AVL Chapter 134

Yan Ling, holding book scrolls, returned to his quarters. Before he could put the books down, he heard a voice.

 

“You’re going back to Yan Family Mountain?”

 

Yan Ling didn’t look up. One by one, he placed the books on the table, casually choosing one to open. He perfunctorily said: “You heard, and you’re still asking?”

 

Xi Jue lazily sat in a chair flipping through a leisure book, a wooden stick in his mouth. His body carried a scent of rock sugar hawthorn. He said half-smiling: “Where you go back to has nothing to do with me, but the one surnamed Sheng doesn’t seem to think so.”

 

Yan Ling looked at him puzzled: “What?”

 

Xi Jue, seeing he was still confused, sneered and continued reading: “Whatever. Anyway, I can go to Yan Family Mountain anytime.”

 

Sheng Jiao might not be able to.

 

Yan Ling, seeing him all mysterious with that punchable look, said irritably: “Why are you staying at my place again? I’m going home this afternoon—I can’t bring you pastries.”

 

Xi Jue still held the bamboo stick in his mouth, saying absentmindedly: “How hard is that? Just go get me pastries first, then go home.”

 

Yan Ling rolled his eyes. Picking a few scrolls from the bookshelf to put in his storage ring, he grabbed the thick crane cloak to wrap around his shoulders, saying: “I want to go home right now. Play by yourself.”

 

Xi Jue’s sharp teeth bit the bamboo stick tip. A golden pattern flashed and instantly nailed the bamboo stick to the doorframe—looking closely, that doorframe had densely packed small holes.

 

Yan Ling expertly pulled out the bamboo stick and threw it to Xi Jue: “Tianyan spiritual power is depleting. Central State clans are all frantically anxious, and you’re still wasting Tianyan on such boring things?”

 

“Let it deplete then.” Xi Jue sat up from the chair, stretching. Following Yan Ling out, he said methodically: “Before Tianyan appeared, didn’t the Thirteen States still have cultivators?”

 

Yan Ling was watching outside to see when the snow would stop. Seeing Xi Jue’s movements, his brows furrowed: “What are you doing?”

 

Xi Jue said innocently: “Aren’t you going home? I’m escorting you.”

 

“Don’t want that.” Yan Ling said. “Already told you not to waste Tianyan for no reason. What if Tianyan spiritual power really runs out…”

 

Xi Jue said puzzled: “What?”

 

Yan Ling was also confused for a moment.

 

As Xi Jue said, even if the Tianyan spiritual veins depleted, the Thirteen States still had spiritual veins to help cultivators cultivate—it wouldn’t make everyone instantly become ordinary people. But Yan Ling instinctively felt…

 

If one day Tianyan spiritual power was completely consumed, something bad would happen.

 

Yan Ling silently pulled up his hood and quickly walked into the heavy snow.

 

Xi Jue strolled after him: “Really won’t let me escort you?”

 

“No.”

 

Xi Jue said: “Fine, then I’ll reluctantly take a walk.”

 

Yan Ling’s steps paused: “You want to follow me back to the Yan family?”

 

“Yeah. Your honor. Exempted from the courtesy of thanks.”

 

Yan Ling was about to roll his eyes again.

 

Xi Jue had often gone to freeload at the Yan family these past four or five years—nothing strange about it. Besides, after the new year, the Yan family of four would return to Yan Family Mountain. From then on, they’d rarely gather. Yan Ling didn’t refuse again, tacitly letting him follow.

 

The two walked out of Yan Ling’s quarters. Head-on, they saw Sheng Jiao slowly walking over holding an umbrella.

 

Yan Ling’s attitude toward Sheng Jiao was completely different from Xi Jue. Stepping on snow with crunching sounds, he greeted him: “Sheng Jiao, today my mother said she’d make squirrel mandarin fish. Want to come eat?”

 

Sheng Jiao walked before him. Ignoring Xi Jue with a head full of snow, he sheltered Yan Ling’s head with the umbrella, smiling faintly: “Good.”

 

Yan Ling immediately became happy.

 

Xi Jue said sarcastically from the side: “Sheng Jiao, didn’t you already return to your residence just now? How did you appear here again? What a coincidence.”

 

Sheng Jiao glanced at him flatly: “Not a coincidence. Not as coincidental as you.”

 

Xi Jue: “…”

 

This bad thing was definitely deliberately creating a chance encounter!

