Tome of Troubled Times
Chapter 827: Karma Can Not Be Severed Arbitrarily

Chapter 827: Karma Can Not Be Severed Arbitrarily

The following morning.

The three souls still slept deeply.

Had any outsider witnessed the “bedroom scene” within this spiritual sea, they would undoubtedly feel their eyes scorched by the sheer indecency.

Two women were bound back-to-back by chains, their illusory forms stark naked. The chains pulled their figures in ways that left little to the imagination, crafting an image dripping with lasciviousness.

Zhao Changhe lay peacefully asleep upon Piaomiao’s thigh. At least he was not sprawled atop both women at once as that would have painted an even more scandalous picture. Yet, even this arrangement, with him sleeping soundly against her thigh, was enough to fill the atmosphere with decadent allure.

The first to awaken was Piaomiao.

Instinctively, she shifted, only to find herself securely bound and unable to free herself, prompting a wave of resigned irritation. How had it become so routine to find herself in such embarrassing predicaments, bound in intimate poses again and again, almost to the point of acceptance?

Yet within that irritation blossomed a trace of secret delight. She could distinctly sense the friction between her soul and Cui Yuanyang’s. Previously, such a sensation could not have existed; their souls had been intricately entangled, inseparable to the point where even distinguishing one from the other was impossible. But now, a simple twist was enough for her to feel the distinct presence of the little vixen’s soul, clear and unmistakable.

There was now a strong likelihood they would develop a twin-like psychic connection, maybe perhaps something even deeper. Further possibilities remained to be tested, but there was no doubt that they were now two entirely separate souls.

Piaomiao then felt a slight pressure on her thigh, Zhao Changhe’s head still resting comfortably in sleep. He appeared thoroughly drained and his soul was dimmer than usual; it was slowly replenishing itself as he slumbered.

Step by step, he was fulfilling the promises he had once seemingly casually made—chief among them being the most challenging task of separating their souls. Piaomiao herself had thought it an impossible feat, yet he had seized the rare opportunity presented by corruption to perform it in one swift stroke.

The Piaomiao of the previous era had been distant and aloof, a spirit of nature without hatred, love, or emotional attachments. If she could claim any friend, perhaps only Ye Wuming barely qualified. In every other relationship, she had always been the one giving, bestowing her blessings upon others, never once experiencing the feeling of being able to depend on someone else.

But in just these few short days, that feeling had surged overwhelmingly within her, as though everything would be all right as long as he was there.

Recalling the events of the previous night, her dark soul nearly flushed crimson in embarrassment. What had that even been... By the end, her own voice had probably risen even louder than that of Yangyang, and they’d blended into something akin to a duet. It was incomprehensible how Zhao Changhe had managed to remain so calm, composed, and precise amid such an atmosphere...

As her soul wavered between dark and scarlet in shy contemplation, Zhao Changhe began to stir. Piaomiao instantly noticed this and swiftly shut her eyes, pretending she had never awakened.

The next moment, Zhao Changhe chuckled softly. “Hey, we’re in the same spiritual sea right now, and we’re all just souls in here. We don’t even need to use our eyes to see here. What exactly are you doing?”

Piaomiao stubbornly kept her eyes shut tight. “That’s none of your business. I’ll keep them closed if I feel like it.”

Yet, even with her eyes firmly shut, she could clearly “see” Zhao Changhe turning over and leaning close to her face, whispering teasingly, “Do you even realize how enticing you look right now, tied up like this and with your eyes shut tight? Are you trying to seduce me?”

Piaomiao opened her eyes in irritation, snapping at him, “Zhao Changhe, your wife is right beside you. What exactly are you trying to do?”

“So you’re saying, if Yangyang weren’t here, you’d be fine with this?”

“You...” Piaomiao flushed angrily. “Last night was strictly about separating our souls and nothing else! Don’t you dare assume that—”

“I haven’t assumed anything at all. It’s your mind that’s going places.”

“...Just take these chains off and get out already!”

Zhao Changhe scanned her tied-up figure briefly but said nothing further. He just removed the chains swiftly, and exited the spiritual sea without hesitation.

Piaomiao wondered suspiciously why he had suddenly ceased his teasing, only to instantly realize she had been unable to materialize any clothing due to the chains, leaving her soul body utterly exposed.

