159 - Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts

"Goose?" The Tianxuan Goose gulped, swallowing the item. Startled, it suspected the offering was poison. Desperate, it tried to expel it but to no avail. The substance dissolved instantly, melding into its bloodstream like water. The Tianxuan Goose felt a fiery sensation, as if it was transforming into a roast goose. Suddenly, it sensed something departing from its body. Xiaobai clutched her head with her wings, rolling on the ground as if something was about to erupt from her skull. Witnessing Xiaobai's distress, Xu Ming instinctively stepped forward, but Bifang breathed fire to create a barrier encircling Xu Ming. "Do not interfere with our princess," Bifang said coldly, despite his tense expression. The black dog glanced anxiously at Bifang, worried about the suffering Tianxuan Goose: "Isn’t there something wrong with what the chancellor gave? If something happens to the princess, aren't we doomed?" "Shut up! Don't jinx it!" Bifang kicked the black dog, keeping his unwavering gaze on the Tianxuan Goose. "Don't worry, it'll be fine. That turtle wouldn't dare harm the princess—after all, she is..." Bifang murmured as if convincing himself, biting his lip mid-sentence, watching the goose with concern. Although Bifang reassured everyone, he was anxious. What if the turtle had gone mad and planned to eliminate the last royal bloodline of Bai Xiang Country for another faction? It wasn’t impossible. Fortunately, after ten breaths, the goose's cries lessened. Not due to weakness, but because the pain visibly subsided. Strange images began to flash in the goose's mind. The palace in flames. Her mother carrying her away. Imperial guards dying before her eyes. "Live well, my daughter..." "Mother..." The woman in royal attire gently caressed a young girl's cheek. Her delicate fingers touched the girl's brow. The girl's body shrank, losing its human form. "I am..." Xiaobai opened her eyes. Her body grew larger, feathers lengthening and tail unfurling like an imperial gown trailing the ground. "Honghu." The words popped into Xu Ming's mind. There are five types of phoenixes. It is said, the red is a fenghuang, blue a luan, yellow a yuanchu, white a honghu, and purple a yuezhuo. All five are divine beasts, none superior to the others. Xu Ming had seen illustrations of the world's five phoenixes—similar in shape but different colors. Xiaobai's appearance was undeniably that of a white phoenix—Honghu. Seeing the princess return to her original form, Bifang sighed with relief and delight. "Master!" Xiaobai rose, her phoenix cry echoing across the sky, scattering the white birds in the forest, bowing low. "We pay homage to the princess," Bifang and the black dog approached, kneeling on one knee before her. Memories old and new began to merge for Xiaobai, and though her thoughts were still hazy, they steadily cleared. "I am not Xiaobai, I am... Bai Li Bing," she spoke, head lowered, her voice clear and ethereal, laced with an untouchable aloofness. It was Xu Ming's first time hearing her speak human language; it was enchanting. Hearing the princess claim her name, Bifang knew the real princess had returned. "We have searched a decade to find you, Princess. Finding you is a blessing to our Wanyao Kingdom," the black dog said, flattering, "We’ll knock out these two and escort you back to Wanxiang Country." "My mother... what of her?" Bai Li Bing asked, eyes full of worry. "Princess, the Empress is still missing. We continue searching while the Chancellor stabilizes the court, awaiting your return," Bifang replied obsequiously. Bai Li Bing's eyes narrowed in thought. "Why do you insist on killing him?" she asked after a long silence. The black dog responded, "Princess, our country prepares a ritual requiring a unique constitution. We believe this man holds the Eternal Spirit Root. The girl, however, intrigues us with her human and beast scent, so we wished to bring her back to investigate." Bai Li Bing commanded, her voice cold, "You will not harm the man or the girl." The black dog, anxious, replied, "But Princess, Eternal Spirit Roots are rare. If we let him go..." "I said do not touch them. Didn’t you hear me?" Bai Li Bing’s tone was scolding, her bloodline's pressure weighing on him. Though their power levels greatly differed, the bloodline’s suppression caused beads of sweat on the black dog’s forehead. "Yes, this subordinate obeys." The black dog eventually complied with Bai Li Bing’s orders. Despite the significance of the ritual, the princess's safety was paramount. Bai Li Bing shifted her cold gaze away. A cool wind rustled, and ethereal white feathers fell like snow. Bai Li Bing transformed into her human form. Her white phoenix plumage became a snow-white, strapless imperial dress, trailing the ground like a bridal gown. Her long white hair cascaded down her shoulders, just grazing her waist. Bai Li Bing turned, her almond-shaped eyes meeting Xu Ming’s. In her gaze, Xu Ming felt familiarity mixed with an unfamiliar distance. Contrary to Xu