CHAPTER 10

It was easy to carry on a conversation like this as long as someone asked, "And then?"

However, with Qin Yan's flat, perfunctory "And then?" Fu Changling realised that he and Qin Yan would not be able to have the lighthearted conversations he had imagined.

He profoundly perceived that Qin Yan's personality of being unable to converse was not at all developed after becoming a demon cultivator; rather, he was simply someone who could barely converse.

Fu Changling decided not to have a conversation with Qin Yan, and he began to elaborate on his own, "So we'll have to band together to figure out how to get out of here. I'll explain the fundamentals of our situation. We are now in a secret realm known as the Xuanji Secret Realm. I believe you know about this secret realm."

"I know," Qin Yan nodded, "The Hongmeng Heavenly Palace is in good standing with the Golden Light Temple."

"Then you must have known that there are only two ways to get out of the Xuanji Secret Realm—the Golden Light Temple's most ominous realm. The first alternative is to force your way out, but to do so takes a cultivation level that is higher than the late stage of Deification, which neither you nor I can attain right now."

Actually, it wasn't impossible, but the price to pay was too high. Just as in his previous life, he nearly shattered his Jindan to accomplish this task. However, he didn't disclose this, so naturally, Qin Yan wouldn't have known.

Qin Yan simply agreed with a nod.

"Then the only second alternative is to discover the rules of this secret realm and get out by completing them," Fu Changling said, relieved to see him cooperate.

All secret realms were, in fact, tests set by the elders for succeeding generations, and there must be a corresponding way to get past them. In his previous life, Fu Changling and Yan Ming made an effort to explore the rules of this secret realm, only to fail at the end as well.

Nonetheless, Fu Changling believed that this time should be much better because of the basics from his previous life. As he considered the next step, he said to Qin Yan, "We must first survive before we can escape. Right now, we are both injured—you and I—we are two injured comrades who must work together to overcome these difficulties. So, let's put whatever plan you have to kill me on hold for the time being and get out of here together first, can you do that?"

Qin Yan didn't say a word, seeming to be considering.

Fu Changling, seeing that he was as stubborn as a mule, continued to persuade him patiently, "You want to figure out a lot of things, even if you don't want to look at them right now. For instance, why does that Wushi Luo continue to bother us despite the fact that it is evident that Shangguan Hong is already dead? This Xuanji Secret Realm has always been under the supervision of the Golden Light Temple, and it has never been made accessible to outsiders on its own, but it has been opened for no apparent reason. Don't you find it strange? Do you want to find out the answers to these questions? What use can you, a sword cultivator, be if you want to figure this out? You still have to cooperate with me."

"We both specialise in our areas of expertise, and when brothers work as one, our sharpness can cut through metal. You have to cooperate with me, whether for the sake of what is happening now or what has happened earlier."

"You ran away earlier and drew a teleportation array," said Qin Yan abruptly, causing Fu Changling to freeze. Not understanding why he was suddenly saying this, he nodded anyway and said, "Right."

"You teleported to the Xuanji Secret Realm?" Qin Yan raised his gaze to examine him, and Fu Changling responded immediately, "No, no, no, it wasn't me. My teleportation location is a small village ten lǐ away, and my teleportation array isn't that powerful."

"Then why are we here?"

"Perhaps..." Fu Changling said hesitantly, "it's a coincidence?"

Qin Yan remained silent as he deliberated seriously. Fu Changling fanned him with his fan and continued to brainwash him, "You see, there's a lot more that you're not clear about, isn't there? There is no rush to kill me for whatever reason you are trying to kill me for, whether you are angry with me or have another agenda. Oh, by the way," Fu Changling said, seemingly off the cuff, "Why the hell did you come at me?"

He was very tactful in his words, because the moment he opened his mouth, he had already established that Qin Yan had come after him for this, and then he went on to ask further questions. If Qin Yan went along with the answer, whatever it may be, at least he could be certain that Qin Yan was coming for him.

However, Qin Yan didn't answer. Instead, he responded to the question with a question, "How do you know that Shangguan Hong's death point is the Jindan?"

Fu Changling felt somewhat helpless. He wasn't sure if Qin Yan was listening and pretending not to understand, but he understood clearly that Qin Yan and he were putting each other to the test right now. He had to show some sincerity if he wanted to ally with Qin Yan.

So he seriously explained the theory to Qin Yan, "Shangguan Hong's Gōng method is to absorb other people's spiritual energy and convert it to his own use. All parts of the body will absorb spiritual energy when touched, but when other people's spiritual energy enters the body, there is always a point where it needs to run and be converted. The Jindan is the only upper and lower point in the human body that is suitable."

Actually, there are other points as well, Fu Changling thought to himself.

