Futile Devices Scans

Wenren Li turned his head, and Chen Yixin looked over as well. Their gazes met. A faint smile spread from the corners of Chen Yixin’s lips to his brows, his eyes curving beautifully—so captivating it could overturn hearts. Wenren Li’s gaze deepened, and the hands they held tightened slightly.

He liked seeing Chen Yixin smile like this, and so he wished for him to always smile this brightly—something worth protecting with everything he had.

Chen Yixin sat upon the soft couch arranged by Wu Fei and the others. Taking out Duoduo Fruit from his storage space, he began feeding Yinzi. After only two fruits, his posture grew less proper—he leaned sideways and lay into Wenren Li’s embrace, continuing to feed Yinzi like that.

“Yinzi’s belly wasn’t always this flat—it used to be round, very round. Because I missed Mother and Father too much, I starved until I became flat…” Yinzi gulped down a Duoduo Fruit, its whiskers lightly swaying as it patted its own belly, looking full of nostalgia.

Chen Yixin extended his hand. Yinzi’s whiskers wrapped around the Duoduo Fruit, then continued to coil around Chen Yixin’s palm.

With a gentle tug, Chen Yixin pulled Yinzi into his arms and began examining it thoroughly, hands roaming over it from top to bottom.

He was only a little over a hundred years old—experience was his weakness. Unable to determine anything through ordinary means, he tapped his glabella, igniting a cluster of blue flame. Focusing his gaze, he looked within Yinzi—and saw an entire sea of stars.

“So beautiful,” Chen Yixin praised softly. He rubbed Yinzi’s belly before tucking it back into his arms.

He still did not know what kind of strange beast Yinzi was, but with a galaxy contained within it, how could it be ordinary? It was undoubtedly something extraordinary.

Yinzi’s whiskers swayed happily, delight written all over it. Thrilled by such closeness, it chirped, “Yinzi is beautiful, Father is beautiful, Mother is the most beautiful.”

The words came so smoothly—it had clearly said them many times before.

Wenren Li reached out with one arm to gather them both in, his expression softening. Watching Chen Yixin interact with Yinzi filled him with an inexplicable warmth.

Having recognized a new master, Yinzi began its growth anew from its juvenile stage. Eating when full, sleeping when satisfied—this was its life now. After devouring over ten Duoduo Fruits, it nuzzled Chen Yixin, then Wenren Li, before turning back into a silver pattern and imprinting itself onto Chen Yixin’s ankle.

Chen Yixin felt his arms empty and frowned slightly. Turning around, he wrapped his arms around Wenren Li and tilted his head up to kiss his cheek. “A-Li, I want to hold the little sapling.”

Having nothing in his arms felt strangely uncomfortable.

Chen Yixin himself did not know when he had developed the habit of needing something to hold.

Wenren Li lowered his gaze to look at him. Chen Yixin blinked at him in response. When Yinzi acted cute, it felt odd—but when Chen Yixin did it, it was entirely different. He was not being cute—he was tempting him.

Wenren Li’s heartbeat quickened slightly. After a moment’s thought, he closed his eyes. From his glabella, the spiritual sapling emerged and fell into Chen Yixin’s arms.

“A-Li…” Chen Yixin called softly again, pressing a kiss to Wenren Li’s other cheek. His meaning was clear—what he wanted to hold was not merely the sapling, but the sapling in its manifested spiritual form.

“If A-Li doesn’t transform, don’t blame me for taking liberties with you,” Chen Yixin said, pinching the flower bud lightly in blatant threat. Shameless as it was, he felt no shame at all—half coaxing, half threatening. Wenren Li simply could not resist him like this.

His ears reddened as he nodded. The spiritual sapling transformed within Chen Yixin’s arms into a boy of four or five years old. Compared to the last time Chen Yixin had seen him, his hair was slightly longer, but he still retained that irresistibly adorable youthful appearance.

