Volume One: Youths Meet in Their Humble Days Chapter Twenty-Three: The Final Farewell! 1

The Daoist gazed up at the Xuanhuang Pagoda overhead, retrieved the jade hairpin, and clicked his tongue in admiration. “To think he devised the method of using the Yin-Yang Polar Beads to activate the Xuanhuang Pagoda—truly a path of his own making. Had he managed to unleash the pagoda’s full power, I fear I would not have subdued it so easily.”

With that, he formed a seal with his fingers, transforming the Xuanhuang Pagoda into wisps of primordial energy, which he then concealed within his body. Glancing at the Yin-Yang Polar Beads before him, he remarked, “His craftsmanship is mediocre at best, passable if one is generous. He must have forged this bead in an attempt to heal his profound injuries, but now, a century’s worth of plotting has come to nothing.”

From afar, the Golden Dragon saw how effortlessly the Daoist had defeated the demon and hurried over, bowing to express his gratitude. The Daoist waved his hand dismissively. “I did not act specifically for your sake—no need to thank me. I know that boy’s soul still lingers within you. Release all the soul energy he left behind when he burned his soul; I will help him reconstruct it.”

Without hesitation, the Golden Dragon allowed his body to become ethereal, revealing a spectral dragon form in which the boy’s scattered soul energy was dispersed. Gradually, the soul energy began to seep out, until a hazy sphere of light floated above them. The dragon’s form grew fainter, as though the gentlest breeze would disperse it entirely.

“I do not intend to take advantage of you,” the Daoist continued. “I know extracting the boy’s soul energy from you has inflicted great harm.”

With those words, he flung a pill into the earth. At once, the land, withered and desolate from the recent battle and the mountain demon’s predations, revived and flourished anew.

Suddenly, the Golden Dragon’s body trembled and split into two: one, a gold dragon now lacking its former brilliance; the other, a white human-shaped figure.

Both the dragon and the white figure bowed in gratitude to the Daoist, their appreciation profound—especially the white figure, who, assured that the Daoist asked nothing more, sank into the earth to receive the blessings of survival after catastrophe.

Originally, once the Golden Dragon and the white figure had merged, they could not be separated. The only reason they could release Li Yu’s soul was because Li Yu was human, not a being of their own order. Their fusion was a one-way path; to separate meant utter annihilation. Yet now, the Daoist had accomplished what was thought impossible, allowing them to persist as independent entities, each with their own will.

The white figure, seeing the Daoist restore vitality to the land, was overjoyed. He was, after all, the spirit of the earth itself in this place. Only with the land’s revival could he recuperate; otherwise, this domain would eventually become barren, and he would fade from existence.

The Daoist regarded the Golden Dragon. “I’ll give you two choices. First, I can help you break free from the mountain range and become the boy’s guardian spirit-beast. Or, I can heal your wounds and return you to the mountains, where you will once again be bound to the earth.”

The Daoist’s enlightenment had already granted the Golden Dragon the power of speech. “Thank you, immortal one. I wish to become his spirit-beast.”

The dragon’s reasoning was clear. All the world’s mountains belonged to the royal clan. Should any mountain gain extraordinary fortune and birth a dragon vein, the royals would seize it, binding it as part of their dynasty’s destiny, never to be free again.

True, becoming someone’s guardian spirit-beast also meant surrendering freedom, but there was a difference. Under the royal yoke, a dragon could only ever serve as a mountain spirit, never to emerge or act independently, its true nature erased. As a spirit-beast, however, he would retain his independent existence, unshackled by the laws of fate.

Moreover, the dragon had noticed the Daoist’s high regard for the boy, perhaps even intending to take him as a disciple. Becoming the boy’s spirit-beast could also, indirectly, forge a connection with the Daoist and open up limitless prospects for the dragon himself.

The Daoist smiled. “This child is remarkable, more than words can express. If you serve him sincerely, when his own path is fulfilled, you too may ascend to immortality.”

With these words, the dragon divided a cluster of golden light, which the Daoist merged into the soul energy that had formed Li Yu’s spirit—faint golden edges flickered into view.

The Daoist then performed a gesture over Li Yu, drawing a white bead from his body.

“This is the Celestial Water Pearl of the Divine Water Sect. You may dwell within it; it contains a trace of celestial water power, which will grant you its own fortune. Should you comprehend its mysteries, you might even form your own Dragon Pearl.”

The Golden Dragon quickly offered his thanks. The Daoist then performed another spell, severing some unseen bond within the dragon. The dragon immediately felt lighter, as if freed from some ancient fetter; the sky and earth were now his to roam. Bowing once more, he shrank in size until he became a small dragon, and flew into the bead. The bead turned into a ball of white light and entered Li Yu’s body.

The Daoist set about reforging Li Yu’s soul. The process proved far simpler than he anticipated. He understood well: the earth spirit, in separating the soul energy, had left some of its own essence within it. Thus, the Daoist’s work was greatly aided, and the newly forged soul became denser and more powerful than before.

He nodded in approval. “His fortune is truly extraordinary. All that he has gained has come about without intent. Even the fire seed that once triggered the Red Lotus Karma Flame has been planted in his soul, and now, with the addition of the Golden Dragon, even if his innate talent was once lacking, from now on, everything will be transformed. Such is the way of serendipity—he succeeded without striving, gaining more by doing less. It aligns well with the path I follow. Perhaps, taking him as my disciple is an inevitable fate.”

Soon, Li Yu’s soul was fully reconstituted—a transparent spirit floated above his body, drifting up and down.

The Daoist examined the soul minutely, but found no answers. After a moment, he waved his hand, allowing the soul to return to its body, postponing any final decision.

Yet when the soul merged with the body, there was no sign of awakening, as he had expected. The Daoist sighed softly. “So, you truly do not wish to live after all!”