When Bambam's confession hung in the air like spring, Yetao's lashes fluttered in shock and confusion. His eyes widened slightly, unable to process the words that had just reached his ears.
"I know it's unbelievable. So, Taotao..." Bambam slowly moved forward and held Yetao's hand like it was the most delicate thing in the world. His touch was gentle, almost reverent, as if he feared Yetao might dissolve into mist at any moment. "Can we start fresh?" Bambam asked, his voice carrying a vulnerability rarely heard from him.
Yetao felt his heart tingle with the proposal, a strange sensation spreading through his chest like ripples across still water. Conflict churned within him as he looked down at their joined hands. For someone who had boldly stolen a kiss from him earlier, Bambam's hands were now trembling noticeably, betraying his fear of rejection. In that tremor, Yetao understood that his feelings were sincere.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Yetao gently withdrew his hand from Bambam's grasp. "It's true that I don't believe you. So I can't suddenly accept your confession," he said softly.
Bambam's expression fell, regret immediately washing over his features for having confessed too soon.
"But..." Yetao added, the single word rekindling hope in Bambam's eyes. "It's also true that I don't hate the idea. I need some time to make a decision. Let's take this as a phase to understand each other first."
The words transformed Bambam instantly. His face lit up with such unbridled joy that he appeared to be the happiest man in the world. Without warning, he lunged forward and wrapped Yetao in a tight embrace, squeezing until Yetao could hardly breathe.
Yetao's heart raced wildly at the unexpected contact, thundering against his ribcage. At this rate, all my cultivation is going to be wasted by a heart attack, he thought wryly, summoning his strength to push Bambam away with considerable effort.
Before Bambam could process the rejection, Yetao raised his index finger. "On one condition," he stated in an authoritative tone that brooked no argument.
Bambam nodded eagerly, his expression making it clear he would agree to anything Yetao proposed.
"No touching," Yetao declared firmly.
Bambam froze, tilting his head in shock as if he couldn't possibly have heard correctly.
"You seem to have a habit of touching and kissing too often. But this topic is..." Yetao paused, lowering his face as embarrassment colored his cheeks, "...totally new to me." The admission clearly cost him—a grown man close to achieving his thousand-year cultivation, yet still inexperienced in matters of the heart.
Bambam remained motionless, stunned not by Yetao's inexperience but by the prohibition against touch.
"You say you've known me for so long, but this is the first time I know you. So I believe this behavior is inappropriate," Yetao concluded, attempting to hide his flushed face behind one hand.
The color drained from Bambam's face at the condition, but understanding dawned in his eyes. He clenched his fist and nodded, accepting the terms. "I'll do anything to make you love me back," he declared with such earnestness that Yetao's heart nearly beat out of his chest.
Yetao slapped his own forehead in exasperation. "Whatever," he muttered, turning away from Bambam and walking in the opposite direction, hand still pressed against his forehead.
Distracted by his thoughts, Yetao didn't see what lay before him and tripped on a stone jutting from the sand. He could have handled it himself by rolling over. But, he felt a slight tug at his sleeve as Bambam steadied him without directly touching his skin.
Surprise flickered across Yetao's face, quickly followed by appreciation. He chuckled softly and said, "Good job," before continuing his walk along the shore, an excited and relieved smile playing on his lips.
But while Yetao was thrilled, Bambam stood rooted to the spot, devastation etched across his features. "I really miss the old days," he lamented, running frustrated fingers through his hair as he watched Yetao's retreating figure.
The waves crashed against Bambam's legs, the rhythm of the water against his skin seeming to mock his newfound sorrow, laughing at the irony of finally winning Yetao's consideration only to be held at arm's length.
Meanwhile, Lucas had gathered all five clan lords and explained the grave situation they faced.
"We have to stay on high alert from now on," Lucas declared, his authoritative voice carrying across the chamber. "We still don't know what sort of calamity we're going to face. Keep your communication orbs activated at all times. We'll be passing on information constantly."
The other four clan lords listened intently, their expressions solemn as they absorbed the weight of Lucas's words. Each understood the gravity of the situation—a potential threat to everything they had built and protected for generations.
Jeff, the most outspoken of the lords, leaned forward with his brows furrowed in concern. "We can take responsibility for our clans. But what if the demon lord's power erupts suddenly? Isn't finding him the most important thing right now?"
At the mention of the demon lord, visible tension spread across Lucas and Jackson's faces. Their worry was unmistakable, etched into the tight lines around their eyes and the rigid set of their shoulders.
Oscar, noticing the change, stepped closer to Lucas and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. His eyes searched his younger brother's face with fraternal concern. "Lu... is there something you're hiding from us?"
