The Vast Heavens and Earth of Karma and Destiny! The Pitiful Spirit in the Pearl

Two days later, outside the Yin Cave, the Little Array Spirit was even more anxious than Chen Dengming, darting in and out of the Soul House, anxiously and excitedly awaiting the Soul Mussel Pearl that was about to be delivered, occasionally muttering incoherently.

"Daoist, fellow Daoist, do you think that treacherous old devil will pull some trick again?"

"Yes, or you could go in again and take another look. I'll protect you."

Chen Dengming sat at the table, sipping the Osmanthus Tea boiling in the red stove, and shook his head dismissively.

"Don't worry, this old ghost is greedy and cowardly. He's already done something greedy, so now he's showing his cowardice and won't dare to play any more tricks."

Come here and pour me some tea.

"Hey, hey--"

The Little Array Spirit immediately responded, flying over gracefully. Her appearance, without a trace of makeup, was quite charming. Her jet-black, shiny hair was tied into a bun on top of her head with a wooden hairpin. If one did not look at her gossamer-thin gauze dress, she would truly give off a simple and refreshing beauty.

With a flick of her wrist, the teapot flew up on its own, filling Chen Dengming's cup with steaming hot Osmanthus Tea.

Chen Dengming inhaled the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms filling the cabin and said contentedly, "After trying many different teas, I've found that this most ordinary autumn Osmanthus Tea is the one that suits my taste best. One sip of its fragrance feels like returning to my hometown."

He couldn't help but think of Nanxun, whom he hadn't visited in a long time.

Now that this matter is over, I can go back and take a look.

Nanxun was once invaded by Outer Domain Evil Cultivator, who spared no expense in capturing a large number of people for blood sacrifice, all in an attempt to force Dongfang Huayuan out and find the Human Immortal Orthodox Lineage's Human God Hall hidden within Nanxun.

Chen Dengming eventually learned that after the Outer Realm Devil Venerable launched a counterattack, Nan Xun had been taken back by Dongfang Huayuan, who had set up a more stringent protective area.

Dongfang Huayuan was attacked by that mysterious ghost cultivator when he left Nanxun.

Now that there has been no war for the next seventy or eighty years, a wish arose in Chen Dengming's heart: to start the Southern Journey and bring some people from his hometown to the Cultivation World.

In this way, perhaps after one or two generations, the people of Nanxun will gradually acquire Spirit Root and will no longer be the 'Curse' people who are generally without Spirit Root.

This idea did not come to mind suddenly, but was an initiative to find fellow countrymen's base camp in the south, which had been implemented long ago.

Now, he has even more power to carry out this task.

Just as he was about to take a sip of Osmanthus Tea, he suddenly noticed the Little Array Spirit leaning forward slightly with her moist lips. He asked in surprise, "What are you trying to do?"

The Little Array Spirit froze for a moment, nervously tugging at her sleeve with one hand and rubbing her small belly beneath her bodice with the other. "I heard, I heard you say this tea is delicious. I, I want to try it too."

Seeing her innocent and adorable appearance, Chen Dengming wondered if she could still maintain such a charming appearance after fully regaining her memories, and felt a sense of uncertainty.

"What kind of State of Mind am I in? It's a good thing that Ling'er has regained all her memories and strength, and it's something she's always wanted."

He shook his head and chuckled, then offered the teacup to the Little Array Spirit's lips.

The Little Array Spirit quickly stuck out her tongue to taste it, then her pretty face lit up with two dimples. She glanced at him sweetly, then lowered her head and whispered, "It smells so good!"

Chen Dengming rolled his eyes. "If you're going to drink it, then finish it. What's with licking it like a little dog?"

"I'm not a puppy."

Little Array Spirit frowned, then gulped it down without any hesitation.

With her current level of Soul Body refinement, she is no different from an ordinary person; she is a normal ghost cultivator, and she enjoys eating and drinking to her heart's content.

Little Array Spirit was enjoying the fragrance of osmanthus filling her mouth.

Suddenly, an unusual fluctuation of ghostly energy appeared in Chen Dengming's mind.

"Senior Chen!"

Le Shangneng called out from outside.

Chen Dengming's figure had already appeared on the deck of the spirit boat.

His gaze swept around the area and landed on the two ghostly figures that flew out of the Yin Cave.

One woman had a face like a peach blossom, and the other had delicate features; they were none other than the two Ghost Bride, Zhu Xun's first and second wives.

Two days ago, after Starfall Yin Spring Ghost Lord reluctantly agreed to Chen Dengming's conditions, Chen Dengming once again entered the Human Heart Hall to contact Zhu Xun.

He instructed the other party to send the second Ghost Bride, and the Soul Mussel Pearl to Starfall Ghost City, and then handed the Soul Mussel Pearl over to the eldest wife.

