Ji Chaoyun’s consciousness was already very blurred, and he couldn’t even see the acquainted define in entrance of him.

He raised his head with all his would possibly. The person earlier than him leaned down and gently embraced him.”It’s alright, don’t be afraid, I’m right here.”

“Feng Xiao…” Ji Chaoyun whispered the identify softly, even the ending syllable was trembling. “…Is it actually you?”

The individual beside him didn’t reply, solely sustaining his embrace and sighing imperceptibly.

Ji Chaoyun was sizzling throughout. The nice and cozy contact eased the strain, and he couldn’t assist however wish to absorb extra of it. He uncontrollably approached the warmth supply, grabbed the entrance of the opposite’s garments with each arms, and cried out, “It’s so uncomfortable, Feng Xiao…”

However with out ready for him to do the rest, the opposite get together gently held his wrists and stopped him from transferring.

Feng Qi’s eyes have been barely crimson. His voice was startlingly hoarse, as if making an attempt to restrain one thing. “Relax, Ji Chaoyun. Are you able to hear me? Chaoyun?”

Ji Chaoyun’s total physique froze, as if somebody had poured chilly water on his head. His initially chaotic consciousness miraculously woke up.

“Feng… Qi…?”

“It’s me.” Feng Qi compelled himself not to take a look at him. He shortly picked up Ji Chaoyun’s garments and wrapped them round him. “Even forgetting your warmth interval. You fool.”

Ji Chaoyun instinctively wished to push him away, however his arms and ft have been weak and he couldn’t exert any energy in the meanwhile. The subsequent second, his physique was pulled up from the bottom.

Feng Qi picked him up.

Ji Chaoyun muddle-headedly fell into Feng Qi’s arms. “The place are you taking me…”

“…” Feng Qi gritted his enamel and mentioned bluntly, “Taking you to unravel your rattling warmth interval!”

He was all the time nervous about what would occur within the secret realm. So earlier than Ji Chaoyun entered it, he separated a ray of divine consciousness from himself and hid it on Ji Chaoyun. When Ji Chaoyun and Xu Zixing had handled the large python moments earlier than, he’d felt the irregular fluctuation of religious energy in Ji Chaoyun’s physique.

—After which he noticed this scene.

The youth was curled up on the bottom. His garments have been messy, his physique was abnormally feverish, and the hermetic cave was stuffed with the lingering sweetness that got here along with his warmth.

Feng Qi held his breath and compelled himself to relax.

There have been gentle mirrors in all places exterior, so he naturally couldn’t simply exit with Ji Chaoyun. He listened rigorously and vaguely heard the sound of water coming from the depths of the cave.

With out additional delay, Feng Qi carried Ji Chaoyun to the place the place the sound originated from.

Bypassing the lengthy and slim hall, there was a smaller cave on the opposite facet with a deep pool in it. The water was crystal clear, although it was unclear the place it got here from.

Feng Qi knelt on its edge and supported Ji Chaoyun till he was inside.

The water was bitingly chilly. Ji Chaoyun curled up as quickly as he touched the floor. He grabbed Feng Qi’s sleeves with each arms, sticking near his embrace. “Chilly…”

“Don’t be coquettish. Isn’t it higher to be chilly? Will get you awake,” Feng Qi mentioned with a relaxed face. “Hurry and go down.”

Ji Chaoyun raised a pair of misty eyes, and held Feng Qi tightly, refusing to let go.

If he was awake, he would have positively not finished this, however he had been in a daze since earlier. It was already uncomfortable and now, he even had to enter chilly water. His eyes have been turning crimson with grievance.

When Feng Qi noticed the feelings in his eyes, he may hardly maintain again the stressed agitation in his coronary heart. He felt like he also needs to go in to sober up.

He took a deep breath, put Ji Chaoyun on the bottom beside the pool, eliminated his gown, and bent over to hug him as soon as extra.

The sound of water within the depths of the cave clattered out; Feng Qi jumped into the pool with Ji Chaoyun in his arms.

