CH 166

Chapter 166: A Taoist’s spiritual vessel

Ever since Long Zhanye pinned him down to the bed and had his way with him before telling him about the dual cultivation, the two are now more intimate. After constant cultivation within the space for a period of time, Huo Zaiyuan feels that his reserves have replenished at long last. The rich, pure spiritual energy circulating through his meridians is not less inferior to the energy he absorbed through cultivating alone.

Sitting in meditation and absorbing dormant spiritual energy from his surroundings has become a second nature to Huo Zaiyuan after these two years. However, he never expected that he will one day see Long Zhanye doing the same time before him.

Clad in his camouflage military uniform, the older man sits cross-legged, both eyes closed and hands resting on his lap, palms facing up. A dense, black energy very different from Huo Zaiyuan’s pure silver one seeps out of his body, looking extremely malevolent. But it doesn’t incite a feeling of disgust or loathing in the Taoist practitioner.

Just as Huo Zaiyuan studies the meditating soldier carefully, he suddenly realises that as the black energy becomes more and more potent, black scales gradually appears on Long Zhanye’s cheeks and neck. Although they disappear shortly after, it still fills him with endless amazement.

Those are dragon scales… Didn’t Zhanye say something about being the “Heretical Dragon” in his previous life? Does that mean Zhanye can transform into a dragon?

Pondering over this question, Huo Zaiyuan can’t help the curiosity rising in his heart.

Finally withdrawing the dragon’s demonic energy permeating the air in his vicinity, Long Zhanye slowly opens his eyes to see Huo Zaiyuan squatting before him, head in hands as he stares blankly ahead. Fond smile surfacing, he pulls the other into his lap.

“What are you thinking about?” He asks as he places a kiss on a delicate ear, drawing a small startled sound from Huo Zaiyuan. “You were thinking so seriously…”

A light blush staining his cheeks, Huo Zaiyuan reaches up to cover his ear as he eyes Long Zhanye thoughtfully. “Nothing much, just wondering if you are able to transform into a dragon…because you said you were that Heretical Dragon…”

“I was he, but I’m not exactly the genuine Heretical Dragon. Hmm…how should I put it? I’m roughly in the same position as you. You are a soul born from Tianji’s spiritual energy which managed to enter the reincarnation cycle. As for me, the Heretical Dragon’s soul itself entered the reincarnation cycle and was reborn as the Long Zhanye I am today. The Dragon pearl allowed me to regain my previous memories, but even if I possess the same abilities now, I am still a human.” An arm encircling Huo Zaiyuan’s waist, his other hand extends. Along with a trickle of rich, Dragon spiritual energy gathering at his fingertips, the back of his outstretched hand is covered in gleaming, black scales. His fingernails transform into short claws, razor-sharp and tougher than steel.

Watching in slight awe as Long Zhanye’s hand shifts, Huo Zaiyuan reaches out to run light fingers over the smooth scales.

“So…the Heretical Dragon is Tianji’s, but this Long Zhanye is yours, as Huo Zaiyuan is mine.”

After discovering the person he mistakenly thought was his ancestor is actually him, and Long Zhanye is the reincarnation of his lover, Huo Zaiyuan is pleasantly surprised as well as joyful… Only, he can’t help but be a little jealous. For he is afraid that the man he is in love with doesn’t love Huo Zaiyuan for himself, and is only seeing the reincarnation of his old lover. However, hearing Long Zhanye say these words allow him to let go of the pent-up distress and frustration in his heart.

“The person I love now is not Huo Tianji of the past, but you…Huo Zaiyuan,” Long Zhanye murmurs before slanting his lips over Huo Zaiyuan’s, kissing him slow and tenderly.

The two lovers enjoy another blissful session together. But the end of it, Huo Zaiyuan is leaning bonelessly above Long Zhanye, panting lightly. After a few moments of companionable silence, he lifts his head.

“Zhanye, it’s been a while since we disappeared from the safe zone. Although Lian Xiang would have already returned to pass on information about our wellbeing, grandfather and the others will certainly still be worried.”

Every Ability User who followed Long Zhanye down the wall and survived Cheng Mingcheng’s attack clearly saw their Boss getting stabbed by the evolved undead’s claws. Presumably, this knowledge would have already spread throughout the safe zone, making him concerned about the city’s present situation.

“Now is not the time yet. Come, I have something to show you.” Tucking Huo Zaiyuan’s head into his chest, Long Zhanye lifts the youth in his arms and walks towards the open field.

Seeing where Long Zhanye is heading towards, Huo Zaiyuan suddenly remembers that an incorporeal barrier lies in that direction.

Before he can voice a question, Long Zhanye has already arrived before the invisible wall and sets Huo Zaiyuan on his feet. Splaying a palm on the surface of the barrier, black scales creep up over his wrist and the back of his hand before the sound of glass shattering rings through the quiet, tranquil air. Even if he can’t see it, Huo Zaiyuan knows without a doubt that the wall has collapsed.

When the barrier vanishes, the scenery of open, rolling plains on the other side instantly changes. The drooping branches of slender willow trees sway in the breeze. Behind the veil of lush green leaves, one can see a cave.

