The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 140: The Day When He Dominated Should Be The Day Of His Wedding

The Day When He Dominated Should Be The Day Of His Wedding . . .

Retribution from the heavens was an unyielding force, one that even Master Bai, with all his strength and cunning, could not escape. It was a cosmic law, impartial and unforgiving, sparing no one.

In the early days, when the first heavenly retribution struck, Master Bai's body had been crippled, rendered powerless to resist. It was a harsh lesson, but it pushed him to refine his abilities, ultimately leading to a gradual recovery as his cultivation advanced. However, the final bout of retribution was the most punishing of all.

During this last trial, he found himself robbed of his sight, and both his arms and legs were rendered useless. The struggle endured for more than three decades, and while he managed to regain the use of his arms and his vision, his legs remained paralyzed, a cruel reminder of his vulnerability. This irreversible disability meant he could no longer fully harness the might of his cultivation, the very power that once shook the world.

Wan-Er and Xiu-Er willingly followed Master Bai into this brutal cycle, though it did not vex them as it did their master. For them, each reincarnation meant returning to their youthful, alluring forms, a joy that transcended the suffering they endured. As women, they relished the opportunity to reclaim their most beautiful state, no matter the hardship.

Moreover, they were not central figures in the heavenly retribution cycle. Thus, their recovery was swift, and each reset only served to deepen their mastery of martial arts theory and principles. They emerged from the ordeal with newfound strength and stability, their roots firmly grounded.

Master Bai, however, found himself imprisoned in a torment that stretched each moment into an agonizing eternity. Nine times, he had been subjected to this relentless cycle, tortured repeatedly by heavenly retribution. The only thread of hope that sustained him throughout was the tantalizing promise of the Heavenly Mystery.

Yet, just as success appeared within his grasp, a tragic twist of fate intervened, and the Heavenly Mystery slipped through his fingers. This was the catalyst for the Chaotic Storms' grand operation—an event that threatened to unleash havoc upon the world.

Wan-Er cast a sympathetic gaze upon her suffering master. "Master," she murmured softly, "you've borne so much pain."

Master Bai remained composed, lost in thought, and replied, "One hundred and seventy years ago, the Xiao Monarch entered each of the four Saint Domains. The Heavenly Mystery manifested itself one hundred and sixty-eight years ago. While the Xiao Monarch journeyed through those domains, I scoured them for any trace of the Heavenly Mystery, but found nothing."

His expression darkened as he continued, "There's a two-year gap that doesn't align."

Master Bai was fraught with distress, running a hand over his forehead as if searching for answers. Wan-Er ventured further, her voice gentle, "Master, may I inquire about the appearance of the Heavenly Mystery?"

Master Bai regarded her, his brow furrowing. Wan-Er, intimidated, lowered her gaze, explaining hesitantly, "I only wish to understand better..."

Master Bai's features softened, and he gently tousled her hair. "Wan-Er, you'll never betray me," he reassured her with a faint smile. "You merely seek to help and provide more opportunities."

Master Bai heaved a sigh, the weight of his past failures and relentless pursuits evident in his voice. "Wan-Er," he began, his tone carrying a hint of resignation, "I possess knowledge of the Heavenly Mystery, but the true form of this enigmatic treasure eludes me. I've scoured the depths of the Supreme Cyan Cloud and combed through every inch of the Supreme Sky Palace, yet it remains shrouded in mystery."

With a deep breath, he continued, "The sole account of it can be found within a historic myth—a tale left behind by the creator of this very universe."

Closing his eyes, he recited the words etched in the annals of time, his voice filled with reverence, "To tread the supreme path to the ultimate treasure requires the amalgamation of cosmic glory and boundless power. The possessor of such a treasure becomes the sovereign of the heavens, the solitary ruler of the cosmos—a peerless lord amidst the chaos."

Wan-Er's curiosity led her to speak, her voice soft and thoughtful, "The sovereign of the heavens, the solitary ruler of the cosmos—those are lofty titles."

Master Bai corrected her gently, his words carrying the weight of truth, "No, you misunderstand. These titles are not grandiose; they are the reality. If I were to attain it and wield its power correctly, I could ascend beyond the Supreme Cyan Cloud and ascend as the dominator of the firmament. The Supreme Cyan Cloud would be but a drop in the vast ocean of my dominion."

There was anguish in his voice, a deep-seated frustration bubbling to the surface. He couldn't reconcile the sacrifices he'd made with the seeming futility of it all.

He grappled with inner turmoil, a maelstrom of emotions threatening to overwhelm him. The anger, like a tempest, raged within him, its tumultuous force threatening to consume him whole.

