The soft rustle of fabric preceded his aunt's arrival. She emerged from the cave's shadowy entrance, her smile as gentle as morning mist, radiating a warmth that seemed to soften the stone walls around them.
"You're awake early, Taotao," she murmured, her delicate hand coming to rest against his cheek. Her eyes sparkled with a mixture of pride and maternal concern. "Are you nervous as the time draws closer?"
"Don't worry, aunt," Yetao heard himself respond, his lips curving into a reassuring smile that felt both natural and utterly foreign. "I'll make sure to attain my celestial form."
"Celestial form? "The thought ricocheted through his trapped consciousness like a wild, panicked bird. "What am I even saying?"
His aunt's fingers lingered for a moment, her touch both comforting and inexplicably heavy with unspoken meaning. "I hope you don't pressure yourself," she whispered, pressing a tender kiss to his forehead before gliding away, her movements as fluid as silk carried on a gentle breeze.
The moment she disappeared, Yetao felt a surge of rebellion course through his body. "I have ONE month," he muttered, a mischievous glint entering his eyes. "I'm not going to rot away in this cave training all the time. I'm sorry, aunt."
With the stealth of a shadow, he slipped from the cave, descending the hill without a sound, freedom singing in his veins.
"Ahhhhh! Where is this guy going now?", Yetao screamed internally.
Suddenly, a peculiar disturbance interrupted his thoughts. A translucent screen materialized before his eyes, its digital clarity stark against the natural world:
"System update completed....Blending memories..."
Confusion twisted through his mind like a serpent. Before he could comprehend the strange message, the screen flashed for a brief moment and then darkness consumed his consciousness.
"Huh? What was that?" Yetao blinked, momentarily disoriented. "What am I standing here for? Didn't I just escape to get some air?"
The memories of his internal struggle dissolved like morning mist, leaving behind only a sense of liberation and the gentle warmth of the day. Two consciousnesses merged, creating a seamless whole—the past forgotten, the present embraced with unbridled excitement.
He continued walking, each step light and purposeful, unaware of the memories that had just played out within his mind.
Yetao moved with calculated stealth, his eyes darting left and right, scanning the landscape for any hint of pursuit. He navigated the terrain as though following an invisible map etched into his memory, his destination calling to him like a siren's song.
In the near distance, a solitary figure stood waiting—a silhouette both familiar and compelling. "Lu—" Yetao's voice burst forth, brimming with unbridled enthusiasm. The figure turned, revealing Lucas's face, which bloomed into a radiant smile that could rival the morning sun.
"Seems like you've managed to escape earlier today," Lucas teased, his eyes dancing with amusement. "Didn't your aunt check on you?"
Yetao's dramatic sigh spoke volumes. "For the past few days, she's been hovering around me constantly. It's just one more month until my 1000-year cultivation, and she's become impossibly protective." He punctuated his complaint with an exaggerated pout that was equal parts frustration and affection.
Switching from complaint to accusation, Yetao's tone shifted. "And you! You disappeared for an entire week. I thought you'd flown off to some other world until your messenger bird arrived this morning." The sulk in his voice was offset by the underlying warmth of deep friendship.
Lucas's laughter rang out, rich and genuine. "How could I possibly abandon you when I promised an adventure?" With practiced ease, he reached out and ruffled Yetao's hair—a gesture that seemed to instantly soothe his friend's wounded pride. "I was investigating our next destination. In fact, I came precisely to discuss that with you."
Instantly, Yetao's demeanor transformed. His entire being seemed to vibrate with anticipation, curiosity sparkling in his eyes like freshly struck flint. "So..." he leaned forward, breathless with excitement, "Where's our next adventure?"
The world around them seemed to pause, holding its breath in anticipation of Lucas's response, the promise of unknown horizons hanging tantalizingly between them.
"The Ocean," Lucas declared, his voice carrying the weight of anticipation.
