CH 36

Zhou Xuanlan stared at the captivating phoenix-like eyes and struck the cold stone behind him with his backhand.

A piercing scream resounded as the illusion shattered, and the cold stone turned into a black mist mixed with blood, about to transform into a streak of black light and escape.

Zhou Xuanlan used his technique to capture it.

The Nightmare Beast was skilled at invading people’s sea of consciousness and creating illusions, but its ability to confront head-on was not strong. Moreover, facing Zhou Xuanlan, it seemed to be filled with fear and trepidation, so it was quickly caught.

Zhou Xuanlan turned it into a ball of black mist and wrapped it around his wrist. He then stepped forward and appeared at the entrance of a cave in the next moment.

Outside, it was raining heavily, and the cold wind blew in, making the cave damp and cold. Through the dim light, one could vaguely see a few weeds growing inside the cave and a faint glow from a weak fire.

Zhou Xuanlan felt a slight movement in his heart.

His Master was inside, but what trapped him?

He slowly took a step and walked in.

The firelight flickered, illuminating the surrounding stone walls and dispelling the cold.

A young man with his back to the fire had his black hair clinging to raindrops, falling loosely around his waist. One of his hands rested on his waistband, and his other hand gently hooked, undoing the belt and throwing it aside.

Beside him was an oddly-shaped large black egg.

About the size of a five or six-year-old child, the black eggshell displayed complex and intricate golden patterns under the firelight.

After the young man took off his rain-soaked red clothes, he was left with a snow-white inner garment, revealing his slender and tall figure. There was an injury on his neck and shoulder, and the inner garment was stained with a considerable amount of blood.

As if wanting to check his injury, he placed his fingers into the collar of his inner garment and gently lifted it, exposing most of his bare back, revealing the smooth and delicate skin from his neck to his waistline, exposed to the cool air.

Seeing that he wanted to take off the inner garment completely, Zhou Xuan Lan’s throat moved, and he interrupted, “Master.”

Shen Liuxiang’s fingertips in the collar of the inner garment paused, and he widened his eyes slightly.

He then pulled back the inner garment, which had fallen to his waist, and activated his spiritual power to summon the flashy sword at his feet. In an instant, the sword pointed straight at Zhou Xuanlan’s forehead.

“Who are you?” Shen Liuxiang turned back.

His beautiful face appeared in the warm yellow light, with exquisite eyebrows and eyes exuding a trace of coldness. His lips were slightly pale, and his eyes looked cold and cautious as he gazed at the sudden appearance of Zhou Xuanlan.

Zhou Xuanlan’s gaze slightly shifted, realizing that during this memory of his Master, he didn’t have a disciple like him, so naturally, he wouldn’t remember him.

Shen Liuxiang didn’t even realize that this was an illusion. He thought it was real and didn’t believe that he had a disciple like him. Not to mention leaving with him.

Zhou Xuanlan kept his eyes on the cold sword and made no move to resist, allowing Shen Liuxiang’s wariness to diminish slightly. “I sought shelter from the rain and ended up here by chance. I didn’t mean to intrude.”

Shen Liuxiang’s fingertips, which were holding the inner garment, twitched slightly as he widened his eyes.

This place was in the Eastern Wasteland, near the borders of the Demon Realm. Few people came here, and it was quite a coincidence.

But it didn’t matter anymore.

He was seriously injured, and after escaping all the way, his spiritual power was already empty. At this moment, even if he encountered a Foundation Establishment cultivator, they would have the chance to kill him.

Moreover…

Shen Liuxiang looked at the large black egg by his side, his face showing a desperate expression.

He pulled back his flashy sword, saying in despair, “Do as you please. If you want to kill me, just do it.”

After speaking, Shen Liuxiang straightened up and picked up the rain-soaked red clothes from the ground. He draped them over two branches and placed them by the fire to dry.

“I have no intention to harm you.” Zhou Xuanlan walked over.

He calculated the time; there wasn’t much left, only half an incense stick worth.

Shen Liuxiang raised an eyebrow, about to say something, but suddenly his expression tightened, and he quickly returned to the side of the large black egg, hugging it tightly.

“You’re not trying to steal him from me, are you?”

The ground-bound flashy sword was eager to try, emitting several sword cries.

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Zhou Xuanlan replied.

He looked puzzled, but suddenly, Shen Liuxiang’s expression changed. He clutched his shoulder, his face turning pale, and took out a jade bottle from his storage bag, swallowing a pill. His lips gained some color back.

Shen Liuxiang glanced at Zhou Xuanlan, his expression softening, and moved the egg with the golden patterns towards the wall. He sat on it, tossing the remaining pills across to the other side, saying, “If you’re not after this, then we can be friends.”

Zhou Xuanlan caught the jade bottle and looked back and forth between Shen Liuxiang and the egg.

His Master was trapped by something related to this black egg? He urgently wanted to figure out what it was and how he got caught in it unconsciously.

“I have no intention of doing so, just curious.”

Shen Liuxiang’s fingertips moved, and he said in a somewhat impatient manner, “I’m curious too. A little devil like this has a connection with me.”

He dug his fingers into his dark hair, seeming slightly annoyed, “Whoever this little demon is, we seem to have some fate—!”