After all, the Jindan was so conspicuous that any average cultivator could have thought of it, so when the demon cultivators from the Karma Prison came up against the Yunze cultivators in the early days, despite having the demonic cultivation Gōng method, the Yunze's cultivators didn't suffer a devastating defeat. It wasn't until the demon cultivators of the Karma Prison also realised the problem and relocated the converted spiritual energy that Yunze began to be massacred on a large scale.

Simply put, Shangguan Hong's Gōng method was only a prototype, and it was highly unlikely that he would have thought to shift the point of the converted spiritual energy away from his Jindan.

Qin Yan apparently had other thoughts after hearing Fu Changling's explanation and then added, "Then, where did the formation you employed to strike Shangguan Hong in the end come from?"

"Since he was using spiritual energy absorption as an attack tactic, it would be wiser to block his Spiritual Roots," Fu Changling explained the formation's theory to Qin Yan and couldn't help but praise it, "You could easily come up with such a formation because it was so simple."

In fact, that formation was indeed a common tactic used later in the Yunze Immortal Realm to deal with the Karma Prison demon cultivators, except that he was the one who invented it. The formation he used, though, was slightly modified to resemble a prototype because, at present, he was only at the Zhùjī level.

After he had responded, Qin Yan remained silent. Fu Changling observed him for a brief moment and noticed that he didn't refuse to join forces with him. Then Fu Changling pushed his luck and placed his hand on Qin Yan's shoulder, saying seriously, "It's settled. From now on, you and I will be brothers in this secret realm. We're in this together through thick and thin; we'll live and die together; we'll trust and protect each other; no more infighting, okay? You won't be able to kill me for the time being anyway, so why bother?"

When Qin Yan didn't respond, Fu Changling frowned and asked, "You're not still thinking of killing me, are you?"

"You're... right as well," Qin Yan exhaled a sour sigh and nodded. "I'll protect you on the way out, but you have to promise me one thing."

"Tell me," Fu Changling cheered up and hurriedly said, "don't go overboard; anything goes."

"Under no circumstances can you force your way out by breaking through the formation of this secret realm."

Upon hearing this request, Fu Changling's heart pounded for no other reason than the fact that, in his previous life, he and Yan Ming had indeed forced their way out of the realm, but at a terrible cost. He had no idea why Qin Yan had made this request in the first place, but if there was any other option, he didn't want to go down the same path as he had in his previous life again.

So he nodded and raised his hand, saying, "Deal!"

Qin Yan's face visibly relaxed when he heard his words. He stared at Fu Changling's outstretched hand in front of him, hesitated for a moment, then raised his hand and placed it on Fu Changling's. Fu Changling immediately smiled and gave his hand a firm squeeze before saying, "Then from now on, at least in this secret realm, we will be brothers."

A commotion from outside interrupted Qin Yan just as he was about to say something. Fu Changling quickly turned his head to see a fat woman in garish clothing walking in with a group of people, making a lot of noise.

Qin Yan frowned. Seeing the woman, Fu Changling immediately came up with a plan in mind and turned his head to say to Qin Yan, "Qin Xiōng, we must leave this place as soon as possible so that we can figure out what the rules of the secret realm are later. I need a little cooperation from you here, okay?"

"All right," Qin Yan nodded and said, "I still have fifty percent of my cultivation capacity left to use."

"No need for that. Simply keep your mouth shut." Fu Changling let go of Qin Yan's hand and turned his head to look at Wu Sisi as she walked in with a group of girls. As Wu Sisi approached the wooden cage, Fu Changling suddenly leaped over and grabbed the wooden railing, looking at Wu Sisi and exclaiming in joy, "Wu Xiaojie! Wu Xiaojie, you're finally here!"

Wu Sisi was startled by Fu Changling and nearly fell as she stepped backward.

Luckily, the maid behind her supported her, and Wu Sisi quickly stroked her chest with her hand. After a brief respite, she said glumly, "What are you yelling for?! It scared the crap out of me!"

"I'm so glad!" Fu Changling said excitedly, "I've been waiting for you for quite some time!"

"You've been waiting for me?" After giving him a dubious glance, Wu Sisi looked up and down briefly at Fu Changling, and her tone softened as she cautiously asked, "Gōng... Gōngzi, have we met before?"

"Yes, we have!" Fu Changling affirmed, "Just at noon, outside the temple, you even spoke up for me."

Hearing this, Wu Sisi thought for a moment before her eyes widened and she looked at Fu Changling in disbelief, "How did you get to be so good-looking?!"

These flattering remarks caused Fu Changling to cough softly and say with some embarrassment, "I was face-planted onto the temple this morning, and my injury has not yet healed. It's much better now. Thank you for your concern, Xiaojie."

"Do you feel okay now? That's great. Are you hungry? Are you thirsty? Do you want something to eat?"

"Xiaojie," Fu Changling sighed, "I'm hungry and thirsty, but that's not what's bugging me right now."

