Chapter Seventy-Five: After the New Year

With the crackling of firecrackers, another year came to an end, and naturally, the Blood River Tower could not escape the tradition. For the trainees, these three days were a rare holiday, and the entire place was festively decorated, bustling with excitement. Among them, Su Bai and Gu Fan Shuang were the laziest; their courtyard still bore last year's couplets.

"This New Year's Eve feels livelier than before," Su Bai remarked, watching the fireworks flicker across the sky before turning to Gu Fan Shuang.

Her dark, luminous eyes reflected the brilliance of the fireworks, and she nodded in agreement, "Perhaps it's because next year, we won't have this sense of celebration. Everyone is cherishing it more than usual."

Su Bai concurred, "That's true. Next summer marks the deadline for our final trial. By then, the group will split into internal duels and joint trials—competition will become fierce. After seven years of striving, no one wishes to give up now."

"Now, only the two of us remain in our team. How will we continue?" Gu Fan Shuang expressed her concern.

"Where there’s a will, there’s a way," Su Bai replied with rare confidence, smiling. "I have a teacher who answers my questions at any time. With a year and a half, I should break through to Heart-Guard Realm.

Based on previous years, each team usually has at most one Bone-Refining student, and in groups of four or five, half manage to survive. With your cultivation speed, you’ll reach the third or fourth layer of Bone-Refining in a year and a half. Compared to others, our strength is more than adequate."

He gently took her hand and spoke softly, "Do you believe in me?"

"Yes, I’ve always believed in you," Gu Fan Shuang replied without hesitation. "No matter when."

Seeing the resolute look in Su Bai's eyes, Gu Fan Shuang’s thoughts drifted far away; she barely heard what he said next.

They walked beside the training grounds before stopping. The scene now was vastly different from when they first teamed up to watch their seniors’ duels. Hundreds of firecrackers awaited ignition, ready to welcome the New Year.

Hundreds of faces, all smiling alike, filled the winter night with the pure warmth of camaraderie.

"Hey!? Brother Ming is here!" someone called out, and all eyes turned to Su Bai and Gu Fan Shuang.

Su Bai disliked the title of 'chief,' so he simply asked everyone to call him 'brother.'

"Come, Brother Ming, sit here," someone quickly offered a seat, speaking with respect.

"Brother Ming and Sister Gu always appear together—what enviable affection!" others teased.

Gu Fan Shuang bit her lip, her cheeks flushing red, embarrassed by their remarks. She turned away.

Su Bai gently stroked her back, smiling at the others, "You’re exaggerating. We’re always training hard—where’s the time to appear together? We simply took advantage of the holiday to get some fresh air."

"Honestly, we still have few at Bone-Forging Realm, but you’re already at the first layer of Bone-Refining," someone said, resonating with Su Bai’s words.

"The seven-year trial approaches, and everyone is feeling anxious."

The conversation subdued their laughter. For them, the seven-year trial was daunting.

"Wushuang died in the last mission; our group has only three left. How will we survive the harder trials ahead?" a girl of about fifteen said, tears glistening in her eyes. Others felt the same, and no one knew how to comfort them, plunging the scene into silence.

Su Bai cleared his throat and spoke gently, "Everyone, don’t let your thoughts distract you. Since the sect wishes to select talent, those unsuitable will be eliminated. Apart from strengthening ourselves, what else can we do? Instead of mourning, let’s laugh heartily for the New Year. After the holiday comes the final sprint. The outcome is not yet decided; who knows where we’ll end up?

Do your best and leave the rest to fate—so has it always been. Only by pulling yourselves together can you go further. Many who come here couldn’t thrive in their families, seeking a chance to rise. Since you’ve risked life and death to make it this far, don’t let fear of failure a year from now defeat you."

Though his tone was calm, Su Bai’s words struck like a bell, awakening everyone.

Gu Fan Shuang added, "We’re no longer naive children—mere words can’t sway our hearts."

Most present were as she described: people with backgrounds and painful histories, seeking a slim chance at greatness. Other sects couldn’t hope to cultivate Blood River Tower talents in seven years; hence, so many fought to join.

"Brother, sister, your guidance is appreciated," one stood and bowed respectfully to Su Bai.

Following his lead, all rose and thanked him, "Thank you for your advice, brother."

Watching them, Su Bai’s eyes flickered with memories: in middle school, he always imitated adults, feigning maturity, yet a trivial matter could trouble him for days. Only after growing older did he realize how childish he’d been, that there were no insurmountable obstacles in life. If fate truly barred the way, all one could say was, "Such is time, such is destiny."

"Don’t be so formal. We’re fellow disciples, encouraging each other is nothing out of the ordinary," Su Bai said, gently helping someone up.

Just then, a resonant bell rang—the new year had officially arrived.

Someone handed Su Bai an incense stick, "Brother, let the first firecracker of the New Year be yours."

Su Bai took the incense without fuss, glanced at Gu Fan Shuang, and lit the nearest firecracker fuse.

Everyone retreated to a safe distance, anticipation replacing all worry in their eyes.

After lighting the fuse, Su Bai quickly returned to Gu Fan Shuang’s side, their fingers interlocked, joining the crowd to welcome the New Year.

A loud bang echoed as the firecracker exploded, shaking the heavens.

"Howl!"

"Happy New Year!"

"Brothers, sisters, juniors, Happy New Year!"

Voices of celebration surrounded Su Bai and Gu Fan Shuang.