 

Yan Ling couldn’t detect the gunpowder smell between the two. Grabbing them both, he braved the snow back to the Yan family.

 

Yan Yue had long known shixiong would return today. He’d sat under the eaves at the main gate early on, longingly waiting. After waiting most of the day, he finally vaguely saw in the vast snow—at the end of the long street, a faintly visible figure appeared.

 

Yan Yue immediately bounced up. Running through the snow all the way, he shouted loudly: “Shixiong—!”

 

The snowy road was too slippery. The half-grown child fell once, but like nothing happened, he floundered up again, covered in snow as he rushed over.

 

Yan Ling held back laughter, taking a few quick steps to catch Yan Yue in one motion: “Run slower. You fell, didn’t you?”

 

Yan Yue, hugging Yan Ling and nuzzling once, only then said aggrievedly: “I fell. It hurts.”

 

Yan Ling laughed heartily: “Whose fault is that?”

 

“Mine.”

 

After being affectionate with Yan Ling, Yan Yue looked behind. Sure enough, he saw those two who came to freeload every day. He imperceptibly pursed his lips but still obediently held Yan Ling’s hand, welcoming the two back home.

 

Madam Zhao really liked Sheng Jiao and Xi Jue. Seeing the two come over, she was also very happy. She added two more dishes, bustling as she set out a big table.

 

“This snow is too heavy.” Madam Zhao said with a smile. “Sheng Jiao and A Jue, stay here tonight. Tomorrow when the snow is lighter, then leave.”

 

Sheng Jiao created the chance encounter for this very purpose. How could he not agree? Smiling, he said good.

 

Xi Jue pulled a big basin of squirrel mandarin fish to his side, saying half-smiling: “Doesn’t Sheng Jiao urgently need to go back? I can use my xiangwen to send you home. No need to thank me.”

 

Sheng Jiao didn’t stoop to his level, saying flatly: “No need to trouble Young Master Xi.”

 

Xi Jue pursed his lips.

 

Madam Zhao was used to the two bickering openly and covertly, laughing softly non-stop.

 

Yan Ling originally thought Xi Jue was noisy and wanted him to go back by himself. Seeing this, he could only shut his mouth, earnestly eating his rice.

 

After nightfall, the snow still fell.

 

Yan Ling hadn’t been home for over a month. Just after eating, he was pulled to the room by Yan Yue. Eyes sparkling as he looked at shixiong, he had Yan Ling tell him about academy matters.

 

Yan Ling spent all year at the medicine garden. Day after day with Lezheng Jiu tinkering with herbal medicine—that faint medicinal fragrance on his body had almost marinated into him. He lazily lay on Yan Yue’s bed, vividly describing to Yan Yue exactly how brave he was, how greatly admired he was in Zhuxing House. Even first-ranked Xi Jue had to obediently submit to him, let alone others.

 

Yan Yue, hugging the black cat in his arms and curled up on the bed, very graciously praised shixiong: “Shixiong is amazing! Shixiong is brave!”

 

Yan Ling was delighted beyond measure.

 

After coaxing Yan Yue almost enough, seeing his face full of sleepiness, Yan Ling gently tucked in the corner of his quilt. Just about to leave, Yan Yue suddenly extended his hand to grab Yan Ling’s finger.

 

“Shixiong?”

 

Yan Ling sat back down: “What’s wrong?”

 

Yan Yue’s eyes brightened slightly as he looked at him, full of expectation: “Next year we can go home, right?”

 

Yan Ling smiled. Extending his hand to pat Yan Yue’s fluffy hair, he said with a smile: “Yeah. After the new year, we’ll return to Yan Family Mountain.”

 

Yan Yue was delighted. Only then was he willing to obediently sleep.

 

After coaxing Yan Yue to sleep, Yan Ling yawned and returned to his own quarters.

 

Xi Jue and Sheng Jiao stayed in the side courtyard, not far from here. Yan Ling’s way of hosting guests was to let them stay as they pleased—as long as they didn’t fight and demolish his house, he was too lazy to care.

 

Comfortably burrowing into the quilt, Yan Ling contentedly turned over. Looking at the bedroom inner chamber almost identical to Yan Family Mountain, hugging the quilt, he murmured: “Going home.”

 

During the day, his mind was full of joy about going home. Now quieting his heart to think, he suddenly felt a bit reluctant.

