Chapter 132 It's late, sister, your dear sister's feelings have changed.
As night falls, the lights are lush and bright.
The city's inhabitants were already asleep, and the high walls blocked the wind and sand, leaving only desolation in the surroundings. The desert moon shone exceptionally brightly, and at night it was even colder than in other places, its light mingling with the bright lights, illuminating a dazzling spectacle.
Si Changxi walked slowly along the main road. The magnificent city's fragrance had faded considerably. There were flowers and fruits here, and herds of livestock grazing, yet not a single tree grew. Greenery had not graced the land of Kalan, leaving only a desolate desert. Her footsteps echoed as she arrived at the city gate. Two Kalan people with wings on their backs, spears in hand, stood guard at the entrance.
Hearing the commotion, they crossed their spears, turned around with their shields, and when they saw it was Si Changxi, they nodded slightly and made way for her.
The young man walked into the vast, dusty expanse.
The sand wasn't scorching hot like in the daytime; it was soft and fine, and stepping on it gave her a disorienting feeling, as if she were being sucked in, silently engulfing her in its dark gold. Si Changxi circled the city gate, and as if sensing something strange, she stopped at a certain moment, her gaze fixed ahead.
There is a tree there.
The only tree in the desert.
She walked towards the tree, her gaze softening unconsciously, her breathing becoming lighter, as if she were dealing with a newborn, fragile child, afraid that her every move might frighten her. The tree's branches cast heavy shadows in the howling wind, thin and desolate. An uneasy premonition rose in Si Changxi's heart, and when she reached the tree, she understood where it came from.
The tree was dead. Its branches had a charred black color, as if struck by lightning, and its trunk resembled chapped skin. Not a single leaf or flower remained; it rotted in the dust, barely clinging to life. The young man placed his hand on the tree's scarred surface, stroking it repeatedly, a sorrowful look flashing in his downcast eyes.
She possesses the spirit root of wood, and is bestowed upon her by the supreme deity symbolizing wood and water. She is born with a subtle connection to all things, able to resonate with them, and thus possesses a broad yet subtle love, like a pool of water that overflows the world. However, she is not a supreme deity who knows everything from the moment she opens her eyes; this love was also taught to her by others.
Si Changxi looked up at the bright, dazzling moon in the sky.
It's a mystery how an executioner could teach her to love this world. Actually, at that time, Si Liuhua hadn't started killing yet; her memories were only of people seeking revenge, never of drawing her sword. The older sister in the young girl's heart was incredibly powerful, able to deal with the hostile attackers while simultaneously covering her ears. However, the words, "Give me a little flesh and blood, and I will gain immortality," were faster, and she still heard them before being embraced by her older sister.
She also practices medicine. She doesn't charge fees or ask for anything in return; her only request is that he stay a few days so Si Changxi can play with children his own age. The boy, innocent and naive, puffed out his cheeks and said he only wanted his older sister. A piece of candy calmed him down, and he heard her gentle voice in his ear:
"You can't just have me."
So later she was surrounded by many, many people—classmates, students, friends...
But Si Liuhua was no longer there.
Life is unpredictable, and people's hearts change. She changed too, no longer trying to understand. The wounds on her palms throbbed faintly. Si Changxi had many wounds, but none of them were inflicted by Si Liuhua. In fact, many of them were inflicted by herself.
Don't give me this fake pity. Every time we meet, what should have been a life-or-death struggle ends with the other person leaving first.
Since Si Liuhua lied to her and acted as a villain, she would take her life herself.
Si Changxi leaned against the tree trunk, his eyes dark and brooding.
Why must love and hate always be born from the same root? If you remove love, you can't hate, and it's not even a dilemma, but rather mutual destruction.
Behind her, someone stopped in their tracks.
"This is a hibiscus tree."
"Hibiscus tree?"
"You are indeed a member of the Azure Dragon tribe, which is why you were able to sense the existence of the only tree in this place. Yes, the Fusang Tree, the legendary perch of the Lingguang God, our most precious sacred object."
The daytime spiritual energy had faded from her eyes, replaced by a gentle weariness, revealing a faint tenderness. Her original long robe had been replaced by a thick cloak, and the feathers on her wings trembled lightly in the wind.
