Ye Tiancheng slept for a full hour. Perhaps it was because his mind had been preoccupied with matters, leading to restless sleep. Now, all his fatigue had accumulated. Coupled with Liu Lanying's presence nearby, and possibly a desire to escape, he had fallen asleep.
"Brother Ye, in my heart, you've always been invincible. I never realized you could be afraid of things or have nightmares!"
Liu Lanying teased him lightheartedly. She was a little worried, and at this moment, easing the atmosphere might be a good thing. Being too serious wouldn't benefit anyone.
"It's nothing. I find it strange myself. Why has my courage diminished so much? That sense of unwavering drive seems to have vanished all at once."
"You are very brave."
The sky outside had completely darkened, as if reluctant to part with the bright days. It was a sight that evoked a sense of melancholy. Liu Lanying's eyes held a multitude of lights, shifting and shimmering, making the observer feel a pang of sadness.
To alleviate the somewhat gloomy atmosphere, Ye Tiancheng took out his phone and played some lyrical music. Neither of them spoke, choosing to spend this rare moment together in quiet contemplation of the music.
The journey was relatively smooth. They arrived at Liu Lanying's hometown the following afternoon. Liu Lanying wanted to return home, but at the same time, she felt hesitant and fearful, her heart filled with trepidation after seeing the words on her phone screen.
Her initial thought was just to tidy up. She hadn't been back home in a long time, and there were many relatives. Liu Lanying couldn't be foolish and disregard her image; that would be like being brainless. People leave their homes, endure hardships, and strive for their careers, all with the hope of returning home in glory one day. No one wants to work hard only to become a laughingstock upon their return.
Her mood plummeted. She had indeed wanted to visit her hometown. Everyone holds a sentiment of returning to their roots. However, reality is never as comforting as one's ideals.
"Brother Ye, I suddenly don't want to go home anymore. Let's just forget about it."
She was too old. If aging happened naturally, it wouldn't cause such a stir, and the heart could accept it.
But Liu Lanying's current state, having transformed into an elderly woman in just a few days, with sagging skin and even age spots, was the greatest cruelty to any woman.
"We've already come this far. This was your last wish. Why the sudden change of heart? Did something happen?"
Ye Tiancheng was not usually the most perceptive person. Furthermore, with Liu Lanying's predicament, it had been a significant blow to him. Suffering such a great shock, his mind struggled to process things. In fact, if he had thought about it carefully, he wouldn't have needed to ask Liu Lanying; he could have figured it out himself. Yet, he foolishly asked her, as if tearing open an already wounded scar with his actions.
"I suddenly don't feel like going back. Let's forget it. Sometimes, the journey is more important. The outcome is merely for peace of mind. I am already content to have returned."
Liu Lanying simply couldn't bear to appear in her hometown in such a withered and tragic state, feeling it would bring immense shame to her family.
It's best to keep all memories in their most beautiful moments. What has passed should pass, and one should no longer dwell on memories. If one cannot move on, it is oneself who suffers the most.
Fatty quickly understood Liu Lanying's meaning. Worried that Ye Tiancheng might do something foolish and well-intentioned, he pulled Ye Tiancheng aside after overhearing their conversation.
"Brother Ye, please don't be foolish. Miss Liu means she doesn't want to go back. She's likely not confident about her appearance. After all, women are very concerned about their looks. Let's respect Miss Liu's wishes. Otherwise, it would be a good deed gone wrong, and it would only increase Miss Liu's burden."
There was some logic to what he said. After understanding Fatty's point, Ye Tiancheng no longer insisted. Understanding the situation and acting accordingly was crucial. Even if it was for someone's own good, it shouldn't backfire.
After exchanging a few more words with Fatty, Ye Tiancheng returned to Liu Lanying, his attitude completely changed.
"Then we won't go back. We'll just be willful like this. You're right, the process is more important, and the outcome isn't that significant."
The group had driven their RV to a location not far from Liu Lanying's hometown. Fortunately, it was an RV, making it suitable to park anywhere.
This location was relatively close to the last fragment of the Fuxi Qin. However, obtaining that fragment was extremely difficult, akin to climbing to heaven. Not only did they fail to retrieve it last time, but they also suffered the effects of a curse. After several turns of events, the impact of this curse had fallen upon Lin Xue.
Unless Ye Tiancheng wanted to die, after having already endured so much hardship, to continue pursuing things he couldn't obtain would be sheer self-destruction.
Therefore, Ye Tiancheng had no further thoughts about the Fuxi Qin fragment. Yet, upon returning to this place, as they rested for the night, Ye Tiancheng sensed the aura of the Fuxi Qin fragment.
The Fuxi Qin was an ancient divine artifact, the pinnacle among all divine artifacts. It was said that obtaining this artifact could grant one wish, and perhaps this wish could save Liu Lanying's life.
