In the early morning, a messenger bird returned, pulling a magic ship hauled by a dragon-elephant beast.
After signing a transportation contract with the Celestial Beasts Sect and confirming that Qingluan and the children were all on board the ship, Song Qingshi ascended into the sky on his mythical beast. Looking down at the cold and desolate Yan Mountain Sect, he unleashed the Red Lotus of Mystical Fire once more, engulfing this den of evil in roaring flames.
The flying speed of the magic ship was slow; it would take approximately three days to reach the Medicine King Valley.
Missing Yue Wuhuan with all his heart, Song Qingshi took a moment to instruct Qingluan, then departed ahead of them.
He made stops in several cities along the way, spending quite some time. Hurrying all the way back to the Medicine King Valley, he arrived just as it neared midnight. Concerned about the time, he hurriedly sought out Yue Wuhuan, only to find him already standing before him.
Song Qingshi exhaled in relief, "I thought you'd be asleep."
With a smile, Yue Wuhuan replied, "Master said you'd be back today; I couldn't fall asleep and have been waiting for you."
"Good that you're awake. Come with me." Without a second thought, Song Qingshi hastily pulled Yue Wuhuan onto his mythical beast and soared into the sky.
A bit puzzled by the rush, Yue Wuhuan reassured, "Master, the lab mice are fine, and so is the external manor."
Delighted, Song Qingshi revealed, "I want to take you to a beautiful place."
Guiding his celestial beast, he flew toward XinYi Mountain.
XinYi Mountain was the highest peak of the Medicine King Valley. Usually deserted, it boasted a pavilion at its summit called DuRuo Pavilion. Song Qingshi often came here to meditate. During spring, it offered a view of unique flora; in summer, waterfalls; in autumn, red leaves filled the sky; and in winter, snow enveloped the mountain. All of this was veiled partially in mist, creating a captivating view. At night, it was the only spot in the Medicine King Valley free of fog, ideal for stargazing.
He'd long wanted to bring Yue Wuhuan here but was always held up by various matters.
The weather tonight was clear, and the starlight perfect—ideal for a celebration.
Hesitantly, Yue Wuhuan followed Song Qingshi into DuRuo Pavilion and sat down on a long stone bench. Song Qingshi took a seat next to him, so close that Yue Wuhuan could feel his heart pounding. Even with the expansive starry sky and picturesque scenery, nothing caught his eye as long as Song Qingshi was beside him.
With a flick of his fingers, Song Qingshi ignited the lanterns in the pavilion, enveloping them both in candlelight. "I have three gifts for you," he solemnly announced.
Yue Wuhuan immediately guessed one of the gifts, his heartbeat quickening.
Song Qingshi took Yue Wuhuan's hand, slowly unfurled his palm, and placed a golden stone imbued with stardust into it. He then grasped his hand tightly, using the stone to link their palms.
Having seen countless treasures, Yue Wuhuan immediately recognized the stone's value and incredulously inquired, "Is this... Soul Essence Stone?"
Finally realizing where the two hundred thousand spirit stones had gone, he felt overwhelmed by the lavishness of the gift.
"Close your eyes and relax; it will hurt only a bit," Song Qingshi assured as he instructed Yue Wuhuan to take out his spiritual bead. Then, channeling his spiritual energy, he delicately wove countless spiritual threads on the Soul Essence Stone, forming numerous runes. Using the stone as a conduit, he guided these threads deep into Yue Wuhuan's soul, severing the chains that imprisoned it.
Yue Wuhuan's hand was hot, and his back felt like it was aflame, as if a gentle fire was burning away the branded marks that robbed him of his dignity. Behind the flames came a cooling relief that left him feeling cleansed. As the last chain was severed, his spiritual bead crumbled into dust, and he felt a lightness in his soul. His spiritual energy surged, rushing through his meridians as if breaking through a bottleneck, eventually stabilizing after circulating twice throughout his body.
He opened his eyes, unable to believe that he had so easily freed himself from the shackles that had haunted his thoughts day and night. It felt like a dream...
Song Qingshi released his grip, excitement filling his voice, "Did it work? Can I take a look, please?"
Yue Wu Huan looked deeply into Song Qing Shi's eyes, slowly undid his clothing, and turned around.
The extravagant marking that had spread across his back had completely disappeared, leaving behind only a small red phoenix birthmark on the left scapula, revealing its true form.
Song Qing Shi poked the little phoenix and exclaimed, "Your birthmark is adorable."
"Hmm," Yue Wu Huan felt his ears getting warm. Afraid that his feelings might be exposed, he quickly redressed. Lowering his head, he used the "Love Lock" spell to keep his cheeks from flushing, striving to appear natural. After taking a few deep breaths, he stood and gave Song Qing Shi a formal bow.
He didn't utter any words of gratitude, for some debts of kindness couldn't be expressed in words and required a lifetime to repay.
"No need to thank me. I've already taken so long to fulfill my promise to you; it's I who should be embarrassed," Song Qing Shi lifted him up and smiled, "I have a gift for you. You'll like it."
From a mustard seed bag, he pulled out a soul lamp. Within its faint blue flame, a tormented soul struggled incessantly.
