Volume One: Mutation Chapter Thirty-Eight: Liu Qingqing's First Transformation

The form of the Black and White Divine Sword was not only unique, but the swirling strands of black and white energy encircling it made it all the more captivating. This sword could certainly seize the gaze of any onlooker at first sight, and at this moment, Liu Qingqing was staring wide-eyed, unable to look away.

“How beautiful! May I touch it?” Liu Qingqing asked, unable to conceal her affection.

“I’ve never let anyone touch this sword before, so I don’t actually know if it’s possible. But you can give it a try,” Liu Cong replied with a smile, as he withdrew the energy swirling around the blade, leaving only the sword itself, which looked no different from a solid entity. If not for the sensation that the celestial sword was still lodged firmly in his heart, steadily releasing energy, even Liu Cong himself might have believed this tangible sword shadow was the sword’s true form.

Liu Qingqing reached out her slender, delicate hand, approaching the blade of black and white. As her graceful fingers made contact, it was as if she were touching the surface of water—the blade rippled slightly, yet felt as solid as steel, a remarkable sensation.

After a moment, a sweet smile blossomed on Liu Qingqing’s face. She exclaimed excitedly, “Brother Liu, this sword is so magical! I can feel a warm current flowing from my fingers into my arm, making my whole arm feel cozy and comfortable. It’s an amazing feeling.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Cong’s heart stirred. He reached out and took Liu Qingqing’s other hand, tentatively sending a trace of energy into her body. Sensing that the energy flowed in without obstruction, he asked, “Qingqing, how does your hand feel now?”

“It feels the same as when I touched the sword—a warm current, then a slight tingling, and finally a wonderful feeling, as if my whole arm became lighter.” Seeing the seriousness in Liu Cong’s expression, Liu Qingqing closed her eyes to concentrate and answered carefully.

“Brother Liu, before, I didn’t believe you were an immortal, but now I do. Is this the legendary immortal energy?”

Liu Cong was still pondering whether Liu Qingqing could also learn to circulate these two energies within her body. Hearing her words, he squeezed her delicate hand and replied, “To be honest, I don’t know exactly what this energy is. But it does strengthen the body, and it has other uses too. For instance, when I carry you flying, the airflow that surrounds us, or this flame in my hand.”

“Wow! Brother Liu, you can produce fire too!” Liu Qingqing’s gentle demeanor vanished in excitement as she grabbed Liu Cong’s arm, her eyes fixed on the black flame floating in his palm.

Liu Cong let the black fire dissipate, then pulled Liu Qingqing to sit beside him on the small sofa. Looking into her eyes, he spoke earnestly, “Qingqing, I’ve run some tests with this energy, but no one else could absorb it into their body as you can. When I took you flying earlier, I thought it was just my improved control of airflow that kept you from feeling anything unusual. But now I realize it’s your special constitution—it allows you to harmonize with this energy.”

Liu Qingqing said nothing, gazing into his eyes and listening intently. No matter what Brother Liu wanted to do, she would support him unconditionally, even if it meant becoming the subject of his experiments.

“You saw it yourself—when I used the airflow to restrain Yang Meng and the others, they were in pain. But I wasn’t compressing them, just restricting their breathing. Yet you didn’t feel anything like that. This proves that you and I share a similar constitution, attuned to this energy. So, I want you to try cultivating it as well. Would you be willing?” Liu Cong placed his hands on her shoulders, looking at her with hopeful anticipation. Deep down, he longed for her to agree. If Liu Qingqing could truly cultivate this energy, he would finally have a companion—he would no longer be a lone outsider.

Yes, whether in the eyes of others or in his own, Liu Cong was an oddity, set apart. The powers he possessed—soaring freely through the sky, conjuring black fire that could reduce millions to ashes—were objects of envy and jealousy. No one could see his abilities without coveting them, and none could treat him as just another person.

He felt deeply alone and did not wish to endure those strange looks forever. He did not enjoy this isolation, so he chose to walk his path as a solitary wanderer. But now, he had perhaps found the chance to have a companion, and he fervently hoped Liu Qingqing would accept.

Sensing his hope, Liu Qingqing gently held his hands and replied softly, “Of course I’m willing, though I don’t know if I’ll succeed. I’d hate to hold you back.”

Liu Cong was overjoyed at her answer. He reached out and embraced her. Liu Qingqing allowed him to hold her for a moment before playfully pushing him away. “Are we going to practice or not? I might change my mind.”

With a chuckle, Liu Cong took her soft, delicate hands and said, “In a moment, I’ll infuse some energy into you and guide it through your body. Just focus on remembering the path it takes.” With that, he closed his eyes and began channeling energy into Liu Qingqing, guiding it slowly through her veins. For her to memorize the route, he deliberately slowed the energy’s flow.

Liu Qingqing also closed her eyes, a little nervous at first. But as the gentle energy began to circulate, a tingling pleasure washed over her. She tried to push aside the comfort and focused on memorizing the path the energy traced. After a dozen cycles, she felt light as air, as if her body had become much healthier.

Neither of them noticed that Liu Qingqing’s previously frail body was now growing fuller, like a sponge absorbing water, every withered part of her being replenished with energy, making her appear round and healthy once more.

Time passed unnoticed as both Liu Cong and Liu Qingqing became immersed in the joy of cultivation.

Three hours later, the sky outside was fully dark. Without the interference of man-made light, the stars in the night sky shone with renewed brilliance. The glittering expanse resembled a river of stars hanging above. At this moment, whether it was Yang Meng and his gang, bound securely, or the freed workers from the water plant, all of them gazed out the window, joining the rest of the survivors under the night sky of the northern hemisphere, looking up at the stars.

More than an hour passed before Liu Cong stopped transmitting energy and opened his eyes, meeting Liu Qingqing’s gaze as she, too, awoke from the trance. After a moment, Liu Cong smiled and asked, “How do you feel?”

“I feel so light, my whole body relaxed, but I seem to be covered in something a little greasy.” Liu Qingqing replied with a smile, but as she looked down under the light, she suddenly noticed her body was coated in a grayish layer of oil. She cried out in alarm, “Ah! Turn around! Don’t look!”

Liu Cong, stifling a laugh, turned his back. “That’s just the impurities expelled from your body. A wash will take care of it.”

Flushed with embarrassment, Liu Qingqing scolded, “You’re still laughing! I need a bath—out you go!” She ushered him out and closed the door, her face aflame with a blush that was part embarrassment, part annoyance.

Standing outside, Liu Cong called back with a laugh, “Don’t forget to take a look in the mirror!” He was convinced that once she did, she would be astonished.

“I really am looking forward to it,” Liu Cong murmured to himself, barely able to contain his anticipation. Even the fleeting glance he’d caught of her transformation had dazzled him.

And he was right—Liu Qingqing was indeed stunned by her own reflection. As she touched her face, the girl in the mirror had skin as delicate as a newborn’s; her willow-shaped brows were unchanged, but her beautiful, expressive eyes were now so deep and enchanting that she herself could hardly look away.

Her elegant oval face was still the same as before, but now, every subtle detail seemed to have changed, rendering an already exquisite visage even more perfect. If Liu Qingqing had to rate her own appearance, she might once have given herself an eight out of ten, but the face in the mirror now deserved a perfect ten without hesitation.