"However, this one is only a branch of hers. I've heard that the real Fusang is located in the Demon Realm, and that one can reach the God Realm by following it."
"Why is it withered and broken?" Si Changxi looked at the bare branches.
Hua Sheng sighed and said, "If only we knew the reason, it would have lost its vitality long before my mother's generation, but it was not destroyed by the sandstorm. It just stood here and never grew any more branches or leaves."
She glanced at the Fusang tree with concern and continued, "At first, many people thought something had happened to Lord Lingguang, but Xingxiu showed no abnormalities."
As he spoke, Hua Sheng raised his hand, gesturing for Si Changxi to look up.
Ironically, the stars are more clearly visible through the gaps in the chaos. This place must have once been a wonderful spot; otherwise, how could it pierce the clouds and allow people to gaze upon the stars that hang high in the divine realm?
In the vast night sky, twinkling stars shimmered high in the clouds. The constellations were immense, and what the naked eye could see was merely the tip of the iceberg. The companion stars beside them shone even brighter, yet they were ultimately just tiny, very small stars.
Although Hua Sheng didn't say much, Si Changxi understood. This was the Vermilion Bird constellation.
There was nothing unusual.
Hua Sheng hesitated for a moment, then asked, "I remember that the Taiyin Lord is the source of water and wood, and the Azure Dragon tribe represents life, renowned for their medical skills that can bring the dead back to life... May I ask you to take a look at the reason why the Fusang Tree is withered?"
She knew that mentioning anything to Si Changxi would be a thorn in her side, but now that she had waited for generations and a thousand years, she had finally met a professional. Even if he didn't understand, she still had to ask.
After all, "a doctor's heart is benevolent, and healers save lives" is a saying passed down through generations of that tribe.
Si Changxi didn't mind her cautiousness and readily replied, "Sure, that's exactly what I was thinking. I was just waiting for you to say that." After all, the Fusang Tree was their sacred object, and it wouldn't be appropriate for an outsider like himself to take it upon himself to do so.
She placed her hand on the tree trunk, and spiritual energy shimmered as it flowed into it. In an instant, the branches on the tree trembled slightly, not because of the wind and sand, but because they swayed naturally, making a soft rustling sound, as if they were shedding their old shells and struggling to grow new parts.
It seemed delighted by a wisp of energy within Si Changxi's spiritual power; its long-dormant life was showing signs of awakening.
However, when Si Changxi withdrew his hand, the momentary vitality vanished abruptly, and the Fusang tree returned to its original withered state, its branches drooping listlessly.
She said, "It's because my spiritual energy is depleted."
“The spiritual energy here is indeed thin.” Hua Sheng understood. “Our tribe stopped pursuing the path of cultivation a long time ago, and no one has ascended to immortality for a long time… If someone does emerge in the future, I really hope she can live up to expectations and follow in the footsteps of Lord Ling Guang.”
She gazed wistfully at the hibiscus tree. The stars above twinkled faintly.
"Follow her?"
“After all, Lord Lingguang is still protecting us,” Hua Sheng said, clasping his hands together in front of his chest and lowering his eyes in reverence. “Every member of our clan can feel that she still exists in this world.”
Therefore, as long as the stars remain, their power will be eternal. Even if spiritual energy is lost, it will not lead to a point where development is impossible or weakness occurs...
Si Changxi deduced this, and suddenly recalled those blurry images from her memory, her face paling. Under the vast dust of the night sky, they couldn't see each other very clearly, so Hua Sheng didn't notice that she had clenched her hands.
Although the shattered stars were nameless, she seemed to know which one they were.
Stop. How could the higher realm tolerate such a thing? Her heart sank deeper and deeper into the abyss, a chill she hadn't felt in a long time slowly creeping up her, followed by a distorted voice whispering in her ear, very softly:
"That's why I did it, Changxi."
Because there was no choice, because the gods were indifferent...
"I can't think about it anymore." Si Changxi closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and calmed his expression. It was just speculation; relying on these things was completely unfounded.
Hua Sheng yawned. "Go back and rest. I'll take you to see your mother tomorrow. I also have something to give to those two children."
Si Changxi nodded and walked into the city with her, one after the other. Halfway there, as if recalling something, she asked, "Speaking of which, is there any further record within the clan regarding Lord Lingguang?"
