Chapter Seventy-Six: The Union of Two, Becoming One

Yu Shang fixed his gaze on the luminous pearl in Meng Youyuan’s hand and spoke in an unhurried tone, “No one here doubts the power of this pearl, but as for who can truly unlock its potential, I’m afraid only Youyuan is capable of that!” At this, Yu Shang felt a twinge of embarrassment. This pearl had accompanied him for quite some time, and apart from knowing its healing properties, he had never truly understood it, much less cared for it after storing it within his body. Yet Youyuan, who had only encountered it a handful of times, had unwittingly discovered so many astonishing uses for it. Was this the fabled resonance between a treasure and its destined master? Even after years of servitude, once a treasure met its fated owner, it would reveal itself at once. This made Yu Shang all the more curious and envious of the young girl. But then he reconsidered—each person has their own fate; why envy another’s fortune? What appears desirable may not be suitable for oneself. Besides, he had his own share of treasures and should not let greed get the better of him.

“Me? Although this pearl has saved my life countless times at critical moments, I don’t know how to communicate with it! Let alone command it. I can’t believe a treasure so rare would actually heed my words.” Meng Youyuan looked at the ethereal woman beside her, troubled. It was true—there was a subtle but profound connection between her and the pearl, deeper than friendship or kinship, as if it were another self. But that didn’t mean she could order it around like a master. Besides, such mystical treasures often had peculiar natures and wouldn’t easily obey others.

“How would you know the outcome if you never even try? You need to engage with it wholeheartedly, treat it as you would a friend, not as something to command from above.” Yu Shang spoke lightly, convinced that Meng Youyuan possessed the ability to control the pearl. He also believed their relationship was far more than mere affinity. Though he didn’t know the true nature of their bond, he could sense that the pearl regarded her with the affection and reverence of a loyal blade for its master.

“That’s right, Youyuan. Even as an outsider, I can see this pearl treats you as the most important person in the world. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have tried time and again to burst forth and save your life,” Lan Bingxian said gently, squeezing Meng Youyuan’s hand as if to lend her courage. He believed she would not let them down; from the moment he first saw her, he knew that beneath her ordinary exterior beat an extraordinary heart. Her potential far surpassed appearances—she was destined for a remarkable life.

“Little girl, where did all that courage go when you saved your beloved just now? Don’t tell me you’ve already cast it aside. If your so-called bravery is truly so fleeting, I may have to take back everything I just said!” Xun Mishuang deliberately spoke with a scornful lilt, hoping to spark her resistance. Only with her restored confidence could they all be spared from disaster. Yet his words did little; Meng Youyuan still hung her head, lost in thought.

“You’re really hard to read! When it came to saving Lan Bingxian, you acted without hesitation, but now, when it comes to rescuing us, you shy away. Is it courage you lack, or is your heart not in it at all?” Xiao Yin didn’t hold back, his words sharp despite her being a woman. In truth, he was being contrary—he didn’t truly believe this, but if harshness was what it took to rekindle her confidence, then so be it.

“You all don’t understand my worries. I’m afraid I’ll make things worse because of my clumsiness—then I’d be letting you all down!” Meng Youyuan murmured, head bowed. She’d always been like this since childhood: well-intentioned, yet everything she touched seemed to go awry. She never meant harm, but in others’ eyes, her mistakes appeared intentional.

“I understand your thoughts, so I won’t force you. Whatever you choose, I’ll support you.” Yan Xuesu walked over and spoke softly beside Meng Youyuan. Did she not wish to seize the chance to escape this place unscathed? But if that hope depended on her friend’s suffering, she would rather forgo it. Meng Youyuan raised her head at these words, gratitude shining in her eyes, though she said nothing.

“Though I’ve never experienced your feelings firsthand, I can sense your panic. No matter what you decide, I’ll understand!” Lan Wu gripped Meng Youyuan’s hand sincerely. Others might see her as indecisive, but Lan Wu recognized her sense of responsibility—she simply didn’t want to endanger everyone because of her own uncertainty.

“Thank you for understanding, but… am I being too selfish?” Meng Youyuan gave a self-deprecating smile. The more others understood her, the more useless and self-centered she felt—always prioritizing her own feelings, placing everyone else’s safety last.

“I don’t think it’s selfish. You just don’t want to drag others down. But do you realize? If you never try, you’ll always be a burden and never live as your true self!” Leng Huaiyi knew Meng Youyuan’s greatest fear was burdening others, so she struck directly at that weakness.