The icy pool water drowned them immediately. Ji Chaoyun shivered from the chilly, and put his arms round Feng Qi’s neck in a good maintain. The latter intently hugged him again and held him up in opposition to the reef on the pool.

“It’s alright, it’ll be alright quickly.” Feng Qi leaned near Ji Chaoyun’s ear to consolation him, on the similar time grabbing his wrist to slowly inject religious energy.

Below the injection of religious energy and the coldness of the water, Ji Chaoyun’s fast respiration slowly calmed down, and he progressively gained consciousness. However this exterior pressure was extraordinarily ineffective; after a while had handed, Ji Chaoyun’s warmth may now not be calmed down.

Feng Qi hesitated for a second, earlier than reaching into the waters.

Ji Chaoyun grabbed him all of a sudden.”What are you doing…”

Feng Qi’s expression was slightly unnatural. He turned his head and regarded away. “The black python you killed is the fourth vicious beast that appeared on this secret realm evaluation.”

Ji Chaoyun blankly checked out him. His confused thoughts didn’t perceive what he meant.

Feng Qi mentioned, “Nobody is aware of if the fifth beast has appeared, and when it’ll. But when the fifth beast is beheaded, all of the disciples who stay within the secret realm will likely be routinely despatched out.”

He paused, his voice tough. “You in all probability don’t need everybody to see you want this.”

Unaware if it was due to the chilly or what, however Ji Chaoyun’s fingers trembled barely, nearly like he was unable to proceed greedy Feng Qi’s hand.

Feng Qi sighed. He pressed Ji Chaoyun’s head in opposition to his shoulder. He softly consoled him, “Shut your eyes, I’ll make it easier to.”

“…!”

Ji Chaoyun’s consciousness quickly blurred once more, as if sinking right into a turbulent wave, ebbing and flowing with nothing sturdy to depend on.

A delicate splashing of water rang from the depths of the cave, and it continued for a very long time.

⤜❅⤛

March 2022: You probably have discovered this translation wherever besides on Dummynovels (https://dummynovels.com/novel/after-cultivating-with-the-enemy/), it has been stolen.

⤜❅⤛

When Ji Chaoyun wakened once more, the dryness and warmth throughout his physique had pale. He received up from the pool, his garments neatly folded on the reef beside it, and dried himself.

He dressed himself and walked out of the smaller cave. Feng Qi was sitting within the open area the place the black python had been beheaded, a hearth burning in entrance of him.

It was unknown how lengthy the hearth had been burning. The entire cave was warmed up, totally totally different from the chilly and dampness it emanated once they had simply entered.

Was it for concern that he’d be chilly when he wakened?

This thought all of a sudden flashed by way of Ji Chaoyun’s coronary heart when Feng Qi turned his head. “Lastly awake. How do you’re feeling now?”

Pondering of what had occurred, Ji Chaoyun’s face was barely sizzling. He regarded away awkwardly. “It’s all proper.”

He paused, then mentioned, “Thanks.”

When he mentioned this, Feng Qi additionally felt slightly uncomfortable. He coughed frivolously. “It’s high quality, come over and heat up.”

“En.” Ji Chaoyun walked to the hearth and requested as soon as extra, “Why are you right here?”

Feng Qi was silent for a second, then honestly confessed, “Earlier than you entered the key realm, I put a ray of divine consciousness on you.”

“…”

“Don’t take a look at me like that. I didn’t make it easier to cheat.” Feng Qi dodged his expression and argued, “You have got been feeling unwell for the previous few days. Can’t I be afraid that one thing will occur to you? See this outcome? Actually what I’d anticipated. Inform me, you don’t even know what’s unsuitable together with your physique. What would you do if I wasn’t right here?”

Ji Chaoyun was left speechless by Feng Qi’s continuous interrogation. He squatted beside the hearth in silence, the flickering of the firelight including a little bit of blood to his face. His hair was barely damp and messy, and he regarded terribly well-behaved and mild.

