Chapter 219: Warmth Before Departure

[A/N: This Chapter will be fairly long for what it is??! Also we are just a few more golden tickets away from reaching another milestone!]

As the morning light broke, the swirling mist at the mountain gate of the Taiyi Holy Land was gilded with a layer of gold.

Chen Chuan and Mu Qing stood side by side, preparing to set off for the Myriad Medicine Sacred Land.

Chen Chuan’s gaze was calm, but his eyes held a hint of determination as he looked toward the Myriad Medicine Sacred Land.

He had already learned from Mu Qing that the first-place prize for this Pill Refining Assembly was the ’Nine Revolutions Soul Condensing Pill’, a treasure enough to drive countless Cultivators mad.

This pill was not an ordinary Medicinal Pill for increasing cultivation; it was a rare treasure specifically for the Soul Origin, capable of greatly enhancing the consumer’s Divine Soul power, stabilizing their Divine Sense, and resisting external evil intrusions.

His thoughts were entirely focused on the elegant figure back in the Cave Dwelling, Ji Siyu.

She was his wife and also the vessel for the reincarnation of the Ice Phoenix Divine Emperor.

This secret was like a sword hanging over his head, constantly reminding Chen Chuan of the potential crisis.

The Divine Emperor’s Divine Soul sleeping deep within Ji Siyu’s Soul Sea was like a volcano that could erupt at any moment.

No one could predict whether, on the day she fully awakened, she would coexist peacefully with Ji Siyu or forcibly suppress or even Fusion with the soul he was familiar with.

Chen Chuan didn’t have much expectation or affection for that high-and-mighty Divine Emperor wife.

What he cared about and deeply loved was the current Ji Siyu, who would act coyly with him, blush because of him, and whose eyes reflected only him.

He was unwilling to lose her, not even by the slightest possibility.

Therefore, he was determined to get this Nine Revolutions Soul Condensing Pill.

He wanted to make Ji Siyu’s soul even stronger, so that in the potential future struggle for the soul, she would have more power to protect herself and even a chance to suppress the other party.

After bidding farewell to Mu Qing and several accompanying Holy Land Elders, Chen Chuan turned back to the Cave Dwelling for a final goodbye.

Inside the Cave Dwelling, Ji Siyu stood quietly. The soft glow of the bright pearls fell upon her, yet it seemed unable to dispel the slight sorrow of parting between her brows.

Seeing Chen Chuan return, she lifted her clear eyes, which held an undisguised sense of resentment, as if accusing him of his imminent departure.

Seeing his wife’s pitiable appearance, Chen Chuan’s heart softened. He gave a simple smile, stepped forward to naturally embrace her slender waist, and said softly:

"What’s wrong? I’m just going to attend a Pill Refining Assembly. It won’t be long; I’ll be back to accompany you very soon."

Ji Siyu leaned gently into his chest, her voice sounding a bit muffled: "I know, I just don’t want to be apart from you, not even for a moment."

Chen Chuan lowered his head and kissed the top of her hair, his tone becoming even more tender: "Besides, I’m going this time for you as well."

"For me?" Ji Siyu lifted her eyes, her beautiful gaze revealing confusion: "What does the Pill Refining Assembly have to do with me?"

Chen Chuan cupped her face and said seriously: "I’ve looked into it. The reward for the first place in this Pill Refining Assembly is a Nine Revolutions Soul Condensing Pill."

"Nine Revolutions Soul Condensing Pill?" Ji Siyu murmured, the doubt in her eyes deepening.

"Yes," Chen Chuan nodded and explained:

"This is an extremely rare Medicinal Pill. Its main effect is to strengthen the Soul Origin and stabilize the Divine Sense."

"If I can get this pill for you to take, it will be of great benefit to your cultivation, especially regarding your Divine Soul."

He didn’t directly mention the matter of the Ice Phoenix Divine Emperor’s Divine Soul, only emphasizing the pill’s benefits to the soul.

However, to Ji Siyu’s ears, these words were like a clap of thunder.

The sleeping Divine Soul in her Soul Sea had always been her deepest fear and secret.

She worried every moment, fearing that the Divine Soul would wake up again, occupy her body, erase her consciousness, and turn her into another stranger who might harm Chen Chuan.

If her soul could become stronger because of this pill, would it mean she would be more capable of suppressing that Divine Soul and prolonging the years she could spend with Chen Chuan?

Thinking of this, an indescribable warm current and a sense of bitterness surged into Ji Siyu’s heart simultaneously.

Her gaze toward Chen Chuan was filled with love and emotion that almost overflowed.

This man was always so meticulous, considering everything so thoroughly for her.

He didn’t even know the secret of her Soul Sea, yet he was already planning ahead for the difficulties she might face.

After the immense wave of emotion came a deeper, hidden worry.

She hesitated for a moment, her voice carrying a trace of imperceptible trembling as she asked softly:

"Chen Chuan... if, I’m saying if, one day I become another person, someone who feels like a stranger to you, or even... even might want to kill you, then... what would you do? Would you... kill me?"

Chen Chuan understood in his heart, knowing she must be thinking about the Divine Emperor’s Divine Soul within her.

On the surface, however, he feigned ignorance and asked in confusion: "Si Yu, why would you suddenly ask such a strange question? Why would you suddenly become someone else and want to kill me?"

Ji Siyu shook her head stubbornly, refusing to explain the reason, only insisting: "Don’t worry about that, just answer my question."

Chen Chuan knew that his answer at this moment was crucial; he had to give her enough security and confidence.

