Axolotl Translations

Ruan Zhao and Chu Xinglan made their way slowly, traveling on and off for nearly half a month before finally arriving at the Northern Border of the Lower Realm—the Sea of Jingzhou.

The Sea of Jingzhou was an endless, vast expanse of ocean, shrouded in perpetual mist. No one knew where its edges led. Even immortals, capable of traveling ten thousand miles in a single day, would lose their way amidst the foggy waters.

The teleportation array to the Upper Realm was set right in the heart of this sea. Like a colossal chasm cleaving heaven and earth, it rose high into the skies, dividing the heavens from the ocean, splitting two worlds apart.

Beneath the waves, countless ferocious sea beasts lurked—each one with strength equivalent to a Golden Core cultivator. These beasts actively attacked any passing cultivators. One careless mistake could turn even seasoned wanderers into their next meal.

The endless fog and savage beasts formed two deadly obstacles, forever standing between the Upper and Lower Realms. Countless people died in this perilous sea every day, reduced to nourishment for the monsters lurking below.

But to Chu Xinglan—these so-called dangers meant little. The young man stood tall upon their flying boat, his face as flawless as carved jade, his robes billowing gracefully in the wind. A silver-white longsword rested in his hand, and just standing there, he radiated a presence so fierce it felt as though he alone could block an entire army.

“Zhaozhao, stand back,” he said suddenly, his gaze fixed on the deceptively calm waters.

Ruan Zhao obediently stepped half a pace back. In the next instant—a sea beast shot out of the water, charging straight toward them, sending a huge curtain of seawater into the air.

It was a colossal jet-black serpent, several hundred meters long. The scales on its body were each larger than their flying boat—like some ancient monster from myth and legend.

The serpent writhed, its body coiling high beneath the pale sunlight. Its gaping jaws opened wide, revealing rows of savage, dagger-like fangs as tall as a grown man.

Ruan Zhao: “…!” Why was this snake so huge… and so disgustingly thick?! So terrifying—so revolting!

Because he trusted that the person in front of him would protect him well, Ruan Zhao, his face pale, tightly shut his eyes. If I can’t see it, it doesn’t exist. He told himself that — trying to pretend the monstrous serpent wasn’t real.

Suiying cleaved through the air, releasing a sharp burst of sword energy that struck the giant serpent squarely. It was like slicing through soft, tender tofu—the terrifying beast was instantly cut clean in two. Its massive, severed body crashed into the water with a thunderous boom.

Ruan Zhao’s voice trembled. “Is… is it dead?”

“Split it clean in half,” Chu Xinglan answered casually.

“…That’s amazing.” Ruan Zhao pressed himself against the side of the boat and carefully peeked down. The pitch-black waters below churned, dyed red by the serpent’s blood. Massive waves splashed and surged, as though something in the deep was fighting over the dead monster’s flesh.

It was… gruesome. Ruan Zhao quickly averted his gaze, not daring to look any longer.

After that, the rest of the journey was surprisingly smooth. The sea beasts were clever—and valued their own lives. Knowing they stood no chance against Chu Xinglan, none of them dared show themselves again.

They passed through the teleportation array without further incident, making their way to the Upper Realm. Another five days later, they arrived at the foot of Guiyuan Sect’s mountain gate.

Before them lay three thousand white jade steps, each one harder to ascend than the last, symbolizing the treacherous road to immortality. Guiyuan Sect awaited at the top of those three thousand steps.

Chu Xinglan explained that this stairway was the first true trial to join Guiyuan Sect. Only those who could climb to the very top would earn the right to become its disciples.

Ruan Zhao quietly took this in. The hesitation in his expression gradually faded, replaced by determination—as though he’d made up his mind. He stepped forward, about to set foot on the stairs, when the boy behind him grabbed his wrist and tugged him back.

“Why are you pulling me?” Ruan Zhao looked puzzled. “Didn’t you say you have to walk all three thousand steps to be qualified to enter Guiyuan Sect?”

Chu Xinglan sighed, a little helpless. “At that pace, the sun would set before we made it halfway.” He lightly tapped the tip of Ruan Zhao’s nose. “I’m the chief disciple of the sect, you know. Naturally, I have privileges. You don’t need to climb them one by one.”

