Chapter 2293 - 2196: Awakening
Seeing the brocade box, Gu Xu paused for a moment before opening it.
A strand of beads engraved with strange runes appeared before Gu Xu’s eyes.
"This is..." Gu Xu looked at the old Taoist in confusion.
"Your master pursued the path of ascension all his life, yet at his end, he couldn’t bear to leave you. He instructed me that if you return and still hold onto your beliefs, to give this to you."
"The cycle of karma, illusions and realities, his help to you ends here. The runes on this magic artifact contain his lifetime of cultivation; they can reverse time and allow life to restart."
"However, this magic artifact can only be used once. If it helps you return to the past, you will never remember the karmic ties of these lifetimes, nor your identity as Yun Xuzi. Whether your yearning is fulfilled depends on your destiny with the Jiao Yao. If the heavens do not grant favor, all efforts are in vain."
The Taoist looked at Gu Xu again: "If you wish, I can activate this magic artifact to help you, but after returning, you’ll truly just be Gu Xu, with no further relation to Buzhou Mountain and Yun Xuzi."
Gu Xu’s eyes reddened, gazing firmly at the old Taoist before him, trembling as he spoke: "Yun Xu...is willing!"
Perhaps foreseeing this outcome, the old Taoist’s eyes showed disappointment but he no longer persuaded, just sighed and murmured:
"You stubborn child, if you could understand, you should have awakened long ago, why wait until now? Your master saw through everything early on, so be it, why should I be the villain?"
Saying this, the Taoist waved his hand, and a Jade Clean Bottle Pendant flew out from Gu Xu’s inner pocket.
Gu Xu was shocked at once, instinctively trying to snatch the pendant back: "Senior brother!"
The Taoist raised his eyes to Gu Xu, sneered, "Do you think I intend to destroy the pendant?"
Gu Xu said nothing, but his eyes contained a hidden vigilance and urgency.
The Taoist snorted coldly, "This pendant originally belonged to that Jiao Yao’s soul bead. Do you think it’s merely fate that you’ve brushed past that Jiao Yao for decades with no success? Back then you renounced everything for that Jiao Yao, angering your master for your recklessness and disregard for sect ties. To hinder your destiny, he placed a seal on the Jiao Yao’s soul bead; sealed in intelligence, your fate with it naturally diminished. No matter the efforts, they were futile."
"Were it not for seeing your obsession, I wouldn’t reveal this hidden truth. Your master was painstaking for you, hoping you would return to the right path, but ultimately it was his misplaced hope. Love is something your wooden mind cannot fathom."
Upon hearing this, Gu Xu’s eyes widened. He never imagined that his long pursuit was merely a futile struggle; back when he sent Wei Yang away from Buzhou Mountain, his master had already cut off the core by sealing Wei Yang’s soul bead.
No wonder... he kept missing Wei Yang, never having a lifetime of fulfilled wishes.
Gu Xu’s lips curved in a bitter smile, "Why did the master even..."
"You’re the hope of Buzhou Mountain, born with Spiritual Root Immortal Bone, most likely to ascend. Your master placed all his expectations on you; he couldn’t bear to see you go astray."
The old Taoist defended the deceased master, "Back then among the sect, all of your senior brothers were envious of you. He valued you more than any disciple and everything he did was for you; it was simply your inability to understand his painstaking care."
Gu Xu fell silent upon hearing this.
The old Taoist didn’t say much else, forming a few seals with his hands, chanting softly. After a while, a yellow-glowing swastika seal on the pendant began to flicker, slowly dimming until it finally disappeared.
Huo Sining had been held within a three-meter range around Gu Xu, seemingly trapped by an invisible force. As the yellow light vanished, she felt something leave her body, feeling a sudden relief, stumbling and realizing she could now control her body!
Huo Sining could hardly believe it, subconsciously walking a few steps inside the hall, confirming that she was truly free.
Yet this made her feel increasingly uneasy.
What was happening? Was her inability to move indeed related to the seal on the pendant as the old Taoist mentioned?
"I’ve lifted the seal on the Jiao Yao’s soul bead for you; if you’re ready, I can send you back now."
Gu Xu accepted the Jade Clean Bottle Pendant handed over by the old Taoist, eyes full of gratitude yet still plagued by doubt and worry:
"But, senior brother, can I really return alone?"
The old Taoist laughed at his words, expression growing more peculiar: "Who said you’re returning alone?"
Gu Xu was taken aback, abruptly raising his head to look at the old Taoist, somewhat puzzled.
The old Taoist’s lips curled into a strange smile, instinctively glancing towards where Huo Sining was.
Now Gu Xu understood, his heart filled with ecstatic joy, following the old Taoist’s gaze towards Huo Sining’s direction.
"Wei Yang..."
Huo Sining’s heart tightened, unable to react, just as she heard the old Taoist’s lips moving, strange incantations sounding by her ear. The magic artifact in the brocade box had somehow ascended over the hall, enveloping her and Gu Xu.
Golden light cascaded down, and Huo Sining felt her body become light, unable to escape. Meanwhile, Gu Xu rushed forward, clutching her tightly, returning the pendant to her neck, speaking to her yet her consciousness was already fading, unable to hear anything before blacking out.
"No—Gu Xu—"
Huo Sining suddenly opened her eyes, an excited shout echoing in her ears as she awoke:
"Ningning, you’re awake! Great, I’ll call the doctor now!"
With that, the person reached out and gently pressed a button near her bedside.
Huo Sining’s mind was still foggy, but upon seeing the familiar face, she softly called: "Qingqing?"
Su Qingqing immediately smiled, "Of course it’s me, you’ve been asleep for three days! Finally awake! If the doctor hadn’t said you just fainted from exhaustion, we’d have been scared to death! You took a trip to Ghost Gate Pass, now I’m terrified. I don’t think I’ll have kids, it’s too frightening!"