Chapter 281: Latecomer Lu Marrying

Inside the Luoshu Pavilion, Li He and the old man's conversation continued.

“What is the Fire Seed?” Li He asked.

The old man shook his head. “I can't explain it either. It's just a symbol on a stone tablet. I once showed it to Qiu Ziguan, and he agreed with my interpretation. The symbol's meaning isn't clear, but it represents new life and hope, so we've translated it as the 'Fire Seed.'”

“Then how are you certain it's related to the Seventh God of the Beginning?” Li He inquired.

The old man replied, “Traces. Its inner wall retains unique traces. The distinct aura of those traces perfectly matches what I've discovered over the past thousand years.”

Li He pondered for a moment, then asked, “So, the Fire Seed is something like an embryo? The Seventh God can gain new life through it?”

The old man shook his head. “I don't know, but I understand one thing: if the Seventh God's embryo still exists in the world, the Six Gods would never let it be. They were able to kill the true Seventh God; how could they spare its embryo?”

Li He nodded, finding it reasonable.

Ning Changjiu thought for a moment, then asked another question: “What about the moon and the sun? If all the major stars connected to us have left their imprints here, what do the moon and sun, which are closest to us and still intact, represent?”

As Ning Changjiu asked this question, an unbidden tension arose in his mind.

He didn't know much about the moon, but he knew clearly that in ancient times there was indeed an ancient Sun Kingdom. The ruins of that ancient realm, called the Ten-Eyed Kingdom, were now hidden within his own Golden Crow.

The old man sighed, “You ask so many questions.”

Li He chuckled, “Now that Qiu Ziguan is gone, who else in the world understands the cosmos better than you, old sir?”

The old man opened his only remaining eye and looked up through the mountain's skylight at the dark night sky.

“The god of the moon… I'm not sure if it exists. Perhaps it was already killed even before the Seventh God,” the old man mused. “As for the sun… the sun did not give birth to its own god.”

Ning Changjiu was startled. “How is that possible?”

Ning Changjiu realized he had lost his composure. He pursed his lips and remained silent, watching the old man's wrinkled, smiling face, feeling slightly nervous.

The old man looked at him and chuckled, “My feeling was indeed correct. I did sense a trace of the sun's aura on you.”

“This junior stumbled upon an opportunity…” Ning Changjiu began to explain.

The old man shifted his gaze, interrupting him. “The sun has no god of its own… because no god can survive within the sun. If you don't believe my words, you can wait until night passes. I will lend you my mirror so you can get a closer look at the sun. It's a truly despairing sight… Ah, I hope tomorrow isn't cloudy.”

Ning Changjiu wasn't very interested in viewing the sun up close. He caught another detail in the old man's words and used it to ask a question that had arisen in his mind: “Do you mean that these gods were actually born from their respective stars, rather than living beings on this star gaining power?”

“Both are possible, but I lean more towards the theory of foreign deities,” the old man smiled. “If you ever have the chance, I hope you can meet Tianzang, Candle Dragon, and the others. Their sheer size and power are fundamentally different from all other beings on this star. Moreover, any rare ancient dragons should have offspring, but the Six Gods cannot reproduce. Their flesh, scales, and sharp teeth might transform into new life, but they cannot truly reproduce…”

Li He also suddenly understood.

The Six Gods of the Beginning had no kin of their own! They were deities who, from their birth, embarked on a completely different path from other beings.

And these deities came from other stars outside!

“They are the star-lords of other planets?” Li He immediately grasped the concept.

The old man nodded. “That's my conjecture. Our main star and the stars of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, and Pluto are the largest stars in this starfield, besides the sun. The other six stars gave birth to their own Star Lords. For some unknown reason, they traveled billions of miles to reside on this star. And the source of their power is the unique reflection of an entire star, belonging solely to them.”

As the old man slowly spoke, a shadowy star map unfurled before him. On the brilliant map, with the sun at its center, seven stars revolved around it.

“Is this the origin of the Six Gods of the Beginning?” Li He looked at the star map and slowly spoke.

