Chapter 84: The young couple confesses their love and kisses.
A year has passed since Yin Lisheng went into seclusion.
A year is but a fleeting moment in the long history of the cultivation world, but for the Qingyuan Sect, which has undergone dramatic changes, and for the entire cultivation world, it has been a year of turbulent changes and undercurrents.
Qingyuan Sect remained the colossal entity standing at the pinnacle of the cultivation world, but due to Song Wenzhuo, there were few easy moments this year.
The Sword Inquiry Cliff became a unique sight in the Qingyuan Sect, where lightning flashed and rumbled incessantly for a whole year.
From the initial Nascent Soul Tribulation to the later Void Transformation Tribulation and Body Integration Tribulation… each one was more terrifying and more imposing than the last. As a result, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth within a thousand miles of Qingyuan Sect was constantly fluctuating violently, and even the mountain-protecting formation had to be adjusted frequently to deal with the residual power of the tribulation lightning that could shatter the souls of low-level cultivators.
All the disciples knew that their great-uncle Yin Lisheng was forcibly attempting to break through one seemingly unattainable realm after another in a near-suicidal manner. At first, some were shocked, some were puzzled, but as time went on, when they saw Yin Lisheng truly withstand one seemingly impossible tribulation after another, that shock gradually turned into awe, and even a tragic expectation.
Besides handling their respective peak affairs, the peak masters Wen Xun, Ye Xiuzhu, and Du Zhun devoted most of their energy to preparing for the upcoming trip to the Northern Territory.
The Lin and Ji families naturally offered their full support, and the Tianji Pavilion, Huanyin Palace, and Xie family maintained a neutral stance after repeated assurances from the Qingyuan Sect. Only the Jiuyang Sect and the Yu family disagreed.
Yu Jiangheng went back in person, and no one knows what he said, but the Yu family tacitly agreed to open the Northern Border Seal.
As for Shi Jin, let him object if he wants. Qingyuan Sect is very determined to open the seal on the northern border. No one cares whether he agrees or not; they can't stop them anyway.
Yan Nanqiu returned to the Demon Realm, wanting to do his part for his brother. If the cultivation world couldn't find a better solution, perhaps the Demon Realm would have some unexpected gains?
Now, all that remains is for Yin Lisheng to emerge from the pass.
Three months later.
The tribulation clouds above Sword Inquiry Cliff, after experiencing the devastating heavenly tribulation of the tribulation period, finally dissipated quietly on the eve of a silent dawn.
Yu Jiangheng, who had been working on official business all night in the main hall of the summit, suddenly raised his head, and the jade slip in his hand slammed onto the table. He quickly walked outside the hall and looked towards the direction of Wenjian Cliff, his eyes filled with barely concealed excitement.
Deep within Danfeng Peak, Ning Xuexi, who was preparing the latest batch of soul-nourishing elixirs for Song Wenzhuo, also stopped grinding the medicinal herbs. She stared blankly in that direction and murmured, "It...it's a success?"
The elders and disciples of each peak, no matter what they were doing, all stopped what they were doing, and either walked out of their houses or opened their windows, all looking toward the Sword Inquiry Cliff.
The entire Qingyuan Sect seemed to have been put on pause.
On Tingxue Peak, Fu Yunshu stood with his hands behind his back beneath the tall peach tree. He sensed the change in that aura earlier than anyone else. When the last trace of lightning tribulation was completely absorbed and transformed, Fu Yunshu's heart, which had been hanging in suspense for a full year and three months, finally settled down.
As dawn broke and the thin mist gradually dissipated, a figure slowly stepped out.
Yin Lisheng's appearance was still handsome, but he had become more reserved. His black hair cascaded down to his waist without being tied up or styled. He seemed to be more upright than a year ago, with broad shoulders and a slender waist.
“Master…” Yin Lisheng looked up at the direction of Tingxue Peak, “I miss you so much.”
The snow-capped peaks are getting closer and closer.
The familiar peach tree atop the mountain stretched its branches and leaves in the morning light. Beneath the tree, a figure in white stood quietly.
Yin Lisheng quickened his pace slightly, climbed the stone steps, passed through the bamboo forest, and finally stopped at the entrance of the small courtyard.
The courtyard gate was wide open.
Fu Yunshu stood under the peach tree in the courtyard, his back to him, seemingly gazing up at the treetop. Morning light filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on him, making his slender and upright figure appear somewhat unreal.
Yin Lisheng stood at the door, looking at that back view, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly. One year and three months, countless struggles on the verge of despair, what had sustained him through it all was this figure before him.
He opened his mouth, wanting to call out "Master," but found his throat so dry that he couldn't make a sound.
Just then, Fu Yunshu slowly turned around.
Their eyes met.
Time seemed to stand still at that moment.
"Master—" Yin Lisheng strode into the courtyard, stopped three steps away from Fu Yunshu, and then knelt down without hesitation, kowtowing deeply.
"Disciple has returned."
"You still know how to come back!" Fu Yunshu said irritably.
Yin Lisheng lowered his head even further. He had anticipated this outcome when he made this decision a year ago. He wasn't afraid of Fu Yunshu being angry; he was only afraid that Fu Yunshu would kick him out.
"Disciple knows his mistake and is willing to accept all punishments from Master."
There was still no sound from above. Yin Lisheng's initial tension had turned into panic. He looked up and met a pair of captivating eyes.
Before Yin Lisheng could even discern the emotions surging in those eyes, his vision darkened, and a cool shadow, carrying a familiar, lingering fragrance, descended upon him—Fu Yunshu leaned down and kissed his lips.
"division……?!"
