The little girl, as delicate as a carved jade doll, had her attention caught at once by the glittering purple jade bracelet. Her big eyes fixed on it with a hint of longing.
Su Yu gently took Tingting's little hand and, despite her attempt to pull away, tenderly slipped the bracelet onto her wrist.
Seeing this, Old Uncle Jiang hurriedly said to Jiang Tingting, "Immortal Master... Tingting, quickly give it back to the Immortal Master. It's far too valuable."
Jiang Tingting tried to take the bracelet off as well. "Big brother," she said timidly, "grandpa told me I mustn't take other people's things."
Su Yu was even more pleased as he looked at the considerate little girl. He stopped her and gently brushed her hair with his pale fingers. Noticing a few withered yellow strands, he frowned slightly, then said softly, "Everything has changed. I came here for you this time, so keep it."
Su Yu stood, holding Jiang Tingting's hand, and said to Old Uncle Jiang with a serious expression, "You may decide what happens to these people, Uncle Jiang. As for Tingting, I'll take her with me to cultivate. From now on, she'll be my family. Would you like to come too?"
Old Uncle Jiang glanced at his neighbors and, seeing the pleading in their eyes, his heart softened. "Immortal Master, please let them go. What happened before was only a few small matters. As for..."
Before Old Uncle Jiang could finish, Jiang Tingting, standing beneath Su Yu's sleeve, grew very angry. Her voice was a little agitated as she said quietly, "That's not true! Those bad people took grandpa's restaurant, and they came to bully us every day. They ate at our little shop without paying, and half a month ago they even beat grandpa. He had to stay in bed for five days before he got better. They also told us to move out of town. They're so mean..."
Old Uncle Jiang fell silent. When he tried to say something more, he found he couldn't speak at all. He glanced at Su Yu and saw him bending down to comfort Jiang Tingting.
The more little Tingting spoke, the sadder she became, pouring out all the grievances she had suffered. Her eyes were red, and tears streamed down with every slight tremble of her long eyelashes. She lowered her head to look at her patched shoes, her voice choked with sobs.
Su Yu looked at little Tingting with pity, gently wiped the tears from her eyes, and picked her up. "It's all over," he whispered in her ear. "From now on, I'll be your pillar of support and your everything. No one will ever bully you again."
The little girl held Su Yu and looked at this handsome big brother, her little face flushed red. At last she smiled again and let go of him, a little embarrassed. She had wiped all her tears on his sleeve. Though she didn't recognize the fabric, the gold-thread patterns on it were exquisitely intricate, and it had to be very expensive.
"It's all right."
Su Yu stroked the little girl's cheek. Once he had calmed Jiang Tingting down, he held her in his arms and looked up at the village head from before.
The town's only two cultivators both felt a sense of foreboding, their spirits plunging from the heavens to the ground. They had rejoiced when Old Uncle Jiang seemed willing to forgive them, never expecting the little girl to tell Su Yu everything.
"Senior, spare us! The Li Family forced us to do it. Three of their children cultivate at Yanxia Cave Heaven. How could we dare go against their wishes? Please spare us, Senior!"
"Uncle Jiang, you're too kindhearted. Let me overstep and handle this for you."
After saying this with a smile, Su Yu drew Old Uncle Jiang and Jiang Tingting into his sleeve. Once they had disappeared, he turned and looked coldly at the village head and the neighborhood head, both of whom wore bitter expressions.
"Senior, spare me, please! I showed you the way, ah..."
The village head's face changed drastically, and he repeatedly kowtowed on the ground, his whole body trembling. The other party had released his divine sense, and the divine power within him made the village head shudder. His realm was beyond imagining.
"You showed me the way, so you may be spared death. But all these years, you've helped a tyrant commit evil..."
A cold light flashed, blood streamed, and a scream rang through the town. The village head's left arm had been severed. Sweat dripped down his face as he endured the agony and shakily picked up his arm.
"Thank you for sparing my life, Senior."
Everyone else was terrified. The neighborhood head rose and tried to flee, but Su Yu gave him an indifferent glance. His gaze flashed like lightning, instantly crushing the man's soul. The fleeing man fell straight onto the flagstones, lifeless.
Su Yu glanced at the crowd. Five-colored divine light flashed from his right hand as he seized the head of the Li Family and pulled out his soul. Then, following the traces in his memories, he killed every thug and scoundrel who had bullied Old Uncle Jiang.
Su Yu released his divine sense and swept it over the Li Family, crushing every last one of their blood descendants and cutting the weeds down to the roots.
He didn't want to concern himself with Old Uncle Jiang's wishes. Jiang Yi happened to be under his command, so he could simply take Old Uncle Jiang away. He had come for the taiyin physique, not to look after the Jiang Family.
Su Yu drew over a wisp of blood and used the Blood Curse Technique on it.
Once mastered, this spell could curse others to death, but he had only studied it a little and could use it only to track people. That was enough.
Chapter 77: Tender feelings
Yanxia Cave Heaven was one of the six great Cave Heavens of the Yan Kingdom, standing above the mortal kingdoms. Within it, mist drifted among ranks of immortal mountains, and ancient trees grew lush in a scene of peace. Though it was night, the Cave Heaven was brightly lit.
Pavilions and towers dotted the landscape, streams and waterfalls cascaded, and immortal cranes danced through the air. Lively and natural, it was truly a fine place.
That night, a streak of white light tore through the tranquil sky like a brilliant shooting star and landed outside the Cave Heaven's mountain gate. Yet it did not alarm anyone in Yanxia Cave Heaven.
The white light took human form. Su Yu glanced at the guidance of the jade disc in his heart and formed a divine seal. Purple light flashed in his left eye, and a wisp of Chaos Qi became a mysterious imprint, one strange Dao pattern after another appearing upon it.
