Bai sensed as his body was crumbling. His mother was slowly carving the right path of the air and spirit power. This carving was meticulous, with each breath and spirit revolution, Xiangxie used her own spirit power infecting Bai's own and barely changing its path.
For Bai it was like thousands of worm were crawling all around his body while wearing burning rocks. The pain was so high that he couldn't even lose his conscience. It didn't take long of this torture for him to lose his ability to breathe correctly and Xin needed to use his own spirit power in combination with Xiangxie to forcibly make it.
When he was a child, Xiangxie already made it optimal for Bai, plus the low development of him, make teaching it relatively easy. Now, Bai's body and spirit was stronger and more fixed making it very difficult to change, needing strength and precision, one wrong move could greatly affect his future, even making him unable to cultivate. If before was a blank slate ready to carve, now he was an already written slate that must be rewritten.
The truth was that it would be impossible normally. For people over spirit elder, it would be almost impossible, not needing to even talk about spirit sages. However, Bai was a special case. Due to already had cultivated the breathe, even when he had discarded, there were some traces of it, making it easier. But the most important part would be his merge. After the merge, his spirit, personality, strength... his self had changed with it and his spirit power had become in a neutral state waiting to follow his new path and opening the possibility to relearn the breathing technique. It would be much better if he had cultivated it since he was little, but at least it was something.
Due to the intense pain and torture that became his new regime, Bai felt even more in love with Chenxiang. She was the only lull from his hellish training, every lesson an irreplaceable memory for Bai, and seeing Chenxiang smiles and growth one reason to continue with it.
Finally, after one week they had finished. Bai could revolution his spirit energy at the unison of his breathing, following the path of his mother technique, the Raising Breath. At Bai's level, it wasn't very useful, but as it would adapt to him, becoming a completely new and personal technique it would create great benefits, especially to someone with such odd spirit and mental energy.
This date casually coincided with the Shrek Eight Monster departure. A carriage was already prepared for them to go towards Deep Sea City to search about Sea God Island. The carriage was prepared by Fengzhi so it was very luxurious equipped with all comfort in the thought.
Shrek's member was saying their goodbyes and thanks for the Seven Treasure Clan's hospitality, Bai, Fengzhi, Xiangxie, Gu Rong, and Chen Xin were there to say their goodbyes. The truth was that most of the talk was made by Fengzhi while the other was pestering Rongrong.
Chenxiang was hugging Rongrong, Xiao Wu and Zhuqing "Wait a week for me. I am sure that I would reach for you" Thanks to her new comprehension due to Bai's classes, she sensed herself very near to a breakthrough so she decided to stay a little more until it happened. The other Shrek's member didn't mind and offered to stay a little more as it didn't come from some days. But they were convinced by Chenxiang to start the travel without her, that she would prefer like this as it won't be much time and they were ready and leaving her a good reason for her to go full speed chasing them after.
Bai hugged Rongrong "I will miss you, sister" as he patted her head for the shame of her "Take care of the travel and don't be too naughty" leaving Rongrong a little angry to him. Even so, she hugged him "Don't play too much with sister Xiang" She giggled "I could hear you some nights". Bai rubbed his neck a little ashamed.
When it was the turn of his parents and uncles, Bai made distance and approached towards Shrek group. He then dragged Tang San and Oscar to a corner where they wouldn't be listened. Bai put his hand over the boys' shoulder and smiled at them "If something happens to Rongrong, Death will be the least of your problems" he calmly said, even when his mouth was smiling, his eyes were full of slaughter intent.
Tang San and Oscar shivered under Bai's pressure. "O-of course. I will put my life in line for her!" Oscar quickly nodded trembling. San could control himself better and even with cold sweat, he calmly nodded at Bai.
"Great!" Bai's intent disappeared "Have a safe trip." He said leaving them alone.
Oscar looked towards San "I love Rongrong, but his brother is dreadful!"
"Work harder. You will need to accept him as your family" San patted Oscar's back "Good luck" as he returned with the others, Oscar following after a second.
Leaving with the carriage, it could be seen Rongrong waving her hand in goodbye, her family reciprocating it. It would be a long time for them to meet again.
One more week passed, Chenxiang stood sat in a lotus position outside in a training area, the sunlight falling over her, making her blond hair glow with it. A bird phantom stood over her back and started shouting, its feather glowed with all the colors and a pair of little wings grew under its two big ones. It made a last cry before disappearing inside Chenxiang.
Chenxiang opened her eyes, her brown eyes reflecting a multi-colored light. She slowly blinked returning to her usual state. She slowly stood up and looked around her body.
"Congratulations" Bai who was hiding in a corner to not bother her said "It seemed that you really evolved"
Chenxiang jumped hugging Bai "Yeah, finally, I could consolidate all my new knowledge, with a big qualitative leap in spirit power and strength. It's all thanks to you. Thanks, Bai" She passionately kissed him.
"It thanks your hard work and talent. I only created an opportunity, you're the one that took it" Bai smiled at her.
"Next time, I will be the one that beat that Renxue bitch" she stated her aura glowing all around and covering her and Bai.
Bai instantly recognized it, it was a Domain. Chenxiang could create an innate domain without external help using her own understanding. Thanks to it, it would be stronger than a typical Light Sword Domain, but at this level it wasn't able to face Renxue's Truth, not that it couldn't evolve in the future.
Bai made a difficult face as he hugged her "Don't worry about her. I will be the one who will stop her."
Sensing the tone of his mouth, Chenxiang frowned her nose "Do you feel something for her?"
Bai sighed "I considered her as my best friend, but it was all her lie, so even if I have some mixed feelings, be sure that I will kill her coming to the worse" He patted her head "Don't worry, you know how strong I am and I already won over her before the merge." He kissed her "Never doubt that I love you, Xiang."
Even with some doubts about Renxue, Chenxiang knew that Bai's feelings for her were real and that he would protect her even with his life if necessary. Chenxiang nodded at Bai.
After some time hugging, Chenxiang made a sad face "One week had passed, I should go with them to Deep Sea City. We won't be able to see again for some time."
Bai even sad about the farewell, he tried to cheer her "We surely will see again. There would be the best place for you to grow and with the turbulent times that are approaching, you will need any strength for it. Don't worry too much, we will see later" he hugged her tightly.
"Let's make this night a memorable one." grinned Chenxiang.
That night they 'sleep' together, having a very memorable night were any of them sleep much. The next day, both stood outside at the Clan's gates. They were looking at each other with forced smiles. Chenxiang already said goodbye to Bai's family who had warmly looked after her this time, she and them already accepting as family. Bai also having said his goodbyes to them.
After a hug and a kiss, the looked at each other. All words already said, they decided to make it quick, both smiled ""Until next time!"" they said at the same time.
Two pairs of wings, one big and one small appeared at Chenxiang's back surrounded by 7 spirit rings, 1 yellow, 2 purple, and 4 blacks. She turned around and started flying. She made one last look at Bai before she started glowing and shot forward at an incredible speed towards the horizon.
Bai stood 10 minuted contemplating Chenxiang's departure direction, thinking about her. He closed his eyes. Opening them again, all the love and warmth disappeared from them, replaced by cold and sharp eyes that could cut only by seeing them.
His twin swords appeared at his hands surrounded by 7 spirit rings, 6 blacks and 1 red with a gray glow. The red one started shining, its gray aura expanding it "I am ready to start the test!"