In the past, even when Qiu Ziguan constantly boasted about his knowledge, Li He hadn't been interested in such things. Now, he finally realized that, besides the sword in his arms, the vast and distant cosmos held such immense secrets.

The unknown brought both fear and temptation.

No wonder Qiu Ziguan ascended at all costs…

“Then what about the sun?” Ning Changjiu returned to his initial question. “The sun has no god, so why are there records of things like the Golden Crow?”

The old man explained, “First, you must understand that the Golden Crow isn't unique. The Three-legged Golden Crows were rare and powerful divine birds during the Primordial Era, but even in myths passed down to this day, there were at least nine of them. And the Golden Crow… in my opinion, it wasn't the god of the Sun Kingdom, but a being that stole the sun's authority.”

“The Golden Crow stole the sun's authority?” Li He asked, puzzled. “If the sun has no god, why would it have authority?”

The old man replied, “Authority isn't inherently linked to deities. Even for the Six Gods of the Beginning, authority might not be something they were born with; it's more likely bestowed by the stars later on. Otherwise, the Sage wouldn't have said, ‘Law bestows divinity upon gods, not gods upon law.'”

Ning Changjiu asked, “So, there were originally nine Golden Crows that jointly stole the sun's authority?”

The old man said, “Perhaps so, but don't underestimate thieves… The sun's authority is certainly no weaker than that of the other Six Gods. Just like the moon, although it's far smaller than the other stars, it's closest to us. If the moon had its own god, the power it could display on our star might be even greater than that of the Six Gods of the Beginning.”

Ning Changjiu fell into deep thought.

The theories this old man articulated virtually overturned his previous understanding.

The Six Gods of the Beginning were prime deities born from six stars; there might be a Seventh God on this star; the Seventh God might have died, leaving behind the Fire Seed; the moon's god might also have died; the sun has no god of its own; the Golden Crows and the Lord of the Ten-Eyed Kingdom might all be thieves of authority.

But what did all of this signify?

The world's secrets were like a set of nested boxes. Standing at the center, you'd open one only to find not an answer, but a new question.

Another set of questions immediately swirled in Ning Changjiu's mind: Who killed the Six Gods of the Beginning? Who destroyed the stars? What was the purpose of the Fire Seed? Where was the sun's authority scattered? And what was the connection to the Unobservable?

As Ning Changjiu's thoughts became shrouded in doubt, the old man suddenly smiled and uttered a seemingly unrelated remark: “Actually, I don't particularly like the moon as it is now.”

“Why?” Li He and Ning Changjiu asked in unison.

The old man said, “Because the moon isn't like what I first saw… A thousand years ago, it was beautiful, like a flawless, snow-white mirror. Now it's getting uglier and uglier.”

Uglier and uglier?

How could the moon become ugly?

Just as Ning Changjiu was about to press for more, a beam of light suddenly fell into the center of the mountain.

The lunar and stellar eclipses had both ended.

On a crimson mountain peak, Siming withdrew her sword energy, which was deeper than the night itself.

Starlight fell upon her brows, sculpted as if by a soft blade of a celestial being, illuminating her clear, icy eyes.

She used her black sword to cut open the colossal beast's chest, and the sword tip, like a skewer, pierced out its monster core.

She handed the core to Lu Jiajia and said, “Eat.”

Lu Jiajia reached out to take the hilt she offered, but Siming gently pulled her hand back.

“Hmm?” Lu Jiajia was slightly puzzled.

Siming's lips curved into a smile, and the moonlight in her icy eyes softened into laughter. Her voice was alluring as she said, “Come, Elder Sister will feed it to you.”

Lu Jiajia's moth-like brows furrowed slightly. She bit her lip and said, “What kind of talk is that? Do you take me for a little girl?”

Siming laughed, “Compared to me, aren't you a little girl?”

Lu Jiajia didn't know how to retort, so she quoted a piece of sophistry that Ning Changjiu had once said and that she had scoffed at: “As long as your appearance is young, you are forever young. There's not much difference between us.”

