Chapter 788: Chapter 436: Beaver: Cosmic Light Is Also a River!

First, the branches of the Emotion Song.

The flowing water was like a nimble snake, or rather...like tentacles wrapping around him. The cold and intangible sensation made Li Ye feel a trace of chill in his heart.

Immediately after.

It even intensified, wrapping around his body from his ankles to his waist, finally softly yet undeniably around his neck and cheeks...

It wasn’t just cold anymore.

To be honest, it was a bit disgusting.

And the process of transforming into a fish was interrupted, as the entity seemed very fond of his current state.

Finished!

The worst scenario had occurred!

Back when he was learning the Emotion Song, his master had mentioned that this Divine Technique, capable of communicating with all things in the world, could easily attract some wandering ghosts.

Of course, any wandering ghosts capable of disturbing him at the Four Seasons Sect were quite formidable indeed, but he had never encountered one until now.

He didn’t expect to encounter such a situation at the Mid-period of Nascent Soul.

Could it be that the wandering ghosts mentioned by his master were indeed these unidentifiable beings from beyond this realm?

Why didn’t you tell me earlier!

He had a look of helplessness but dared not act rashly.

This was indeed someone else’s domain.

If it wanted to harm him, he wasn’t sure if he could even escape.

But there was no choice.

After all, he had come here of his own volition to entice another’s Spirit Beast, and even to extract their souls, which wasn’t much different from dancing on the edge of danger.

He could only hope that this presence would be reasonable.

He dared not move.

He could only say, "Indeed, this matter is my fault. If you, elder, have any requests, feel free to state them—I am willing to compensate you."

But the power wrapped tighter.

Even carrying an extreme sense of madness.

Amongst the consciousness was a trace of cold Ghost Qi:

"I do not know how high the Heavens are, nor how thick the Earth, only seeing the warmth of the Sun and the chill of the Moon, which consume one’s life."

"This endless solitude over the millennia has no one to communicate with, only you can ease it."

"I do not want you to do anything; in this River of Cosmic Light, I can share the world with you, and these fish are delicious, I will fry them for you to enjoy.

But only you cannot leave me."

In the instant when consciousness subsided, a chain formed from water captured the unmoving Chronos Fish directly, with faint flames burning on the chains, colorless yet scorching its body.

There was even...the sizzling sound and the aroma of burning in the air.

The Chronos Fish dared not move.

It could only look at Li Ye with eyes folded with countless brilliance, as if asking for help.

"Sigh."

"Is this really necessary."

"If you truly force me, making me witness things I don’t wish to see, then I’d rather be shattered completely!"

The Sun and Moon Ring on his chest began to shine with a starlight.

The pure light, traversing endless distances, carried flames, as if it was about to ignite.

This powerful force brought a brief silence to that consciousness.

Immediately after.

"Plop."

The Chronos Fish fell directly into the river water.

Behind him, however, there was an odd feeling, as if a human form had taken shape—a shadow, gray and indistinct, with long hair flowing like river water, indistinguishable in Yin and Yang, embracing him.

Softly whispering in his ear:

"I will heed your command, do you wish to stay here and accompany me?"

"I know you once sought friends within my branches—I also know that your master and grandmaster sought friends in my streams, yet you all were unwilling to respond to me.

Why?

Why...

Why!"

The embrace grew stronger.

The once stable power also began to riot.

Li Ye understood some of its meanings through the Emotion Song.

Sighing softly, he turned around.

The hem of his Taoist Robe created a colorful ripple on the gray surface of the river.

Actively embracing it, even patting its back.

Comforting it:

"There are so many cultivators in this world, yet none knew you had developed consciousness, had I met you earlier, I would have treated you as an esteemed guest.

All the forces in the cosmic galaxy would invite you to the seat of honor.

I am willing to promise to open my doors to you; you can seek me anytime, even sharing the tribulations of these millennia with you." 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

The branches of the Emotion Song also actively embraced that silhouette.

Absorbing the fog that had long refused to dissipate—the fog created by the tortures of the Sun and Moon over the millennia.

Just a little.

Li Ye felt a scorching agony all over his body.

Even the light of the Jianmu in his Dantian was suppressed, the bronze halo dimming, as if wilting.

Wearing down.

This was not simple pain.

But intended to grind him into powder from soul to flesh; within the river, nothing could survive, not even the river itself.

Li Ye had never experienced such pain since beginning his cultivation.

Not even in the most difficult times.

"So you’ve always been enduring such pain."

"But how am I to share it with you."

"This pain is endless, and I am without a solution."

His expression remained gentle; even though his brows furrowed, his embrace did not loosen.

Li Ye truly had no solution.

Even if it burned him like a candle, he was powerless, and merely sharing a fraction already caused him immense pain.

More would only destroy his consciousness.

The Nascent Soul was insignificant before the passage of time.

"..."

The gray figure seemed stunned, standing there as if in a daze.