Ming’s guesswork... After transformation, Xiaobai didn’t become an Amazonian. Instead, her figure was graceful and delicate, as fluid as melting snow. White lashes framed blue eyes and a sharp nose, exuding an exotic allure. "Thank you for taking care of me," Bai Li Bing spoke to Xu Ming. Looking into her eyes, Xu Ming asked, "Are you still the silly goose?" Hearing herself called "silly," Bai Li Bing’s hand tightened, her brow twitching slightly. Yet unlike before, when she’d hit Xu Ming if annoyed, her return to memory brought a royal composure: "Remember, I am Bai Li Bing, Elder Princess of Wanxiang Country, your race’s nemesis." "By the way..." she smiled slightly, hands before her, "You longed for me to transform, didn’t you? How do I seem now?" Xu Ming shook his head with a smile. "Honestly, I preferred the big white goose." Though Bai Li Bing was high-born, a Honghu "white phoenix," and transformed into an elegant maiden rivaling Qin Qingwan in beauty and grace... Xu Ming still wished for Xiaobai to be the Tianxuan Goose. He'd rather she transformed into an ordinary Amazonian. "You have no taste." Bai Li Bing shot him a cold glare. "If you return to Martial Capital, tell the Madam that Xiaobai won't be back." With that, she turned to the black dog. "Let's go, to Wanxiang." "Yes, Your Highness." The black dog produced a realm-breaking stone, opening a twisted portal to the Wanxiang capital. The black dog still seemed reluctant as he looked at Xu Ming, but a wing-slap from Bifang sent him scurrying after Bai Li Bing. "Do you want to be Xiaobai or Bai Li Bing?" Just as Bai Li Bing reached the portal, Xu Ming asked. The maiden paused, then stepped forward, her voice echoing as the portal closed: "Bai Li Bing, simply Bai Li Bing." With her voice, the portal vanished, restoring peaceful calmness, as if nothing had transpired. "Cough, cough..." Xu Ming, having restrained himself, coughed blood. Exhausted, he sat back on the ground, pallor haunting his features. But he had survived. "But Xiaobai is the princess of Wanxiang Country?" "Wanxiang Country," Xu Ming murmured, repeating the words. "Awuuu..." While Xu Ming was lost in thought, the little girl who had been by his side stumbled and crawled toward the heart of the lava cave. Enduring the intense pain, Xu Ming stood, lifted the girl, brushed the dirt off her, and tucked her under his arm before heading to the heart of the lava cave. The formation on the mountain was completely destroyed, allowing Xu Ming to easily find the lava cave with the girl. However, the cave was in ruins, collapsed entirely. "Awuuu... awuuu..." The girl wriggled out of Xu Ming's arms and frantically dug at the stones, despite her fingers being scraped bloody. Xu Ming didn’t stop her. Instead, he handed her a peach wood sword to dig with—hardened wood tougher than the rocks. He then picked up a flat stone and joined her in digging. Neither knew how long they had been digging. Xu Ming knew there would be no result. Her mother and the cultivator had perished utterly, leaving nothing behind. After a long while, the girl's digging slowed, sweat continuously dripping down her forehead. Eventually, she unearthed a massive dark stone. She used the peach wood sword to hit it repeatedly. But even that exceptional wood could only make small indents. Frustrated, she cast aside the sword, took the stone from Xu Ming, and kept hammering away. "Awuuu." "Awuuu." "Awuuu... waaa... wuuu..." As the stone crumbled, mixing with her blood, the girl burst into tears. Deep down, she knew her mother and Qi Hui were gone, yet she couldn't face it. Xu Ming was baffled by her deep affection for the cultist, a closeness akin to family. Even though the cultivator had killed her real father! Still, Xu Ming refrained from revealing the truth now, knowing it would shatter the girl further. When her cries had faded to hoarse whispers, and she was slumped against the rock, Xu Ming approached and crouched before her. Her tear-streaked eyes met his, her sniffling persistent. Xu Ming held her gaze: "I owe your mother a debt, and she entrusted me to take care of you. I will keep that promise." He extended his hand to her: "If you trust me." The girl looked at his hand, then back into his eyes, silent. Her gaze locked onto his, unblinking. He matched her gaze, unwavering. "Live... on," she stammered. Xu Ming was momentarily taken aback but then nodded with a warm smile: "Yes, live on. We’ll live on together." She swallowed hard, hesitating to take his hand. Several times as her fingers neared his, she recoiled as if shocked. It reminded her of the day she first met her mother. Xu Ming remained patient, like Zhao Qiongman had, waiting for the little girl to place her hand in his, no matter how long it took. Finally, timidly, she laid her small hand in his palm, watching him anxiously. Xu Ming clasped her hand tightly: "My name is Xu Ming. What’s your name? Can you tell me?" "Shi... Shen," she struggled, trying to articulate. Xu Ming encouraged her: "Hmm?" "Shen Sheng..." She managed to say. "Is My name..."