Chapter 387 - Fog-shrouded Forest (1/2)
Multi-colored sunlight erupted from the southwestern side of the mountain range, with countless white rays of light beaming from within and illuminating the horizon. Inside those pillars of light were faint, flickering, and constantly transforming rays of light in seven colors. It was a breathtaking sight.
The twenty or so pursuers from the Corpse Refinery Sect stared at the unnatural phenomena taking place in the southwest direction, dumbstruck. They seemed to have forgotten Xiao Chen and Su Lianyue altogether. One of them said, “The extraordinary treasure is born! Hurry, return to the sect and inform the Elders!”
The rest said little after recovering their senses. Without even sparing Xiao Chen and Su Lianyue a glance, they hastily flew back to their Sect on their swords.
Staring at the flickering seven-colored lights above the mountain range, Xiao Chen was suddenly felt dazzled. “Let’s go and have a look!”
The two of them returned to the tall precipice from before. This time, without green hills to obscure their vision, they were able to see everything at a glance. The seven-colored rays of light were flickering incessantly while faint strange noises were emerging from below the mountain range. This continued for about fifteen minutes until the multi-colored light gradually faded.
The sky regained its calm as if nothing had happened and sank into a death-like stillness. However, such a massive display of unnatural phenomenon surely wouldn’t escape notice. The countless cultivators on the Miasma Mountain Range must be making their way over where the phenomenon took place—Ghost-wailing Hill.
Xiao Chen and Su Lianyue stood tall over the cliff. Under the moon and the stars, their clothes fluttered in the wind. Xiao Chen clasped his hands behind his back as he gazed upon the mountain range in contemplation. Su Lianyue walked up to him. “What’s wrong? Are you planning to join the fun as well?”
“No hurry. Let’s wait for them to finish fighting it out. Seven Killings and Yi Yeqiu must be watching them in secret, waiting to steal the treasure at the right time.”
Su Lianyue smiled sweetly. “You’re wise, Young Master.”
“Besides, the Corpse Refinery Sect still hasn’t made any move yet…”
The cold wind coursed through the night. The two of them returned to the cave, where fragrance was still lingering. Xiao Chen sat in meditation at the cave’s entrance for a long time while Su Lianyue returned to her previous lovely, enchanting self. She said sonorously, “It’s so deep into the night that even the birds and the beasts are in slumber. Young Master, aren’t you going to rest?”
Xiao Chen’s eyes remained closed. He didn’t answer. Su Lianyue added, “Don’t worry, Young Master. When you wake up tomorrow, the extraordinary treasure is as good as yours.”
Xiao Chen opened his eyes and turned around to look at her. “Is that so?”
Su Lianyue yawned and shook her hand. “Forget it. I’m sleepy even if you aren’t. Wake me up tomorrow.”
“Aren’t you worried that I’d kill you?”
Su Lianyue was already lying on a clean slab of stone but sat back up when she heard this question. She smiled rather helplessly. “You’re such a weirdo. It’s one thing for you to be wary about everyone, but why do you ask that everyone else be wary about you? Besides, why would you kill me?”
Xiao Chen turned away from her and inhaled the cold air. Su Lianyue laughed when she saw that he couldn’t answer. “Rather than being wary about everyone, why don’t you trust people more? Don’t you find it exhausting otherwise?”
“I once trusted someone with my life, but that person pushed me to a place of eternal damnation.”
The moment the words left his mouth, the final flame in the cave was snuffed out and their surroundings sank into pitch-black darkness. The two of them didn’t speak anymore.
At daybreak the next day, the sunshine filtering into the cave lent it a rather lively atmosphere. The croaking of frogs rang out around them and birdsongs filled the air. Xiao Chen had spent the night meditating. The dew that collected on his hair weaved the damp strands together. Suddenly, he heard a soft voice calling him. “Young Master, are you up?”
Xiao Chen opened his eyes. Su Lianyue was right in front of him, holding several vermilion-colored wild fruits in hand. Her purple dress fluttered in the wind. Her exposed wrists were as pale as snow. Under the sunshine, she seemed to be cast in a purple halo. It made her look even more enchanting. Who could have imagined this beautiful lady would be a famous figure in the Devil’s Practice who killed without blinking.
“Here, it’s freshly plucked.” Seeing him stare at her without blinking, Su Lianyue handed him a fruit.
Stunned, Xiao Chen coughed once upon realizing his lapse in manners. “Thank you,” he said. Except these words startled him even more. To disguise his awkwardness, he stood up and stared in the direction of the unnatural phenomenon yesterday.
“What’s wrong? Are you worried that it’s poisoned?” Su Lianyue retrieved her hand when he didn’t take the fruit. She placed it to the corner of her mouth and took a bite. She chewed it several times and then swallowed it, all while staring at his face.
Xiao Chen coughed. “Not hungry,” he said, but just then, his stomach began to rumble. Su Lianyue burst into laughter and handed him the fruit again. “Take it. Consider it repayment for your roasted goose yesterday, so we don’t owe each other anything. I don’t want to feel guilty if we happen to fight in the future.”
Xiao Chen stared at her, thinking that her eyes were particularly soft and gentle. It was rather charming. Su Lianyue raised her hand. “Hmm?” Xiao Chen took the fruit from her and was about to bite it when he noticed her staring at him. He put down the fruit and asked, “Why are you staring at me?”
She chuckled and turned her head, staring at the range upon range of mountains instead. When Xiao Chen finished eating the fruit, Su Lianyue chuckled. She was about to say something when he motioned for her to be quiet.