Yichen watched as Li Lun ran off, and his face turned an even deeper shade of red. Before his romantic involvement with Zhu Yan, he wasn't accustomed to displaying affection in front of anyone aside from family. However, as his feelings for Zhu Yan deepened, he found himself more easily overwhelmed by emotions, often forgetting the presence of others. It was embarrassing, yet it also proved that his feelings for Zhu Yan were becoming harder to hold in. Zhu Yan couldn't be happier, especially when his Baobei was prioritizing his happiness and freedom over all other implications.
"That was embarrassing... and he's my brother's husband." Yichen muttered to himself, hiding his face against Zhu Yan's chest, which only made Zhu Yan smile more.
"That's called love, Baobei. There's nothing outrageous or indecent in what you did. It was just a kiss out of happiness, nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, it makes me incredibly happy because you're too adorable..." Zhu Yan reassured him tenderly as he gently pushed Yichen back a bit before leaning in for another kiss.
Yichen felt no urge to resist, so he surrendered, savoring the feel of Zhu Yan's tongue playing with his. His heartbeat quickened, not due to embarrassment this time, but out of desire. He was growing more sensitive to Zhu Yan's touches, and the fact that they were on a bed only heightened everything.
Yichen let out a gentle moan as Zhu Yan's hand began to explore over his clothes, having settled beside him under the covers. For Yichen, this was the part he loved most. It wasn't just a declaration of 'yes, I want you,' and 'yes, you can do with me whatever you want with me,' but also the moment when they both opened their minds to each other. As Zhu Yan's touch wandered, Yichen let him know how he was feeling, and Zhu Yan, in turn, let him know how much he loved him and how much joy he took in seeing him satisfied.
That exchange of open feelings and gentle touches melted Yichen every single time. In a way, it was a sweet torture he was glad to endure, and he welcomed it with all his heart. He opened himself to Zhu Yan, savored his kisses, took pleasure in his soft caresses, and thrilled at the thought of his clothes coming off so he could finally feel the warmth of skin beneath.
Yichen was grateful that Li Lun had been wise enough to close the door on his way out... because at this rate, they might as well take his suggestion and have a second honeymoon right there. No one would hear them, since once again all the rooms were soundproofed, and no one would even dare interrupt them.
No one, that is, but an impatient god. Just as the heat between them began to intensify, a wave of cold air swept over them, and frost started to form on everything inside the room. The floor, the tables, the bed, the sheets... they all had a thin layer of it, and the flower in the middle of the bed pulsed impatiently for their attention. Zhu Yan parted from his Baobei before laughing at Bing Yi's impatience with their increased heat.
"Alright, we should join Li Lun and the others. Bing Yi won't take no for an answer this time. We can continue what we started later. There is no need to rush, we have all the time in the world to show how much our love has grown," Zhu Yan whispered, making Yichen sigh.
"I know... Just give me a minute to cool off, and also... I love you, my white ape, Ā Yan. I just want for you to hear it..." Yichen said softly, and Zhu Yan gave him another tender kiss before letting him go for good and getting out of bed. Once Yichen's desire had subsided a few minutes later, he smoothed his clothes and hair, then followed Zhu Yan out of their room with Bing Yi's flower in hand.
The others had gathered around the long kitchen table, where Ying Lei had prepared food to replenish their energy. Yixuan, of course, remained unconscious, so his absence was felt but understood. By the time Zhu Yan and Yichen sat down with them, the group was already discussing the implications of having Bing Yi's core in their possession.
"Oh, you two decided to come? I'm stunned. I thought you were too busy with other matters..." Li Lun smirked teasingly. Yichen couldn't help but blush, while Zhu Yan only chuckled.
"To be honest, we'd love a bit of distraction. We've earned it, after all. But you should know, Bing Yi is an impatient kind of god, and when he demands attention, it's hard to refuse. So here we are, ready for the next plan," Zhu Yan said as Yichen turned even redder, much to Wen Xiao's amusement.
"What did Bing Yi do?" Ying Lei asked out of curiosity. All eyes turned to Yichen, who was melting on the spot and wishing the earth would swallow him whole.
"Does it matter?" Zhu Yan shot back, gently squeezing Yichen's arm to reassure him he wouldn't let him suffer more embarrassment.
"Of course not. What they do in private is up to them. What we should really focus on is what this new finding means for us," Sijing interjected.
"I believe that having Bing Yi's core in our possession simplifies things as we approach the Crystal Valley," Yun Guang chimed in next. "Before coming to the demon world, we've prepared for worst-case scenarios, and, considering how risky it was to peel away the layers of your divine cores, using the bonding cores spell was the right decision. Still, along the way we've already witnessed two full awakenings and several partial ones, like Wen Xiao's foresight, Bai Jiu's Divine Tree healing, Ying Lei's expertise with the Kunlun sword and teleportation, and Sijing's energy arrows. You're all getting closer to your own awakenings. Having Bing Yi's core will only make it easier." Yun Guang explained, and Siheng, sitting beside Yun Guang, frowned before letting out a sigh.
