Chapter 175 - 174: Going Out to See the World

Chapter 175: Chapter 174: Going Out to See the World

Lightning subdues all evil. As someone who could digest and absorb Yin Qi, Xian Yu Fei was obviously as evil as they come.

The moment he entered the array, stray bolts of lightning lunged at him from all sides like vipers spotting their prey.

Xian Yu Fei couldn’t even control his own body, let alone dodge. All he could do was stand there and take the punishment, letting out a piercing, low roar.

A glint flashed in Gu Qingyin’s eyes. She seized the opportunity, surging into his body by following the trail of his Soul Power. But then, her brow furrowed.

Xian Yu Fei’s spirit was far ’emptier’ than she’d expected. It was completely inconsistent with someone possessing such immense Soul Power. It was like a lake on the verge of drying up, its ’source’ completely gone.

But her confusion lasted only a second before Gu Qingyin understood. This wasn’t Xian Yu Fei’s true body at all. She gave a short, derisive laugh. "You’re far too cautious, Martial Uncle. To think you’d only dare to send a clone to meet me."

After the lightning’s bombardment, Xian Yu Fei’s voice grew even lower and hoarser, barely sounding human. "Some habits are bone-deep. They can’t be changed."

’After all these years, if he hadn’t been so meticulously cautious, the name Xian Yu Fei would have vanished from this world long ago.’

"Martial Niece, I admit I underestimated you," Xian Yu Fei chuckled. "I look forward to our next meeting."

The moment he finished speaking, the body of Xian Yu Fei within the array suddenly swelled. With a loud BANG, it exploded, leaving a scatter of debris on the ground.

Gu Qingyin clicked her tongue. "Ruthless, isn’t he? To just abandon so much Soul Power." While speaking, she deftly collected the peach wood nails.

The moment she turned to leave, the surrounding scenery shifted once more. Everyone resumed what they had been doing ten minutes prior, completely oblivious to the battle that had just taken place.

Huo Yunjing appeared again. "Are we going to keep searching?"

Gu Qingyin shook her head. "His true body isn’t here. This clone was likely responsible for what happened to the Kang Family."

Huo Yunjing didn’t quite understand. "How can he have a clone? How did he manage it? Even if you can replicate a body, how can a soul be split?"

Gu Qingyin shook her head. "He’s been cultivating for decades, focusing his research entirely on the soul. He must have discovered some kind of special technique."

’This battle wasn’t exactly difficult, but it put Gu Qingyin on high alert once more. She had no idea how much of Xian Yu Fei’s true power that clone possessed.’

’If the clone’s Soul Power hadn’t lacked a source, she wouldn’t have been able to suppress Xian Yu Fei’s spirit so easily.’

’This meeting was merely a test—Xian Yu Fei was testing her.’

"Let’s go home."

Back in the country, Gu Qingyin uncharacteristically turned down all commissions to focus solely on her cultivation. Huo Yunjing did the same, even reluctantly forgoing his nightly ’perks’.

In just two short months, Huo Yunjing’s cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds. He finally broke through the tipping point and achieved a fully corporeal form.

With his new corporeal form, Huo Yunjing could stand openly in the sunlight and move among people. Other than his skin being a little too pale, he looked exactly like a living person.

The very next day, Huo Xingye pulled some strings and got Huo Yunjing officially registered as a citizen.

Huo Yunjing’s name could finally appear on the same family register as Gu Qingyin’s.

That evening, a banquet was held at the old Huo Family estate.

Within a few days, rumors began to circulate. They said Gu Qingyin had taken a liking to a young man who bore a striking resemblance to the former Huo Family Head, the late Huo Yunjing.

Some said it proved how deep her love ran; others whispered that using a look-alike as a replacement was just sick.

But these were only whispers behind closed doors. No one dared to say a single negative word about the Huo Family in public.

And so, Gu Qingyin and Huo Yunjing could finally live like an ordinary married couple, waking up to the sight of their beloved each morning.

