Simon and his group of four arrived at the third Sword Tomb, which was in a swampy area. The scorching midday sun reflected intensely off the puddles, making the surrounding mountains, rocks, and vegetation appear indistinct. As they stepped into the Sword Tomb, they felt as if things around them were constantly shifting, sometimes in front, sometimes behind, moving erratically.
The Sword Tomb, named Melting Dust Concealment, was indeed peculiar.
From the vast expanse of the swamp, several Xiangshu minions would emerge from unknown places. This time, their mutations were even more severe, with many having deformed bodies. The powerful individuals who called themselves "Divine Judgment Protectors" gave Taiwu Xixi quite a difficult battle.
Simon did not attack these guys, intending to let his little sister practice. The two little Stranger (Little Anomalies) hid behind his broad back. Xiao Huang Er was restless, always fiddling with the Little Mo Girl's ornaments, giggling incessantly.
Everyone said that phoenixes were auspicious, and it was indeed true. As they walked, Xiao Huang Er always discovered rare and exotic materials: a Wutong Blood Snake caught in the grass, an Iron Pear Wood found in the bushes. All in all, she collected a large pile, more than her two hands could carry. But she wasn't greedy; if she couldn't carry it, she would just drop it on the ground, mainly enjoying the fun of treasure hunting. Plus, she was unstained by the mundane world, always clean, so Taiwu Xixi didn't plan to stop her.
They arrived at the depths of the Sword Tomb, where they saw a large jade tomb. There was an opening on the tomb door. Taiwu Xixi unsealed it with the Fuyu Sword Hilt, and the tomb door opened.
A young man, wearing a bamboo hat and a straw cape, walked out, singing as he went, his voice clear and melodious.
"Jade lives, jade lives, melting the breath-soil to form a soul,"
"Jade lives, jade lives, like a child first seeing people,"
"Jade lives, jade lives, shyly hiding from human gaze..."
He suddenly exclaimed, "Oh dear, the jade is gone! Did you steal my living jade?" The young man stared intently at Taiwu Xixi. Beneath his bamboo hat, a face of peerless beauty was revealed.
Taiwu Xixi narrowed her eyes, "Hmm, he's so handsome."
Xiao Huang Er bit her finger and also started to laugh, "A sage's demeanor, but unfortunately he took the wrong path."
The young man drew his long sword, which transformed into a needle box. From the tomb behind him, several Xiangshu minions leaped out and attacked together.
Simon didn't waste words. As usual, he defeated them with a wave of his hand, killing those "Demon Heart Manifestations" and "Hundred Evils" along with them.
The young man swayed, leaning against the tomb door, his face glowing with divine light. He began to sing again, his voice like bells and chimes.
"Jade dies, jade dies, breath-soil as soul is not a soul,"
"Jade dies, jade dies, children must eventually see adults,"
"Jade dies, jade dies... Oh dear... Inferior skill leaves no place to hide..."
He sang and sighed, and when the song was finished, his body shattered into countless jade beads, disappearing into the ground.
The Sword Tomb disintegrated.
Legend has it that there was a divine person named Yi Xiang, who, though not possessing much magical power, was skilled in nurturing jade. One day, Yi Xiang traveled east. A young man, seeing the sky turn blue, knew that Yi Xiang was about to pass by his door, so he placed a large piece of white jade on the road, wishing to use this precious item to keep Yi Xiang and ask for the method of nurturing jade. Sure enough, Yi Xiang stopped his eastward journey upon reaching this point. Seeing the young man, he told him that although the jade was good, it was a dead jade. It could be nourished with blood. Then, he should travel another ten thousand li to the breath-soil beneath the Jianmu tree, bury it deep for ten years, and water it with blood daily. Perhaps then it would have a glimmer of life.
The young man listened and indeed followed the instructions, enduring eight years of hardship to finally bury the large jade beneath the Jianmu tree. For another ten years, he nourished it with a drop of blood every day. Ten years later, the young man dug out the jade, but unexpectedly, the jade transformed into a sword shape, with blood vessels growing inside. It was called a living jade, appearing and disappearing unpredictably, and even developing wisdom and extraordinary divine power.
