Inside Zhuo Yixuan's room, after Li Lun's departure, there was so much to digest about his last words that the two units stared at each other wordlessly. It was becoming clear that Li Lun cared for Yixuan more than he imagined, that he didn't want to see him hurt, and that if he did, he would deeply regret it. This, of course, filled Yixuan's heart with unexpected happiness, and he couldn't hide a smile. At that moment, he had no doubt that they were indeed destined to be together. That Li Lun's heart wasn't as filled with hatred for humans as he had led everyone, including Zhu Yan, to believe. Instead, he did cared for his demon world, but also for the fragile humans on what he believed was a suicide mission for them all. Lives where lives, regardless of species, and Siming likely wanted to intertwine their destinies so that everyone, humans and demons, could live in peace. His path was mysterious and not without its difficulties, but at least it may lead them to a final resolution they all can work at.
"Ge..." Yichen said as he looked at his happy brother, his heart rooting for his brother to obtain ultimate happiness. Li Lun, despite his rough edges, wasn't truly bad, and perhaps with more time, he might soften enough to let his brother in and give himself the chance to achieve much more than his hatred of humans had already limited his chances of a better life, as he didn't seem particularly happy in his demon world either. Not when he repeatedly came to find Zhu Yan and confront him, perhaps to combat his loneliness.
"Don't misunderstand, Didi. He's not bad..." Yixuan felt the need to defend Li Lun's small outburst, but Yichen simply offered his brother a soft smile while gently squeezing his hand in understanding.
"I'm starting to realize that, so don't worry. I think... I think he'll come around more in time, with your help, because right now, at least he cares, which is much more than I expected so soon." Yichen told him, and Yixuan nodded.
"Well... will he come back, though? He was a little angry..." Yin Lei said as he looked outside, where Li Lun's leaves had wandered into the forest.
"He will. Just give him a few hours, and he'll come back to me and ask if we're still on the suicide mission, and if he'll finally agree, however reluctantly." Zhu Yan said, trying to reassure them, telling them that everything will be okay one way or another.
"What's left for us to know is how we can accomplish the impossible. What is that way that our dear Yun Guang told us about before Li Lun opposed us entering the valley? Bing Yi is a god, a very powerful one. How can we repel his formation and stay alive long enough to reach his sealed dimension before it's too late?" Wen Xiao asked as they looked at the young man expectantly, hoping that he really knew a way for them all to enter the valley safely.
"I was born from the blood and bones of Ying Long, so I carry his power, but I also carry Bing Yi's. He was my Master for so many centuries that I absorbed enough divine energy to evolve from my original creation into something more powerful. Ying Long's visions also helped me learn many arts where the power within me can be used by a Master to aid him in quests or combat. My inner dimension stores that power, ready to be used at my Master's will. I lost my previous connection to Bing Yi, but I can still use the power and skill I learned from him. Bing Yi once taught me a spell, a formation that can be used within that Crystal Valley, so filled with his divine energy, that can help those with divine cores not only remain unaffected by the Valley's crystallization power, but also awaken their core completely with a single swift movement. Furthermore, it will make the great demons immune to crystallization too." Hearing him say that, they were eager to know how they could accomplish such things simultaneously.
"Wait, you said inside the Crystal Valley, right? How is that possible? Can't they even stay there for ten minutes, as Li Lun already pointed out?" Cao Wei asked, looking at his Commander with genuine concern.
"Zhu Yan had granted my Master a dimension to protect him and anyone he decided to let in with him. You can enter the dimension, and I will bring it to the Valley; with my power and that of the flower, you will be able to resist the crystallization power long enough to complete the array and the spell. However, that array can only be used with those with divine power, and even then, it will be risky, very dangerous, as it will awaken their power completely, undoing the remaining seventeen layers in one fell swoop."
"No, I will not consent to that." That flat refusal came from none other than Zhu Yan. It was safer for them to continue undoing their layers one by one, even if it took longer. He can't stop Yichen from entering the Valley, but he can't undo all the remaining layers at once, because that would mean death for everyone.
"I know what you're thinking, Zhu Yan, but I assure you that there is a risky, yet safer way for all of them to awaken their full power at once. I don't think Bing Yi taught me the spell and the array by chance, because you know as well as I do that Ying Long knew more about the future than other gods, that he was even in the same league as Siming himself. I may not remember the last time Bing Yi used me, that time he fought Cheng Huang and sealed himself with him to prevent him from destroying everything in his path, probably because he cut my connection to him at that moment, so that I could go to the Zhuo family as a relic for future generations, dormant until I recognized Zhuo Yichen as my next master, since he has been closely linked to Bing Yi since he was a child."
