Give each of the children, as well as the woman, a candied hawthorn skewer blessed by the Bai Ze Secret Art.
Once prosperity faded and one saw the truth beneath it, one would realize that everyone was struggling to stay alive.
Jiang Ming had no intention of getting close to Nannan or building a relationship with her. She did not need his concern; she was merely waiting in the mortal world for her brother. And that person was not Jiang Ming.
Besides, Nannan's circumstances were special. He could not possibly keep her by his side, could he?
What if his Fate Pattern affected the Ruthless Empress's transformation toward becoming a Red Dust Immortal?
Even if he could transform into Bai Ze and use its innate secret art to bestow the Light of Blessing, if they spent too long together, his current cultivation would not be enough to suppress his Fate Pattern while using the blessing secret art.
To suppress the effects brought by his Fate Pattern, he reckoned that he would need to become at least a Saint.
Jiang Ming had deduced this himself based on the system's star ratings for its rewards.
The Heavenly Tyrant Body and the Seventy-Two Transformations were both four-star rewards.
This Calamitous Star Fate Pattern, meanwhile, was a three-star reward.
Jiang Ming simply considered himself a kind passerby who had done a small good deed.
He glanced at Nannan's shoes, with her toes sticking out of them. They were no longer suitable for this season.
Then there were her clothes.
And this family as well.
"Take care of this child for one month. Buy her some new clothes and new shoes, and buy these two children some new clothes and shoes as well."
Jiang Ming took out a ten-tael piece of silver and deliberately let everyone around him see it. Purple-gold sword qi flashed from his fingertips, and the silver split into ten neat pieces, each weighing one tael.
He then kneaded the sharp edges and corners of the silver round, turning them into ten silver beans.
He deliberately let everyone see it because he was worried that someone might grow greedy and harbor ill intentions.
His promise to return in a month carried the same purpose: to deter everyone else.
He figured Nannan would not stay with this family for long. Perhaps one day, she would suddenly fly away.
"If one day you discover that Nannan has suddenly vanished, do not worry. That just means I took her away."
Jiang Ming reached out as if to pat Nannan's head, but withdrew his hand and smiled at her.
The reason he did not buy the clothes himself was because he did not want the clothes he bought to bring misfortune upon others.
Even if he constantly transformed into Bai Ze and used Bai Ze's innate divine ability, the Light of Blessing, to grant these people good fortune.
Luck was intangible and elusive.
In Jiang Ming's memories, Bai Ze was the only auspicious beast capable of bringing people good luck, and it possessed a related innate divine ability.
Unfortunately, no matter how powerful or mysterious a divine ability was, it ultimately had its limits.
For example, according to the inherited memories, pure-blooded Bai Ze had become nearly impossible to find and had turned into legend.
After finishing all this, Jiang Ming deliberately pointed at the sky in the middle of the street. A brilliant crimson spiritual sword appeared above his head and expanded to two zhang long and one chi wide. The next moment, he gave a light leap onto the flying sword, waved to Nannan, and transformed into a crimson rainbow that vanished before everyone's eyes.
At once, those in the street who had harbored filthy thoughts and ill intentions felt their limbs turn cold and chills run down their spines.
There were immortal cultivators in this world, and to ordinary people, they were immortals.
Many people unconsciously dropped to their knees in shock, making wishes and offering prayers toward the direction Jiang Ming had departed.
Riding a sword through the air, he covered more than ten li in an instant.
Outside Spirit Ruins Grotto-Heaven!
A crimson glow appeared. Jiang Ming recalled his Life-Bound Sword, landed five li away from Spirit Ruins Grotto-Heaven, and walked the rest of the way.
"Two young brothers, please report my arrival. Tell Elder Han Bugua that his dear friend, Monk Sanzang, has come to visit."
Jiang Ming held a wooden box containing the beast-hide book as a gift. It could be considered returning the item to its rightful owner.