His swift retreat was undoubtedly because continuing to look might push him beyond restraint into actions he would regret. Though, in truth, souls could not physically act on any desires, and intimacy between souls was entirely different from that between physical bodies. Piaomiao occasionally wondered if Zhao Changhe’s persistent desire to grant her a physical body had such intentions in mind...

But now was not the time to dwell on such matters.

Piaomiao experimented briefly and found she could still control Cui Yuanyang’s physical body, but the nature of that control had clearly shifted. It now resembled possession more closely. In fact, it was no different from invading someone’s body, except that this one was a perfect match for her. Theoretically, she could even slip into Zhao Changhe’s body if he allowed it.

She wondered if she could lend him her full strength in such a way and if that would enable him to stand against Ye Wuming.

Just as she pondered this, Cui Yuanyang began to stir awake.

Instantly, Piaomiao darted out of the spiritual sea, transforming into a small cloud of black mist, and yielding control to her. Before Cui Yuanyang could even call out, Piaomiao had already vanished.

* * *

Zhao Changhe and Cui Yuanyang sat face-to-face on the bed, cross-legged, staring curiously at a small cloud of black mist floating between them.

The little cloud of mist blinked innocent black eyes, faintly tinged with crimson.

Cui Yuanyang reached out with a finger and poked it experimentally, delighted to find it tangible, giggling brightly. “So, this is big sister’s soul, painstakingly separated after an entire night’s effort? How cute!”

Zhao Changhe crossed his arms thoughtfully. “Perhaps so.”

Just moments ago, Piaomiao had retained a human form in the spiritual sea. How had she suddenly transformed into something resembling Papiyas, all smoky and shadowy in this corrupted state? But unlike Papiyas’s grotesque form, Piaomiao now had no discernible features other than two blinking eyes shimmering shyly. They looked so endearing it almost felt unfair.

Zhao Changhe was puzzled by Piaomiao’s unusual form, so he turned first to Cui Yuanyang. “How are you feeling now? Yangyang, are there any abnormalities within yourself?”

Cui Yuanyang closed her eyes briefly, moved her arms, and replied energetically, “I’m completely fine! In fact, my strength has increased significantly, thanks to big sister’s diligent cultivation over these past two months.”

“What stage has your cultivation reached now?”

“Um... I don’t actually know what you’d call it. Is this the Profound Control Realm?”

Zhao Changhe fell silent, speechless.

Indeed, cultivation that was not one’s own would inevitably lead to confusion; how could she possibly not even know her cultivation level?

Still, reaching the Profound Control Realm was quite plausible. The substitute who trained her was just too high level, after all. Moreover, it was not just a physical improvement; Cui Yuanyang’s soul had also been strengthened considerably due to the prolonged entanglement with Piaomiao. Otherwise, with the previous strength of her soul, prolonged exposure to Piaomiao’s overflowing demonic qi would have caused a far worse outcome than simple fainting spells.

If Cui Yuanyang had not gained any tangible benefit from this strange reincarnation scenario until now, this time, she had undoubtedly soared straight to heaven in terms of cultivation...

The little black mist slowly spoke up, “I transferred some of my soul energy to Yangyang... She didn’t ask for it, but it doesn’t matter. Just consider it my way of compensating her.”

Once again, the couple’s gaze landed simultaneously on the little ball of mist, their expressions brimming with adoration, as if gazing at an irresistibly cute pet.

Piaomiao struggled to maintain seriousness. “Why are you both staring at me like that? Listen, Yangyang is indeed at the Profound Control Realm. In theory, she has inherited the Qinghe Sword and should be channeling righteous qi, but since this silly girl doesn’t even understand her own cultivation path yet, she can only be considered partially proficient. She’ll still need to explore and comprehend it fully on her own.”

Yet after such a detailed explanation, the shameless couple before her seemed entirely uninterested. Cui Yuanyang asked instead, “Can you really exist independently from my body now? Will you really be okay like this?”

Piaomiao was exasperated. “Were you even listening? This concerns your future cultivation!”

“Oh.” Cui Yuanyang blinked innocently. “If I cultivate well enough, can I become an adorable little ball too?”

“...Yes.”

“Ahem.” Zhao Changhe coughed awkwardly. “Yangyang cultivates primarily to become cuter anyway, so what qi she uses probably isn’t all that important.”

Piaomiao fell silent.

