Jing Li’s heart suddenly fluttered, and he looked up at him.
“Indeed, I am the Heavenly Dao. Since gaining consciousness, I’ve been governing the fifty laws of the vast universe.”
Gu Tingshen also lowered his gaze to look at him. “I happened to notice the Spiritual Realm by chance. I caught a glimpse of an unusual radiance and followed it. I then found you crossing the tribulation.”
Recalling that scene, a hint of a smile involuntarily touched Gu Tingshen’s eyes, softening his gaze.
In the vast universe, he had witnessed countless beings ascend and fall, but none had ever emitted such an intense aura.
It was the only vibrant color he’d ever seen in his long existence as the Dao. The monotonous days had long since made him lose interest in everything, leaving him detached and bored.
But the appearance of that little koi fish suddenly gave him an extraordinary sense of novelty.
He watched as the small koi, with its tiny frame, struggled valiantly against the heavenly tribulation. Though appearing weak and fragile, it stubbornly endured one lightning strike after another.
Even when its body was charred black, it refused to yield. It even glared at the tribulation lightning with pure eyes, as if silently expressing its determination.
Gu Tingshen found it intriguing and unconsciously became captivated, curious to see how long this little creature could withstand the tribulation’s tempering.
To his surprise, its endurance was truly remarkable. It trembled through one powerful lightning strike after another, surviving each time.
After the tribulation, though on the brink of death from pain, it became instantly jubilant and full of vitality upon successfully taking human form.
It seemed nothing could defeat it, exuding a vibrant and lively energy.
To the Heavenly Dao, long weary of his eternal existence, this became a fascinating novelty.
Thus, what began as a chance glance gradually turned into more frequent observations of the little koi.
As his attention to the little koi increased, he indeed discovered more intriguing things about it.
Whether it was being mischievous or causing trouble with its fellow disciples, it always provided him with fresh experiences.
Observing the little koi gradually became part of his daily routine.
Until the little koi secretly made that vow in a corner.
“I swear on my demonic core and all my future cultivation that I will live for as long as you, so I can always stay with my senior brother.”
Gu Tingshen still remembered clearly the image of young Jing Li in his white robes innocently making that oath to him. It was the purest, most naive oath he had ever received, as if unaware of the panic such words would cause other cultivators yet without a trace of selfishness. When he first heard it, he was stunned and didn’t react.
But young Jing Li wasn’t discouraged at all. Seeing no response, he even started to bargain, instantly amusing Gu Tingshen.
At the same time, an unusual emotion flashed through his heart, inexplicably compelling him to nod.
From that day on, he suddenly developed different thoughts, wanting to personally go to his side and see what kind of persistence and emotions could make him feel such intense attachment and dependence on that so-called Senior Brother.
As Gu Tingshen came to his senses, he had already allocated part of his Dao power to create an avatar1This is based on context, the raws only shows □□., invisibly accompanying the little koi.
“So it was you who saved me during my tribulation by the river?”
Hearing this, Jing Li recalled some past events.
He’d often felt something following him but saw nothing when he turned around. When he told Senior Brother and the others, they teased him about being afraid of punishment for his mischief.
Now hearing this explanation, he finally understood the reason.
“Yes, it was me,” Gu Tingshen replied with a smile.
Seeing his little fish battered by tribulation lightning again, he suddenly couldn’t maintain his composure like before.
Before he realized it, he had intervened.
“But you never appeared when I called out so many times.”
Gu Tingshen smiled without answering.
As the keeper of laws, his interference had already violated his own Dao, naturally incurring backlash from the laws.
Though insignificant to him, it was a warning.
Moreover, although he paid attention to the little koi every day at that time, the other party did not know him. He was afraid that revealing himself abruptly would be counterproductive, so he restrained himself.
But after the little koi left, he couldn’t help retrieving the token left for him—the shell that had accompanied Jing Li for years, still carrying his essence.
Seeing his silence, Jing Li assumed there were unspeakable reasons and didn’t pursue it.
Suddenly remembering something, he frowned and asked, “Then why did you suddenly follow me here? And lose all your powers and memories?”
Even his most important possession was lost, seized by that old demon in the Dark Forest.
“It was an accident, also my destined tribulation.”
Mentioning this, Gu Tingshen’s eyes narrowed slightly.
He had foreseen a tribulation for himself, but never imagined it would come under such circumstances.
After accompanying the little koi for so many years, he finally witnessed the day when the other ascended.
After ascending, the little koi would no longer be bound by lifespan, allowing him to truly appear by his side. Unexpectedly, an incident occurred on the day of the heavenly tribulation.