The two Ghost Bride then left the ghost city through the Yin Spring and entered the Human World.

Chen Dengming had already figured out the psychology of the Starfall Yin Spring Ghost Lord.

Knowing that the old devil wouldn't dare to play any more tricks, nor would he dare to gamble again.

Compared to a Soul Mussel Pearl that may never be used.

A powerful partner who can immediately cooperate to provide the Human World with essential goods—the other party will surely understand the value of this.

When trickery fails and further gains are difficult to obtain, the other party has no choice but to cooperate obediently.

"This humble Shizi Yan, pays respects to True Lord Chen!"

"This humble servant Leng Siqi, pays her respects to Lord Chen True Lord!"

Two Ghost Bride flew down to Chen Dengming and bowed.

Then, Leng Siqi, the second wife, respectfully presented a Storage Bag with both hands, which was filled with ten vats of the Water of the Underworld River.

The eldest Shizi Yan Ziyan, opened his mouth, and a Soul Mussel Pearl radiating a crystal-clear halo flew out.

Chen Dengming suddenly felt a throbbing in his heart, a strange sense of emotional turmoil.

It seemed as the Unseen some unseen force had established a special connection with this Soul Mussel Pearl, creating an indescribable connection.

"As expected of a rare heavenly materials and earthly treasures capable of healing soul injuries, it captivated my attention the moment it appeared."

Chen Dengming was somewhat surprised.

The Little Array Spirit peeking its head out from inside the Soul House looked puzzled.

A faint, keen sense of perception detected a peculiar fluctuation emanating from this Soul Mussel Pearl, a fluctuation that seemed strangely familiar.

Chen Dengming reached out and took the pearl. Instantly, the feeling of excitement in his heart intensified, and a familiar sensation welled up in his clear and bright mind.

It's like someone arriving in a foreign land for the first time, yet feeling that everything there is incredibly familiar, as if they've met before.

Suddenly, an image of peach blossoms filling the sky inexplicably appeared in his mind.

Amidst the peach blossoms, she stands alone, dancing with the rain of petals, her smile as radiant as a flower as she turns her head to ask him a question.

"Brother Chen, I'd like to come with you to see the peach blossoms on Luoshan Mountain every year from now on, okay? I mean, if you have the time."

"Xu Wei."

The image of those bright, black gem-like eyes that had been secretly watching her flashed through Chen Dengming's mind; she was as gentle and sensible as ever.

It's just a pity that the woman had a tragic life, like a blade of grass in the mortal world.

Even the most resilient cannot withstand the test of time, like the fleeting morning dew, which vanishes with the wind.

The bright moon was there then, shining on the returning colorful clouds.

Why did he suddenly think of Xu Wei now?

As his thoughts drifted to this point, Chen Dengming felt a pang of pain in his heart. He suddenly focused his gaze, staring incredulously at the Soul Mussel Pearl in his hand, which was shrouded in a faint, ethereal light.

"This pearl."

He suddenly remembered that Zhu Xun had once said that Xu Wei's true spirit 'Yin Longevity had ended, and even if she entered the River Styx, she would most likely be scattered to the winds.

However, if one is lucky, the true spirit may combine with some strange things in the River Styx, and may give birth to a spiritual being, reincarnated as some kind of underworld creature, and then give birth to a true spirit again, such as the 'other Shore Flower's of the River Styx.

Thinking of this, Chen Dengming shuddered and looked at the Soul Mussel Pearl in his hand.

The Little Array Spirit beside him also realized this at the same time, and looked surprised and doubtful.

"Xu Wei, is that you?"

Chen Dengming stared at the Soul Mussel Pearl in his hand, his mind racing.

Recalling the time when Xu Wei's soul was about to dissipate, more than thirty years have passed since he sent Xu Wei's true spirit into the Yin Spring.

Zhu Xun once said that he found traces of a fragment of the Little Array Spirit more than eight years ago, but the more he searched, the more he realized that the fragment might have disappeared.

When they finally found it, they only found a cave left behind before the spirit of the array dissipated. They then learned that the spirit was destroyed by the Undercurrent Old Ghost when it was fighting with the suddenly appearing Spiritual Nether Mussel.

Based on this calculation, the time when the Spiritual Nether Mussel suddenly appeared was close to the time when he sent Xu Wei's true spirit into the Below the Yin Spring.

It was probably at that time that Xu Wei's true spirit merged into a Netherworld clam in a certain River Styx, and they gradually nurtured each other. The Netherworld clam transformed into Spiritual Nether Mussel, and a bit of Xu Wei's true spirit also turned into Soul Mussel Pearl.

"Dao, fellow Daoist."

The Little Array Spirit looked at Chen Dengming and tentatively asked, "Could this be the Soul Mussel Pearl?"