Yin Lisheng's mind went blank. All the apologies, explanations, and pleas he had prepared were shattered by this unexpected kiss. He froze, his eyes widened, and he even forgot to breathe.
Master...is he kissing him?
The touch on the lips was real and soft, carrying Fu Yunshu's unique cool scent.
Fu Yunshu's kiss was light, tentative, and with a barely perceptible tremor, as if he had used up all his courage to take this step. He simply pressed his lips against Yin Lisheng's, without making any further moves, but the cool softness felt like an electric current, sending a tingling sensation through Yin Lisheng's body.
After a moment of stunned silence, ecstasy surged forth like a burst dam, instantly overwhelming Yin Lisheng's reason and restraint.
His master was kissing him! It wasn't a dream!
Almost instinctively, Yin Lisheng suddenly raised his hand, grabbed Fu Yunshu by the back of the neck, pressed him closer to himself, and deepened the kiss.
"Ugh...!"
Fu Yunshu let out a short, muffled groan, seemingly startled by his disciple's sudden assertiveness. He instinctively tried to back away, but Yin Lisheng held him firmly in his arms.
Yin Lisheng tightly gripped Fu Yunshu's waist with his other hand, and with a twist, pinned him against the thick peach tree trunk behind him. The trunk trembled slightly, and a few emerald green leaves fluttered down, landing between their overlapping clothes and hair.
The kiss instantly took on a different flavor.
It was no longer a fleeting touch, but a plundering of territory. Yin Lisheng seemed to be pouring out all the torment, longing, and fear of the past year of separation, as well as the love that had been buried deep in his heart for twenty years, through this kiss.
He pried open Fu Yunshu's pearly teeth, thrusting deep inside, entwining her trembling softness with an irresistible heat and urgency.
Their breaths mingled, their noses brushed against each other, the freshness of the peach tree mingling with the cool fragrance emanating from each other, creating a dizzying intoxication.
Fu Yunshu was initially stiff, passively enduring his disciple's almost fierce kiss. But gradually, he closed his eyes, and the hand that was originally pressing against Yin Lisheng's chest, trying to push him away, loosened its grip at some point, and instead gently grasped the other's chest fabric, his fingertips trembling slightly.
He could feel the heat between Yin Lisheng's lips and tongue, and hear their intense heartbeats. Fu Yunshu awkwardly tried to respond, tracing circles on Yin Lisheng's chest with his fingers.
Such a subtle movement sent a jolt through Yin Lisheng, making his kiss even deeper and more tender, as if he were treating a rare treasure that had been lost and found again.
As dawn broke, the sunlight filtered through the lush foliage of the peach tree, casting dappled patterns of light around the two of them. A gentle breeze rustled through the bamboo grove in the distance, carrying with it the faint sounds of birdsong.
After an unknown amount of time, when both of them were somewhat out of breath, Yin Lisheng stepped back slightly, his forehead touching Fu Yunshu's, their noses meeting, their hot breaths mingling together.
His eyes shone with an astonishing intensity, like two flames burning within them, fixed intently on Fu Yunshu's flushed face and her watery eyes. His voice was hoarse beyond recognition.
"Master likes me too, right?"
Yin Lisheng feared he had misunderstood, feared it was just a dream after surviving a calamity, feared that his master would turn cold and push him away the next second, reprimanding him for his rebellious behavior.
Fu Yunshu was slightly out of breath, her eyelashes trembling as she avoided Yin Lisheng's overly intense gaze, her ears burning red.
He touched his slightly numb lips, which still carried the scent of Yin Lisheng.
“I read the letter…” Fu Yunshu said in a low voice, her voice slightly hoarse, “all of them.”
Yin Lisheng's heart skipped a beat.
Fu Yunshu raised his eyes and looked into his disciple's eyes, which were filled with tension and anticipation. The last trace of hesitation in his heart disappeared.
He raised his hand and gently stroked Yin Lisheng's cheek, his fingertips brushing against Yin Lisheng's tightly pursed lips and the newly grown, slightly prickly, bluish stubble on his chin.
"Fool," Fu Yunshu scolded softly, her tone devoid of any strength, "Don't do this again."
"What?" Yin Lisheng asked instinctively, his heart pounding like a drum.
“You’re not allowed to hide it from me anymore and go on adventures alone,” Fu Yunshu looked at him seriously. “You’re not allowed to feel unworthy or afraid to speak up.”
He paused, his cheeks flushed even redder, and his voice lowered, but each word was clear: "I... I also have feelings for you. It's not the kind of affection a master has for a disciple, but the kind of feelings that make me want to become your Daoist partner... feelings of deep affection."
The last two words, as light as a feather, struck Yin Lisheng's heart with tremendous force.
An immense joy exploded in his mind like fireworks, instantly overwhelming all his senses. Yin Lisheng's eyes suddenly welled up with tears, and he abruptly pulled Fu Yunshu into his arms again, with such force that it seemed he wanted to meld Fu Yunshu into his very bones.
"Master... Master..." He buried his face in Fu Yunshu's neck, his voice choked with sobs, calling out again and again, as if confirming, or as if venting, "I... I'm so happy... I really... I'm not dreaming..."
Fu Yunshu was struggling to breathe from the tightness of his grip, yet she could clearly feel the dampness on her neck. This young man, who always appeared calm and reliable, was now like a wronged yet joyful child.
He was incredibly soft-hearted, so he reached out and hugged Yin Lisheng's broad back, patting it gently.
“It’s not a dream,” Fu Yunshu said softly. “I’m here.”
“You weren’t dreaming, and I even wrote you a reply.”
"We have more than one 20 years."
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Author's Note: [Peeking while covering face]
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