This Venerable One Cannot Believe This, What the Hell

The weapon inside Ever-Yearning was Tianwen, or rather, a golden willow vine just like Tianwen, exactly the same in every aspect from the patterns on the vine to the construction.

To yearn unwittingly breaks the willow branch.

Chu Wanning wore an interesting expression as he handed the willow vine over to Mo Ran, then, light gathering in his palm, called forth Tianwen. The two were as mirror images, not the slightest bit different.

No one had anticipated anything like this happening, even Mo Ran couldn't believe his eyes——as someone who had been on the receiving end of Tianwen for probably about a thousand times last life, he never would have expected to receive the exact same weapon from Jincheng Lake.

What exactly was going on?

Everyone's gaze turned collectively toward Gouchen the Exalted.

Gouchen the Exalted seemed surprised as well: "...There are actually two wood elemental spiritual essences in the world concurrently?"

Xue Meng asked: "What does wood elemental spiritual essence mean, anyway?"

"Ah, it's like this." Gouchen explained, "There are five elements in the world, as you all know. In cultivating a spiritual core, every person is aligned with one or two of the elements. The person most innately abundant in a certain element is the spiritual essence of that element; for instance, the Wushan Goddess of the past was the spiritual essence of the earth element. However, generally speaking, there can only exist one spiritual essence of any particular element in a single generation——and there is currently already a spiritual essence of the wood element, to whom I gifted the first wood elemental weapon many years ago."

His gaze landed on Chu Wanning.

"When forging the five top-tier holy weapons, I originally planned to make only one of each element. Everything went as intended for the other four, but the wood elemental holy weapon broke into two pieces inside the forge."

"I recognized it as the will of the heavens, and so made the two halves of the willow vine separately into two weapons. But even so, I was certain that these two weapons would never find owners at the same time, so I entrusted one to Ji Baihua and his brocade box, as a precaution against any unscrupulous scheming. I never would have expected..."

Gouchen shook his head, and was about to say more when, suddenly, a burst of lustrous red firelight burst forth from the willow vine in Mo Ran's hand as its golden radiance changed gradually into the scarlet of a raging inferno. Mo Ran's thoughts were still in utter disarray, and he blurted out without thinking: "Ah! What the hell!"

Chu Wanning tried to stop him, but was too late.

And so, both he and Gouchen the Exalted could only gaze at Mo Ran with pity. Mo Ran also quickly realized the reason behind their looks. He remembered:

The first time a holy weapon changes its color indicated a recognition of its owner and a request to be bestowed a name by its new master...

Unfortunately, it was already too late. They could only watch helplessly as three characters written in exquisite and powerful calligraphy slowly appeared on the silver handle of the willow vine——

Ah! What The Hell [Jiangui].

Holy weapon "Ah! What The Hell".

Mo Ran: "......AAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!"

Although Xue Meng and Shi Mei didn't know about the practice of naming holy weapons, they put two and two together easily enough. Xue Meng doubled over with laughter, clutching his stomach with both hands and laughing so hard that he was almost crying: "Only you could manage a name like that! Hahahaha, good name, good name. Shizun's Tianwen and your 'Ah! What The Hell', Ahahahahahaha!"

Since Mo Ran already got a holy weapon, Xue Meng and Shi Mei also each picked out a weapon they liked——Xue Meng chose a long sword, and Shi Mei opted for a short flute. Neither of their weapons changed in color, evidently not yet willing to submit to their new masters.

But it was no matter, they'd figure something out later.

And thus, everyone returned to the estate for the evening feast in quite the good mood. Gouchen the Exalted had never brought mortals into Jincheng Lake before; he generously invited them to stay the night before leaving, and spared no efforts as a host. The banquet tables were loaded with meat and wine, and energetic drumbeats accompanied their merrymaking. Everybody came out a bit tipsy.

Afterwards, Gouchen had the chamberlain bring the guests to their rooms to rest.

The guest rooms were adjacent to the holy weapon arsenal. Looking at that massive tree, Mo Ran thought of the "Jiangui" that he had just received, and couldn't help calling forth the willow vine to look it over.

To yearn unwittingly breaks the willow branch.

Just what did that fox spirit Ji Baihua know, why did he say something like that, and what exactly did he mean by those words?

He was a little drunk, the alcohol in his system muddling his thoughts, but it just made no sense to him——if Ever-Yearning wasn't broken, then how did Chu Wanning open it?

Of course he didn't like Chu Wanning. As for Chu Wanning being deeply in love with him... don't make him laugh.

Thinking so, he looked back towards his Shizun.

But unexpectedly, Chu Wanning was also looking at him. Their eyes met, and Mo Ran felt his heart tremble slightly as if pricked by some tiny, sharp thing, along with a faint sweet-sour kind of feeling. Without thinking, he was already grinning toothily at Chu Wanning, but the feeling lasted for only an instant before he was filled with regret instead.

He obviously disliked Chu Wanning, but why was it that he felt so at peace, so warm, when he looked at him sometimes?

Chu Wanning, on the other hand, appeared impassive as always. He saw that Mo Ran had called out Jiangui, thought for a moment, and also called out Tianwen.

He walked towards Mo Ran.

