“Hmm..” the first time he meditated after he gained an understanding to use his intent, Ye Yingyuan felt his body started to move like when he swung his sword. All of the movement he executed would be able to show a hint of the basic sword stance.
But other than that, he also noticed the change every time he drew his sword. It was like his will are transmitted to the weapon he held and it enhanced its capability. Meaning that his stroke would be more forceful and seemed like this is just its initial stage.
‘I forcefully make myself in a desperate situation to draw everything in me out. But it resulted in my internal injuries though. Add to the fact that my foundation pillar is still in its critical stage although it almost stabilized completely…’ at the time he thought about this, he was sitting near the entrance of the hive.
“Looking back at the outside, I am starting to miss home.” Now that he thought about it, what was the thought of his cousin? It was because only Ye Xiaobai that got a chance to learn outside. Ye Yingyuan always wondered why.
Firstly, Ye Xiaobai was his only cousin from his uncle. While he himself was the second son as well as the youngest among the three, he still had his older brother. Then surely his uncle would love his son more than anything.
And second, he also wondered what kind of person his aunt was. Ye Yingyuan was too afraid to ask this thing out because the expression of his uncle turned darker and that was the reason he would never ask that again until further development.
“What? You miss home already? This is just two months in our perspective time you know.” From the side, Ye Xiaobai greeted Ye Yingyuan.
“But I feel lonely in this strange and unknown environment. I feel a lot better when remembering the taste of Mother’s cooking as well as the friends that will greet me occasionally. Say, cousin do you also miss your home even when you are under the control of the others?”
Ye Xiaobai heard what Ye Yingyuan said. He could understand why Ye Yingyuan raised this question and he felt complicated when it came to him being under control. It was started because of a woman actually, someone he held dear in his heart.
“I will always miss my home. Wherever I am in this world, I will yearn to return to where my family is.” Replied Ye Xiaobai softly. There was a special relationship between the two because, for Ye Xiaobai, Ye Yingyuan was a lot smarter than his peers at his age so he felt like his young cousin could know his circumstance.
And remembering the cause of his previous situation, Ye Xiaobai felt hurt actually. It was simply a betrayal but the aftertaste it gave was more than enough to remain in his mind.
‘Is it wrong that I feel that way towards her? Why would she do that? I can’t understand it all.’ Ye Xiaobai just clenched his teeth in agony, for his feeling was like at the first sight. He just intended to ask this later but since he saw Ye Yingyuan got closer to a girl, then perhaps he could try to ask something related to that.
“And I want to ask you, my beloved cousin, do you have someone you like?” facing his family member with his smile, Ye Xiaobai asked while focusing his attention to Ye Yingyuan.
“Someone I like?” Ye Yingyuan stuttered at his words. He directly locked his gaze to match the eye of his cousin. They could see what was inside the other’s eyes. Ye Yingyuan started to understand that probably the problem his cousin had now would be related to the matter called love.
When he thought about it for a bit deeper, Ye Yingyuan also had someone. Perhaps it was just because he only regarded her as someone else that he often ignored it but there was no way she would get closer to him without reason.
But their age was still not that mature to marry so he had some time to consider. Although he knew that his mother had set this up, at least he wanted to search for some other for him to interested with.
‘What reason does she have to close to me? I can’t see any good from me. So why?’ when Ye Yingyuan recalled that everyday interaction with her, he felt that it was a bit too much for him to receive. Her way of calling him when he was training…
“Yingyuan, do you still practicing at this time?” that was what Ye yingyuan could recall when he had overextended his time to train his swordplay. And it would always her that called him when it was time to rest.
And that was in one instance. Another thing he remembered was her change in attitude towards everyone, especially to him. Her smile was so bright and wide it formed a dimple on her face. That was Ye Yingyuan’s impression of the current Li Ling.
“You starting to like her?” putting his hand on his chin, Ye Xiaobai opened his mouth in amusement when he saw that Ye Yingyuan lost in thought. Then he continued, “And do you know that Aunt is probably engaged you to her? Probably you already know.”
“That is the very problem I have. I don’t know how should I face this! I know my shortcomings are so big and I know that to be a leader of your family is not easy.” Ye Yingyuan said.
