Chapter 211

Chapter 211

Not only was Xie Yinxue's sight sharp, but his hearing was impeccable.

So naturally, he caught Bu Jiuzhao initially intending to mention "nourishing the kidneys" instead of just "the body."

And the man had corrected himself at the last moment. If Xie Yinxue nitpicked at this, he would be admitting his own deficiencies. But if he chose to gloss over it, he'd retain some dignity, especially since everyone already knew about his frail health.

Bu Jiuzhao seemed to grasp this delicate balance, knowing he wouldn't be outrightly scolded. As Xie Yinxue shot him a sideways glance, those deep eyes met his unblinkingly. Although silent, they seemed to question, "I'm only looking out for you. You're not going to rebuke me, are you?"

How exasperating...

Xie Yinxue felt somewhat helpless against him.

Much like the times when Xie Yinxue had left Bu Jiuzhao speechless. It wasn't that they genuinely had no counter to each other, but out of fondness, they indulged one another's antics.

Xie Yinxue would never admit that he had overexerted himself recently. So, he accepted the latter sentiment, "Fine, remember to give it to me. After all, my health isn't great, and I do need some nourishment."

Emphasizing each word of "my health isn't great", Xie Yinxue then propped himself up, tilting his pale neck towards Bu Jiuzhao. His eyes half-closed, he resembled an inviting pear blossom. As Bu Jiuzhao leaned in for a kiss, he didn't resist, as if this was what he'd been waiting for.

This kiss was different from the previous fleeting one; it was filled with desire. When they parted, both saw the passion in each other's eyes. Xie Yinxue's lips, still slightly parted and moist, clasped Bu Jiuzhao's neck. Like their intimate moments, he whispered into the man's ear, "Although I think supplementing with something else would have the same effect."

Bu Jiuzhao: "..."

Yes, Bu Jiuzhao can indeed "replenish" Xie Yinxue, but it's only a temporary solution, not addressing the root cause.

Because Bu Jiuzhao doesn't know cultivation methods, his spiritual energy is innate. He doesn't need to cultivate, nor does he rest. Thus, transferring energy to Xie Yinxue is akin to feeding someone—a big mouthful and it's done. Though Xie Yinxue knows some techniques to manipulate the spiritual energy of the world, he's never tried to cultivate under such a bewildered state. Whenever he tries to concentrate, Bu Jiuzhao disrupts him. With the swift dissipation of energy, Xie can only grasp a bit. Over time, he just stopped resisting.

However, the smidgen of spiritual energy he managed to grab acts as a "tonic" during those moments.

After hearing the young man's words, Bu Jiuzhao regretted it deep down but remained stubborn, making the excuse, "No, we can't use too much spiritual energy; we'll get caught."

"Oh?" Xie Yinxue raised an eyebrow, replying with a meaningful tone, "So you got caught the last time you went out? Can't go out anymore?"

Otherwise, Bu Jiuzhao wouldn't have mentioned leaving Xie Yinxue a medicinal recipe and hiring a cook for him. If Bu Jiuzhao could go out himself, he'd have cooked for Xie directly.

"Yes, I was warned."

That was the truth. Bu Jiuzhao adjusted his position to make Xie Yinxue more comfortable in his arms, "I'll lie low for a couple of days and meet you when the chance arises."

Hearing this, Xie Yinxue smiled, played with a few strands of Bu Jiuzhao's falling hair, and closed his eyes, "Wake me up before sunrise to watch the dawn."

Bu Jiuzhao promised, "Alright."

That day, Xie Yinxue didn't wake up before dawn on his own. He was awakened by Bu Jiuzhao. As soon as he opened his eyes, the dawn light made him squint again. The warm rays made him feel so cozy that he didn't want to move.

"What are you...doing?!"

A second later, Zheng Shu's shocked voice arose behind them. Both Xie Yinxue and Bu Jiuzhao turned around simultaneously. This synchrony, like the glaring sun, pierced Zheng Shu's heart. He questioned the still-embraced pair, "So early in the morning, did you even consider the feelings of us singles?"

"We did," Bu Jiuzhao honestly replied, "but decided it wasn't important enough to care about."

Zheng Shu: "..."

Ying Yiling, also single, wasn't bothered. Instead, she remarked, "You two are really close."

Mu Jinhai sighed, "Ah, I can't figure out who the ferryman NPC is."

He had pondered all night and still felt that Bu Jiuzhao being the ferryman NPC was the most plausible. Given Xie Yinxue's good looks, luring the ferryman NPC with his charm seemed possible. But seeing Bu Jiuzhao skillfully packing up and Xie Yinxue doing nothing, his earlier assumptions seemed off.

After all, from his own encounters with the ferryman NPC in the game, he knew they were typically impatient and haughty. While Bu Jiuzhao fits the description, he behaves differently around Xie Yinxue, just like anyone else in love.

"Still hung up on that?" You Lan, hearing Mu Jinhai's mumbling, said, "Stop overthinking. Just ask everyone at the cliff base."

