Chapter 250: A Cuddle in the Cosmos

A white shadow flashed across the sky, descending onto a small hill dozens of miles away from the now-ruined Fox Knoll. The faint light flickered for a moment before dissipating, revealing the ethereal form of the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox, Little Bai.

Gently, she placed the body of Ghost Li on the ground, carefully examining him to ensure he hadn’t sustained any serious injuries. Only after confirming this did she let out a sigh of relief and slowly rise to her feet.

Her white robes bore numerous burn marks, turning them into a patchwork of withered yellow and charred black. In some places, the intense flames had even burned through, creating small holes that revealed her fair skin.

Yet, Little Bai paid no attention to her own condition. After a moment of composure, she turned and gazed back in the direction they had come.

In the distant sky, a colossal pillar of searing flame left an indelible mark in the air. Even from such a distance, Little Bai could feel the residual heat carried by the mountain breeze. On the once-proud Fox Knoll, the lava flow in the sky was gradually subsiding, but eerie red lights were growing ever more intense, wildly dancing in the air. Deep within, there appeared to be a crimson figure, laughing maniacally.

Little Bai watched silently for a long time, her expression unreadable—perhaps she was merely observing the end of the world as most would see it. Suddenly, a soft rustling came from behind her. She turned, startled, to see Ghost Li still lying motionless on the ground. However, his chest rose and fell, and a gray figure emerged: Monkey Xiao Hui.

Little Bai watched in disbelief before smiling. She clapped her hands and opened her arms, saying, “Little one, you’re quite clever. Come here.”

Xiao Hui crouched on Ghost Li’s chest, glanced at his master, scratched his head, and looked around with his three eyes. Then, with a few chirps, he leaped over to Little Bai. Her face softened with a gentle smile as she cradled Xiao Hui, gently stroking his head and fur. She noticed several wounds on the monkey, some quite severe.

With a sigh, she shook her head, holding Xiao Hui as she sat down next to Ghost Li, finding a spot near a tree root. She placed Xiao Hui on the ground in front of her, reaching into her robe to pull out a small jade bottle. “Xiao Hui, following this unfortunate fellow has been quite a hardship for you, hasn’t it?”

Xiao Hui blinked his three eyes, shaking his head vigorously like a rattle, and chirped indignantly, clearly displeased with Little Bai speaking ill of Ghost Li. Little Bai glared at the gray-furred monkey, saying, “Fine, fine, I get it. Your master is the best.”

Xiao Hui grinned, scratching his head again, looking quite pleased.

Little Bai lifted the monkey once more, pouring out a few green pellets from the jade bottle. She crushed them into a fine powder and carefully sprinkled it over Xiao Hui’s wounds. The powder quickly dissolved into his skin, healing the wounds with a faint, whispering sound. Soon, most of the bleeding had stopped, and the external injuries were visibly improving.

After a moment, Little Bai tore off a few strips of cloth from her robe and carefully wrapped Xiao Hui’s wounds. Throughout the process, Xiao Hui remained quiet, allowing her to work. He seemed to understand her good intentions.

Soon, Xiao Hui was bandaged up, with white strips of cloth tied around his chest, right arm, left leg, and the back of his head. He looked like a severely injured soldier, yet there was a touch of humor in his appearance.

Xiao Hui seemed a bit uncomfortable, constantly looking at himself and moving his arms, as if wanting to check the bandages. Little Bai glared at him, scolding, “Don’t move!”

Startled, Xiao Hui took a step back, then grinned, refraining from further movement.

At that moment, Ghost Li stirred, groaning softly. Both Little Bai and Xiao Hui looked over. After a moment, Little Bai sighed. The man was still disoriented, but the name he murmured was—

Bi Yao…

Little Bai stood, walking a few steps to a clear area, gazing toward the direction of Fox Knoll. Behind her, Xiao Hui scratched his head and followed, climbing onto her shoulder as usual.

A faint sorrow flickered in Little Bai’s eyes as she gently stroked Xiao Hui. In the distance, the once-majestic Fox Knoll was now a terrifying abyss, filled with flowing lava and a rampant, red, blood-like aura.

“Xiao Hui, what should we do?” Little Bai spoke softly, though it seemed she was asking herself. Her brows knitted with a deep, unspoken sorrow. “Bi Yao is gone. I fear he may not survive this.”

Xiao Hui said nothing, simply staring at her with his three eyes, perhaps not fully understanding. Little Bai smiled bitterly, turning to look at the man who was still breathing shallowly but seemed devoid of life.

