Chapter 1684
Chapter 1684 (Raw 1696):
"Seal the saber?"
Ao Jiao felt startled, surprised. However, this was logical, as well.
She did not feel too disappointed. She had managed to accompany Xiao Chen throughout the Sky Dome Realm and the Kunlun Realm. Her mission was already over.
After arriving at the Great Thousand Realms, many things were unknown to Ao Jiao, making her feel somewhat out of place.
In fact, the Lunar Shadow Saber had long become unsuitable for Xiao Chen. He only continued using it until now due to sentiment and reluctance.
As an Item Spirit, Ao Jiao felt that it was already her greatest fortune to have had a master like Sang Mu first, then Xiao Chen now. She had no reason for dissatisfaction in her life.
Xiao Chen closed his eyes and tapped the edge of the saber with his right hand.
The saber blade trembled, buzzing sounds filling the air. Ao Jiao's complexion paled as she took two steps back.
In that instant, Xiao Chen broke off the final connection between Ao Jiao and the Lunar Shadow Saber.
"Master…"
Feeling pain in her heart for some reason, Ao Jiao held her palm to her chest as she took a few more steps back.
Xiao Chen turned around and caught Ao Jiao in his left arm. Then, he stabbed the Lunar Shadow Saber into the ground.
Ao Jiao's body seemed somewhat weak. However, her pale face blushed slightly. She smiled and said, "If I don't call you that now, I might not have any more chances to call you master again."
Xiao Chen sat down where he was, cradling Ao Jiao in his embrace. He showed a gentle smile as he looked at her.
"You know, I have never treated you as an Item Spirit. Along the way, I have experienced all sorts of misfortunes and difficulties. Without you accompanying me, I would not have survived till today."
Xiao Chen's right hand, which previously held the saber, lowered and grabbed Ao Jiao's smooth left hand, grasping it tightly.
Ao Jiao felt a gentleness and warmth coming from Xiao Chen's hand. When she looked up at Xiao Chen's face, his gaze happened to shift down at the same time.
The two looked into each other's eyes; many things did not need to be said.
A gentle, cool breeze wafted past. Xiao Chen's thoughts wandered, and he could not help remembering the forging of the Lunar Shadow Saber at Mohe City, the scene of Ao Jiao hugging him, allowing him to operate the bellows smoothly back then.
On that day, spring struck that youth's heart. Actually, the seed of warmth had already been planted long ago.
It was also that day when Xiao Chen became the master of the Lunar Shadow Saber, making the oath before the Thunder Emperor Sang Mu never to let Ao Jiao cry.
He had not done too badly. He recalled that Ao Jiao leaked out tears of heartache when he restrained her and faced an enemy alone in order to rescue her.
If that happened again, Xiao Chen would still choose to restrain Ao Jiao than let her be in danger.
Xiao Chen recalled that when he was advancing the Purple Thunder Divine Incantation's seventh layer—a very dangerous thing to do—he had found the Heart Tribulation hard to clear. His heart demon had trapped him amid illusions.
At that time, Ao Jiao used her life to save him, bearing the final Lightning Tribulation on her own.
Xiao Chen entered into a deep sleep, wishing to continue dreaming and never waking up, not even for ten thousand years.
The relationship between the two was already no longer purely that of master and Item Spirit.
"Kaka! Kaka!"
Just at this moment, strange cawing spoiled the mood. It came from Little Yellow Feather, who was perched on a tree branch in the courtyard with its back facing the two.
Little Yellow Feather looked up at the sky, pretending that it did not know anything nor could see anything.
Ao Jiao burst out in laughter but was reluctant to get up. "Lying in your embrace feels pretty good. You know, I just thought of a lot of things, thinking of my previous life and my current one, thinking of how I fought for you along the way. In my next life, I really am willing to be the weapon in your hand again."
Xiao Chen remained silent and did not reply. If he had a next life, he would definitely do the same as well.
Ao Jiao spoke softly, and Xiao Chen listened quietly. Usually, it was Xiao Chen speaking and Ao Jiao listening.
However, today, things were reversed. Xiao Chen knew that it might be time to part.
If Xiao Chen did not listen, he might not have any more chances.
Little Yellow Feather chirped occasionally as Xiao Chen listened in silence. Night slowly fell, and the crescent moon hung high, scattering cold and bleak moonlight in the courtyard.
However, when the moonlight shone on the two, it did not feel bleak or cold. Instead, they held each other tighter.
At some point, Ao Jiao stopped speaking, and Xiao Chen looked at her.
Under the bleak and cold moonlight, Ao Jiao's exquisite face looked exceptionally gentle. There was a smile on her beautiful red lips. Her eyes held a trace of affection.
Amid the affection, there was also a trace of anticipation.