He put away the playful look on his face, his expression becoming incredibly solemn and tender. He cupped her face with both hands so she could clearly see the sincerity in his eyes.

He understood that Ji Siyu wanted to know his stance.

And Chen Chuan naturally had a way of coaxing women.

He only needed to say what Ji Siyu wanted to hear, what would put her at ease, and what would move her.

"Silly girl, listen well." His voice was low and firm: "No matter what you become, you are my wife, Ji Siyu. I will never hurt you, because in my heart, your place is irreplaceable. No one else will do."

He paused and continued:

"If one day you truly become a stranger, it certainly won’t be by your will; something must have happened."

"At that time, what I must do is not hurt you, but try every means and use all my strength to find a way to restore you, to make you well again and bring you back to my side."

This answer was completely beyond Ji Siyu’s expectations.

She didn’t hear any cold words about purging the sect or self-defense; she only heard unreserved trust, responsibility, and an undying love.

Her eyes instantly turned red, and a thin layer of mist gathered in them.

Suppressing her sobs, she asked further: "Then... what if I really wanted to kill you? Would you... not even fight back?"

Looking at her tearful appearance, Chen Chuan’s heart ached as he pulled her tightly into his arms, as if he wanted to meld her into his very bones and blood.

His voice was gentle but carried an unquestionable resolve:

"If you wanted to kill me, then I must have done something unforgivable that hurt you deeply enough to make you hate me so much. If it were truly my fault, why would I fight back?"

He gently stroked her long hair, his tone even carrying a hint of strange peace and happiness:

"If my death can resolve the knot in your heart and make you happy, then what does it matter if I give you my life?"

"Being able to die at the hands of the person I love is, for me, a kind of happiness and a final destination."

Ugh... Ji Siyu could no longer control her accumulated emotions, and her suppressed crying finally escaped her lips.

Every word from Chen Chuan was like the hottest current, washing away all the insecurity and defenses in her heart.

She had never imagined that she was so important in his heart—important enough for him to pay the price of his life without hesitation.

She suddenly stood on her tiptoes, her soft lips carrying hot tear stains as they pressed against Chen Chuan’s, her actions speaking of the overwhelming love in her heart and her determination to follow him to the death.

After a long time, they separated.

Ji Siyu leaned against Chen Chuan’s chest, panting slightly. Her originally jade-white cheeks were now covered in a moving rosy flush that spread all the way to her delicate collarbone.

Her cold, beautiful eyes were now shimmering with moisture, her gaze carrying a bone-deep charm. Tiny teardrops still hung from her long eyelashes, like a begonia after rain, exquisitely beautiful.

Her whole body was soft, as if all her strength had been drained in that kiss which held all her emotions, leaving her only able to lean on Chen Chuan.

The slight rise and fall of her chest traced an alluring curve, and her entire being exuded a breathtaking, seductive charm after being thoroughly soaked in love.

She buried her burning cheeks deep into the crook of Chen Chuan’s neck, breathing in his reassuring scent. All the hesitation and worry in her heart seemed to have been temporarily dispelled.

In its place was an even firmer conviction.

She would work hard to cultivate and become stronger, for herself and to never fail Chen Chuan’s deep affection.

Chen Chuan felt the reliance and emotion of the beauty in his arms, his heart filled with softness and satisfaction.

Looking at the shy and lovely Ji Siyu in his arms, a heat flared up in Chen Chuan’s heart.

Being unable to go a step further made his whole body feel uncomfortable.

He lowered his head and whispered in Ji Siyu’s ear, making a request that made her face turn bright red.

Upon hearing Chen Chuan’s wicked request, Ji Siyu was so angry that she pinched his waist hard, scolding him as a rogue.

Chen Chuan winced in pain, but he still put on a look of distress: "Si Yu, just help me out, okay?"

Ji Siyu covered her flushed face, so embarrassed she felt like she might melt.

Chen Chuan’s request was too wicked. Just thinking about that scene made her heart race and her cheeks burn.

"You... you rogue," Ji Siyu muttered, covering her face and not daring to look up at this wicked bastard Chen Chuan: "I won’t do it, it’s too embarrassing."

Looking at this incomparably beautiful wife before him, the fire in Chen Chuan’s heart burned intensely.

Now he could only look, which made his whole body feel uncomfortable.

However, he was thick-skinned and continued to coax her: "Good Si Yu, good wife, you’re the best, just help me out."

This fellow used both soft and hard tactics on Ji Siyu, coaxing and deceiving her.

Ji Siyu really couldn’t withstand Chen Chuan’s sugar-coated bullets and finally could only agree to help Chen Chuan solve his trouble in another way.

Afterward, Chen Chuan gently patted her back, soothing her emotions.

"Wait for me to come back."

He whispered in her ear, a promise heavier than a thousand catties.

"Mm."

Ji Siyu gave a soft response. Though her voice was light, it was full of trust and expectation.

The time had come, and Chen Chuan had to release his embrace.

He took one last deep look at Ji Siyu, as if wanting to carve her current appearance into the depths of his soul.

Then he turned resolutely, transforming into a streak of light that rushed toward the mountain gate, meeting up with the waiting Mu Qing and flying off toward the Myriad Medicine Sacred Land.

Inside the Cave Dwelling, Ji Siyu gazed for a long time in the direction where Chen Chuan had disappeared, her slender hand pressing gently against her heart.

There, because of his words and promises, she was being filled with an unprecedented warmth and strength.