 

After all, four or five years in Central State—he’d formed bonds with countless people. It wasn’t something that could be severed in a moment.

 

Zhuxing House classmates, the Medicine Sect…

 

And all kinds of fun and delicious things.

 

“Ah…” Yan Ling pulled the quilt over his head, brows furrowing as he randomly kicked his legs.

 

Didn’t want to leave anymore.

 

If only there could be a solution that let him both play at Yan Family Mountain and blink to Central State.

 

But unfortunately, he wasn’t Xi Jue with the xiangwen ‘Wheresoever I Roam.’ He could only tearfully give up.

 

Yan Ling thought about this and that. Finally unable to resist drowsiness, wrapped in the familiar scent of the inner chamber, he slowly fell into sleep.

 

***

 

The night was completely silent—only the sound of falling snow lightly echoing.

 

Xi Jue slept soundly in the side courtyard. He’d come to the Yan family countless times—even more comfortable than at his own home. He slept without any guard, not even opening the protective restrictions he’d normally have at the academy.

 

In the silent stillness, a small figure silently lifted the bed curtain. Outside, candlelight reflected by snow faintly illuminated the newcomer’s face.

 

Yan Ling wore only a single layer of clothes. Expressionless, he stood by Xi Jue’s bed. His pupils flashed with threads of golden patterns as he looked down at the sleeping youth.

 

Xi Jue knew nothing.

 

Yan Ling stood there for a full half quarter-hour. His eyes almost didn’t blink—even slowly shedding two lines of tears. Still no movement.

 

Finally, he slowly extended his pale frozen hand toward Xi Jue’s nape turned away from him.

 

The icy hand carried winter night’s coldness. Before fully touching Xi Jue, he uncomfortably shrank his head, burying himself tighter in the quilt.

 

Yan Ling’s fingers stopped in mid-air. His eyes full of mist were unfocused and vacant, staring fixedly at Xi Jue’s nape.

 

—That was where the xiangwen was located.

 

After a long while, Yan Ling lightly parted his lips, spitting out a few barely audible words.

 

“…Unripe fruit hasn’t ripened.”

 

Not yet time.

 

After speaking, Yan Ling expressionless turned and left.

 

Leaving the inner chamber, Yan Ling’s bare feet stepped on the snowy ground, step by step walking back to his own quarters. But halfway there, he encountered Sheng Jiao with a cloak over his shoulders, looking at him with a face full of surprise.

 

“Yan Ling?”

 

Yan Ling wore only a thin layer of robes, disheveled hair walking in the snow—like sleepwalking. After his name was called, his pupils stiffened. The golden patterns at the bottom of his eyes instantly dissipated like a tide.

 

In that instant, consciousness sunken in mire slowly awakened.

 

Yan Ling’s face was full of confusion: “Sheng Jiao?”

 

Sheng Jiao quickly came over. Seeing his small face frozen blue-white, he immediately wrapped his own crane cloak around Yan Ling. With no time for more questions, he directly pulled him toward his quarters.

 

Yan Ling had no idea what happened. Being half-embraced, half-held as he was sent back to the warm inner chamber, fumigated by heat, his whole body shivered. He looked up at Sheng Jiao confused, his voice hoarse: “I… what happened?”

 

Sheng Jiao held him and stuffed him into the warm quilt. Feeling Yan Ling’s icy paws gradually recover temperature, he imperceptibly breathed a sigh of relief, saying: “Should be sleepwalking.”

 

Frozen for so long, suddenly this warm—Yan Ling’s cheeks showed abnormal blush. He groggily said: “I’m very well-behaved. I never sleepwalk.”

 

Sheng Jiao’s brows furrowed tightly. Wordlessly extending his hand to feel his forehead.

 

In just a moment, Yan Ling changed from the earlier coldness to scalding hot all over.

 

Sheng Jiao, seeing Yan Ling’s breathing somewhat difficult, eyes unfocused and confused, said with a stern face: “I’ll go call Madam Zhao.”

 

“No, no need.” Yan Ling used all his strength to grab his hand in one motion, shaking his head. “I know how to treat it. It’s so late—don’t call my mother.”

 

Sheng Jiao: “But…”

 

Yan Ling’s long hair scattered messily on the bed. His whole body weak and sickly, but he still wouldn’t let Sheng Jiao call Madam Zhao.