“I don’t want to—I don’t want to drag anyone down!” Meng Youyuan clutched her head, verging on losing control. She truly did not wish to cause any more trouble for anyone.

“If you really don’t want to be a burden, then you should do something for us now. Otherwise, if anything happens to us, remember—your indecisiveness will be the cause!” Even Yu Xiaoran, usually gentle with the girls, couldn’t help but speak harshly. He simply couldn’t understand her fear: even if she failed or made things worse, none of them would blame her. What was she so afraid of?

“I… I’m afraid I really can’t do it!” Meng Youyuan said in anguish, begging them to stop pressing her—she truly felt helpless.

“Enough, Youyuan. You can’t refuse anymore. Everyone’s life is now in your hands; you can’t afford to stand aside!” Yin Boxuan raised his voice, knowing how nervous she must be. Since childhood, she’d hated having burdens thrust upon her, but fate always seemed to force her into the center of things no matter how hard she tried to avoid it. Now, so many lives hung on her actions—success was mandatory, failure unthinkable. What a cruel demand.

Meng Youyuan raised her head once more, frowning at the hopeful looks around her. After a moment’s silence, she forced out two words, “Very well.” Everyone understood how difficult it was for Meng Youyuan, who had always tried to avoid implicating others, to say those words. But that is life, especially for someone so desperate for independence. Sometimes, to survive, you must endure what you loathe, even open your heart to accept it. No one is exempt from this, and that is the sorrow of living.

She then cupped the pearl to her chest with one hand, took the ethereal woman’s hand with the other, and closed her eyes. Seeing this, the ethereal woman placed a hand atop the pearl and closed her eyes as well. Everyone knew that, at this moment, the two were engaged in a communion of souls.

Meanwhile, Meng Youyuan, eyes tightly shut, felt the purple energy—long entwined with demonic intent—within her body flow through her meridians to her fingertips. At the same time, she sensed another surge of purple light converging toward her. As the two streams of light merged, an immense power flooded her being. The fused purple glow burst forth, enveloping them and lifting them gently into the air.

Suddenly, the sky darkened as a howling wind swept in, carrying sand and dust. The force of the gale was so great that those unable to shield themselves with vital energy could barely withstand it. This was not due to any newfound weakness after losing their powers, but because this wind was fiendishly unnatural. Its purpose was not merely to knock them down, but to scatter them into dust. As the last traces of their inner energy vanished, they could feel their very bodies dissolving, bit by bit, with the passing wind. Though there was little pain, the terror, helplessness, and panic of fading away, powerless to resist, carved themselves deeply into their soon-to-vanish hearts. Sometimes, what the spirit endures is far more tormenting than any physical pain.

Yet Meng Youyuan and the ethereal woman, encircled by the purple glow, remained untouched. The instant they both snapped open their eyes, sparks seemed to fly between them. Then, inexplicably, the ethereal figure slowly dissolved into a beam of purple light and rushed into Meng Youyuan’s heart. The others were stunned by the sight, scarcely able to believe it, but it was true: the ethereal woman had merged with Meng Youyuan.

Perhaps the one most anxious at this moment was Lan Bingxian. While the others worried whether Meng Youyuan could quell the raging poisonous sea, his greatest fear was for his beloved. The woman floating in the air above looked just like her, but something essential had changed—he was certain she was no longer truly his Youyuan, or at least, not whole; her soul seemed lost.

Though Meng Youyuan’s appearance was unchanged after the fusion, she now radiated a noble, dignified aura, like that of Mother Earth herself. She hovered above, her smile benevolent and gentle, as if she could embrace all things in the world. She was pure as snow, every gesture exuding impartial compassion for good and evil alike. It was as though, in her eyes, all living creatures were but innocent, curious children, incapable of discerning good from evil, and only through love could they be guided to the right path. Especially when she looked at the others—gone was the warmth and familiarity of before, replaced by a divine, impartial affection, the love of a deity—nothing more. When the others met this gaze, they were stunned, realizing that this woman was merely borrowing Meng Youyuan’s body to fulfill what she believed to be her sacred mission. Yet Yu Shang felt that her brow now bore a hint of someone else’s grace. He quickly dismissed the thought—perhaps it was just the swirling sand clouding his eyes. After all, she had left this world long ago, and even if she were still alive, how could she possibly be connected to a being so divine? Let it not be forgotten—she was a denizen of the underworld.