“I can’t believe you even think that far.” Ye Xiaobai moved closer, he comforted his cousin by touching that small shoulders. “You are thinking about the responsibilities it gives. And I am responsible for everything, for hurting grandfather, for hurting both you and auntie, I should be the one to feel that way.”
“No.” Ye Yingyuan shook his head in denial. “You are not guilty. But whoever did that will have to explain this to our family. And by the way, cousin, who is the woman that you like?” as if a slight chance had come for Ye Yingyuan to slip past this embarrassing matter about him, Ye Yingyuan asked back to his cousin.
“Hmm, that is a long story to be told. Well, it ended quite unpleasant to me. Perhaps it was just my bad luck.” Ye Xiaobai knew that once Ye Yingyuan asked and his interest had been set, he could not turn it back anymore.
“Then who is Elder Sister Yue to you? Just who is she?”
“She is someone that resent me, someone that has ties with my friend outside.” All bad things were happening around Ye Xiaobai and he had to endure it all. His breath became rough in a moment and he continued again, “But I know why she did that. It was my fault that brings her to this place.”
“Then I will ask for her forgiveness in your stead…” of course when Ye Yingyuan heard that his family were having troubles, he would like to help. But his action was stopped by that very person who he wanted to help.
“No, this is personal. This is my responsibilities for putting too much trust to someone without the credibility to do so.” Holding the shoulders of his cousin more tightly, Ye Xiaobai shook his head and smile to mock himself.
‘It was because of my decision that this happened…’
“But..”
“Not acceptable. I don’t want anyone help with this matter alright. I just hope that she can truly forgive me though.”
Then unconsciously, they sat side to side in silent, enjoying the loneliness the place by just the two of them, each person thinking their own matter. Ye Yingyuan thought about the circumstances his cousin had while reminding himself about what he would do if he were to be really engaged to Li Ling and went further than that.
They lost in their own mind, thinking what was the best act to do for their own matter.
“Who is he talking about?” this was heard by Li Ling when she walked to their direction. She also carried with her a sword with a bloodstained handle along with the scabbard. She could not find Ye Yingyuan in his assigned training room so she searched him.
“I want to become the strongest so I can fulfill my promise to my grandfather. That is why I can’t even stop if I have time.” That words of Ye Yingyuan when he trained over the day and night despite not knowing about time in the spatial crack put her heart at worry. And what he was doing at that place with his cousin made her stared with astonishment.
“So you are here too.” A soft and comfortable touch came from behind and Li Ling barely reacted to it by readied her weapon and in defensive stance but she was surprised to see that Yue was the one who did that.
“Sister Yue, why are you here?” Li Ling became excited but said it in a low voice to prevent the two from hearing her. The fox lady currently did not cover herself with a cloak so her figure could be seen fully. Yue had her eyes on Ye Xiaobai all the time but concealed herself within the area.
Only when she felt that someone else was coming to her position she chose to reveal herself.
“Just watching. What are you going to do at this place?” Yue asked with a playful smile displayed on her face. Apparently, she observed everyone in this place and she could get closer with Li Ling the very first time. This resulted in her easy approach every time she met with Li Ling.
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“I am looking for Ye Yingyuan. He doesn’t in his training room when I checked so here I am.” Replied Li Ling before she asked, “Does Sister Yue have something with Ye Xiaobai?”
“Perhaps, perhaps not.” Yue smile became stiff as if she could not change its current expression on her own will. She did not know what to do when this matter came out. No one would be unhurt when someone that had a place inside their heart disappear from their life, that was also applied to Yue.
At the time of his master death, her anger was actually boiled enough for the water to evaporate but she held it in. She could not even let that feeling out to her expression, not even once. Instead, she kept her friendly manner as it is. It was because she believed that the person she hated was controlled and even her master had told it.
-
“Don’t blame him. He just experienced this for the very first time in his life. And, if possible you should forgive him.”
“I know you are going to look for him afterward, I suggest that you don’t do anything to him. I am asking you as his friend, not as your master. After all, this master and servant relationship is just a disguise.”
