Chapter 1626 1619: What She Is (1)
On the eve of an unknown calamity, the hearts of two mortals finally met after years and years of toiling struggle, and success.
On the eve of this life-determining event, Su Mei confessed her truest feelings without regret.
On the eve of this destined time, Wei Wuyin accepted these feelings wholeheartedly and revealed his own.
Sitting on the edge of the bow of the Minor Elysium, the two sat shoulder to shoulder and dangled their legs as the stars beneath, above, and around them seemed slightly brighter than before. Su Mei's eyes devoid of taint and fear stared at the swirling cosmic phenomenon that was the Sky Heart Galaxy.
Meanwhile, Wei Wuyin's gaze was fixed on Su Mei's visage, unmoving and content.
As if sensing his deeply immersed gaze, Su Mei took a leap of the heart and leaned a little closer in, touching his shoulder with her own, a touch of a smile dawning in her eyes. It was genuine, gentle, and flawless.
Slowly, the two closed their eyes as they listened to each other's breathing and heartbeat. For an hour, this lasted without the slightest disruption as if they were the only two in the universe.
'Is this how they all felt?'
Su Mei's heart which was once envious felt justified for her silent envy toward Xue Yifei, Na Xinyi, Cao Cuifen, Liu Suyin, Da Shan, Nyla Shur, and the rest. When she was truly with Wei Wuyin, she was truly with him. It felt as in his eyes, she was the only thing that mattered. He gave his all to every moment they had together. Not a single wasted.
It was an intoxicating feeling, addictive even. How could someone understand what that felt like from afar? To be 'that' person? And how could Wei Wuyin do so without any falsehoods within his heart and soul?
She was more attuned to him than anyone, following his footsteps since the beginning of his journey, and so she was familiar with his habits and thoughts on an intrinsic level without something as profound as Eden.
She knew that since that fateful day they saw that Evil Cultivator on the Myriad Yore Continent fail his tribulation, Wei Wuyin had changed to devoting his everything to every second. Was it this point when every breath he took was filled with incomparable strength to push forward with unrivaled devotion to each second of life?
She thought so.
Experiencing this herself, she envied not just his women but the Alchemic Dao, the path of cultivation, and the world itself. Because when he focused on those things, did they not receive this same devotion? If these things could speak, how would they feel? What would they say?
"What are you thinking about?"
She asked without thought.
"You."
Wei Wuyin moved his hand and took hers into it. Her hands were slightly cold yet comforting and it perfectly balanced his heated warmth.
Ba-Dum!
For the first time since Wei Wuyin had pulled her from the darkness, extricating her from all the hopelessness and suffering, she felt her heart elevate to an indescribable level as if one clouds themselves. It wasn't due to that single-word mushy reply, but the absolute genuineness of that answer and its implications that left her feeling deeply and naturally satisfied.
'This is how they felt.'
She thought with her lips lifting into a deeper smile than she had made in public in the last six decades. She finally understood Cao Cuifen, Yue Songli, Liu Suyin, and Xue Yifei. She finally understood the radiant light that each of them had in their eyes, especially within Liu Suyin.
For half an hour, they began to discuss things that weren't very relevant. They talked about simple things, such as their most recent favorite food, what solar star they liked best in the White Abyssal Galaxy, and other things. It was a conversation they hadn't had due to their earlier dynamic, but the words flowed naturally out of their mouths and into each other's ears as if it was always meant to be.
"I've always wondered what happened to He Yanglei after he escaped from Na Xinyi and the others,"
Su Mei thought aloud. She didn't expect him to survive. Even to this day, the mystery hung over the heads of those three-Na Xinyi, Wu Baozhai, and Lin Ziyan.
"Him?"
Wei Wuyin touched his right arm.
"Now that those three have left the Endless Void Mirror's Sealed Region to explore the greater Onestar Galaxy, they'll find out what happened to him. I have no doubt about that. But who will they meet? And what will they decide to do? I wonder."
"Hm,"
Su Mei finally realized that Wei Wuyin knew exactly what happened to He Yanglei and he was leaving it for the trio to solve on their own as if part of their journey. This satisfied her curiosity a little. When she returned, she would have to ask Lin Ziyan about the result.
Wei Wuyin received a spiritual transmission as his Saint Ring glowed faintly with a sky-blue radiance. Su Mei looked over curiously. She knew that Wei Wuyin received constant spiritual messages from exceedingly long distances from all over, yet this message bled through during their time together, so it must be important.
After reading the transmission, Wei Wuyin said:
"I'll be bringing Wei Xiaotian, the Shard of Heaven that appeared in the human secret realm, here to ask a few questions. She could have insight into your situation."
Su Mei blinked. And then she nodded in acceptance,
"Is it as you said before? Does she have the knowledge of the heavens, insight of the world, and an understanding of the great daos?"
"Rumored,"
Wei Wuyin revealed an uncertain smile. While Wei Xiaotian had accepted his offer, she also wanted to remain fairly independent and didn't want to be a slave, servant, or p.a.w.n of Wei Wuyin. Since Wei Wuyin didn't have any intention to do so, he didn't rush her on any matter, and had even decided to give her enough time to adjust to the world with today being the deadline, and she had used all her available days to explore the mortal world without his presence.
