Chapter Six: You Are My Flower (Part One)

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The Hexagram Heaven-Earth Array operates by using a person as a spiritual medium and then, through a method similar to the “Thousand Paper Cranes Talisman,” temporarily amplifies and grafts the spiritual energy of the medium at the array’s core onto the person within the formation. In other words, if the celestial energy from Boss Li’s nascent soul were grafted onto Yuan Mu, Yuan Mu’s strength would increase by at least fifty percent.

The battle in the sky raged on. The immortal who had ambushed Boss Li was now hard-pressed by the concerted efforts of the others, unable to spare any attention, while Yuan Mu’s opponent was locked in a bitter struggle. Though their strengths were evenly matched, Yuan Mu’s celestial sword was only a makeshift weapon and couldn’t unleash the full might of the Meteor Sword. Even so, Yuan Mu fought with a reckless, death-defying spirit, always opting for mutually destructive moves. This rogue-like strategy left the immortal thoroughly vexed.

Those who have survived rivers of blood in war inevitably develop a wild edge to their temperament. In a fight, who’s afraid of whom? Yuan Mu’s face was twisted, his body bathed in blood, yet he never retreated.

After a long while, Boss Li finally finished placing all the Heavenly Mechanism Stones for the array, then proceeded to the formation’s core. Looking up at the sky, the two groups were still locked in magical combat, flying swords and treasures weaving brilliant patterns across the heavens. One of the cultivators at the Grand Ascension stage was already wounded, but the immortal was faring no better, harried by Gu Linglong’s Butterfly Sword until his head nearly spun. Each time he barely managed to parry, someone else would land a blow through his protective aura—not enough to injure him, but enough to give him a good scare.

“Guardian!” Boss Li yanked off his already tattered white coat, rolled up his sleeves, spat into his palms and rubbed them together, calling out to Xiao Ying.

Xiao Ying nodded resolutely, her beautiful eyes fixed on the two immortals’ movements.

Boss Li began forming seals with his hands in rapid succession. As time passed, the spiritual energy around him surged more and more violently, gradually forming a small vortex that swept up the dust at his feet.

Everyone on the battlefield sensed the change at the same time, the two immortals in particular revealing anxious expressions. What was supposed to be a surefire ambush had devolved into chaos, and they’d already lost a key fighter before the real battle had even begun. The frustration nearly drove the two immortals mad.

Seeing the commotion below, they realized an array was being set up. If they didn’t act soon, the operation would surely fail. Their gazes met in mid-air, and they nodded to each other, slowly dragging their respective battlefields toward the center.

At the array’s core, Boss Li felt the celestial energy within his nascent soul slowly being drawn forth—not in the explosive way it was when launching an attack, but gathering steadily and gently. Even with such a vast amount of energy accumulating, Boss Li felt no discomfort. It seemed the Hexagram Heaven-Earth Array was compatible with this celestial energy, ready for Boss Li to graft it onto Yuan Mu.

The wild, domineering force of celestial energy was beyond Xiao Ying’s imagination. Forced to protect Boss Li, she was driven back step by step, only feeling relief after retreating a full ten meters.

At length, Boss Li completed the array’s operation and the extraction of celestial energy. Opening his eyes, he shouted hoarsely, “Yuan Mu, catch!” With a wave of his hands, a surge of celestial energy shot forth, visibly arcing into Yuan Mu’s dantian and forming a curved bridge between them.

Boss Li’s face turned crimson, veins bulging, as if straining on the toilet—only lacking the grunting sound effects. Finally, after finishing the last of the spiritual seals for the graft, he relaxed. The arc of celestial energy vanished.

Drained of spiritual power, Boss Li’s face was pale, cold sweat beading on his brow, his legs weak as if he’d been squatting over a latrine for half an hour.

Quick as lightning, Xiao Ying rushed over and caught him before he fell, cradling him in her arms.

“How are you?” she asked, gently pressing her small hand to his forehead, her voice full of concern.

“Heh.” Boss Li squinted, nuzzling his head deeper into her embrace. “I’m fine.”

“Really?” Xiao Ying was nearly in tears. She’d seen him fight countless battles atop the Red Rock Plateau, but never in such a sorry state. Normally his recovery rate was monstrous, almost inhuman—how could just running an array leave him so depleted?

“Of course I’m fine. Just drained of spiritual energy, that’s all.” Feeling the softness of her chest against his head, Boss Li couldn’t help swallowing, shifting to a more comfortable position, and looking up at her anxious face. “Relax, I won’t die. Just let me rest for a bit.” With that, he closed his eyes.

“Then rest.” The pure-hearted Xiao Ying could only half-kneel on the ground, gently supporting Boss Li’s head on her lap.

A little creature scurried up Boss Li’s handsome face, its plump body burrowing toward Xiao Ying’s bosom.

“Damn it!” Boss Li cursed. Why did this little brat always have to ruin the moment? He grabbed the creature and tossed it aside.

“Be careful!” Xiao Ying gently rapped Boss Li’s head. “Don’t hurt it.”

“Ow!” Boss Li rubbed the sore spot, pouting. “Now I’ll have to rest even longer.” Turning, he pressed his nose to Xiao Ying’s belly.

“You—” Xiao Ying finally sensed something was amiss, but Boss Li, using the last of his strength, gripped her hands tightly, leaving her awkwardly immobilized. She didn’t dare move for fear of hurting his weakened body, so she gritted her teeth and pinched his ear hard, resigning herself to the situation.

Breathing in Xiao Ying’s delicate fragrance, Boss Li felt every pore in his body relax. For some reason, she even had a faint milky scent—this unexpected discovery set his mind wandering as he breathed deeply in her embrace.

“You little rascal, enjoying yourself while we’re fighting for our lives?” Yuan Mu’s voice drifted down from the sky, thick with jealousy.

Highly recommended: the lighthearted urban cultivation novel “My Taoist Journey”—a standout work from Little Sage in 2007! If you like it, throw your votes its way!