Jiangui seemed to have a bit of a temper; sensing the approach of another strong wood elemental, it crackled with sparks of scarlet firelight, some splashing on Xue Meng from time to time, as if in a show of aggressive competitiveness.

In contrast, although Tianwen also seemed to have sensed the presence of another like itself, it was already habituated to Chu Wanning's mannerisms from having spent so much time with him, and so, despite also being proudly combative, its golden light did not stir into an agitated frenzy like Jiangui, but rather brightened gradually, and, seeing that its master did not disapprove, grew dazzlingly brilliant, as if determined to show Jiangui the steady composure with which an exceptional weapon should greet battle.

Two holy weapons, originally one branch.

One was fresh and inexperienced, while the other was seasoned through hundreds of battles.

One flared with a red light, like an impatient and excitable youngster still wet behind the ears; the other coursed with a golden radiance, like a proud and haughty master standing atop the tallest peak.

Chu Wanning glanced at the willow vine in his hand with a quiet noise of contemplation, then his gaze, from beneath thick, lowered lashes, turned to Jiangui. He spoke: "Mo Ran."

"Shizun?"

"Take up your..." It was a little embarrassing to say Jiangui [what the hell]. Chu Wanning paused, then said: "Take up your willow vine, let's have a match."

The mush in Mo Ran's brain boiled and bubbled but he couldn't make heads or tails of it. He pinched the bridge of his nose and forced a smile: "Please don't joke like that, Shizun, have mercy."

"I'll let you have the first three moves."

"I've never used a willow vine before..."

"Ten moves."

"But——"

Without wasting any more words, Chu Wanning flicked his wrist and a flash of dazzling gold cleaved directly toward him! Mo Ran, whose fear of Tianwen was already embedded deeply into his very being, was scared shitless and immediately raised Jiangui to block. The willow vines split the skies, entwining in mid-air like a pair of dragons locked in battle, sparks of gold and scarlet flying ceaselessly with the friction!

Mo Ran had never studied how to use this unusual weapon before, but he had watched Chu Wanning's combat style for so long, and combined with his exceptional innate talent, he actually managed to defend against Chu Wanning's attack, although only just barely.

They exchanged several dozen blows in the freezing lake water. Chu Wanning was holding back, but Mo Ran's performance in holding his own against him was still outstanding and exceeded his expectations.

Tianwen's gold and Jiangui's scarlet danced together, light resplendent in their wake, magnificent to behold. The willow vines ripped through the once-calm waters, stirring it to life and tearing it apart——gold and scarlet intertwining, evenly matched, loath to part!

Chu Wanning's gaze was one of praise, but Mo Ran, gasping for breath and utterly exhausted from the fight, didn't notice at all.

Chu Wanning said: "Tianwen, return."

The golden willow vine that was fierce and unrelenting but a moment ago became immediately pliant, like black ice melting into spring water, glimmering as it returned obediently to Chu Wanning's palm.

Mo Ran's chest heaved as he panted for breath, Jiangui still crackling with firelight in his grip. His legs gave out after a while and he fell on his butt right there on the snowy ground, grievance written all over his face: "No more, no more, Shizun's bullying me."

Chu Wanning: "...I let you have ten moves."

Mo Ran whined petulantly: "How could ten moves possibly be enough, a hundred would be more like it! Owwie my hand, my arms, they're gonna fall off. Shi Mei, Shi Mei gimme some rubs." He blabbered as Xue Meng laughed mockingly and Shi Mei tried his best to calm both of them down.

Chu Wanning glanced at them quietly, and said no more.

In the green waters of the freezing lake, the corners of Chu Wanning's lips seemed to move slightly, as if in a faint yet warm smile, but there was no way to be sure and it was only for an instant, and in the next moment he had already turned around, a hand held casually behind his back as he gazed at the enormous tree at the center of the courtyard with its thousands of drooping branches, thoughts unknowable.

That night, Mo Ran sat in a guest room with a soft and clean floor of white sand, the walls painted in aquamarine and enchanted to gleam softly with the rays of light that pierced through the water. The window was half open, the pearl curtain drifting gently in the evening breeze, and on the table was a lamp made of night-glow pearl that lit up the room with an easy ambience.

A large seashell sat in the center of the room, its inside lined with layers of soft, fine satin. Mo Ran sank into the bed and called out Jiangui again, holding it in his hand and staring at it. Perhaps he really was too worn out, but he fell asleep before long, after only having examined it for a little while.

Laying on Mo Ran's chest, Jiangui pulsed with a dim red light, as if following its master into slumber…...

Mo Ran didn't know how long he had slept for, but when he awoke, the first thing he felt was an icy chill, followed immediately by a burst of searing pain from his wrist.

He sucked in a breath and, holding his head, slowly sat up. The strange pain at his wrist grew more distinct as his consciousness returned, and he was startled to discover that a gash had been cut into his wrist, and already scabbed over with congealed blood.

What's going on?

——Where is this??!

Mo Ran's eyes shot open.

Sobering up, he found himself in a dark and completely unfamiliar stone room with only a small ventilation opening in the ceiling. The cold light of the lake came through that opening into the narrow space, barely a few feet wide; the ash green stone walls, damp and slimy, glistened faintly in the feeble light.