Privileges? Ruan Zhao’s eyes sparkled as he stared at him.

Without keeping him guessing, Chu Xinglan showed him exactly what “privileges” meant. Suiying floated into the air. Chu Xinglan stepped onto it, then extended his hand to Ruan Zhao. With an arched brow and a playful grin, the boy declared, “Come on, Zhaozhao—I’ll take you flying.”

Wow! Sword flight! Ruan Zhao had only read about this super cool travel method in storybooks—something exclusive to sword cultivators. He’d never experienced it for himself.

Grasping the warmth of Chu Xinglan’s hand, Ruan Zhao was pulled effortlessly into his arms. Chu Xinglan gently brushed aside the loose strands of hair at Ruan Zhao’s temple. Seeing the excitement written all over his face, he said warmly, “If you get scared, just turn around and hold onto my waist. I won’t let you fall.”

“I’m not scared,” Ruan Zhao replied, shaking his head firmly. It’s just standing on a sword while flying—What’s there to be afraid of? It’s not like this is my first time flying—

But in the very next moment, Ruan Zhao was forced to eat his words. Because they shot off at such an insane speed! The scenery around them blurred by in streaks of light and shadow. The once gentle breeze turned into a fierce wind, whipping his hair into a wild mess.

Ruan Zhao only managed to hold out for a few breaths before he spun around and clung tightly to Chu Xinglan’s waist—like a startled kitten, burrowing anxiously into his arms.

“Slow down! Not so fast—my hair’s a mess! My robe’s about to fly up!” Ruan Zhao tried to raise his voice, but it was completely swallowed by the howling wind.

Still, it seemed like Chu Xinglan heard him. Ruan Zhao felt the boy’s chest tremble slightly—as if he was laughing.

He’s laughing at me…

Annoyed, Ruan Zhao pinched his waist, not holding back in the slightest—using every bit of strength he had. Chu Xinglan’s body tensed, and Suiying wobbled and veered off course. He quickly grabbed Ruan Zhao’s rebellious hand, smoothing out his palm and locking their fingers together. “Stop that—it hurts.”

Ruan Zhao huffed, “Serves you right.” Hmph—bet you’ll think twice before teasing me again.

Ruan Zhao tried to pull his hand back, unwilling to let Chu Xinglan hold onto it, but the boy’s grip was firm, his fingers lacing tightly around his, like sticky candy that refused to let go. There was no escaping it—Ruan Zhao could only let him hold on.

But somewhere deep down, he couldn’t help but feel a bit nostalgic—nostalgic for the old Chu Xinglan. Back then, if Ruan Zhao so much as leaned in a little, the boy would blush furiously. Say something even slightly suggestive and Chu Xinglan’s gaze would dart away, avoiding him like the plague. He’d stammer out something about them still being an engaged couple—needing to maintain propriety, how this wasn’t allowed, that wasn’t allowed.

But now… Now he could boldly grab his hand and refuse to let go. Ruan Zhao sighed inwardly, ultimately giving up and letting him hold on.

About a cup of tea’s time later, they reached the mountaintop.

Ruan Zhao hopped down from the sword, his eyes wide with curiosity as he took in the scene around him. What a grand gate! What an impressive place! What a beautiful view!

Suiying wasn’t ready to go back into its sheath just yet. It zipped up and down around Ruan Zhao, circling him several times, flashing silver light like it was desperately trying to show off.

Completely distracted by it, Ruan Zhao laughed and reached out, gently patting the hilt. Only then did Suiying settle down, rubbing against him like an eager little puppy, and finally, after one last reluctant flicker, returned to Chu Xinglan’s side at his call.

“Suiying wasn’t always like this…” Chu Xinglan suddenly spoke, a touch of disbelief in his voice. “In the Sword Tomb, it was the coldest, most aloof sword of them all.” He’d fought his way through sword arrays, defeated every sword spirit, and finally earned Suiying’s recognition—pulling it from the tomb himself.

But now? Where was that cold, ruthless sword? The moment it saw Ruan Zhao, it turned into a clingy little pet. Chu Xinglan knocked on the sheath with an exasperated sigh. “I don’t know when it turned into such a shameless little bootlicker. All it knows how to do now is act cute.”

