Under the moonlight, shrouded in a thin mist, the buildings were brightly lit.
Beyond the distant stars, shooting stars occasionally streak across the night sky, like bright arrows piercing the darkness, only to vanish in the blink of an eye.
This encounter between light and darkness was brief yet magnificent, but it always left a shallow impression, because shooting stars are common in the sky. Whenever the sky is full of stars, shooting stars are always accompanied by their rapid flight; this is a certain inevitability.
The moonlight is pure and flawless, giving it a sacred appearance; the stars, in their myriad rotations, reveal their brilliance.
At the top of the pavilion, Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian sat side by side, gazing at the night sky and the river. From time to time, they would glance at each other, whether out of caution or unintentionally.
"Phew, it feels like it's been ages since I've seen the stars like this. Ever since I came here, I've always encountered so many troubles..."
Xiao Yi Xian pouted slightly, seemingly somewhat unwilling, or perhaps weary. It wasn't that she was unwilling to live like this, nor was she tired of following Xiao Yan around like this; she was simply unwilling that no matter how much trouble they encountered, she could only ever stand behind Xiao Yan.
In recent days, Xiao Yan has focused his attention on the Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva. None of the group noticed the changes in Xiao Yi Xian. Only she knew that, in addition to her usual diligent cultivation, after absorbing those toxins, she had also refined and absorbed all the power contained within them. Now, Xiao Yi Xian has become a Seven-Star Dou Di. However, such cultivation is still insufficient to help Xiao Yan.
"Don't worry, one day those troubles will completely disappear. Then you can sit here every day and watch the stars and admire the moon."
Xiao Yan smiled, he could hear a hint of guilt in Xiao Yi Xian's words, but in his opinion, it was all completely unnecessary. He never thought of Xiao Yi Xian as a burden or a hindrance. Xiao Yan just felt that the man who was once said to need to stand behind a woman for protection could now shield her under his arms, and he would bear any storms and swords.
Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Xiao Yi Xian smiled slightly disappointedly, and after a long while, she said:
I believe that day will come, but when that time comes, will you... still be by my side like this?
Xiao Yi Xian was unaware that a blush had risen to her fair face as she spoke, her complexion remaining rosy even under the moonlight. Xiao Yan Xiao Yan, upon hearing this, was also taken aback. He understood the implied meaning, but this seemingly simple question proved to be difficult to answer.
Seeing Xiao Yan hesitate, Xiao Yi Xian finally smiled brightly, revealing an indifferent expression. Her laughter seemed to turn her previous words into a joke. Xiao Yan echoed her, but he could clearly see that crystal tears were uncontrollably sliding down Xiao Yi Xian's cheeks. That sense of loss and sorrow was like sharp thorns piercing Xiao Yan's heart.
Even so, Xiao Yan still pondered this question for a very, very long time.
The moonlight remained and the stars twinkled throughout the rest of the night. It wasn't until dawn that the two returned to their respective rooms, rested briefly, and then emerged as if nothing had happened.
The group met in the hall of the pavilion. Xiao Yi Xian still served tea and water to everyone, like a dutiful wife. The others always looked at her with a hint of amusement, especially when their eyes fell on Xiao Yan, their teasing was even stronger. Xiao Yan just smiled slightly and didn't say anything.
Afterwards, Luo Jin recounted the details of his meeting with Li Chengxu the previous day to the people present. The only thing he didn't mention was the fight with Li Chengxu. Xiao Yan had asked Xiao Xuan about the specifics of this matter, and he naturally guessed that it must be related to Luo Jin. However, Xiao Xuan didn't tell him any of the truth, only saying that it was better for him not to know too early about this matter.
Xiao Yan had heard this kind of old-fashioned excuse countless times since he began cultivating, but since Xiao Xuan had already said so, he naturally couldn't ask any more questions. He believed that one day, the specific details of this matter would naturally come to light, and it would be inappropriate to investigate further now.
After considering Luo Jin's words, everyone frowned. The situation they faced was far more complicated than they had imagined. Besides not being able to confirm whether the Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva truly existed, they also had to be wary of Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva Qin Yan, who was also a strong contender for it. Moreover, Burning Flame Valley would never abandon its future just because of the item Xiao Yan had offered. Therefore, the first problem to solve was Qin Yan.
Qin Yan must be made to give up his participation in the competition for the Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva!
The best way is for Xiao Yan to step up and defeat him in tomorrow's final!
Besides that, there was another question that had been lingering in Xiao Yan's mind.
According to Li Chengxu's statement yesterday, the reserves of Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva in Burning Flame Valley have been exhausted in recent years. Due to the sect competition, there are currently no Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva stocks left in Burning Flame Valley, and its production has also decreased sharply. In fact, it is not certain that any products will be produced this year.
These words had troubled Xiao Yan for a long time. How could the Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva, a product of heaven and earth, decrease and eventually disappear for no reason?
As far as he knew, the source of the Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva was the Earth Core Stalactite, which generally only existed in some mysterious ancient caves. Stalactites gathered the power of heaven and earth and condensed into essence. Generally speaking, it was impossible for them to disappear without a reason, unless the stalactite was destroyed by external forces or the environment was damaged, but this was something that could not be explained no matter what.
The Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva has been protected by the Burning Flame Valley for a long time, so they would never be foolish enough to destroy the stalactites. As for external forces, as Li Chengxu said, very few people outside know about the Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva, and it is already extremely difficult to enter the Burning Flame Valley, let alone damage the stalactites.
If that's the case, then why has the production of Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva on stalactites decreased so drastically?
Thinking of this, Xiao Yan felt a sense of trouble. After much deliberation, he suddenly thought of a very slim possibility. The moment this thought came to mind, a brilliant light shone in Xiao Yan's dark eyes.
"Could it be... like that?!"