"I think most of them are no different from those of your human race, but to go deeper, you might have to look among the demon race," Hua Sheng replied. "What do you want to know?"
"...Has she ever had a lover?" After thinking for a long time, unable to think of a better question, Si Changxi said directly, "Or perhaps a close friend or the like."
Since the two young friends had different souls, and they had mentioned that their origins were rather complicated, Si Changxi could easily guess that they might be immortals who had descended from the upper realm to undergo tribulation, or reincarnations of those who fought alongside the Vermilion Bird. However, the sadness that Qiao Yanshen showed at that time did not seem like the appearance of someone who looked up to someone from afar.
If all of this really happened, then her relationship with that legendary god feels quite close, like that of a friend who spends every day together.
Hua Sheng was silent for a moment. She felt the question was delicate, but if Si Changxi asked it, it wouldn't be appropriate to answer with a joke. After thinking it over, she hesitated and said cautiously, "Uh, I think, probably not."
She quickly added, "At least it's not in the documents, and you know these little romantic things are rarely recorded. I can't guarantee that."
Perfect; even if she was wrong, at least she had said everything. However, she really didn't understand the love and hate between the gods—as someone from the mortal realm, it was difficult for her to comprehend such things.
"I understand." Si Changxi nodded. "I will ask your elders again tomorrow."
Returning home late at night, after washing himself, the young man turned off the light and lay down on the bed.
The curtains swayed gently in the breeze. Although this place was very different from the environment where Emperor Taihui had lived for a long time, Si Changxi felt as if she had returned home, and a strange sense of peace arose in her heart.
The faint golden light in her eyes disappeared as weariness washed over her, like a tiny flame that went out completely when she closed her eyes.
I don't remember when I fell asleep, but in my hazy state, I saw that person's shadow again, dressed in pure white.
Red and white were most common around her, becoming the colors of death. Wherever the silver-white sword passed, large swathes of red spider lilies bloomed on the shores of the underworld.
This time, however, Si Changxi did not see Si Liuhua carrying a sword. The woman's swaying white figure gradually approached; what was originally ripples on the water was now being outlined little by little.
Si Changxi raised his hand in frustration, covering his eyes. Those in a dream are unaware they are dreaming, yet haven't forgotten reality, thus inevitably falling completely into an illusion.
She heard Si Liuhua sit on the edge of her bed. Then the bed began to creak softly, and the blankets beside her sank in…
A warm, slightly rough hand grasped her wrist, leading her to slowly reveal her eyes and brows.
The face so close, those eyes that had longed for him day and night, gazed tenderly at Si Changxi. Si Liuhua no longer remained silent, her voice softly brushing against Si Changxi's ear:
"It's all for you."
After saying that, she lowered her head and buried her face in Si Changxi's shoulder. The latter trembled all over, so stiff that he dared not move a single finger.
—When did she straddle herself?
Her black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, completely captivating Si Changxi's gaze, deeper than the night itself. She suddenly felt an urge to cry from anger, but her hands, her whole body, and even her lower abdomen were tingling and numb, leaving her powerless.
Go away.
Don't come near me.
But she also saw the longing in her own eyes reflected in the other's dark gaze. They were not blood relatives... even if they were, after hundreds or thousands of years of wear and tear, they had long since decayed beyond recognition.
But another kind of thirst, mixed with desire, quietly grows.
Si Liuhua smiled slightly, as if looking at a child throwing a tantrum. Then Si Changxi felt a warmth on his face, a soft touch caressing the corner of his eye.
Perhaps it was because the moment felt so real that she couldn't tell whether it was tears or a kiss from her older sister.
Between the eyebrows, on the cheeks.
The corner of the lips.
Finally, it was lightly pressed against her lips.
……absurd!
Si Changxi suddenly woke up. His usually calm heart was pounding violently, his breathing became unsteady, and he almost couldn't breathe. His lips were burning hot, but when he touched them, there was nothing there.
As the dream faded, she lifted the gauze curtain and saw that the unattainable bright moon still shone outside the window, as if sin and secretive heat had been cleanly washed away.
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Author's note: It's so hard to use lately... The update to correct typos hasn't been refreshed even after a whole day...
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