Chapter 377

Chapter 377: You’re Not My Burden

Ever since Chang Xiang told Lou Yun about how he could increase Xia Zhilan’s chances of successfully cultivating, Lou Yun had hesitated over whether to bring Xia Zhilan along in the future. Yet, after transforming weapons for two children from evil weapons into magical weapons, he made his decision!

Nothing in this world was truly impossible; it all boiled down to one’s willingness and courage to try. If one lived constantly wary, afraid of wolves before and tigers behind, riddled with worries, then they would ultimately achieve nothing. Hence, Lou Yun decided that rather than regret it later, he should bring Xia Zhilan with him now. Though danger existed, if it truly meant she could change her constitution and alter her destiny, then everything was worthwhile!

Lou Yun’s answer left Chang Xiang somewhat speechless, yet also deeply gratified, because the Lou Yun now truly feared no difficulties anymore!

Still, Chang Xiang felt the need to remind him: "Our journey will undoubtedly be fraught with dangers. If you bring her, aren’t you afraid you won’t be able to protect her when danger strikes?"

Lou Yun was silent for a moment before replying, "Brother Chang, if a man can’t even protect his own wife, he doesn’t deserve to be called a man!"

After saying this, Lou Yun strode out of the room and found Xia Zhilan.

When Lou Yun shared his decision, Xia Zhilan could hardly believe her ears. She stared at him with wide eyes, trying to discern if he was joking. When Lou Yun nodded at her with a smile, she felt instantly drowned in sheer happiness!

"L-Lou Big Brother, I understand your feelings… but taking me along… I’ll become your burden!" Xia Zhilan’s voice grew softer, her head lowering. A mist began to well up in her eyes. Frustration bubbled within her heart as she cursed her own perceived uselessness.

Suddenly, Lou Yun’s strong fingers gently lifted her chin, raising her head. His eyes held an undeniable certainty as he gazed deeply into Xia Zhilan’s, saying, "Little Lan, remember this: you are my wife. You will never be my burden."

Lou Yun had never before uttered sweet, sentimental words of love to Xia Zhilan. But in her heart, this declaration surpassed all the beautiful love poems in the world!

Biting her lip hard to prevent tears from falling, Xia Zhilan resolved that from this day, this very moment forward, she must become stronger. She absolutely could not be a burden to Lou Yun. With immense determination, she nodded firmly!

…

Above Divine Weapon Island, a brilliant streak of white light pierced the sky. Lou Yun, carrying Xia Zhilan, rode the Dream Emperor Sword and departed the island.

Though an additional passenger rode the sword, Lou Yun felt no difference at all in its flight. He merely worried that Xia Zhilan might be unaccustomed to the high speed and deliberately slowed down a little. Xia Zhilan noticed this considerateness and treasured it in her heart.

Truthfully, despite his decision to bring Xia Zhilan, Lou Yun was still a bit unused to being so closely alone with her. For a good while, he couldn’t quite find what to say.

Scratching his head, Lou Yun looked at Xia Zhilan and started some small talk, "Little Lan, why don’t you ask where we’re going?"

Xia Zhilan shook her head with a smile. "To be with you… I’m willing to go anywhere!"

After speaking, she suddenly realized how sentimental that sounded. Embarrassed, she lowered her head again.

Lou Yun, however, was left gaping, speechless on what to say next.

He quickly called out mentally to Chang Xiang within himself: "Brother Chang, I really need to tell Little Lan about you. Are you okay with that?"

In the past, Chang Xiang would have definitely objected. His existence, until now, was known only to Lou Yun. He was Lou Yun’s ultimate, final trump card, to be revealed only under absolute dire circumstances.

But things were different now. Firstly, Lou Yun’s current strength allowed Chang Xiang to trust him. Secondly, he understood Xia Zhlan’s place in Lou Yun’s heart. Even if he personally couldn’t grasp the concept of love, he practiced "loving the house for its crow." Since Lou Yun so deeply cherished Xia Zhilan, Chang Xiang naturally had no reason to mind her knowing about him.

"Alright!" After receiving Chang Xiang’s permission, Lou Yun broke into a smile. He turned to Xia Zhilan, "Little Lan, I want to introduce you to someone right now."

Xia Zhilan looked up, confusion flickering in her eyes. She clearly couldn’t fathom why Lou Yun would introduce someone to her mid-flight, thousands of meters in the air. Where was this person?

Seeing her expression, Lou Yun understood her thoughts. "Little Lan, the bond between this person and me is profound. He is both my teacher and my elder brother – closer to me even than Brother Leng or Second Brother Bei. Without him, I would never have achieved everything I have today."

Xia Zhilan’s astonishment deepened further. She knew how close Lou Yun was to his sworn brothers, Leng Cangqiong and Beichen Ming. To think there was yet another elder brother even more intimate to him than those two – she had never heard a whisper of this!

However, given how important this person seemed to Lou Yun, Xia Zhilan, as his wife, instinctively knew how to behave. She quickly stood up, smoothing her clothes, trying to appear poised and respectful. A trace of nervousness also fluttered in her heart.

"I’ve never told anyone about this elder brother’s existence. You are the first!" Lou Yun paused, then added carefully, "But… there’s something unique about his situation. I want to prepare you beforehand so you won’t be startled when you see him. He’s truly a decent man!"

