radicalducati Chapter 18 The Grove
Chapter 18 The Grove
Just as Zi Lingtian put down his jade chopsticks, the warmth of the spiritual porridge still lingering on his fingertips, a clear yet slightly spoiled call pierced the tranquility of the temple and entered his ears.
He had intended to get up and go back to his room to carefully sort out the insights into Yin and Yang that had flashed through his mind during breakfast, but that familiar voice that made his heart tremble slightly gave him no room for hesitation whatsoever.
"Ling Tian! Ling Tian, haven't you dawdled enough?! I've been standing outside like a statue waiting for my husband!"
Tang Wutong's voice was like a silver bell refreshed by morning dew, crisp and clear, yet with an undeniable penetrating power, as if it could pierce through the glazed dome of the temple and circle the clouds three times.
Upon hearing this, the Goddess of Life, who was clearing away the dishes, put down the jade handkerchief in her hand, a gentle smile appearing in her eyes. Her fingertips brushed against the green leaf hair ornament at her temple: "Look, this girl's footsteps are almost at the palace gate. Lingtian, go on, a young girl's heart can't be left unattended."
Zi Lingtian sighed helplessly, picked up a handkerchief to wipe his lips, and as he stood up, the hem of his robe swept across the ground, creating a barely perceptible gust of wind. It wasn't that he was unwilling, but Wu Tong's personality was like the first thunderclap in the divine realm—at first glance, it was spectacular, but upon closer inspection, it concealed a burning passion. She always toned down her flamboyance in his presence, but that fiery energy often made him feel as if he were caught in a lively whirlpool, wanting to retreat yet reluctant to relinquish that vibrant energy.
As soon as they stepped out of the temple gate, the golden morning light slanted in along the carved doorway, falling entirely on the pink and blue figure at the entrance, dazzling the eyes.
Tang Wutong stood with her hands on her hips, her long, light blue hair flowing like a galaxy, shimmering in the morning light, the ends slightly raised as if hiding countless joyful little secrets. Her large, round, light blue eyes were staring at him, a few drops of morning dew still clinging to her long eyelashes like fallen stars, her eyes full of reproach.
"You finally came out! Even a snail can't outrun you!"
Before Zi Lingtian could speak, Tang Wutong strode forward, grabbed his wrist, her palm warm from the sun, and pulled him out of the hall without a word: "Come on, come on, I'll take you to a great place today, I guarantee you'll be amazed!"
Zi Lingtian stumbled as she pulled him, instinctively regaining his balance. He had no choice but to follow her lead and quickly catch up, his helplessness tinged with indulgence: "What place is it this time? Don't let it be that forbidden land again. I still remember how it felt to be chased by the guardian beast."
"Oh no! It's just an ordinary little grove of trees!" Tang Wutong didn't turn her head, her steps light and quick, her voice almost overflowing with excitement, like she was holding a fluttering little sparrow. "I found it a few days ago when I was strolling around. The spirit trees there glow! I never knew there was such a place in the God Realm before!"
Zi Lingtian raised an eyebrow, suppressing his doubts, and followed her up the cloud-top staircase with a mixture of belief and skepticism. The wind whistled in his ears, but Tang Wutong's clear laughter was even clearer than the wind, penetrating straight into his heart and sweeping away the gloom of his morning's enlightenment.
The so-called "grove" is actually hidden on the outskirts of the core area of the divine realm, like a forgotten piece of jade. The spiritual plant forest is not large, but it is exquisite in every detail.
Some tree trunks are like solidified white jade, emitting a faint halo when the sun shines on them; some leaves are like they are studded with diamonds, scattering a shimmering light when the wind blows; the thick layer of spiritual grass on the ground is incredibly soft, and when you step on it, it feels as if you are sinking into a fluffy cloud, carrying a refreshing fragrance of grass and trees.
Sunlight filters through layers of leaves, casting dappled shadows that weave a moving tapestry on the ground. A rich yet pleasant fragrance wafts through the air, mingled with the sweet scent of unknown flowers; a deep breath feels as if your lungs have been cleansed.
Occasionally, a few furry, low-level divine beasts would dart through the forest. Upon seeing the two of them, they would tuck their tails between their legs and disappear into the distance—after all, these two were known among the younger generation of gods for being "troublesome."
"How is it? Isn't it beautiful?" Tang Wutong let go of his hand and couldn't help but spin around in place. Her long, light blue hair drew a light arc in the air, and the ends of her hair brushed against the spiritual herbs, bringing up a string of tiny particles of light. Her eyes were full of smug little joy.
Zi Lingtian glanced around, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. While the divine realm boasted many beautiful sights, most were meticulously crafted grandeur. This wild, natural scenery, on the other hand, was like a clear spring, flowing into his heart. He nodded slightly, his gaze falling on her smiling face, his tone calm: "Indeed, it's quite beautiful. But you didn't specifically bring me here just to let me see the scenery, did you?"