“What should we do? It pains me to see him like this…”

Xiao Hui chirped, and Little Bai listened, then chuckled sadly, shaking her head. She picked up Xiao Hui, holding him close. “Go home? That sounds nice, but…” She glanced at Ghost Li, shaking her head. “Does he even have a home?” The words stung her heart, and she turned to look at Ghost Li’s face, noticing the strands of white in his hair.

Some say that the passage of time can be a thousand years, or just a moment. Yet, in this human life, who can truly know?

Lost in thought, Little Bai was jolted back to reality by Xiao Hui’s actions. She shook her head, smiling bitterly. “So many years, and I’m still so sentimental.”

She turned to Xiao Hui, who was gesturing wildly, pointing northward, and chirping incessantly.

“You mean we should go to his original home?” she asked.

Xiao Hui nodded vigorously.

Little Bai looked at Ghost Li, still in a lifeless state. Sighing, she said, “Only that will do. Let’s go. At least it’s better than staying here.”

Xiao Hui grinned, and Little Bai reached out, allowing the monkey to leap onto her shoulder. She walked over to Ghost Li, kneeling in front of him, and said softly, “Alright, let’s go home.”

A bright white light surged from the hill, soaring into the sky, carrying a sense of finality and determination. It flew northward without a backward glance.

The wind blew gently, carrying the lingering heat, soothing the wounded land. In the distance, the gaping wound where Fox Knoll once stood remained shrouded in a red haze, trembling and laughing at the world.

In the Central Plains, Azure Ethereal Conclave.

At the foot of the Azure Ethereal Conclave, the landscape was still lush and verdant, with green grass and dense forests. Birds sang sweetly from the trees, though the place lacked the ethereal aura of the Conclave’s peaks, it exuded a warmth of its own.

In a field of tall, overgrown grass, the ruins of a once-thriving village, Grass Temple Village, stood silently. The wind carried the scent of the grass, bringing a sense of peace.

The white light descended, and before Little Bai could steady herself, Xiao Hui leaped from her shoulder, rolling in the grass, chirping happily. Little Bai smiled, then carefully helped Ghost Li sit against a broken wall.

Ghost Li, now awake, looked worse than before. His face was deathly pale, and his eyes, though open, were empty, without any sign of life. His entire body was cold and lifeless, more akin to a corpse.

Looking at him, Little Bai’s face showed a hint of worry. In the days since their return to Grass Temple Village, Ghost Li had been in this state, unresponsive to all her efforts.

Sometimes, she wondered if he even heard her comforting words.

Despite her understanding, Little Bai was still unprepared for the extent of the damage Bi Yao’s departure had caused. With a sigh, she felt helpless, even with her thousand years of cultivation. What could she do about human emotions?

Xiao Hui, meanwhile, dashed into the nearby forest, returning with a pile of wild fruits. Chirping excitedly, he offered them to Ghost Li and Little Bai. It seemed he was quite familiar with the area.

Little Bai sighed, taking a fruit from Xiao Hui and smiling bitterly. “Xiao Hui, you’re always so happy. If your master could be like you, that would be… wonderful.”

Xiao Hui grinned, offering the fruit to Ghost Li, who remained motionless. Seeing this, Xiao Hui shrugged, placing the fruit on the ground, then sat down beside Ghost Li, munching on a fruit.

In the afternoon, the two figures and the monkey sat quietly in the ruins. Little Bai didn’t speak, and Ghost Li remained in his state. Xiao Hui, after eating, curled up against Ghost Li, falling asleep.

Time passed, and the sky changed, the clouds drifting, the wind blowing gently. The sun set, and night fell, the moon rising in the east, casting a silvery glow.

Xiao Hui mumbled in his sleep, rolling over, a contented smile on his face.

Under the moonlight, Little Bai rose, gazing at the sky. She turned to look at the silent figure, blending into the darkness.

Sighing, she walked away, her white robes fluttering in the night breeze. She walked alone, her graceful figure disappearing into the night.

The night was particularly bright…

On the Lesser Bamboo Peak of the Azure Ethereal Conclave, Lu Xueqi sat by her window, her white robes glowing in the moonlight. She gazed at the stars, her face illuminated by the silver light.

Many nights, she had sat here, lost in thought.

The moonlight was cold, and the wind blew, stirring her clothes. The sword Tianya rested by the window, basking in the moonlight.

