Chapter 278 - Forever In A Moment

Ling Xi’s awakening was a huge surprise. Long Chen had been waiting for this moment for a long, long time. A lot of time had passed since the battle at the Star Devil Prison; he had become much stronger since then, and fortunately he had Xiaolang for company in her absence, or he would have been very lonely.

But when she appeared, Long Chen tossed Xiaolang far out of his mind. He was very blatantly prioritizing his romantic relationship over his friendship.

Ling Xi clearly wanted to know what had happened during her absence, why he had jumped into the abyss but had not died, and how they had ended up here. Plus, she could tell that he had attained the Heavenly River Realm.

But Long Chen did not want to talk to her about any of that. All he wanted to do was tell her about the Profound Heavenly Jade Lotus.

“Xiao Xi, I will tell you everything you want to know later. Right now, I want to give you a present,” he said mysteriously, carrying her in his palms when he recovered from his shock.

“What is it?”

“It’s a secret, but I’ll show it to you now.” After he spoke, he took the Profound Heavenly Jade Lotus out of his pouch. Ling Xi was knowledgeable, so she recognized it immediately.

“A Profound Heavenly Jade Lotus?” Ling Xi gasped. Overrun by emotion, she stuttered, “Brother Chen, how is it possible that you have something like that? It should be impossible to find a Profound Heavenly Jade Lotus in a place like this.”

“I’ll tell you how I got it later. Hehe, Xiao Xi, do you know how this works? I hear you’ll get a temporary body ...” Long Chen grew anxious.

“That’s right. Where I’m from, the Profound Heavenly Jade Lotus is fairly common. When a powerful master is slain and their soul is not completely dead but rather in a state like I am right now, they can turn into a normal mortal by using a Profound Heavenly Jade Lotus. And if they get the rare and precious Nine Heavens Immortal Fruit, they can regain their body ...”

Ling Xi was very emotional when she saw the Profound Heavenly Jade Lotus, sobbing a little because she knew that it was surely the fruit of Long Chen’s efforts. It was a warm feeling to know that he had been working hard for her sake when she was in a deep slumber.

“I hear that if you use the Profound Heavenly Jade Lotus, it will be the same as having a mortal’s body. You’ll be able to feel everything a person feels—you can eat, drink, poop, pee, and sleep! But you won’t be able to cultivate. You can only be a normal human. Xiao Xi, what do you think?” he asked.

Being a normal human came with many inconveniences. Long Chen would need to care for her while he traveled, including preparing food and clothing for her.

“I don’t want it,” she said bitterly, looking at the Profound Heavenly Jade Lotus.

“Why?” Long Chen thought she would be overjoyed and excited to use it. He did not expect her to decline after an internal debate.

“Brother Chen, do you know how burdensome it would be to have a normal person without any combat abilities following you around? I would be a burden and slow your growth. You might even die because of this ...”

There was a lot of sorrow in her voice towards the end. He could tell that she really wanted to feel like a live human being again but chose to give that up to avoid bringing him harm.

This was all in spite of the joy and surprise she felt when she saw the Profound Heavenly Jade Lotus.

“Thank you for the present, but I really can’t accept this,” she said, crestfallen, with her head low.

“You idiot! You’re imagining me to be a weak and useless person! If I can’t even protect a woman, how can you call me Long Chen? I might as well be Dog Chen or Pig Chen!” exclaimed Long Chen, annoyed.

He could see that she actually yearned for the Profound Heavenly Jade Lotus, so ignoring everything else, he placed it in front of her and chided, “Use it now. Don’t blame me for making this threat, but if you don’t use it, I’ll chase you away and not let you follow me.”

“Brother Chen ...” Ling Xi knew that his threat was harmless and he was actually doing it for her own good. She was very touched by it.

“Listen. Please trust me. I will protect you,” he said sincerely.

“But I will bring you lots and lots of inconveniences.” She was still torn.

“There will be inconveniences, but I will gain many benefits too. See, if my little Ling Xi gets a body, she’ll be able to do something to repay me, right?” Long Chen peered at her drunkenly.

“You jerk! Even if I use it, you are not to touch me!” Ling Xi blushed instantly, understanding what he meant.

This indirectly implied that she had agreed.

