Chapter 107: Fated but Not Meant to Be

Half an hour later, Lei Xiang hurriedly flew to the back courtyard of the Immortal Mansion with Lan Xi and Tian Rui. They stopped before a narrow door painted vermilion. Tian Rui looked at Lei Xiang with a questioning gaze. “Is this the back door? How did you find it? Are we going out through this door?”

Lei Xiang smiled bitterly, baring his small tiger teeth. “There’s no time to find a better way; we have no choice but to break through here.” Saying that, he donned the Turtle Spirit Armor of the Azure Queen, then drew the azure gauze curtain to cover the entire white jade bed. “Sit tight, we’re moving.” Spiritual energy surged fiercely beneath the white jade bed, which radiated a dazzling white light as it shot out through the narrow back door.

This back door was something Lei Xiang stumbled upon while searching the mansion; he had no idea what lay outside. Since the front gate had automatically sealed itself and the jade slip left by “Mother” had no way to be activated, they had no choice but to take the back door.

Bursting through the back door, the white jade bed rushed into a void, still surrounded by gray mist. Lei Xiang felt both relieved and worried. Relieved because they were likely still within the inner layer of the Blood Severance Realm and had not ventured into more dangerous territory; worried because they still hadn’t found a way out of the Blood Severance Realm.

Suddenly, an earth-shattering roar echoed through the void, which violently trembled as if about to collapse. Lan Xi, the one with the weakest cultivation on the white jade bed, was instantly knocked unconscious by the shock. Lei Xiang suddenly recalled something and looked back—sure enough, the entire Immortal Mansion was shaking violently. He barely had time to throw out a beast-hide shield to cover Lan Xi’s entire body. A mysterious suction force appeared without cause, dragging the mansion downward.

The white jade bed was not spared either. Under Lei Xiang’s control, it held out for only a quarter of an hour before also plunging downward. The source of the suction was unknown, but its strength was overwhelming, impossible to resist by any force.

How deep it was below!

The white jade bed had been falling for a full day and night, and still there was no sign of the bottom. Lan Xi and Tian Rui remained in a fainted state. Only Lei Xiang stayed awake, his Nascent Soul cultivation allowing him to endure. The surroundings had changed from gray void to pitch-black darkness.

Lei Xiang activated his Divine Thunder Slash. Blue light flashed wildly in his eyes, but he still could not pierce the darkness. Just as he was at a loss, a fierce gale suddenly erupted within the space. By modern meteorological standards, it would be at least a level twenty typhoon—enough to trigger multiple red typhoon warnings.

The wind was fierce and malevolent, deliberately buffeting the white jade bed. Despite Lei Xiang’s full effort to support it, the bed rocked wildly and even began spinning in place, like a small boat caught in a sea whirlpool. Lei Xiang pulled out the Nine Treasures Lotus Staff from his chest, preparing for a final desperate attempt.

Suddenly, the wind stopped without warning. The spinning white jade bed lost its external force and was flung sideways by inertia. It struck something with a “clang” and then shattered it with a “crash.” Lei Xiang snapped out of his shock and tried to regain control of the white jade bed but failed; it continued flying forward uncontrollably.

Another hour passed. The white jade bed’s inertia finally dissipated, and it began to plummet sharply again. This time, Lei Xiang was prepared; he hastily formed a spiritual seal to slow its descent. Puzzled that the bed had become controllable, he activated Divine Thunder Slash again. The surrounding darkness became somewhat clearer, revealing what appeared to be solid mountain rock.

Lei Xiang’s heart leapt with joy. If it truly was rock, then they might have escaped the inner Blood Severance Realm and reached the outer layer. There was a possibility of finding the ruins of a teleportation array, which, with decades of effort, could be repaired to escape the Blood Severance space. Quietly, he extended the Nine Treasures Lotus Staff beyond the azure gauze curtain. The staff’s head scraped the rocky walls, sparking a series of fiery sparks and scattering stone fragments.

It was indeed rock!