"I am sure that Bing Yi was aware, at least, of what could happen and took precautions, teaching me a spell that fits this situation too well, as well as an array that works best within the Crystal Valley. The reason he created it in the first place must have been so that this array could be used to accomplish the task at hand, exponentially decreasing the risk and virtually guaranteeing success. It even makes sense if all else fails and Cheng Huang breaks free, because at least he can be fought under better conditions, as Bing Yi's power will still be present there even after he is gone, a power that can be use to seal him again. Furthermore, when I hear Master Yichen shout not too long ago, everything I learned from Bing Yi and Ying Long before our connection was served becomes clear, the spell and array on top of everything else and I know that it will connect the past, present and future in such a way that it cannot be avoided as it will lead to the desired outcome, the way things should have been from the beginning." Explained Yun Guang, and Zhu Yan relaxed a little as he looked at his beloved Yichen, who nodded his head in approval. His beautiful young lover was so brave that he loved him even more at that moment.
"Then, tell me about that combination of spell/array formation Bing Yi taught you. He and my father raised me from a young age, and he also taught me many spells and arrays. I'm curious to know which of his spells fulfills the need to awaken divine cores all at once, without killing the hosts, and why it will be best to do so within his Crystal Valley." Zhu Yan stood with amused eyes, his curiosity palpable, as he turned to Yun Guang.
"He taught me the spell when you were exploring the world with Li Lun, which is why you don't see which spell suits the current situation. It's something they both created together for months, a combination that can be performed separately, but they complement each other, as they are meant to be one. The spell is a core-binding spell, allowing divine energy to be distributed among multiple vessels instead of just one, making core awakening easier as the release from each layer is shared and diluted within the group, lessening the damage. The array is a divine core awakening that can also harness the Valley's crystallization power to strengthen their bodies without fully turning them into crystals, enabling them to withstand the full release of their divine cores. In essence, it diverts the Valley's curse to become their salvation. Do you think that fits this situation, Zhu Yan?" The sword spirit asked, and Zhu Yan laughed. He had to hand it to his father Ying Long that his foresight was truly astonishing, seeing so far into their future, and making sure to ease their burdens right where they needed it.
"That's actually quite brilliant. A spell that unites multiple cores to disperse divine energy in a group, and an array to harness the power of a god that can strengthen their bodies, allowing them to endure the awakening without the need for the body to change and adapt with each layer, which would make the process too painful and lengthy. It's truly perfect." Yiming pointed out the advantages of such a combination.
"Let's do it. We don't know how much longer Bing Yi will be able to keep Cheng Huang sealed, and how long we'll have to travel within the demon world, or if we'll have to fight our way into the Valley. The sooner we deal with the cores, the better." Pei Sijing said, and Yun Guang's gaze softened as he looked at her.
"It's also very beneficial for you, Commander Pei. Since a massive amount of divine energy will be released and you'll be able to harness the crystallization effect, you can take advantage of this unique opportunity to bring your brother back forever. If he binds his essence with yours, you'll be able to seal it within the crystallization of his puppet in his human form, and have him remain that way forever, stronger than ever, as he'll also acquire a divine core." At this, Pei Sijing's eyes widened in surprise, and she almost lost her balance as she took a step back, but Wen Xiao came forward to hug her, congratulating her on having a real chance of bringing her brother back for good.
"I... I'll do whatever it takes to make that happen... Bind my core for as much as you need, I have no objections and I don't care about the consequences... I'll do it. I'll do it ten times over if I have to..." She couldn't hold back the tears of happiness that fell from her face, and the others smiled at her, also happy that the siblings could have their permanent reunion.
"We have a deal, Yun Guang... you can bond us all." Yixuan said, quite pleased that everything was starting to fall into place and that the future was no longer so bleak, but full of hope.
"We'll also need the consent of the great demon Li Lin. He needs to be bond along with the rest of us, otherwise, we won't have enough anchor to diffuse the release of the layers. For this, two great demons are needed, and the bond of the cores will be permanent. Once done, there will be no turning back, all our lives will be connected in life and death." The sword spirit said and although none of them would regret saving the world and saving the life of one of their own, namely Pei Siheng, in Li Lun's case things could be seen differently. He was no lover of humans, and being bound to several of them must be a nightmare, if not hell. Once again, they looked at each other with concern.
"I'll talk to him, so when he comes back, I'll explain it to him and ask him to join us. Hopefully, even if he flatly refuses, he may end up accepting." Yixuan sighed.
AN: Good luck, Yixuan! Maybe if you kiss him he will agree sooner! LOL. Kidding, sorry this is more an explanation chapter with little fluff, but in the next, there will some, I promise. At the matter of fact, once they bond, things will become very interesting, as they will be able to feel echoes of each other's emotions/pain. Li Lun, what will you do when bond to Yixuan, aware o his feelings while he and everyone else will be able to feel yours! Ah, I can't... 😂 so much fun! Thanks for reading, see you next time.