Chapter 32 - "Welcome back" (Rev.)

After thoroughly inspecting all the warehouses, Huang Jin and Xun Wei continued their journey towards the other side of the massive tree. Soon enough, they came across a slope that led to a mysterious cave.

Huang Jin revealed that he had spotted the cave after the fog dissipated, but he had a feeling that he wouldn't be able to enter it without Xun Wei by his side. He patiently waited until this moment, as he encountered numerous symbols that he could comprehend. According to the inscriptions, the first requirement was to enter the cave with his partner and then drop blood at the entrance.

Huang Jin turned to Xun Wei with a deep, blood-red gaze that exuded trust and affection. He asked, "Will you come with me?" Before Xun Wei could answer, Huang Jin could see the assurance in his eyes, and he felt the love in his heart. Xun Wei leaned in and kissed him passionately, their connection stronger than ever.

Lost in the intensity of their embrace, Huang Jin reciprocated Xun Wei's passionate kiss with equal fervor. Their lips locked in a long, warm exchange that left Huang Jin breathless, yearning for more. Xun Wei could feel the rhythm of each breath, and he hovered just inches from Huang Jin's slightly parted, inviting lips, temptation lingering in the air.

After the fervent kiss, Huang Jin nestled his head on Xun Wei's chest, wrapping his arms around him in a tight embrace.

Following the instructions inscribed in the cave, Huang Jin and Xun Wei performed the ritual by each shedding a bit of their blood. As they did so, a barrier flashed, and the symbols began to merge, coalescing into the form of two massive and seemingly alive dragons. These majestic beings intertwined and transformed, ultimately taking on the shape of the Yin and Yang symbol.

The symbol transformed, shrinking down to the size of a coin before separating into the Yin and Yang once again. In a magical display, the symbols detached from their original form and floated towards Huang Jin's neck and Xun Wei's temple.

As the symbols made contact, both Huang Jin and Xun Wei experienced a slight burning sensation, causing them to hiss in pain. However, after a while, the discomfort subsided, leaving behind the mark of the white dragon on Huang Jin and the black dragon branded onto Xun Wei.

The effect was profound. Every muscle in their bodies surged with newfound energy, a sensation far different from merely drinking the spring water from the lake. The mystical transformation had granted them an extraordinary power, connecting them even deeper with the essence of Yin and Yang.

The infusion of power was nothing short of astounding, as boundless energy surged through their veins, elevating their capabilities to a level beyond ordinary human limits. With this newfound strength, they possessed superhuman abilities, enabling them to see vast distances, even kilometers away, perceive objects in complete darkness, discern the slightest nuances, and track objects moving at incredible speeds.

For Huang Jin, the enhancement was particularly remarkable, as he could now effortlessly view the highest peak of a mountain from within his dimensional space. Such abilities were unheard of, as typically, human beings could only possess one or two types of abilities, or sometimes face great difficulty in advancing their powers.

The profound impact of this transformation left them in awe, aware that they had stepped into a realm of extraordinary potential and possibilities that few had ever experienced.

As Huang Jin looked at Xun Wei, he noticed the furrowed brows and couldn't help but inquire, "What's wrong?"

Xun Wei's response left Huang Jin stunned. "I can feel your dimensional space, Ahjin," Xun Wei confirmed.

Huang Jin couldn't believe it and pressed further, "Really? You're not joking with me, are you?"

"No, I genuinely can feel it, and I can even perceive the size of your space, Ahjin," Xun Wei replied, his voice hoarse with emotion as he struggled to contain the lump in his throat.

Perplexed by Xun Wei's concern, Huang Jin questioned, "But what's wrong with that? Why do you look worried?"

"Because when I sensed your dimensional space, I also felt something terrifying slumbering beneath that mountain," Xun Wei pointed with trembling hands towards the tallest mountain within Huang Jin's dimensional space. The revelation filled the atmosphere with an unsettling sense of foreboding.

As Xun Wei's face paled, he felt an intense presence emanating from the creature beneath the mountain. Its eyes blinked, revealing deep violet round pupils with vertical slits, resembling an infinite abyss that held both intelligence and wisdom. The creature's gaze locked onto him with unwavering focus, leaving Xun Wei unsettled.

Suddenly, the creature closed its eyes and appeared to fall into a deep slumber. In its wake, Xun Wei heard a sentence in an ancient language, strangely comprehensible to him. The words echoed in his mind, conveying a message he could understand: "Welcome back."

The cryptic encounter filled Xun Wei with a mix of awe and apprehension, leaving him to ponder the significance of this connection with the enigmatic creature within Huang Jin's dimensional space.

As the ancient sentence resonated within him, Xun Wei felt a profound sense of belonging, as if he had finally returned home after a long journey. The inexplicable feeling left him breathless, his emotions stirred beyond words. Yet, alongside this overwhelming connection, there was an undeniable aura of power emanating from the creature, a force that humankind was ill-prepared to face.

"Ahwei!"