One night, after a particularly sweaty ’workout,’ Gu Qingyin was sprawled on top of Huo Yunjing, cooling down. For some reason, a random thought popped into her head, and she asked a question.

"Do you think I could get pregnant?" Gu Qingyin asked, rubbing her stomach. "We’ve been... pretty active lately."

Huo Yunjing actually gave it some serious thought before replying regretfully, "Even though I have a physical form now, I’m still a ghost in essence."

Gu Qingyin just said, "Oh," closed her eyes, and prepared to go to sleep.

Huo Yunjing gently patted her back, as if soothing a child.

A tranquil silence filled the room. It was a moment of perfect peace.

One evening after dinner, Huo Xingchen ran excitedly into his parents’ bedroom. "Mom! I’m ready!"

Gu Qingyin smiled. She picked up a nearby cord woven from talismans and tied it around her son’s wrist. "Once we’re inside, don’t wander off. Stay close to me, or you might not make it back."

Huo Xingchen felt a surge of exasperation. ’He wasn’t a little kid anymore.’ But he still obediently held out his wrist and nodded. "I know, Mom."

Satisfied, Gu Qingyin patted his head. "Time to go."

The mother and son went downstairs, just in time to see Huo Yunjing emerging from the kitchen with a food container.

Gu Qingyin’s eyes lit up, and she strode over. "What delicious treats did you make?"

Huo Yunjing opened the lid to show her. "Just some cookies. Chocolate chip and cranberry. Want to try one?"

Gu Qingyin took one of each, popping them into her mouth to savor the taste. Then she gave him a thumbs-up. "They’re amazing!"

A satisfied smile spread across Huo Yunjing’s face. "I’m glad you like them."

"Where’s Xingye?" Gu Qingyin glanced around, not seeing her older son anywhere. "Don’t tell me he decided not to go?"

Huo Yunjing blinked. "It would be understandable if he didn’t want to go. After all, he’s always been afraid of—"

"Dad! Mom!" Huo Xingye entered from outside, his face devoid of expression. "I’ve pulled the car around. Let’s go."

He looked at Huo Yunjing. "Dad, what were you just saying?"

Huo Yunjing cleared his throat. "Nothing. Let’s go." ’He’s my son, after all,’ he thought. ’I should help him save a little face.’

The family of four gathered their things and got into the car. Huo Xingye drove while Huo Yunjing navigated. In the back, Gu Qingyin and Huo Xingchen were on a video call with Huo Xinghai.

Huo Xinghai sounded extremely frustrated. "You know what? Maybe I should just quit showbiz! I’m always left out of every family activity!"

It happened with the camping trip on the mountaintop, and it’s happening again with this trip to ’broaden our horizons.’ God knows how badly he wanted to go!

"Can I make it if I rush back right now?" Huo Xinghai was starting to lose it. "There’s a flight to Yun City in exactly one hour. I can still book it!"

"Xinghai!" Gu Qingyin quickly interjected. "Just focus on your work. Your fans are waiting for your concert. We’ll all be there to see you, I promise."

"Yeah, Second Brother," Huo Xingchen added, waving the camcorder in his hand. "I’ll record everything really well, and I’ll play it all back for you when we get home."

Huo Xinghai’s impulsive energy immediately dissipated. "Can you really film there?" he asked, his voice deflated. "How come I’ve never heard of anyone doing that before?"

Gu Qingyin looked completely exasperated. "Probably because no one’s ever thought of it. Any living person who goes there tries to keep as low a profile as possible. Who would dare to just openly start recording?"

Huo Xinghai’s brow furrowed. "But won’t that be dangerous for you?"

"Nope!" Huo Xingchen said, lifting his chin smugly. "Mom cast an illusion on the camcorder. No one will ever notice it!"

They chatted for the entire drive. Eventually, Huo Xingye drove them to the outskirts of the city where, under Huo Yunjing’s direction, he plunged the car straight into a thick bank of fog.