311 - Elasia Saga

The silence was profound and uninterrupted. When Fu Yan slowly opened her eyes, she found herself enveloped in pitch darkness, so dense that she couldn't see her hand in front of her face. The stillness around her was overwhelming and almost eerie. After a moment's pause, Fu Yan quickly came to her senses. It seemed she had once again fallen into her inner world. However, this time the tribulation was successfully overcome. Thinking of this, she took a deep, steadying breath. Once she calmed her emotions, Fu Yan began to cautiously step forward into the darkness. "Swoosh—" With each step she took, it felt as if she were walking on the surface of a calm sea, creating small ripples that slowly spread outward. Fu Yan didn't know what she was supposed to do and simply continued to move forward in the silent darkness. Her journey extended until a faint noise, like the gentle drip of water, attracted her attention. The sound resonated, captivating her. Instinctively, without any conscious thought, Fu Yan changed direction toward the source of the noise. Each step echoed softly in her ears. She couldn't tell how much time had passed, but suddenly a "boom" broke the silence ahead of her, and a dazzling light pierced through the darkness, shooting past swiftly. Seeing this, Fu Yan finally halted. She lifted her gaze abruptly to watch the light streak across the sky above her. At that moment, she felt a surge of power course through her, replacing the previous heaviness and weakness with newfound strength. "Swish, gurgle—" Suddenly, the sound of rushing water came from beneath her feet. Before Fu Yan could fully register what was happening, she found herself lifted into the air. She glanced down and discovered she was standing atop a soaring column of water. The grand column resembled a proud water dragon, rapidly carrying Fu Yan through endless darkness, while strands of radiant light pierced through her body. "Buzz—" Suddenly, the entire dark space reverberated with a soft vibration. Fu Yan felt a tremendous power coursing energetically through each of her meridians. In mere moments, the water column vanished. In its place, strands of light, like lively vines, wound swiftly around her body. At this moment, Fu Yan felt as though she was filled to the brim with power, on the verge of exploding. Unconsciously, she clenched her fists tightly, her brows knitted in concentration. In an instant, her entire being was engulfed by brilliant light. "Ugh..." The powerful force brought her a measure of pain, and Fu Yan couldn't help but let out a muffled groan. Against the vast backdrop of light, her figure began to seem infinitesimal. In just a few breaths, she appeared like a twinkling star in the night sky. Then, a giant explosion resounded through the heavens. …… "Cheep cheep..." In a daze, Fu Yan thought she heard a very familiar sound. Before she could react, something soft and fluffy landed on her face. Following that, she felt her face being enveloped by a coat of fuzz. Fu Yan "..." "Cheep cheep!" However, the fluffy, white mass on her face remained oblivious, with its fur still gently brushing against her eyelids, leaving her feeling almost suffocated. Fortunately, in the next moment, Fu Yan heard Bai Yue Li's voice, "Come here." With those gentle words, Fu Yan felt the little medicine doll being lifted off her face, bringing her a sense of immediate relief. When she awoke, she thought, she wouldn't be giving the little medicine doll any spirit medicine for a while. After Bai Yue Li took away the little medicine doll, the room returned to silence. Fu Yan felt as though her body was not her own; even moving a finger was an immense challenge. Moreover, she found she couldn't exert her mental strength at all. She lay there like a slumbering being. Despite successfully overcoming the tribulation, Fu Yan understood how severely her body was injured. In just a short period, she had consumed three petals of the ice spirit eight-petal orchid, and the amount of other pills she ingested was beyond mention. Thus, Fu Yan knew she needed more time to heal. After failing to awaken fully, she chose to focus on calming her meridians, believing it wouldn't be long before she could fully recover. "Eat," came Bai Yue Li’s voice again, apparently directed at the little medicine doll, which responded with enthusiastic "cheep cheep!" Hearing this, Fu Yan imagined Bai Yue Li offering food to the little medicine doll, feeling her heart beat a little faster. Whenever the two of them were together, it seemed that things like the mandates of heaven were trivial. Time ticked by, and Fu Yan's recovery was swift. Several moments passed, and she heard the little medicine