BAAF Chapter 74

Shen Liuxiang felt a faint sensation on his cheek, his face full of shock as his gaze rested on Zhou Xuanlan. His expression fluctuated.

 

In broad daylight, Zhou Xuanlan’s Nascent Soul had pinned his Nascent Soul down… and kissed it?!

 

Zhou Xuanlan hastily explained, “It’s not… Master, I can’t control him right now.”

 

He tried to summon his Nascent Soul back, but the tiny figure completely ignored his commands and remained firmly atop Shen Liuxiang’s Nascent Soul, exuding an overwhelming dominance.

 

Hua Jian was utterly dumbfounded. He glanced between the two Nascent Souls and their real forms, muttering, “Could it be that your Nascent Souls have developed independent consciousness?”

 

Nascent Souls are supposed to be extensions of the essence spirit, fully controlled by the true form. However, this unusual situation suggested something else entirely. Hua Jian could only conclude that the essence spirits of both Zhou Xuanlan and Shen Liuxiang had diverged in will from their true forms. Somehow, their essence spirits had developed independence, resulting in Nascent Souls that refused to fully obey their masters.

 

Shen Liuxiang hadn’t expected Zhou Xuanlan’s Nascent Soul to act just like his own. He froze for a moment, then glanced at the two small figures tangled together on the tea table. Seeing his own Nascent Soul pinned down and unable to move, he immediately ground his teeth.

 

…If you’re being bullied, you’ve got to fight back!

 

Perhaps it sensed his thoughts, as his previously limp and lazy Nascent Soul puffed out its cheeks, raised its tiny hands, and pushed off the figure on top of it.

 

“Go for it!”

 

Shen Liuxiang, caught up in the moment, shouted excitedly, only to clap his hand over his mouth with a loud “smack” the next second. Blinking, he met his disciple’s gaze and awkwardly explained, “It’s just a little scuffle—it doesn’t hurt.”

 

But to his dismay, his Nascent Soul did not retaliate as he had hoped. It wasn’t even angry about being taken advantage of. Leisurely sitting up, it rested its chubby little face on its hands, tilting its head as it gazed at Zhou Xuanlan’s meditating Nascent Soul.

 

A strand of red ribbon in its hair fluttered gently in the wind, and the Nascent Soul beamed with joy, its smile wide and carefree.

 

Shen Liuxiang: “…”

 

This couldn’t possibly be his Nascent Soul, or it had to be defective somehow.

 

Shen Liuxiang narrowed his phoenix eyes, feeling increasingly convinced that the latter was the truth. A normal Nascent Soul was supposed to mirror its true form entirely, yet his Nascent Soul appeared in a youthful form.

 

Its round little face, still padded with baby fat, looked soft and cuddly.

 

Shen Liuxiang walked over and lightly poked its snow-white cheek, watching as a shallow, tiny dimple appeared.

 

The Nascent Soul tilted its head to look at him, its big, clear eyes blinking in confusion.

 

At the same time, Shen Liuxiang felt a faint poke on his own cheek. He quickly withdrew his hand, his gaze growing more focused. As peculiar as his Nascent Soul was, there was still a serious matter to address.

 

Channeling spiritual energy into his palm, Shen Liuxiang reached toward the small figure, intending to use his spiritual power to locate the child Gu.

 

But just as he was about to make contact, Zhou Xuanlan’s Nascent Soul suddenly darted into motion. It moved like a bolt of lightning, so fast it was almost impossible to track, and in the blink of an eye, it had snatched up Shen Liuxiang’s Nascent Soul and leapt onto the windowsill.

 

Its sleeves billowed as it raised one arm, shielding Shen Liuxiang’s Nascent Soul behind it protectively.

 

Although it was only palm-sized, the aura of ferocity radiating from Zhou Xuanlan’s Nascent Soul shocked everyone in the room. Its oppressive presence was particularly startling when it lifted its eyelids fully, revealing abyssal black eyes that brimmed with a terrifying depth. With its lips slightly parted, the sheer intensity of its aura became suffocating.

 

Even Shen Liuxiang, who was in the Soul Formation realm, felt his heart pounding erratically. Beside him, Hua Jian’s face had turned pale, while Zhou Xuanlan was the only one whose expression remained calm—though his gaze fixed on his own Nascent Soul with a slowly deepening frown.

 

“This lord forbids anyone to touch him.”

