The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 667: Freak Out!

Freak Out! . . .

But just as her hand hovered close to Cha Eun Xiao's forehead, it halted. Though a strong gust of wind tousled Cha Eun Xiao's hair, her hand remained motionless.

"I can't kill him," she declared, her voice heavy with conflict.

"Why not?" she asked herself, attempting to rationalize her hesitation.

"I just can't," she replied, anguish seeping into her voice.

The thought of ending this man's life, of delivering the blow that would snuff out his existence, was more agonizing than she had anticipated.

She turned her gaze to the sky, her voice ringing out once more. "Do not interfere with me."

"I didn't," she murmured in response. "I am you. It is you interfering with yourself. It's your heart."

In the midst of her internal turmoil, she felt trapped in a never-ending nightmare from which she couldn't awaken. The enigmatic dance of her memories and emotions left her feeling lost.

"I finally remember," she thought, and yet, she found herself ensnared in the maelstrom of her own emotions.

"What has become of me?" she pondered.

"I've strived to protect my chastity for so long. Yet, it was this man who took it from me," she acknowledged bitterly. "In Qing-Yun Realm, I am peerless, and yet, this man, as feeble as an ant, defiled me. I should hate him, shouldn't I?"

But then, her thoughts became even more convoluted. "I... It appears that I was the one who went to his room... I entered his room, and I willingly... did that thing to him."

It was clear that the situation was far more complex than she had first thought. In truth, she had taken his virginity just as he had taken hers. Before they came together, Cha Eun Xiao was also a virgin, so determining who had taken whose virginity was no simple task.

The more she considered it, the more speechless she became.

As she gazed at Cha Eun Xiao's handsome face, her heart was fraught with a torrent of emotions. He had fought tenaciously, not only to protect himself but also to ensure that she would remain unharmed.

When he had hidden behind the Golden Soul Tower, he knew that stepping out would lead to his own demise, yet he did so to prevent her from falling into the enemy's clutches.

Unknown to Xuan Bing, he had intended to sacrifice himself by triggering the Golden Soul Tower's explosion. He was mere moments away from accomplishing it.

If he had succeeded, he would never have returned alive. She couldn't fathom the depths of her despair at the thought of his death.

She recalled his words: "I don't care about the consequences after I die. What matters is that, while I'm alive, I will protect you."

These words were a testament to his commitment, and he had proved it by risking his life.

Xuan Bing was unable to discern her own emotions as she stared at Cha Eun Xiao. The man who had seemingly taken her innocence was also the one who loved her unconditionally.

She couldn't decide if she should love him or despise him.

The one thing she was certain of was that the murderous intent in her heart was waning, gradually replaced by a more perplexing mix of emotions.

"Could it be that I love him more than I hate him? How is that even possible?" She had inhabited the persona of Xuan Bing for many years, yet she realized that her time as Bing-Er had been relatively short.

"Why... Why can't I just end his life?" she wondered, grappling with her conflicting feelings.

Turning away, she cast her gaze skyward, her eyes reflecting the depths of her confusion.

"What should I do?" she questioned herself, feeling adrift.

"Why has this befallen me?" she pondered. "Why? Why have I lost my memory?"

Xuan Bing attempted to harness the spiritual power within her, and a bittersweet smile graced her lips. Not only had she fully recovered from her injuries, but she had also undergone remarkable improvements. How was it possible for such significant progress to occur in just a few months? The answer was straightforward: the divine punishment wound, once a hopeless affliction, had been completely eradicated from her body.

Cha Eun Xiao was the one who had cured her, mending her from the seemingly insurmountable damage she had suffered.

"Leave it be," she mused, a bitter smile crossing her face. Inwardly, she grappled with her own thoughts.

"If I hadn't been healed, when the divine punishment struck, I would undoubtedly have perished. I should have met my end a long time ago. Even death would have been preferable to this never-ending quandary."

She cast her gaze downwards, uncertainty clouding her mind. Her current circumstances felt like a cruel jest, a stark paradox.

In Qing-Yun Realm, she had been a formidable conqueror, a figure of unparalleled power. Yet in this realm, she had become subservient to a man of such insignificance—an ant in comparison. What confounded her even more was that she was content with this newfound role.

Her joy was boundless, as though she was bestowed with a great blessing, an honor.

She had eagerly anticipated becoming his concubine. It was a word that held no shame for her, and she embraced it with open arms.

Concubine.

Concubine!

The word reverberated in her thoughts, filling her with dread.

"I am Xuan Bing, the Prime Elder of Misty Cloud Place. My capabilities are second to none in Qing-Yun Realm, especially now that my injuries have been completely healed. Why, then, am I so willing to be a mere concubine?"

This perplexing scenario plunged her into a sea of self-doubt and shame. She buried her face in her hands, feeling utterly humiliated, as if a legion of alpacas raced ceaselessly through her mind.

The thought of others discovering her role left her with a profound sense of shame, so intense that she would sooner take her own life than endure the ignominy.

It was a humiliation beyond words.

"Concubine... My God! Prime Elder Xuan Bing, someone's concubine? Surely you jest?"

"Xuan Bing? Which Xuan Bing? Why isn't she your concubine?"

"Ridiculous! How could there be another Xuan Bing in Qing-Yun Realm? Who would dare to assume that name?"

"Was Xuan Bing... Xuan Bing of Misty Cloud Palace... Prime Elder?"

"Yes, didn't I make it clear?"

"Heavens! Who could it be? Xuan Bing... Prime Elder of Misty Cloud Palace... a concubine?"

"Wait, there's more. Do you know where he hails from?"

"From where?"

"The Land of Han-Yang! Have you heard of it?"

"Land of Han-Yang? I'm afraid not; please forgive my ignorance."

"That's understandable. The Land of Han-Yang is located beneath Qing-Yun Realm. It's considered the lowest realm."

"No way!"

"That man, the one who made Prime Elder Xuan Bing his concubine, is absolutely incredible."

"How so?"

"Do you know his level?"

"His level? No, I'm not aware."

"He's a top-tier Sky Origin Stage cultivator, nearly breaking through the limits. Isn't that astounding?"

"What? A man of his caliber? And Xuan Bing is his concubine?"

"The world is full of surprises. You wouldn't believe it, but Xuan Bing willingly sought him out and compelled him to... well, you know."

"You can't be serious! Are you sure you're not a ist? This is too fantastical!"

"I assure you, it's the truth. When I heard about it, I was so thrilled that I nearly spat out blood!"

"I... I think I'm about to... vomit blood as well... ugh..."