Most of what was needed for the growth of a spiritual entity did not exist within Taixuan. This form would likely persist for quite some time.

Chen Yixin, having gotten his wish, rewarded Wenren Li with another kiss on the lips. Then, holding the smaller version of him, he leaned comfortably into Wenren Li’s embrace.

A trace of daze appeared in his eyes. “I feel like… I must have raised A-Li like this before…”

There was no basis for this thought—only a feeling. Yet it was one Chen Yixin found himself strangely certain of. Perhaps he had raised Wenren Li from childhood… and then raised him all the way into his bed… perhaps.

As the thought crossed his mind, Chen Yixin’s cheeks flushed. If his personality in a past life had been the same as now, such a thing… he truly might have done.

Wenren Li’s brows drew together slightly at those words. He shook his head. “I don’t know.”

Regarding the matter of the Upper Realm’s Divine Son, he had been among the earliest to know. Yet he had never considered that this so-called “Upper Realm” might also be connected to himself. Now, however, his meeting and falling in love with Chen Yixin seemed less like coincidence—and more like fate.

If Chen Yixin truly had been the former master of the Burning Heaven Nether Palace, then his arrival had been inevitable. And as one born with a demonic fetus, whether to eliminate hidden dangers early or to prepare for the future, Wenren Li would inevitably have come to this place—the only one bearing traces of the Upper Realm.

His soul had wandered within the Burning Heaven Nether Palace for a thousand years. Rather than seeking enlightenment, it seemed he had simply been waiting for Chen Yixin’s arrival.

“When should we capture Jing Shisan again?” Chen Yixin said. “I’d like to study him properly.”

Elio’s Notes: Jing Shisan is Jing Zhihua. It’s a cold, slightly insulting way of addressing him.

As for this so-called Divine Son of the Upper Realm, was it Jing Zhihua, or himself—or perhaps both, or neither?

The tragic state within the Burning Heaven Nether Palace had long weighed on Chen Yixin’s mind. Though he remembered nothing of the past, he did not wish for a similar fate to repeat in the future. Therefore, there were matters they had to prepare for as early as possible.

“We’ve already captured him,” Wenren Li said. Taking Chen Yixin’s hand, the child-form Wenren Li reverted into the small spiritual sapling and climbed onto Chen Yixin’s shoulder. Together, they walked toward the underground space that had been cleared out—Jing Zhihua and the others were imprisoned there.

It had already been a day since Jing Zhihua and Xiao Zhe had been brought back. Aside from having their cultivation sealed, Wu Fei and the others had not done anything further to them. They all sat cross-legged, continuously attempting to break through the seal. Even when Chen Yixin and Wenren Li arrived, they remained in that state.

Jing Zhihua’s complexion did not look good. In fact, ever since he had encountered Chen Yixin again in Chaotic Demon City, his expression had remained the same—gloomy and pale. In the past, being called a Divine Son had lent him a certain sacred radiance; now, however, he appeared increasingly ordinary.

He opened his eyes, momentarily stunned, his face growing even paler. “Yixin…”

“It’s me. We meet again, Jing Shisan. With the world so vast and so many paths to take, why do you always end up running straight into me?” Chen Yixin said as he stepped forward. Lifting his foot, he pressed it against Jing Zhihua’s shoulder. His gaze turned dangerous. “Tell me—this time, should I skin you, or drain your blood?”

“That sounds a bit dull. After skinning and draining your blood, there are still your bones to dismantle. That should keep me entertained for a few more days…”

Jing Zhihua saw the bloodthirst and seriousness in Chen Yixin’s eyes. His body began to tremble uncontrollably. His mouth opened slightly, his gaze instinctively shifting toward Wenren Li—but before he could respond, he fainted from fear.

Chen Yixin withdrew his foot in distaste. “So easily frightened…”

Lin An and the others, whose heart rates had quickened, were momentarily stunned, caught between laughter and disbelief. Even they had not detected a trace of jest in Chen Yixin’s tone. Their Martial Uncle feared neither heaven nor earth—when acting on a whim, there was nothing he would not dare to do.

