Chapter 511: Old Man Bai Guang Played It Brilliantly

mayiwsk

Insects chirped, dark clouds parted, moonlight spilled down upon a vast emerald field, rice stalks swaying in the wind with a soft rustling.

From within the lit houses of the small village, faint sounds of children laughing and playing drifted out.

In the courtyard of one wooden house, a girl was busily at work, dressed in a pale white robe, her slender, delicate waist bound with a green silk sash.

She placed the last batch of herbs from the wooden basket into a small wooden chest, wiped the sweat from her brow, gazed at the full moon overhead for several seconds, then smiled: "Looks like it won't rain tomorrow."

Good weather is needed to dry the herbs—if it rains, trouble follows.

An old woman, slightly hunched, leaned on her cane and walked over with a cheerful smile, her eyes filled with pity as she saw the young healer: "Child, go inside and rest properly—you've been working all day."

"You're the one who needs to rest! Didn't I tell you your legs and back can't leave the bed yet? You still need another month!" The girl hurried over to support the elder.

"I'm already much better than before," the old woman gently patted the girl's hand and smiled. "Little Healer, Grandpa brought back a chicken from town today to stew—go taste it. I'll just sit outside and catch some air."

"No, it's too cold tonight. Come inside with me and drink a bowl of hot soup." The little healer insisted.

The old woman nodded repeatedly, her gaze brimming with tender warmth.

Candlelight flickered as the little healer ladled soup for both elders, then finally served herself—like a grandparent-grandchild trio sharing a peaceful, joyful evening.

It's been nearly a year since leaving Qingshan Town—I wonder if he's progressing well in his cultivation out in the desert.

Sometimes, the little healer would recall the days in that thatched cottage, and that final night when she and Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan leaned against the doorframe, falling asleep side by side.

"If only I weren't the Calamity Poison Body…"

Thinking of this, the little healer's eyes lowered slightly as she lifted the porcelain bowl and drank the savory broth.

The old man, wearing a cloth cap, reminded her: "There's still meat left, child—eat more."

"Yes," the little healer replied.

While traveling and practicing medicine here, the two elders, childless and alone, had begged her to stay, treating her as their own daughter; the villagers, too, treated her as one of their own.

It was almost time to leave.

The poison she'd been taking lately could no longer keep pace with the cultivation of the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture—she couldn't let her Calamity Poison Body harm others any longer.

After dinner, the little healer tried to help clean up, but the old man urged her back to rest.

"Grandpa, I'll go rest now," the little healer said without protest—today she was indeed more exhausted than usual, likely due to preparing so many herbs these past few days.

She planned to leave this village soon; before departing, she wanted to stockpile common herbs for the two elders and the villagers, and also spend some daylight hours teaching the younger, less experienced village medic.

Back in her room, the little healer untied her sash, and before closing the window, she glanced toward the eastern horizon at Bai Guang.

An omen?

The little healer had no interest in such irrelevant phenomena now. She lay on her bed, where beside her pillow rested the vial of Qi-Replenishing Pills Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan had given her before they parted.

She drifted slowly into sleep, then suddenly felt a faint itch beneath her skin.

No!

The little healer frantically pushed back the quilt, pulled up her clothes—and there, on her lower abdomen, a thin seven-colored vein was spreading toward her heart.

She rushed to the bedside, rummaged through drawers, pulled out a small square box, felt the itch suddenly turn to stabbing pain, quickly opened the box, and swallowed the poison pill inside.

The dual agony of poison and the Calamity Poison Body's eruption brought forth beads of sweat on her forehead.

Knock-knock-knock—the door banged.

"Child."

The little healer tried to speak, but the poison had already spread to her arms; her eyes fluttered shut as she collapsed, the porcelain dish beside her bed and the wooden box in her hand clattering to the floor with sharp, clear sounds.

She lay on the ground, watching the door burst open, a look of utter despair crossing her face.

"Grandpa—"

"—!!"

A panicked cry erupted from the wooden house in the small village, even startling the sparrows perched on the old tree outside.

Don't come near me!

The little healer summoned all her strength to shout—but this poison pill was far stronger than previous powders; her five viscera and six bowels felt crushed together, her throat as if sliced by razor blades.

Don't come near me!!!

Tears streamed down her face as she helplessly watched the two elders grasp her arms, then—

Fall.

"Child…"

The two elders, whom she had treated as grandparents, their faces twisted in unbearable agony, yet their eyes still held unwavering concern and tenderness.

"No!"

Far more agonizing than the poison's invasion—her heart shattered into a thousand pieces.

Why must it always end like this?

