Just at that moment, Green Concubineâs voice came through. Beiting Huangâs hand paused slightly. She couldnât deny her fear of Ming Xiu; that man was truly a lunatic. If he were to truly invoke the heaven-sent blood contract, Beiting Huang would find her soul dissipating. Even if she had the courage to endure ten thousand years of soul dispersal, Yan Ye certainly did not have the heart to face her destruction once again.
âThis damned woman, not killing her during the pill refining conference was the stupidest thing Iâve ever done in my life!â Beiting Huang was not one to blame herself, but even she couldnât help feeling a bit agitated now.
Yan Ye trembled all over as well. Clearly, he didnât dare to make any reckless moves at this moment. Seeing that a dark shadow had fallen over Beiting Huangâs face, one that even the golden light filling the heavens and earth could not illuminate, Yan Ye couldnât help feeling an extra pang of heartache. He embraced Beiting Huang and whispered reassuringly, âIf you had slain her, Ming Xiu wouldnât have been able to come today. She is Xi Fengâs maid, accompanying Xi Feng from the Western Wilderness to marry into the Spirit God Clan. Weâve killed the envoys of the Spirit God Clan, killed Ming, only she could have notified Ming Xiu to send his projection down.â
At this, Yan Ye took a deep breath, grabbed Beiting Huangâs fingers, and slowly leaned towards the name of Ming Xiu, yet he said, âMing Xiu, do you remember the words you said twelve thousand years ago?â
Ming Xiu was facing a difficult choice. He was afraid of making this decision, but he was even more afraid of losing Beiting Huang. Yan Yeâs words were like saving his life, as he could momentarily avoid choosing. He shuddered and asked, âWhat words?â
Yan Yeâs voice sounded somewhat unsteady, as if coming from a memory, âThat year, you were over eight hundred years old, came to the Western Wilderness, and I was residing in the Western Wilderness, under those four Joyful Union Trees. The words you said then!â
In the Western Wilderness, a vast expanse of palaces traced the road leading to Tongshan, where stood four towering Joyful Union Trees, their crowns like magnificent canopies almost obscuring half the sky. In the past, Xi Feng and Huang Jiu both loved to play under the Joyful Union Trees. Every time Ming Xiu went to the Western Wilderness, he would join them for play under the Joyful Union Flowers.
That year, when he went there again, there was a young man beneath the Joyful Union Tree, clad in a black nine-dragon and nine-phoenix brocade robe, his silver hair flying in the wind, and his features as if painted. He stood guard by Huang Jiuâs side, listening to her chirping chatter, âBrother Ye, you said you would give me the Purple Crystal Beads from your eyes, remember? You must keep your promise. I wish to gaze at it every day, to see it the moment I open my eyes.â
Ming Xiu found it amusing at the time; children will be children, he thought, their words so naïve. He walked over and reached out to tease Huang Jiuâs little braid, which she dodged nimbly. He clapped his hands nonchalantly and laughed, âLittle Ninth, how can someone give away their eyes to you?â
The young man in black was Yan Ye. He glanced at Ming Xiu indifferently, then fixed his gaze very seriously on Huang Jiu and said, âBeiting Huang, Brother Ye has promised you, and I will fulfill it. One day, I will let you see this Purple Crystal Bead every time you open your eyes.â
âYes, yes!â Huang Jiu clapped her hands excitedly and jumped, feeling that it was not enough and threw herself onto Yan Ye, hugging his neck and giving his face a peck with a resounding smack.
Ming Xiu thought they were both just children, shaking his head without paying further heed. âSo naive, thinking that by cultivating to the Soul Realm and being able to reshape the body, one could give the current eyes to Little Ninth without considering oneâs own abilities!â