After an extended whereas, Ji Chaoyun softly thanked him, “Thanks, I’ll listen sooner or later.”

Feng Qi frowned, displeased. “Why are you all the time being so well mannered to me?”

“…Ah?”

“Neglect it, it’s nothing.”

“…”

The ambiance within the cave turned unusual for no purpose. Ji Chaoyun raised his eyes and checked out Feng Qi. The latter’s face was gloomy and he stared straight on the hearth. Ji Chaoyun was uncertain why he was being depressed.

He silently retracted his gaze, and forged a spell to open the scoring record.

By way of the killing of the black python, his factors had been elevated by ten. Now, his present rating was twenty-two, rating fifteenth within the Yellow-character degree.

It had been 5 – 6 hours for the reason that opening of the key realm. The widespread evil spirits within the place had been cleared already. At this stage, it was nearly not possible to alter the rankings on the scoring record.

To forge ahead, each level was paramount.

Ji Chaoyun put away the scoreboard and stood up. Earlier than he may say something, Feng Qi requested sensitively, “What are you going to do?”

“The evaluation isn’t but over.”

“You continue to wish to proceed?” Feng Qi checked out him in disbelief. “You… It would take no less than one other 4 to 5 days to utterly recover from your warmth. What you want now is an efficient relaxation. Why do you wish to make hassle?”

“However…”

Feng Qi couldn’t assist however interrupt, “You might be already within the fifteenth place. To not point out, there can be no situation together with your literary check. Now, it doesn’t matter what, you received’t be expelled from the academy. There isn’t any must proceed.”

“It’s obligatory,” Ji Chaoyun mentioned significantly. “I haven’t made it to the highest ten but.”

Feng Qi was startled.

The evaluation system of Hongmeng Academy was extraordinarily strict.

The quarterly exams’ prime 5 have been ranked 1, whereas the underside 5 have been ranked 3. These ranked 3 would straight mix the scores of the literary check and the martial arts check, to take the underside 5 locations. Nonetheless, the willpower of those that ranked 1 was far more difficult.

After the key realm evaluation was over, the academy would choose the highest ten disciples with the mixed scores of the literary check and the martial arts check to enter the second spherical of the evaluation. Within the second spherical, ten disciples would draw tons in pairs, and at last 5 winners from there can be chosen and be elected as the highest rank.

As long as one stood out as first-class within the 4 assessments in a single tutorial 12 months, one may proceed to take part within the promotion evaluation the next 12 months.

As quickly as Ji Chaoyun mentioned this, Feng Qi instantly understood what he meant.

From the very starting, his objective was not simply to remain within the academy; he wished to get the primary grade, he wished to ascend to the promotion evaluation.

Feng Qi checked out Ji Chaoyun’s silhouette and softly questioned, “Do you wish to go to Heaven’s Area?”

Ji Chaoyun’s expression was slightly stagnant, and he didn’t reply.

Feng Qi: “Hongmeng Academy’s Gate of Ascension is the one place within the Immortal Realm that may result in Heaven’s Area. In accordance with the gate guidelines, solely the disciples of the Heaven-level are eligible to enter the Gate of Ascension. That is the aim of your coming to Hongmeng Academy. Am I proper?”

Ji Chaoyun subconsciously averted his gaze. “Why would you suppose so?”

Feng Qi smiled. “Simply now if you have been hugging me, you stored calling an unfamiliar identify. Why? You took me as him? We glance alike?”

Unexpectedly, Ji Chaoyun didn’t refute. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know simply now.”

Feng Qi took a deep breath and continued, “Your purse has a really particular imprint on it. That mark incorporates divine energy. I’ve confirmed it with somebody, and it belongs to one of many gods.”

Ji Chaoyun: “There are literally thousands of treasures on this world, and it could be that I received it by chance.”

Feng Qi mentioned softly, “Jun Ruzhuo has already informed me.”