"I haven't contributed much to the team, have I?" he whispered under his breath, looking down, but Yun Guang took his hand and pressed a soft kiss to it. Siheng's eyes widened as warmth crept into his cheeks.
"That's not true. You're undergoing your own transformation under extreme circumstances. You're not at your peak yet either, but that will change soon," Yun Guang assured him with such a gorgeous smile that sent a jolt through Siheng's body. He realized he was no different from Yichen when it came to shameless men stirring up all kinds of strong emotions inside them.
"That's right. We haven't reached peak levels yet, but having the advantage of a place where we can fully awaken safely and with more confidence to face our final challenge, our odds are better than before. Xiao Zhuo Ge already knows where to find Bing Yi's seal, and even if Cheng Huang escapes from it, with Bing Yi on our side, we can defeat him." Bai Jiu could feel himself growing more certain with each passing second.
"What do you think, Baobei?" Zhu Yan asked Yichen.
"The odds in our favor have indeed increased, but that doesn't mean we're out of the woods yet. The Crystal Valley formation is brutal, and the path to Bing Yi's seal is no walk in the park in these freezing conditions, not to mention the mountain we need to climb to find the entrance before descending into the belly of the mountain. Even though I can now keep the cold at bay, it will still be an exhausting journey. We need to change into winter clothes and stay alert for demons that could withstand such an extreme environment. If we happen to face one, you can test your awakenings. If nothing shows up, we can pause here and there for testing anyway, since it's along our route, and it will be interesting. I doubt Bing Yi's formation will allow teleportation, for example, but Ying Lei can still try it." Yichen suggested, and he could tell from the expressions of the rest of their unit that they agreed wholeheartedly. Zhu Yan nodded in agreement and elaborated on the plan.
"I agree. We'll set off tomorrow morning provided that by then my Baobei's dear brother is awake and ready. Ying Lei can attempt to teleport us to the edge of the Crystal Valley using Li Lun's memories. Once we arrive, we will closely follow Baobei's guidance to ensure we remain on the correct path. Our first goal is to find a secure location where we can effectively harness Bing Yi's energy along with the Nine Stars formation and awaken your remaining cores. After that, we'll proceed to Bing Yi's mountain and hope for a favorable outcome of this mission and for us to return home," Zhu Yan said.
"Return home... that's a wonderful outcome, and I genuinely hope the gods assist us in achieving it..." Everyone turned their attention to the person who spoke those words. It was Yixuan himself, now standing at the doorway. Seeing him awake brought immense joy to Li Lun, who wasted no time in quickly embracing him in a tight hug, followed by a passionate kiss. Meanwhile, Zhu Yan, observing the scene from his seat, smirked and leaned in to whisper to his Baobei.
"You see? Who's the shameless one now? So much for his silly complaints earlier..." Wen Xiao didn't need to hear the words to know what Zhu Yan was saying. She openly laughed when Sijing confirmed it for her. In the end, they were all equally bold and outrageous. It was all so entertaining.
Li Lun paid no attention to the crowd behind them, focusing instead on his lover after the kiss. He wanted to ensure that everything was alright, checking for any signs of pain or unexpected effects from his awakening. His worry and care were heartwarming. Yixuan, however, continued to reassure him, insisting that he felt perfectly fine. In fact, he was even better than fine. Although the sensation of his dual energy felt strange initially, once he adapted, he experienced an incredible sense of revitalization, as if he had been reborn.
"Ge, I'm immensely proud of you. You were fantastic." Yichen hugged him once Li Lun finished asserting him.
"I just did what was needed. Your awakening is still the most impressive," Yixuan said humbly, sitting down at his brother's left side.
"You were both outstanding!" Bai Jiu corrected, his usual enthusiasm shining through.
"I agree, which is why we should celebrate this amazing moment with a good dinner and count our blessings. We're getting closer to our goal—we're on our way to undergo godly awakenings, rescue Bing Yi, and give our all to make sure we survive Cheng Huang, cleanse the demon world, fully seal it, and return home where family and friends are waiting for us, ready to welcome us as heroes of humanity," Ying Lei added cheerfully, raising his wine cup for a toast.
"Humanity's heroes! Our names will be written in all kinds of demon hunting legends!" Bai Jiu exclaimed, raising his cup.
"That's quite possible. My father will certainly make sure our story is well preserved for future generations," Wen Xiao agreed, lifting hers.
"I agree," Sijing joined in.