 

The deep voice resounded in the room, weighing heavily on everyone’s hearts.

 

A “boom” echoed in Shen Liuxiang’s mind as his face showed utter shock, staring incredulously at the small figure with its cold, severe expression.

 

“Benzu” (This Lord) was a self-reference commonly used by Zhou Xuanlan in the later parts of the original novel.

 

Shen Liuxiang instinctively looked at Zhou Xuanlan.

 

Zhou Xuanlan’s expression was displeased as he strode forward, subtly positioning himself in front of Shen Liuxiang. He then looked toward the fierce Nascent Soul on the windowsill and asked in an icy tone, “Who are you glaring at?”

 

The Nascent Soul met his gaze: “In any case, no one is allowed to touch him.”

 

Zhou Xuanlan’s Nascent Soul bent down to pick up a tree branch and drew a horizontal line on the windowsill. It turned back to the Nascent Soul behind it and said: “Don’t cross this line.”

 

Having said that, he sat cross-legged, not wasting a moment to begin meditation.

 

The room fell silent for a moment. Hua Jian was the first to speak: “This fox is leaving now. I didn’t see anything, you guys continue.”

 

Hua Jian knew with his toes that something was amiss. Shen Liuxiang’s Nascent Soul was one thing, but Zhou Xuanlan’s Nascent Soul was far too strange. The pressure emitted by that tiny figure nearly brought him to his knees—there must be some great mystery here.

 

Perhaps some earth-shattering secret.

 

Hua Jian wasn’t curious; he only wanted to keep himself safe. So he left without hesitation.

 

The door closed with a snap. Zhou Xuanlan was silent for a moment: “I’ll recall my Nascent Soul.”

 

Shen Liuxiang: “Something’s strange. Let’s figure it out first.”

 

Shen Liuxiang was filled with questions. If this was the Zhou Xuanlan from the original story, why would he protect his Nascent Soul? In the novel, ‘Shen Liuxiang’ had gone down a path of self-destruction, dedicating his life to eliminating his love rival Su Baiche and helping Ye Bingran eliminate his love rival Zhou Xuanlan. He had died in the latter half of the story.

 

If this was the Lord Xuan from the book, he wouldn’t possibly make such a move.

 

Shen Liuxiang said softly: “Let’s observe them secretly.”

 

Though they called it secret observation, they were actually openly sitting in the room, drinking tea and watching the two small figures on the windowsill.

 

Zhou Xuanlan’s Nascent Soul sat motionless in meditation. Without the aid of any formation, spiritual energy continuously flowed toward him, becoming almost tangibly thick around his small form.

 

But he frowned, his face tense, still not satisfied with the concentration of spiritual energy.

 

On the other side, Shen Liuxiang’s Nascent Soul lay on its side at the windowsill, one hand propping up its head. After watching the other for a while, it yawned in boredom. Hearing the noisy sounds from the street below, it raised an eyebrow and peeked out.

 

Seeming to have spotted something interesting, it hurriedly walked to the meditating figure.

 

It tapped the left shoulder; no response. It tapped the right shoulder; still no response.

 

Shen Liuxiang’s Nascent Soul pouted slightly, its face full of displeasure. It stood up and began testing the boundary line with its toes, repeatedly probing.

 

Shen Liuxiang silently urged: Cross over.

 

What was there to fear? He certainly wouldn’t have such a timid Nascent Soul!

 

Perhaps sensing this powerful thought, the small Nascent Soul glanced at Shen Liuxiang, then stepped one foot over the line. Before it could lift its other foot, it was yanked back.

 

Zhou Xuanlan’s Nascent Soul darkened its face, eyes blazing with fury, so angry it looked as if it might swallow the small figure before it whole.

 

Then it flung its sleeve, turned around, and leaped down from the windowsill.

 

Shen Liuxiang’s expression changed, and he was about to move when Zhou Xuanlan held him back. “It’s fine, he won’t get lost.”

 

Before long, Zhou Xuanlan’s Nascent Soul reappeared.

 

The small figure leaped up, carrying on its shoulder a stick of tanghulu (candied haws) taller than itself, and landed back on the windowsill.

 

Holding the wooden stick with both hands, it tapped Shen Liuxiang’s Nascent Soul on the head with a sugar-coated haw. Its displeased expression softened slightly as it handed over the tanghulu.