Lucas released a heavy sigh, the sound carrying the burden of leadership. "No," he finally replied, though the hesitation was perceptible. "I have sent my strongest confidant to find him. He'll definitely return with the news I'm waiting to hear." As he spoke, Lucas clenched his fist tightly, as if physically grasping onto his conviction, trying to make himself believe in his own confidence.
"Let's move now," he continued, straightening his posture. "Gather your strongest cultivators and stay on the watch."
Jeff's expression softened, recognizing the pressure weighing on Lucas. "Lucas, don't think too much. We can make it work as long as we're together," he assured, his tone warm with genuine comfort.
Throughout the exchange, Minghao had remained silent, standing slightly apart from the others. His face remained expressionless, a perfect mask revealing nothing of his thoughts. After a moment of apparent internal debate, he seemed to feel obligated to contribute something to the conversation.
"Hmm. We'll do it," he finally stated bluntly.
Minghao's awkward, terse sentence created an equally awkward silence in the pavilion. The only sound breaking the stillness was the distant cawing of crows circling above the ancestral grounds.
Jeff sighed affectionately and approached Minghao, placing his hands on the younger lord's cheeks and pinching them playfully. "Aww... my baby brother grew up so soon. You can even comfort us now," he teased, continuing to pinch Minghao's cheeks despite his increasing irritated expression.
Without warning, Minghao executed a perfect twirl, his robes swirling around him as he announced flatly, "I'm leaving." In the next instant, he vanished from the space, his departure marked only by a faint ripple in the air where he had stood.
"As always, such a cold and talk-less personality," Jeff remarked with a fond sigh, shaking his head at Minghao's characteristic abruptness.
Jeff and Oscar also prepared to take their leave, each offering a respectful nod to both Jackson and Lucas as their farewell gesture. The meeting had concluded, but the weight of their responsibilities pressed heavier than ever.
After the others had departed, Lucas remained in the pavilion, his gaze fixed on the vast, empty sky stretching endlessly above. The clouds drifted across the blue expanse, untroubled by the concerns of the mortal realm below.
"Did Yuchen find him?" he mumbled to the silent air, worry creasing his brow as he contemplated the uncertain future that awaited them all.
Meanwhile, Yuchen arrived in the demon realm, having descended from the immortal realm above. It had already been four days since he began his search, with no sign of success. Time was running short.
With determined focus, he flew toward the southwest sea, where Yetao might be. Hovering above the water's surface, Yuchen removed the Lightning Jade from his spatial pouch. The artifact glowed with a faint blue luminescence as he held it reverently between his palms.
He closed his eyes and carefully infused the jade with the small sample of Yetao's life energy he had brought with him. The connection was immediate but fragile. The Lightning Jade pulsed once, twice, and then projected a vision directly into Yuchen's mind.
Briefly, he could see through Yetao's eyes—a fleeting glimpse of sandy shores, palm trees swaying in the breeze, and the endless horizon where sea met sky. But just as quickly as it appeared, the vision flickered and faded, the connection breaking before he could pinpoint a location.
"No!" Yuchen gasped as the image dissolved.
He tried again, channeling more of his own spiritual energy into the jade to strengthen the connection. The artifact glowed brighter, straining to maintain the link, but again the vision failed, cutting short as the scarce life energy sample was exhausted.
A third attempt yielded the same result. The Lightning Jade could establish a connection but couldn't sustain it long enough to provide a clear location. Each failure eroded more of Yuchen's composure.
Frustration boiled over as Yuchen screamed into the empty air above the sea, his voice echoing across the water. "Why is this not working?" His usually calm demeanor cracked, the pressure of his mission and the time already lost weighing heavily upon him.
But he can't lose his mind on this since Yetao's life is in danger.
Recognizing this, Yuchen forced himself to take deep, measured breaths. He closed his eyes, centering himself as he had been taught since his earliest days as a disciple. Gradually, his racing heartbeat slowed, and clarity returned to his thoughts.
"I need more of his life energy," he realized, the solution crystallizing in his mind. "I can only get it from the fox hill."
Fox Hill—Yetao's ancestral home—would contain stronger traces of his essence, particularly in his personal quarters and items he had frequently used. With such materials, the Lightning Jade would have a much better chance of establishing a stable connection.
Without further hesitation, Yuchen adjusted his course and launched himself skyward. His form became a streak of light as he employed his fastest movement technique, urgency driving him forward.
"Hold on, Yetao gege," Yuchen muttered ashe sped through the clouds. "I'm coming for you."
On the island, Yetao searched diligently for the cave entrance where he had found the pearl just the day before. Despite his thorough investigation, the cave's entrance was nowhere to be seen.
"It was here just yesterday," Yetao muttered, frustration evident in his voice as he ran his fingers along the solid rock face where the opening should have been. "Just where did it disappear to?"