At this time, Yi Xiang suddenly descended from the sky, reciting the words "Jade lives," singing to congratulate it.
That living Divine Sword was Melting Dust Concealment.
Wielding this Divine Sword, for every bit faster the wielder's movement technique was, their power to resist enemies doubled. Often, the enemy could not get close to the wielder, nor could they harm them.
Simon transformed the Fuyu Sword Hilt. He heard a child's laughter from the void, and a young man in a patched robe with a topknot stepped out from the light. He tidied his clothes, stood with his hands behind his back, and looked at everyone askance, "Who are you all again? Never mind, you all look down on me anyway..." He looked around, "This place is very desolate, I don't know where to find immortals..." The young man Yi Xiang seemed thoughtful, "One day, I will let you all know that I have the talent of an immortal..."
Taiwu Xixi was busy attracting the attention of the two little darlings. Hearing Little Yi Xiang's words, she happily ran over. Seeing this incredibly proud young man, with his delicate and handsome features, already hinting at a future of astonishing beauty, she was immediately filled with affection. She went up to him, asking about his well-being, rubbing Little Yi Xiang's face, squishing and molding it, utterly delighted. She also wanted to take him to change clothes and make him a grand meal.
The young man puffed out his cheeks, "You Evil Woman, let go of me!"
Taiwu Xixi burst into laughter, "So much fun! So much fun!"
Lunchtime arrived. Taiwu Xixi ran to Evil Path Pure Land to prepare the meal. Wang Ping'an and Bai Zimo, as usual, came to help out and also to freeload – as the Evil Taoist himself would say, it's only natural for a husband to eat the food his wife cooks.
Meanwhile, Little Yi Xiang suddenly fixed his gaze on Simon, kneeling before him and repeatedly shouting, "Immortal above, please impart your teachings!"
Xiao Huang Er's eyes darted around. She quietly stood right in front of Simon's feet, effectively receiving dozens of grand bows from Yi Xiang.
The young man looked up and saw such a fiery little girl. His face instantly turned red with anger, "Hey! Get out of the way! Don't block me!"
"No!"
Little Yi Xiang pursed his lips, stood up, walked around Xiao Huang Er, and knelt down again.
Simon helped him up, "You may not be able to learn my things. For now, just follow me in cultivation."
These Little Anomalies, with their fragmented souls and spirits, though each possessing unique divine abilities, couldn't even practice internal energy. Their state was fixed and wouldn't undergo any significant changes. Following Simon would not teach them anything either; their karmic bodies were with Xiangshu, and sensing them would only breed demonic obstacles.
Simon was coaxing the child.
This time, Taiwu Xixi chose a large round table, more than enough for the seven of them.
Little Mo Girl still wouldn't eat by herself, so Taiwu Xixi fed her bit by bit. Seeing this, Xiao Huang Er pestered Simon to feed her. Little Yi Xiang, having changed into a clean and bright brocade robe, ate his meal obediently by himself.
Simon held his bowl, picked up a chopstick full of food, and slowly brought it to Xiao Huang Er's mouth. The little girl's eyes were almost closed from smiling. She took a big bite, snapping the wooden chopstick directly, chewing loudly in her mouth, eating with great relish.
"Watch out, don't bite the chopsticks again," Simon gently reminded her.
During the meal, amidst eating and drinking, idle chat was inevitable.
Bai Zimo reported to Simon, "Has the Buddha Son noticed the anomaly in the Evil Path Pure Land?"
It turned out that Duanye Evil Buddha had begun to consolidate his power, and the multitude of evils had become unprecedentedly active.
Simon nodded, "This epoch is not yet a problem. You will face an unprecedentedly powerful demonic faction in the next epoch."
The Evil Taoist and Bai Zimo were both stunned by his words, "So, that was the Buddha Son's doing?"
"More or less. You don't need to go around proclaiming it."
"Yes."
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