He couldn't quite understand her, but since she agreed to come on the day prior to Su Mei's ascension, he didn't mind waiting. If she provided valuable and pertinent information and he needed to make adjustments to any plans or add contingencies, the Neo-Dawn Vortex-Zone Pellet could grant him nearly a year's worth of additional time.
Moreover, he had spent decades preparing for this moment and felt that he already had an idea how to overcome this unknown calamity. If Su Mei ascended properly, it should all come to an end. If not, he had other plans, but it was this basis that the Everlore Ascension Pill worked before by allowing her to rapidly complete her tribulation.
Despite his thoughts, it would be nice to know the cause. However, he wasn't very hopeful in that regard. Certain secrets of the world required specific knowledge or cultivation to understand, comprehend, or even hear, and those without it had abnormal difficulties or uncertain dangers.
The information about the Calamities of h.e.l.l, for example. As a Blessed, he was nearly driven to madness by Ming Shufeng's mostly nonsensical information. While Wen Mingna had to transmit the secrets of h.e.l.l to him via a spell that nearly took her life on the spot. Those two could learn this information without consequence because of their status as cultivators of gliding across the Heavenly Daos as Heavenly Seers, but others were not qualified.
"Rumored, huh?"
Su Mei thoughtfully nodded.
Wei Wuyin slowly stood and Su Mei followed along. They turned to the deck of the s.h.i.+p, and Wei Wuyin pressed his hand against the artificially created air, exerting his Void Draconic Starforce.
A dark portal was conjured.
A single figure personifying feminine beauty walked out. However, Su Mei's eyes widened slightly. This was the first time that she felt the words 'unearthly visage' could be placed on another person, and while there was slight inferiority when it came to aura and presence, she was undeniably an unparalleled beauty that perfectly accentuated Wei Wuyin's tastes.
Tastes she was quite familiar with.
However!
The young woman waltzed in with extraordinary ease in her gait, and posture, and contained a boundless, unfathomable confidence as she wielded a jet-black cane with a silver and gold ornament pummel. In mortal terms, she wore a light grey lace-up closure blazer with a firm collar and a small golden stopwatch the size of a medium-sized coin at the front band. She had done away with her long black hair and cut it to medium-length that barely exceeded her shoulders, styled with elegance and a nice wavy yet chaotic feel to it.
On her heavenly face was a pair of large, round gla.s.ses with a silver frame, adding a touch of intellect and curiosity to her bearing and temperament. Her legs were mostly exposed except for her block-heel ankle boots with a golden ribbon on her lower right thigh. She was a fresh feast for the eyes.
When she confirmed her footing on the s.h.i.+p, she spun her cane expertly with one hand and did a quick spin, ending with a pose with her leaning against her cane, and settling her gaze on Wei Wuyin.
"What do you think? I designed it myself."
"..."
Su Mei had never...seen anyone like her before.
Wei Wuyin laughed without batting an eye,
"Breathtaking."
"Good!"
Wei Xiaotian brightly smiled. As she explored more about herself and the world, she was slowly coming to her own. While it had only been a few weeks, she soaked information like no other and rapidly developed her own tastes and dislikes. Perhaps this was what happened when one skipped their infancy, adolescent, and young adult stages with the free wisdom of a 'Wei Wuyin' and insight into the world. It was hard to say.
"..."
Su Mei walked forward. She respectfully greeted Wei Xiaotian,
"I'm Su Mei. It is a pleasure to meet you. I've heard great things."
"Oh?"
Wei Xiaotian was taken aback slightly. From Tuo Bihan, she thought Su Mei was a little more taciturn and pa.s.sive, and while she was respectful and diligent in her duties, there was a slight resistance felt by anyone in her presence. Now, however, she felt a little more open and friendly than described. She seemed...happy.
"It is an even greater pleasure to meet someone like you. I heard you like to call him 'Lord Wei', so you can call me Lady Wei if you want. Or Xiaotian. I'm not too particular. I don't really have much status anyhow."
Wei Xiaotian gave Su Mei a complex 'look' and said with a twist of her lips.
"Someone like her?"
Wei Wuyin asked.
"Someone like me?"
Su Mei asked.
Their question filled the air simultaneously.
The sight caused Wei Xiaotian to be amused as she, light-footed as could be, walked across the deck with the cane in hand while performing slow wheel spins. Her eyes darted across the fabulous craftsmans.h.i.+p and beauty of Minor Elysium.
"What dual harmony. Already at the one mind, two hearts stage. Makes sense though. You'll probably manifest it in a single go after you've harmonized in an intimate or dangerous moment."
Wei Wuyin frowned.
Sensing Wei Wuyin's intensity rising, Wei Xiaotian stopped and looked over.
"You wanted me to see if I knew anything about her? Right? It's not some great secret actually, just an obscure and ancient one that no one would admit exists. Not the Heavenly Daos, not The World, and certainly not...
"Anyways, to be direct, Sister Su, you're a disastrous phenomenon. You're heaven's unexpected error."