A special thank you to all my patrons.
The List of My "Wandering Reader":
-Davis Nguyen
-Cain
-Goha21
-Jacob Mooe
-HADES
-Varun Madhu
-Aziz Makda
-Gonzalo Sumalavia
-Klip
-JWolf
-kevin Williams
-Shadow260802
-MIKE
-KD2001
-merp.
You can read 30 chapters ahead of everyone on p@treon.
P@TREON - [email protected]/lessaservantofcosmos
(just replace the "@" with "a")
ps: Please support me on P@treon. I can really use your help!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Bai Xu and Na'er lived here together, like a reclusive couple who had retreated to the mountains, inseparable as lovebirds. Na'er had shed her luxurious garments, now dressed in simple white robes, while Bai Xu remained in his usual black cloak.
Seated atop a rock in the small courtyard, Na'er meditated with the Dragon God Core floating before her. Aside from assisting Bai Xu in his cultivation, she also used the core to enhance her own strength.
Suddenly, her eyes fluttered open, sensing that Bai Xu had finished his training and was now standing in the yard.
Her long silver hair fluttered in the breeze, her delicate features flawless, her posture graceful. Her slender legs and near-perfect proportions were concealed beneath loose robes, giving her the ethereal aura of a celestial maiden who had descended to the mortal world—touched by earthly life yet still transcendent.
Under the sparse stars and bright moon, Bai Xu pushed open the door and stepped out, his spirit and energy brimming with obvious progress. "You must be hungry," he said. "I'll make dinner."
"Alright. I want your fried rice with eggs," Na'er replied cheerfully, ending her cultivation session and walking over eagerly.
"Let's have something else. Even though it's easy to make, we've had it so often that I'm tired of it. Gu Yue brought other ingredients last time."
As he spoke, Bai Xu glanced at the vegetable patch in the backyard. Every time Gu Yue visited, she brought daily necessities, including rare ingredients. Thanks to the Wood Element, these ingredients could regenerate endlessly—toss a vegetable into the soil, and a whole new batch would sprout in moments.
"But Na'er, my cooking probably can't compare to the academy's master chefs, right? Their dishes must be far more delicious than these simple homegrown ingredients," Bai Xu remarked.
Na'er giggled. "Heh, you're not bad either." Her laughter made it clear how happy she had been these past few months.
Bai Xu had truly changed. No longer the cold, life-indifferent sovereign he once was, he now carried a touch of earthly warmth, making him far more approachable.
Na'er wasn't idle either, assisting Bai Xu as they quickly prepared the meal.
Seated at the table, the two enjoyed the fruits of their labor.
Bai Xu sighed. "You've changed so much. It's hard to connect the current you with the Na'er from Shrek Academy back then—so aloof, so untouchable. The first time we met, you pressed the Silver Dragon Spear against my neck. Terrifying. And who would've thought the Dragon Spear Goddess of the inner academy would now be cooking with her own hands?"
Na'er took a bite of rice and snorted. "Don't tease me. Back then, I was just fooled by you. And you were even more high and mighty than I was, so don't play innocent. I wonder who called me stupid back then..."
Bai Xu burst into laughter. "You remember that? That was something I said to Gu Yue."
"She told me. We share the same soul, so I know some things after merging." Na'er pouted slightly.
Truthfully, Na'er and Gu Yue were only this tender and attentive toward Bai Xu. With anyone else, though they no longer kept people at arm's length like they once did (except for Tang Wulin), they still maintained a certain distance.
Suddenly, Na'er smirked mischievously. "You know, you should've changed things earlier. When you were six, you could've just kidnapped me from my brother. Then Gu Yue and I might've been completely devoted to you—maybe even willing to betray the soul beasts for your sake."
Bai Xu replied, "I did consider it back then. But Aolai City was too big—finding you would've been impossible. Besides, I was just an orphan, struggling to eat and stay warm. If I'd taken you, would you have wanted to live in an orphanage with me? Of course, the main reason was that I was heavily influenced by my other self back then. I disdained such methods."
"But this way is better."
Na'er smiled warmly. "I think so too. If you had kidnapped me, you'd just be replacing Tang Wulin. How boring. Besides, back then, I really was just naively foolish."
Perhaps it was the influence of those around her, but after spending so much time with Bai Xu, Na'er had begun to adopt some of his mannerisms.
Avoiding his gaze, Na'er lowered her head, her voice tinged with melancholy. "Bai Xu, I never imagined someone like you could exist. Back when I was stubborn and lost, you and Gu Yue were even willing to bet on 'not needing the Golden Dragon' just to help me grow. You knew that devouring the Golden Dragon to become the Dragon God was the only path for the soul beasts, yet I stood in the way."
"After that trip on the soul train, where you showed me the human world, I realized how little I'd truly experienced. I'd only lived with my brother for three years before the soul beasts took me back. After awakening my martial soul, I was immediately taken in by the Sea God Pavilion Master, then became the unrivaled Dragon Spear Goddess of Shrek's inner academy. I'd never faced hardship or setbacks—that's why I saw my brother as my entire world. Like you said, I was living only for him, even willing to betray the soul beasts to protect him. But then, during the attack by the evil soul masters... you knew I was watching you, that we were using you... yet you still told me to escape first. I didn't go far—I hid myself with the Dragon God Core and watched from a distance."
"In that moment, I realized how different you were from everyone else in this world. You truly carried yourself like an immortal. Maybe that was when I fell for you."
As she ate, Na'er poured out her heart. She knew exactly what Bai Xu had done for her, and she always wanted to repay him.
"Let the past stay in the past. What matters is that we move forward with clear consciences. Our feelings don't need words."
"Mm." Na'er's eyes glistened with tears as she laughed and cried at once. "But you must be pretty happy now, right?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Gu Yue and I can't merge right now, so you have both of us serving you. Don't think I can't tell—you might look calm on the outside, but you're secretly overjoyed, aren't you?"
Bai Xu: "..."
Suddenly, he missed the days when he was cold and unreadable—at least no one could see through him then.
"Let's eat before it gets cold," Bai Xu muttered awkwardly, focusing on his meal.
Na'er burst into laughter.
Changing the subject, Bai Xu asked, "Na'er, you don't have a battle armor yet, do you?"
"No. I never took up a secondary profession. Originally, my master arranged for someone to forge one for me, but after my talent was lost, the plan was abandoned."
"Good timing, then. I'll give you this soon—you can fuse with it." He tossed her a dazzling piece of five-colored metal, unmistakably infused with the Five Elements.
"This metal grows alongside my strength. I refined it myself, and the Plane's Spirit added some laws to help it adapt to the Douluo Continent so you can absorb it," Bai Xu explained.
Na'er's eyes lit up. "You've perfected the Six Fu?"
"Not yet. Only the Triple Burner remains."
"What's the Triple Burner?" Na'er asked, puzzled.
"The Triple Burner refers to the Upper, Middle, and Lower Burners—collectively one of the Six Fu, the largest among them. Also called the 'Outer Fu' or 'Lone Organ.' It belongs to the Fire Element in the Five Phases, embodying Yang energy. It's the great cavity enclosing all organs, the vast furnace within the body."
"I don't get it, but it sounds impressive. Good luck."
"Don't worry, you'll understand someday. The secret techniques passed down through generations all bear traces of the Five Elements' applications—arrays, artifact forging, and more. There's bound to be a method suited for you."