The Eve of Parting (2)

"You don't seem it, but you're actually quite gentle."

Yan Meng had already left the academy after finishing the last sip of wine.

Within his heart, Bing Yu spoke to Bai Ye in a teasing tone.

Bai Ye could not help rolling his eyes. "If you say so."

"You have quite the personal charm, making that little fox say something like that." Bing Yu continued. She had watched Bai Ye grow up. Whatever Bai Ye knew about Yan Meng, she knew just as well. That little girl was not someone who would easily open her heart. If their separation had not been so close at hand, she probably would never have said such things.

"What exactly do you think of her?"

"Every word I said was the truth." Bai Ye raised his head and looked at the bright moon in the sky. "The road in this world is long. If she can keep up, it would not be a bad thing."

"Speaking of which..."

Bai Ye suddenly remembered something.

"Just how much longer until you hatch? At this rate, I'm going to surpass you in cultivation."

"What? Am I getting on your nerves?"

"Not really. I'm just worried you'll feel unbalanced when you come out."

He was already a Third Grade Supreme. Next would come the Fourth Grade, Fifth Grade, and onward until Earth Supreme. The more his realm rose, the more he could feel just how formidable the Ice Spirit Clan's ancestral vein truly was.

How should he put it? Perhaps before reaching Earth Supreme, he would encounter no bottlenecks whatsoever in advancing through the Spiritual Power Realm. All he lacked was time to accumulate spiritual power. If he wanted, he could swallow an entire Mustard Seed Bracelet's worth of pills in one go and perhaps rise straight to Ninth Grade Supreme.

Though that would leave his foundation unstable.

"My current state is actually due to constantly repairing the injuries left behind when I forcibly underwent Nirvana back then. That is why my progress seems so slow."

Bing Yu explained.

"Once all those hidden injuries are completely healed, I'll be able to break out of my shell at once. At that time, even across the entire Great Thousand World, I will be able to keep you safe."

"Who needs you to protect me?" Bai Ye could not help smiling. "I have plenty of ways to save my own life. Once you succeed in this Nirvana, I can take you straight into your ninth Nirvana."

The Emperor Crystal Ice Phoenix underwent Nine Revolutions of Nirvana. After nine revolutions, it would attain the Saint Rank.

Only then would Bing Yu's life truly begin.

"I heard that among the thirty-six peerless divine abilities of the Great Thousand World, there is one called the Nine Revolutions to Sainthood Art. Nine Nirvanas, nine reincarnations. Each one requires ten years of effort, and every Nirvana requires devouring the essence blood of a Super Divine Beast. After nine revolutions, one becomes a Saint Rank Heavenly Supreme."

Bai Ye asked, "It sounds quite similar to the Emperor Crystal Ice Phoenix's Nine Revolutions of Nirvana."

Bing Yu fell silent for a moment upon hearing that. "I know it."

Bai Ye tapped his head. "In Si Qingyu's memories, the Nine Revolutions to Sainthood Art had already appeared in her era."

"The Nine Revolutions to Sainthood Art..."

Bing Yu paused briefly, and what she said next revealed a shocking piece of information.

"The Nine Revolutions to Sainthood Art itself originated from the Emperor Crystal Ice Phoenix."

This matter involved an Ancient Secret of the Phoenix Clan.

Back then, although the Emperor Crystal Ice Phoenix bloodline was rare, it was not yet passed down through only a single line as it was now.

The moment an Emperor Crystal Ice Phoenix was born, it possessed the purest power of ice and snow in the world. Coupled with the bloodline of the Super Divine Beast True Huang within it, such a Super Divine Beast stood at the forefront of the Great Thousand World from birth.

Nine Revolutions of Nirvana was a cultivation method unique to the Emperor Crystal Ice Phoenix.

After nine revolutions, one could attain sainthood. What a heaven-defying talent that was.

At the time, the Emperor Crystal Ice Phoenix was also a member of the Phoenix Clan. In order to strengthen their clan's competitive power amid the chaotic Great Thousand World...

The ancestors of the Emperor Crystal Ice Phoenix joined forces with ancient experts of the True Huang and True Phoenix clans to study the secrets of the Emperor Crystal Ice Phoenix's Nine Revolutions of Nirvana. Since it was an innate gift of the Emperor Crystal Ice Phoenix, after trying many different methods, they discovered that if one devoured the essence blood of a Super Divine Beast after every Nirvana and then endured ten years of time, it was indeed possible to use external means to achieve sainthood after nine revolutions.

Becoming Saint Rank in ninety years—how heaven-defying was that?

Although this method imposed extremely harsh requirements on the practitioner's bloodline, that was no issue at all for the True Huang and True Phoenix clans. In the Great Thousand World, what clan could possibly possess a bloodline superior to theirs?