Confusion spiked within Xia Zhilan, but knowing her place, she stayed obediently silent, only awaiting the appearance of this elusive "elder brother."

Seeing Xia Zhlan was ready, Lou Yun finally spoke, "Brother Chang, you can show yourself now!"

And so, Xia Zhilan watched with wide eyes as a human form slowly materialized, drifting out from Lou Yun’s own body…

At that moment, though Xia Zhilan’s eyes were wide open, her hands clenched tightly together. She fought desperately to suppress any impulse to scream "ghost!".

A person emerging from another’s body? A completely transparent being? Wasn’t this precisely the legendary "ghost"?

Fortunately, this ghost possessed rather handsome features – starkly different from the green-faced, fanged specters of common lore!

Lou Yun gestured towards Chang Xiang. "Little Lan, this is Brother Chang. Due to certain reasons, he lacks a physical body and can only exist in this state within me!"

Chang Xiang smiled faintly at Xia Zhilan. "Greetings, Little Sister-in-law!"

The address "Little Sister-in-law" caused Xia Zhlan’s face to flush red instantly. Yet, the tension and fear within her dissipated just as quickly. She hurriedly performed the most respectful courtesy bow she could manage, "Xia Zhilan respectfully greets Elder Brother Chang!"

"Hahaha!" Chang Xiang laughed heartily. "Good, very good! Although it’s Little Sister-in-law’s first time meeting me, I have long seen you! Just for this sincere ‘Elder Brother’, if this rascal Lou Yun ever dares bully you, you tell me. I, your big brother Chang, will stand up for you!"

Xia Zhilan blushed deeply again. "Xia Zhilan thanks Elder Brother deeply in advance!"

Witnessing the warm rapport between the two, Lou Yun’s heart finally eased. "Brother Chang, since there’s no one else around right now, no need to rush back inside. Let’s all chat awhile!"

"Fine!" Chang Xiang agreed readily, dropping down to sit with exaggerated casualness. "Little Sister-in-law, don’t just stand there. Take a seat too!"

Over the course of the conversation, guided by both Lou Yun and Chang Xiang, Xia Zhlan gained a preliminary understanding of Chang Xiang – limited, of course, to the aspects suitable for her knowledge. Some secrets were better left undiscussed.

"Little Lan, you see now," Lou Yun explained, "Brother Chang currently has no physical body. But he is absolutely not a ghost. His state is called a ‘spirit’. Our journey this time is precisely to search for something that might help him reconstruct a physical form."

Here, Lou Yun shot Chang Xiang a meaningful look before continuing, "The problem is, although he knows the names of the items required, he doesn’t know where to find them. That’s why we first need to head to the Great Snowfield, to seek out Wen Zhi Lao Ren."

Reconstructing a body for Chang Xiang required three specific items and the participation of members from the Five Elements families. Currently, besides the first dew shed from the blossoming Day Spirit Flower and the members found from the Water and Earth families, they had no leads on the rest. Lou Yun had assumed Chang Xiang must know the whereabouts of these items, given his urgency. He was surprised to learn otherwise – Chang Xiang didn’t know the locations and was leaving it up to Lou Yun to figure out!

Faced with this, Lou Yun thought of Wen Zhi Lao Ren. With his vast store of knowledge, this aged scholar might know the locations of those elusive items. If even he didn’t know… well, then Lou Yun might just have to fulfill the promise he once made to Chang Xiang: to search every inch of Spirit Weapon Star.

It also reminded him of another commitment on the Great Snowfield: a promise to take a mute child named Duan Wentian home. This trip was a perfect opportunity to find the boy.

As the conversation flowed among the three of them, Xia Zhlan gradually shed her initial shyness and awkwardness. She became more relaxed, even daring to actively question Chang Xiang herself.

Thus, the journey Lou Yun had imagined would be boring passed quickly amidst their lively and warm conversation. They reached the Great Snowfield without incident.

This marked Lou Yun’s third visit. Moreover, Duan Wentian had given him a map of the Great Snowfield during his last trip, making him quite familiar with the landscape. Navigating smoothly, he soon located the snow-capped mountain where Wen Zhi Lao Ren lived in seclusion.

Standing where he had last met the elder, Lou Yun hesitated. Last time, it was Duan Wentian’s bamboo whistle that had summoned Wen Zhi Lao Ren. Lou Yun didn’t know the specific location of the elder’s retreat. He lacked the whistle himself and didn’t even know how to play it. How was he supposed to call the elder forth? Shouting at the top of his voice wasn’t really an option.

Lou Yun quickly thought of a solution, though. He closed his eyes, his ears twitching slightly as he concentrated. He began listening, searching with his Spirit Vision, trying to pinpoint Wen Zhi Lao Ren’s location deep inside this mountain.

To an ordinary listener, the mountain, perhaps the entire Great Snowfield, might sound utterly silent. But Lou Yun’s perceptive ears could discern many subtle sounds.

Gradually, an image of the mountain’s inner structure formed in his mind. Then, abruptly, his expression tightened. Instinctively, his hand shot out. The Dream Emperor Sword materialized firmly in his grasp, its blade instantly blazing with fierce, vibrant flames!