18: Chapter 18 Slow

"No!" The Witch tried to stop him, but found herself unable to move.

Chu Yang looked at her, his eyes full of tenderness: "Don't worry, we'll meet again."

As he spoke, his body began to glow, and the power of the soul of samsara was being released.

The Witch wanted to cry out, but no sound escaped. She could only watch helplessly as Chu Yang's figure gradually blurred.

"Remember," Chu Yang said finally, "This is not the end, but a new beginning."

The light faded, and Chu Yang's figure disappeared. The Witch knelt on the ground, tears blurring her vision.

In the distance, Bi Luo and Daoist Wangchuan rushed over, only to see the Witch alone.

"Where is he?" Daoist Wangchuan asked anxiously.

The Witch looked up, revealing a bitter smile: "He chose to fulfill everyone's wishes."

Daoist Wangchuan's expression changed dramatically: "What do you mean?"

"He gave up the soul of samsara," the Witch said, "allowing everything to start anew."

Bi Luo looked at the Witch in shock: "He... he really did that?"

The Witch nodded, stood up: "Now, are you satisfied?"

Daoist Wangchuan was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed: "Good, very good. Since he chose this path, then let it be as he wishes."

With that, he turned and left. Bi Luo glanced at the Witch and followed him.

The Witch stood rooted to the spot, looking at the distant sky. She knew that Chu Yang had not disappeared; he had merely changed the way he existed.

"We'll meet again," she whispered, "I'll wait for you."

A gentle breeze swept by, bringing a familiar scent. The Witch closed her eyes, savoring the warmth.

She knew this was Chu Yang's promise. #Chapter 8

The night was as dark as ink, and the starlight was dim.

After Chu Yang disappeared, the Witch wandered alone in the mountains. Exhaustion finally set in, and she found a cave to rest. The cave was dry and spacious, with dry firewood left by previous hunters.

"Chu Yang, why did you do this?" The Witch murmured to herself, lighting a bonfire.

The firelight illuminated her sorrowful face. Although the curse had lessened, the pain of losing Chu Yang was even deeper. She leaned against the stone wall and closed her eyes, hoping to rest for a moment.

Just then, a faint glow quietly appeared at the mouth of the cave.

"Who's there?" The Witch opened her eyes alertly.

The light dispersed, revealing a blurry figure—it was Chu Yang, or rather, like Chu Yang's shadow.

"Impossible..." The Witch stood up.

"It's me," the shadow said, his voice as if coming from afar, "I haven't truly disappeared."

The Witch tried to touch him, but only met emptiness. "You..."

"The power of the soul of samsara is beyond our imagination," Chu Yang explained, "I didn't choose to disappear, but to reassemble."

"What do you mean?"

"My body is being reshaped, but it needs time. I can only appear briefly in this form right now."

The Witch cried: "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I only just understood it myself. The soul of samsara seems to have its own will; it doesn't want to be completely controlled by anyone."

The two were silent. The bonfire crackled softly, and the shadowy Chu Yang seemed as if he could dissipate at any moment.

"What can I do?" The Witch asked.

"Find my body," Chu Yang said, "I can feel it, it's reassembling somewhere."

"Where?"

"I'm not sure, but it should be where we first met."

Their first meeting—Yin Yang Valley. Six hundred years ago, the young Yin Yang Loose Cultivator saved the cursed Witch there.

"I understand," the Witch nodded, "I'll go find you."

Chu Yang's image began to fade: "My time is running out. There's one more thing I need to tell you: be careful of Daoist Wangchuan, he won't give up on the soul of samsara..."

Before he could finish, the image dissipated. The Witch reached out to try and hold him, but only grasped empty air.

The bonfire continued to burn, illuminating the Witch's determined gaze.

After dawn, the Witch left the cave and headed towards Yin Yang Valley. Along the way, she constantly pondered Chu Yang's words. The soul of samsara had its own will? This was something they had never considered.

As she walked, the bushes ahead suddenly rustled.

"Who's there?" The Witch asked cautiously.

The bushes parted, and a girl emerged, about sixteen or seventeen years old, wearing a green dress, with clear eyes.

"Hello," the girl bowed, "My name is Qing Luo, and I'm here to help you."

The Witch was wary: "Help me with what?"

"To find Chu Yang," Qing Luo smiled, "Last night I had a dream, and a voice told me to come and help you."

The Witch scrutinized the girl: "You know who Chu Yang is?"

"No," Qing Luo said honestly, "but the voice in my dream said I would meet a beautiful but sorrowful woman on the road, and she would need help."

The Witch was silent for a moment, guessing that this might be Chu Yang's arrangement.

"What abilities do you have to help me?"

Qing Luo revealed a mysterious smile: "I can see things that ordinary people cannot."

"Spirit Eye?" The Witch was surprised.

Qing Luo nodded: "I've had this ability since I was little; I can see spirits, remnant souls, and..." She lowered her voice, "...traces of samsara."

The Witch's heart stirred. If Qing Luo truly had this ability, she might be able to help her find Chu Yang's reassembling body.

"Alright, you can follow me," the Witch said, "My name is..."

"Witch, I know," Qing Luo smiled, "The dream told me."

And so, the two formed a strange partnership, heading together towards Yin Yang Valley.

Along the way, Qing Luo asked curiously: "Sister Witch, what is your relationship with Chu Yang?"

"Complicated," the Witch replied simply, "It's a long story."

"I love listening to stories," Qing Luo blinked, "And since the journey is long, why don't you tell me?"

The Witch sighed, deciding to tell some irrelevant parts: "Six hundred years ago, I was cursed, and Chu Yang saved me."

"Six hundred years?" Qing Luo was shocked, "Then aren't you..."

"Yes, I've lived for a very long time."

Qing Luo clicked her tongue in wonder: "How amazing! Did Chu Yang also live for six hundred years?"

"No, he..." The Witch paused, "He reincarnated."

Qing Luo looked thoughtful: "I see, then I understand why you need my help."

The two continued their journey, gradually approaching Yin Yang Valley. However, faint sounds of fighting came from ahead.

"Be careful," the Witch stopped Qing Luo, "There's something happening up ahead."

The two hid behind a tree and saw Bi Luo being ambushed by three Men in Black in the clearing ahead.

"Bi Luo?" The Witch frowned. Although she was hostile towards Bi Luo, seeing her outnumbered, it was clear she had been ambushed.

"You know her?" Qing Luo asked.

The Witch nodded: "She is Daoist Wangchuan's disciple."

Bi Luo was agile, but the three Men in Black coordinated well, gradually gaining the upper hand. One of them suddenly revealed a strange mirror, from which an eerie light shot out.

Bi Luo was too slow to dodge and was hit by the light, her movements immediately becoming sluggish.