 

He skillfully took out a small porcelain bottle from the storage ring on his finger. Trembling paws trying to pour out spirit pills—but because his fever was too severe, after shaking for ages, he couldn’t pour out a single one.

 

Sheng Jiao couldn’t watch anymore. Frowning, he took it over and poured several spirit pills for him.

 

Yan Ling burned groggily. Too lazy to use his hands to receive them, he hugged Sheng Jiao’s wrist, leaning forward to lick and eat the several spirit pills in his palm one by one.

 

Sheng Jiao’s palm felt Yan Ling’s breath spraying hot air. His brows furrowed even more severely.

 

“These spirit pills are useful?”

 

“Very useful.” Yan Ling lay back on the pillow sicklily, still working hard to pull the quilt up to his chin, saying vaguely: “I’ll sleep and be fine. You hurry back.”

 

With him burning like this, how could Sheng Jiao possibly go back? Wordlessly pulling down the bed curtain, he sat on the edge of the bed planning to watch all night.

 

Yan Ling vaguely heard Sheng Jiao’s breathing. Opening eyes full of mist, he looked at him once.

 

“Why aren’t you leaving?”

 

Sheng Jiao said: “Don’t talk. Sleep. I’m watching over you here.”

 

“Just sitting and watching?” Yan Ling couldn’t help laughing. “Sheng Jiao, why are you so good?”

 

Sheng Jiao extended his hand to touch Yan Ling’s forehead again. Feeling his head was still scalding, he didn’t mind Yan Ling’s sweet words, only worrying by himself.

 

Yan Ling extended his hand to tug him, saying: “Come, sleep together.”

 

Sheng Jiao was still frowning.

 

Yan Ling lifted the quilt. Despite having a fever, he didn’t know where the strength came from—raising his hand, he pulled Sheng Jiao, who was like a chaste and virtuous woman, into the bedding.

 

Sheng Jiao’s body carried winter night’s slight coolness. Yan Ling, dizzy with fever, sensing a cool air, instinctively pressed over, extending his hand to hug Sheng Jiao’s waist. Nuzzling his face against his chest, he murmured: “So cool.”

 

Sheng Jiao wasn’t too used to being this close to people. He stiffened but still didn’t push him away, letting Yan Ling nestle his whole person in his embrace, sleeping until heaven and earth darkened.

 

Facts proved Yan Ling’s medical skills were still extremely superb. After eating the spirit pills and waking from sleep, he was refreshed and completely cured.

 

But he still couldn’t figure out what he’d gone out to do at night. After thinking for ages, he could only give up.

 

After the new year, Tianyan Academy’s Zhuxing House members completely graduated. Yan Ling also had to follow Yan Hanque and Madam Zhao back to Yan Family Mountain together.

 

The night before leaving, except for Xi Jue who had matters to attend to, everyone else from Zhuxing House ran to the Yan family to bid farewell to Yan Ling, even sending a pile of gifts.

 

Yan Ling was so moved tears filled his eyes. He immediately told Yan Hanque he didn’t want to return to Yan Family Mountain anymore—nearly getting beaten by Yan Hanque.

 

But no matter how reluctant, Yan Ling still wanted to go home.

 

On the last night in Central State, Yan Ling didn’t sleep all night. The next day, he climbed up with swollen eyelids, following Yan Hanque and Madam Zhao together to the Flying Vessel Pavilion.

 

Central State wasn’t like the Northern Territory. To fly a vessel, one had to board from a specific Flying Vessel Pavilion to go airborne—otherwise, just flying into the sky, one would most likely be blocked by the barrier.

 

Yan Ling listlessly followed his parents forward.

 

Yan Yue hugged his arm, saying quietly: “Does shixiong not want to leave Central State?”

 

“Mm.” Yan Ling didn’t lie either. Looking at the bustling Central State long street, he sighed: “From now on, there won’t be such lively streets to stroll.”

 

Yan Yue hurried to say: “Shixiong is only fifteen years old with Golden Core cultivation—gifted talent, a dragon and phoenix among humans. When your cultivation advances further, forms the Nascent Soul, um, what’s above Nascent Soul again? Oh right, Void Return Realm—then you can definitely come out to play freely.”

 

Yan Ling couldn’t help “pfft” laughing: “Silly A Yue, above Nascent Soul is Spirit Transformation Realm. You didn’t even remember this.”

