After Yun Guang told them about the binding spell that could unite them all to redistribute the effects of the seal's release among them, Zhu Yan insisted they go back to breakfast, as Yichen was still weak from what had happened earlier and somewhat sore. So without a second thought, he lifted him out of bed and carried him like a princess for the second time that morning, much to the young man discomfort. Yichen insisted that Zhu Yan let him go, blushing deeply as he held him by his neck to prevent him from falling, although Zhu Yan could actually carry him for hours without any effort.
"Zhu Yan, seriously, I can still walk just fine. You and Xiao Jiu already healed me..."
"No can do, Xiao Zhuo. Your core may be healed, but your energy is still unstable, and your body is trying to adjust to this new layer, so you'll be in pain for a few days, just like before."
"I've gotten used to it, put me down." Yichen blushed even deeper as he looked over Zhu Yan's shoulder at the others following them with not-so-hidden amused smiles.
"Don't be shy. Carrying you is much less embarrassing than the passionate kiss they already witnessed. Besides, is such a short walk, we're already here..." Zhu Yan said as the sliding kitchen door opened by itself, no doubt thanks to his power, and placed him right on top of the chair he had sat on before going to find his brother.
"There, just a little embarrassment, it's okay." Zhu Yan said as he sat down next to him. Yichen, still blushing at the sight of the others entering, trying hard to contain their laughter.
"You said that was okay? And what about my pride?" Yichen whined softly, and Zhu Yan, unable to resist his cuteness, placed a quick kiss on his blushing cheek.
"Stop it..." Yichen protested, but Zhu Yan found it even more irresistible and, aware that the others were there, listening, he found the perfect opportunity not only to mock his beloved Yichen, but also the rest of his unit in one go.
"Xiao Zhuo... you should enjoy these little moments, because once you bond with others, guess what will happen?" He looked around at Yichen's unit and Yixuan, knowing that they were all smart and would pick up on his implication right away. Wen Xiao was the first, now also blushing as she looked at Pei Sijing, who also got the message loud and clear. Yixuan, of course, simply sighed, but Bai Jiu let out a squeal before covering his mouth with his hands, which only amused Ying Lei, who let out a small laugh. Cao Wei laughed out loud too, making almost the entire Yichen unit blush, except for Yixuan sit by Zhu Yan's side.
"Guys... with those guilty looks on your faces, it looks like... Wait, for real? Are you all already paired up? But you are a new unit, barely a month formed. Oh, this must be embarrassing. What were the chances of you all pairing up right before you were offered the bonding? Will all your feelings be exposed like a ray of light to the others like open books?" Cao Wei asked Yun Guang, who was watching them from in front of the open kitchen windows.
"Once the bond is formed, yes, you'll be able to sense each other's feelings at first, since blocking emotions is possible, but it will take a while to do it properly." The sword spirit said as he looked outside at the peach tree.
"How long will it take?" Wen Xiao asked, and Yun Guang turned to look at her.
"It will depend on how quickly you master making mental shields, because they can't be taught, you have to work on them yourselves. It's usually a defense mechanism against demons capable of breaching into a human mind. A demon hunter will naturally resist it, shielding their mind to block the intrusion, but when it happens between friends... well... you could say it's a little more complicated." And of course it was, Yichen thought, as he would indeed naturally block a demon from entering his mind, but if the one sharing his feelings was Wen Xiao, or Bai Jiu, or even Ying Lei by accident, then it was harder to guard against since none of them would do it on purpose, as it was a side effect of the spell that bound them together for a common goal in where everyone would benefit.
"So even the great demons will sense it?" Yixuan asked, thinking that perhaps he could also gain some insight into Li Lun's internal struggles to have a better idea of how to make him more comfortable with them, how to help him better adapt to current events and challenges, and gain a better understanding of what Li Lun is right down to the deepest of his core.
