Chapter 8 Lili...Cold

Chi Li felt that her thick skin had improved significantly. At least now, when the servants saw the occasional petal fragments left in her hair, she could pretend that nothing had happened without changing her expression.

Tang Lu, on the other hand, seemed to have accomplished something great after giving out the gifts, and resumed her happy life of eating, playing, and sleeping.

Recently, however, she seems to have developed a strong interest in the wisp of crimson-gold flame that dances at Chi Li's fingertips when he reviews the jade slips.

"Lili, fire!" She leaned over the desk, her little hand supporting her chin, her eyes sparkling as she watched the warm yet dangerous little flame.

"Okay, stay away, don't get burned," Chi Li instructed without looking up.

This little tree spirit belongs to the wood element and is naturally afraid of fire, so she has to keep a close eye on it.

Tang Lu nodded obediently, but her gaze remained fixed on the object.

She wasn't afraid; on the contrary, she felt that the flame was exceptionally docile in Lili's hands, like a well-behaved little pet, radiating a warmth that made her feel attached.

However, this warmth took an unusual turn late one night.

Chi Li was meditating and regulating her breathing, trying to suppress the cold, yin energy within her body that periodically flared up due to an old injury.

This injury was inflicted many years ago during a battle with an ancient demon. Although not fatal, it is extremely stubborn and flares up every time the moon is overcast, making her feel as if she is in an ice cellar, with her meridians blocked and causing her unbearable pain.

Tonight is a moonless night.

A familiar, bone-chilling cold spread from the depths of his dantian, quickly engulfing his limbs and bones.

Chi Li frowned, fine beads of cold sweat appeared on her forehead, and the warm aura around her became disordered and icy.

She tried her best to use her divine power to resist, but the cold, icy energy was like a persistent, intractable disease.

Just as she gritted her teeth, preparing to tough it out...

Tanglu, who was sleeping in the "little nest" next to her, which was covered with countless soft brocades and velvet by Chili, stirred restlessly.

The little guy seemed to have his sweet dream disturbed by the abnormal coldness and chaotic atmosphere in the air.

She sat up groggily, rubbing her eyes, and instinctively looked for a source of heat.

Then, she saw Chi Li meditating beside her.

Moonlight streamed through the window, illuminating Chi Li's slightly pale face and trembling body.

Tang Lu's drowsiness vanished in an instant.

Barefoot, she ran to Chi Li's side, her little hands anxiously grasping Chi Li's cold fingers.

"Lili? Cold?" She felt the temperature drop below usual, and her light brown eyes were filled with anxiety.

Chi Li was at a critical moment in fighting the cold air and could not concentrate on responding; her fingertips just unconsciously curled up slightly.

This chilling aura was torture for Chi Li, but for the wood spirit, who was sensitive and naturally close to life and warmth, it was as unpleasant as filth.

Tang Lu neither let go nor dodged.

Seeing Chi Li's pained expression, an instinctive impulse surged within her.

She didn't know what old wounds were or how to heal them. All she knew was that Lili in front of her was cold and uncomfortable.

And she wanted to warm her up.

Just as the sun warms the earth and the rain nourishes the plants.

Tang Lu closed her eyes and tried her best to mobilize the pure and gentle wood spirit energy within her body.

Faint green lights, full of vitality, emerged from her body like fireflies.

She carefully and gently passed on her most primal life force, little by little, through their clasped hands.

That feeling was like the first drizzle of early spring, gently falling on the parched land; and like the warm sun breaking through the clouds in winter, quietly melting the accumulated snow.

As Chi Li struggled against the cold, she suddenly felt a gentle and pure power, like a clear spring, slowly flowing into her frozen meridians through their clasped hands.

The power was not strong, even somewhat weak, but wherever it passed, the violent, cold energy seemed to have met its nemesis, its agitation subsided considerably, and the sluggish meridians seemed to be gently soothed and nourished.

What shocked her even more was that the vibrant life force contained in this wood spirit energy was completely different from the power of destruction and rebirth in her Phoenix Divine Fire, yet strangely... perfectly matched it.

Like a withered tree blossoming in spring, it brought her a peace and comfort she had never experienced before.

Chi Li opened her eyes in disbelief and looked at the little tree spirit beside her.

Tang Lu had her eyes closed, her face pale from exhaustion, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, but the hand gripping hers was very strong, without the slightest hesitation.

She was surrounded by a faint green glow, making her look both holy and fragile.

Is she... using her own primordial spiritual power to alleviate her pain?

Chi Li's heart felt as if it had been struck hard by something, a bittersweet mix of emotions.

This little fool! Doesn't she know how much damage this drain on her life force is doing to herself?!

"Tang Lu, stop..." Chi Li tried to break free from her hand, her voice hoarse from weakness and anxiety.

Tang Lu stubbornly shook her head, instead holding her even tighter and channeling more wood spirit energy into her.

She opened her eyes, looked at Chi Li, her gaze pure and firm: "It's not cold... Tang Lu, make sure Li Li is warm..."

Looking at her pale face and those determined eyes, Chi Li felt all the words of refusal stuck in her throat.

She relaxed her body and guided the gentle wood spirit energy to flow through her damaged meridians.

Miraculously, nourished by that life force, the pain of this cold attack subsided much faster than ever before.

After an unknown amount of time, the cold, damp energy within his body was finally temporarily suppressed.

Chi Li breathed a long sigh of relief, feeling much more relaxed.

Tang Lu seemed to have exhausted her strength; her little head bobbed up and down, and her body slumped to the side.

With quick reflexes, Chi Li scooped her into his arms.

As soon as the little one landed in her warm and familiar embrace, it was as if she had found the safest harbor. She rubbed her little face against her neck, let out a satisfied whimper, and fell asleep almost instantly.

Her breathing was even and deep, but her face still looked pale.

Chi Li held the light and soft little tree spirit in her arms, feeling her steady breathing and the fresh scent of grass and trees on her body, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

For tens of thousands of years, she has endured the torment of her old wounds alone, with no one ever able to share even the slightest bit of her burden.

She had long been accustomed to strength, accustomed to loneliness, and accustomed to hiding all her vulnerability beneath her dignity.

But tonight, this tiny tree spirit, who needed her protection, warmed her in her purest way, without any regard for anything else.

Chi Li looked down at Tang Lu's peaceful sleeping face, gently brushing her fingertips across her slightly pale face, and gently transferring a wisp of spiritual energy to nourish her overexerted body.

She didn't put Tanglu back in that soft little nest, but simply adjusted her position so that the little one could sleep more comfortably in her arms. Then she pulled over the soft brocade quilt and covered them both up.

Holding a warm, fragrant little tree spirit in his arms, the comforting scent of herbs and trees lingered around his nose, and the soothing feeling of being soothed by the wood spirit's energy still lingered all over his body...

Chi Li realized that this was the most peaceful and deep sleep she had ever had in hundreds, or even thousands of years.

There was no torment of cold and dampness, no icy loneliness.

Only the warmth of my embrace and the comfort of my heart.

Tonight, His Majesty the Demon King enjoyed a long-awaited peaceful sleep.