That night, Ye Tiancheng tossed and turned, unable to sleep, because he could hear Liu Lanying's pained breathing. If it weren't for the painkillers and sleep aids, Liu Lanying wouldn't have been able to sleep at all.
For such a young woman to be tragically approaching the end of her life was an unbearable burden for anyone. No one could escape such a cycle. Ye Tiancheng's heart felt as if it had been stabbed multiple times, causing him to the point of breathlessness.
He had to do something. Ye Tiancheng had accumulated a small amount of true qi, but it wasn't of much use. Liu Lanying's body was currently incapable of absorbing true qi; it wasn't a matter of quantity.
He suddenly thought that perhaps obtaining the last Fuxi Qin fragment could defy fate. Otherwise, he would have to endure everything that was happening. The thought alone made him feel a profound sadness, an unbearable heaviness in his heart.
Once an idea takes root, it quickly sprouts and grows. Ye Tiancheng suddenly realized that if he didn't try, there would be no chance at all. Perhaps trying might open up an opportunity.
Previously, Ye Tiancheng had gone with Fatty and Lin Xue to seize the last Fuxi Qin fragment, and the result was a complete failure. Now, venturing out alone, he felt a lack of the previous sense of security. He felt something was amiss, and he worried that his strength alone might not be enough compared to the three of them.
However, there was no time to hesitate. If he delayed any further, all he would receive was Liu Lanying's cold, lifeless body. He had to fight now. Realizing this, Ye Tiancheng made his decision immediately.
Ye Tiancheng packed a few essentials and set off. Before leaving, he glanced at Fatty, who was sleeping soundly. Fatty had been driving for a long time and was exhausted. Thinking that his good brother hadn't had an easy time following him, Ye Tiancheng felt another wave of guilt.
His decision to seek the last fragment was spontaneous. Ye Tiancheng never imagined he would have the courage to attempt such a thing. But now, pushed to this point, if he didn't try, he felt he would never have peace of mind and might never forgive his past cowardice.
Ye Tiancheng decided to return before dawn. Regardless of success or failure, he would try to return to Fatty and Liu Lanying's side. Although Ye Tiancheng had left a note, he knew that losing him as a friend would cause immense pain to both Fatty and Liu Lanying.
And so, he set off. Many of the roads were familiar. Ye Tiancheng possessed true qi, so he wasn't afraid of minor demons and monsters. The journey was also eerily smooth, to an extreme degree. Ye Tiancheng quickly reached the location of the Fuxi Qin fragment.
Ye Tiancheng was prepared to risk his life at any moment. He never expected to obtain it so easily. Upon arriving, he saw the Fuxi Qin fragment floating in the air, protected by a spiritual shield. It even drifted towards Ye Tiancheng on its own.
Ye Tiancheng obtained the last fragment. Even at the moment he held it, he couldn't believe it. It felt like a dream, and he wondered if he had truly lost his mind or if his intense desire for the fragment had led to hallucinations.
Everything was real. Ye Tiancheng was astonished that he had managed to obtain it through sheer luck. He happily turned back. As he approached the RV, he suddenly heard a muffled cry.
The sound came from Fatty. Ye Tiancheng's heart skipped a beat. He quickly entered the RV and saw Fatty holding Liu Lanying's hand, weeping bitterly.
Thinking that something might have happened, Ye Tiancheng froze. Fatty also sensed someone's arrival and looked up at Ye Tiancheng. "Brother Ye, I'm so sorry! I truly know I was wrong. I fell asleep, I was too sleepy, and I didn't even know Miss Liu had passed away."
"She's gone?"
He refused to say the word "dead," and he couldn't believe it. Everything had happened so quickly. How could she be gone so soon? This had made Ye Tiancheng's efforts seem futile. He had thought that obtaining the last fragment would allow him to change the impending death.
"Liu Lanying is gone just like that. I thought she would have something to say to us before she left, but she didn't leave anything behind. She just passed away."
Fatty cried profusely, and Ye Tiancheng's heart ached. Tears streamed down his face. Looking at Liu Lanying, her eyes closed and her breath gone, Ye Tiancheng clenched his fists. He felt he couldn't accept this fate.
"Let's hurry to the Pure Land, Fatty. I've already obtained the last fragment. Once we reach the Pure Land, the entire Fuxi Qin can be assembled. Legend has it that it can defy fate. I want Liu Lanying to come back."
To bring someone back from the dead was something Fatty had never heard of. Even with the strongest true qi, it required the person to have a breath of life. If the breath was gone and the soul had departed, even a divine physician like Hua Tuo couldn't save them.
Whether the Fuxi Qin, once assembled, would truly fulfill a seemingly impossible wish as the legends claimed was uncertain.
All of this felt too ethereal and uncertain. However, Fatty knew that at this moment, he had to give them both a glimmer of hope. If they were to bury Liu Lanying like this, neither of them would be content.
"Alright, Miss Liu can definitely be saved, Brother Ye. Let's head to the Pure Land now."