"Well... both Zhu Yan and Li Lun will sense the rest of you until you learn to shield your minds, but as for you sensing them the same way... I highly doubt it. The two of them have lived for so long that protecting their minds from others is like breathing, and they've done so for centuries." Yun Guang said, and Yixuan felt a little disappointed. He really wanted to get to know Li Lun better, and since he had such a hard time expressing himself, opening up to others, let alone humans, this opportunity might be just what he needed to bring them closer.
"It's true that we find it easy to block others when we want, but it's just as easy to let someone in. I can, for example, allow Yichen into my mind, so he can experience what I want him to, while blocking everyone else at the same time, and of course, that also applies to Li Lun..." Yixuan almost laughed, knowing that comment was meant exclusively for him, probably reading his body language. He smiled at the great demon with relief and even gratitude.
"That's quite interesting... so, over time, we can all block or allow others who share the bond if we so wish? We can control who enters and who stays out?" Wen Xiao asked, looking back at Pei Sijing.
"Yes, but, again, it may take a while to get to that point for humans." The sword spirit confirmed, but something more alarming took hold of Yiming's mind.
"So what about damage? What about wounds inflicted during battles with demons? What about death?" Yiming asked, and Mei Lin gasped as she looked at Yixuan in worry.
"In this complex web of connections, wounds, be they minor scratches or life-threatening injuries, will not longer be individual, it will resonate through the shared bond between the group. The unique link will share the pain, but also allows Bai Jiu, along with Zhu Yan and Li Lun, to accelerate healing processes, like, Bai Jiu can channel the special qualities of his blood to speed recovery, including traceless healing from all three who can perform it."
"However, this bond of shared vitality also carries significant risks. Should any member of the group die, it would not only sever the individual life force of the one down, but would also jeopardize the bond that unites you all. While it is unlikely that the death of one would result in the death of all, it is clear that the remaining members would be considerably weakened within seconds, severely impacting all of them. Of course, such vulnerability in combat could be catastrophic against formidable adversaries like Cheng Huang, if worse comes to worse, as he will give no one a chance to recover." Yun Guang explained, which was both good and bad at the same time.
"So, there's still a high probability that if one of us dies, the others will soon follow as well, since the weakness the bond would create in the rest of us would make us even more vulnerable and open to more deadly attacks." Ying Lei looked at Bai Jiu for what seemed like an eternity and took his small hand in his for a little comfort for both of them.
"There is no need to worry about that. Even though the possibility exists, rest assured that Li Lun and I will be committed to preventing such thing from unfolding. When all the seals of your divine cores are undone, there's a high chance we great demons could harness a good deal of your divine energy absorbing it into ourselves. That's why this spell needs two great demons, so we can absorbs what your bodies cannot handle at your current levels of cultivation. This would significantly increase Li Lun's and my cultivation, bringing me even closer to achieving god-level status, and Li Lun will be two to three times stronger than before the bond." Zhu Yan paused, gaining the surprised reactions of those around him before continuing.
"If I reach that level, the bond we share will allow me to wield my power to protect you all. I can channel my strength toward you when necessary to ensure none of you fall, shield you, enhance our ability to seamlessly coordinate attacks and even communicating with each other without words, meaning we can act as one without any effort. Moreover, if the fight became critical and conditions align perfectly, I believe Yixuan may even have the ability to summon Nuwa directly from the heavens." The words hung in the air, leaving Yixuan momentarily stunned.
Zhu Yan's assurance was profound, suggesting not only a deepening of their alliance, but also a glimmer of hope in times of uncertainty or despair. However, the implication of Yixuan being able to summon a major god was unimaginable, impossible to fathom, let alone comprehend, given the immensity of power that such a feat would require. It seemed utterly impossible.
"Wait, what do you mean by that?" Yixuan asked, a hint of disbelief on his handsome face.
"As far as I know, I'm only a descendant of Bing Yi, not Nuwa, just like my borther." The idea that he could summon a god was terrifying, but also quite appealing.
