down at his exposed body, the youth lightly sighed, before sweeping his right arm to his side. A dense, violet light exploded from his body, spreading to cover the youth from the collarbone to his toes.

When the light had receded, the youth was no longer naked and exposed, but dressed in a swordsman's robe, the fabric a plain and uniform violet. Lines of embroidered gold silk ran down the youth's sleeves and collar, the overall appearance radiating a peaceful and tranquil aura compared to the cold indifference exuded moments earlier.

”Oh? Isn't it Esteemed Immortal Dongfang?”

A lighthearted and joking voice suddenly rang from behind the youth, causing the latter to raise an eyebrow in mock surprise. Turning around, the youth surnamed Dongfang discovered a young male dressed in a scarlet robe displaying an excited smile on his countenance.

”Esteemed Immortal Deng indeed likes to take his time,” the youth named Dongfang smilingly greeted, the faint mockery within his voice evident.

The immortal surnamed Deng merely chuckled, before gesturing towards the remaining clouds of light that had yet to fully manifest.

”Look at them,” he laughed with an expression of gloating. ”Not even that prided Mu Rong Yuan has even coalesced a physical manifestation after so much time had passed.”

”They are the ones taking their sweet time, not this Immortal. My dear Brother Dongfang Yu, must you label me with such an unpleasant hat?”

To the casual complaint issued by the scarlet-robed youth, Dongfang Yu displayed a small smile, the violet orbs fixated on the others' robe.

”You seem to have forgotten that a four-clawed dragon brings bad luck,” the youth chuckled with narrowed eyes.

”Deng Lan, are you trying to curse yourself into failure before you even take the first step?”

”Huh?”

Deng Lan tilted his head in confusion, his gaze slowly guided by Dongfang Yu's persistent gaze until it landed on the numerous inscriptions of mythical animals on the scarlet silk.

”There's a couple phoenixes and lustrous luans…” the youth casually made up an excuse as he averted his eyes. ”My luck shouldn't be affected that badly-”

”Of course it will!” Dongfang Yu smirked. ”Have you forgotten the consequences of negligence since the last incident?”

”...you're right, you're always right, that acceptable to you?”

Deng Lan threw up his hands as he glared towards Dongfang Yu to shush the gloating immortal, before turning and resting his back against a nearby monolith. Leaning against the cool, soft surface of the sky-blue crystal, the youth began to pick at his robe, slowly but surely beginning to repair the visual affront caused by the four-clawed dragons.

Dongfang Yu similarly leaned back against an adjacent monolith, resting his head against the rectangular pillar of solitude. Closing his eyes, the youth prepared to explore through his memories whilst waiting for the others to emerge.

”Tch. Elder Brother and Deng Lan are always the fastest at everything,” a bitter voice aroused the two resting immortals from their thoughts.

”And here I thought after achieving a breakthrough, I could close that gap by a little.”

Opening his eyes and looking up, Dongfang Yu found four figures standing before him. Three adopted the appearance of a youth, whilst one took on the persona of a destitute old man.