“I won’t, I promise! Haha. Let’s not waste time. Use it now! Xiao Xi, I’m looking forward to it.”

Long Chen was deeply emotional inside, knowing that the spirit who had been by his side could finally have her own body and he could care for her as a human being. It would be amazing to have such a beautiful girl by his side, listening to him, spending time with him ...

Ling Xi had become much more obedient after their various experiences, and much more adorable.

“Alright ...”

After Long Chen’s strong insistence, she buried her worries in her heart. She would cross that bridge when she reached it, and everything would be fine.

When she was prepared to use the Profound Heavenly Jade Lotus, Long Chen finally looked at Xiaolang, who was staring at them from below the bed.

Ling Xi also noticed him and exclaimed, “Why is there a human soul in this beast’s body!?”

“Xiao Xi, this is Mo Xiaolang. Due to an accident, he left his body and entered this beast’s body. I’ll tell you the details later,” Long Chen explained.

Indeed, Ling Xi was smart enough to spot a human soul inside the Sun Devouring Wolf’s body instantly.

“I ... I can communicate with his spirit, although it’s a little difficult...” Ling Xi suddenly said.

“What?” Both Long Chen and Mo Xiaolang’s eyes brightened. Ever since Xiaolang became a wolf, communication had been a huge obstacle. If she really could communicate with Mo Xiaolang, then Long Chen would understand him in the future.

“Let me try.” Ling Xi put the Profound Heavenly Jade Lotus aside for the moment. She focused her attention and stared into Xiaolang’s eyes. After a while, she exclaimed happily, “He said ‘hi, my name is Mo Xiaolang’ and that he saw me help you guys in the Star Devil Prison to stop the Azure Dragon Patriarch.”

“Amazing!” cried Long Chen. Although this was slow and exhausting, it was better than nothing.

“This is great news! Xiao Xi, it’s time for you to use the Profound Heavenly Jade Lotus,” he said with a grin.

With Ling Xi and Mo Xiaolang by his side, Long Chen sensed that the road ahead would be very interesting.

To be honest, after being trapped in the sword for so long, Ling Xi had yearned for a Profound Heavenly Jade Lotus for a very long time. She was incredibly emotional now that she was abou to fulfill this dream, though recovering her body was her biggest dream.

Xiaolang howled, stood up, opened the door, and left the room. He closed the door on the way out.

“He said he would keep watch so no one will come near us,” explained Ling Xi.

With Mo Xiaolang keeping watch, it was much safer for Ling Xi to use the Profound Heavenly Jade Lotus. Long Chen was also more assured that way.

He placed it on the ground. At this moment, the tiny Ling Xi was fluttering above the lotus.

“I’ll begin now! It’s a quick process ...” Great emotion was hidden in her birdsong-like, melodious voice.

Long Chen’s eyes were glued to her.

The Profound Heavenly Jade Lotus was actually just a pure white lotus root as thick as an arm. Ling Xi’s spirit glowed white as she slowly merged into the lotus root and soon, she disappeared. The lotus root levitated, emitting a pure, white glow as if it was made of the highest quality white jade.

Lotus fragrance filled the air.

Is it working? Long Chen was excited to see Ling Xi in front of him as a live human being instead of her spirit form.

The lotus root glowed brighter and brighter, soon lighting up the entire room. Long Chen was bathed in the white light, feeling refreshed as he inhaled the fragrance.

The lotus root expanded and, right before his eyes, slowly morphed into an extremely beautiful girl. Long Chen was so completely mesmerized by her beauty that he could not breathe.

Her skin was delicate like jade, and she was so fair and soft that he had the urge to bite her. She had a small, red mouth that shimmered like there was a layer of honey on it; her eyebrows were like crescent moons; and her black, silky hair cascaded gracefully like a waterfall down to her waist. She had a pair of intelligent, lively eyes with wisdom and a hint of mischief in them.

Ling Xi radiated the aura of a fairy who had ascended beyond the mortal realm.

The body formed by the lotus root naturally did not have any clothes on it. This was something Long Chen and Ling Xi had not thought of.

Standing in front of him was a fairy-like naked girl, bathed in white light. Long Chen stared at her in a daze, eyeing her up and down ...