Battle Through the Heavens: Starting with Cao Ying as an apprentice

After discovering this secret, Su Baichen practically treated the Heavenly Profound Pearl as a mobile treasure trove.

Aside from the gold coins and cultivation scrolls he needed for daily life, he moved all his treasures—including rare natural treasures, precious ores, and this flame of life—into that magical space.

The Flame of Life is renowned for its ability to nourish medicinal herbs and accelerate the growth of spiritual plants. It complements the Heavenly Profound Pearl space and was naturally placed in the most central position by Su Baichen.

For the past six months, the Flame of Life has almost always stayed in that space, except for the occasional summoning of it.

Looking back now, it was perhaps the near-primordial energy environment within the Heavenly Profound Pearl space, combined with the inherent characteristics of the Flame of Life, that caused some unpredictable mutation, which gave rise to the budding intelligence of this strange flame.

"Have you figured out the reason?" Yao Chen looked at Su Baichen's ever-changing expression and knew that he already had the answer in his heart.

Su Baichen hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "Yes, it might be related to one of my treasures."

He didn't elaborate, and Yao Chen tactfully refrained from pressing for details. Everyone has their own secrets, and it would be strange if Su Baichen hadn't had some fortuitous encounters and hidden advantages to get to where he is today. Although Yao Chen was a friend, he also knew how to maintain appropriate boundaries.

"That's good." Yao Chen stroked his long beard, his gaze returning to the Flame of Life: "But in that case, your original plan will probably have to be changed."

These words were like a needle, piercing through Su Baichen's lingering hope.

Yes, the plan... He originally planned to give this Flame of Life to Cao Ying for cultivation. That girl not only cultivates the Divine Travel Fire Refining Technique, but also has exceptional talent in alchemy. If she could have the Flame of Life to help her, her future achievements would be limitless.

But now, the Flame of Life is about to give birth to true intelligence.

Su Baichen stared at the emerald flame flickering in his palm, his heart filled with mixed emotions. Should he erase this nascent sentience and give the flame to Cao Ying?

He knew he couldn't do it. The development of sentience in a strange fire was incredibly difficult; it was practically a miracle defying the laws of nature. To suppress it for personal gain would be no different from murder.

But what about Cao Ying...?

Su Baichen scratched his hair in frustration. The emerald flames seemed to sense his emotional turmoil, gently brushing against his palm and conveying a warm and calming feeling.

"Enough!" Su Baichen suddenly took a deep breath and flicked his sleeve.

"Shoot-"

The space before them was torn apart like a piece of cloth, revealing a dark and deep void passage inside. Violent spatial turbulence surged out from the crack, causing their robes to flutter wildly.

"Let's not fly slowly anymore, let's just tear through space and go." Su Baichen said this, and without waiting for Yao Chen's reply, he stepped into the spatial rift.

Yao Chen watched his figure disappear into the void and shook his head helplessly.

Having known each other for many years, he understood Su Baichen all too well—outwardly carefree and unrestrained, but inwardly more loyal and devoted than anyone else. The matter of the Flame of Life and Cao Ying would likely be troubling this young man for quite some time.

"Sigh, the troubles of young people." Yao Chen sighed softly, but a smile appeared on his aged face: "Never mind, let him have his own headaches."

The medicinal dust followed closely behind and disappeared into the spatial rift. The rift slowly closed and eventually vanished without a trace, as if it had never existed.

The wasteland returned to silence, with only the evening wind still howling.

Within the closed spatial passage, the Flame of Life in Su Baichen's palm emitted a warm light, like a heart that had just begun to beat, quietly awaiting its true birth in the darkness of the void.

Perhaps even Su Baichen himself did not realize what kind of waves this unexpected change would stir up in the future.

After all, on this continent, every sentient flame is destined to be extraordinary.

But the story of this flame of life has only just begun.

Chapter 153 A Stunning Wake-up Experience!

The night was deep and all was quiet.

For some reason, Su Baichen found himself walking in front of Cai Lin's house.

Looking at the familiar door, a gentle smile involuntarily appeared on his lips.

A faint fragrance seemed to linger in the room, a scent unique to Cai Lin, like the first bloom of violets after the rain, or the cool fragrance of plum blossoms on a snowy night, subtly drawing his attention.

Since we're already here, let's go in and take a look.

Su Baichen thought to himself.

[It's been a year since I've been back; it's time to make it up to Cai Lin.]

All the worries that had been weighing on my mind these past few days were now completely forgotten.

Compared to all the mundane affairs, what could be more desirable than spending a wonderful night with your loved one?

He concealed his aura, his movements as light as a night breeze across a lake. His fingertips touched the cool door knocker, and he gently pushed it—the door wasn't locked, and with a soft creak, it slowly opened, revealing a dimly lit room.

The room was still furnished as before, with little change from when I left. My gaze fell on the bed.

The brocade curtains were half-drawn, and a graceful figure could be vaguely seen lying on her side within them.

That familiar back view had smooth, picturesque lines. From the shoulders and neck to the waist and long legs, every undulation was a silhouette that Su Baichen could draw with his eyes closed.

Moonlight streamed through the window screen, bathing the figure in a silvery glow, making her appear like a sleeping fairy.

When Su Baichen saw the clothes the figure was wearing, his breath hitched.

How could he forget that light purple silk nightgown?

That was when he "happened to pass by" a clothing store in the city and spotted it at first glance among the dazzling array of clothes.

