Chapter 30

At dawn, the messenger bird returned, towing a magic boat pulled by a dragon-elephant beast.

Song Qingshi signed a transport contract with the Divine Beast Gate. After ensuring Qing Luan and all the children had boarded, he mounted a divine beast and soared into the sky. Looking down at the desolate Yanshan Sect, the Mystic Fire Red Lotus bloomed once more in his palm, igniting a raging inferno that consumed the wicked den.

The magic boat moved slowly, taking about three days to reach Medicine King Valley.

Song Qingshi, yearning for Yue Wuhuan, was eager to return. After giving Qing Luan a few careful instructions, he departed ahead of the group.

He stopped in several cities along the way, spending considerable time before finally rushing back to Medicine King Valley by the end of the Hai hour. Calculating the time, he feared he might be too late and hurried to find Yue Wuhuan—only to see him already standing before him.

Song Qingshi sighed in relief. "I thought you'd be asleep."

Yue Wuhuan smiled softly. "The Master said you'd return today. I couldn’t sleep, so I waited here for you."

"Good, you’re awake. Come with me." Without another thought, Song Qingshi hastily pulled him onto a divine beast and took to the skies.

Yue Wuhuan was puzzled by this sudden urgency but reassured him, "Master, the lab mice are fine, and the estates outside are unharmed."

Song Qingshi beamed. "I want to take you somewhere beautiful."

He guided the divine beast toward Xinyi Mountain.

Xinyi Mountain was the highest peak in Medicine King Valley, usually deserted and tranquil. At its summit stood the Duruo Pavilion, where Song Qingshi would often sit lost in thought—admiring exotic flowers in spring, cascading waterfalls in summer, crimson foliage in autumn, and snow-covered landscapes in winter, all veiled in mist, breathtakingly beautiful. At night, it was the only place in Medicine King Valley free from fog, perfect for stargazing.

He had long wanted to bring Yue Wuhuan here, but various matters had delayed it.

Tonight, the weather was clear, the stars brilliant—ideal for celebration.

Yue Wuhuan hesitated as Song Qingshi led him into the Duruo Pavilion, sitting on the long stone bench. Song Qingshi sat down beside him, so close their shoulders nearly touched. Yue Wuhuan’s heartbeat quickened, his thoughts in disarray. With this person by his side, even the vast galaxy and picturesque scenery paled in comparison.

Song Qingshi snapped his fingers, lighting the lanterns in the Duruo Pavilion, bathing them in a warm glow. He spoke earnestly, "I have three gifts for you."

Yue Wuhuan immediately guessed one of them, his pulse racing.

Song Qingshi took his hand, gently unfolding his fingers, and placed a golden stone glistening with starlight into his palm. Then, he clasped Yue Wuhuan’s hand tightly, letting the stone connect their skin.

Yue Wuhuan, who had seen countless treasures, recognized its rarity instantly. "This is... Spirit Marrow?"

He finally understood where the two hundred thousand spirit stones had gone. The gift was so precious he was at a loss for words.

"Mm. Close your eyes and relax. It’ll only hurt a little." Song Qingshi instructed him to take out the Divine Sense Bead, then focused his spiritual energy, carefully weaving countless spiritual threads into complex runes upon the Spirit Marrow. Using it as a medium, he guided these threads deep into Yue Wuhuan’s soul, where they surged toward the chains binding his spirit, severing them one by one.

Yue Wuhuan’s hand grew warm, his back burning as if gentle flames were erasing the humiliating brands left by beasts, replacing them with soothing coolness. The moment the last chain shattered, the Divine Sense Bead crumbled to dust. His soul felt lighter, the spiritual energy in his dantian swelling violently, rushing through his meridians before finally stabilizing.

He opened his eyes, hardly believing he was free from the shackles he had longed to break. It felt like a dream.

Song Qingshi released his hand, excited. "Did it work? Let me see!"

Yue Wuhuan held his gaze intensely, then slowly removed his robe and turned around.

The elaborate markings that once sprawled across his back had vanished completely, leaving only a small red phoenix birthmark on his left shoulder blade—its original form finally revealed.

Song Qingshi touched the little phoenix, delighted. "Your birthmark is adorable."

"Mm." Yue Wuhuan’s ears burned. Afraid his emotions would show, he quickly pulled his robe back on and lowered his head, using Emotion Lock to suppress the flush in his cheeks. After steadying his breathing, he stood and bowed deeply to Song Qingshi.

No words could express his gratitude—some debts required a lifetime to repay.

"Don’t thank me. I’m embarrassed it took so long to keep my promise." Song Qingshi pulled him up, smiling. "I have another gift you’ll like."