I understand now. Someone who purposely makes it such that the manifestation of their soul has rabbit ears truly has no equal in frivolity...

Zhao Changhe quickly redirected the topic. “Anyway, let’s put aside Yangyang’s cultivation for now and return to your own matters. Yangyang’s question was also my concern.”

Piaomiao replied seriously, “I can exist independently from the body temporarily. I should be able to do so for roughly seven or eight days without problems. Staying out longer might cause complications.”

“How far can you go?”

“As long as there’s enough time to return, distance isn’t a problem. I’m a primordial spirit, not some common ghost.”

“But if you’re a primordial spirit, you shouldn’t be limited to just this little mist form, right? You weren’t earlier...”

Piaomiao fell silent again. Of course, she could maintain a human shape, but she was engulfed in demonic qi, making her appearance distorted and unpleasant. It was better this way; at least she seemed cute.

She herself did not understand why she suddenly cared about appearances, especially since even in her most hideous form, he had still kissed her without hesitation....

Seeing Piaomiao drifting into her own thoughts again, Zhao Changhe pressed on. “Since distance isn’t a concern, what about crossing dimensions or even traveling through time?”

Piaomiao asked curiously, “What exactly are you getting at?”

Zhao Changhe said pensively, “Back when we studied the page of karma together, you once attempted to reverse time to alter karma, but I stopped you. I want to try again, with your help this time...”

Piaomiao was startled, not expecting him to be still fixated on solving her problem. “Didn’t you say karma shouldn’t be manipulated recklessly? Moreover, if you’re thinking of severing the karma between me and Ye Wuming, I refuse.”

“Your previous attempt was too drastic, trying to replace your very origin would have completely unraveled karma,” said Zhao Changhe calmly. “This time, I’m targeting only your state of corruption. Even if karma is involved, it would merely touch upon Papiyas. As for you and Ye Wuming... you’re overestimating me. I simply don’t have the ability to interfere with karma at that level.”

Piaomiao suddenly realized that Zhao Changhe’s intention was to resolve only her corrupted state, not her personal vendetta. Naturally, they would focus on the critical moment just before she had fallen into corruption two days prior, specifically, the events involving the Soul-Capturing Mirror. This was indeed much simpler.

She asked thoughtfully, “Did you come upon new insights after studying the Buddhist texts yesterday?”

“Yes, and it just so happens that we’ve now managed to separate you from Yangyang, making the process safer. Before this, I was concerned about harming Yangyang. Besides, your help has boosted my own cultivation quite a lot, so we have much greater chances of success.”

“If you’re fully recovered...” Piaomiao hesitated briefly, then finally relented. “Then perhaps... we could give it a try?”

Cui Yuanyang opened her mouth as if to protest but decided against it. Altering karma sounded dangerous no matter how one thought about it. Piaomiao might appear corrupted, wrapped in swirling black demonic qi, yet she acted perfectly normal, at least in front of Zhao Changhe. With that being the case, was there even a need to risk anything?

Yet deep down, Cui Yuanyang also knew Piaomiao could control herself only when Zhao Changhe was around. Facing others outside, she might lose control, releasing waves of vicious hostility. Resolving this issue was undoubtedly for the best. Otherwise, their household would never know peace.

Cui Yuanyang, sensing the gravity of the situation, sensibly took a seat on the chair beside the bed. “I’ll stand guard while you two do your thing.”

Zhao Changhe lovingly tousled her hair. “Our Yangyang truly has grown up.”

Watching this scene, Piaomiao secretly scoffed. Go ahead and keep treating her like a child. This girl can even out-scheme you. At least half of my current predicament is thanks to this innocent-looking fox.

Of course, Piaomiao was not about to betray her only dear sister aloud. Instead, she asked Zhao Changhe, “So, how exactly do we proceed?”

Zhao Changhe opened the page of karma. “Come here.”

The little black mist bounced onto it with a soft boing.

Zhao Changhe gently stroked the black mist, almost as if petting a cat. “When you see the Buddhist light radiating from my hand, you can begin.”

Piaomiao had no chance to protest against his overly gentle touch before Zhao Changhe’s palm burst forth with golden light.

She had to admit this Buddhist aura was remarkably genuine. It was as if it was being emitted by a great sage of profound virtue. Wait, he’s only ever read the Diamond Sutra, right? How is he able to produce such a pure Buddhist aura after just one day of studying Buddhist texts?