“His consciousness is suppressed but actually he can still know what his body was doing. That is the torture he faced right now! I swear that if you hurt him, even just a strand of his hair, you will regret it big time. He and you have a connection but I lack time to explain now.”
Those few words that came from her master, Jiang Zhen, were ringing in her head. She wanted to ignore it and just harm Ye Xiaobai but when she saw the expression of her master, she knew it was serious. Every time she thought about Ye Xiaobai, she had an urge to plant her fist to his face.
Her hands were shaking when she had that thought because her mind was in conflict. She still respected her master because Jiang Zhen was the one who saved her. She respected him and his words. And fortunately, the encounter with Ye Xiaobai changed her opinion so she decided to give this young man another chance.
“So you are here.” They were actually noticed by Ye Xiaobai and when he knew that Yue was also there, he forced himself to go meet her. He did not know what he should say, what he should do to atone his mistakes for his friend and to her.
“Here. I return it to you because you are closer to him than me in any way.” Said Ye xiaobai as he grabbed the belt that became the only thing his friend had. He never did anything to the belt other than to stare at it from time to time.
Yue stared at the belt and shifted her eyes to the person who had extended his hand. She was sure of one thing, even if he made that mistake it was because of his own lack of experience. She even found that Ye Xiaobai was actually serious and since they both started to unconsciously let their thoughts out.
“What?” for a second Yue blinked in surprise but that act let out her natural charm as Ye Xiaobai stared at her, his eyes did not blink for a moment. Then he realized it and turned his head away, closing his eyes with his hand.
“No. I can’t do it…” Ye Xiaobai was still afraid to see the face of a beautiful woman in a close distance. When he saw a woman from far, he felt normal, nothing special. But when they came close to him that he started to avoid them.
This, of course, was troubling Wu Qing because she also had the responsibility to watch over these children, starting from the problem with Ye Yingyuan’s foundation pillar to Ye Xiaobai’s mind control. Even she also had to mind Ye Qingcheng’s development.
But the only thing to notice was, Ye Xiaobai never troubled when Li Ling came to him. In the end, they had to ask her for assistance with him as well.
“Forget it. You are still unstable for now.” Yue could not help much in this situation. She turned her head and said to Li Ling, “Go help him. Aren’t you also in charge of helping him? And you are also the bride in training. So help.”
Of course, the reaction Li Ling gave was nodding her head. She went to Ye xiaobai and asked if he was fine.
“I’m fine. But why are you carrying his sword?” asked Ye Xiaobai when he saw the familiar item in Li Ling’s hands. He did not know the reason why he was calm now compared to when he faced Yue. Whatever it was, he had to ask her about one thing.
“Yingyuan left it in his training room and I come to give it back to him.” She replied in response.
“Then I want to ask you about one thing, is it ok for you?” asked Ye Xiaobai while shifting his gaze between Li Ling and Yue who stood a lot farther. He felt unpleasant when he caught that beautiful face so he returned his gaze back.
After he saw Li Ling nodded in agreement, he told her with energy transmission.
‘So what are you going to do now? I hear that you become the disciple of Northern Ice Palace, is that true?’ Ye Xiaobai asked.
‘What does this have to do with me?’
‘It means a lot. Because you will face hardship now that the place they had probably disappear from existence. Not only that but you have to hide from many people especially from Zhao Royal family while trying to find your senior sister along the way. And you have to separate from your home, your father the city mayor and us Ye family. Are you ready?’
Ye Xiaobai smiled while watching Li Ling pondering his question. He also used the transmission to Ye Yingyuan to inform him about things at the same time.
‘Quick come to my position. Your bride in training is here to get your sword back.’ That was his message to Ye yingyuan.
‘Do not say that. I am not in that relationship with her, we are just close friends…’ replied Ye Yingyuan.
Ye Yingyuan left the place he currently was. Before he moved, he felt a strong shockwave coming from the place where the obstacle to the spatial crack’s exit was located. Currently, there was a figure at that place to solve the problem.
Actually, the shockwave appeared as a result of removing the obstacles away. The figure then extended its arm and violent, cold energy spread across the place. The obstacles were those net that obstructed the movement of the hive, it started to fight back by emitting a bright light.