doll’s steady breaths, realizing it must have fallen asleep contentedly after eating its fill. "Squeak—" the sound signaled movement. Bai Yue Li seemed to rise from her seat, and Fu Yan paused slightly before feeling a fleeting shadow pass before her eyes, followed by something warm brushing against her lips. Bai Yue Li's gesture was brief, like a dragonfly skimming the water. By the time Fu Yan processed it, the warm feeling had vanished from her lips. It turned out, her senior sister had just stolen a kiss. The thought almost made Fu Yan want to smile uncontrollably, a gentle tug at her heart. However, no matter her inner turmoil, her body lay still and unmoving. Fu Yan "..." If she could suddenly open her eyes now, embrace Bai Yue Li, and deepen the kiss, she was sure Bai Yue Li would be blushing furiously. It was a pity this would have to remain a missed opportunity. Soon after, Fu Yan felt an itch at her neck, as though a fluffy creature had nestled there. The little medicine doll's breathing remained steady, indicating it was still asleep. Bai Yue Li had likely placed it there, and Fu Yan wondered why, as her blanket was pulled up around her. In the next moment, a familiar presence lay down beside her. The narrow bed now crowded with the two of them, a white tuft of fluff snuggled in between, and Fu Yan felt her hand suddenly gripped by another, silencing the room once and for all. In that moment, Fu Yan felt as if her heart was completely full. …… Two days passed, and Fu Yan had nearly recovered. After overcoming the tribulation, she quickly noticed that her sea of energy had undergone a dramatic transformation, glittering with golden light, as if her true essence had experienced a baptism. "Cough, cough..." With a gentle cough, not sure how long she had been lying there, Fu Yan finally opened her eyes, squinting against the sudden brightness until her vision adapted. "Cheep cheep..." Simultaneously, a snow-white figure on the nearby table seemed to sense her awakening, flapping its wings and swiftly darting toward the bed. As Fu Yan barely managed to sit up, she was soon faced with another brush of fuzzy warmth. "Cheep cheep!!" The little medicine doll hadn’t expected her sudden movement, failing to stop in time and colliding into her. Still, unfazed, it chirped excitedly. "Alright, I get it, you're thrilled," Fu Yan said with an amused sigh as she disentangled the little fuzzball. The little medicine doll didn't resist, instead rubbing affectionately against Fu Yan's hand. Amused, Fu Yan stroked the soft fur. Meanwhile, Bai Yue Li, seemingly drawn by their interaction, swiftly pushed open the door and strode inside. What greeted her was a scene of harmonious warmth. Quickly, Fu Yan on the bed looked up, beaming brightly as she called out, "Senior Sister!" Hearing this, Bai Yue Li seemed taken aback for a moment, slowly returning to her senses from the surprise. She hurried over, asking, "Awake? How do you feel?" Fu Yan nodded, answering, "With your meticulous care, how could there be any issues with me?" It was true. Although she had just woken up, her injuries had nearly completely healed, and she could feel a formidable strength within her. With new insight into the law's power, she felt on par with the unrecovered Sword of Divine Execution, and even in the face of Mo Jun, Fu Yan now had the strength to fight. After all, she had weathered not one, but two heavenly tribulations at once. For a typical cultivator, achieving immortality and continuing to cultivate for another two hundred years would be necessary to reach Fu Yan's current level. Under the dual hindrances of the heavenly laws, Fu Yan was reborn through trials, turning misfortune into fortune. Seeing Fu Yan looking vibrant and full of spirit, Bai Yue Li finally felt her heart settle with relief. Even though the Mo Jun had mentioned after the successful tribulation that Fu Yan's strength would significantly transform upon her awakening, Bai Yue Li couldn't ease her worries while Fu Yan lay in a coma. Now witnessing Fu Yan awake with her own eyes, Bai Yue Li was overwhelmed with joy, tears glistening in her eyes. The sight tugged at Fu Yan's heart, and without hesitation, she reached forward to pull Bai Yue Li into an embrace. "I'm really okay, Senior Sister, see for yourself." Fu Yan gently caressed Bai Yue Li's flawless face, her heartstrings tugged tightly. "Yes, I know." Bai Yue Li responded, gazing up. Her eyes, still brimming with tears, carried a light smile as she softly spoke, "I'm just happy that even faced with such a dire situation, you could create a miracle..." Before she could finish, Fu Yan leaned in, sealing Bai Yue Li's lips with her own, silencing her