Mu Jinhai lightened up, "Alright, let's go."

Zhan Meng lifted his dry breakfast bread: “Here's to finally getting out of this forest.”

At noon on the sixth day, they arrived at the Temple of the Lost Lands for the fifth time.

After days of venturing, the group had become quite familiar with the place. Those who were to take gold took gold, those who needed the Waters of Immortality took it. Within five minutes, they stood on the cliff platform of the temple.

Xie Yin Xue gazed into the abyss, saying, “I can't see the bottom of this cliff. I estimate it's at least 5,000 meters deep. If we fall, it would take more than fifty seconds. Decide whether to drink the Waters of Immortality around the twentieth second. If you choose to, thirty seconds would certainly be sufficient.”

Just then, Bian Yu Chen interjected, “I suggest you don't drink it.”

Zheng Shu quickly looked up, fixing him with a penetrating gaze. “Why? Give me a reason.”

No matter how amiable and refined Bian Yu Chen seemed, to Zheng Shu, he was a hypocrite. If it weren't for Bian coercing the nurses to take drugs, perhaps more participants would have survived the last quest at Qing Shan Mental Hospital. Zheng Shu distrusted him, believing him to harbor ulterior motives.

“Because my divination hinted ‘let go’. I believe it may refer to letting go of our obsession with ‘immortality’.” Bian Yu Chen glanced at him, his face adorned with his signature insincere smile, “If you don’t believe me, then don’t drink it.”

Zheng Shu cursed under his breath.

Now uncertain, Zheng Shu turned to Xie Yin Xue, “Will you drink it?”

But it was Bu Jiu Zao who responded, “He won't.”

Zheng Shu snapped, “I was asking Xie Yin Xue.”

Bu Jiu Zao scoffed, “Is there a difference?”

Xie Yin Xue looked at Bu Jiu Zao and smiled, “Alright, I won't drink.”

Liu Bu Hua chimed in unasked, “If my godfather and godmother aren't drinking, neither am I.”

Zheng Shu: “...”

Is this trio still trying to get under his skin?

“No need to ask.” Yun Qian walked to the edge of the cliff, her eyes closed. It seemed she was addressing everyone, but perhaps she was also speaking to herself, “Once you jump, your heart will guide you to make the choice it truly desires. Jump!”

As her words ended, she plunged straight into the abyss, gradually becoming a mere speck.

Her fearless demeanor left the others in awe.

Seeing the temple doors almost giving way to the strikes from the golden serpent, Ying Yi Ling and Song Qu You took deep breaths, hands intertwined, thinking that dying sooner or later was still dying, and jumped after Yun Qian. Seeing the women act so decisively, Mu Jin Hai, Yi Yao, and You Lan, three close friends, linked arms and jumped as well. Liu Bu Hua and Bu Jiu Zao sandwiched Xie Yin Xue in between them as they jumped. It went without saying that siblings Zheng Shu and Mu Yu Ji jumped together.

Without anyone to hold onto, Zhan Meng felt isolated. He turned to the equally solitary Bian Yuchen and said, "Brother Bian, I'm a bit scared. How about we team up and hold hands?"

Bian Yuchen: "..."

After a brief two-second silence, Bian Yuchen eventually extended his hand to him.

The sensation of freefall from high above rapidly overtook them. One second, two seconds, three seconds... Twenty seconds in, and they were still descending. Bian Yuchen tightly clutched the crystal bottle containing the Elixir of Immortality in his right hand, battling with his inner demons.

— Should he drink it or not?

The primal instinct to survive urged Bian Yuchen to uncork the bottle and consume the elixir, but his divination had never been wrong.

The divination told him to let go.

Let go... Let go...

In the end, Bian Yuchen lowered his arm, continuing his freefall like a kite severed from its string. He was the most gifted child in the Bian family's arcane arts. He believed he couldn't, and wouldn't, die.

After what felt like a full minute, they finally landed.

The sensation of hitting the ground wasn't painful. It was like waking up from a dream in which you're falling, only to find yourself safely in bed, the solid bedboard behind you.

Now, beneath them wasn't a bed. Inhaling the scent of fresh grass, they opened their eyes to a vast azure sky above.

Suddenly sitting up, Bian Yuchen realized they were on a meadow. This field was nearly identical to the one at the entrance of the Mummy Forest, but this time, instead of the forest, they were greeted by the sight of Na Luo Ta City with its red roofs, gray bricks, and exotic architecture.

Outside the city gates, children were gleefully chasing butterflies. Due to their playful recklessness, the captured butterflies were crushed, their juices splattered and wings torn. It was a gruesome sight.

Yet, after a while, the children would uncover the butterfly remains, and miraculously, the butterflies would flutter back to life, dancing in the air.

Giggling, the children would resume their chase.

This cycle of life and death continued endlessly.

Author's Note:

Bu Jiuzhao: I have regrets, but I can't admit them.

Xie Yin Xue: My back hurts a bit, but I can't acknowledge it.