Chapter 25: Catastrophe

Yan Chixia was still puzzled when the paper crane fluttered its wings and flew toward him. Suddenly, it collided with the barrier of true energy, rebounding sharply and falling into the snow, unable to rise again, gravely injured. Yan Chixia hurried over, picked up the crane, and was stunned—for though it looked almost identical to the one he had released, it was clearly not the same.

“Oh?” he wondered aloud, “Where did this paper crane come from? Could it have flown here to find me?” As he spoke, he unfolded the crane, revealing lines upon lines of neat vermilion script, elegant and delicate handwriting. At a glance, Yan Chixia recognized it as Bai Xiaoyue’s hand, and joy mingled with surprise in his heart. “It’s a letter from my sister! That means she’s mastered the Paper Talisman Art—how wonderful! Let me see what she says.”

With that, Yan Chixia began to read:

“Brother,

It has been more than two months since we last met; I truly miss you! And Xiao Meng, she misses you too, constantly chattering before me, wondering why you never come to see us—have you forgotten us? I tell her, ‘Impossible. My brother is loyal and true, he would never forget us…’ And indeed, you have not forgotten us! When your paper crane arrived, both Xiao Meng and I were overjoyed.

Brother, you’ve used the Wishful Alchemy Furnace to refine superior Golden Elixirs—how happy I am for you! Xiao Meng is so pleased, she clapped her paws in delight…

Brother, your cultivation brings me joy, and you should be glad for me as well, for half a month ago, I finally mastered the Paper Talisman Art…

Also, Xiao Meng’s five hundred years of cultivation are complete. These days, she faces her Tribulation. If she can withstand the heavenly thunder, she will become human! I do not know how it will end; she is anxious and restless, and to be honest, I worry for her too.

That’s all for now.

Brother, I long for the day we meet again!”

Bai Xiaoyue’s words were sincere, brimming with familial affection. Yan Chixia was deeply moved; he resolved to set aside some time in the coming days to visit Bai Xiaoyue and Rabbit Xiao Meng.

The thought that Bai Xiaoyue had mastered the Paper Talisman Art filled him with joy; yet the impending heavenly thunder tribulation for the innocent, lovable Rabbit Xiao Meng weighed heavily on his heart. Truthfully, Yan Chixia liked Xiao Meng dearly. He sincerely hoped she could endure the tribulation, break free from her cocoon, and become a clever and beautiful young girl.

……………………………………

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

That morning, after breakfast, Yan Chixia sat cross-legged on the grassy lawn before Qingxu Temple, cultivating his true energy. Suddenly, he heard a rumbling thunder overhead, and his heart jolted. “Heavenly thunder—this must be Xiao Meng’s tribulation! Will she succeed? I can’t delay any longer. Once I finish my cultivation, I must go to my sister at once…”

Having made up his mind, Yan Chixia calmly continued his training. An hour was nearly over, and his cultivation for the day was almost complete when a frantic voice reached him:

“Brother Yan! Brother Yan! I’ve finally found you!”

Hearing this, Yan Chixia was elated, recognizing Rabbit Xiao Meng’s voice. He looked up but saw no sign of the little white rabbit—only a swift-footed, beautiful young girl running toward him, anxiously calling, “Brother Yan…”

Yan Chixia was startled, then realized she was Rabbit Xiao Meng, newly transformed into human form, and his heart soared with excitement.

“Xiao Meng, is it you? Is it really you?” Yan Chixia cried, leaping up and rushing outside the barrier to grasp her hand, his heart overflowing with happiness. “Xiao Meng, you’ve survived the heavenly tribulation and become human! How wonderful!”

But Rabbit Xiao Meng burst into tears:

“What’s wonderful? Brother Yan, Sister Bai is gravely injured!”

“What?” Yan Chixia was horrified. “Xiao Meng, what did you say? Sister is hurt? Tell me—how did it happen?”

Tears streaming, Rabbit Xiao Meng replied, “Brother Yan, when my tribulation came, I was terrified. Sister Bai stayed with me in the snow as I crossed the tribulation. When the thunder struck at my crown, Sister Bai suddenly shielded me with her hands… I survived and became what you see now, but Sister Bai’s hands were wounded by the lightning—red and swollen, bleeding! She trembled in pain, so frightened… I didn’t know what to do. Sister Bai comforted me, telling me not to be afraid, and said that since you can now refine Golden Elixirs, I should hurry and find you…”

Yan Chixia grew increasingly anxious for Bai Xiaoyue’s injuries and interrupted, “Enough, Xiao Meng! Don’t say more—come with me!”

He took Xiao Meng’s hand and raced into the barrier, heading straight for the alchemy chamber.

Once inside, Yan Chixia quickly began selecting herbs and preparing to refine elixirs. Xiao Meng, tense with worry, stood by his side, her large, bright black eyes fixed on his every movement.

Yan Chixia took flower-stone, mica, feldspar, realgar, gypsum, and native copper, weighed each with care, crushed them in a mortar, then loaded them into the Wishful Alchemy Furnace, using his secret techniques to begin refining the Golden Elixir.

Suddenly, Xiao Meng saw Yan Chixia activate the golden dragon coiled about the furnace, and she exclaimed in awe.

“Ah! Brother Yan, you’re amazing!”

A quarter of an hour later, Yan Chixia had successfully refined a batch of superior Golden Elixirs—five in total. He placed them in a tiny medicine gourd, tucked it into his robe, then led Xiao Meng from the alchemy chamber into Qingxu Immortal’s room, explained the situation, took up his Scarlet Hero Sword, and, holding Xiao Meng’s hand, left Qingxu Temple, climbing the rugged, snowy mountain path.

Yan Chixia’s heart was aflame with worry for Bai Xiaoyue’s injuries—he had no idea how she fared now and longed to reach her side at once. Gripping Xiao Meng’s hand, he hurried along the snow-laden path, but found the pace too slow. He decided to use the Airborne Traversal Technique to quicken their journey, so he let go of Xiao Meng’s hand, crouched down, and said,

“Xiao Meng, quickly, climb onto my back, I’ll carry you.”

Xiao Meng blushed, embarrassed. “Brother Yan, I’m a girl—how can I let you carry me?”

“Don’t be shy, Xiao Meng,” Yan Chixia said, gazing at her lovely, rosy cheeks. “Sister is seriously injured—I need to hurry and treat her. If you don’t let me carry you, I’ll use the Airborne Traversal Technique, and you’ll be left behind…”

“Oh,” Xiao Meng replied bashfully, “all right, Brother Yan. For Sister Bai’s sake, I’ll listen to you.” With that, she climbed onto Yan Chixia’s back. “Let’s go, Brother Yan.”

Yan Chixia replied, “Good!” and immediately rose, invoking the Airborne Traversal Technique.

Xiao Meng clung tightly to his neck, wind whistling past her ears. At first, she felt embarrassed, but after a while, growing accustomed, she couldn’t help but praise,

“Brother Yan, your Airborne Traversal Technique is incredible—it’s almost like flying…”

She hadn’t finished speaking when suddenly, a beautiful woman appeared ahead, blocking their path.

Xiao Meng was startled, unsure who the woman was, but heard Yan Chixia cry out in surprise,

“She Meier, how is it that you are here?”