Chapter 1020: Allowing her one bou (2/2)

The phoenix energy burned through her body, almost scorching her soul to nothingness. All of the pain was concentrated at her back in the location of the phoenix wing birthmark. As the pain intensified, energy seemed to accumulate in the birthmark. The more pain she withstood, the stronger the power grew. This was a brand new strength from the Trial of Alunite!

Would she succeed as long as she allowed the energy to grow? Just how much pain was she supposed to bear for three days and three nights? Could she take it all on at once?

I’ll give it my all and risk a gamble!

Han Yunxi abruptly opened her eyes and saw a very familiar face right in front of her. That mesmerizing visage made her break into a smile.

Long Feiye, as long as I see you, I can bear anything--even if the sky falls down, much less some paltry phoenix’s power!

Long Feiye never expected Han Yunxi to open her eyes, to say nothing of her smile. He gave a start and stared at her dumbly, clueless about her thoughts. Still, his heart ached before he smiled back.

Abruptly, Han Yunxi released all her resistance and protected herself with internal energy to shield against the scorching heat of the phoenix energy. At the same time, scalding flames assaulted her form and swallowed it whole! Where Long Feiye could see her before, she was now completely lost to the sea of flames.

How could this be?

Had the phoenix energy caused a recoil?

“Yunxi!” Long Feiye thought he could stay cool until the end, but in this moment he lost all rationality. Like a madman, he threw himself at the flames, but they abruptly fell towards the ground. He chased them to the floor and caught a glimpse of Han Yunxi within them. Unlike her levitating form, she was looking in a sorry state, curled up in a ball as her body shuddered uncontrollably!

Long Feiye crashed to the ground and tried to crawl to his feet, but soon toppled over again. The Lustbite energy had lost all inhibitions within his body. Ignoring all that, he struggled to his feet--then crashed to his knees again and spat up a big mouthful of blood.

Even Gu Qishao had lost his mind. He was currently flying at the flaming inferno nonstop, but was thrown back every time. Pill Furnace Master had no idea what was going on and only grew frightened at their actions. He even forgot his resentment as he tried to coax the two men. Still, neither of them paid him any attention. Despite being full-grown adults, both of them were acting like little children. Han Yunxi was no exception, stubbornly accepting all of the all-too-real pain. It felt like someone had set her muscles on fire and was burning away at her layers of skin until her very blood was boiling and her bones aflame. Even her soul seemed to be flaming away.[2]

She could even feel her bones aching and her soul ready to fly away. But she gripped the jade crystal bracelet on her wrist and held on. Gradually, however, her breathing grew labored as her consciousness turned hazy. The pain eventually ebbed away, leaving her with nothing but exhaustion. She suddenly wanted to fall asleep and didn’t even know why she was hanging on so hard for.

Suddenly, Gu Qishao’s familiar voice pierced her thoughts, shouting “Poison lass” over and over again. Then there was Gu Beiyue going, “Miss Yunxi...Miss Yunxi…”

Linger, little Yu’er, Ning Jing, Ning Cheng, and all the rest were all calling out for her, telling her not to sleep, never to sleep. She couldn’t fall asleep and die here! There were too many things waiting for her to do. There were too many people waiting for her to save them!

Where’s Long Feiye? Why can’t I hear him?

Long Feiye needs me even more than them!

Han Yunxi’s eyes flew open as she stood upright in the flames. She held her breath as she focused her thoughts on the birthmark on her back. In a flash, all of the pain returned and rushed towards that spot. This was agony, but also the phoenix energy! What was originally supposed to take three days and three nights was bore by Han Yunxi in a single shot. Once all of the energy entered through her back, the flames assembled into a large flaming phoenix that burrowed in through her birthmark and into her body.

“Ahh!” Han Yunxi shrieked wretchedly before toppling to the ground. The fire vanished, leaving everything at peace. Sprawled against the dirt, she laid with Gu Qishao staring at her on the right while Pill Furnace Master gaped from his position by the wall. Han Yunxi only felt a sluggish source of strength moving in her back. She had no idea whether she’d lost or gained the phoenix power. She only knew her blood and qi were counterflowing, so she had to start dual cultivation before everything was too late.

“Long Feiye!” Harried, she looked around but saw no sign of him.

Where’s Long Feiye?!

Before she could get up, arms wrapped around her from behind and pulled her into a familiar embrace.

“Han Yunxi, let me hold you for awhile. Just little while.”

1. Now this was a powerful line. The fact that it comes from the proud and powerful Long Feiye of all people makes it especially poignant.

2. I’m about to flame someone for these overly dramatic and elaborate descriptions. Work with me here, author!