[Why? Why have I poured out my life and essence, only to have the Heavenly Mystery vanish before my very eyes? Decades upon decades of suffering—was it all in vain? Have I unwittingly played a role in someone else's triumph? I refuse to accept it!]

These thoughts had tormented Master Bai for an eternity. There were moments when he wanted to scream his anguish to the heavens, but he could only choke back his emotions, burying them deep within.

His face flushed with the unspoken turmoil, a tempestuous storm raging beneath his calm exterior. In an instant, he wrestled control of his emotions, suppressing the tempest within.

But his hair, once meticulously groomed, now tumbled in disarray. A few strands floated gracefully around his face, lending an enchanting air to his handsome visage. In the shadowy embrace of the bamboo grove, those errant locks added an ethereal quality to his presence.

Wan-Er, captivated by the sight, gazed at Master Bai's profile with a mix of admiration and concern, but she was soon struck by something altogether unexpected.

Master Bai turned to look into the dark expanse of the bamboo forest, his voice tender yet laden with the weight of time. "How many years have passed?" he mused aloud. "Wan-Er, both you and Xiu-Er have accompanied me through countless cycles of heavenly retribution and perilous trials. Do you ever regret it?"

Wan-Er's response was imbued with deep sentiment. "Master," she replied earnestly, "neither Xiu-Er nor I have ever regretted our decision. Merely being in your presence is a blessing bestowed by the heavens. Even if we must endure further hardships, our time by your side is a gift we cherish. I cherish it, and I believe Xiu-Er does as well."

Master Bai let out a wistful sigh as he contemplated the improbable turns of his life. "Who would have thought," he mused, his voice tinged with a hint of nostalgia, "that the humble phoenix egg and the unassuming sparrow egg I took with me when I left my family would emerge as my most steadfast pillars of support... My most loyal companions."

Wan-Er's cheeks flushed with a rosy hue, and her eyes shimmered with admiration as she gazed upon her master. She replied with heartfelt affection, "Master, you've breathed life into my existence."

Addressing Wan-Er and Xiu-Er with affectionate endearments, Master Bai continued, his words carrying a tender warmth, "Wan Of The Clouds, Xiu Of The Heavens... Wan-Er, if I succeed this time, if I lay my hands on the Heavenly Mystery and ascend to dominion... I wonder, would you and Xiu-Er consider being wedded to me together?"

Wan-Er's entire being trembled with emotion. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she gazed at Master Bai as though the words spoken were part of a dream. Overwhelmed by her emotions, she cupped her face with trembling hands and wept.

This moment had been a distant dream, an aspiration buried deep within her heart, one she'd scarcely dared to acknowledge. Her only wish was to remain by his side, regardless of who he might marry in the future, and that, to her, would have been a life well-lived.

But now, in this unexpected moment, her cherished dream appeared on the verge of becoming reality.

"Master... Oh, Master..." Wan-Er couldn't restrain herself any longer and sought solace in her master's comforting embrace. She clung to him with fervor, her voice choked with emotion, "I am overjoyed... Your words have already granted me the utmost satisfaction in this life. I would willingly give my life for it..."

In a matter of moments, her warm tears had soaked through Master Bai's clothes.

"However, Master," Wan-Er sobbed, her voice filled with hesitation, "Xiu-Er and I... we lack the qualifications... You, Master, are deserving of a bride from the esteemed Sky Palace. How can we audaciously entertain the notion of marrying you?"

Master Bai held her close, his touch gentle yet resolute, and he spoke with unwavering determination, "Neither a princess of the Sky Palace nor any other can hold a candle to my Wan-Er and Xiu-Er... You two have been my steadfast companions through thick and thin. When I obtain the Heavenly Mystery and ascend as the dominator of the firmament, I shall marry you both!"

His eyes brimmed with affection as he added, "This is the one promise I wish to make to you—during the 7,000 years since you both assumed human form."

Tears continued to stream down Wan-Er's cheeks, but this time they bore the weight of happiness and disbelief. Her heart surged with an overwhelming sense of joy. She held onto Master Bai tightly, her head nodding in agreement as she breathed in the intoxicating scent that enveloped him. Unable to contain her elation any longer, she pressed her soft, rosy lips against his in a passionate kiss.

It had been an arduous journey, one filled with trials and tribulations, but the destination was finally within reach.

Master Bai tenderly ran his fingers through Wan-Er's silky hair and spoke with a depth of emotion that matched the moment. "Once my legs regain their strength, and my cultivation abilities return," he began, his voice laced with anticipation, "Wan-Er, you and Xiu-Er should come to me. Let us experience the passions of human ardor, the exquisite pleasures of the senses. After all we've endured, we shall savor these moments together."