"I'm sure you're aware of how different your energy feels compared to Yichen's. It's not that your brother has inherited more of Bing Yi's blood, making him appear stronger than you in some ways, when in reality, it's quite the opposite. You possess even greater power than he has so far, and with good reason. Your golden aura, as well as your golden eyes, clearly demonstrates this, making you capable of seeing more than any human can, which are partial traits of Bing Yi, and Nuwa as well." Zhu Yan paused in his explanation to let that sink in, then took Yichen's cold hand in his own to reassure him that what he had just said was surprising, but that it was fine nonetheless, he continued.
"Remember the spell you cast outside that night. That feat should have been beyond you as a human inexperienced in the celestial arts. While it may have originated from Bing Yi's spell, the energy you channeled to cast it was primarily hers. The only reason you remained standing after expending such power, which I believe reached all the way to the heavens, was because your bond with Nuwa has always been exceptionally strong, stronger than Bing Yi's since your childhood, and she herself lent you her energy and memory that night, allowing you to accomplish what should have been impossible for you. That also explains why Yichen is more connected to Bing Yi than you are, as he should have sensed Nuwa's hold on your divine core, open and ready for her to reach at any time." He leaned closer to Yixuan sat at his other side, captivated by the unfolding mystery. He was now starting to clearly seen all the webs his two fathers waved when together.
"You see, Zhuo Yixuan, it seems you inherited more than one divine bloodline. This dual heritage makes you an anomaly among humans, and you have mastered it in a very unique way. I believe you have always maintained an active connection to the celestial realm, which explains why your powers are so different from your younger brother's. You retained more of Nuwa's divinity than Bing Yi, altering even the abilities you naturally inherit from the dragon god, such as your calming aura, which should be blue but is actually clearly gold. In other words, your access to Nuwa's divinity makes you indispensable to this future bond, further strengthening the link."
"My father may have planned this, likely having Bing Yi and Nuwa act together when the Zhuo family received the blood of the gods so they could help humanity to defend themselves against the demons. With two gods acting up, it is not impossible that the blood preserved an additional seal that will undo in a certain firstborn of your family, you to be precise, and it undid itself shortly after your birth, making you different from all the other members of your family and ancestors." Thinking back, Yichen felt Zhu Yan had hit the nail on the head, as it explained a lot about the power difference that hadn't been seen in his family for generations
It also explained why Yun Guang chose him over his brother and why Bing Yin had never tried to possess him. If he drew power from Nuwa since childhood, it also explained why he could cast such powerful spells without exhausting himself and why he could transform Li Lun's demonic energy into divine energy when they saved him... everything fit together like pieces of a puzzle.
"Ge... I think he is right... it all makes sense it you put it like that." Yichen whispered as he looked at his brother and he nodded in agreement, for now he could also see the connection between everything.
"I think so too, but am I really the only one who inherits Nuwa's power?" Yixuan asked, still with a hint of doubt about it. Something in his intuition told him that it wasn't right for him to be the only one connected to Nuwa.
"I can't completely deny that Yichen is unconnected to Nuwa, especially since he's still young and his power hasn't fully matured, but if you've had it since childhood..."
"It may not be his time yet... I have a feeling it's not the right time for Yichen to have this connection yet. His case will also be an anomaly, having a latent connection to two gods at once. Bing Yi's possession had been very painful for him since he was young, so maybe is because of it." Yixuan said.
"Ah, well... about him giving Yichen a hard time when he was a child, I think it's because Bing Yi is essentially a divine beast, a dragon with a strong divine body and power, who used to be surrounded by equally strong demons and gods and with little interaction with humans except for a few exceptions like the Zhuo family, so perhaps, it made him think that he could handle his presence having a divine core, to protect him, so his approach was a bit excessive for a human child. My sincere apologies, my beloved Yichen, my second father was unintentionally, a bit rough on you." Zhu Yan said as he took Yichen's hand and kissed it, causing him to blush immediately.
"It's okay, that's all in the past and in contrast to Bing Yi, Nuwa knew how to approach humans better than anyone, as we are her creation, which explains why my brother was never aware of her influence or touch on his core. It fits." Yichen said, and everyone agreed.