Siming smiled. She handed the sword to Lu Jiajia and said, “Alright, eat more. Reach the peak of Purple Court as quickly as possible, or you won't have any chance to survive.”

Lu Jiajia hummed in acknowledgment. She bit into the monster core, put it in her mouth, let its rich spiritual energy dissolve, and then chewed and swallowed.

Such rare treasures, five hundred years later, would be priceless divine objects.

This Elder Sister truly was very kind…

It was a pity that once they left Luoshu, she would probably never see her again.

“I hope I can see you again in the future,” Lu Jiajia said sincerely.

Lu Jiajia hoped that Siming would have a good ending in this historical period, perhaps becoming an ancestor of some sect in the present day, living to now at the peak of the Five Paths. That way, she might have a chance to see her again after leaving this place.

Even though the real Siming wouldn't recognize her.

Lu Jiajia sighed softly.

Siming walked over to her side and said, “You are still young and highly talented. As long as you live, there will always be a time for reunion in life.”

Although Siming said this, she knew in her heart that they were not from the same world at all. Her kindness towards Lu Jiajia was, firstly, a repayment for saving her life, and secondly, a genuine thought of taking her as a disciple, thus she viewed her like a younger sister.

She also knew that these were merely her own wishful thoughts. This vivid person before her might no longer exist; the tenderness she poured out was just for an illusory and beautiful shadow.

Lu Jiajia hummed, walking gently beside her.

The celestial phenomenon had passed. She had visited many places, thoroughly searching the area around Crimson Cloud Mountain, but still found no trace of Ning Changjiu.

Siming put her black sword away behind her.

She said, “Let's go rest at Xuanwu Lake for a bit. I'll also teach you the final stance of that sword technique.”

“Okay,” Lu Jiajia gently nodded.

Along the way, Siming had taught her many sword arts and techniques, practically holding nothing back.

They arrived at the edge of Xuanwu Lake.

The stellar and lunar eclipses had ended. The stars in the sky were clear, and the gentle waves, like undulating silk, softly rose and fell in the sea beyond the continuous desolate mountains.

Starlight shimmered in the seawater, a faint glow. Gentle tides occasionally rolled onto the shore, the sea breeze sweeping across, writing a rare tranquility in that chaotic era.

This was the large lake behind Crimson Cloud Mountain, as vast as the sea.

This stretch of mountains was originally the territory of the Dragon Breeder. After the Dragon Breeder's death, the place had truly fallen into desolation.

Siming walked to the lakeside, her jade-like feet gently slipping out of her embroidered shoes. Her fair, exquisite feet, white as jade, landed on the damp, soft sand. Clear lake water surged up, covering the tops of her feet; her smooth, jade-like toes resembled pearls soaking in the lake.

With her silver hair flowing freely, and her black robe fluttering in the wind, she slowly walked into the lake.

The water gradually covered her ankles. She turned back, looked at Lu Jiajia, and gently smiled, “Come over, I'll teach you the last sword technique.”

Lu Jiajia also walked over.

She stepped onto the soft, slightly damp sand, bent down, and gently removed her embroidered shoes. Her right arm bent slightly, holding her embroidered shoes, while her left hand gently lifted her snow-white skirt. Her long hair fell over her left shoulder, softly draping across her chest, her bright dark hair reflecting the moonlight.

She twisted her waist slightly, throwing her shoes to a spot far from the water, then held up her skirt with both hands. Her bare, tender jade feet waded through the water, slowly walking to Siming's side.

Siming looked at her, and again sighed softly, “You shouldn't have been born in this era.”

Lu Jiajia replied, “Neither should you, Senior.”

Siming smiled without a word.

Lu Jiajia looked at her silver hair, almost the same color as the moonlight, and asked, “Senior, are you truly human?”

“Hmm? What do you mean?” Siming's voice was cool.

Lu Jiajia explained, “Just curious. Senior Xue Ci's appearance resembles more that of the legendary elven race.”

Siming was silent for a moment, then said, “I am not an elf. I am a god.”