Thus, under such circumstances, the divine ability later ranked among the thirty-six peerless divine abilities—the Nine Revolutions to Sainthood Art—was born.

That was also the period when the Emperor Crystal Ice Phoenix and the Phoenix Clan shared their most harmonious relationship.

Later...

Perhaps the Emperor Crystal Ice Phoenix's talent was simply too exceptional. If such a heaven-defying existence was not punished by the heavens, then it was bound to draw the jealousy of all living beings.

No one knew from which generation onward, but the Emperor Crystal Ice Phoenix gradually separated from the Phoenix Clan. Slowly, their mutual dislike turned into enmity. After that, no matter how many powerful experts the Emperor Crystal Ice Phoenix had, its thinning bloodline was no match for the True Phoenix and True Huang clans.

Gradually, the number of Emperor Crystal Ice Phoenixes dwindled.

Then, beginning from some era, the Emperor Crystal Ice Phoenix seemed to have fallen under some kind of curse. Once it produced offspring, the mother Emperor Crystal Ice Phoenix's life force would dissipate at that very moment.

Thus, being passed down through a single line became the fate of the Emperor Crystal Ice Phoenix clan.

Across the entire Great Thousand World, two Emperor Crystal Ice Phoenixes could never exist at the same time.

It was much like the practitioners of the Yan Tian Scripture.

"No wonder you hate phoenixes so much."

When he had first met Bing Yu, she had told him not to compare her to disgusting things like phoenixes.

Back then, Bing Yu had not even wanted to hide her disgust toward the Phoenix Clan.

Now, it seemed there truly was a reason for it.

This part of the Phoenix Clan's history had not appeared in Si Qingyu's inherited memories. Bing Yu's explanation had given him new knowledge as well.

Only...

"Looks like I'll have to add the Phoenix Clan to the list of enemies too."

The Ice Spirit Ancestral Vein and the Emperor Crystal Ice Phoenix were inseparably connected. Bing Yu's affairs were his affairs.

"What? Are you afraid?"

Bing Yu asked lightly.

"Afraid my ass."

The corners of Bai Ye's lips curved upward.

So what if they were one of the Great Thousand World's supreme giants?

The Ancient Buddha Clan was already standing in his way, the Ice Spirit Clan's attitude remained unclear, and he was also the current inheritor of the Yan Tian Scripture.

All sorts of karma had long since been placed upon him.

One more Phoenix Clan made no difference.

"That's truly a pity."

Bing Yu said regretfully.

She had wanted so badly to see what Bai Ye looked like when he was afraid. That expression would surely be very interesting.

Just as Bai Ye curled his lips, indicating that he was speechless, Bing Yu's voice rang out again.

"The person you've been waiting for is here. I won't disturb you two."

After saying that, her voice vanished without a trace. Bai Ye's inner world instantly fell silent, as though this conversation had never happened.

Bai Ye turned around. At some point, Ling Xi had appeared behind him, looking at him with gentle eyes.

A natural smile appeared on Bai Ye's face. "Elder Sister."

Ling Xi nodded and stepped forward.

"Finished talking with Bing Yu?"

She had been here for a while, but from Bai Ye's expression, she knew he was talking with Bing Yu inside his body, so she had not come over to disturb him.

Bai Ye nodded. "She told me a story."

That was right, it was merely a story. Even though the only Emperor Crystal Ice Phoenix in the world resided within him, the grudges between the Phoenix Clan and the Emperor Crystal Ice Phoenix had happened millions of years ago. He could remember the hatred and resentment, but that history no longer had anything to do with this era.

"It seems that story did not make you very happy."

Ling Xi looked at him for several seconds before speaking softly.

Fine, there truly was nothing he could hide from Ling Xi's eyes.

"I just... empathized with it a little."

Bai Ye thought about it before giving his reason.

"Of course, only a little. Really, just a little."

As the holder of the Ice Spirit Ancestral Vein and the current inheritor of the Yan Tian Scripture, he merely had some feelings about the words "the only one."

He thought he understood why ancestral vein holders and Emperor Crystal Ice Phoenixes had formed this kind of Harmonious Fusion relationship. Perhaps this was what it meant to share the same affliction.

Ling Xi said nothing. She merely reached out and rubbed Bai Ye's head.

Bai Ye was slightly stunned. "I'm really not that upset. I'm only a little unhappy."

"I know." Ling Xi's hand did not stop. "I just wanted to rub your head."

"..."

Fine.

Whatever you say.

"Have you decided when to leave?"

Ling Xi asked.

She had been making her own Thousand Mile Talismans these past few days, so she truly had not asked Bai Ye about it.