Zhou Xuan Lan’s face stiffened, and he looked at the big black egg.

His Master’s fated partner was this thing?

Shen Liu Xiang scratched his head and muttered with some frustration, “The world is full of strange things; my friend, don’t be too surprised.”

Despite speaking nonchalantly, in fact, he had followed his Master’s instructions and come all the way to the Eastern Wasteland to find his fated partner. After going through countless hardships, he found this big black egg.

He was stunned for a moment, wishing he could just chop this thing with a sword.

It didn’t even turn out to be a person!

He was here to find a fated partner, not to eat an egg!

However, Master had never been wrong in the past, and Shen Liuxiang mournfully embraced the big black egg, finding out that many other monsters were also eyeing it. He had to take the unlucky fate and protect it.

He was in deep despair.

He wanted to cry; he really wanted to cry.

Zhou Xuanlan’s expression darkened, understanding everything.

His Master was trapped in this illusion because of this fate. It had happened before, but his Master didn’t see what was inside the egg at the time. The curiosity or regret in his heart still remained, so the Nightmare Beast used this point to lure him in and trap him in the illusion.

To bring his Master out, he had to make him let go of the obsession with the real face of this fate.

Otherwise, he would keep looking for answers in the illusion.

Zhou Xuanlan’s expression turned colder, and his gaze fell on the so-called fate. He unexpectedly made a move and tried to destroy it.

How could this thing be worthy of his Master?

When he destroys it, his Master would naturally give up and leave with him.

However, Shen Liuxiang did not let down his guard. He was already prepared and immediately turned into a cold light, blocking the attack. He pushed the big egg to the side and engaged in a battle with Zhou Xuanlan.

The fire pit erupted with a few crackling sounds as it was affected by their spells, and it seemed to be on the verge of extinguishing.

Although Shen Liuxiang had taken a pill earlier to restore some spiritual power, he was still injured, but he still had the strength to fight back. With a constant stream of spells, Zhou Xuanlan couldn’t overpower him for a moment.

Concerned about Shen Liuxiang’s injuries, Zhou Xuanlan didn’t dare to use all his strength. He was trying to resolve the spells while looking for an opportunity to attack the large black egg in the corner.

After a few exchanges, recognizing Zhou Xuanlan’s spells, Shen Liu Xiang was slightly surprised. “You are a disciple of Qingling?”

Zhou Xuanlan nodded. “Yes.”

Despite the pain from his shoulder wound, Shen Liuxiang countered, “Since we share the same roots, why are we at odds with each other? Spare this fate of mine and let’s not fight.”

Zhou Xuanlan listened to Shen Liu Xiang repeatedly mentioning “this fate,” and the chill on his face deepened.

Without saying a word, Zhou Xuanlan’s moves became even more ruthless.

Seeing this, Shen Liuxiang’s eyes also turned colder. “Since we can’t resolve this peacefully, then let’s fight to the death. If you really hurt him, I’ll make you pay with your life!”

Zhou Xuanlan hesitated for a moment, his expression becoming complicated.

It was still an illusion. Even here, his Master could protect this thing and be willing to kill him for it. If this fate appeared in reality, where would his Master stand…?

A chill rose in Zhou Xuanlan’s heart, and as the last wisp of smoke from the burning incense drifted out, he captured Shen Liuxiang.

The fire pit was extinguished, and the cave fell into darkness, with only scattered sparks emitting a faint glow.

The makeshift clothes rack collapsed with a loud thud, and the damp red robe fell on the cold ground.

Shen Liuxiang was pushed down onto it, the snowy white inner robe rubbing against the ground and his slender figure. His beautiful face showed a hint of panic.

“What are you doing?!”

Zhou Xuanlan pressed down on his thin wrist, his eyes slightly lowered as he gazed at Shen Liuxiang’s face.

“Master.”

Hearing the word, Shen Liuxiang was momentarily stunned.

Zhou Xuanlan looked at him and said, “I don’t recognize this fated lover of my Master’s.”

Shen Liuxiang responded with a puzzled expression.

He thought this person was a pity, although handsome, but unfortunately, he seemed to have some issues in his mind. Shen Liuxiang didn’t have any disciples, nor did he plan to take any.

Besides, even if he had a disciple, why should his fated lover be determined by the disciple…?

His jaw suddenly tightened as a warm breath touched his lips.

Shen Liuxiang’s thoughts froze, and he opened his eyes slightly wider.

Zhou Xuanlan’s fingers were buried in Shen Liuxiang’s black hair, and he lightly touched Shen Liuxiang’s soft lips. He gazed into the slightly astonished phoenix eyes.

“Master, look at me. Am I not more attractive than that big, black, and ugly egg?”

Shen Liuxiang was taken aback and blinked.

Indeed, this person was good-looking, and he also gave Shen Liuxiang a strangely familiar feeling. During their exchange, he clearly felt that the other was holding back, afraid of hurting him.

After a moment of silence, Shen Liu Xiang nodded honestly and softly said, “You are even more like a little demon.”

T/N: I bet one (1) snickers bar that the black egg was Zhou Xuanlan and he was potentially about to off himself LMAO