Back then, the moment he realized Jing Zhihua was not his A-Hua, his attitude had completely changed. To call him devoted was true—but he was also utterly ruthless.

“Drag him away,” Chen Yixin instructed Nan Ke. Only then did his gaze shift away from Jing Zhihua, landing on the other members of the Jade Cauldron Sect—Xiao Zhe, Lin An, Shen Xiang, Wang Ming’er…

The corners of Chen Yixin’s lips curved slowly upward. Before he could speak, Wenren Li had already taken out a chair from his storage space. Turning back, Chen Yixin smiled at him before sitting down.

“It seems all of you have something to say to me. Go ahead.”

“Martial Uncle!” Lin An spoke first. When Chen Yixin looked at him, his mind went blank. After thinking for a long moment, he finally remembered what he wanted to say. “Wen Yun and Wen Xue have already reached Foundation Establishment. They miss you very much.”

“They asked me to tell you that your Loxin Peak—they’re guarding it for you. Not a single blade of grass or tree there will be touched by anyone.”

Chen Yixin had kept those two attendants by his side for seven or eight years; he had not forgotten them. He shook his head lightly. “No need. Tell them I will not be returning to the Jade Cauldron Sect.”

Lin An seemed as though he still had more to say, but faced with Chen Yixin’s resolute tone, his face flushed red, and he remained silent.

It was understandable—the Jade Cauldron Sect had wronged Chen Yixin, nearly costing him his life. Even if he were to return, it would only be to seek justice; he would never wish to stay again, let alone reside at Loxin Peak.

“Martial Uncle!” Wang Ming’er spoke again, cutting off Xiao Zhe. She leaned forward slightly, her tone more natural than the others’. “I’m Ming’er. I brought you pills before—you even praised me for being sensible.”

Her admiration for Chen Yixin was obvious at a glance. She gazed at him intently, hoping to see some different expression on his face.

But Chen Yixin’s expression did not change in the slightest. He lifted his hand, clasping Wenren Li’s, and shook his head.

“I don’t remember.”

He and Wang Ming’er may indeed have had such a conversation before, but at that time it had meant nothing—and now, even less so. Chen Yixin rose to his feet and walked back to Wenren Li’s side before speaking again.

“I won’t kill you, but I won’t let you go either. When you leave will depend on how much the Jade Cauldron Sect is willing to pay for your ransom.”

Tears welled in Wang Ming’er’s eyes, hurt by Chen Yixin’s attitude. Xiao Zhe, who had intended to speak, found himself unable to say a word when he met Chen Yixin’s gaze. There was no point in saying more—it might even provoke Chen Yixin into taking his anger out on them.

As he hesitated, Chen Yixin had already followed Wenren Li out of the underground space.

Chen Yixin carefully observed Wenren Li’s expression, but Wenren Li was most often expressionless, revealing neither joy nor anger. Letting go of his hand, Chen Yixin instead looped his arm around Wenren Li’s.

“A-Li, she’s just some silly girl. I only like A-Li.”

Even his former engagement to Jing Zhihua had been the result of a scheme. Otherwise, he would have gone straight to the Li Kui Demon Palace in the Southern Domain, waited there, and guarded Wenren Li until he awakened.

“I know,” Wenren Li said, lifting a hand to gently ruffle Chen Yixin’s hair. His hand slid down from his hair to his waist, where he drew him closer. Together, they returned to the main hall of the town god’s temple, which had already been cleared.

Jing Zhihua was laid on the ground. Wenren Li stepped forward and placed several restrictions into his body before allowing Chen Yixin to approach.

Chen Yixin’s physique was nearly that of a spirit-sensitive body, yet possessed even more subtle abilities. Many things that others—or even magical artifacts—could not detect, Chen Yixin could perceive. Thus, when it was first confirmed that Jing Zhihua was the Divine Son, Chen Yixin had been extremely surprised.