From afar, he could see the entrance to Spirit Ruins Grotto-Heaven, where white mist curled endlessly through the air. It was ethereal and dreamlike, leaving everything hazy to the eye. A bluestone stairway of several hundred steps stretched straight upward, with exotic flowers and strange grasses on either side, breathing in and out the spiritual qi of heaven and earth as though draped in a layer of white gauze.
As he ascended the steps and reached the mountaintop, it was as though he had entered the depths of the clouds and arrived among the heavens. A huge bluestone stood ahead. This was the true entrance to Spirit Ruins Grotto-Heaven, engraved with two ancient azure characters: [Spirit Ruins].
The two disciples responsible for guarding the mountain gate of Spirit Ruins Grotto-Heaven had noticed Jiang Ming long ago.
Seeing his gleaming bald head, the faint Buddhist light behind him, his azure monastic robes, and his solemn, dignified bearing, they knew at once that he was no ordinary person. They did not dare slight him. "Senior, please wait a moment. My junior brother will go report your arrival."
The other young cultivator in green hurriedly rushed into the grotto-heaven to find Elder Han.
Within Spirit Ruins Grotto-Heaven, the elders with the surname Han formed a powerful faction, practically a cultivation clan banding together for mutual support.
As long as a relative or family member possessed cultivation talent, they would be brought into Spirit Ruins Grotto-Heaven to cultivate.
For instance, Han Bugua and Han Yishui, who died at Ye Fan's hands in the original story, had originally been relatives.
Very soon, Elder Han rode an eerie green rainbow to the mountain gate. His expression was far from pleasant. He had not expected this monk from the Western Desert to truly latch onto him and chase after him again.
He was nearly dead, yet this fellow insisted on taking him to the Western Desert to become a monk, babbling nonsense about his having Buddhist affinity. He did not believe a single word of it.
After parting ways with Jiang Ming last time, Elder Han had used a secret technique to leave marks on those Rogue Cultivators.
In the original story, even Ye Fan had been unable to escape Elder Han's tracking through this technique.
Thus, he had killed all three Rogue Cultivators.
After those people had grown wary of each other and separated, it had become easier for him to strike. He had silenced every last one of them.
His acquisition of the Nine-Leaf Phoenix Divine Herb could not be allowed to spread.
If he had not believed himself incapable of defeating Jiang Ming, he would have killed Jiang Ming long ago too.
"Hahaha, Fellow Daoist Han, I said I would visit Spirit Ruins Grotto-Heaven. What, am I not welcome? Look, I even brought you a gift."
Jiang Ming laughed heartily and openly as he looked at Elder Han.
Elder Han also understood that one did not strike a smiling face, especially when he could not beat the owner of that smiling face. As for the gift, using an ordinary wooden box to hold a gift—what an impressive gesture.
"Come in."
No matter what, this was Spirit Ruins Grotto-Heaven, Elder Han's territory. Even if something happened, he could call for help. Surely this bald donkey Sanzang would not dare act recklessly here!
Thus, Jiang Ming followed Elder Han into Spirit Ruins Grotto-Heaven. Along the way, Jiang Ming handed the wooden box to Elder Han.
Elder Han accepted the wooden box, his heart stirring. He had originally left a mark on the beast-hide book.
Unfortunately, Jiang Ming had noticed his little trick long ago and casually erased it.
Now that his beast-hide book had been recovered, Elder Han was still quite pleased.
Although it only contained basic Dao Patterns, they were more than sufficient for the Wheel of the Sea Secret Realm. After obtaining the beast-hide book, Elder Han studied it whenever he had time. Yet his gains had been mediocre; he had only barely comprehended three pages.
Jiang Ming's arrival also drew the attention of others within Spirit Ruins Grotto-Heaven.
"Brother, who is this?"
Han Yishui happened to be passing by and asked curiously.
He knew that his younger brother's lifespan was nearing its end and that he had recently been searching for spiritual medicine.