Demon cultivators’ ascensions were more demanding than human cultivators’.
So he closely watched Jing Li’s lightning tribulation, planning to bear the remaining purification lightning after the initial celestial tribulation.
Though it meant enduring several times the power, his Dao strength was sufficient. So he embodied an avatar, hiding beside Jing Li.
Unexpectedly, someone had long set their sights on him, seizing the opportunity when he was unguarded and at his weakest to tear open a spatial rift.
Having already redirected the lightning tribulation to his avatar, he couldn’t prevent it in time. He could only watch helplessly as the spatial rift sucked Jing Li in. Without hesitation, he followed.
But as he crossed the rift, he was ambushed. His avatar’s strength was only a tenth of his true body’s. Focused on protecting Jing Li, he had to endure the attack, countering with the avatar’s Dao essence.
However, a Heavenly Dao’s tribulation isn’t easily resolved. Moreover, this world’s spiritual energy was severely depleted. After expending his Dao essence, he instantly fell to the mortal realm, and was forced to seal his memories and powers, reborn as a human in this world.
Jing Li never imagined Gu Tingshen’s ordeal was because of him. His emotions were complex, with a hint of fear.
If Gu Tingshen hadn’t reacted in time, or had been even slightly later, Jing Li couldn’t bear to imagine what might have happened to him.
Realizing this, his expression darkened.
“If only I’d killed it outright!”
Thinking of how that entity behind the Dark Forest had schemed for years in this world, plundering spiritual energy to usurp Gu Tingshen’s fate, Jing Li wished to hunt it down and destroy it immediately.
Especially since it had gravely wounded Gu Tingshen earlier.
“Don’t worry, it can’t escape,” Gu Tingshen comforted him, kissing the corner of his lips. His eyes showed little concern for the entity behind the Dark Forest. “Now that we know it’s responsible, we’ll find and deal with it when the time comes.”
Jing Li nodded, his expression finally softening.
He looked up at Gu Tingshen, concerned. “How do you feel now?”
“My powers have returned, but this body is still weak. It may take some time to fully recover.”
Jing Li nodded in acknowledgment, then added, “Good. That thing was badly hurt by you too. It probably won’t dare to show itself for a while.”
“Take this time to recover properly. We’ll have Wang Xiaoning continue gathering information on it.”
Gu Tingshen had no objections to Jing Li’s plan and nodded in agreement.
While they were talking, Jing Li’s phone suddenly rang. It was his assistant, saying everyone had gathered at the reserved restaurant, waiting for him and Gu Tingshen.
Jing Li refocused, remembering this engagement. He quickly agreed, saying they’d be there soon, then hung up.
The bedroom was very quiet. Gu Tingshen had also heard the assistant’s words. Without further delay, he decisively rose from the bed to accompany Jing Li to the wrap party.
As usual, the wrap party was filled with toasts and drinks. With everyone now quite familiar, the atmosphere was relaxed and joyful.
Since they’d finished filming two days ahead of schedule, everyone had free time for the next two days, allowing for a more leisurely gathering.
Plus, with the rare chance to socialize with a big investor like Gu Tingshen, someone suggested continuing the celebration at a karaoke bar after the dinner. The group moved on to a second venue.
By the time the party finally ended, it was already dawn.
Heading back at this hour seemed impractical, and everyone was somewhat drunk. They decided to return to their hotel rooms to rest for the night before leaving in the morning.
Jing Li took Gu Tingshen back to his suite.
The suite had three rooms; he and his assistant each occupied one, leaving the spare room perfectly suited for Gu Tingshen.
However, just as they returned, Wang Lele came to discuss some work matters with Jing Li.
Jing Li asked his assistant to show Gu Tingshen to his room to rest, while he stayed in the living room to talk with Wang Lele.
After finishing their discussion and seeing Wang Lele out, he noticed Gu Tingshen’s guest room door open, with his changed clothes on the bed.
Assuming Gu Tingshen was freshening up, he headed to his own room, planning to wash up first.
Unexpectedly, upon opening the door, he was greeted by the sight of Gu Tingshen walking out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist, another in hand drying his hair.
The unexpected view of Gu Tingshen’s bare upper body caught Jing Li off guard. Because he had just showered, his body emanated a damp aura. Water droplets from his hair tips fell onto his chest, trickling down his toned muscles before disappearing into the towel hugging his trim waist.
The whole scene looked sensual and alluring, providing an overwhelming visual stimulation. Even the temperature in the air seemed to rise instantly.
Jing Li’s mind went blank, his face flushing crimson in an instant.
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