Chapter 269: Extra (6)
Hearing Su Ci’s invitation, the white-browed elder froze momentarily.
“Your… wedding?” He glanced at Su Ci, then at A-Yan, his voice carrying a hint of hesitation.
Su Ci nodded, speaking frankly. “He is my Dao companion.”
The elder’s hand, holding a cup of elixir wine, trembled slightly, spilling a few drops onto his sleeve.
Su Ci waved his hand gently, drying the elder’s sleeve instantly. The spilled elixir, now floating midair, was redirected into the campfire, causing a brief, crackling burst.
The elder’s face betrayed a touch of regret, though it wasn’t clear if he was lamenting the wasted elixir or something else.
He looked back at Su Ci, then at the youth playing with Little Su Ci nearby. After a moment of contemplation, he refrained from saying anything untimely.
“Congratulations, Daoist friend.” The elder offered a warm smile.
In this era, the union of yin and yang was considered orthodox. However, cultivators, who lived far longer than ordinary people, often found it difficult to produce offspring. As a result, they tended to choose Dao companions based on shared values and emotional harmony, regardless of gender or yin-yang compatibility.
The white-browed elder was a traditionalist, and while he might not fully embrace the idea, he saw no reason to interfere in others’ choices.
“I will certainly attend to witness your union,” the elder added, his gaze filled with kindness.
For reasons he couldn’t explain, he felt an inexplicable fondness for this red-robed young man, as if meeting a long-lost junior who had suddenly grown into someone extraordinary.
After a moment’s hesitation, Su Ci asked, “Could you serve as the officiant for our wedding?”
The elder blinked in surprise. They were mere acquaintances by chance—could he really take on such a role?
“I no longer have any family or elders within my tribe,” Su Ci explained. “Nor do I have close friends or confidants. Today’s meeting feels like fate, and I find your presence comforting. That is why I thought to ask…”
Su Ci lowered his gaze slightly, adding, “But if you find the request inappropriate, consider it unsaid.”
The elder looked at Su Ci’s downcast expression and felt an unexpected pang of compassion.
At his level of cultivation, he had long learned to follow his heart. Since he felt such a strong connection with this young man, why not agree to officiate?
“When would the ceremony take place?” the elder asked.
Su Ci’s lips curved into a soft smile. His lowered gaze brightened, forming crescent moons as he replied, “The date hasn’t been set yet. Perhaps you could help us choose?”
The elder couldn’t help but chuckle, shaking his head. However, hearing Su Ci mention his lack of family, the elder felt a subtle pang of emotion and nodded.
“Very well, I know a bit of divination. Let me calculate an auspicious date for you.”
“Thank you. We’re grateful for your help,” Su Ci said sincerely.
While Su Ci and the elder were speaking, Little Su Ci was busy chatting with A-Yan.
A-Yan sat cross-legged by the campfire, carefully tending to a skewer of roasting fish. Little Su Ci squatted beside him, resting his chin on his hands, alternating between watching the fish and glancing at A-Yan with bright, delighted eyes.
The child’s gaze was so full of joy and curiosity that A-Yan couldn’t help but smile.
Su Su was so adorable as a child…
A-Yan glanced toward Su Ci, who was speaking with the elder in the distance. His gaze softened, filling with warmth. When he turned back to Little Su Ci, his affection seemed to overflow.
Little Su Ci, having only recently gained sentience, was highly attuned to others’ emotions. He could sense A-Yan’s fondness for him—a fondness that even seemed to surpass his master’s.
Though he didn’t understand why, it didn’t stop him from enjoying A-Yan’s company.
“Brother Zhou, are you a half-demon?” Little Su Ci asked, staring intently at A-Yan’s fluffy ears. His small hands fidgeted, clearly tempted to reach out and touch them.
Since arriving in this parallel world, A-Yan and Su Ci had masked their true auras, appearing as ordinary cultivators. In this era—when the Earth Spirit had only recently awakened and the Spirit of Rules had yet to gain consciousness—they were, without a doubt, the strongest beings present. No one could see through their disguises, not even Little Su Ci, who was a younger version of Su Ci himself.
A-Yan chuckled, glancing over at Su Ci and the elder to ensure they weren’t paying attention. Then, he carefully released a tiny trace of his aura before quickly concealing it again.
The faint energy ripple was picked up only by the keenly perceptive Little Su Ci.
“Wow!” Little Su Ci’s golden eyes widened in amazement, shining even brighter.
“Brother A-Yan… are you a spirit too?” he asked in a soft, awed tone.
His sweet, tender voice tugged at A-Yan’s heart. Simultaneously, the thought of what Su Ci must have endured to transform from this innocent, carefree child into his present self caused a pang of sorrow.