Lu Jiajia was slightly surprised, then immediately understood. Which one of those at the peak of the Five Paths didn't call themselves a god? This senior's realm must be quite close to the peak of the Five Paths.

“Yes, Senior Xue Ci is an immortal elder sister,” Lu Jiajia said with a gentle smile.

Siming said, “Then you are an immortal younger sister.”

Lu Jiajia gently shook her head. “I'm nowhere near your level right now.”

Siming nodded. “Indeed, you can't compare. A little immortal like you, losing your purity at such a young age. I'm different from you; my virginity is still intact after a thousand years. I am much more reserved than you.”

Although they were both women, Lu Jiajia still felt a little awkward discussing this. She looked up, not bothering to defend Ning Changjiu anymore. She asked curiously, “Senior, with your exquisite beauty, did your master… not even take your virginity?”

Siming thought for a moment and said, “I find that strange too.”

Lu Jiajia put herself in Siming's shoes and came to a conclusion. “Your master either has a problem down there, or he's truly… worse than a beast.”

Siming's smile grew wider. “Yes, he's a despicable beast.”

Lu Jiajia couldn't help but ask again, “Then how did he usually treat you?”

Siming said, “How else? How would a person worse than a beast treat his slave?”

Lu Jiajia thought briefly about the stories she had heard, and her teeth immediately clenched. She thought that if that person were dead, she couldn't pursue him, but if he lived to her era, she would definitely avenge Senior Sister Xue Ci!

“Is this slave mark truly unsolvable?” Lu Jiajia asked reluctantly.

Siming sighed softly, “Only he himself can undo it.”

Lu Jiajia immediately said, “Then you must never be fooled by him with talk of undoing the slave mark! You finally escaped; you absolutely must not meet him again!”

“Yes, I know,” Siming said, but in her heart, she was thinking that once this matter was resolved, she would go to Nanzhou to see him again and also to see his pampered wife, making him understand the taste of having trouble at home.

Siming stood on the soft fine sand, gently rinsing her feet in the water.

“Alright, let's not waste time. You need to find your husband, and I need to go to a distant place. Let's hurry. I'll pass on the final sword technique to you,” Siming said.

Lu Jiajia had been a teacher at Heavenly Cavern Peak for a long time, so her understanding of respecting teachers and valuing the Dao was very positive. This Senior Xue Ci was truly her excellent mentor and friend, so whenever the other party taught her skills, her attitude was very proper, like a diligent and studious disciple. This attitude was completely different from when Ning Changjiu taught her techniques.

Outside Crimson Cloud Mountain, in Xuanwu Lake, it was as if the Lake God had suddenly awakened, stirring up thousands of snowy waves.

Interlacing sword energies filled the sky, eclipsing the brilliant starry night. The lake water was like frozen snow, a vast expanse of white.

Lu Jiajia's sword spirit was perfectly integrated with her body, and her absorption of sword moves was completely natural.

Even Siming was somewhat amazed by Lu Jiajia's talent.

The last person she had seen with such exceptional talent was Ning Changjiu.

Of course, while both were geniuses, their personalities were diametrically opposite. Although young Ning Changjiu was acceptable and hadn't used the slave mark to do too many things, he always seemed hateful. This Miss Lu, however, was gentle and endearing; even Siming, usually cold-hearted, was very fond of her.

“I've lived for a thousand years, and your talent is so exceptional that even I find it rare,” Siming said softly, praising her after finishing the sword technique instruction.

Lu Jiajia waded through the cool lake water with her, walking towards the beach. She also chuckled, “I can't compare to Senior Xue Ci, who is unparalleled in every way.”

Siming looked at her soft, beautiful cheeks and smiled, “Don't let that sweet mouth of yours get your hateful husband into trouble.”

Lu Jiajia unconsciously touched her lips. Not knowing what she thought of, her immortal face turned slightly red, and she whispered, “How could I?”

“You understood?” Siming asked, puzzled.

“No,” Lu Jiajia immediately blinked innocently.

Siming smiled.

She walked to the shore and, after a moment of hesitation, gently put on her shoes, concealing her jade-like feet.