“That’s…”

Before, Huo Zaiyuan thought it was due to his cultivation level being too low, therefore, he couldn’t get past this invisible barrier. Now, after seeing the cave on the other side, it is pretty evident his cultivation level was never the issue. Instead, this barrier was deliberately erected here to conceal this cave. If it wasn’t that Heretical Dragon who created it, then it must be the previous owner of the space, his former self – Huo Tianji.

“Go in, take a look and you will know.” Clasping Huo Zaiyuan’s hand, Long Zhanye leads him over to the mouth of the cave.

The entrance is not very big, being about one meter in width and two meters in height, but there is sufficient space for one person to enter at a time. Long Zhanye leads the way in, followed by Huo Zaiyuan. Compared to the entrance, the interior of the cave is a lot more spacious, and is not as dim as he imagines it to be. For several fist-sized night pearls are embedded high on the walls.

The faint white light emitting from the numerous night pearls illuminate the entire cave. Drawn in by the splendid sight, Huo Zaiyuan receives a huge shock when his gaze finally falls on the figure mediating cross-legged on the stone bed in the middle of the cave.

“Huo…Huo Tianji? How is he here?!”

Although he has only seen the portrait hanging in the bamboo house, Huo Zaiyuan is still able to recognise this person at a glance. Long white hair wafting in an invisible breeze, clad in a white Taoist robe, this handsome man sitting cross-legged with eyes close is none other than Huo Tianji.

“This is merely Master’s body.” The voice of a young child suddenly drifts over as a silver-haired, white-robed boy appears in the mouth of the cave. The expression on his face is extremely ugly, but his eyes carry a deep sorrow.

Ever since Long Zhanye entered the space, Liu Ying disappeared to who knows where. Abruptly reappearing here, together with his change in shape leaves Huo Zaiyuan mildly bewildered.

“Liu…Liu Ying…”

“Several thousand years ago, Master fell from the Righteous Winter Sky Gorge. By accident, he dropped down into the mortal world and unexpectedly encountered the Demon Ruler running rampant. At that time, Master calculated that the time of his Heavenly Retribution is near. He sealed me into the jian and crafted a soul out of his spiritual energy to enter the reincarnation cycle. With only half of his spiritual power left, he sealed the Demon Ruler away into a mountain. Exhausted, he couldn’t protect himself from the Heavenly Retribution and was struck down. When I first met the soul created from Master – you…I also knew for a fact that Master’s corporeal body was sealed in here…”

“I see.” Listening to Liu Ying’s story, Huo Zaiyuan finally understands what befell him and led to his reincarnation. Reaching out to gently pull Liu Ying into his embrace, he speaks in a soft tone, “Compared to Huo Tianji, my ability is very weak, but like him, I will love and cherish you if you would let me.”

“Master…” Liu Ying’s eyes brighten as the spirit burrows into Huo Zaiyuan bosom before stretching up on tiptoes to kiss his cheek.

Seeing the small mouth about to touch Huo Zaiyuan’s fair cheek, a hand shoots out to cover Liu Ying’s mouth. Expression dark, Long Zhanye pulls Huo Zaiyuan away from the sword spirit and into his arms.

“Little brat, he’s mine!”

“You vile demonic Dragon! Master is…”

Just as Liu Ying is about to throw himself at Long Zhanye in a fit of rage, the latter pokes him between his eyebrows with an index finger, causing the spirit to fall flat on his face.

“Liu Ying!”

“He is fine. Lu Er, drag him out.”

Lu Er bounces into the cave at his master’s call, bowing to the two men before grabbing Liu Ying’s feet and dragging him out quickly.

Staring at the two small figures disappearing behind the willows, Huo Zaiyuan sighs softly and turns to regard Long Zhanye. “All right, let’s continue our earlier conversation. You said that I was Huo Tianji in my previous life. Since he has passed, why is his body still so well preserved? Is it because this space special ability to…preserve items?”

After realising he was such a powerful person in the past, Huo Zaiyuan is suitably astonished. However, his curiosity is greater than any amazement he feels.

Huo Tianji was a truly exceptional Taoist…

“No, it is not because of that.” Leading Huo Zaiyuan towards the stone bed, Long Zhanye reaches out to stroke a hand down the beautiful white hair. “If the soul of the owner has entered the reincarnation cycle but the body still contains a large amount of spiritual energy, it is thus called a Taoist’s spiritual vessel. Hmm…it is similar to the golden body of a Buddhist high monk. One day, your soul will return to this body.”

“Return?”

“For cultivators, a flesh and blood body is merely a vessel. When one’s physical body breaks down, their soul merely leaves the vessel. As such, this body here is a very good vessel. Do you understand?” Long Zhanye’s hand drops back to his side. “The same thing will happen to me. One day, I will return back to the body of the Heretical Dragon. But you must never forget. Even if that day comes, I will still be Long Zhanye, and you will still be Huo Zaiyuan.”

“I understand.” Gaze locking with Long Zhanye’s Huo Zaiyuan nods firmly.

This should be the reason his previous self left his body behind and sealed it here…