"Yes, but this will certainly make this bond interesting, as one or perhaps two of us are connect directly with two gods. Once all the layers disappear, can we all gain that connection as well?" Ying Lei asked quite curiously.
"I think there's a chance that all of you humans could gain much more than just strength from this bond. There's also the possibility of an evolution beyond humanity, something close to demigodhood, or at least greater longevity and enhanced physical endurance." Zhu Yan added, and all eyes turned to the spirit sword, still by the window.
"Perhaps that was the deal between my former Master and her, as we all know that a relationship between demons and humans isn't meant to last long, as the human lifespan is too short. In a world where two brothers are destined to intertwine their fates with demons, it seems evident that Bing Yi will yearn for their bond to endure beyond its natural limits. Such a longing could pave the way for a deeper alliance with Nuwa, offering protection and strength to future generations of humanity with new guardians protecting it, an outcome that also aligns with her intentions. To be honest, it makes perfect sense. It's not just a possibility, it feels like an inevitability. As we navigate these uncertain waters, the hope for a lasting union may as well be the key to safeguarding both realms in the years to come." Yun Guang agree and Cao Wei whistle.
"So, there you have it, guys. With this new bond between your unit and the great demons, you could become something akin to gods, tasked with protecting humanity for future generations. Perhaps that's why you hook up so quickly and..." Jiang Ren punched him in the stomach and looked at him with a hint of annoyance.
"Just because it took you so many years to have a serious relationship doesn't mean others can't. They've been working together long enough to have a deeper relationship. At least they are more honest and open than certain fools... eight years wasted, I swear... I wish it had been a month for us." He grumbled as he stood up and walked out of the kitchen to the training ground, followed closely by his Cao Wei, begging for forgiveness like a lost puppy. They laughed.
"Well, I guess we've pretty much covered the basics of this binding spell. There's nothing else to do for now until Li Lun agrees. Perhaps I can modify the training spheres to help you train your minds and prepare for the connection. All the demons within the spheres' dimensions are created by me. They're not real demons, so I can modify them to be more like fox demons, known for their mental manipulations. This way, you'll gain more experience building mental shields to prepare for the real thing. What do you think?" Zhu Yan asked Yichen's unit.
"That will be welcome, Zhu Yan. I'd love that training, and as my unit Commander, we'll do our best to make it work while we can." Pei Sijing said confidently, as her unit had always worked wonderfully together.
"Go for it." Yin Lei gave him a thumbs up and Zhu Yan found it curious that the young man was so enthusiastic about the new training. He sensed that, of all of them, Ying Lei needed it the least. His specialty was shields, so creating them would be quite easy for him. But hey, he wasn't going to spoil the fun for the young man at all.
"Fine, but that'll be for tomorrow, since my Xiao Zhuo and Bai Jiu need to rest first. Besides... if I were you, I'd take this opportunity to connect privately, before it goes public." Zhu Yan joked and Yichen was on fire, as was Bai Jiu, who was actually thinking of spending some time alone with Ying Lei before the bond was established.
"You! Perverted monkey! Don't expect me to..." Yichen began in an indignant tone, but Yixuan coughed loudly to get his attention.
"Xiao Chen, he's teasing. Don't listen to him. Eat breakfast and then rest. Remember, Zhu Yan will never do anything against your will." His brother advised him, but of course, as he listened and began to eat breakfast like everyone else, he couldn't help thinking that yes, Zhu Yan would never force him to do anything, but that opened the door to what he wanted from Zhu Yan, and that made him blush so much that he was eager to finish his breakfast, so he could run to his room and hide his face under the covers, ashamed of all those impure thoughts crowding his mind. Damn monkey.
That bond was going to be the end of him, no doubts.
AN: Ah, Yichen, you can do so much in a free day, right Zhu Yan? LOL. Yep, next time the unit will have some fun. Thanks for reading and until next time, take care darlings.