Until Forever

Evolve by devouring Heavenly Flames?!

Hearing Yao Chen's words, Xiao Yan's heart suddenly tightened.

Xiao Yan clearly remembered Yao Chen telling him that she had endured countless hardships to absorb the Bone Spirit Cold Flame back then, barely succeeding only after narrowly escaping death.

Yet cultivating this Fen Jue meant he would have to endure several life-or-death ordeals before it could evolve further?

A trace of astonishment could not help appearing in Xiao Yan's eyes.

A Heaven-tier cultivation technique certainly sounded tempting, and even Xiao Yan could not help being moved.

But the process was simply too dangerous.

More importantly, Xiao Yan had no reason to risk his life, and he understood that clearly.

Yet deep down, Xiao Yan also vaguely understood that cultivating the Fen Jue might not matter to him, but it was very important to Yao Chen.

Otherwise, Yao Chen would not have brought up this cultivation technique to him.

Since this was the case, Xiao Yan had no need to hesitate.

"Elder Yao." Xiao Yan cupped his hands and solemnly bowed to Yao Chen. "This disciple is willing to cultivate the Fen Jue."

!!!!!

Xiao Yan's words left Yao Chen stunned, the rest of her words catching in her throat.

She believed that, given Xiao Yan's nature, there was a strong chance he would cultivate the Fen Jue for her sake.

But Yao Chen had never expected him to agree on his own before she had even clearly explained the dangers and benefits.

"Xiao Yan?! Won't you reconsider?" Yao Chen stared at him in astonishment, her tone turning somewhat urgent. "A cultivation technique is immensely important to your early-stage cultivation, and by my estimate, the chance of successfully cultivating this Fen Jue is less than twenty percent! Your life will be in danger at every moment as well!!!"

Cultivating the Fen Jue meant that he would have to endure the pain and danger of absorbing Heavenly Flames several times in the future! There was no way Xiao Yan did not understand that himself!

Gazing at Yao Chen in mid-air, her face filled with urgency, Xiao Yan smiled faintly. A gentle expression appeared on his face as he spoke softly yet with absolute resolve.

"Elder Yao, you need this disciple to cultivate the Fen Jue, don't you?"

"One must repay even a drop of kindness with a gushing spring, not to mention that Elder Yao has helped me and the Xiao Family so much. My abilities are still lacking, and the only way I can repay your kindness is by fulfilling this wish of yours."

"Therefore, cultivating the Fen Jue is my duty! No matter how arduous or dangerous the road ahead may be, this disciple will surely give everything he has to walk it to the end!"

Under Yao Chen's stunned gaze, Xiao Yan dropped to both knees, cupped his hands, and declared solemnly.

"I am your disciple, and you are my benefactor and teacher. This is only right!"

Gazing at Xiao Yan kneeling before her, Yao Chen slowly came back to her senses.

Her eye sockets could not help growing moist.

Yes, Xiao Yan was this kind of person.

At all times, he followed the righteous path and upheld it. More than anyone, he understood just how difficult the road ahead of him was.

Yet Xiao Yan still chose to press onward without hesitation.

Cultivating the Fen Jue would undoubtedly make his already obstacle-ridden future even more treacherous.

But so what?

If he did not repay this kindness, Xiao Yan's righteous path would become an empty illusion! Xiao Yan himself would look down on who he was!

There would never be the slightest regret in his heart over this decision!

"Honestly... get up already!" Yao Chen hurriedly waved her hand, glaring at Xiao Yan with mild reproach. "Making me cry—you really are an overly troublesome disciple. It seems I'll have to find a chance to teach you a proper lesson later!"

"I hope Elder Yao will show mercy."

Xiao Yan chuckled as he slowly rose to his feet. Yao Chen gradually calmed her stirred heart, then looked at him seriously.

"Although you have agreed to cultivate the Fen Jue, I still need to make clear why I want you to cultivate it."

"Please explain, Elder Yao."

Xiao Yan nodded solemnly, then saw Yao Chen point to her illusory body.

"Under normal circumstances, I actually should have died long ago. It is only because my Soul Power is far stronger than that of ordinary people that I can temporarily remain in this world in this state."

"If I had simply died cleanly back then, then not to mention being reduced to this wretched state—even if I had completely dissipated, I would have had no complaints."

"However, there are still matters I cannot understand lingering in my heart. Therefore, I must break free from this state of being a soul and personally resolve the regrets of my past!"

After listening to Yao Chen's words, Xiao Yan keenly noticed the deeply buried fury in her eyes, along with the sorrow mixed within it. At the same time, he understood what she meant.

"You mean... you want to come back from the dead?"

Xiao Yan's brows drew together slightly.

Xiao Yan had never heard of something like returning from the dead. At least within the scope of his knowledge, such a thing was impossible.

But since Yao Chen said so, she naturally had a reason. A guess immediately formed in Xiao Yan's mind.

"Can the Fen Jue accomplish that?"

"That's right!" Yao Chen affirmed excitedly. "According to the records of this cultivation technique, cultivating the Fen Jue to its peak will allow one to forge a body capable of housing a soul. That means I can use that body to be completely revived!"

However, after her brief excitement, Yao Chen gradually calmed down. Her face darkened as she spoke again.

"However, although the cultivation technique records it this way, I cannot guarantee that it is true. After all, there has never been a case of anyone successfully cultivating this technique. Deep down, I only half believe it myself, but..."

"The only possible way to bring you back from the dead may be this, right?" Xiao Yan added, then suddenly slammed his fist into his palm. "For both you and me, this possibility alone is enough!"

"For my teacher, what's wrong with taking a gamble? Besides, if some things are not carried through to the very end, no one will know what the result will be!!!"

Xiao Yan grinned, his face displaying a spirited vigor Yao Chen had never seen from him before!

Only at this moment did Yao Chen suddenly realize something.

No matter how calm and steady Xiao Yan usually was, he was still a hot-blooded youth in the prime of his adolescence!

"The more challenging something is, the greater the sense of achievement after succeeding! Whether it is my righteous path or this Fen Jue!"

Xiao Yan spoke with such conviction, blazing flames burning in his eyes!

Though he pursued the righteous path, a smooth and effortless life had never been what Xiao Yan wanted!

Rather, pursuing the righteous path was not merely to fulfill the ideals in his heart, but also to enjoy that arduous, indomitable road of struggle!

So long as it was something his heart sought, the more difficult it was to accomplish, the more Xiao Yan felt that he was truly alive!

Seeing Xiao Yan's expression, utterly unlike his usual mature and composed self, Yao Chen smiled as well.

Just like during yesterday's New Year celebration, this was the real Xiao Yan.

A young man who, for the ideals in his heart, feared no hardship as he pushed forward with all his strength!

Yao Chen quietly watched Xiao Yan, her gaze growing ever more satisfied as she made a decision in her heart.

Whether Xiao Yan could ultimately succeed in forging a body for her or not, she would support him without sparing any effort, never holding back in the slightest.

Until forever.