The Rise of the Divine Oracle

Chapter 65 - Freedom

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Wangji woke up to an empty bed. He sits up, looking around for his soulmate only to find him a few paces away, sitting at their table. He stood up and went to see what got him out of bed so early, only to find his sword between Wuxian's hands.

His soul-bond was cleaning Bichen with such delicate care, sporting the most contented smile Wangji has ever seen. It made his heart so full. This man is about to go through a life altering procedure and instead of worrying about his future, he's sitting quietly.. cleaning someone else's sword.

Wangji sits behind him, sneaks his hands around Wuxian's waist and buries his nose in his neck to breathe him in: "Did you not sleep well?"

Wuxian continues to wipe Bichen: "I slept just fine. I never have nightmares when I'm with you."

Wangji: "Thank you for cleaning Bichen."

Wuxian chuckles: "It's the least I can do. Since I will not be able to protect you for a while, we will have to depend on this sword."

Wuxian puts it on the table then places his hands together to pray to it: "Bichen, please protect my soul-bond so he can live a happy long life."

Wangji smiles and plants a kiss under his ear.

After eating breakfast, they made their way towards the adjacent room designated for his healing sessions. They found Qiren, his disciples and Wen Ning waiting outside.

Qiren takes Wuxian's hands: "Son, are you ready?"

Wuxian smiles at him: "I am scared but I know that it's time for change to come."

Qiren nods then hugs him.

Sizhui and Jingyi both engulf him in a crushing hug. Sizhui: "Don't worry father. We will protect you."

Jingyi: "I hope you feel better after this."

Wuxian pats their backs until they let go and turns to address them and his disciples: "I will depend on you for a while. I hope you don't mind."

They all bowed and wished him good luck.

Wen Ning looks sadly at him. Wuxian steps closer to him, transferring Da Ziran and whispers into his ear: "Together forever." Ning smiles and replies: "Forever."

Wangji takes his hand and kisses it: "I won't be able to go in there with you. For just a few minutes.. I will wait for just a few minutes.."

Wuxian can sense Wangji's anxiety and cups his cheek: "Just a few minutes and I will be free of this pain.. free to love you.. free to be myself again.. free to do my duties. Just a few minutes, alright?"

Wangji nods and reluctantly lets go.

Healer Shi had everything ready. Zewu Jun and Yuxio were seated in their designated area based on the extensive markings all around what looks like a bed setup on the floor. Wuxian was told to remove his outer robes and lay down. Shi places 12 needles all around his body. He looked close at them as he waited for her to finish her preparations and recognized the patterns on the golden handles. She was using Wen Qing's needles. That somehow makes him feel more at ease.

When she was ready, Shi said: "Treasure Wei, this will only take around half an hour. You will sense a slow buildup of pressure in your chest and at the end you will feel fatigued. No matter what happens, do not move. Ready?"

Wuxian closes his eyes and takes a deep breath: "Ready."

Zewu Jun and Yuxio started transferring a small stream of energy via the markings underneath them, which led to the needles stuck on Wuxian's body. Healer Shi used her energy as a guide to slowly seal Wuxian's energy container to be fixed later on. Wuxian didn't feel any different for twenty minutes. After that, things started to change. Healer Shi underestimated how suffocating the pressure was going to be. Wuxian couldn't help letting out a loud groan when the pressure made it hard to draw in a breath. He felt every fiber in his body was fighting the change forced upon him. For a few seconds, all he heard was his own labored breathing and pain filled moans until something tickled his ear. A melody. Their song.