Bambam stood a few paces behind him, maintaining an expression of perfect cluelessness despite being the very one who had sealed the cave without Yetao's notice during the night. His face betrayed nothing, though inwardly he was pleased with his handiwork—the sealing spell had blended perfectly with the natural rock formation.
Yetao turned to face Bambam, his lips forming a slight pout of annoyance. "It feels like I'm the only one who's tensed to leave this place. You're too carefree," he complained, studying Bambam's relaxed demeanor with suspicion.
"Honestly.....I kind of feel happy and you know why," Bambam replied with a barely suppressed smile, making no effort to hide the true source of his contentment.
Bambam's statement caused Yetao's hand to clench reflexively, but he quickly released the tension with a deep exhale, forcing himself to remain calm. There was no point in giving in to anger when they were all stranded together.
Thio, who was in his child form, observed Yetao's distress with growing concern. The small creature reached out and took Yetao's hand in his tiny one, patting it gently in a gesture of comfort. The unexpected tenderness of the small hand's pat melted away some of Yetao's irritation, drawing a genuine smile from him.
He squatted down to meet the child at eye level and asked softly, "Are you worried for me now?"
Thio nodded solemnly, his expression earnest with concern.
Touched by the gesture, Yetao wrapped the child in a gentle embrace before lifting him onto his shoulders. Thio's mood instantly brightened as he settled comfortably in his new perch. He glanced back at Bambam and, seeing the opportunity, sneakily smirked at him in triumph—a small victor claiming his prize in their ongoing battle for Yetao's attention.
Bambam's annoyance flickered across his face before he quickly masked it with a forced smile. He's just a child, he reminded himself, trying to suppress his unreasonable jealousy. Don't be angry. Don't be angry.
Thio, sensing his advantage and thrilled by Bambam's poorly concealed displeasure, leaned down and planted a kiss on Yetao's cheek. The spontaneous display of affection completely disarmed Yetao, who laughed with delight at the child's sweetness. He lifted Thio from his shoulders and returned the kiss on the child's forehead, thoroughly charmed by his cuteness.
Watching this exchange from behind them, Bambam finally lost his composure. With a surge of misdirected jealousy, he slammed his fist into the nearest tree—a venerable giant that had peacefully stood there for at least a hundred years. The ancient trunk couldn't withstand the impact of his immense strength; it cracked loudly before beginning to topple.
The thunderous sound of splintering wood caused both Yetao and Thio to whirl around in shock. Bambam just stood there, unmoving, as the massive tree fell in the opposite direction. Several of its heavy branches, however, broke loose and plummeted directly toward where Bambam remained frozen in place.
Without hesitation, Yetao extended his hand and deflected the falling branches away from Bambam with a swift manipulation of his powers, sending them harmlessly to the forest floor several feet away.
Rushing to Bambam's side, Yetao examined him with worried eyes. "What happened? Are you injured?" he asked, his voice laced with genuine concern.
Bambam forced a smile and shook his head, dismissing the incident as nothing of consequence.
"Stay close to me," Yetao instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument. "This island is strange."
Bambam nodded in silent agreement, secretly pleased by the directive despite the circumstances.
As they prepared to move on, Yetao paused to take a brief look at the fallen tree's exposed bark. He squinted suspiciously at the heavy impact on just one side but quickly dismissed his concerns. The barrier surrounding the island remained their primary obstacle—mysterious tree anomalies could wait.
The trio continued their exploration, searching for any clues that might help them escape the island. They combed through dense vegetation, followed the shoreline, and investigated unusual formations, hoping to find something—anything—that might break the barrier.
Strangely, throughout the day, Yetao found himself uncharacteristically clumsy. He tripped repeatedly over roots, rocks, and seemingly nothing at all—a peculiar development for someone of his cultivation level and natural grace. Each time, Bambam somehow managed to save him without direct contact: gripping his sleeve just in time, extending a branch for him to grasp, and once even securing him with a length of cloth tied around Yetao's waist like a safety line.
True to his promise, Bambam ensured he never touched Yetao directly during these rescues, though each near-miss tested his restraint.
"How could I lose my balance these many times?" Yetao wondered, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment after yet another stumble. "What's wrong with my legs?"
As they continued their search through the gathering dusk, Bambam noticed something moving in the trees. A glass snake—nearly transparent and difficult to spot—hissed silently from within the foliage, the sound pitched precisely so that only Bambam could hear it. He halted mid-step, glancing toward the source of the sound.
With a subtle gesture, Bambam signaled the snake to wait, then resumed following Yetao as if nothing had happened. The snake's appearance was significant, but it would have to wait—for now, maintaining his charade of helpfulness was more important.
Night eventually fell, forcing them to abandon their search until morning. Another day had passed without gaining any useful information about how to escape the island—exactly as Bambam had intended.