He had nourished Jing Zhihua’s soul for nearly thirty years and had never discovered anything divine about it. Yet that day, the examination had been conducted in the main hall of the Jade Cauldron Sect. An envoy from the Heaven’s Secret Sect had tested him once, and Chen Yixin had secretly tested him again—within Jing Zhihua’s soul, there had indeed been a powerful, slumbering divine soul.

Chen Yixin crouched halfway in front of Jing Zhihua. The blue flame at his glabella ignited once more as his palm pressed against Jing Zhihua’s forehead. Spiritual light flowed from his body as he fully activated his physique.

Watching from the side, a trace of helplessness appeared in Wenren Li’s eyes. Chen Yixin was perhaps overlooking the obvious—he had considered many possible reasons, yet had forgotten to consider what he himself had once given to Jing Zhihua.

Wenren Li lowered his gaze slightly. The jade pendant Chen Yixin had given him also emitted a faint glow. As one born with a demonic fetus, he was naturally repelled by divine substances—yet that also granted him the ability to sense divinity. From the very first time his spiritual sapling had seen Chen Yixin wearing it, he had known it to be an object from the Upper Realm.

Chen Yixin maintained this state for a full two quarters of an hour. When the spiritual light faded, he stood up with a frown, unable to hide the astonishment in his expression.

“It’s gone…”

That terrifying, slumbering divine soul—was gone.

Chen Yixin narrowed his eyes slightly. “If he isn’t, then it must be me…”

At the time, Chen Yixin had not realized it. But now, connecting it to the Burning Heaven Nether Palace, to Yinzi, and to the palace spirit, he could be certain. That so-called Divine Son, after all the twists and turns, had turned out to be himself.

Chen Yixin turned around. Wenren Li gave him a slight nod.

Stepping forward, Chen Yixin pulled open Wenren Li’s collar and took out the ice-blue jade pendant. Holding it in his palm, he once again used his physique to sense it. In an instant, spiritual light blazed forth, enveloping Wenren Li as well.

But it lasted only a moment before Chen Yixin dispersed it himself. He tugged at Wenren Li’s neck, pulling the pendant off. His brows furrowed, though it was unclear whom he was angry at.

“A-Li, wearing this makes you uncomfortable—how could you not tell me?”

Even if he had little to give Wenren Li, he should never have given him something that caused discomfort.

“It’s nothing. I like it very much,” Wenren Li said, pulling the indignant Chen Yixin back into his arms, gently patting his back to soothe him.

“How could it be nothing!”

Chen Yixin’s tone remained sharp, yet his arms had already wrapped back around Wenren Li. What made him so upset—so concerned—was the realization that, without knowing, he might have done something that harmed Wenren Li. That was absolutely unacceptable.

“A-Li, even if it was unintentional, harming you is still harm. This must never happen again.”

He said this not only for Wenren Li, but also for himself. He would never allow anyone to use him to hurt A-Li.

“Alright,” Wenren Li replied, gently kissing Chen Yixin’s hair. Taking a red cord from his storage space, he tied the jade pendant back onto Chen Yixin.

Chen Yixin lifted a hand to touch Wenren Li’s cheek, a surge of tenderness rising within him. Standing on his toes, he pressed another kiss to Wenren Li’s lips. “A-Li, I’m sorry.”

He had always considered himself clever—but in truth, he was not as perceptive as he believed. Otherwise, he would not have been schemed against by Jing Zhihua and Zhou Yan. Nor would he have failed, for so many years, to notice his own uniqueness—or the peculiarity of the jade pendant.

“There is no ‘sorry’ between us,” Wenren Li said, holding Chen Yixin even more tightly. He was not good with words and often struggled to express himself. After a brief moment of thought, he bent down and lifted Chen Yixin into his arms.

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