 

Yet it still fiercely said: “You’re an essence spirit, you can’t eat food. Don’t bother me again for such trivial matters!”

 

Shen Liuxiang’s Nascent Soul sat down, holding the oversized tanghulu in its arms, opened the candy wrapper and explained: “Not eating, just tasting the flavor.”

 

With that, it picked up a sugar-coated haw, lowered its head to lick it, and its eyes brightened.

 

“It tastes good. Would you like to try?”

 

As it spoke, it raised the candied haw toward Zhou Xuanlan’s Nascent Soul, but the other avoided it.

 

The other pushed away the haw with disdain, then skillfully leaned down and lightly touched the corner of his mouth. His expression was nonchalant as he said, “Indeed, it’s quite good.”

 

The two people in the room who had witnessed the entire scene simultaneously stiffened. Shen Liuxiang was the first to speak: “I suddenly remembered something I need to do. I’ll leave first.”

 

He was about to slip away when Zhou Xuanlan stopped him: “Master, wait, they’re changing locations.”

 

Shen Liuxiang halted his steps and saw his own Nascent Soul put down the tanghulu and, hand in hand with the other, leap down from the windowsill.

 

The two followed them.

 

Seeing a familiar grove of plum trees, memories from last night’s encounter in the pool rushed back. Shen Liuxiang’s nape reflexively grew warm, and he reached up to rub it.

 

Zhou Xuanlan frowned: “Is the child Gu stirring again?”

 

Shen Liuxiang shook his head: “It’s nothing.”

 

He watched as Zhou Xuanlan’s Nascent Soul sat cross-legged by the pool, the spiritual energy condensing around it several times more concentrated than before. It must have chosen this place for its abundant spiritual energy.

 

Meanwhile, Shen Liuxiang’s Nascent Soul looked around, seeing plum blossoms in full bloom everywhere, and began wandering about on its tiny legs.

 

After familiarizing itself with the surroundings, it leaped onto a plum tree and began weaving through the branches and leaves.

 

Before long, a plum blossom fell from above, striking the head of the small figure meditating peacefully by the pool.

 

That handsome little face darkened.

 

Over in the treetop, where there was no wind to cause movement, Shen Liuxiang’s Nascent Soul had lowered its head, trying hard to conceal itself. Its bright eyes peered through the gaps in the leaves, anxiously observing the figure by the pool.

 

But it soon discovered that the other merely furrowed its brow slightly before becoming motionless again.

 

Dissatisfied with this result, without hesitation, it threw another plum blossom, landing precisely on the head of the figure by the pool.

 

This time, Zhou Xuanlan’s Nascent Soul abruptly opened its eyes and looked toward the treetop. Seeing the little troublemaker hiding behind it flee like a startled bird, running away without looking back.

 

He let out a cold snort and closed his eyes again.

 

But not long after, another fragrant plum blossom came hurtling down.

 

Zhou Xuanlan’s Nascent Soul was furious. With gloomy eyes fixed on the small figure darting among the trees, he raised his hand, channeling spiritual energy. In a flash, a solid defensive barrier formed around him with a thunderous boom.

 

“Let’s see how you throw now!”

 

The small Nascent Soul in the tree instantly lost its joy.

 

But soon, its eyes gleamed with a new idea. Regrouping, it began scurrying around the plum tree, busily working on something for quite some time.

 

Before long, Shen Liuxiang saw his Nascent Soul leap down from the tree branch. Its hair ribbon had loosened, several strands of black hair falling against its pale cheeks, and its clothes were smudged with dirt everywhere.

 

It quickly reached the poolside and knocked on the defensive barrier, but the figure inside paid no attention.

 

After knocking for a while and finding the other still ignoring him, Shen Liuxiang’s Nascent Soul lowered its head, puffed its cheeks, and said softly: “Open your eyes and look at me.”

 

The Nascent Soul within the barrier twitched its brows slightly, then finally opened its eyes.

 

Seeing the person before him with messy hair, having just made mischief in the tree, looking completely disheveled, he frowned: “Tie your hair properly.”

 

Shen Liuxiang’s Nascent Soul nodded, raising its hands high. As the sleeves slid down, revealing two lotus-root-like small arms, its fingers struggled to reach the back of its head.

 

After a moment: “…I can’t reach it.”

 

From a distance, Shen Liuxiang couldn’t help but laugh.