Why had he now brought this monk into Spirit Ruins Grotto-Heaven? Monks—cultivators from the Western Desert—were the ones who liked to shave their heads.
"Big Brother, this is a friend I met outside, Monk Sanzang, from Mount Sumeru in the Western Desert."
"Monk Sanzang, this is my elder brother, and also a Tai Shang Elder of our Spirit Ruins Grotto-Heaven."
When Elder Han saw his elder brother, envy unconsciously flashed through his eyes. If he could break through to the Divine Bridge Realm, he would gain another thirty years of lifespan.
His elder brother was clearly three years older than him, yet he was now vigorous and radiant, with a rosy complexion, white hair, and a youthful face. Elder Han himself, however, was shriveled and haggard, looking like a vicious ghost.
To extend his life, he had cultivated some unorthodox techniques, and even his originally azure magical power had turned eerie green.
"Oh, an eminent monk from the Western Desert. A pleasure, a pleasure."
Han Yishui exclaimed in amazement as he truly examined Jiang Ming. Unfortunately, he could discern nothing; all he sensed was vastness without end.
"Yes, indeed. You two fellow Daoists are worthy brothers—both possess Buddhist affinity. If you are willing, I can take you to Mount Sumeru in the west to cultivate."
Jiang Ming smiled while pinching a flower between his fingers. A golden Buddha Light Golden Wheel appeared behind him. His tone was sincere as he looked at the two Han elders, and the smile on his face could not be hidden.
Could Ye Fan not have arrived earlier aboard the Nine Dragons Pulling a Coffin?
Seeing Jiang Ming's appearance as that of an enlightened monk, with such astonishing Dharma signs, Han Yishui's heart shook. He resolved to befriend Jiang Ming, then return and carefully consult the ancient records to research Mount Sumeru's origins.
Han Bugua was somewhat bewildered as well. Could this brat truly possess some terrifying background? Look at his age, look at that sacred posture wrapped in Buddhist light. Even among those great sects, someone at his age would be an extraordinary figure.
Moreover, he had never been able to see through Jiang Ming's cultivation. Jiang Ming was surely stronger than him.
Such a young Divine Bridge cultivator was already astonishing enough.
If Jiang Ming were an Other Shore cultivator, would he not be on the same level as the master of Spirit Ruins Grotto-Heaven?
The young prodigies of Yaoguang Sacred Land were probably only this strong at his age, weren't they?
The poorly informed Elder Han silently analyzed Jiang Ming's situation with his great wisdom and intelligence.
"Master, you are too polite. My brother and I are too old and unfit for long journeys. We have no fortune to visit Mount Sumeru in the west."
Han Yishui immediately replied.
"That is somewhat regrettable. This time, my sect used heaven-and-earth Formation Patterns to teleport me from the Western Desert to the Eastern Wasteland for experience. The first cultivator I encountered was Elder Han. The two of us are truly fated!
Now I have come to impose upon Spirit Ruins Grotto-Heaven for a few days. I hope you will not mind the disturbance."
Jiang Ming smiled while pinching a flower between his fingers and casually spun the tale. In truth, he was simply here to become a familiar face, establish some karma, and make a few friends along the way.
"Master, you are too polite. Please stay as long as you wish."
Han Yishui promptly said courteously.
"While I stay at your sect these next few days, your disciples may come ask me about cultivation. The two of you may also come have tea with me and discuss the Dao."
Jiang Ming smiled calmly and made the promise as lightly as though it were nothing.
This was also a statement of his attitude: he would not stay for free. He could help their disciples solve cultivation difficulties, impart teachings, and clear away doubts, presenting himself as a senior expert.
He was currently at the seventh level of the Qi Refining Stage, comparable to a Divine Bridge cultivator. His cultivation was roughly on par with Han Yishui's.
However, his insight and realm far surpassed Han Yishui's. Offering a few pointers would be no problem at all.