"I wouldn't mind a legend or two, but Zhu Yan is our true savior. He kept watch over humanity for so long." Yichen smiled, raising his.
"He got his desired price, though. So did I," Li Lun added, raising his cup while looking at Yixuan.
"Ah, my Baobei is so lovable and kind. He is too good to be true." Zhu Yan remarked, lifting his own as well.
"He certainly is. However, we all worked hard to reach this point, and it's our teamwork and trust that allow us to face and overcome all challenges. May our bonds last for a very long time." Yixuan lifted his cup.
"He's so honorable and compassionate. No wonder he can open the heavens' gate," Shigen noted, raising his glass.
"True, although opening the hell's gate is no small feat either. A toast to all your accomplishments and the ones yet to come. May the gods bless us in this last part of our journey and grant us a happy ending for all of us." Yun Guang ended their list of wishes and hopes. They all drank from their cups, then threw them into the wooden floor to seal their bond and commitments.
The sound of shattering cups echoed in the sudden silence of their resolve. Bing Yi's flower glided back to the center of the table, and from its heart, tiny golden sparks burst forth like miniature fireworks. They laughed, sensing that Bing Yi was eager to join in their celebration.
"We've got this, Bing Yi. We'll be joining you very soon. Just hold on a little longer," Zhu Yan promised the flower. As it continued popping small sparks, they began their feast with tea this time, savoring a well-deserved moment of peace before retreating to their rooms to rest.
That night, as Yichen lay nestled in Zhu Yan's arms, drifting into the dream world, he opened his eyes to something clearly not his room, not even the restored land where the house stood. Before him was a valley bursting with flowers, where crystals shimmered in every conceivable hue. Exotic trees dotted the landscape, a distant river gleamed, and majestic snowy mountains graced the horizon. The setting reflected peace.
Yet, this beautiful scene reminded him of past nightmares with similar resonance. They always began in enchanting places that abruptly morphed into hellish landscapes, where destruction reigned and innocent wildlife were twisted into monstrous forms. Anticipating this familiar horror, Yichen turned around, bracing himself for it. The nightmare indeed showed up, but not in the way he expected.
In the sky above, Yichen noticed the enormous form of a majestic dragon. Its dark blue and gray scales shimmered with hints of gold in the sunlight as it hurtled down at an alarming speed toward the valley. Yichen's heart began to race as he sprinted for his life. The dragon, nearly as large as a mountain, was about to crash with such force that everything in its path would be obliterated, and he was exactly straight in its trajectory. This was a new type of nightmare he didn't want to have.
Yet, despite running with all his might, the distance never seemed enough to save his life. Snow began to fall, resembling heavy raindrops, quickly blanketing everything in frost. Abruptly, a powerful roar filled the air, resonating deep within him and stopping him in his tracks in horror as realization dawned. Even if he had never seen his dragon form before, Yichen could tell now who that dragon was.
"Bing Yi!" Yichen called out, spinning around just in time to see the moment the dragon god slammed into the soft snow, unleashing a violent shockwave of energy that shaked the earth under his feet and the snow raised like a tide of white waves ready to either burry him or obliterated him along with everything else.
Instinctively, he covered his head and turned away, bracing for the impending impact. Yet, the shockwave, snow wave, and debris passed through him as if he were made of smoke rather than flesh and bone. Expecting nothing but death, he found himself still breathing. Overwhelmed by relief, his knees buckled under him, and he collapsed to the ground, finally inhaling deeply.
Still, his relief quickly gave way to concern when he noticed Bing Yi lying injured on the ground. Frost began to form around him, but what truly captured Yichen's attention were the two items the dragon god held in its claws. In one, there was a golden orb, and in the other, a five-colored stone. As Yichen began to understand that he was witnessing Bing Yi's memory, the dragon god transformed into his human form and spat blood onto the ground.
"Bing Yi!" he shouted while rushing toward the collapsed man, but once more, his hand slipped through Bing Yi's arm as though he were a spirit. Powerless to change anything, he could only stand by and witness the events as they unfolded. But then, quite unexpectedly, it was as though he was inside the god's consciousness, experiencing everything firsthand.
Yichen saw Bing Yi paused to rest and steady his energy before healing the worst of his wounds. Satisfied with the result, he rose and surveyed his surroundings. A vast landscape spread out before him, blanketed in the snow he had summoned to cushion his fall. It was a pity, really, for the place was especially beautiful, but he had no time to admire it.
He needed to craft a better seal than the one he had improvised to keep Cheng Huang from killing Nuwa and himself. The attack had caught them both off guard, neither he nor Nuwa had expected it while they were deep in the work of forging the demon world's seal. Even as the most powerful goddess, Nuwa still needed to borrow a bit of his energy to weave into the five-colored stones. They had nearly finished when Cheng Huang appeared, blasting Nuwa in the back before turning his assault on him.
