4000 years later...
They had been inseparable since they became blood brothers, they grew up together, they trained together, they ate and cook together, they bathed together, and they also slept together in the cave.
Because of the turmoil in his clan, Wang Tian Huang decided to stay with Xiao Fei until he became stronger and powerful enough to claim back his rightful place and inheritance.
None of her teachers knew that she had been living in seclusion with her blood brother since she had been living in seclusion inside the hidden cave with the excuse of increasing her cultivation. Seeing that she had reached the early stage of Immortal level, they believed that she was indeed had been practicing diligently.
With her help, her handsome blood brother was able to surpass her energy level. He had reached the highest level of the immortal level and soon he would be ready to fight his enemy and take his rightful place back.
"Xiao Fei..., I have to go back to claim back my inheritance and fight my enemy!"
"Huang Ke..., wherever you go..., I will go!!"
Wang Tian Huang hugged his blood brother affectionately..., he was grateful that for 4000 years Xiao Fei had been his faithful companion, friend, family, teacher, and protector.
For others, Xiao Fei's origin from the mermaid clan had scared them and mercilessly, they had ostracized her. But to him, Xiao Fei had become his reason to achieve greatness in his life, he wanted to spoil his blood brother with wealth and power, he believed that with Xiao Fei help, he would be invisible and formidable to defeat his nemesis.
"Old master Bai Ji..., I want to leave this place to help my blood brother claims his inheritance!"
Bai Ji's eyes widened with fear and nervously he was pulling his white long beard up and down while exhaling his breath like steam, he said, " Aiya..., no can do! Danger awaits out there!"
"I didn't ask permission! I am letting you know, Old Master Bai Ji! My energy level already at the immortal level..., after my tribulations I would become a high level immortal that would live forever!"
With a worried look, Bai Ji asked, " Do you love the man?!"
It was the first time he knew that the sacred goddess obtained a sworn blood brother.
"How could I love a man? I am also a man!"
Bai Ji presented to cough at his accidental remark. The sacred goddess didn't even know that she wasn't a man, thinking that her different anatomy was caused by her mermaid blood.
When she took a bath under the waterfall or on the hot springs, she kept her undergarment since she didn't want her blood brother to know that she was born without a male genital, also scales surrounding her body like a fish, she needed to hide her ugly form.
While, she had seen her blood brother big male genital in awe, and she was glad not to have the big thing hanging on her body, or it would be inconvenient for her to have one with scales around it. She never saw another merman, thus she didn't know whether they supposed to have it or not.
"Old Master Bai Ji..., do you know if a merman supposedly to have a male genital or not?!"
Bai Ji was shocked by the intensity of her question, indeed the sacred goddess wasn't clueless at all. She definitely had seen it.
With uproar, he said," How do you know about the male genital?! Had you seen it?"
"Err..., I saw it on the medical drawing!!", she lied instinctively when she realized he would be upset if she told him that she had seen it. Why is that?
With relief, Bai Ji said," AiYa...., Go see your other teachers! Take care of yourself and every hundred years don't forget to drink the blood potion for your own safety!"
Wu Ming returned right on time on her 4400'th birthday, he gave her the blood vial that she drank dutifully.
After finishing gulping down every last drop of it, she said point-blank," I am leaving, Master Wu Ming. But every 100 years on my birthday, I would come to see you!!
Wu Ming was aghast with the shocking news, and asked," Why? Where? How come?!!"
"My blood brother that I had sworn to protect would fight his enemy to claim back his inheritance. I had to follow him even if I had to die in order to save him!!!"
"What blood brother? Do you love him?!!"
Again, the same question of 'love', she sighed deeply and said furiously," How could I love him? I am also a man! I love him as a brother..., but I know that is not your question intention!"
Then she realized that her outburst had saddening her master that was sobbing like a kid.
He paused his tears and said," Xiao Fei..., Please stay here!!" Then he let got his tears again.
"Master Wu Ming..., I want to be by my blood brother side for eternity! I have to protect him even if I have to pay for my life! He is the only person that never saw my outward appearance as a monster. He treats me without prejudice and he loves me as I love him..., as brother!!!"
Wu Ming was glad that the scales on her body was able to repress her extraordinary beauty and her secret gender. As long that she didn't love his as a woman love a man, he didn't have to worry that she would die from the love curse.
"Every hundredth birthday, you have to come and see me! Let me know where you at..., so I can visit you whenever I feel like it!"
She nodded at his condition.
The last master was hard to convince...
It had been one hour and she kept repeating a 'No' every time she said a response.
"No...No...No...., you can't leave until you passed your tribulations! Three of them! Each for every higher immortal rank!!"
"Old Lady Mei..., I am not asking for permission. I am leaving tomorrow!"
"No...No...No...., Do you love your blood brother like a woman love a man?!!"
Again!!
She sighed," It's not possible! I am a man! I will visit every hundred years! Goodbye Old Lady Mei!"
Without waiting to hear for another 'No', she left with her flying skill.
- Nighttime, at the cave -
"Huang Ke.., I already said goodbye to my teachers!"
"Are you sure you want to follow me?!", Wang Tian Huang asked her earnestly.
"Yes..., I am willing to die for your cause!!", she answered guilelessly.
"Why you never request for the three wishes that I granted you for saving my life?!"
"Living with you for eternity is my only wish! As long as I alive..., I would protect you with my life!"
Wang Tian Huang smiled with acceptance. He felt the same way toward his blood brother. For 4000 years they had been closer than any siblings or even lovers, his own brother had tried to kill him, without Xiao Fei, he wouldn't be here today or tomorrow. He was grateful to obtain such a precious person to accompany him for eternity.
"Tomorrow, we will go to the highest level of the heavenly sky. It would be a long and dangerous journey. Thank you, Xiao Fei, for being the best brother!!" He hugged her tightly with affection, it was not the first time they hugged each other, but she smiled sheepishly at the warmth feeling within her that occurred each time they hugged. She swore that at the moment she could feel a thousand butterflies fluttering their wings in her stomach. Such a great warm feeling.
They slept while hugging each other, they were closer than any lovers minus the lovemaking that would not possible between them.