“This is natural space fabric. I have to slowly move this part first.” The figure said. The figure that was able to go out into the dangerous environment of spatial crack was none other than Shan Rao. She was trying to grab the fabric with her hands covered in a dense and cold qi.
Space fabric, a part of the space that naturally could not be interacted with living beings perception was now currently in touch with her hands. But her expression was serious and she had to put all her attention to fix the mess up.
A small line could be seen around her body, a proof that she could protect herself from the terrifying pressure around her. Then when she wanted to separate the fabric, it let out a strong rejection. It caused the shockwave which caused the place around it to react, forming a chain reaction.
This meant danger since this fabric was also the thing that blocked their way and if something happened to it, the entire hive would be in the threat of destruction.
“Break for me!” when she came at a certain point, Shan Rao hastily exploited this opportunity. She basically tore the fabric apart in a certain direction. This caused a surge of pressure multiplied around her.
“Dangerous! Quickly gather around me.” With his keen eyes, Ye Xiaobai took notice of it. The problem was they were inside the safe area in the nest but due to the amount of pressure coming from outside, some of it leaked to them.
And then the nearest to him was Li Ling. She immediately let out her qi, it was rather cold and the change of temperature was noticed by Ye Xiaobai as soon as his skin felt it.
‘Truly deserved to be the body constitution of Pure Yin Body. Unfortunately, it is not enough to repel this pressure.’ Though Ye Xiaobai before he grabbed something from his spatial bag. ‘Hope this thing still does its function well. Come out!’
In another place, Ye Qingcheng was currently in a heated battle. His whole body which was well-built and muscular now full of bruises and his face was swollen. But he grinned and rushed to the place where his opponents were.
There was a dozen of Yellow Bees left and he intended to knock them out. But to his surprise, their power and ability were not to be underestimated either. That was why he got all those injuries and his opponents were not better.
Some of the bees’ wing was broken, some broke their leg and their only weapon. And to add the result of their sparring, the entire room was full of holes and cracks.
Then they got closer and clashed at each other. A dozen fighting against one but that single person was equally a match for them. A stab came from the side and the front so he deflected it to another direction, getting a light wound in the process.
Ye Qingcheng clenched his fist, intending to at least bring one of these ‘elites’ down. His action was countered by the group, they moved away but also circling around Ye Qingcheng’s back. But he already saw this a few times so he used his elbow to attack anything that tried to use the move against him.
‘It hit.’ Ye Qingcheng felt something behind him. Ever since his awakening, though he did not know what thing that awakened inside of him but one thing was for sure. It was related to his body circulation in both his blood and his qi, and the feeling was more apparent when he felt his blood running in his vein.
It gave him a stronger amount of force compared to before he awakens. And his qi also circulated and denser as well. This gave him an additional advantage in his attack, defense, and sensing ability.
The thing that hit his elbow was one of the Yellow bees. It was a direct hit and the poor bee had to hit the wall.
“Sorry. I don’t expect it.” Ye Qingcheng moved faster to help. He grabbed the body gently and then said, “We have to postpone this. One of you is injured so…”
Before he even finished, a strong pressure came. This was what Ye Qingcheng felt outside the safety of the hive for the first time. “What’s going on?” he asked.
“The space in front of us, it is opened.” One of the bees told him with the transmission.
On another place, Wu Qing only looked at the place where she felt that pressure. She then remembered about the children that she was supposed to protect. So she used her sense and found them in an instant.
It was fortunate that Ye Xiaobai had an item strong enough to repel the pressure. Even with his cultivation level, he would not dare to meet this head on. He grabbed a large parasol and opened it. The fresh air when he opened it also served to reduce the pressure.
“Where is Yue?” just as Ye Xiaobai asked it, a tap from the shoulders reminded him. He should not worry too much about her, she had better perception here so she would know instantly this would happen. But what concern Ye Xiaobai was that her astonishing speed and presence which was undetected if Yue did not tap his shoulders.