"Ahwei?! What's wrong? What did you see?" Huang Jin's face filled with worry as he tried to get a response from Xun Wei.

However, Xun Wei remained unaware of Huang Jin's voice, still processing the impact of the encounter. Only after the creature closed its eyes and withdrew its aura did Xun Wei finally register Huang Jin's concern. The momentary connection with the enigmatic being had left him shaken and in a state of deep contemplation.

"Let's sit down, shall we?" Xun Wei gestured with a wave of his hand, summoning a couch beside him. He pulled Huang Jin with him and they settled onto the sofa.

Xun Wei's warm hands slid around Huang Jin's waist, drawing him closer against his chest. In this moment, Huang Jin realized that Xun Wei could also access and utilize his dimensional space.

"How?!" Huang Jin was astonished, holding onto Xun Wei's hands.

"I know, right? It's hard to believe, even for me," Xun Wei admitted with amazement. "I think it has to do with the drop of our blood at the barrier and the symbols marked on our skin. When my skin was marked, I mentioned that I could perceive your dimensional space, didn't I? I had a hunch that I might be able to use it as well, and now it seems I was right," Xun Wei explained to Huang Jin, sharing the incredible discovery.

"Yes, it is great news that we can freely enter and leave the dimensional space now," Xun Wei agreed.

Huang Jin then inquired about the reason for Xun Wei's earlier concern. Xun Wei explained, "I felt the presence of a creature within the space. I couldn't discern its exact nature, but I had a hunch that it might be a dragon, similar to the one depicted on our tattoos. Moreover, I could hear its voice, and that's what unsettled me."

As Huang Jin heard about the dragon's presence and the fact that he couldn't sense it, he felt a mixture of surprise and disappointment. "A dragon? How come I can't feel it? And what did it say to you? I didn't even hear it speak," he expressed, feeling a bit aggrieved that he missed out on such an extraordinary encounter.

Xun Wei couldn't help but laugh at Huang Jin's expression, but his amusement quickly turned to frustration. "The most important thing is that the dragon knows me. Why didn't you tell me about this? That there's a dragon living and sleeping inside your dimension, and it knows who I am?" Xun Wei's anger started to build up.

Huang Jin, taken aback by Xun Wei's anger, hurriedly tried to explain and calm him down. "No, I swear I told you everything I know. I have no idea how the dragon came into my dimension or why it knows you. I wouldn't keep something like this from you," he reassured Xun Wei, hoping to ease his partner's anger and concerns.

As Xun Wei bombarded Huang Jin with questions, he stared deeply into his partner's beautiful red eyes, seeking answers to the mystery of the dragon's presence in the dimensional space. Huang Jin furrowed his brows, feeling bothered by the uncertainty surrounding the dragon and the memories that Xun Wei mentioned. He honestly replied, "I really don't know."

Xun Wei continued to contemplate the situation, suspecting that a substantial portion of Huang Jin's memories might be either sealed by the dragon or deliberately forgotten. The questions swirled in his mind: How did the dragon enter and stay within Huang Jin's dimensional space? What connection did it have with Huang Jin's rebirth and their shared memories?

"I'm not upset with you, but I'm anxious about this unknown factor. I worry that it might burden or hurt you, and I don't want to see you in pain," Xun Wei expressed with a mix of anxiety and deep affection.

Huang Jin could feel the genuine concern and affection in Xun Wei's words, and he appreciated his partner's honesty.

"I know you're worried about me, and I understand. But we can't let fear hold us back. If there's something hidden within my memories or this dimensional space, we need to face it together. I trust you, Xun Wei, and I know we'll find the answers together," Huang Jin assured him, his voice filled with love and reassurance.

Xun Wei nodded, finding solace in Huang Jin's unwavering trust and support. "You're right. We'll face whatever comes our way, no matter how challenging it may be. We're in this together," he affirmed, feeling a renewed sense of determination.

Seeking some clarity, Xun Wei drew Huang Jin even closer in an affectionate embrace, trying to comfort him and dispel the lingering doubts and anxieties. The couple stayed entwined for hours, attempting to digest the enigma before them, their hearts bound together in their quest for understanding.

The revelation left both of them contemplating the significance of this mysterious dragon-like entity residing within the dimensional space. The unexpected encounter had opened up a new world of possibilities and challenges that they would need to navigate together.

Huang Jin drifted off to sleep in Xun Wei's comforting embrace. With a wave of his hand, Xun Wei conjured a king-size bed beside the sofa, along with pillows and a cozy blanket. Gently carrying Huang Jin, he laid him down on the soft bed and tucked him in with the blanket.

As Huang Jin sleep peacefully, Xun Wei watched him with a deep and steady breath. He left his sleeping lover with a lingering glance before moving away to observe the cave. However, he hesitated to enter without Huang Jin, as he had promised to go together.

Deciding to wait for Huang Jin to wake up, Xun Wei returned to his side and laid down next to him. He pulled Huang Jin close, wrapping his arms around his waist, and closed his eyes to rest alongside his lover.