25: Chapter 25 is very heartwarming.

"Who is it?" the Enchantress asked nervously.

Qing Luo tried hard to recall, "I can't see the face clearly, I only remember feeling very close to them, like… a long-awaited reunion."

Daoist Wangchuan and the Enchantress exchanged a look, both understanding something.

Bi Luo asked softly, "Can you sense Chu Yang's location?"

Qing Luo closed her eyes for a moment, then suddenly pointed outside the cave, "In that direction… there is a sense of being called."

Just as everyone was about to discuss it, a commotion came from outside the cave.

"Someone is coming!" Daoist Wangchuan stood up alertly.

The four of them held their breath, only to see a staggering figure appear at the cave entrance.

The person was covered in blood and pale; it was exactly the Chu Yang they were looking for!

"Chu Yang!" the Enchantress exclaimed, rushing forward to support his crumbling frame.

Chu Yang barely raised his head, a flash of surprise in his eyes, "It's you all…" Before he could finish, he passed out.

The group scrambled to settle Chu Yang inside the cave, and the Enchantress checked his injuries, "Three severe wounds, his internal organs are damaged, and his breath is weak."

Daoist Wangchuan frowned after examining him, "It's not just external injuries; his soul is also severely damaged."

Bi Luo was surprised, "What kind of power can damage a soul?"

"Soul weapons," Daoist Wangchuan said with a grave expression, "It must have been those Men in Black from earlier."

Qing Luo looked at the unconscious Chu Yang, her heart trembling inexplicably, "How can we save him?"

The Enchantress took out her medicine pouch, "I have healing elixirs, but they are ineffective against soul injuries."

Daoist Wangchuan pondered for a moment, "Healing the soul requires soul power. Qing Luo, you have a soul bead inside you; perhaps you can lend a hand."

"Me?" Qing Luo was unsure, "But I don't know how to use it."

"I will teach you," Daoist Wangchuan said, "Just like you did before the stone platform, let the soul bead guide you."

Qing Luo nodded and sat kneeling beside Chu Yang. Daoist Wangchuan instructed her to place her hand on Chu Yang's chest and close her eyes to sense it.

Qing Luo gradually entered the state, feeling the turbulence of soul power within Chu Yang. The soul bead inside her automatically activated, and a wisp of golden light flowed through her palm into Chu Yang's body.

Chu Yang's brows relaxed, and his breathing gradually stabilized. Qing Luo, however, grew paler, with beads of sweat rolling down.

"That's enough," the Enchantress said worriedly, "You just recovered; you cannot afford more depletion."

Qing Luo shook her head, "Just a little more… I can feel it."

At this moment, Chu Yang suddenly opened his eyes and grabbed Qing Luo's wrist, "Stop!"

The sudden change surprised everyone, and Qing Luo was so startled that she interrupted the soul power transmission.

Chu Yang struggled to sit up, "What are you doing?"

"Saving you," Qing Luo said, confused, "Your soul is damaged."

Chu Yang stared at her, "You have… my soul bead inside you?"

Qing Luo nodded, "I obtained it at the Yin Yang Platform."

Chu Yang's expression was complex, "It shouldn't be this way. Soul power transmission establishes a connection, which is extremely dangerous."

"What kind of danger?" the Enchantress asked.

Chu Yang turned to her, a flash of softness in his eyes, "Long time no see, Xiao Lan."

The Enchantress was moved, "You… still remember me?"

"How could I forget?" Chu Yang smiled bitterly, "It's just…"

"Just what?" the Enchantress pressed.

Chu Yang looked towards the outside of the cave, "People from the Dark Prison could pursue us at any time. We must leave quickly."

Daoist Wangchuan asked, "You haven't recovered from your injuries; how will you travel?"

"It's fine," Chu Yang struggled to stand, "Qing Luo's help was sufficient."

Seeing him insist, the group had no choice but to pack up and prepare to leave. The Enchantress stayed by Chu Yang's side and asked in a low voice, "Where have you been all these years?"