Su Bai nudged her shoulder, prompting her curious glance. Before she could ask, he gently kissed her forehead, gazing at her with deep affection, "Happy New Year."

Gu Fan Shuang was too moved for words; a single tear streaked down her cheek before she whispered, "Happiness is only real with you."

Their hands tightened, ignoring the dazzling fireworks above; only each other existed in their eyes. After the last ordeal, Su Bai’s feelings for Gu Fan Shuang became true and deep. If before he still acted for appearance’s sake, now his love was heartfelt and genuine.

From her, Su Bai found what he lacked most in this world.

Thus, the group passed their rare moment of leisure in the warmth of the New Year.

.........................

Late at night, the following day—

Su Bai escorted Gu Fan Shuang back to her courtyard, checked his surroundings, and made his way toward the Blood River Tower’s Demon Suppression Pagoda. The tower, dozens of feet tall, was visible even from a hundred paces.

Su Bai wondered why the Vice Sect Leader summoned him here.

In less than half an incense stick’s time, Su Bai reached the tower. Looking up, he saw it had eighteen floors; two fierce beasts guarded the gate, their names unknown to him.

Finding no one around, Su Bai was not impatient; he sat cross-legged, awaiting the Vice Sect Leader.

A voice drifted to his ears, "You’re already here."

The lazy tone sounded as if just waking, tinged with displeasure—perhaps because Su Bai hadn’t stood respectfully at the gate to bow as other disciples would.

Su Bai understood the implication, immediately opening his eyes and rising, feigning panic, and bowed deeply, "I did not know the Vice Sect Leader was arriving. I lost track of time while meditating—please punish me."

"Heh," Qinglong chuckled inwardly. He acted this way to avoid suspicion; if anyone saw him dispense with formalities, it would only hinder Su Bai’s concealed status.

Qinglong sized up Su Bai, still speaking lazily, "Enough, get up."

"Yes," Su Bai replied, moving to the side of the beast statue, awaiting orders.

Qinglong idly clasped his hands, speaking offhandedly, "I never go back on my promises, but the fate of this item isn’t up to me. Whether you can claim it depends on your luck."

Su Bai did not react with joy at the mention of a treasure; instead, he frowned. He hadn’t expected he’d have to retrieve it himself, or that it was a matter of chance—he found it somewhat exasperating.

Seeing Su Bai’s lack of gratitude, Qinglong grew irritated, "You brat, I’m giving you such an opportunity and you give me attitude! The current Sect Leader couldn’t get this treasure, and you act like you don’t want it."

Qinglong coughed twice, then asked, "Well? Do you have any questions?"

"Could I have a different reward? I have no grand ambitions, only wish for something ordinary. Besides, I’m not qualified to enter the Demon Suppression Pagoda. If I were to break in, I’d face severe punishment. Please, for the sake of my good conduct, help me out," Su Bai replied, not holding back, rattling off his plea.

Qinglong could not help but laugh, kicking Su Bai, "You rascal, stop your nonsense. Only you can take this item; tonight, you have no choice."

"What?" Su Bai had never heard of such a shameless reward system—he couldn’t refuse?

"You’ve seen the stone tablet, haven’t you?"

That question gave Su Bai pause, but he realized it was riddled with problems, so he said, "I’m not the only one who’s seen the tablet—isn’t that a bit forced?"

"The truth of it is beyond your understanding," Qinglong replied. For others, the tablet only affected their state of mind, making them relive bloody memories; their experiences were not as bizarre as Su Bai’s. Most used the blood characters to strengthen their will.

But Su Bai was different; this was a route designed by Su Qing long ago. Qinglong could not explain, for telling him outright would make Su Bai unable to accept it and doubt himself.

Su Bai eyed Qinglong’s sage-like demeanor with skepticism, "I’m too dull to understand."

He was unwilling to risk anything and kept feigning ignorance, but Qinglong couldn’t reveal the truth—he might as well force Su Bai in.

Qinglong, growing impatient, fixed him with a cold glare, "You don’t need to understand, just get inside."

He produced a ring of keys, selected one for the pagoda, and handed it to Su Bai.

Su Bai looked at the red doors, sighed deeply, thinking, "So tonight I’m being pushed onto the stage. There’s no escape."

"After opening the door, follow the path straight ahead. When you see a small black door, use the second key to enter," Qinglong instructed quietly.

"I understand," Su Bai replied, steeling himself as he approached.

Just as he prepared to open the door, Qinglong spoke again, "Remember, once inside, don’t look to either side. The residents are not friendly—if you lose your mind, I won’t save you. But if you succeed, you’ll thank me."

Su Bai swallowed, murmuring, "Understood."

A cold, eerie wind swept past his ears as he opened the door.

The moment it opened, wails and shrieks assaulted his ears, making him dizzy and unsteady.

He quickly suppressed his fear, channeling his internal energy to resist the terror spreading through his heart.

Seeing that Su Bai did not succumb to the monsters within, Qinglong nodded with satisfaction, "Good reflexes, steady steps. But will the old crow accept him?"

He worried for Su Bai’s safety, "Perhaps I was too hasty—he should have reached Heart-Guard Realm first. But time waits for no one; if missed now, who knows when the next opportunity will arise. Since the young lord is blessed, he’ll accomplish what others cannot."

Bang!

The doors slammed shut, and Su Bai vanished from Qinglong’s sight.

As he watched the boy disappear, the image of another figure flashed before Qinglong’s eyes.

"Though things change, there were those before and will be those after."