Ninety-Nine: Entrusting This Life, Bound in Symbiosis (Part One)

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This was Lu Daoxuan’s second time saying “your woman.” The first time he said it, Shui Wufeng and Wood were tense and didn’t pay it much mind, but this time everyone heard it clearly.

Zheng Yizhen and Shui Wufeng exchanged a glance, then looked at Yaxinyi and Wood but remained silent. Yaxinyi lowered her head, her neck flushed with embarrassment, yet she did not voice any objection.

Wood, feeling awkward under everyone’s gaze, said, “Well, Brother Lu, she’s my junior sister in the cultivation world, not my woman!”

Lu Daoxuan replied casually, “It’ll happen sooner or later! This method is a skill that requires the combined spiritual power of several of us to perform. It’s called: Borrowing an Object to Substitute the Form. It allows you to exchange the life force of a specified living being with your woman’s. But there are two conditions: First, even if her cultivation is ruined, she can start anew.”

Wood nodded, “That’s not a problem.”

Lu Daoxuan continued, “Second, the life forms must be similar. You said she is a spirit rooted in the Immortal Root of the ginseng fruit tree, nurtured by the essence of heaven and earth. Here, only two beings meet the conditions for ‘Borrowing an Object to Substitute the Form’—oh, I misspoke, only one person and one beast!”

“One person and one beast?” everyone was puzzled.

Lu Daoxuan pointed at Wood: “You bear the blood of an immortal, so naturally you qualify. As for Qiongqi, since it is a kind of divine beast, also a spirit nurtured by nature, it’s just about suitable!”

He deliberately omitted mention of Yun Zhongxian. No one would allow Wood to sacrifice his life to replace Yaxinyi, so there was only one choice left—all eyes turned to the Qiongqi lying at the feet of Gu Feng.

Sensing the hostile gazes, the ancient ferocious beast was startled, leaping up to hide behind Gu Feng’s divine beast form, whimpering like a household puppy.

Gu Feng said, “Lu Daoxuan, I knew I couldn’t escape your schemes. Qiongqi is so powerful, but is our strong ally, and yet you say such things!”

Then he pulled out a white silk scroll from his bracelet, engraved with golden runes. “Wood, take this! It’s a ‘Symbiotic Contract’ scroll!”

Wood was delighted and accepted it.

Gu Feng warned, “Don’t be so happy just yet; this Symbiotic Contract has usage restrictions.”

Wood was startled, “Brother Gu, don’t tell me I can’t use it!”

Gu Feng gritted his teeth, “Let me be clear: this is only lent to you. When you have your own, you must return one to me!”

Wood nodded quickly.

Gu Feng explained, “The ‘Symbiotic Contract’ belongs to the domain of life magic, now lost to cultivation. It’s a relic from the ancient demonic magic civilization. Its main effect is to share life between the user and the contracted party. For example, if only you live but a dragon can live, after signing the contract, your life forces are shared equally—both can only live half as long. For humans, this is beneficial, but for dragons, it is not. Hence, this is forbidden magic.”

Wood nodded in understanding, thinking, “Having ingested the Wozhu and cultivated the cultivation techniques, living for hundreds of years is no problem.”

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Gu Feng pulled Wood aside and whispered, “The restrictions of this contract also come with benefits. If used between men, there will be brotherly affection and never betrayal. If used with pets, loyalty is unparalleled. But if used between a man and a woman…”

He didn’t finish his sentence but smiled meaningfully.

Wood thought for a moment and said, “Could it be... romantic feelings?”

Gu Feng patted Wood’s shoulder and whispered, “Exactly. Plus, you two cannot be separated too far—if you leave her behind in another realm, soon both will feel great distress. Hah! You’ve got yourself a bargain, young man. That girl is indeed exceptional—not only beautiful, but her figure is first-rate. Truly a gift from heaven to man.”

Wood’s heart swelled with joy as he gazed at Yaxinyi’s bright eyes.

Gu Feng added, “But there is one more issue: once you sign the Symbiotic Contract, you truly share life and death. If you die by accident, then she…”

He mimed slitting his throat.

Wood nodded but did not care; as long as he could save Yaxinyi’s life, that was enough.

Shui Wufeng, seeing their furtive behavior, asked, “Disciple Wood, what’s the outcome?”

Wood quickly approached and showed the scroll. “Sect Leader Shui, I have a few words to say to Yaxinyi first!”

Shui Wufeng looked at him curiously.

Wood said, “This ‘Symbiotic Contract’ has usage restrictions. I must first obtain Yaxinyi’s consent!”

Shui Wufeng nodded and stepped back a few paces.

Wood looked into Yaxinyi’s bright eyes but suddenly found himself at a loss for words.

Seeing his fixed gaze, Yaxinyi blushed and said, “Senior Brother Wood, what do you want to ask me?”