Yetao's eyes widened, a mix of confusion and pure excitement dancing across his features. "The Ocean? I've never been there before," he breathed, the words tumbling out like a cascade of wonder.
Lucas nodded, a knowing smile playing at the corners of his mouth. Yetao's mind immediately began racing through their previous adventures—each mission a tapestry of intrigue and transformation. "Last time we exposed the rabbit clan's embezzlement," he reminisced, "and before that, I transformed into a bird to help avenge the tortoise clan." His gaze turned questioning. "What should I be this time? A fish? Though I've never actually tried that form."
The conflict was evident in his voice—excitement battling with uncertainty about transforming into an aquatic creature, having been limited by the lack of water ranges near his secluded hill.
Lucas's response came with a cryptic smile. "Do you know about mermaids?"
Yetao pondered for a moment. "Those creatures with half human and half fish body?" he asked, and Lucas's nod confirmed his understanding.
"I'm a mermaid this time? But how can I come with you in that form? Are we going underwater?" Yetao's confusion was palpable, prompting Lucas's warm laughter.
"You'll come in your human form," Lucas explained. "Mermaids can turn to humans too. You're going to play a double role this time."
Understanding dawned in Yetao's eyes, replaced immediately by an insatiable curiosity. "What's our mission this time?" The words burst forth, sparkling with anticipation.
Lucas took a deep breath, his expression turning serious. "The wolf clan maintains order between demon clans. We've been on these missions to preserve balance. But I've received reports that the snake clan is hiding something—something that could disturb this delicate order. We need to take action before something bad happens. Are you willing to be in this Taotao?"
The challenge hung in the air between them, a silent invitation.
Yetao's response was immediate—a playful pinch to Lucas's arm and a declaration bursting with youthful bravado. "Of course I'll help you! But don't think I'm doing this just for you," he added with a mischievous grin. "I'm bored to death training on that hill day and night. Life is all about adventure!"
Relief washed over Lucas's features, softening the intensity of his earlier resolve. "Get ready for the trip, Taotao," he said. "We're departing the day after tomorrow. The mission will last a week this time."
Yetao responded with a playful wink, his agreement as bright and carefree as a summer breeze. "Then I'll go and prepare my most dramatic performance to deceive my aunt," he declared, bidding farewell with the kind of mischievous energy that seemed to dance around him.
The moment Yetao disappeared, Lucas pressed a hand against his chest, attempting to calm his racing heart. "His smile is going to be the death of me," he whispered to the empty air.
Suddenly, a figure materialized from nowhere, dropping to one knee in a gesture of absolute deference. "I have acquired the passes for teleportation to the snake region, my lord," the man reported.
Lucas's smile was gentle as he helped the man—Yuchen—to his feet. "I knew you could get it done," he said, the words carrying a warmth that belied the formality of their initial interaction.
Yuchen's posture remained rigid, his gaze fixed and serious. But Lucas was having none of it. "Drop this rough guy act, Yuchen," he pouted, a hint of childlike frustration in his voice. "I want to speak to you like normal friends."
A weary sigh escaped Yuchen's lips. "Then may I speak freely?" At Lucas's nod, he continued, his words cutting straight to the heart of his concern. "When are you going to stop involving that fox in our missions? I could handle all these trivial matters myself. Why do you insist on taking him everywhere when you're already overwhelmed with work?"
The sadness that crossed Lucas's face was profound, a glimpse into deeper, more painful memories. "You, of all people, know why," he said softly. "He was the only one who managed to make me smile when everyone else only saw me as the abandoned child."
His voice dropped to a near-whisper. "And I don't know of any other way to spend time with him other than these missions."
The weight of unspoken history hung between them. Lucas forced a smile, patted Yuchen's shoulder, and walked away—leaving behind a trail of unresolved emotions.
Yuchen watched him go, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. "I just hope nothing goes wrong," he thought, his concern a silent prayer to whatever powers might be listening.
As he followed Lucas, the air seemed to shimmer with the potential of untold adventures and hidden dangers.