Chapter 252: The Summoning

At the foot of Azure Ethereal Vapors, lay the ruins of Grass Temple Village.

The sun rose and set, day turned to night, yet Lu Xueqi could not recall how many days she had been here. The years of longing and deep affection, it seemed, had suddenly spiraled out of control. She could no longer bear to wait, and every day and night, she resolved to stay by that man’s side. If there was a future, then it would be forever!

Gui Li, or rather, Zhang Xiaofan—as he remained in Lu Xueqi’s eyes—had never changed. The haggard and sorrowful man was gently cradled in her arms, his expression still lost and confused.

In these past days, Lu Xueqi had tried every method to awaken Zhang Xiaofan from his mental torment, but all had failed. In the end, she gave up trying. Perhaps, only she could truly understand the pain that now consumed Gui Li’s heart.

So, she no longer attempted to rouse him, but simply sat with him, holding him. They remained in the overgrown ruins of Grass Temple Village, watching the dawn, the setting sun, the rising moon, and the starlit sky. The wind carried the fragrance of the grass, lightly brushing their faces.

Somehow, even with a tinge of guilt, Lu Xueqi felt a profound sense of happiness. To be with the one she loved, this simple thing, had taken ten long years, under immense pressure. In this moment, she finally shed all constraints, forsaking all burdens, for him alone.

A gentle breeze brought a cool touch. Another night had fallen.

They leaned against the broken wall, sitting quietly. Suddenly, the nearby grass rustled, and moments later, Xiao Hui’s figure emerged, leaping and bounding onto the broken wall beside them, dropping wild fruits as it did so.

Zhang Xiaofan remained unresponsive, while several of the fruits fell onto Lu Xueqi’s head, though they caused no pain. Seeing the fallen fruits, Lu Xueqi looked up at the monkey. Xiao Hui, startled, backed away, still wary, but continued to munch on the fruit.

Perhaps because of the tension between Xiao Hui and Lu Xueqi, the monkey seemed irritated by the sight of Zhang Xiaofan being held by this white-robed woman. But having seen Lu Xueqi’s powers, Xiao Hui was also wary.

As Xiao Hui’s three eyes stared at Lu Xueqi, the usually cold and distant woman smiled warmly. This smile was like the springtime sun, warm and bright, completely different from her usual frosty demeanor.

Lu Xueqi, surprisingly, did not lose her temper. Instead, she seemed in good spirits, smiling at Xiao Hui. “Did you bring these? Thank you.”

Xiao Hui, caught off guard, blinked for a moment before retreating to the wall, eating the fruit with a hint of confusion.

Lu Xueqi’s smile faded as she turned back to Zhang Xiaofan. “Xiaofan, eat something,” she said softly.

Zhang Xiaofan’s gaze remained vacant, unresponsive. Lu Xueqi, already expecting this, smiled sadly, carefully peeling a fruit and feeding it to him. These days, Zhang Xiaofan had remained in this state, and Xiao Hui often brought them fruit. Lu Xueqi would peel the skin and place the fruit in his mouth, and sometimes, he would eat it mechanically.

What did it matter, Lu Xueqi thought, if she had waited ten years, she could wait longer, just to be with him.

As she peeled another fruit, she noticed something. His hand, always clenched, seemed to hold something. Gently, she pried open his fingers, revealing a small piece of green cloth.

She slowly placed his hand down, her face showing a trace of sadness. Taking a deep breath, she turned to Zhang Xiaofan, her eyes filled with tenderness.

Gently, she embraced him, the breeze stirring her hair, some strands falling onto his face. “Xiaofan, it will get better, everything will be alright…” she whispered, her voice soft and reassuring, despite the tears in her eyes.

“Long ago, when I was a child, my mother used to hold me. We would watch the stars on such nights,” Lu Xueqi murmured, looking up at the starry sky. “She told me that though everyone must die, good people become stars, living in the heavens, watching over us every night.”

“She was a good person, wasn’t she? Perhaps she is watching over you, Xiaofan… she wouldn’t want you to be like this, would she?”

Zhang Xiaofan’s body trembled slightly.

Lu Xueqi smiled through her tears, her hands gripping him tighter. “It’s enough, just to be like this!”

Suddenly, a harsh voice interrupted, “Nonsense!”

Startled, Lu Xueqi turned to see Bai Xiao, a beautiful and voluptuous woman, standing nearby. Xiao Hui, delighted, leapt down to sit on Bai Xiao’s shoulder, clearly favoring her over Lu Xueqi.

But Lu Xueqi, unmindful of the monkey, frowned at Bai Xiao, “What do you mean?”