further words. "Mmm..." Bai Yue Li, still caught by surprise, instinctively raised her arm. Fu Yan naturally caught Bai Yue Li’s pale jade-like wrist, maintaining the kiss. In just a moment, she successfully conquered the castle. Slowly, Bai Yue Li surrendered, immersing herself in the deep kiss. The atmosphere in the large room turned unexpectedly sensual. "Cheep cheep??" The stillness was suddenly broken by the sound of the little medicine doll, curious about the scene before it. It tilted its tiny head, watching Fu Yan and Bai Yue Li with a puzzled expression. In an instant, Bai Yue Li snapped back to reality, suddenly aware of the little medicine doll observing them. Her eyes widened, feeling her cheeks flush despite knowing the tiny creature lacked the intelligence to understand. Yet, the embarrassment persisted. The little medicine doll fluttered its wings, gently rising into the air. "Fu..." Bai Yue Li quickly regained her composure, intent on pushing Fu Yan away. Fu Yan, breathing a bit heavily, slowly released her. Finally, Bai Yue Li found a moment to catch her breath. Her eyes seemed to mist over, flickering slightly as she avoided meeting Fu Yan's gaze directly. "Stop messing around. The little medicine doll is still here, and... you just woke up. You need to rest." Fu Yan smiled gently at Bai Yue Li. "Alright." Fu Yan agreed, deciding to hold back on mentioning the kiss Bai Yue Li had stolen while she was out cold. Soon, Fu Yan, after lying still for so long, changed into fresh clothes and got out of bed. Poking at the snowy little medicine doll, she asked Bai Yue Li what had transpired during her unconsciousness. The day of her successful tribulation, Fu Yan had fainted into Bai Yue Li's arms. Bai Yue Li had been frightened, but Mo Jun glanced at Fu Yan and calmly assured them, "The tribulation has been safely passed; she will be different when she awakens." Reassured by Mo Jun's words and confirming that Fu Yan was not in danger, Bai Yue Li finally relaxed. The storm clouds in the sky dispersed, and the heavy rain ceased almost instantly. In no time, the heavens restored to clear sunny skies, as if nothing had ever happened, save for the dampened earth beneath. With everything concluded, the Sword of Divine Execution had no reason to linger and, after a farewell glance at the unflustered Mo Jun, departed with her sword servant Zhaoping, not once looking back at Kun Long Jian. With the will of the heavens having suffered severe damage, it was impossible for it to manifest again. For the continent as a whole, aside from stricter restrictions, peace was temporarily restored. Therefore, Mo Jun no longer needed to hide in a cloaked space. Without much ado, he too ripped open a space and vanished into the sky, leaving Bai Yue Li with the unconscious Fu Yan. Uncertain of when Fu Yan might awaken, Bai Yue Li chose not to travel far, settling in an ancient bustling city. Fu Yan remained in a coma for a full month. "A whole month?" Fu Yan expressed surprise upon hearing this. She had assumed it had been, at most, half a month at best, never expecting to have been out for so long. Bai Yue Li nodded. Her demeanor calm, she said, "During this month, your body underwent significant changes." Fu Yan had sensed this upon waking. It seemed the meridians in her body, severed by the tribulation, had quickly rebuilt themselves, allowing her strength to renew and surpass her previous self before the tribulation. Possessing the power of a law, Fu Yan now stood as one of the few evenly matched against hidden capable beings across the continent, possibly counted on one hand. Bai Yue Li was naturally thrilled for her accomplishment. Having only just recovered, Fu Yan wasn't in a hurry to leave with Bai Yue Li. Instead, they spent another dozen leisurely days together before preparing to depart. Swoosh– Early the next morning, a common spirit ship soared into the sky outside the ancient city, quickly slicing through the heavens and vanishing into the clouds. Boarding her spirit ship once more, although only a few months had passed, Fu Yan felt like it had been an eternity. Given all that had happened in the past two months, it was no wonder. They had, after all, destroyed the manifestation of the heavens. Even so, the chains binding this world remained intact, as the Sword of Divine Execution had explained. Until a cultivator ascended to godhood, the entirety of the Tong Xuan continent would remain under the heavens' will. Yet becoming a god under such constraining conditions was exceedingly difficult. Fu Yan considered how much struggle there was in reaching immortality and overcoming her first heavenly tribulation. She could only imagine what it would take