Ji Chaoyun’s expression lastly confirmed a flaw. His eyes narrowed. Half of his face was hidden at midnight, and when he spoke once more, his voice was slightly hoarse, “What did he say?”

With out ready for Feng Qi to talk, Ji Chaoyun took the lead and stateed, “By no means thoughts, deal with it as if I’ve by no means mentioned that. Seeing that his temperament can’t cover issues, he in all probability informed you the whole lot.”

“…Sure, I want to go to Heaven’s Area.”

Feng Qi’s coronary heart sank, then a burst of unspeakable sourness appeared. He couldn’t assist however say, “That individual made you wait within the mortal world for 300 years in useless. Even now, you continue to imagine in him?”

Ji Chaoyun raised his head, wanting as if he didn’t fairly perceive why he’d mentioned that. “Why wouldn’t I imagine?”

Feng Qi’s voice was caught in his throat.

“300 years in the past, the gods and demons fought, and the gods suffered heavy injury. Therefore, they needed to shut the doorways of Heaven’s Area to recuperate, by no means showing earlier than the world once more,” Ji Chaoyun elaborated. “It’s regular that he can not come out. Since he can’t, I’ll go to him.”

Feng Qi lowered his head, feeling reasonably gloomy. “You might be so positive that he didn’t violate the assembly with you for different causes?”

“You don’t know him, Feng Qi.” Ji Chaoyun raised his hand and touched the purse in his arms, feeling a slight heat by way of his garments. “He’s not that type of individual.”

Feng Qi’s voice felt like a lump in his throat, and after some time, he muttered, “What sort of man is he, if he can’t even fulfill his promise. If it have been me, I’d by no means allow you to—”

His voice stopped abruptly. His eyes moved in the direction of Ji Chaoyun’s expression earlier than altering the topic. “Have you learnt how harmful it’s to ascend to the Heavenly Gate? There may be the Heavenly Hearth left by the gods on it. As soon as the Heavenly Hearth burns one’s physique, the ache is insufferable. And when you fail, your religious consciousness will likely be destroyed, and your immortal physique together with it. Are you assured you’ll be able to ascend?”

“No,” Ji Chaoyun mentioned honestly. “However I’ve to strive, and do my finest.”

“Thanks for saving me. Divine consciousness leaving the physique is extraordinarily draining of religious energy. You shouldn’t keep right here for too lengthy,” Ji Chaoyun mentioned. “I can deal with the remaining myself, so return first, and don’t waste your religious energy in useless.”

Feng Qi whispered, “I’m comfortable to.”

Ji Chaoyun didn’t hear clearly. “What did you say?”

“…Nothing. I’ll stick with you for some time. Don’t fear, I received’t communicate, and I received’t intrude with you.” Feng Qi stood up, not ready for Ji Chaoyun to cease him. His determine become a golden gentle and flew to Ji Chaoyun’s entrance.

Ji Chaoyun stretched out his hand, and a light-gold child chicken that was lower than the dimensions of a human hand flew out of the sunshine and landed on his palm.

The little phoenix was ​​coated with gentle golden feathers, and its physique was small and beautiful, like a spherical ball with lengthy tail feathers dragging behind it, reflecting sensible colours underneath the firelight.

The phoenix shook his feathers, and gave a low cry to Ji Chaoyun, his voice clear and nice.

Ji Chaoyun checked out him, slightly dazed. “You…”

“…What’s unsuitable?”

“This type of yours…” Ji Chaoyun hesitated for a second, then mentioned rigorously, “..is way cuter than I assumed.”

“…” The feathers throughout Feng Qi exploded immediately, nearly leaping out of Ji Chaoyun’s palm. “The unique type of This Highness may be very majestic, no worse in comparison with yours. Don’t look down on individuals! Aren’t I simply nervous others can inform who I’m if I take advantage of my true kind?!!”

Ji Chaoyun may now not bear to carry in his smile; his shoulders trembled, and he shortly soothed Feng Qi. “I perceive. Don’t get too excited.”

…As soon as excited, he turned even cuter.