 

Zhou Xuanlan’s Nascent Soul noticed this and glared at the two from afar. Then he removed the defensive barrier, stood up, and approached the dejected little Nascent Soul. He untied the loose hair ribbon, gathered the soft black hair with one hand, and began tying it with practiced movements.

 

A moment later, an extremely crooked ponytail appeared.

 

Shen Liuxiang’s Nascent Soul: “Is it done?”

 

Zhou Xuanlan’s Nascent Soul immediately untied the ribbon and worked on it again, saying unhurriedly: “Don’t rush, I’ll tie it nicely for you.”

 

A bit later: “Is it done yet?”

 

Zhou Xuanlan’s Nascent Soul was silent for a moment, then released the red ribbon again, letting the black hair fall loose. “I think you look best with your hair down.”

 

The Nascent Soul before him narrowed its eyes suspiciously.

 

After a while, it took small steps to the edge of the pool, wanting to look at its reflection in the water. Unfortunately, it leaned its head too far forward without steady footing.

 

With a “splash,” it fell headfirst into the pool.

 

From a distance, Shen Liuxiang felt a chill run through his body and momentarily couldn’t breathe. Fortunately, Zhou Xuanlan’s Nascent Soul reacted extremely fast, leaping into the water and pulling out the soaking wet little figure.

 

The small Nascent Soul spat out some water, looked up to meet the dark, gloomy gaze, and froze in fear.

 

“It was an accident,” he pulled out a bracelet from his bosom, attempting to divert attention. “I forgot to give this to you earlier.”

 

Zhou Xuanlan’s Nascent Soul lowered his gaze to see the offered bracelet, made of red plum blossoms strung together with strands of black hair.

 

He accepted it wordlessly, then raised his hand to dry the dripping Nascent Soul with spiritual energy. Looking at the sky, he felt time was running short, so he turned his attention back to the figure before him.

 

The other retreated vigilantly, “I already gave you a gift.”

 

“I need to gather spiritual energy and can’t be disturbed.”

 

With these words, he grabbed the small Nascent Soul who was trying to escape, leaped up into a tree, and bound its wrists with the red ribbon, tying it to a branch.

 

“Stay here obediently. I’ll untie you when I’m done gathering energy.”

 

Shen Liuxiang’s Nascent Soul couldn’t break free and angrily bit at the ribbon, but couldn’t tear it. When the other figure was out of sight, it sulked alone.

 

By the pool, the other figure remained still.

 

From a distance, Shen Liuxiang narrowed his phoenix eyes and gave a meaningful glance to the person beside him. “You like tying me up?”

 

Zhou Xuanlan: “…This disciple wouldn’t dare.”

 

Shen Liuxiang laughed lightly, touching his chin, and brought up the main issue: “Our Nascent Souls seem to know each other.”

 

Their every action showed familiarity.

 

Zhou Xuanlan nodded: “Master’s Nascent Soul seems unusual.”

 

Shen Liuxiang: “Your Nascent Soul is unusual too.”

 

After this exchange, both fell silent, turning their attention back to the plum blossom pool.

 

Night had fallen imperceptibly, with the bright moon hanging high. Finally, the Nascent Soul by the pool moved, flashing up to the tree branch.

 

The small figure tied to the branch had fallen asleep, long eyelashes lowered, plump white cheeks slightly turned sideways, both cheeks slightly puffed out, breathing soft and steady.

 

Zhou Xuanlan’s Nascent Soul untied the ribbon, gently rubbed the two wrists that had been marked red by the binding, and helped him sit up. Then he brought his head close, pressing forehead against forehead.

 

In that moment, strands of faint white light slowly emanated from his body, transferring into Shen Liuxiang’s Nascent Soul.

 

At the same time, throughout the silent plum blossom forest, vast and boundless spiritual energy arose.

 

Shen Liuxiang’s forehead felt slightly warm. He was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized that Zhou Xuanlan’s Nascent Soul was transferring the spiritual energy it had accumulated all day to his Nascent Soul.

 

This was… nourishing his soul essence!

 

After a long while, having transferred all the accumulated spiritual energy, Zhou Xuanlan on the treetop put one arm around the waist and the other under the knees, lifting the still-sleeping small Nascent Soul.

 

Bathed in moonlight, he leaped down from the tree.

 

“This lord will definitely nurture your soul essence back.”

 

 

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