From his Mustard Seed Bag, he produced a soul lantern, its ghostly blue flame imprisoning a writhing spirit in torment.

Yue Wuhuan took the lantern, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Xie Que?"

Song Qingshi nodded. "I killed him and trapped his soul here."

In the immortal realm, cultivators used soul lanterns to imprison the spirits of their most hated enemies, denying them an easy release.

Yue Wuhuan’s breathing faltered. "Why?"

"He’s the source of your hatred and suffering." Song Qingshi chose his words carefully. "I’m slow at understanding others’ feelings. This is for you to take out your anger—torture him as you wish. If one day you wish to let go of the pain and hatred, shatter the lantern, and I’ll know you've moved on."

Yue Wuhuan murmured, "My heart?"

Song Qingshi smiled. "Break free from the past and embrace the best life has to offer."

Yue Wuhuan clutched the lantern, gazing at his smile, knowing he could never release this hatred.

Song Qingshi added awkwardly, "Jin Feiren deserves death too, but his cultivation rivals mine, and rumors say the Golden Phoenix Manor has Soul Formation Cultivators backing them. I’m not confident yet..." He had considered assassination, but Jin Feiren’s wealth and defenses made it virtually impossible. He feared not death, but leaving Medicine King Valley vulnerable and Yue Wuhuan at their mercy.

"Don’t act against Jin Feiren!" Yue Wuhuan gripped his arm urgently. "I’ve seen them—the Golden Phoenix Manor truly has three Soul Formation Cultivators. Jin Feiren also carries anti-poison artifacts that counter you. Killing Xie Que is vengeance enough. Please, don’t take the risk."

"Alright." Song Qingshi absentmindedly poked the spirit in the lantern, increasing its torment. "If you’re ever upset, take it out on him. Consider him a stress reliever."

Yue Wuhuan laughed softly, gazing at the lantern. "I will."

He adored this gift and would treasure the lantern carefully, ensuring it never suffered the slightest damage.

Song Qingshi rubbed his head. "The last gift is... simpler."

"I’m already more than satisfied." Yue Wuhuan couldn’t imagine needing anything else.

Song Qingshi carefully presented an old wooden box carved with a crude bird design.

Yue Wuhuan froze, his hands trembling as he reached for it.

As a child, he had dreamed of collecting the world’s most beautiful gems.

This box was one he had begged his brother to make at age six, filled with stones gifted by his family and those he’d found in the immortal realm. He had treasured it secretly, ashamed of seeming childish. After being sold to the Golden Phoenix Manor, he lost everything—including the box—and forgot such childish dreams in the depths of hell.

He never imagined seeing it again in this lifetime.

Yue Wuhuan gently traced the crude carvings and opened the lid.

Inside lay a collection of gems and stones—pearls, sapphires, rubies, diamonds... alongside the pebbles he’d once gathered from rivers and mountains. He picked them up one by one, lingering over a smooth white pebble.

"I... I don’t have much money." Song Qingshi blushed with embarrassment at Medicine King Valley’s poverty. "I saw many exquisite immortal realm gems in the city, but they were too expensive. So I bought these mortal ones instead. At least... they fill the box. I’ll get you finer ones someday—"

He felt guilty. These stones were unworthy of Yue Wuhuan’s beauty. Flame stones or blood jade would have been more fitting.

But the funds seized from Xie Que were needed to settle debts with Night Rain Pavilion and Heavenly Crafts Workshop, leaving him with little spending money. This was all he could afford.

Song Qingshi mumbled, "I’m sorry. When I earn more, I’ll buy you better ones."

"I already have the best." Yue Wuhuan suddenly drew him into a tight embrace.

He recognized the white pebble—it came from Ruoxu Peak’s river, still slightly damp, recently placed inside. Finding one so flawlessly smooth would have taken hours of wading through water. Song Qingshi’s robes bore traces of mud, proof of his labor.

Emotion Lock writhed at his neck, desperately absorbing his emotions as he pressed a reverent kiss to Song Qingshi’s forehead, whispering words of love too deep to speak. "I want to give you... everything." The first gift—I offer you my body...

The second gift, I offer my soul to you...

The third gift, I offer my heart to you...

I am yours, forever yours...

...

Song Qingshi checked the time, then raised his hand. Countless blossoms of Mystic Fire lotuses bloomed in the air, piling up in layers, like brilliant fireworks lighting up the valley, as if staging the grandest celebration. Standing beneath the radiant display, he lifted his head with a smile and offered his heartfelt wishes:

"Wuhuan, happy birthday."