"What is it?" Wu Sisi was a little perplexed, and Fu Changling cast a worried look at Qin Yan. Qin Yan was baffled by his gaze, then he heard Fu Changling say, "It's my Dìdì I'm most worried about right now. He's now injured and crammed in here with me, and his injuries have gotten a lot worse just now. I'm worried about him... worried about him..."

Fu Changling's tone was almost tearful as he kept signalling Qin Yan with his eyes. It took Qin Yan a moment to understand before quickly coughing softly twice to display his frailty.

Wu Sisi listened sympathetically to Fu Changling's description before asking, "Then... then what should I do?"

"Wu Xiaojie," Fu Changling turned to look at her and hesitated for a while before finally saying, "I have an unpleasant favour to ask..."

"Tell me, and I'll do it if I can!" Wu Sisi raised her hand and covered her chest. "It breaks my heart to see such two great beauties as you being wronged like this!"

"Wu Xiaojie, could you please ask the person in charge of this town for a place to stay and let my Dìdì out so he can heal his injuries?"

"What about you?" Wu Sisi expressed concern, "You are injured too!"

"I'm fine," Fu Changling covered his chest and coughed gently twice, saying, "Although I am also seriously injured and my life is at stake, my death is insignificant. I can't let my Dìdì die. If one of us has to die, I hope," Fu Changling looked up at Wu Sisi and said with deep emotion, "it is me."

"I'm so touched," Wu Sisi looked at Fu Changling, "but it's my father who's in charge, and my father won't let me just let anyone go."

Fu Changling knew he had to make a killer move after hearing these words.

He had spent a lot of time and effort laying the groundwork, just for this moment!

"Does Wu Xiaojie know why I need to ask Wu Xiaojie to let my Dìdì out of here?"

"Why?"

"The first reason is that I want him to live. There's a second reason, which is... which is..."

"Which is what?"

"I hope Xiaojie can find happiness!" Fu Changling expressed genuine emotion. "I hope Xiaojie can see my Dìdì's infatuation. Dà Xiaojie, I know you have my Dìdì in your heart, and he has you in his..."

"Fu..." The blue veins on Qin Yan's forehead stood out. He was unable to contain himself even slightly, but the moment he opened his mouth, Fu Changling rushed over to cover it. "Don't be shy! Let me tell Wu Xiaojie!"

"Wu Xiaojie," Fu Changling turned his head and looked at Wu Sisi, stating seriously, "He loves you! He's willing to marry you!"

Qin Yan drew his sword as soon as his mouth was covered. Nevertheless, Fu Changling's hand was even quicker, and as soon as he pressed Qin Yan's sword down again in the tight space concealed by his sleeve, he whispered quickly, "Sacrifice your ego for the greater good!"

This news completely overwhelmed Wu Sisi. She froze for a moment, raised her finger, and pointed to Qin Yan, who was beside her with a furious grimace on his face and his mouth covered, and asked, somewhat sceptically, "You said... he... he loves me and is willing to marry me?"

"Exactly!" Fu Changling nodded and said earnestly, "In this life, the here and now, he won't marry anyone else but you since he fell in love with you at first sight and then again at second sight!"

Wu Sisi, filled with shock, raised her hand to cover her mouth, and the girl next to her hurriedly persuaded, "Wu Jiějiě, go talk to the town headman. This Gōngzi is infatuated with you, and it would be truly heartbreaking if you refused."

Wu Sisi was somewhat unable to think as a result of the sister's words, and after quite a while, she suddenly realised something and asked Fu Changling, "What about you?"

Fu Changling froze, slightly perplexed. "Me?"

"You said you wanted me to be happy." Wu Sisi's thoughts were unknown, but sadness shone through her eyes. "Isn't it because you love me?"

"Ah?"

"I noticed your sad expression and your pain. You actually love me too, but you're afraid to tell me because your Xiōngdì loves me, right?"

"Wait..." Fu Changling was rather astonished and had no idea how this woman's head worked. Qin Yan's expression calmed down as he looked at him with squinty eyes and all the expressions of a bystander watching a play.

"I've made up my mind," Wu Sisi stated adamantly, "I can't let you down, you're so affectionate. Sorry, Dìdì," Wu Sisi looked up at Qin Yan and apologised earnestly. Then she fixed her gaze on Fu Changling, raised her hand and pointed, and declared domineeringly, "I announce that I am going to marry you!"

Fu Changling: "Ah?!"

"That's it," Wu Sisi nodded and said, "Someone, bring them both back to the mansion. I'll take them and talk to my father myself!"

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Author's Note:

[Mini Theatre]

Fu Changling: "From now on, you and I will be brothers in this secret realm. We'll stick together through thick and thin, trusting each other, protecting each other and never leaving one another."

Qin Yan: "Are you sure you're referring to brothers?"

Fu Changling: "Yes."

Qin Yan: "How many such brothers do you have?"

Fu Changling: "You're the one and only."

Qin Yan: "..."

Wu Sisi: "I always get the impression you two are talking gay."

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