The Gu Masters of the merchant caravan held a brief impromptu meeting. Their leader had been killed, so a new leader was elected from the two remaining vice-leaders.
Zhang Xin Ci during this time simply could not take her eyes off of Fang Yuan, noting the way that he acted and was impartial in his actions to both mortals and Gu Masters. Without a doubt, he held the aura of a righteous hero, something which she mentioned to her companion. "Actually, Missy, I think he was looking right your way. Perhaps he's taking a fancy towards you," Xiao Die said.
Despite herself, Zhang Xin Ci blushed lightly. However, she knew that this was just wishful thinking. There was no way that someone like her could attract the attention of a Rank 5 Gu Master. While many people had complimented her on her beauty, if anyone had reached that point, they would be beyond such superficial things.
That said, however, her heart couldn't help but race a little when she thought about that.
The Legends of Ren Zu, Chapter Six, Section One
Upon seeing the Miniman emerge from the Ordinary Abyss, Boundless Forest Samsara was finally motivated enough to finish her ladder, allowing her to climb outside of the Ordinary Abyss as well. Oftentimes, seeing someone else accomplish something great lit the fire within one's heart to also do the same.
However, Boundless Forest Samsara, as she emerged, noted that she had missed out on being able to find her father in time. 'Oh Father, where did you go?' she wondered, wandering around aimlessly. Although she did have the power of Strength Gu, it could not help her here.
Eventually, while wandering around, she came upon the same Miniman with whom she had been friends with earlier. "Oh, Miniman," she said. "Have you happened to see my father?"
The Miniman replied by saying that he had indeed seen Ren Zu some time ago, but by now, Ren Zu was far away. "Oh, no," Boundless Forest Samsara said, sighing. She had gone through all this trouble and effort in order to build a ladder to get outside of the Ordinary Abyss, but her father was not there at all.
Ren Zu, for his part, had spent quite some time in attempting to get the feathermen to rescue her from the Ordinary Abyss, but his efforts, which had culminated in the refinement of Wealth Gu and the creation of the Myriad Wondrous Gold Essence, had been thwarted by Fate Gu.
"Oh, Miniman. What can we do now?"
"No matter, no worries," the Miniman said. He still had Perseverance Gu with him and would not give up so easily, unlike Boundless Forcest Samsara, who had quickly been demoralized by this turn of her situation. "We will go around and look for your father."
"Miniman, thank you for helping me, but if you don't mind me asking, why are you helping me so?"
"Oh, Human," the Miniman answered. "Although I have managed to climb out of the Ordinary Abyss by becoming extraordinary, I tried to go down to tell my friends what had happened back where I come from. However, I was unable to." When someone becomes extraordinary, it is almost as if they occupy a completely different world from those of the ordinary.
"In the time that it took you to come out, the Miniman continued, "I wandered around the world. However, now I've already accomplished what I wish to do." Naturally, once the extraordinary had done whatever they wished to do, they would find another goal, never being able to rest upon their laurels.
No matter how high one climbs, there's always a higher peak; another goal that one could aspire to. Without this, someone like the Miniman in question would feel quite lonely.
However, Boundless Forest Samsara had also come out of the Ordinary Abyss. Now, as two extraordinary individuals, they could indeed advance together while understanding one another. "Let us go look for your father," the Miniman said.
"Where should we look for him first?" They wandered around, but could not find a hint of where Ren Zu was.
"Oh, Miniman, it's getting dark out here. I can't even find where the path might be," Boundless Forest Samsara said. When the two of them had a clear goal- getting out of the Ordinary Abyss- the path had already shown itself to them. Now, however, with their main goal accomplished, they had to forge their own path. But where to even begin with their questioning?
Even the miniman's perseverance to continue searching for it led to very few results.
"Oh, Human. We can try one thing," the miniman said. "While you were down in the Ordinary Abyss, I went and managed to find a group of eggmen. They live within Red Heaven and are very adept at controlling fire. Perhaps they can light the way for us."
"I see, that's a good idea," Boundless Forest Samsara said.
Boundless Forest Samsara and the Miniman made their way to Red Heaven. "Oh dear, oh dear," the miniman said. Minimen were very good at dealing with wood and forests. Now, such flames, which tended to rage around Red Heaven, were very annoying to him. However, with the help of Perseverance Gu, the miniman was able to continue advancing.
The eggmen were about the size of babies and had a small egg within the core of their bodies. They looked rather cute, and it was because of their relatively small size that the miniman was able to quickly become friends with them.
"Over there is some place where I was before," the miniman explained. "We can find the eggmen there."
"Oh, is this Eggmen Volcano?" Boundless Forest Samsara asked.
Eggmen Volcano was massive, the largest volcano within Red Heaven. The heat was scorching, even from a distance, and the massive rivers of lava that flowed from it scorched everything in their path. "Let us speak to the Eggmen Emperor," the miniman suggested.
With great difficulty, Boundless Forest Samsara and the miniman were able to reach the edge of the volcano, where they found the Eggmen Emperor.
"Greetings, O Human and Miniman," the Eggmen Emperor said.
"Hello, Eggmen Emperor," Boundless Force Samsara said. "Do you happen to know where my father, Ren Zu, is?"
"I've only heard whispers," the Eggmen Emperor answered. "Over there towards that place, far away from the volcano, is a Fire Dragon Emperor. One of the gu worms that your father refined, Wealth Gu lies within its cave. If you obtain it, perhaps you can obtain a clue as to where your father is?"
"Wealth Gu," Boundless Forest Samsara said, sighing in trepidation by the thought of having to go near the Fire Dragon Emperor.
"If one does not go into the dragon's lair, then how can one get its eggs?" the Eggman Emperor asked. The meaning was clear: without taking this risk, one could not hope to find wealth or profit.
Boundless Forest Samsara looked down at her palms. They were old and reddish. Her skin was beginning to become wrinkled and her joints began to ache while walking here. She had already given up her middle age in order to gain Strength Gu's approval.
Although the thought of obtaining Wealth Gu was enticing for a moment, how much further would she be able to enjoy it, given her age?
Above all, of course, the greatest wealth was one's own life. Wealth Gu would be of no help to her the older that she got.
However, humans died for wealth, and birds died for food.
In the pursuit of wealth, many people risk this greatest treasure of theirs!
***
Zhang Xin Ci quickly pushed her thoughts of Fang Yuan aside. She declared that she would be donating her remaining goods to the caravan's general supply. This meant she was giving up all her assets, leaving her with nothing as she walked away. However, she knew that much like with Boundless Forest Samsara, wealth was of no help to her in this situation. She did not have the courage or the means to wander into the dragon's den anymore.