Tang Wutong blinked, her long eyelashes fluttering like tiny fans. A sly smile played on her lips, like a little fox who had secretly hidden some candy, while her ears quietly flushed a light red. "Of course not! The spiritual energy here is plentiful, and no one will bother us. I wanted you to accompany me in cultivating my Martial Soul, to try out Martial Soul Fusion!"
Seeing her bright, yet deliberately evasive eyes, Zi Lingtian immediately saw through her hidden thoughts. He narrowed his eyes slightly, took a half-step forward, and asked with a hint of inquiry, "Is that really all?"
The sudden closeness and his refreshing scent made Tang Wutong's heart skip a beat, her cheeks flushing instantly. She stubbornly raised her chin, feigning composure: "Of course it's true! You're overthinking it! Come on, come on!"
As soon as she finished speaking, a pair of pink and blue butterfly wings unfolded behind her, the tips of which shimmered with light, as if she had draped a starry sky over her back, so beautiful that it was impossible to look away.
Zi Lingtian watched her flustered and dodging movements, shaking his head helplessly, a hint of indulgence spreading across his eyes. A purple-gold light surged around him, and the Scepter of Destruction slowly materialized in his hand—in its basic form, yet already exuding a steady power. His long, purple-black hair swayed slightly in the light, and his deep purple eyes gazed quietly at Wu Tong, full of tolerance.
It was supposed to be a practice of spirit fusion, but it seemed more like a game that Tang Wutong was playing.
She controlled the Goddess of Light butterfly to flit through the forest, sometimes skimming the treetops and creating a fine rain of light; sometimes circling around the spirit sky at high speed, with pink and blue scales falling like petals, weaving a hazy, colorful mist in the air, enveloping the two figures within it.
Zi Lingtian stood quietly in the center of the open space, his fingertips lightly twirling the scepter, drawing upon a gentle power to complement her. His thoughts hadn't completely left behind his morning insights; fragments about the evolution of martial souls and the power of creation kept swirling in his mind. But with Wu Tong making a ruckus beside him, he temporarily suppressed those complex thoughts, his gaze fixed on that agile pink-blue figure, unable to look away for even a moment.
"Lingtian! Look how high I'm flying!" Tang Wutong maneuvered her butterfly wings and soared to the treetop, about ten feet above the ground. She looked down and waved to him, the sunlight shining on her face, her smile brighter than the flowers in the forest.
"Be careful, don't fall." Zi Lingtian looked up at her, his tone seemingly calm, but his brows furrowed slightly, and the concern in his eyes was impossible to hide.
"No way! I'm—oh dear!"
Before she could finish speaking, the butterfly wings beneath Tang Wutong's feet suddenly trembled slightly. Perhaps she had flown too high, causing a slight deviation in her control of spiritual energy, and the balance of the butterfly wings was instantly broken. She cried out in surprise, and her whole body plummeted straight down like a kite with a broken string, her long pinkish-blue hair flying wildly in the air like a scattered nebula.
Zi Lingtian's pupils contracted sharply, his heart tightened, and he moved almost instinctively. He rushed forward like an arrow, so fast that only a purple-gold afterimage remained. Just as she was about to hit the ground, he reached out and steadily pulled her into his arms. Then, he turned to the side and rolled her half a circle on the soft spiritual grass before completely dissipating the force of her fall.
After a brief moment of dizziness, the two looked at each other, so close they could feel each other's warm breath.
Zi Lingtian braced himself against her, holding her tightly beneath him. Strands of hair fell, brushing against Wu Tong's cheek, carrying a faint, refreshing, and alluring scent of purple flowers. He looked down at her face so close to his, trying to calm his racing heart. He spoke in a seemingly calm tone, though his ears were already flushed: "Your sense of balance is still so bad. I told you to be careful."
Tang Wutong was completely encircled in his arms, their chests pressed tightly together. She could clearly feel his steady, powerful heartbeat, intertwined with her own frantic pounding. Her cheeks instantly flushed red, like clouds dyed by the setting sun. She opened her mouth to retort, but her heart pounded like a drum, and she couldn't utter a single word.
She could see her reflection in Lingtian's pupils, feel the warmth from his arm, and even smell his cool, faintly purple floral scent. Time seemed to stretch out at that moment; the light and shadow in the forest, the falling scales, and the distant sound of the wind all became blurred backgrounds, leaving only their rapid heartbeats and the barely concealed excitement in their eyes.
But in that tender, ambiguous moment, a deep, violent roar suddenly shattered the tranquility, carrying immense pressure as it boomed from the depths of the dense forest.
Zi Lingtian's expression changed drastically. His usual languor and indulgence vanished instantly, replaced by a sharp wariness. He swiftly sprang to his feet, crouching beside Tang Wutong, shielding her tightly behind him. His deep purple pupils suddenly contracted, revealing his usually concealed double pupils—emerald green like the tender buds of the tree of life, and purplish-black like the shadows of an abyss. The two colors intertwined and swirled, radiating a chillingly dangerous light, locked firmly on the depths of the dense forest.