Wood came back to himself and whispered the effects of the ‘Symbiotic Contract.’ Yaxinyi quietly said, “If so, won’t it consume half of your lifespan?”

Wood replied, “I’m willing. I only don’t know what feelings you have for me. After all, once we use the contract, we will…”

Yaxinyi fell silent.

Seeing her say nothing, Wood’s heart tightened, fearing she might say no. His feelings were like waiting anxiously for college exam results.

After a long moment, Yaxinyi softly said, “Senior Brother Wood, please ask Master Zheng Yizhen to propose marriage to my master for me!”

Hearing this, Wood was overjoyed. “As long as you agree, that’s enough!”

He then tore open the scroll according to Gu Feng’s instructions and chanted the incantation: “By the utmost heavens and contract gods as witnesses, I vow to sign the Symbiotic Contract with the person before me—to live and die together, to share honor and disgrace, to accompany each other eternally!”

As he chanted, Wood bit his fingertip and drew a strange rune on Yaxinyi’s forehead. When the incantation ended, the rune flashed with silver light and vanished. Then, an ancient and vague image appeared between them, responding in a deep voice, “I witness, the contract is established!”

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At that moment, Wood felt all his energy draining away. Between him and Yaxinyi was like a transparent bridge, the energy flowing slowly into the other’s body. At the same time, he felt that she had become an inseparable part of himself—sharing heartbeat and breath.

Seeing Wood use the Symbiotic Contract, Zheng Yizhen sighed, “The myriad worlds hold endless wonders. I never imagined such miraculous arts exist. Today, I have truly opened my eyes!” Then he turned to Wood: “Ah Mu, where do your friends come from, possessing such divine powers?”

“Oh no!” Wood thought anxiously. The situation had been critical, and he only thought to call Gu Feng and the others to save him, not how to explain. He didn’t know how to respond.

But then he quickly devised a plan, walking to Zheng Yizhen and whispering, “I will explain their origins to the sect leader after I return to my sect, but there is one matter I ask the leader to agree to now.”

Zheng Yizhen smiled slightly. “I already know! Hey, do you think our hundred years of cultivation were in vain? We heard everything between you and Yaxinyi!” He then looked at Shui Wufeng. “Sect Leader Shui, what do you think?”

Shui Wufeng looked tenderly at Yaxinyi, then at Wood. “You are willing to share your lifespan with Yaxinyi, so I believe you are sincere. I also wish my disciple a good future. How could I refuse?”

“Good!” Zheng Yizhen rejoiced. “A disciple of the Void Sect and a disciple of the Water Moon Sect becoming Dao companions—this will be a beautiful story in the cultivation world.”

Among them, Wood was the happiest. He had not expected the girl who had captured his heart to become his wife so soon. As for Yaxinyi, hearing her two masters discuss her marriage matter in front of everyone, she was so shy she hid behind Shui Wufeng.

Zheng Yizhen then did some calculations with his fingers. “Although we cultivators don’t have many formalities, the heavens and masters must be honored. I think three days from now is an auspicious day. I will wait for the sect leader’s arrival at Ruyun Heaven.”

Shui Wufeng nodded, bowed slightly to Tianxin Daoist and Zheng Yizhen, then led her disciple to fly away on her sword.

With everything settled, Tianxin Daoist also took his leave. His disciple had retrieved a celestial artifact from the Immortal’s cave, so their mission was basically accomplished.

Seeing both depart, Wood called Gu Feng and the others to gather at the Void Sect, planning to leave after his wedding.

Suddenly, a voice sounded in midair: “Not so fast, Junior Brother Wood. These people’s arts differ greatly from those of the cultivation world! Who exactly are they?”

Everyone looked up and saw Qing Feng, who had not left but hovered silently in the air, nearly forgotten by all.

Wood glared at him, recalling how Qing Feng had coveted Yaxinyi’s vital spiritual essence. Angrily wanting to teach him a lesson, Wood snorted and conjured a small painting beneath his feet, enveloping Qing Feng inside.

Qing Feng cried out in surprise. “Junior Brother Wood, the Five Villages Sect has always been on good terms with the Lingbao Heavenly Lord…”

Before he could finish, a golden light flashed—Yaxinyi, the beautiful girl beside Wood, wielded a golden dragon scissor, descending from the air. Qing Feng dodged quickly.

“Junior Brother Wood, please don’t act rashly. What is the relationship between that girl and Third Sister Sanxiao?”

The Zhuxian Sword Formation formed a barrier. Inside, the group saw a murderous aura rise, dark clouds gathered, and four swords shone with seven-colored light, seemingly preparing to strike Qing Feng.

Yet Wood used this formation to cast a soundproof spell and whispered to Qing Feng, “Senior Brother Qing Feng, if I fight with all my strength, how much chance do you have to win?”