‘Silver fur, that ear, and tail as well as the characteristic of an assassin. There is only a thing comes to mind, Silver Fox Race.’ Ye Xiaobai held this in his mind. He knew at least about what this race was because it came from the mouth of his father.
“You here. Oh no, please hold this for me!” he nodded to Yue before he saw that Ye Yingyuan was in difficulties just to reach their position. Without hesitation, he left his position and handed the control of the parasol to Yue.
“Please hold on.” The sudden change in pressure made the inside of Ye Xiaobai wanted to go out. When he reached Ye Yingyuan, he used his entire power to get him as near to the parasol as possible.
Shan Rao who also perceived this became restless as well. Especially since her intent could also mix in there and that was what Ye Xiaobai felt. He knew that this was the pressure from the intent and that was the unintentional ones, the real ones would make them into a dust particle in an instant.
“Argh…” everywhere around Ye Xiaobai’s body was only greeted by pain. And he started to move back while blood started to flow from his seven apertures. He felt comfort when he saw that Ye Yingyuan was safe and sound.
“No, come back…” Ye Yingyuan refused to lie down and stood up just to extend his hand and reach Ye Xiaobai. And Ye Yingyuan started to understand another aspect of intent just a moment ago but he had put this thought aside just to save his cousin.
“You are…really..” Ye Xiaobai reached the hands and grasped it, entering the safe area once more. That feeling when he met that intent head on only made him realize just how terrifying those people at the higher stage of cultivation was. But that was that and seeing everyone, including his little cousin, was fine, he smiled silly.
“Cousin, did you feel something?” asked Ye Yingyuan. This question made Ye Xiaobai frowned and confused. This also applied to Yue and Li Ling as they went.
“Feel what?” Ye Xiaobai replied back while worry started to appear on his face. That was why he instantly use his detection sense to get a better view. He was surprised to feel that Ye yingyuan’s aura slightly change, it was more stable.
‘Does that mean, the feeling he felt is the perfection of the first foundation pillar?’ Ye Xiaobai thought of the possibility and could not help but carefully think about it again. Will it be dangerous?
“I don’t lie. I definitely feel better than ever, perhaps flying is not impossible.” Ye Yingyuan implied that it was actually not a bad feeling. And he knew that his cultivation became stable at least and he could possibly use the power to float.
“Before you two speak about the aftermath, why don’t you rest!? Look at yourself.” Shouted Li Ling.
Ye Xiaobai swiped his finger to the seven orifices and found out that he was bleeding. He smiled bitterly because he did not care about it at all. The thought of his cousin’s safety overcame that worry. And Ye Yingyuan brought Ye Xiaobai to sit.
“I’m sorry I cannot come in time. Because of me…”
“Stop! Don’t speak anymore. Just stay in this area for a while and let me rest for a bit.” Ye Xiaobai interrupted before he felt something arose from his throat. He coughed and a small amount of blood came out.
“But you need to recover fast. How about this then?” feeling guilty, Ye Yingyuan tried to transfer his qi to his cousin. Ye Xiaobai received it and felt a strong effect from it.
‘As expected from the energy with body constitution, it’s on another league.’ Surprised but still, in his expectation, Ye Xiaobai now knew the importance of someone with body constitution. With the strong effect from Yang attribute, the recovery was faster than normal by several folds. Even the internal injuries Ye Xiaobai received was about to disappear.
“These two idiots, make others worry to death!” the sound that both of them heard was completely flat, lacking any sympathy and feeling. Ye Xiaobai could not do anything but glanced at the source while Ye Yingyuan could see perfectly who voiced that.
The problem was, it came from Yue. Ye Yingyuan could not see her power all the time he made contact with her so he felt nervous. Ye Xiaobai only raised his hand in return.
The shaking continued and the parasol let out a warm aura which protected them from any harm that may come. Yue channeled her energy to it and it was good since the parasol was quite effective.
“Almost, just this last bit of fabric and we can get out. I should apologize to those kids below, it’s not my intention to hurt them.” Seeing the exit was about to be cleared, Shan Rao could feel what was happening and thought about forgiveness.
Moments later, the last line of fabric was taken out of its place. And so the nest could get out from the current condition.