Ji Chaoyun decisively stopped laughing earlier than His Second Highness Feng blew his feathers as soon as once more. He positioned him on his shoulder, and stepped out of the cave.

Ji Chaoyun quickly found that to get what he wished was tougher than he’d thought.

The cedar forest the key realm was positioned in was enormous, the mountainous highway straightforward to get misplaced in. Trying to find the few remaining demons in such an atmosphere was tantamount to searching for a needle in a haystack. However Ji Chaoyun didn’t care about this in any respect. He shortly shuttled by way of the forest, looking throughout, not lacking anywhere the place evil spirits would possibly lurk.

One shichen, two shichen, three shichen…

Time creeped ahead little by little. Ji Chaoyun’s rating slowly elevated, earlier than lastly leaping to the eleventh place.

Nevertheless it was nonetheless two factors away from the tenth place.

Though it was solely two factors away, Ji Chaoyun had already encountered nothing for a shichen.

His bodily energy had not but recovered from his sudden warmth upsurge. Even when Feng Qi had beforehand injected him with religious power, it was solely a drop within the bucket. Ji Chaoyun swayed barely, stopped underneath a stone wall, and frivolously gasped.

“Ji Chaoyun, don’t go anymore. Your physique…” Feng Qi whispered in his ear. “It was a shock this time. Even if you happen to can’t move this 12 months, there’s nonetheless the subsequent one. Why push your self so laborious?”

Ji Chaoyun rested on the stone wall with one hand, and a high quality layer of sweat oozed from his brow.

Should he actually name it off?

Even when he positioned one other…

Ji Chaoyun’s eyes turned black, his fingertips slowly tightened on the stone wall, however a hint of disobedience flashed in his coronary heart. He raised his head, and the stone wall in entrance of him was rugged and steep, however there was no mud on the floor.

Ji Chaoyun vaguely realized one thing, and his heartbeat accelerated.

He took two steps again and swung his sword in the direction of the stone wall. The second the sword gentle touched it, a crisp sound got here from the stone wall’s floor, as if there was an extremely hidden and invisible barrier being shattered, exhibiting the insides to the bare eye.

What was hidden behind the stone wall was a chilly and darkish cave stuffed with evil spirits.

Half a shichen later, the sunshine mirrors in entrance of Swordplay Area have been all extinguished, and the portals opened. The disciples who participated within the evaluation have been despatched again one after one other.

The sky had utterly darkened. The total moon hung excessive within the evening sky, and the disciples watching the battle in teams of twos and threes on the grass had already dozed off.

Everybody was woke up by the motion and requested questions in a daze.

“It’s over?” “Who received?” “Did anybody see who discovered the final ferocious beast?”

The sunshine of the teleportation formation dissipated, and Ji Chaoyun stepped onto the garden. His determine was in an especially unhealthy situation. The three contemporary scratches on his left arm have been nonetheless bleeding, blood trailing from his fingertips onto the grass.

He staggered and wished to stroll ahead, however was all of a sudden pulled right into a hug.

Ji Chaoyun raised his head, regarded on the acquainted face, and mentioned softly, “I succeeded.”

“Yeah, it labored.” Feng Qi hugged the emaciated physique of the younger man tightly in his arms. The ambiance was enthusiastic, everybody was asking how the outcome was, and nobody seen the 2 individuals embracing throughout the crowd.

Ji Chaoyun’s consciousness progressively sank, and he vaguely mumbled, “So drained…”

“Sleep for some time, I’ll take you again.” Feng Qi stroked Ji Chaoyun’s hair and lowered his head, nearly like he’d kissed the hair softly.

Nonetheless, Ji Chaoyun may now not take note of any of this, his physique utterly slackened and he let himself fall in Feng Qi’s arms.

The ultimate rating lastly lit up as soon as extra on the sunshine mirror. Ji Chaoyun’s rating immediately elevated by 10 factors, and the ultimate rating was 35, making him the primary within the Yellow-character rating.