 

Yan Yue also foolishly laughed along.

 

“I have no great ambitions.” Yan Ling touched Yan Yue’s small head. Looking at the Flying Vessel Pavilion not far ahead, almost there, he smiled: “Don’t want any Spirit Transformation, Void Return. Just having a home to return to is already enough—not asking for too much.”

 

Yan Yue said puzzled: “Shixiong, these words—sound like the old grandpa at our alley entrance enjoying his twilight years.”

 

Yan Ling: “…”

 

Yan Ling’s sentimentality completely disappeared. He glared: “Then I won’t return to Yan Family Mountain—I’ll just settle in Central State City.”

 

Yan Yue, hearing this, hurriedly hugged Yan Ling’s arm tighter, on the verge of tears: “I was wrong. Shixiong, go home, go home shixiong!”

 

Yan Ling huffed, huffily running forward.

 

Yan Yue hurried to chase, coaxing for ages before finally coaxing shixiong well.

 

Yan Hanque and Madam Zhao went to the Flying Vessel Pavilion to get the jade token for boarding. Yan Ling idly stood at the entrance, looking at the familiar surroundings while waiting.

 

Just at this time, on the long street not far away, a familiar figure vaguely walked quickly. In an instant arriving before Yan Ling.

 

Yan Ling was still patiently waiting. Suddenly glimpsing the person appearing before him, he froze, saying surprised: “Sheng Jiao?”

 

Sheng Jiao had practically come flying with spiritual power. Usually steady, at this moment even his long hair was disheveled and flying. He silently caught his breath, stabilizing his breathing. Raising his hand to tidy the disheveled hair at his forehead, he said softly: “I came to see you off.”

 

Yan Ling’s mood, dejected for so long, instantly cleared. His eyes brightened slightly looking at him, but his mouth was still awkward: “Didn’t we already have a farewell banquet together with Zhuxing House people yesterday? Why specially come again?”

 

Sheng Jiao didn’t speak—just lowered his eyes looking at him with a smile.

 

“No need to see me off.” Yan Ling coughed dryly. “My parents went to arrange the flying vessel. I’ll go in soon to go home. Didn’t Yudu say Zhuxing House has to gather once a year? We’ll see each other next year.”

 

Sheng Jiao’s heart surged with this “see you next year.” Parting his lips as if wanting to say something, but also knowing that no matter how he tried to keep him, Yan Ling ultimately couldn’t help himself. Yan Hanque and Madam Zhao wouldn’t leave him alone in Central State. He could only forcibly swallow it, changing to farewell words.

 

“Good. See you next year. Remember to take care.”

 

Yan Ling nodded.

 

Sheng Jiao, having finished speaking, was about to leave. Back turned to Yan Ling, he hesitated a moment. Suddenly turning around again, he removed a bead from the one hundred and eight Tianyan Pearls. Jade-white fingertips pinching it, he handed it to Yan Ling.

 

Yan Ling looked at him surprised: “Huh?”

 

“For you.” Sheng Jiao said.

 

Yan Ling: “But…”

 

That was ‘Fathom the Heavenly Dao’s’ Tianyan Pearl. Each one connected to Sheng Jiao’s divine consciousness. Back during Zhuxing House’s first training, to save Yan Ling, Sheng Jiao directly destroyed one—causing that bead to still be dull gray now, just an ordinary bead.

 

Yan Ling had always felt guilty. He didn’t expect Sheng Jiao would now give him another one.

 

No matter what, he refused to accept it again.

 

But Sheng Jiao wouldn’t let him refuse. Quickly stepping forward to grasp Yan Ling’s hand, he forcibly spread open the slender fingers, stuffing that bead still carrying warmth into Yan Ling’s palm.

 

After doing this, Sheng Jiao retreated several steps, smiling gently at him.

 

“Farewell.”

 

With that, he left without looking back.

 

Yan Ling didn’t even have a chance to refuse. He could only watch helplessly as Sheng Jiao in white robes instantly disappeared at the end of the long street.

 

His fingers seemed to still retain Sheng Jiao’s warmth. Yan Ling opened his five fingers in a daze. His gaze fell on the bead with lightning patterns in his palm—suddenly freezing.

 

Crackling lightning patterns swirled around. The Tianyan Pearl rolled slightly on the lines of his palm, revealing a flourishing character on its side.

 

—「Zhuo」.

 

**

 

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