The fabric is of the finest quality, cool to the touch, and as thin as a cicada's wing. The style appears "conservative"—a high neck and long sleeves—but once worn, the glimpses of what lies beneath are far more alluring than blatant nudity. And most importantly, it's incredibly thin!

Su Baichen still remembers the blush that instantly spread across Cailin's face when he handed her this "perfectly normal" nightgown.

Those eyes, always full of affection and allure, widened in shock, stretching from her ears to her neck and then to her bare toes, making her look like a boiled shrimp.

"Where did you get this... this indecent thing!" Her voice was trembling.

Su Baichen said seriously, "My lady, you are mistaken. These clothes fit perfectly, how can they be improper?"

Before he could finish speaking, he was struck squarely in the face by an embroidered pillow, and then pushed out of the room by a gentle force.

That night, he pleaded outside the door for half an hour, but Cai Lin only told him, embarrassed and annoyed, through the door panel to "go to the study to calm down."

But who exactly is Su Baichen?

That's a shameless and honest man! How could a small setback possibly defeat him?

In the following days, Su Baichen tried several more times, from pleading softly to "accidentally" spilling tea on Cai Lin's original nightgown. He tried every trick in the book, but still failed to get what he wanted.

This nightgown became a thorn in his side. Before leaving home, he deliberately placed it in the most conspicuous place in Cai Lin's wardrobe, hoping that perhaps one day she would change her mind.

Who would have thought that I would encounter such a scene today?

[Heh, she actually put it on secretly while I wasn't around.]

Su Baichen chuckled inwardly and slowly approached the bed.

【Cai Lin, oh Cai Lin, you're still too shy. Just wear it and show it to me, wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?】

He stood by the bed, examining the nightgown closely in the moonlight. The silk fabric of the nightgown was indeed as he had imagined, shimmering like water in the dim light, clinging to her curvaceous figure.

A pearl button at the neckline was undone, revealing a glimpse of delicate collarbone. Her long, ink-black hair cascaded down the pillow, a few strands clinging to her slightly flushed cheeks, adding to her languid charm.

Su Baichen felt a surge of heat in his heart, yet he was afraid of waking the beauty.

Seeing that you're sleeping so soundly, this husband won't wake you.

He carefully removed his outer robe, shoes, and socks.

However, necessary 'punishment' is still required.

He leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on "Cai Lin's" smooth forehead. The touch was slightly cool, carrying the faint scent of her usual gardenia hair oil.

Then, he carefully pulled the person into his arms. The person's body stiffened at first, then relaxed in his arms, and even unconsciously snuggled closer to him.

Su Baichen closed his eyes contentedly. The warmth of the long-awaited reunion filled his chest, and the "fatigue" of the long journey was finally completely released at this moment.

He quickly drifted off to sleep, completely unaware of the unusual behavior of the person in his arms.

Dark clouds slowly obscured the bright moon, the shadows of the trees in the courtyard swayed, and even the chirping of insects on a summer night gradually ceased, as if the whole world held its breath, unwilling to disturb the tenderness of this "long-awaited reunion".

The next day at noon, the sun was at its strongest, piercing through the clouds and shining through the window lattice onto Su Baichen's face. He frowned and slowly opened his sleepy eyes.

The familiar roof beams, the familiar gauze curtains, and the familiar warm, soft body in his arms. Su Baichen was dazed for a moment, then remembered everything that had happened last night, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up.

His hand naturally slid to the waist of the person in his arms, and he habitually squeezed that familiar softness.

The texture... seems a bit off.

Su Baichen frowned. He rubbed his brows gently, his doubts growing stronger.

The texture is firmer than I remember, less plump, and more supple. And the size seems to be...

He suddenly opened his eyes and became fully awake.

A terrible thought struck me like a bucket of ice water, chilling me instantly from the soles of my feet to the top of my head.

[Impossible... This is absolutely impossible...]

Su Baichen held his breath, his hand trembling as he reached out and gently brushed aside the long hair covering the face of the person in his arms.

A familiar face came into view—yet not entirely familiar.

Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, her eyelashes long and delicate, her nose straight and upturned, and her lips a deep red. This face bore an eight-tenths resemblance to Cai Lin's, but appeared more youthful and innocent, lacking the natural charm in Cai Lin's eyes and brows, and possessing more of a girlish purity.

Especially now, with her cheeks slightly flushed and her sleeping face serene, she looked completely innocent and naive.

Su Baichen's head exploded with a "boom," as if a thunderclap had struck.

Colorful butterflies.

Cai Lin's younger sister!

What's even more terrifying is what he did last night?

He barged into Cai Lin's room, cuddled her and slept with her all night, and... Su Baichen dared not think any further, cold sweat instantly soaking through his inner garment.

[Oh no, oh no! If Cai Lin finds out, she'll chop me up and feed me to the dogs!]

Su Baichen groaned inwardly.

[If the butterfly awakens and discovers this, she'll probably try to kill herself! My lifelong reputation, Su Baichen, is about to be ruined in an instant?!]

He forced himself to calm down, his mind racing.

Escape. We must escape immediately.

With the gentlest movements he had ever made, Su Baichen slowly moved away from Cai Die. The brocade quilt rustled softly against each other, each sound sending shivers down his spine.

He stared intently at Cai Die's face, and seeing that her eyelashes trembled slightly and her breathing was even, as if she were still fast asleep, he felt a little relieved.

Her feet finally touched the cold floor. Su Baichen hunched over, like a frightened cat, and backed away step by step towards the door.