Xiao Chen lowered his head and paused for a moment. Then, without further hesitation, he kissed those beautiful red lips.
A warm flame immediately lit up at the moment the kiss happened.
Little Yellow Feather, which was on the tree branch, turned around and entered deep thought. Then, it ferociously flapped its wings, and a flame surged over. The flame flew over on the wind and burned away all the clothes of the two.
With Little Yellow Feather's control, the flame did not hurt the two at all.
However, Little Yellow Feather made this warm flame even more ferocious before nodding in satisfaction. Then, it flapped its wings and soared into the air, not remaining behind.
After a while, provoking spring scenery appeared in the yard as the two expressed all of their repressed feelings for each other.
---
Early the next morning, when the first rays of sunlight descended, Xiao Chen struggled to open his eyes. Ao Jiao, who previously lay beside him, was no longer there. When he looked around, the entire courtyard was empty.
There was only one sharp weapon, flickering with cold light, stabbed into the ground.
Xiao Chen put on clothes and slowly walked over. Then, he pulled out the saber. As he looked at the autumn-water-like sheen on the saber's edge, he remained speechless for a long time.
At some point, Ling Yu came in, feeling awkward and looking confused. "Martial Uncle, how come a woman appeared in the courtyard? Also, there was a strange, bad-tempered, yellow-feathered bird."
With obvious disappointment, Xiao Chen asked softly, "What happened after that?"
"Master told me to send them off. When they were leaving the Black Cave Mountain, that woman asked me to pass Martial Uncle a message."
"What message?"
"She said for Martial Uncle not to worry about her. She would help Little Yellow Feather look for the members of its race and unlock a few final memories. Also…"
As expected, there was Little Yellow Feather to take care of her. Xiao Chen did not worry about Ao Jiao's future. He prompted, "What else?"
"She said that if Martial Uncle found another saber, not to forget your original intention and to name it Moon Seeking."
When Xiao Chen heard that, he was stunned. His expression turned somewhat stiff and unsightly.
Do not forget your original intention…Moon Seeking. Both Ao Jiao and Xiao Chen knew which moon he was seeking.
[TL Note: One part of Liu Ruyue's name means moon (Yue).]
After a while, the calm on Xiao Chen's face disappeared as he asked impatiently, "Where is she now? When did she leave?"
"She left long ago, about four hours earlier. She already used the astral transportation formation. I do not know where she went."
Immediately, Xiao Chen seemed disappointed and frustrated, not speaking for a long time.
"Martial Uncle, are you alright?" Ling Yu asked worriedly. Xiao Chen still had to go to the Divine Firmament Sect's Thunder Controlling Peak later. They did not know how Shangguan Lei would make things difficult for Xiao Chen.
With Xiao Chen's current condition, his prospects did not look good.
Xiao Chen forced out a smile and replied, "I'm fine. Just leave me in peace for a while."
Ling Yu withdrew helplessly. Before he left, he shook his head slightly, wondering what his martial uncle experienced last night.
Xiao Chen took out a bottle of wine and placed it on the stone table. Then, he started drinking alone in silence.
After this battle, Xiao Chen would put away the Lunar Shadow Saber as well as his past glory. However, the many memories would remain in his heart, never to be forgotten.
"A toast to you…"
Xiao Chen raised his wine cup to the Lunar Shadow Saber that was stabbed into the ground.
The saber trembled as though replying to Xiao Chen, I offer a toast to you as well.
Just one man and one saber drinking like that. The man became drunk, and so did the saber.
In the courtyard, the Lunar Shadow Saber trembled and took flight, dancing in the air. Scenes of the past appeared everywhere. Those were the scenes of Xiao Chen swinging the saber.
From the Sky Dome Realm to the Kunlun Realm. Finally, the scene of the fight with Chu Chaoyun.
When these scenes ended, Xiao Chen put down the wine cup and stood up. Then, he waved his hand and tightly grasped the Lunar Shadow Saber in his hand.
The saber was like his arm, connected by blood and mutual understanding.
When looking at the autumn-water-like saber blade, Xiao Chen felt satisfied. Then, he sheathed it and walked out of the courtyard.
Leading the six true inheritors of the Purple Flame Sect, Hua Yunfeng had been waiting outside for a long time already.
"I made everyone wait." Xiao Chen performed a cupped-fist salute.
Hua Yunfeng and the other true inheritors knew that Xiao Chen would face Shangguan Lei soon. They all sympathized with Xiao Chen's disastrous encounter and did not feel displeased with waiting.
---
In the vast Starry Heavens, Ao Jiao sat on Little Yellow Feather, flying to the great realm where the Golden Crow Race resided.
The bliss of the previous night lingered on Ao Jiao's pretty face. Hanging up the saber with sincere conviction. This was Xiao Chen's new life, but it was also Ao Jiao's new life.