Gently, A-Yan placed his hand on Little Su Ci’s head, stroking his soft golden hair.
“Yes,” he said softly. “We’re spirits, just like you.”
A-Yan made up his mind: no matter the world, he would ensure this Little Su Ci knew he wasn’t alone. Even when the elder eventually left, he would always have someone by his side.
Little Su Ci blinked in surprise. “You know I’m…”
A-Yan nodded with a knowing smile.
Having been taught by the elder to keep his identity as a spirit secret, Little Su Ci was initially cautious. But to him, Brother Zhou wasn’t “others”—he was a spirit, just like him!
This was Little Su Ci’s first time meeting another spirit besides himself—and one so much stronger.
“What about the handsome brother?” Little Su Ci glanced curiously in Su Ci’s direction.
A-Yan didn’t answer, instead sprinkling spices over the roasting fish.
Seeing no response, Little Su Ci rested his chin in his hands and mumbled, “The handsome brother doesn’t seem to like me very much…”
At least not as much as Brother A-Yan does.
A-Yan offered him a piece of boneless fish, holding it near his mouth. Little Su Ci eagerly opened wide and chomped down with a satisfied hum.
“He doesn’t dislike you,” A-Yan said with a soft smile. “He’s just… a little shy.”
The amused glint in A-Yan’s eyes puzzled Little Su Ci, but before he could dwell on it, his attention was drawn to A-Yan’s fluffy ears.
“Can I touch your ears?”
He leaned closer, wrapping his small hands around A-Yan’s arm, his soft voice pleading, “They look so fluffy. Can I, please?”
A-Yan laughed helplessly.
Some things really never change, he thought.
He nodded, and Little Su Ci let out an excited cheer. He stood on his toes, but his small stature made it impossible to reach. Determined, he climbed onto A-Yan’s back instead.
A-Yan let him, his face filled with indulgent affection.
Not only did Little Su Ci enjoy delicious food, but he also got to touch the fluffy ears. Completely content, he eventually dozed off in A-Yan’s arms, his face lit with a peaceful smile.
The white-browed elder, now finished discussing with Su Ci, gently lifted the sleeping child and summoned the cloud whale. He turned to bid farewell to Su Ci and A-Yan.
“Daoist friends, please stay here. We shall meet again someday.”
With those words, the elder carried Little Su Ci onto the cloud whale, which slowly ascended and disappeared into the sky.
Su Ci and A-Yan watched their silhouettes fade into the horizon. Only when they were no longer visible did A-Yan turn to Su Ci.
“Su Su—”
He reached out to hold Su Ci’s hand, but the latter had already crossed his arms, his expression cool and distant.
“What’s wrong?” A-Yan asked, confused.
“You seem to like that little kid a lot,” Su Ci said flatly before turning to walk toward the campfire, leaving A-Yan standing there in stunned silence.
When the realization dawned on him, A-Yan chuckled.
“Su Su, are you jealous?” He quickly caught up to Su Ci and grabbed his hand, smiling brightly.
Su Ci refused to look at him. He picked up the bottle of elixir wine left by the elder, taking a sip before saying, “If you can’t bear to leave, you’re welcome to go after him. There’s no need to stay here.”
A-Yan found Su Ci’s sulky demeanor irresistibly endearing. Wrapping his arms around him from behind, he kissed his cheek and said gently, “It’s because of you that I can’t bear to leave.”
Su Ci let out a soft huff. He had already told A-Yan that this world’s version of himself wasn’t the real him. But then again…
Who was he to judge? After all, he had invited his old master to their wedding and even asked him to officiate.
Still…
“So, Brother A-Yan?” Su Ci teased with feigned indifference.
A-Yan’s expression changed instantly. Hearing Su Ci address him that way, he grinned foolishly, his fluffy tail wagging excitedly behind him.
Su Ci froze, his expression darkening.
Sensing the shift, A-Yan quickly hugged him tighter. “Don’t be mad, handsome brother,” he said playfully.
That only earned him a sharp glare, but A-Yan shamelessly continued, “My ears and tail are yours. No one else will ever get to touch them—just you. How about that?”
With a few more rounds of puppy-like coaxing, A-Yan finally managed to appease Su Ci.
That night, Su Ci leaned against A-Yan, gazing at the star-studded sky above the tranquil sea. The gentle breeze carried the scent of salt, and the deserted island was peaceful and serene.
Just as A-Yan thought Su Ci had fallen asleep, he heard his soft voice break the silence.
“A-Yan, thank you.”
“There’s no need for thanks between us,” A-Yan replied, lowering his head to cup Su Ci’s face.
He kissed him deeply, savoring the moment.
The long night stretched ahead, and since neither of them felt like sleeping, they decided to occupy themselves with far more interesting things instead…