Every time she finally found peace, her cursed body brought chaos—either branded a hated omen, or bringing misfortune to those close to her.

Chaotic thoughts, a heart once again broken, deeper hatred for her own body, even self-loathing.

"Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan, thank heaven you weren't here…"

Tears slid down the little healer's cheeks as she wept, powerless against the pain in her body and soul, grief washing over her like a tide, nearly drowning her into unconsciousness.

"It's alright. Leave it to me."

A pair of arms lifted the little healer, cradling her shoulders and her fragile, willow-thin waist.

A broad chest, strong arms, a familiar voice—but how could this be?!

"I'm here."

Pure white flames, like sunlight, fell upon the spot where the two elders had collapsed, flooding the entire house with brilliant light, as if day had suddenly returned.

If this is a dream, then so be it.

The little healer closed her eyes, as if finally finding peace in her soul.

The sun, having broken through the horizon's restraint, slowly climbed into the sky, and only then did a faint fish-belly white appear in the heavens.

Above the lush, verdant mountains and forests floated the Yunlan Sect, wreathed in mist and clouds.

"Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan?!" Nanlan Yanran stared at the black-robed man who had suddenly burst into the Yunlan Sect's grand hall, her bright eyes filled with unmistakable shock.

Yunshan sat upon the main seat, below him sat over a dozen elderly men in white robes patterned with cloud motifs; beside him stood Yun Yun, clad in a moon-white gown, her beautiful face bearing a touch of authority.

They all sensed the terrifying aura emanating from every movement and breath of the other.

"Yao Yan?" Yun Yun exclaimed in surprise, then glanced at her own disciple and murmured: "Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan?!"

"Mo Cheng was killed by me," Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan said, gazing at Yunshan atop the main seat, standing upon empty air, looking down from above: "Yun Leng, who conspired with the Soul Sect over Mo Cheng's death, was also killed by me. Do you have any objections?"

Yunshan's face darkened, as if water could drip from it—but the instant his gaze met Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan's, a vast ocean of flames surged toward him like a tidal wave, and the spiritual pressure crushed him as if he were a floating weed.

When he came to his senses, his clothes were soaked in sweat; he gasped for breath, veins bulging on his hands as he gripped the armrests of his chair, bowing his head: "They offended you—so their fate was entirely their own doing."

He could feel that if the other wished, a single thought could turn the entire Yunlan Sect into a phantom sea of fire.

That bastard Yun Leng! Did he fill his brain with shit?!

Is Mo Cheng your wife, that you'd provoke this terrifying demon for his sake?!

Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan nodded, instantly teleporting before Yun Yun and seizing one of her hands: "Yun Zhi, come with me."

Yun Yun, startled by this sudden action, flickered through a dozen emotions across her beautiful face: "Yao Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan, let go! What are you doing?!"

"I'm taking you somewhere," Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan said.

"Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan, let go of my master!" Nanlan Yanran forced down her fear, grabbing at this Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan—who had suddenly grown so terrifyingly strong—and tried to pry his fingers from her teacher's hand: "I was the one who broke off the engagement—"

"Target me!"

Yunshan glanced at Nanlan Yanran, his mind flooded with countless thoughts.

Broke off the engagement?!

You broke his engagement?!

"Your Grace! Has my disciple offended you?!" Yunshan, still the sect's master, shouted: "Leave a thread of mercy! Even if I die, the Yunlan Sect will not allow itself to be trampled upon!"

Since the death of the Vulture Guardian, Yunshan's mind had cleared considerably; he had returned to being the man who once discerned right from wrong—but he still cherished the sect's reputation and would never permit such an insult.

Nanlan Yanran had no strength at all. Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan gave her a cold glance, ignoring Yunshan over there; seeing she trembled yet refused to let go, he paused, then said:

"You too."

"What?" Nanlan Yanran froze.

Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan seized her wrist with his other hand; no matter how she struggled, it was useless. Holding one woman in each hand, he shattered the void and vanished.

With the current sect master and his direct disciple taken, Yunshan stood frozen, ignored—yet the next instant, Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan returned to the very spot he had left.

"Hai Bodong."

He glanced toward the capital of the Jia Ma Empire, then flew toward the Mit'er Clan's direction.

"He has such courage…"

The flames within the alchemical cauldron gradually faded; the Nine Mystery Golden Thunder rumbled down, but striking the cauldron, it produced only a deep hum—yet could not halt the formation of the spirit pill within.

Yet now, no one cared for this divine herbal pill; all merely watched the boy sleeping soundly.

Sleeping soundly.

Mm, very soundly.

Boom—!