to break the world's shackles and ascend to godhood. As she mused, Bai Yue Li was reminded of matters at hand. During the month of Fu Yan's recovery, Bai Yue Li, though largely by Fu Yan's side, was aware of the news spreading across the continent. Most notably, the shocking report of Fang Yu, the unparalleled genius of the Sword King Sect, having suddenly fallen, left many cultivators stunned, struggling to believe it. Even a month later, it remained a hot topic. The Sword King Sect, believing Fang Yu had been framed, dispatched people to investigate the matter thoroughly. Bai Yue Li wasn't concerned about this. She knew that if their investigation led to Kun Long Jian, they'd find traces pointing to the Corpse Gate, predictably leading to an obvious conclusion. Nevertheless, the incident Bai Yue Li thought about most in the past month was another monumental event elsewhere. While most were absorbed in discussing Fang Yu’s demise, the Xuan Yuan Clan witnessed a significant affair. One of their peak Great Ascension stage cultivators faced their celestial ascension tribulation. With his strength, his ascension was widely expected to succeed. The Xuan Yuan Clan, with ample resources, often nurtures such talents with utmost care, and this individual was no different. His successful ascension seemed all but certain. However, he ultimately failed to ascend and nearly perished as a result. "He failed?" Hearing Bai Yue Li recount this, Fu Yan furrowed her brows slightly. She had heard of the individual before, and given his aptitude alongside the Xuan Yuan Clan's protection, his failure seemed unlikely. Bai Yue Li nodded, explaining in detail, "They say his tribulation involved an unexpected four additional celestial lightning bolts." Fu Yan fell into brief silence. Tribulation strength increases progressively, and having four extra bolts multiplies the threat, posing an immense challenge to even the most capable of cultivators. One minor falter could lead to demise. The surprising nature of this incident shocked many, but most dismissed it as poor skill on part of the individual, sustained largely by the Xuan Yuan Clan's resources, hence his failure. Thus, the matter quickly faded compared to Fang Yu's, causing little stir. However, for Fu Yan and Bai Yue Li, having experienced the tribulations at Kun Long Jian, they couldn't easily accept this explanation. A profound silence enveloped the spirit ship. It was unclear how much time had passed, but Fu Yan finally lifted her gaze, steadying herself. With a particularly serious expression, she said, "So, what Mo Jun meant when he spoke of the heightened bindings and restrictions on the Tong Xuan Continent, aligning with the Divine Execution Sword's warning to avoid tribulations, refers to all cultivators on the continent." Back when they destroyed Fang Yu, Fu Yan assumed those words were directed only at the two of them. But now, she realized she had misunderstood. With the world suffering from increasing constraints, the impact was not limited to just the four of them—it affected all cultivators on the continent, intensifying everyone's tribulations. The more gifted a cultivator was, the more formidable their tribulation would become. However, undergoing a dual tribulation as Fu Yan had done seemed unlikely to occur for other cultivators, though continuing on this path of seclusion would only cause the cultivation world of Tong Xuan Continent to fall further behind. As Fu Yan's words concluded, Bai Yue Li remained silent for a moment. Soon after, Fu Yan sighed softly. When the heavenly laws develop their own consciousness, such a day is inevitable. By destroying Fang Yu's incarnation, they merely hastened its arrival. Seeing Fu Yan's furrowed brows, Bai Yue Li seemed reluctant to dwell further on this topic. She suddenly smiled warmly and asked, "Are you planning to continue exploring and cultivating from place to place next?" Hearing this, Fu Yan slowly came back to herself. After a slight pause, she honestly shook her head. "Let's first return to Frost Flower Palace in the Southern Region," Fu Yan replied, her demeanor relaxing back to its usual calm. She explained to Bai Yue Li, "During the Immortal Gate Ceremony, I enlisted the help of an immortal from Shen Shu Palace to oversee things, and I promised Senior Chu a favor. Now that my strength has grown significantly, it's time to fulfill that promise." Bai Yue Li wasn't very surprised to hear this. With Mo Jun having returned to the Demon Realm, matters there no longer required her involvement. Naturally, Bai Yue Li would accompany Fu Yan. Having made up their minds, they wasted no time, swiftly steering their spirit ship towards the Southern Region.