"Such beauty... even I cannot help but pity you!"
"How much rotten flesh has turned to mud, how many lingering hatreds have gone unknown? Yet here you are, whole and intact, with no worries over food or clothing, enjoying endless plenty. What is there to grieve over?"
"Those who gave birth to you are your parents, like yesterday's branches. Those who loved you are flesh and blood, carved away like meat from a blade. What is there to cherish? Kneel properly! If you dare damage that face, I'll make you beg for death and be unable to die."
Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle... gurgle, gurgle, gurgle...
Countless thoughts, like dense clusters of bubbles, burst one after another, spattering him all over with filth!
"If I become a Great Sage..."
"...I am now a Great Sage!"
Shu Xiulang abruptly opened his eyes—this body had smooth muscles and clearly defined sinews, a physique that was nearly perfect.
But in his eyes, this body was so ugly and foul, stained with spots of mud that could never be washed away.
He reached out and scrubbed, scrubbed with all his strength, rubbing off bloody grime, rubbing his flesh raw, until bone showed... yet he saw that even his bones were steeped in old filth!
It would never wash clean...
Bloody tears streamed from his eyes. The blood seemed to scour away his pain, wash off the dust veiling his heart, and make him suddenly awaken amid bone-piercing chill.
Before him was clear water. A little moss clung to the spotless walls of the well.
The waters of an underground dark river wound their way here, nourishing the three living springs hidden beneath the water—
The bubbles came from there, and so did the gurgling. Memories surfaced in just the same way.
He covered his face. At