Boom—!

Su Lin, bewildered, looked up at the sky, made a "shh" gesture, and instantly erected an invisible barrier around the area, muffling all sound.

But it seemed too late—Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan, stirred by the thunderous noise, furrowed his brow as if about to wake.

He had been sleeping so comfortably—more comfortably than ever before, even more than after his last, second-to-last, and third-to-last binges—yet who had the bad karma to make such a racket?

Half-asleep, he smelled a variety of fragrances, sweet and soothing—like Yun Yun's scent, mingled with Xun Er's body fragrance; he felt the softness of what he was holding, and couldn't help burying his head in it, nuzzling gently.

Is this Xiao Yixian this time?

So comfortable.

His brow relaxed; he was about to drift back into dreams, where he needn't refine pills or light fires—only cackle, cackle, cackle, cackle, cackle!

Maybe I should just write a book: "Reborn in Dou Po: I Am Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan, the Real Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan."

"Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan," came Xiao Yixian's timid voice.

Didn't expect such a vivid dream.

"Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan gege."

Oh wow, now Xun Er's voice too.

"Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan! Wake up! You promised me a lollipop pill before I came here!"

Kid, get lost—there's no such pill? Wait, there was one—back when I simulated the universe and collected surveys, I made it to solve the problem of some young cultivators hating pills, and made a tidy profit.

"Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan gege won't even wake up? You seem to really like this sister."

Xun Er, what are you saying? Of course I like you.

"Wake up! Wake up! Liar Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan, wake up!!"

Feeling the violent shaking, Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan reluctantly opened his eyes. Strange—where did this Zi Yan come from?

"Xiao…Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan."

He lifted his head—and saw Xiao Yixian, cheeks flushed crimson like the setting sun, and Xun Er, pressed tightly against her, held in his arms.

"Good morning, Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan gege," Xun Er smiled sweetly, her eyes like crescent moons: "Did you sleep well?"

"Good morning, Xun Er," Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan smiled back.

He closed his eyes, released his grip, rolled over onto the pillow, then reopened his eyes.

Her face was serene and beautiful, like a quiet mountain stream.

Qingquan's Yun Yun lay beside him, eyes closed in sleep, her graceful body rising and falling gently with each breath, her face slightly flushed.

Beside Yun Yun, a beautiful, coldly elegant young girl hugged her arm and rested against her shoulder, fast asleep.

If Yun Yun was in this dream, that was one thing—but how about Nalan Yanran?

Could it be fake wine? Damn, that Immortal Drunken Brew really packs a punch, hahaha.

He closed his eyes and lay still on his back.

"Xiao!"

Swish—

"Yan!"

A tremendous force descended from above, striking directly at his lower abdomen.

"Psst—! Fuck!!"

Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan snapped open his eyes and shot upright on instinct, just as Zi Yan, barefoot and lying on his stomach, lost her balance and landed face-first against him.

"Aren't you at Jianan Academy?!" Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan pushed away the white-robed Zi Yan, eyes wide: "Where is this?"

He looked around and saw:

Xiao Xun'er, whose smile could topple cities: "Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan brother, want to sleep a little longer?"

"Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan." Xiao Yixian, her slender frame taut, lips bitten red.

Is this heaven?

"Yan Ge!"

Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan turned at the sound and saw Su Lin holding up a phone, alongside Ye Fan, Meng Qi, Lu Mingfei, and others—all giving him a thumbs-up, while Yi Leina shook her head in disdain, dragging Xing away as she kept taking photos.

Behind this group stood a middle-aged man scowling at him, along with Haibo Dong and Ya Fei, both stunned.

"Social," Ye Fan sized up Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan.

Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan's mouth hung open as he realized he was lying on a grassy plain, the sky split between day and night, with occasional meteors streaking across it.

"Yan Ge, satisfied with the angel feather pillow? Even though you never used it," Su Lin displayed his six luminous wings, nodding at Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan with admiration: "Since the thirty-six minor worlds and seventy-two grotto heavens shattered, I pulled out my divine realm."

It's hell.

"Hahaha," Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan laughed, relieved: "Hahaha!"

"Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan." A cold voice came.

Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan stared blankly behind him; his smile froze as a graceful, alluring figure approached, holding a baby girl.

In that moment, his eyes—already without light—plunged fully into darkness.

"I went to deal with the news from the Time Tower that Sister Caisen wanted to emerge from seclusion," Li Huowang scratched his cheek and asked the others: "Was this not a good time?"

Su Lin stared blankly at Li Huowang, confirmed the man had only a thick skin, and shook his head: "Boss Huowang, you played that well."

. mayiwsk