Yue Wu Huan took the lamp and upon recognizing the soul, he couldn't believe his eyes, "Is this Xie Que?"
Song Qing Shi nodded, "I killed him and locked his soul inside this lamp."
In the realm of immortals, the souls of deeply hated enemies are often captured in soul lamps, preventing their easy release.
Yue Wu Huan's breath quickened once more, "Why?"
"He is the source of your hatred, the root of your pain," Song Qing Shi took his time to choose his words, "I am often oblivious, unable to grasp the feelings of others. This is my way to help you settle a score. You can torture him however you like. If one day you wish to let go of your pain and hatred, smash this lamp, so that I may understand your true feelings."
"My true feelings?" Yue Wu Huan seemed puzzled.
Song Qing Shi smiled, "To break free from the shackles of the past and have the best life possible."
Yue Wu Huan gazed longingly at his smile, gripping the soul lamp tightly, feeling that he could never let go of this hatred in this lifetime.
"I should kill Jin Fei Ruo as well," Song Qing Shi said awkwardly, "But he's almost as advanced as I am, and rumored to be backed by ascended cultivators. I'm not confident..." He had weighed this many times. Jin Fei Ruo was not only powerful but well-protected. Although poisoning was an option, the success rate was low. Song Qing Shi feared that if he perished, the Medicine King Valley would fall into the hands of Jin Fei Ruo, and Yue Wu Huan would be recaptured.
"Don't make a move on Jin Fei Ruo!" Yue Wu Huan grabbed him urgently, "I've seen it myself. Jin Feng Mountain Villa is indeed backed by ascended cultivators—three of them. Jin Fei Ruo also has an anti-toxin talisman which could counteract your abilities. Killing Xie Que is enough to avenge me; don't take unnecessary risks."
"Alright," Song Qing Shi casually poked the soul inside the lamp, increasing its suffering, "If you're unhappy, just torment him. Consider it a stress-relief toy."
Yue Wu Huan looked at the soul lamp and whispered softly, "Okay."
He was too fond of this gift. He would carefully cherish this lamp, taking good care of it every day, ensuring it would not suffer the slightest damage.
Scratching his head, Song Qing Shi added awkwardly, "The final gift is a bit simplistic."
"I'm already very content," Yue Wu Huan said, smiling at Song Qing Shi. He couldn't think of anything more he could possibly need.
Carefully, Song Qing Shi brought out an old wooden box adorned with bird carvings and set it before him.
Yue Wu Huan was stunned. His trembling hands reached out to take the wooden box.
As a child, he had dreamed of collecting the most beautiful gems in the world.
He had made this box when he was six years old, enlisting the help of his older brother. Inside it, he had kept gems given to him by his parents and siblings, as well as beautiful stones he found after coming to the realm of immortals. Fearing ridicule for what others might deem childish, he had told no one. Later, he was sold to Jin Feng Mountain Villa, losing everything. The box was lost, and he, sinking daily into hell, had long since forgotten his youthful pleasures.
Never had he imagined seeing this box again in this lifetime.
Yue Wu Huan gently ran his fingers over the clumsy carvings on the box and opened the lid.
Inside was a collection of gems and stones—pearls, sapphires, rubies, diamonds, as well as pretty rocks he'd found on mountains and by riversides. He picked up each beautiful gem, one by one, and finally held a smooth, white pebble to examine it closely.
"I'm not wealthy," Song Qing Shi felt terribly ashamed for the impoverishment of Medicine King Valley, "I saw a lot of exquisite gems in the city, too expensive for me to afford... So I bought these earthly gems, at least enough to fill this box. In the future, I'll surely get you better ones."
He felt a bit guilty, thinking that these gems were not worthy of Yue Wu Huan's beauty; he should have bought flame gems or blood jades instead.
But the money he had plundered from Xie Que needed to repay the bills of Ye Yu Ge and Tian Gong Fang. With his remaining pocket money, he could only afford these.
Stumbling over his words, Song Qing Shi said, "I'm sorry. Once I've made more money, I'll buy you better gems."
"I already have the best," Yue Wu Huan suddenly pulled him into his arms and hugged him tightly.
He recognized that the white pebble came from a river at Ruoxu Peak, still damp as if recently added. Such pristine, perfectly rounded stones were hard to find. The hems of Song Qing Shi's robes even had traces of mud, clearly from standing in the water for a long time to find it. The "Love Lock" around his neck twitched, frenziedly absorbing emotions. He devoutly kissed Song Qing Shi's forehead and muttered incomprehensible words, expressing an unspeakable love, "I want to give you everything, absolutely everything."
The first gift, I wish to give you my body.
The second gift, I wish to give you my soul.
The third gift, I wish to give you my heart.
I am yours, forever yours.
...
Calculating the time, Song Qing Shi lifted his hand, and countless blooms of Xuan Fire Red Lotus unfurled in the sky, layer upon layer, like splendid fireworks illuminating the entire valley as if part of the most magnificent celebration. Standing beneath this dazzling display, he looked up and smiled, offering the most heartfelt blessings:
"Wu Huan, happy birthday."