Chapter Sixty-Four: Shared Life

Seeing Yao Ye sobbing uncontrollably, the Elder Ding revealed his figure. “Yao Ye! You must pull yourself together! Liu Xin isn’t beyond saving!”

At the mention of hope for Liu Xin, Yao Ye spun around, almost dropping to his knees before the elder, his gaze burning with desperation.

“Elder Ding! Please, teach me what to do! I beg you, save Senior Sister Liu Xin!”

The elder was so regretful he could have slapped himself. “Yao Ye, I spoke rashly—don’t take it to heart! I really have no way to help!”

Yet Yao Ye knelt down, bowing his head to the floor before the elder.

“Elder Ding, I know you have a way to save her! Please, I beseech you, help her! She was hurt because of me! If you won’t save her, I’ll never forgive myself, not in this lifetime! Please!”

As he spoke, Yao Ye struck his forehead against the ground with such force that blood began to trickle down from his brow.

The elder hurried forward, lifting Yao Ye up. “Good child! I only want what’s best for you! If you try to save Liu Xin, you’ll be risking your own life. Yet with the Creation Cauldron in your possession, you’re destined to be the pillar among us! There’s no need for you to take such a risk!”

Blood continued to drip from Yao Ye’s forehead, striking the ground one drop after another. His voice rang out, resolute and unyielding.

“Elder Ding! Do you remember the trial of becoming the cauldron’s master? As long as my conscience is clear, I’ll never regret my choice!”

“Child, that was different—it was only to test your heart. This time, your very life is at stake!”

Hearing the elder’s reply, Yao Ye guessed at the truth. “Elder Ding! As the master of the Creation Cauldron, I command you: do everything in your power to heal Senior Sister! Otherwise, I’ll relinquish my claim as master. If I can’t even protect the woman I love, how could I ever hope to protect everyone else?”

The elder gazed at Yao Ye, whose eyes were tightly shut, and knew that no more words would sway him. “Heavens above, have mercy on this poor child!”

Watching the elder pray, Yao Ye opened his eyes, elated. “Elder Ding, you’ve agreed?”

Resignation filled the elder’s face. “Have I any choice? You’d even give up being the cauldron’s master! What else can I do?”

Yao Ye bowed deeply to the elder. “Thank you, Elder Ding! Thank you, thank you!”

“That’s enough, Yao Ye! Listen carefully now—there is a way: life sharing. You will use your own life force to heal Liu Xin’s injuries. Soon, you must sit in meditation, keeping your mind utterly calm. Do not allow your emotions to stir, or I won’t be able to control the loss of your life energy!”

“Understood!” Yao Ye sat cross-legged. I must save her! This thought filled his heart, and he slowly closed his eyes.

As Yao Ye entered the meditative state, the elder formed a complex seal with his hands, sending a surge of elemental energy into Liu Xin’s body.

Yao Ye’s brows knit in pain as he felt his life force ebbing away, his body growing weaker and weaker.

The elder watched as Yao Ye’s hair turned ashen, then checked Liu Xin’s wounds—only half had healed! He quickly warned Yao Ye, “It’s not working, Yao Ye! The life force required is immense! Any further, and you’ll die!”

“No! Elder Ding, keep going! I can hold on—please, don’t let me regret this for the rest of my life!”

At this, the elder truly regretted ever agreeing to Yao Ye’s demand. Wrinkles now creased Yao Ye’s skin. “I can’t wait any longer! I must stop the transfer!”

Just as the elder decided to end the transmission, a light suddenly gleamed on Yao Ye’s brow—the lotus seed he hadn’t yet exhausted from before began to release its life force, sustaining him.

The elder was overjoyed. “Heavens, you’ve finally shown mercy!” The fading life force stabilized once more.

Yao Ye’s condition steadied; his wrinkles deepened no further. Liu Xin’s wounds rapidly healed, and the elder nodded in satisfaction.

Outside, Tang Ze, who had been keeping guard, stared in astonishment at the life energy emanating from the house.

“How can such powerful life force be flowing out? What’s happening in there?”

Unable to contain his curiosity, Tang Ze hurried toward the room.

Inside, seeing that Liu Xin was fully healed, the elder withdrew his power and returned to the Creation Cauldron.

“Yao Ye! Not just you—now even I must recover. Don’t disturb me unless absolutely necessary! I’ll need a long while to recuperate. And you, break through to the next realm as soon as possible, or within a year you’ll have no chance of advancing. Take care of yourself!”

Yao Ye nodded weakly in acknowledgment. At that moment, Tang Ze pushed open the door and, seeing Yao Ye before him, rushed over.

“Yao Ye, what happened? How did you become so old?” Tang Ze stared in shock.

Yao Ye managed a wan smile, then collapsed into unconsciousness.