Their fight had been brutal, but most of his strength had bled away in the war and later into the seal. On top of that, Nuwa had been seriously injured, and he had to see if she could survive it. So he chose to seal Cheng Huang instead of killing him. Though the god's core was immortal, fated to be reborn in another era, he had no desire to kill a man already suffering for a tragedy Bing Yi understood all too well. He had lost Ying Long to a choice made willingly, but a loss was still a loss, and that pain cut just as deep as any other.
With Cheng Huang sealed, a task less hard than it might have been if the god's power had matured over a longer span and he had been in his full mind, he returned to Nuwa and made every effort to heal her. Yet, despite his efforts, her injuries were too severe and needed time to heal. Concerned that attempting to complete the seal could worsen her condition, Bing Yi encouraged her to return to the heavens to recover properly. The seal could wait until she regained her full strength. Although the five-colored stone had vanished between the two worlds, he promised to find it and protect it until the time to use it was right.
Luckily, she had agreed, too weak to protest even if she wanted to finish the seal for good, because it had been her promise to Ying Long. For Bing Yi, however, her well-being took precedence, since a promise meant nothing if she lacked the strength to fulfill it. They had time to spare, and until then, he searched for the stone all through the forest that covered the length of the rift. Just before he found it, he heard Zhu Yan calling for him, most likely because he had found out about Cheng Huang's betrayal. Even among gods, news ran fast.
He used his god's sight and took a good last look at Zhu Yan. His son had grown quite powerful, but as they had taught him, he was also kind and compassionate. He hated to leave his task on Zhu Yan's shoulders, but his son wasn't strong enough to contain a god, even if Cheng Huang's core had evolved into godhood only a few centuries ago. He couldn't risk Zhu Yan's life more than necessary, and guarding the gate was already too much to ask.
With a sigh, he wove a secret message that Zhu Yan would receive once his task was done. He wished his son a good, happy future, then, with the little energy he had left, crossed into the demon world, searching for a safe place to keep Cheng Huang sealed. That's how he ended up in that valley, no longer able to sustain looking for anywhere else. Good or bad, that place would have to do.
But to make sure no demon would dare enter that valley and find Cheng Huang's seal, even by accident, he used the last of his strength to set up a formation that would freeze the entire valley for as long as he lived. To let his core recover over time and make the ice formation stronger, he created an illusion, retrieved his core, and placed it inside the stone for protection.
Then he cast an additional spell on the flower he made as he remembered Ying Long, one that would instantly freeze any demon, weak or strong, if it ever tried to pick the flower or come closer. He left only one exception, hoping that Zhu Yan, any of his descendants, or even Li Lun, if he had no ill intentions toward Zhu Yan or humans, would one day come and pick it up.
With the task completed, he transformed into a dragon one last time and chose a nearby mountain as the place where both his new seal and he would rest, potentially until there is nothing left on him to keep Cheng Huang contained. As he set a second formation within the mountain's depths, he quietly said goodbye to his son and his beloved Ying Long.
He had left his lover's core on Zhu Yan's pendant along with his message, just as Ying Long had wished. That way, Zhu Yan could visit him from time to time as Ying Long went through his rebirth and endured the long centuries of loneliness, waiting for his fated one to come to him.
If he ever witnesses the two of them together, in love and ready to come to his aid when he calls, he will consider himself the most blessed dragon, both on earth and in heaven. He genuinely hoped that choosing the Zhuo family would prove to be worthy of cherishing what he valued most after Ying Long: his dear son, Zhu Yan.
"Baobei... Baobei..." Yichen was brought back to the present by Zhu Yan's calming voice, though his vision was blurred by tears. He clung tightly to Zhu Yan, who held him close, uncertain about the reason for his crying.
"Baobei... What's wrong?" Zhu Yan asked softly, gently rubbing his back.
"I'm alright... Bing Yi just showed me something... very significant. Something I will treasure until I die," Yichen replied quietly, slightly nuzzling into Zhu Yan's neck as he did when they were in the human world.
"But you seem so sad..." Zhu Yan said, combing through his long dark hair.
"I'm not sad... I just realized how deeply Bing Yi loved you and how much he wished for my family to find, cherish, and protect you. We were late, Zhu Yan... but now I have you. I see you, love you, and I promise I will never let you go. Bing Yi can be at ease. He will get his wish." Yichen held Zhu Yan closer, shedding more tears before drifting back to sleep.
AN: Aww, Yichen, you love your Ā Yan so much now. 🥰 I hope you like Bing Yi story and how the Crystal Valley was made. Thanks, and until next time, please take care. 💖💖