Ruan Zhao thought for a second, then replied solemnly, “Maybe it’s a case of like master, like sword.”

Chu Xinglan blinked. “So I’m a shameless bootlicker too?”

Trying not to laugh, Ruan Zhao said, “I never said that.”

“Oh, but that’s what you meant.” Chu Xinglan wouldn’t let it go.

“I didn’t—you said it yourself!”

Before their playful bickering could go on, a sharp voice cut through the air. “Who’s making all this noise here?”

A round-faced young man appeared from within the grand sect gates, his brows furrowed and face cold as he looked toward the source of the commotion. He wanted to see exactly who had the guts to make such a ruckus right in front of Guiyuan Sect’s gates—were they tired of living?

The round-faced young man squinted. Wait a second—was that the Senior Brother? But… wasn’t Senior Brother supposed to be in the lower realm getting married? How was he back already?

Still uncertain, he rubbed his eyes and took another careful look. Yep. It really was Senior Brother Chu. And standing beside him was that… beautiful girl. Which meant—that must be…

The round-faced young man turned pale with shock, spun on his heel and bolted back toward the sect, nearly tripping over his own feet in his panic. If he hadn’t caught himself, he would’ve gone face-first into the dirt.

Ruan Zhao blinked. “Why’s he running like that?”

Chu Xinglan paused for a moment, a strange expression flickering over his face. “Probably… to go tell the others.”

Ruan Zhao suddenly understood. And was kind of shocked. Was being the Chief Disciple really such a big deal? Not only did he get special privileges climbing the mountain—now even returning to the sect came with a welcoming committee?

Chu Xinglan caught that look on Ruan Zhao’s face and instantly knew what he was thinking. But before he could explain, a group of white-robed cultivators emerged from the towering gates. Their robes fluttered elegantly, each of them carrying an aura that practically screamed “I’m super powerful” without needing to say a word.

One by one, their gazes slid past Chu Xinglan and all landed on Ruan Zhao. Expressions filled with joy, curiosity, and more than a little gossip, they started whispering among themselves.

Ruan Zhao, completely unprepared for this kind of attention, instinctively shrank back behind Chu Xinglan, flustered and at a loss.

Leading the group was a strikingly handsome female cultivator. Her long, dark hair was tied up into a clean, high ponytail, and her features were as delicate as a painting. She lightly coughed into her fist, trying to signal the crowd behind her to tone it down a little, lest they scare the “young lady” standing there. She grinned and said, “Junior Brother, how come you’re back so soon? Shouldn’t you still be enjoying your honeymoon in the lower realm?”

Chu Xinglan blinked, confused. “Honeymoon…?”

Jiang Yu replied, perfectly matter-of-fact, “Yeah, didn’t you go down there to get married?”

“What marriage?” Chu Xinglan blurted, before quickly denying, “No—no, we haven’t gotten married yet.”

Jiang Yu blinked. “But the Sect Master said you had a wedding coming up—that you’d go alone and come back with two… It’s been so long since our sect had a wedding like this! I was even thinking, once you two got back, I’d help plan your ceremony!”

Chu Xinglan: “…”

Only his master had known about his engagement in the lower realm—and that his trip was to bring Ruan Zhao back. He had never expected that in just the short time he’d been away, his master would spill everything… and even spice it up, letting the whole sect believe he’d gotten married already.

With a sinking feeling, Chu Xinglan asked, “Senior Sister… how many people know about this?”

Jiang Yu let out an awkward laugh. “Uh… probably the entire sect by now.” They’d all been eagerly waiting for the wedding feast, too. Who would’ve thought—it was all a giant misunderstanding.

Chu Xinglan: “…”

Jiang Yu quickly straightened up, though her eyes darted between the two of them mischievously. “So—when are you two planning to actually get married then? I had Tian Xuanzi check the calendar, and next month’s eighth is the perfect date! That’s more than half a month—plenty of time for us to throw a proper banquet.”

Chu Xinglan raised his voice slightly, calling out, “Senior Sister.” He added, “Her face is thin—don’t tease her so much.”

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