Bai Xiao, her face pale with anger, said coldly, “When people die, they are gone, at most turning into spirits in the underworld. There’s no such thing as becoming a star!”

These words were harsh, even as Lu Xueqi, grateful for Bai Xiao’s help, felt a pang of sadness. Before she could respond, Bai Xiao approached, her gaze fixed on Zhang Xiaofan.

“How long do you intend to continue like this? Do you want to live like a corpse forever?” Bai Xiao demanded, her voice fierce.

Lu Xueqi, moved by pity, wanted to speak but held back, instead hugging Zhang Xiaofan tighter.

Bai Xiao, seeing his unresponsive state, grabbed Zhang Xiaofan’s collar, lifting him up. Lu Xueqi cried out, “Don’t! He can’t take it!”

Bai Xiao sneered, “I’m trying to wake him up, and I’ll do more than scold him. I’ll beat him if I have to!” She raised her hand and slapped Zhang Xiaofan twice, hard.

The slaps echoed sharply, and Zhang Xiaofan’s face swelled, blood trickling from his lips. Lu Xueqi, shocked, rushed to push Bai Xiao away, holding Zhang Xiaofan and wiping his face.

“You’re crazy!” Lu Xueqi shouted, tears in her eyes.

Bai Xiao ignored her, staring at the trembling Zhang Xiaofan, “Is this what you call living? Wallowing in grief, or are you trying to mourn Bi Yao with this madness? I tell you, it’s useless. Bi Yao is dead!”

Zhang Xiaofan, with a despairing roar, pushed Lu Xueqi away, lunging at Bai Xiao. Bai Xiao, unfazed, stepped forward, delivering another slap that sent Zhang Xiaofan reeling, blood spilling from his mouth.

“Even if you die like this, Bi Yao won’t come back! You think this is how you show your regret? That you torture yourself to feel better? I tell you, it’s useless!”

Zhang Xiaofan’s body trembled, his breath ragged. Tears streamed down Bai Xiao’s face, her voice choked, “Do you think Bi Yao sacrificed herself for you to live like this? Her death is not your fault, but you continuing like this will not let her rest. Do you understand?”

Bai Xiao, on her knees, gasped, “Live, live well, that’s what Bi Yao would want!”

With that, she turned and left. Lu Xueqi, after a moment, thanked her quietly. Bai Xiao, her face still tear-streaked, paused, and they shared a silent understanding, their hands briefly clasping.

Bai Xiao, with a faint smile, nodded, and left.

Lu Xueqi returned to Zhang Xiaofan, holding him close. He slowly looked at her, his eyes filled with pain, and tears streaming down his face. “Bi Yao… she’s gone…”

He sobbed, clutching Lu Xueqi, “Bi Yao… she’s gone…”

Lu Xueqi, her heart aching, held him, whispering, “It will be alright, everything will be alright…”

That night, Zhang Xiaofan began to wake from his torment, but soon, he fell ill with a high fever. Despite his powerful cultivation, the fever burned fiercely, lasting ten days. Lu Xueqi, desperate, tried every remedy, but nothing worked.

On the eleventh day, the fever finally broke, but Zhang Xiaofan remained unconscious. Exhausted, Lu Xueqi collapsed beside him, sleeping deeply, her hand still holding his.

The next morning, a loud explosion echoed from the direction of Azure Ethereal Vapors. Lu Xueqi, waking, saw a signal flare in the sky, a rare sign of great danger. She looked at Zhang Xiaofan, hesitated, then picked up Tian Ya, and departed.

Zhang Xiaofan, still asleep, had Xiao Hui sit on his chest, the monkey’s presence a comfort. As the day passed, the village fell silent once more.

Lu Xueqi, on her way, saw the signal, indicating a crisis. “Azure Ethereal Conclave is in peril. My master, the one who raised me, needs me.”

She returned to the village, where Zhang Xiaofan still lay, and kissed him softly. “I’ve never regretted anything,” she whispered, and left.

As she walked, a gentle breeze blew, carrying the scent of the grass. Xiao Hui, sitting on Zhang Xiaofan’s chest, watched her go, and then, Zhang Xiaofan’s hand moved.

The wind continued to blow, and time passed. The village, once again, fell into a long silence, the cycle of day and night continuing endlessly. Xiao Hui, sitting on Zhang Xiaofan’s chest, yawned, and then, noticing something, looked down at Zhang Xiaofan, who was beginning to stir.

Zhang Xiaofan’s eyes opened, gazing at the starry sky. He lay there, feeling the weight of the world, but then, he slowly got up, ready to face whatever lay ahead.