The incantations spilling from Ye Lin’s lips never faltered. Shafts of golden light shot down from above the forest canopy, connecting with the ripples at the base of the boundary, turning the entire barrier into a hermetically sealed jar.
The blinding golden light softened as it merged with Ye Lin’s spiritual energy within the barrier. It trickled and flowed between the two spirits, seeking out every tear and crevice to patch up their damaged forms. Diwu Ju’s ink-black armor shimmered with a brilliant golden sheen, her red war cloak billowing in a gentle breeze to reveal the sharp sword resting at her waist.
The spiritual bodies that had just begun to merge separated once again. Yet their intertwined lips did not part; rather, Diwu Ju held her tight, embracing her with deep intimacy.
A spirit’s kiss possessed no warmth, but the sensation of her lips being tenderly sucked felt undeniably real. Dijiu Li felt her face burning with embarrassment. Embarrassed? Wait. Shouldn’t her consciousness be draining away? Shouldn’t her soul be scattering to the winds? Had Ye Lin failed the soul-mending ritual?
In a moment of panic, Dijiu Li pushed away Diwu Ju, who was right in the middle of enjoying the kiss. Just as she was about to demand an explanation from Ye Lin, she caught sight of a long-missed face. Diwu Ju was gazing down at her, her eyes overflowing with a tender, watery devotion!
“You. You’re back, aren’t you?”
“Mm, I’m back. I’m sorry for making you worry.” Hearing Diwu Ju’s crisp, cool voice again made Dijiu Li feel as though she were dreaming. If the barrier hadn’t been holding her back, she would have dropped to her knees and kowtowed to Ye Lin right then and there. Whatever method Ye Lin had used, she had not only saved Diwu Ju, but had also preserved Dijiu Li’s spiritual body. This was a debt of gratitude that would take several lifetimes to repay.
Tears welled up in Dijiu Li’s eyes, choking her to point where she couldn’t utter a word. She had so much to say, but the moment she opened her mouth, tears burst forth like a broken dam.
“I know. I know everything,” Diwu Ju murmured softly, her fingertips lightly brushing across Dijiu Li’s cheeks to wipe away the tears.
Just as Dijiu Li managed to regain a sliver of composure to pour out her heart to her lover, the ground beneath their feet began to fracture. Their spiritual bodies shattered into a scatter of pink flower petals, looking extraordinarily beautiful against the gold-and-blue background of the barrier.
Beautiful, my foot! Ye Lin, if you wanted to create a romantic atmosphere, you didn’t need to sacrifice our spiritual bodies for it! Besides, don’t you think you recited the Rebirth Mantra a bit too early? You didn’t even leave us a single second to talk! She still had so much to say!
“Ah! So beautiful. Did they both survive?” Gu Li’s somber mood vanished completely. Excitedly, she took a step forward to stand by Ye Lin’s side. The sight before her was cooler than any movie effect. The pale barrier, the swirling gold-and-blue backdrop, and the falling pink cherry blossom petals—playing the Wedding March right now wouldn’t feel out of place at all.
“Mm.” It was all thanks to those few ghost tears; otherwise, even I couldn’t have pulled it off. Just as Dijiu Li had said, fate was something even Heaven could hardly dictate. It was a surprise that the outcome turned out so wonderfully.
Ye Lin glanced sideways at Gu Li. Could this human koi really have the power to manifest whatever she desires? Just how monstrous is her good fortune?
Seeing that their spiritual forms were about to be drawn completely into the Underworld, Dijiu Li grew anxious. “Ju, we.”
“Wait for me.” Diwu Ju squeezed Dijiu Li’s fingertips. We will meet again. Whenever you need me, I will appear by your side. At the very last moment, she turned her head and gave Ye Lin a subtle nod. Thank you, benefactor.
As the final petal dissolved, the barrier automatically dispersed. The moment the spirits vanished, a soft breeze rustled through the forest. The leaves and wild grasses hummed in a mournful chorus, and Ye Lin felt the red thread around her ankle tighten slightly.
Sunlight filtered through the mountain canopy, dappling the ground in patches of light. Everything that had just transpired felt like a dream. Gu Li was still holding her hand, unable to break out of her daze for a long while.