As the moon moved to the center of the sky, Lu Xueqi’s face showed a faint, wistful sadness.

“Are you well?” she whispered, the moonlight reflecting no ripples, only silence.

Suddenly, she felt a presence. Frowning, she straightened, her eyes flashing. She rose, looking outside.

In the nearby bamboo grove, a shadow appeared. “Who is there?” she called out coldly.

The shadows shifted, and a soft, familiar voice spoke, “You are always so stunning, no matter when I see you.”

Lu Xueqi’s gaze hardened, recognizing the voice. “Who is it?”

A white figure emerged, the face of Little Bai, her beauty and grace unmatched. “It’s me. Is that a problem?”

Lu Xueqi hesitated. “Why are you here? What do you want?”

Little Bai smiled, saying, “You’re not sleeping, gazing at the moon. Who are you thinking of?”

Lu Xueqi’s cheeks flushed slightly. “That’s none of your business. What do you want?”

Little Bai looked at her, saying, “I’m here because you’re thinking of him. He’s in the ruins of Grass Temple Village, and he’s not well.”

Lu Xueqi’s body trembled, her hand gripping the windowsill tightly. “I won’t go,” she said, her voice low.

“Why not?” Little Bai asked, surprised.

“Our sect is in turmoil, and meeting him would break the rules. What use would it be, anyway?” Lu Xueqi’s voice wavered, and she finally burst out, “How is he?”

Little Bai was silent for a long moment. “Bi Yao is gone.”

Lu Xueqi froze, her mind blank. “How… how is he now?”

“He’s not well. I came to find you,” Little Bai said.

Lu Xueqi’s resolve crumbled. Snatching her sword, she leaped out the window, the rules and regulations forgotten.

The night wind cut at her face, but it couldn’t extinguish the fire in her heart. She flew toward the village, determined to find Ghost Li.

In the moonlight, a figure remained.

Little Bai walked to the broken window, looking at the sky. She closed her eyes, exhaling slowly, a bittersweet smile on her face.

The moon hung high, the night cold and starry.

The wind blew through the ruins of Grass Temple Village, the grass swaying. The night was silent, except for the low chirping of insects.

In a dark corner, Ghost Li remained motionless, leaning against a broken wall. Xiao Hui, feeling the cold, mumbled and curled up closer, his tail tucked in.

Suddenly, a white shadow descended from the sky, so fast that the grass around it bent outward. The light faded, revealing Lu Xueqi’s anxious face. She scanned the ruins, seeing no one.

Stepping forward, she walked into the desolate site. Each broken wall held memories, each stone a story. The wind carried the echoes of the past.

Lu Xueqi’s heart raced, her spirit tense. A sudden, sharp cry from the grass startled her, but it was just a field mouse. Xiao Hui woke, his ears twitching, his eyes opening. He sensed the footsteps approaching.

Lu Xueqi, hearing the steps, quickened her pace, her heart filled with fear and urgency. She saw Xiao Hui on the broken wall, his third eye glowing.

“Xiao Hui!” she exclaimed, rushing over. “Where is he?”

Xiao Hui, caught between surprise and annoyance, didn’t react. Lu Xueqi, frantic, grabbed him, her voice trembling. “Where is he?”

Xiao Hui pointed, and Lu Xueqi looked behind the wall. There, in the darkness, was Ghost Li, a hollow shell, his eyes empty, his face gaunt.

Tianya slipped from her hand, landing on the ground. Lu Xueqi slowly knelt, tears streaming down her face. “Xiaofan…”

Ghost Li stirred, responding to the familiar voice. But soon, he lapsed back into his daze, like a tired bird, retreating into his shell.

Lu Xueqi, trembling, reached out, cradling his face. “Xiaofan, I’m here. It’s me, Xueqi…”

He remained motionless, his face blank.

The night wind was cold, the grass rustling. Xiao Hui watched, silent. In the moonlight, who would notice the struggling, fragile beings in the corner of the world?

A tear fell from her cheek, landing on his face, warm and wet. Lu Xueqi sat beside him, her touch cold.

“Don’t be afraid. I’m here,” she said, her voice soft yet firm. She held him close, her warmth trying to reach his soul.

She embraced him, unwilling to let go, looking up at the bright moon. “Xiaofan, don’t be afraid. Everything will be alright. Everything will be alright.”

The moonlight bathed them, illuminating their intertwined forms, a beacon of hope in the darkness.