Chen Dengming's face turned solemn. He took a deep breath, and his gaze regained its composure as he said, "It's not certain yet, but it gives me a very special feeling."

Ling'er, you may not be able to refine this Soul Mussel Pearl to repair that part of your soul yet. I want to understand the connection between them.

"Mmm," the Little Array Spirit nodded obediently.

But at this moment, the Soul Mussel Pearl in Chen Dengming's hand suddenly trembled slightly, brimming with spirituality, and exuding wisps of Spiritual Qi. All the Spiritual Qi drifted towards the direction of the Little Array Spirit, surrounding it like smoke and mist.

This bizarre scene immediately stunned both Chen Dengming and the Little Array Spirit.

"Does the Soul Orb possess spiritual power and choose its own master?"

The Ghost Bride Shizi Yan exclaimed in surprise.

Chen Dengming frowned. "What do you mean?"

Shizi Yan bowed and said, "In response to True Lord, the Soul Mussel Pearl was conceived from the Spiritual Nether Mussel."

Once this pearl is conceived, all the spirituality of the Spiritual Nether Mussel converges on the Soul Mussel Pearl. Therefore, the Soul Mussel Pearl is extremely spiritual, able to understand ghosts and human intentions, and will choose its own master.

Normally, once a Soul Bead chooses its own master, it will be extremely compatible with the master's soul. If the master has Seven Souls intact, the Soul Bead will gradually strengthen those souls.

If the Seven Souls are incomplete, the Soul Bead will automatically repair the damaged or missing souls.

"Understanding ghosts and human intentions." Chen Dengming looked at the Soul Mussel Pearl in his hand and fell silent for a moment.

If this Soul Mussel Pearl was truly conceived and formed from the union of Xu Wei's true spirit.

Given Xu Wei's kindness, she might indeed choose to sacrifice herself to help others and repair the Little Array Spirit's soul.

Upon closer reflection, why was Xu Wei's true spirit discovered first by the Little Array Spirit when it merged into the Spiritual Nether Mussel?

Perhaps it was because when Xu Wei's true spirit encountered a fragment of the Little Array Spirit, a connection was established the Unseen in the Human World due to their past acquaintance.

Now, this Soul Mussel Pearl is even more willing to help the Little Array Spirit recover a part of its soul.

But this is too hard.

Xu Wei's life is so hard.

Is Heaven fair? Why does it treat Xu Wei with such indifference?

At this moment, the Little Array Spirit, through hand seals, dispersed the Spiritual Qi overflowing from the Soul Pearl, and stammered, "Fellow Daoist, shall we... shall we search for other sacred artifacts for ghost cultivators again?"

There's also the Nether River Soul Lamp Grass, and the Shore Flower Lily; we have many other options as well."

Buzz--

The wisps of Spiritual Qi surged back into the Soul Mussel Pearl, causing it to tremble violently once more, as if in resistance.

Ghost Bride Shizi Yan said solemnly, "Once Soul Mussel Pearl or similar psychic object recognizes its master, it generally won't easily change its mind."

"Xu Wei!" Chen Dengming frowned and called out in a low voice.

Strangely enough, after that low shout, the humming and trembling Soul Mussel Pearl in his hand gradually calmed down, as if he, too, had been recognized as its master.

This bizarre scene left the two Ghost Bride quite astonished.

Chen Dengming was even more convinced that this Soul Mussel Pearl might truly have been born from the fragment of Xu Wei's true spirit that had sunk into the Yin Spring.

At this moment, the Soul Pearl spun in his palm, emitting Spiritual Qi that resembled misty raindrops, like a beautiful woman weeping softly, as if pouring out her heart.

Chen Dengming was deeply shaken.

With his spiritual cultivation, he vaguely grasped the meaning that this spiritual object wanted to express—a kind of longing.

A deep longing for life and companionship.

What is the meaning behind this attachment?

Is the intention to repair the Little Array Spirit's soul, merge with it, and then remain by its side forever?

Chen Dengming could only make this guess.

No matter how spiritually connected Soul Mussel Pearl may be, it is not a real person and cannot clearly express any particular consciousness or will.

His heart was filled with complex emotions. He suddenly gripped the Soul Mussel Pearl in his hand and sent out a mental message.

"If this is your wish, I am willing to comply, but not now."

I want to take you to see the peach blossoms in Lüoshan City, and to our old Gathering Place. After seeing these things, if you still insist on doing so, I won't stop you."

After this mental transmission, the Soul Mussel Pearl stopped trembling and gradually calmed down, spinning around in Chen Dengming's palm, like the feeling of a lover's fingertips brushing across the palm, or like a snowflake falling into the palm and melting with body heat, cool and then slowly warming up.