Lei Xiang nearly shouted with joy. Although he still could not stop the white jade bed’s fall, at least he knew they had left the inner Blood Severance Realm and entered the outer layer. With his Nascent Soul cultivation, nothing here could seriously threaten him. Finally calm, he sat cross-legged on the white jade bed and allowed it to continue its rapid descent.

In this critical moment, Lei Xiang began cultivating. Holding a spirit stone to replenish his fading spiritual power, his thoughts drifted to the recent expedition to the Immortal Mansion. Learning news of “Mother” had brought great joy, and he had acquired many valuable items: the innate wind attribute refining material “Tailwind Sand,” which could be added to his Wind-Fire Boots to increase speed upon successful refinement; the Black Mountain Black Water Map, at least a top-tier high-grade treasure with effects yet to be studied; even the small water basin Lan Xi found contained “water” able to create virtual spirits to enhance crystal stone brainpower. Only the black orb’s nature remained unknown. The two remaining flying swords were mid-to-high-grade, making this a fruitful haul.

After an uncertain amount of time, the white jade bed suddenly trembled. The shaking was mild, a stark contrast to the violent fall from the Immortal Mansion. Lei Xiang opened his eyes, realizing they had landed.

There was wind—a gentle breeze.

The soft breeze brushed Lei Xiang’s face. Blue light flashed in his eyes. This time, he could see the surrounding darkness clearly—a natural stone cavern. Quickly leaping off the white jade bed, he flew toward the breeze, knowing that where there was wind, there must be a crack, perhaps an exit.

After a long while, Lei Xiang returned, a faint smile breaking across his usually impassive face. As he had suspected, the cave had an exit. He piloted the white jade bed out of the cavern into bright sunlight. Closing his eyes briefly, he was startled by a sudden cry from Tian Rui, who had awakened unnoticed.

“Hurry, release the Blue Lotus Disc! My cultivation has dropped; I can’t sustain a human form under sunlight for long.”

Lei Xiang’s heart stirred, but without hesitation, he cast out the Blue Lotus Disc. Tian Rui’s body transformed into a red light and entered the disc. Once Lei Xiang secured the Blue Lotus Disc, Tian Rui sent back her spiritual message. “Where is this? Lei Xiang, have you brought us out of the Blood Severance space?”

Lei Xiang nodded slightly. He didn’t know their exact location, but he was certain it was outside the Blood Severance space, even beyond the Elven tribe’s domain—likely somewhere in the human world.

Tian Rui’s spiritual message trembled with excitement. “Lei Xiang, I was right about you. This strengthens my resolve to work with you. I need time to recuperate. Call on me if you need anything, okay?”

“No problem!”

Lei Xiang had no objection. Now safe, his attention turned to the still unconscious Lan Xi. A pure spiritual energy slowly flowed into her body, and Lan Xi gradually awoke. Her first question was, “Where is this?”

Lei Xiang answered gently, “We have escaped the Blood Severance space and left the Elven tribe. Lan Xi, you’re free now—no longer bound by the Elven King’s marriage arrangements. Let’s find a place to train properly.”

Lan Xi closed her eyes; her long lashes fluttered in the breeze as if considering Lei Xiang’s offer. Sensing her mood, Lei Xiang wisely remained silent.

Time passed slowly. Finally, Lan Xi spoke. “Lei Xiang, I understand your feelings. I’ve said before that marriage between us is impossible. I treasure your kindness and remember it all. You saved me again this time, and I want to repay you. But until the Great Way is achieved, I won’t consider marriage.”

“I can wait!”

Lan Xiang smiled—one of the few since their reunion. “No need. I don’t want to hold you back. It’s better for us to remain friends.” Pausing, she quickly changed the subject, “I obtained some flying sword treasures from the Immortal Mansion. Take whatever suits you.”

Lei Xiang grinned, showing his small tiger teeth, though bitterness filled his heart. Meeting Lan Xiang again meant fate, but her repeated refusals meant they were destined but not meant to be. “No need to look. I only want a few drops of the liquid from the small basin.”

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End of Volume Two. Thanks to all readers for your encouragement. The Twelve Generals will continue to work hard to make Lei Xiang’s journey even more splendid. Look forward to it.