Lu Jiajia also put on her shoes and straightened her clothes, drying any damp spots with sword fire.

Siming's gaze lingered on the rising front of Lu Jiajia's attire for a moment, her icy eyes deep, as if she wanted to say something but held back.

Lu Jiajia looked up and asked, “Is something wrong, Senior?”

“Nothing,” Siming said. “The seven spells and three sword techniques I taught you earlier are true divine arts. You must not teach them to anyone, not even your husband.”

Lu Jiajia nodded. “I will listen to Senior.”

Siming stood still, smiling as she watched Lu Jiajia for a moment. Suddenly, she untied the demonic fox mask from her waist and handed it to her, instructing, “You are so beautiful, and your cultivation realm isn't very high, so it's quite dangerous to be alone outside. Take this mask to cover your face; it can save you a lot of trouble. Also, your… well, it's best to keep it hidden. Being too conspicuous isn't good either.”

Lu Jiajia's fingertips lightly touched the mask, her eyes flickering. This time, she wasn't annoyed by Siming's slightly teasing words. Instead, she asked, “Is Senior leaving?”

Siming nodded. “It's about time. I have very important things to do.”

Lu Jiajia asked, “Where are you going?”

Siming pointed upwards and said, “My Dao realm has recovered. I am going to ascend and leave.”

“Ascend?” Lu Jiajia's face changed dramatically, and she blurted out, “Don't ascend!”

“What?” Siming was puzzled.

Lu Jiajia grabbed her hand, which was about to engrave a Heaven Tablet, and earnestly said, “Don't ascend! You'll die!”

Siming said, “What do you, at your realm, understand?”

Lu Jiajia quickly explained, “This is what the Sage said! The Sage they talk about. And… and after arriving here, I personally witnessed an ascender at the peak of the Five Paths die. My husband and I were separated because of that.”

She quickly recounted the general story of the Dragon Breeder.

Siming's expression grew slightly solemn. After listening, she was silent for a moment, then said, “Perhaps his Heaven Tablet was wrong.”

Lu Jiajia asked, “But is Senior's necessarily correct?”

Siming nodded proudly.

She was once a divine official of the Divine Kingdom, and she had immense confidence in her own Heaven Tablet.

Lu Jiajia worriedly said, “The Dragon Breeder also thought he was right, that he couldn't possibly be wrong, but he died in the end… He died along with his Heaven Tablet. I think this world cannot be ascended out of at all. The answer isn't ascension.”

Siming frowned slightly and asked, “The answer? What answer? Isn't ascension the only answer the heavens give to cultivators?”

Lu Jiajia shook her head vigorously. “No, ascenders might all be dead, and…”

She hesitated for a long time, then decided to speak: “And this world, it's not the real world!”

Siming's expression shifted. She stared at Lu Jiajia, her gaze like a torch, and said, “What did you say?”

Lu Jiajia looked into her eyes, understanding her shock. She said earnestly, “Senior, though this might overturn your understanding, I've decided to tell you… Actually, the world we are in now is not the real world. We are inside a book, that book is the Luoshu, recording a thousand years of history. Everything we see happened five hundred years ago. The outside world is not some Immortal Court, but the world five hundred years later. But the people here are fake; they are all created by the Luoshu… Senior, you are the same. How can fake people ascend?”

Siming looked at her, her beautiful face filled with disbelief.

“You…” Siming started to speak, then stopped.

Lu Jiajia stared into her eyes, earnestly guaranteeing, “Senior Xue Ci, you might think I'm crazy, but I can stake my life that this is true. I can't watch you die…”

Siming looked into her eyes.

She watched for a long time in silence.

“Senior… still doesn't believe me?” Lu Jiajia pursed her lips, her expression tense.

But to her surprise, Siming's focus wasn't on the fake world.

She looked at Lu Jiajia, her voice cool, “You said earlier your surname is Lu, so… what is your full name?”

Lu Jiajia didn't know why she asked, but answered earnestly, “This junior is Lu Jiajia, as in 'jia' for marriage.”