Chapter 67: My name is "You"

Night was as thick and dark as ink.

Dragging his battered, cold body back to the cave dwelling, the blood-stained whip marks on his back silently told a story of pain, shocking to behold.

Su Xiahei swallowed a few fasting pills expressionlessly, like a puppet drained of its soul, leaning against the cave’s chilling, bone-cold wall.

He struggled to raise his arm and added a few more harsh claw marks to the mottled white scars on the wall, as if trying to etch all his grievances and suffering into the hard stone.

Hugging his knees and burying his head, two silent tears slid down his cheeks. The boy curled up like a little puppy that had been hurt all over.

“Why, why.”

“Always sucking my blood, beating me, whipping me, and snatching my treasures without a word.”

“Su Bai, what exactly do I mean to you?”

Su Xiahei’s eyes were bloodshot; his voice was hoarse, trembling with sobs, choked and rough, as if speaking to himself, yet also asking someone else.

“I know you want me to respect my master, so I’ve always buried my doubts deep inside and never asked who that Zhou Xuan is; I know you care about your reputation, so I’ve been trying hard to play the part of a righteous young hero, preserving your dignity; I know you’re strict with me, so I’ve trained relentlessly, becoming the admired Senior Brother Su in their eyes.”

“But what about you? You’ve never cared if my cultivation was going smoothly, never asked how exhausting my journeys outside the mountain were, never once treated me like a child who needed protection, not even once.”

“You only know how to hit me with the whip, hit me, and hit me again.”

Su Xiahei’s body trembled slightly; every word seemed squeezed out from the depths of his soul.

“You raised me, but why do you treat me like this? If you didn’t like me, why pick me up in the first place? You might as well have left me to starve.”

“You’re my master, the one who raised me with your own hands, and I should be grateful; but you hit me and scold me, sometimes without reason, and I really hate you.”

The boy choked on his words, murmuring softly, fists clenched so tightly his nails dug into his palms.

“I… I really hate you…”

“She hits you, you just hit her back, isn’t that enough?”

At that moment, a voice echoed faintly, as if coming from the abyss of endless darkness, icy and bone-chilling, utterly emotionless, neither clearly male nor female, like the whispers of a ghost wandering beneath the Yellow Springs, terrifying yet strangely comforting Su Xiahei.

“I can’t beat her.” Su Xiahei shook his head slowly, eyes full of despair and helplessness. At this moment, he had no energy left to question the source of the voice.

In this moment, as if abandoned by the world, everything outside was but fleeting smoke, unable to disturb his deeply wounded heart.

“I will teach you.”

The cold voice remained flat and emotionless, then began to explain: “This is the first realm of the Dao Path I have established, the Three Treasures Transcendence. Listen carefully.”

“What are the Three Treasures? Merely three things: the body’s Essence, Qi, and Spirit!” The voice echoed in the silent space with a mysterious rhythm.

“This realm has three layers, each focusing on the cultivation of mortal essence, qi, and spirit. The first layer, ‘Refining Essence,’ once achieved, grants abundant energy, smooth sinews and skin, strengthening the body, even forging a congenital constitution.”

“The second layer, ‘Refining Qi,’ allows one to generate a qi sensation within, projecting the energy of heaven and earth outward, possessing extraordinary power.”

“The third layer, ‘Refining Spirit,’ enhances the mind, enabling one to perfectly unleash every bit of the body’s potential.”

“When essence, qi, and spirit condense into one, you will…” The cold voice flowed like a gentle stream, never ceasing, unfolding a magnificent panorama before his eyes.

This was a path different from the way of harmonious longevity.

“What must I give in return?” After a long pause, the boy asked softly. His voice was calm like water, hoarse from earlier crying, with no trace of emotional fluctuation.

Although Su Bai often whipped him, he had also told him many truths—such as there is no free lunch in this world.

“Help me.” The voice paused, then continued, “This is not a command, but a transaction. You may refuse.”

“I accept.”

“Good.”

“What is your name?”

“My name—You.”

……

“Tsck~ Finally got rid of that obscene curse. Old ghosts, you’re still somewhat useful.”

Inside the Qingyang Hall, the ghosts of the Soul Prison were sealed into the Human Emperor’s Banner. Ignoring the astonished cries of the old ghosts towards the Human Emperor’s Banner—an extraordinary treasure forged by methods different from worldly refinement—Su Bai was currently pondering one thing.

Perhaps, probably, maybe, he had somewhat misunderstood his little pet.

Previously, Su Bai had two theories about Su Xiahei’s rebellious behavior: one, it was his nature—born rebellious, naturally defiant and deserving of punishment; two, he had been possessed or his soul fused with another’s.

However, now a third possibility emerged: he had been taught badly.

“Those close to vermilion become red; those close to ink become black.” According to developments in his past life, these old ghosts should have fallen under Su Xiahei’s control. Just thinking about Su Xiahei mingling with these old ghosts made Su Bai’s vision darken.

No wonder he was a rebellious disciple and utterly disobedient. With these meddlesome old ghosts, always wanting to be teachers and stir trouble, it would be a miracle if he grew up normal.

Still, corporal punishment couldn’t stop. After all this time whipping him in this life, Su Bai needed to see the final result, though he no longer had to be so harsh.

Su Bai quietly rubbed his chin, thinking to himself.

【Time passed swiftly, as if the world’s tempo had been sped up, and the grand trends gradually shifted. You cooperated with the old ghosts while patiently waiting for the arrival of the “Great Era.”】

【You noticed your little pet growing silent and reserved, occasionally needing to venture far afield.】

【Simulated for one hundred and twenty years, under the old ghosts’ advice, you began establishing the Heavenly Emperor Soul Lock Array in the major mortal cities under the three sects’ banners.】

【Simulated for one hundred and thirty years, you completed your Golden Core formation, and Su Xiahei reached late Golden Core stage.】

【In the same year, a rumor spread that the Daoist Hongyun of the Northern Plains received a heaven-bestowed treasure—the Taiyan Stone.】

【The old ghosts analyzed that this stone had great use for the Heavenly Emperor Soul Lock Array. You attempted to strike him but failed.】

【Simulated for one hundred and sixty-six years, an unknown Divine Transformation attacked the Xiong family in the Southern Border, massacred the clan, ravaged for over half a month, causing millions of casualties, then withdrew calmly.】

【Simulated for one hundred and seventy years, the Five Domains erupted with the Yaksha Disaster……】

【Simulated for five hundred years, you tried other methods to break through Divine Transformation.】

【Simulated for seven hundred and fifty years, the Five Domains calmed initially. Using the Heavenly Emperor Soul Lock Array, you shattered that invisible great wall. The Dao of Heaven reintegrated into the Heavenly Ruins, which you renamed Qing Tian.】

【Simulated…】