Chen Dengming sighed and turned his gaze to the Little Array Spirit.

"Dao, fellow Daoist. Qi, in fact."

Just as the Little Array Spirit was about to speak, Chen Dengming stopped her with a look.

He shook his head and said, "Actually, Weiwei may have chosen you from the very beginning, otherwise she wouldn't have met your soul in the vast River Styx."

Unfortunately, your soul was destroyed by the Undercurrent Old Ghost, but now the Undercurrent Old Ghost has been destroyed by me, and this Soul Mussel Pearl has returned to its original choice.

Perhaps this is truly the Unseen, Heaven's Will at work.

Chen Dengming paused, then suddenly looked up at the Sky Dome.

I felt that the world was vast and deep, and the sky was boundless.

Human life is but a drop in the ocean, all of us are caught in the Heavenly Net.

Cause and effect, Heaven's Will, destiny.

Is it truly the Heaven's Will that connects the fate of so many things with the complex web of cause and effect?

Otherwise, how could there be so many recurring coincidences in this world, like concentric circles linked together?

Even though he had inherited the Immortal Celestial Lineage, he still found it difficult to discern the mysteries within.

Compared to the cold and vast Heavenly Dao, even the First Ancestor Longevity Dao Lord, is probably insignificant.

At this moment, the somber atmosphere dissipated as Chen Dengming put away the Soul Mussel Pearl.

The perceptive Le Shangneng to fly over immediately to inquire about Chen Dengming's future plans.

"Your mission was to deliver supplies. Now that the supplies have been delivered, you can go back and report."

The next shipment of goods will not be for another five years.

Chen Dengming gave the instructions.

Then he looked at the two Ghost Bride, Shi Ziyan and Shizi Yan, and after a moment of contemplation, he suddenly raised his hand and grabbed the Soul-Reaping Bow Staff and Soul Guiding Banner, which flew out of his Storage Bag.

As Chen Dengming made a hand seal, the Nascent Soul Divine Soul the Holy Northern Yin Holy Mother, which was inside the Soul-Reaping Bow Staff, spun out. It was extremely weak and was quickly entangled and trapped by the strands of black hair-like Yin Qi that flew out from the Soul Guiding Banner, shrinking into the Storage Bag.

Then, the Soul-Reaping Bow Staff flew towards the two Ghost Bride.

"You risked your lives to deliver the Soul Mussel Pearl, which is a great achievement. Now that your mission is accomplished, you can return to the underworld."

Below the Yin Spring, various ghost kings and Ghost Lord vie for supremacy. Your husband is about to condense his Nascent Soul, but he still lacks a powerful Law Treasure.

Take this Soul-Reaping Bow Staff with you and give it to him.

The two Ghost Bride knew that this was Chen Dengming's usual Law Treasure, extremely precious, and wanted to politely refuse, but when they met Chen Dengming's unquestionable gaze, they could only thank him and accept it.

Seeing this, the other cultivators, including Le Shangneng, were filled with envy.

This is the famous Soul-Reaping Bow Staff, the signature Law Treasure of the Soul Devouring Sect Soul Devouring Old Devil of the Soul-Devouring Sect.

However Fighting Longevity Lord made this Law Treasure shine even brighter.

This was because the Fighting Longevity Lord had killed many Nascent Soul Evil Cultivator the Soul Arrow.

The Soul-Reaping Bow Staff was more than ten times more powerful in his hands, yet he gave it away to his subordinates, which was truly extravagant and enviable.

Let's go!

Chen Dengming watched the two Ghost Bride enter the Yin Cave and descend into the Below the Yin Spring. He then returned to the spirit boat and sailed away.

For at least the next six or seven decades, he will spend most of his time in seclusion cultivating, striving to reach the Nascent Soul Late Stage as soon as possible.

After the war ended, there were very few places where the Soul-Reaping Bow Staff could be used.

It would be better to give it to Zhu Xun, who is about to Zhu Xun supremacy in the Below the Yin Spring, as a suitable Law Treasure Divine Weapon.

The Soul-Reaping Bow Staff and Hall Master of Freedom also contains Nascent Soul Soul Arrow composed of the ill-fated lovers, Lord Ziyi and Lord Ziyi, which is more than enough for Old Zhu to use for self-protection.

While these fourth-tier Law Treasure are indeed precious and extremely powerful, Chen Dengming had already learned the detailed crafting method by invading the mind of the Soul Devouring Old Devil.

In the next sixty or seventy years, there will be opportunities to trade with the Starfall Yin Spring Ghost Lord. There will be no shortage of precious Spiritual Material from Below the Yin Spring. Asking the Six-Eyebrowed or Seven-eyed True Lord to forge an even better Soul-Reaping Bow Staff would be more than enough.

(Seeking nearly 5,000 monthly votes!)