345 - Rebirth of a Star: Another Day, Another Drama

Chapter 345: Meeting Yan Ke Again Three days slipped by in the blink of an eye. She had just come out of seclusion and hadn't had the chance to properly catch up before she had to leave again. Hong Ye was visibly upset. She hadn't even had a proper chance to bond with her beloved senior sister. "Senior sister, can't I really go with you?" Hong Ye pouted, looking dejected. "Yes, yes, let's go together! I still want to bond more with Little Phoenix!" the Yao Long perched on Hong Ye's shoulder chimed in. Ye Ling Long shook her head with a smile, "No, the secret realm is too dangerous. Only those at or above the Transcendence Phase have the strength to protect themselves. If you go, I'm afraid I won't be able to look after you." Hong Ye dropped her head sadly. "Alright, I don't want to be a burden." The Yao Long sighed dramatically and then ran off to reluctantly bid farewell to the Heart of Ice Phoenix, casting a reproachful glare at Hong Ye before departing. Hong Feng interjected, “Alright, Ye'er, don't be willful. Let your brother say his farewell to Ling Long properly.” With that, she gently pulled Hong Ye away from Ye Ling Long's side and serenely looked at Ye Ling Long. “Ling Long, there's not much to say. I just hope you come back safely.” She slipped a bracelet off her wrist—a stunning piece, a vibrant water-blue that was unmistakably extraordinary. “This was given to me by Feng Yao's mother when we hosted our ceremony together. Although you and Ling Yun haven't had your ceremony yet, I've already considered you part of the Jiang family. We’ll hold the ceremony for you both when you return safely.” As she spoke, she placed the bracelet on Ye Ling Long's wrist. The water-blue bracelet complemented the fairness of her wrist beautifully. Ye Ling Long wasn't one to shy away, and she accepted the bracelet with grace, handing over a gift she had prepared—a spatial ring filled with various cultivation resources and precious spirit herbs. She had thoroughly scoured the ginseng child's spiritual fields and cleared out its little warehouse, leaving the creature sulking in the spatial realm. Of course, all her friends received a spatial ring, although theirs weren't as bountiful. Nevertheless, the resources inside were sufficient for them to cultivate up to the late Transcendence Phase. For some reason, an uneasy feeling lingered in her heart. Perhaps it was foresight, but she decided to leave these provisions behind just in case. After bidding farewell to everyone, she left, giving Jiang Ling Yun and Ye Ling Long some space. The two stood facing each other. Jiang Ling Yun appeared crestfallen, like a dejected puppy from Ye Ling Long's perspective, looking utterly forlorn. Yet, when she glanced his way, he forced a smile, maintaining a brave facade. It was endearing, funny, and heartwrenching all at once. “Ling Long, …” Jiang Ling Yun started, his voice tinged with grievance. Yet, the further words failed to come, as if a mass of cotton stuffed his throat. He desperately wished to suggest joining her or staying merely in the spatial realm, but he couldn't voice it, for he had to watch over Ling Long's sect in her stead. Noticing the tears about to spill from his eyes, Ye Ling Long sighed softly and embraced him, resting her head on his chest, his heartbeat drumming clearly in her ears. Jiang Ling Yun hesitated briefly before pulling her tightly against him with such strength it felt like he wished to merge them into one being. He lifted her face and kissed her deeply, their breaths mingling until they drew apart, faces flushed. Ye Ling Long softly said, “I’m leaving Yunhai Mansion to you. Yesterday, I dripped your blood into it. You are now also its master. Yunhai Mansion is an immortal artifact, and although its immortal energy is dwindling, its defensive capability remains intact.” "If the time arises and issues beyond resolution appear, just hide within Yunhai Mansion." She didn’t elaborate further, trusting that Jiang Ling Yun understood her directive. Despite his demeanor resembling a timid rabbit before her, she knew his inner strength was unparalleled. Jiang Ling Yun nodded solemnly, making a vow, “Don’t worry, Ling Long. I will safeguard the Glazed Sword Sect for you until your return.” With their reluctant departure complete, Ye Ling Long took flight, heading towards the designated meeting point the four of them had agreed upon. The rendezvous spot was a distance from the Glazed Sword Sect, but given her current cultivation, it took her merely half a day to arrive. Upon descending from the skies, she was first greeted by Feng Mian. “Well now, the little miss arrived rather quickly. The others haven’t made it yet.” After exchanging greetings, Feng Mian glanced around. “Hmm? Where’s that Feng Li guy? Haven’t seen him.” “He's been quite diligent lately, still training in the spiritual pet space,” Ye Ling Long replied vaguely. In truth, Feng Li and Xiao Hei were both cultivating in her spatial realm. After experiencing its abundant spiritual energy, they refused to return to the cramped spiritual pet space. For this journey into the secret realm, Ye Ling Long had only brought Feng Li and Xiao Hei, her contracted spiritual pets, along with the Heart of Ice Phoenix, much to Yao Long’s dismay. It had thrown a fit about wanting to sever its contract with Hong Ye to follow Little Phoenix. This had led to a squabble with Hong Ye. Reflecting on this drama eased her melancholy mood somewhat. At that moment, the other three companions approached, but Ye Ling Long’s attention was captured entirely by those trailing them. There was an immediate visceral discomfort upon their appearance, like a natural magnetic repulsion. “Heh, Ye Ling Long, long time no see~” a slightly devilish voice called out. Facing her was Yan Ke, dressed in striking red, arousing a sliver of confusion in Ye Ling Long’s eyes. Remarkably, Yan Ke had advanced to the Transcendence Phase. The last time Ye Ling Long had seen her, Yan Ke hadn’t even reached the Divine Transformation Phase. Within just two hundred short years, she had leapt three stages to reach the Transcendence Phase? Though Yan Ke was a demon princess, her body belonged to Shen Meng Jie. Given Shen Meng Jie's foundation, it seemed impossible for her to progress this rapidly, even with the world's finest treasures. Even Ye Ling Long, with her heavenly ice spirit constitution, relied on her time in the temporal cultivation chamber to advance to the Transcendence Phase. With mounting doubt, Ye Ling Long scrutinized Yan Ke. She possessed, likely, the most potent divine soul in this world, having transcended to a new level during her two millennia of seclusion. Focusing intently, she quickly discerned anomalies. Yan Ke's aura was indeed that of the Transcendence Phase, but precariously unstabilized. She appeared like a building with a shaky foundation, poised to collapse at any moment. Moreover, her aura was a chaotic amalgam of energies, as if cobbled together from disparate sources.