Chu Yang avoided her gaze, "Searching for the truth."

"What truth?"

"The truth about reincarnation," Chu Yang said in a low voice, "and… the secrets of the Dark Prison."

Qing Luo packed her bag and stole a glance at Chu Yang. Strangely, unlike the feeling in her dreams, the real-life Chu Yang made her feel a sense of detachment, as if… he were not the same person.

But the reaction of the soul bead wouldn't lie; this was indeed the person she was looking for. With her doubts unresolved, Qing Luo decided to put them aside for now and leave this dangerous place first.

# Chapter 13

After leaving the cave, Chu Yang led the group northward.

"To the north is Lichuan," he explained, "I have friends there; we can take shelter for a while."

Daoist Wangchuan frowned, "Lichuan is far more than a day's journey from here. You haven't recovered from your injuries; are you sure you can hold up?"

Chu Yang smiled slightly, "I appreciate your concern, old friend. But my injuries are better than they look."

The Enchantress observed Chu Yang's pace, "You are forcing yourself."

Chu Yang offered no comment, simply quickening his pace.

Qing Luo followed behind, her heart filled with growing doubts. She could feel that Chu Yang was intentionally keeping his distance from her; whenever she approached, he would always pull away without a trace.

Bi Luo noticed Qing Luo's unease and asked softly, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Qing Luo shook her head, "I just feel… Chu Yang seems to be avoiding me."

Bi Luo pondered for a moment, "Perhaps he has concerns about the soul bead. After all, it is a part of his power."

Qing Luo nodded, but was not entirely convinced.

Upon reaching a hillside, Chu Yang suddenly stopped, "Rest for a moment."

The group stopped. They saw Chu Yang with his back to them, seemingly regulating his breath. The Enchantress wanted to go forward, but was stopped by Daoist Wangchuan, who shook his head to signal her not to disturb him.

A moment later, Chu Yang turned around, his complexion appearing much better than before, "Let's continue."

The group walked out of the mountainous area and arrived at a plain. In the distance, the outline of a village was faintly visible.

"That is a frontier town," Chu Yang pointed into the distance, "We can resupply there."

Entering the town, the air was filled with voices, and the market was bustling. Having not seen signs of civilization for a long time, everyone's mood eased slightly.

"I will go buy some dry rations," the Enchantress said, "Everyone wait here."

Chu Yang, however, said, "We should not stay long. Let's split up and meet at the town entrance in half an hour."

Daoist Wangchuan took Bi Luo to look for medicinal herbs, and the Enchantress went to purchase food, leaving only Qing Luo and Chu Yang.

The atmosphere suddenly became awkward.

Qing Luo hesitated for a moment, then gathered her courage and asked, "Why have you been avoiding me?"

Chu Yang looked at her quietly, "You felt it?"

Qing Luo nodded, "Ever since we met in the cave, you haven't looked me in the eye."

Chu Yang sighed deeply, "Because it's dangerous."

"What danger?"

"The soul bead has spiritual consciousness," Chu Yang explained, "It chose you, so there must be a reason. But this connection will gradually deepen with contact, and could eventually lead to…"

"Lead to what?" Qing Luo pressed.

Chu Yang was silent for a moment, "It could lead to our soul powers merging. At that point, the one in danger will not be me, but you."

Qing Luo was puzzled, "What is wrong with soul powers merging?"

"You don't understand," Chu Yang shook his head, "Soul power merging means thoughts intertwining and memories being shared. My enemies, my memories, my pain… will all become your burden."

Qing Luo was silent for a moment, "So, you were doing it to protect me?"

Chu Yang did not answer, but turned and walked toward a teahouse, "Let's go have a cup of tea. We will talk about the rest after we leave here."

There were not many guests in the teahouse, so the two chose a corner to sit.

Chu Yang poured tea for Qing Luo, "You have dreamt of me?"

Qing Luo was surprised, "How did you know?"

"The soul bead connects us, so sensing it is normal," Chu Yang sipped his tea, "What did I tell you in your dreams?"