"We've lingered in Scarlet Sun City for quite some time. If we delay any longer, we may not make it to the Great Thousand Palace in time." Bai Ye thought for a moment before answering directly. "Tomorrow."

"Alright."

Ling Xi's movements remained gentle. She did not say anything like, "You can stay a few more days."

Parting was what she and Bai Ye hated most, but unlike the separation nine years ago, they would not lose one another where they stood this time. Separation was for the sake of reunion. She knew where he was, and that alone was enough to bring incomparable peace of mind.

Besides, was that not exactly why Bai Ye had prepared the Thousand Mile Talismans?

Ling Xi stopped stroking his head. She gently placed her hand atop Bai Ye's head and pressed down slightly.

"Elder Sister?"

Confusion appeared in Bai Ye's eyes.

Then, in the next instant, their faces slowly drew closer.

Beneath the moonlight, two silhouettes overlapped.

"Don't worry. I'll safely deliver her to Azure Spirit Island."

Chi Xin was no longer dressed in her bright-red matron's attire. Instead, she wore blood-red battle armor, and her formerly seductive, enchanting aura instantly became heroic and valiant.

She turned to Yi Yin, who had come to see them off beside her. "After I leave, Yi Yin, take charge of Scarlet Sun City's City Lord's seal for now. When that scruffy fellow returns, hand it back to him."

"I understand."

Yi Yin nodded.

There was actually another Earth Supreme expert guarding Scarlet Sun City, but that person did not belong to the City Lord's lineage. For Scarlet Sun City, which had long been controlled by the City Lord's Mansion, that person was not worthy of trust.

Thus, while Lin Yi was absent, Chi Xin took charge. With Chi Xin leaving as well, this matter could only be entrusted to Yi Yin.

Ling Xi and Bai Ye stood to one side, not joining the conversation as they whispered about something unknown.

In Bai Ye's arms was the still-sleeping Xue Liuli.

This little white cat had truly exhausted itself these past few days and still had not awakened from its slumber.

However, according to Bing Yu, being exhausted meant it had profited.

The Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures Bai Ye had fed it were among the finest even in the entire Great Thousand World. This white cat had absorbed so much spiritual energy at once, then consumed it at a rapid pace.

After this cycle of absorption and expenditure, Xue Liuli's realm would likely rise noticeably once it woke up.

That could be considered its reward for all its hard work during this period.

"Are you sure you don't want to bring her? When cultivating alone, you should always have someone to talk to, otherwise it can feel lonely."

Bai Ye adjusted Xue Liuli in his arms and spoke to Ling Xi.

"I'm not bringing her. I can't give her what she wants, and she would not be willing to stay by my side anyway." Ling Xi shook her head. "Besides, with Aunt Jing's spirit body and your Thousand Mile Talismans, how could I be bored?"

Of course, even without those things, Ling Xi would not have minded.

She liked quietness. A quiet environment made her feel calm.

"Fair enough."

Bai Ye nodded.

"Do you remember how to use the Thousand Mile Talisman?"

"I feel like you're testing a child." Ling Xi silently rolled her eyes. "I remember. Once I crush one, you'll sense it on your end. Then, as long as you crush one of my Thousand Mile Talismans as well, we can talk."

That was right. Thousand Mile Talismans had to be held by both sides. If only one party had them, they could not converse face-to-face.

Bai Ye nodded.

"Then the map of Azure Spirit Island..."

"I memorized it."

"Aunt Jing's seal..."

"No problem."

"And..."

"There is no 'and.'" Ling Xi lightly poked Bai Ye's forehead with a jade-like finger. "You're so naggy. It doesn't suit your image at all."

Bai Ye gave a carefree smile. "Wait for me to come get you."

"Maybe I'll be the one coming to get you."

Ling Xi smiled as well.

The two quietly looked at each other for several seconds before noticing Chi Xin waving to them from the other side.

"I'm leaving."

Ling Xi said lightly.

"Mm."

Bai Ye nodded and said nothing more.

With a flash, Ling Xi appeared beside Chi Xin. Chi Xin stepped into the Teleportation Spirit Array first, with Ling Xi following behind. But just as Ling Xi was about to enter, she suddenly turned around and looked at Bai Ye.

"See you in one second."

"See you in one second."

Bai Ye immediately replied.

Then the light completely swallowed Ling Xi, and their figures vanished from where they stood.

Yi Yin stood beside Bai Ye and asked in confusion, "What does 'see you in one second' mean?"

Bai Ye withdrew his gaze and silently took out Ling Xi's Thousand Mile Talisman from his Mustard Seed Bracelet.

The Thousand Mile Talisman's first ultra-long-distance test had begun.