Cui Yuanyang snickered. She knew exactly how proficient he was in the Pure Bliss Sutra—which, all things considered, was still a Buddhist text.

Piaomiao instinctively activated the time technique she had only recently comprehended. In the blink of an eye, Cui Yuanyang saw the black mist vanish into the Heavenly Tome. Zhao Changhe gripped Dragon Bird tightly and closed his eyes, observing the world within and without.

Piaomiao was no longer before their eyes or even in their current world; she had entered a different point along the endless river of time.

An inexplicable fear suddenly arose in Zhao Changhe’s heart. If she failed to return, would it not mean Piaomiao was truly gone forever?

Indeed, if she could not return, that would mean complete annihilation. But such a fate would not result from failure of the technique itself; rather, it would imply something catastrophic had occurred on the other side of space-time.

Zhao Changhe steadied himself. Given their combined strength, confronting the karmic moment of the Soul-Capturing Mirror from mere days ago should not pose any risk at all.

Very soon, the scene of that day reappeared. Zhao Changhe and Piaomiao were standing before the Soul-Capturing Mirror. He purposely ignored his own embarrassing behavior caused by Yue Hongling’s provocation of his weakness. His focus this time was solely on Piaomiao.

Indeed, the Piaomiao of that moment had already been replaced by the little black mist version of herself. Within the stone wall before her, the fragmented scenes he had once glimpsed through the Qinghe Sword appeared.

The ancient Piaomiao floated gracefully above the ground, robes fluttering gently, surrounded by four divine swords. Her eyes were lightly shut, her expression icy and distant, an ethereal beauty far beyond mortal reach.

It was a breathtakingly magnificent sight, especially set against the catastrophic backdrop of a collapsing world. That was the true Piaomiao, not the distorted version he had come to know in this life.

With a graceful gesture, her jade-like fingers formed a sword seal, sending all four swords shooting forth simultaneously into four separate dimensions, instantly slaying four demons embodying the forces of oblivion.

The positions where the swords pierced formed a mysterious formation. Piaomiao closed her eyes again, forming a complex seal with both hands. Immense power surged forth, forcibly stabilizing the fracturing land. Thus, while the heavenly realm crumbled altogether, the mortal realm only endured earthquakes and tsunamis but never shattered entirely.

Such an incredible feat could not have been achieved by Piaomiao alone. Beyond her own pre-forged swords, another, even greater force assisted from afar. Zhao Changhe recalled Ye Wuming mentioning protecting the mortal realm alongside someone else. Clearly, Piaomiao and Ye Wuming were allies at this moment.

Piaomiao was visibly drained, and her complexion turned increasingly pale as she poured every ounce of strength into her task.

Holding the Heavenly Tome in the courtyard of the Buddhist temple, Zhao Changhe decisively drew Dragon Bird, slashing through the air.

He was swinging his blade to sever karma!

As his blade fell, an invisible barrier instantly blocked the scene between Piaomiao and the stone wall. The image abruptly faded, leaving only darkness.

Zhao Changhe had witnessed before what would come next. Just when Piaomiao was at her weakest, a massive demonic palm would descend, striking her down. Seeing herself betrayed and murdered by her ally in the Soul-Capturing Mirror had plunged Piaomiao into uncontrollable fury, fueling her inner demons.

As long as Zhao Changhe prevented Piaomiao from witnessing that critical scene, the root cause of her corruption would be severed.

This strike transcended space and time. He wielded his saber in the present, yet severed karma in the past!

Zhao Changhe watched anxiously as the demonic intent within Piaomiao began fading away, gradually turning pure white.

Did it work? No... Something’s wrong!

Zhao Changhe suddenly felt his consciousness waver. Dizziness washed over him as his soul was drawn into the stone wall.

The karmic saber strike had succeeded, but the enormous energy expenditure left his soul too weak to resist the Soul-Capturing Mirror’s natural pull.

“Zhao Changhe, be careful!” Piaomiao, whose misty form had fully returned to its pure white hue, instantly transformed into her human shape with a loud bang. She lunged desperately forward, grasping tightly onto Zhao Changhe’s wavering soul. “Come back!”

Whoosh!

A sharp whistling echoed through the air as both of them were simultaneously pulled into the depths of the Soul-Capturing Mirror, vanishing without a trace.

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