Chapter Sixty-Four: The Only Daughter of the Reclusive Clan

The ancient painting slowly shifted its gaze to the person before it. "Are you sure?"

"Don't you trust my words?"

Of course, the ancient painting believed Chong Li. It was just that, after waiting fifteen years, his sudden appearance was somewhat startling.

"Thank you."

A faint smile appeared on Chong Li's lips. "I told you I would help you," he said, looking at the evening glow on the horizon. "I should be going now."

A pair of earrings materialized in his hand, jade-green and charming. "Consider these as a device for transmitting messages."

The ancient painting took the earrings, and the person before her vanished.

She gazed at the red clouds on the horizon, then leaped from the rooftop, landing just as Gu Zhi spotted her below.

"You saw everything just now?"

Gu Zhi looked dazed. "Saw what? Why were you up on the roof alone?"

Understanding dawned on the ancient painting. "Oh, I was watching the moon."

Gu Zhi looked up. The moon? Where was the moon?

The ancient painting seemed to know what Gu Zhi was thinking. "As long as the moon is in your heart, there is a moon everywhere!"

When she left, Gu Zhi was still pondering the meaning of her words, occasionally looking up at the sky, standing there until it was time for the late-night snack.

"Little Rascal, do you know the Withered Wood Forest outside the city?"

[Of course, I know everything!]

Little Rascal bounced around in the space.

[The Withered Wood Forest is the burial ground for the martyrs of the Red Moon Dynasty, who died in battle centuries ago. Towering trees have grown there, and all the graves have sunk underground through repeated earth fissures. To let these souls rest, the former emperor of the Red Moon Dynasty set up many mechanisms within the forest. According to Lord Chong Li, the lotus petal is likely hidden somewhere there. The Lord God said it’s easy to obtain the lotus petal in this world, so it shouldn't be much of a challenge for you.]

The ancient painting reclined on a lounge chair. In the ring on the table lay a hundred low-grade spirit crystals, the dividends from the Tianyuan Fruit. She refused everything else, requesting only items for the Gu family’s cultivation.

To her, money was of little use—just a pretty, golden sight. A basket of spirit crystals was far more practical, at least useful for cultivation.

She took out the spirit crystals one by one, placing them in her palm and absorbing their energy.

The spiritual power within spirit crystals was extremely pure and required no refining. Unfortunately, spirit crystals were rare; dozens of spirit mines yielded only a small portion. In the Spirit Realm—one of the six realms alongside the Divine and Demon Realms—they were common, and the Spirit Realm supplied spirit crystals to the Divine Realm.

In contrast, there were demon crystals, found only in the Demon Realm and usable only after one became a demon.

After the chaos of heaven and earth settled, it was divided into six realms and three thousand minor worlds: Divine, Demon, Human, Nether, Spirit, and Buddha. The six realms never intersected, each minding its own affairs. Humanity proliferated too much in the Human Realm, so to maintain balance, it was divided into three thousand minor worlds for easier management, all overseen by the Four Gods of Creation.

The ancient painting remained in the First Pavilion, never leaving, cultivating day and night. She now needed to practice the second level of the String Killing Technique and study "World Purification." The jade slip only contained the incantation, but how to maximize its power required much contemplation.

After all, she didn’t want to risk perishing after regaining her true form by using "World Purification."

After the auction, many coveted the VIP box’s Jun Muxuan. It was often discussed over meals in the First Pavilion—how Jun Muxuan was robbed, but the assailant guessed his identity and fled in panic.

As for how the story spread, in such a vast city, some people would inevitably witness and gossip about these events. Those witnesses now probably lurked in a corner, continuing to spread rumors.

Everyone now knew the Tianyuan Fruit had fallen to the royal family; few dared to storm the palace.

Of course, some exceptional thieves might try, though they always failed.

In the ancient painting’s view, the royal treasury was impressively built, and the First Pavilion could take inspiration.

Half a month flashed by. On this day, the ancient painting wandered the First Pavilion as usual.

Tao Tao had been swamped lately; many ladies and young misses came seeking specially designed "Gaia Legend" garments. She had to draw designs, understand clients' preferences, and ensure each piece was unique.

Not to mention, Tao Tao had promised to help renovate the First Pavilion, but that had yet to happen.

The pills auctioned last time worked so well that both buyers and those who missed out requested a special counter for monthly limited sales.

The ancient painting agreed, as did Manager Gu Zhou, but Tao Tao was simply too busy.

Gu Zhou handed all sales matters to Tao Tao, who was then beset by various problems, and the limited sale of pills was set aside for now.

The ancient painting stored a batch of pills in the warehouse, ready for Tao Tao to set up a counter whenever she had time.

Tao Tao was so moved she nearly smeared her tears and snot on the ancient painting’s clothes.

Lunchtime arrived again. At every mealtime, the entire First Pavilion was busy; Gu Zhi and others sometimes helped out.

For her practice of String Killing Technique, the ancient painting sat with Nirvana in the center, playing music for diners free of charge, so she could observe her own progress.

The guests were profoundly moved; after a busy day, both body and soul were refreshed.

Everyone said that dining in the First Pavilion was an experience—a delight for the palate, ears, and mind!

"Have you heard? There seems to be a new spiritual creature emerging in the Withered Wood Forest outside the city these days!"

"Shh! Don’t talk about it, or you’ll end up with nothing!"

The shifty-eyed guest quickly shut his mouth. "Where did you hear these rumors?"

A guest chewing his food replied, "Don’t you know?"

He spat out a ring of chili and leaned in. "All the major sects, the royal family, and hidden nobles are preparing to act, sending their elite representatives. If more people find out, what chance do we commoners have?"

The shifty-eyed guest finally understood his companion's good intentions and fell silent.

Meanwhile, the ancient painting, playing music not far away, had excellent hearing. Every word they spoke reached her ears.

She laughed softly. "Chong Li, it seems many covet the lotus petal..."

Elsewhere, in a place where light could not reach, Chong Li immediately replied, "Don’t worry. With your strength, they can’t snatch it from you."

The ancient painting played the last note, and the jade-green earring on her ear flashed. Her smile widened.

These earrings were quite useful.