“That’s wonderful.” Gu Li was thoroughly satisfied with this ending. Then, suddenly remembering something, she asked, “How did you do it? Didn’t you say Dijiu Li’s soul would scatter?”
“Diwu Ju was a renowned general who etched her name in history. She protected the nine provinces and guarded thousands of civilians; she possessed immense karmic merit. Dijiu Li’s judgment was clouded by concern, so she forgot about it. The Sha-Refining Array had actually stripped that merit away, intending to siphon it off alongside Xiao Wang Village’s luck.”
Ye Lin explained, “The crucial turning point was Dijiu Li’s tears. Ghost tears are exceptionally rare spiritual treasures; her tears broke the transfer array and unlocked Diwu Ju’s stripped merit. I simply took advantage of the momentum to infuse that merit back into her. That merit carried memories capable of mending the flaws in her soul, so neither of them had to suffer soul dissipation.”
When all was said and done, they had saved themselves.
“Hopefully, they won’t be so foolish in their next life and waste such a wonderful lifespan,” Gu Li said. She didn’t think there was anything wrong with her words—if she liked someone, she certainly wouldn’t be so overly dramatic or indecisive. Still, it was nice that the two silly ghosts got a good ending.
Ye Lin pursed her lips and darted her eyes around guiltily, feeling a bit self-conscious.
Now that the matter was resolved, it was time for them to head back. Gu Li continued to hold Ye Lin’s hand, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Ye Lin trailed closely behind her, staring down at their joined hands, thinking: She’s still holding my hand? Will she keep holding it? Well, holding hands is pretty nice—at least it keeps me from getting lost. Hehehe. I really am so thoughtful.
While she was lost in her silly giggles, she had no idea that her stream’s live chat room was on the verge of exploding.
Just ten minutes earlier, the paper-doll stand-ins for Ye Lin and Gu Li had found the largest food pack. Having received no further instructions, the two puppets started “interacting” near the food pack.
The paper Gu Li suddenly spun around on the spot, striking a pose. The paper Ye Lin stepped forward, wrapped an arm around her waist, and twirled around her. Just like that, the two paper stand-ins began spinning in circles, using each other as the center axis.
【Is this the magic of love spinning in circles?】
【What on earth are they doing? They aren’t saying a word, just spinning round and round? Don’t tell me there were hallucinogenic mushrooms in their wild mushroom soup at lunch? Are they seeing things?】
【I have no idea what’s happening, but it’s so cute! My CP is so adorable~~~】
After all, Gu Li had a massive fanbase. Plus, Ye Lin hadn’t pulled any tricks, put on fake personas, or harassed any artists during this reality show recording; her tsundere, clumsy charm was actually quite endearing to the public. As a result, the chat room was full of harmony. But just as the netizens were singing their praises, the camera flashed, and Luo Quan and Chen Qingyang appeared on screen.
They were the second pair to complete the task. Driven by the desire to get a good meal, the two had rushed up the mountain as fast as they could. Before long, they spotted a cameraman, and walking a bit further up, they saw “Ye Lin” and “Gu Li” performing a circle dance.
Luo Quan sneered inwardly. Gu Li, that woman—she rejected me one moment, and the next, she’s flirting with Ye Lin! Isn’t it just because she likes Ye Lin’s face? Everyone in the entertainment industry knows how scum-like Ye Lin is. She even chased after me before I turned her down, and now she managed to climb up the ladder to get with Gu Li. I’ll just sit back and watch you guys tear each other apart when your personas collapse.
“Film Empress Gu, Sister Ye,” Chen Qingyang greeted politely as he walked closer. His sharp eyes immediately caught sight of a corner of a backpack peeking out from the bushes behind Ye Lin. Ah, they found the food pack! Can I steal it?
After all, it was a variety show; competition was what made it worth watching.
The two paper stand-ins suddenly froze upon being called out. Sensing the sudden surge of the real couple’s red thread of fate, the paper Ye Lin suddenly grabbed the paper Gu Li and planted a hard, sloppy kiss right on her lips!