The blood on the jade disc suddenly seemed to come alive, faintly pulling toward the distance. Su Yu casually sent out a streak of divine light, and the drop of blood turned into a fierce streak of bloody light that flew into the Cave Heaven, ignoring the restrictions before the mountain gate along the way.
With that done, Su Yu rode a Divine Rainbow away. As for the remnants of the Li Family in Yanxia Cave Heaven, they had offended a transmigrator and lost their true spirits. Their names had already been carved upon the Path of Reincarnation.
That drop of blood contained one of his killing thoughts. No one below the Dragon Transformation Secret Realm could withstand it.
The Southern Region of the Eastern Wasteland, the Wei Kingdom.
Within a minor sect, Su Yu sat alone on a bluestone, with brightly lit pavilions and towers behind him.
Quite a few members of the Demon Clan here were affiliated with the Green Lotus Clan. They had continued to follow Yan Ruyu even when the Green Lotus Lineage was in dire straits.
They had not accompanied the Green Lotus King and Yan Ruyu when the two had previously gone to the Northern Region. Now that Yan Ruyu was revisiting an old haunt, she was somewhat worried about them and had brought Su Yu here.
He had only briefly met the demons. Too many words led to mistakes, and if these members of the Demon Clan learned of Yan Ruyu's circumstances, they would surely come looking for trouble with him.
Suddenly, his heart stirred and he looked into the distance. His incarnation's divine sense had sent word back: the taiyin physique had returned.
Su Yu took a step. Dao tracks flowed beneath his feet and spatial divine patterns scattered as he vanished into the void, crossing dozens of li in a single step to meet his clone.
He took the Silver Moon Saint Pagoda, and the clone turned into a wisp of Chaos Qi that returned to his body.
"The taiyin physique... From now on, she'll be the saintess of my Chaos Palace, but the Earth Life Fruit is a bit of a problem."
Among the stone objects he had obtained from the stone village was a petrified Earth Life Fruit, but the Source God and Source Ghost had already eaten its essence...
However, the Sacred Fruits in the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land could also make up for the taiyin physique's defect, and their effect was even better!
Obtaining Sacred Fruits was not difficult for him!
Su Yu returned to the courtyard and activated the Silver Moon Jade Pagoda, taking the Immortal Gold into the Devouring Heaven Demon Jar before releasing Old Uncle Jiang and Jiang Tingting.
Old Uncle Jiang looked around at their surroundings, somewhat bewildered, his hands protectively around Jiang Tingting.
But when Jiang Tingting saw Su Yu, a smile spread across her little face, and she rushed straight at him.
"Big brother!"
Su Yu gently stroked her hair, his warm palm resting against the little girl's somewhat chilly cheek.
Wrapped in that warmth, Jiang Tingting felt wonderfully comfortable, and her eyes curved into crescents.
Her eyes sparkled like starlight, the corners of her mouth turned up, and her long eyelashes were beautiful. Even her slightly furrowed brows had relaxed.
The poor little girl felt a profound lack of security, and Su Yu's appearance happened to make up for it all.
Su Yu quietly comforted Jiang Tingting, crouching down to tell her, "Don't be afraid. Big brother is here."
Just then, little Tingting's stomach rumbled. Her face immediately turned red with embarrassment.
Su Yu smiled knowingly and stood up again. A golden-haired girl appeared behind him and bowed to him with the utmost respect.
"Your Highness."
Su Yu nodded slightly and said softly, "Prepare a banquet for them, to the highest standard."
"Yes!"
The golden-haired girl slowly led the two away. Jiang Tingting looked back every few steps, reluctant to part from Su Yu.
Su Yu watched until she disappeared from sight. He didn't know how much time had passed when a cool, clear voice came from behind him, and a familiar, subtle fragrance filled the courtyard.
Yan Ruyu had a face like a flower, skin like creamy jade, and a slender, elegant neck. Her arms were as white as mutton-fat jade, translucent and lustrous. Her snow-white legs were long and straight, and her slender waist could be encircled in one hand. She was captivating.
"Your Highness."
Su Yu turned and walked over to Yan Ruyu. They stood side by side as moonlight flowed like water and starlight fell upon them, setting them off like figures carved from jade, a perfectly matched pair.
"What is it? Have you finished making arrangements?"
Yan Ruyu shook her head slightly and said calmly, "Most of them are unwilling to leave the Southern Region. Only a few elders whose lifespans are nearly exhausted are willing to go to the Northern Region."
Su Yu was somewhat surprised. He raised an eyebrow, a trace of puzzlement showing on his handsome face, but soon guessed the reason.
"Didn't you tell them about the Green Lotus Emperor Weapon? Why not? If these members of the Demon Clan knew the Green Lotus Emperor Weapon was in your hands..."
Yan Ruyu did not answer. She simply leaned against him, a hint of sorrow in her eyes...
Su Yu froze, his expression becoming somewhat unnatural. He understood what Yan Ruyu was thinking, and it made him feel guilty. He drew the beauty into his arms, then lifted her by the waist and carried her toward a small house.
They stayed awake all night. Only the gentle breeze and bright moon remained unchanged; lights glimmered faintly in the bamboo grove, fallen leaves lay scattered, and the stirring was stilled.
When Su Yu woke the next day and first opened his bright eyes, he discovered that he was curled up in Yan Ruyu's arms in an unusual position.
Yan Ruyu also opened her beautiful eyes and looked intently at Su Yu. He felt that something was amiss, but before he could speak, the silver-thread silkworm quilt came over him, covering him in a sheet of snow-white.
Because of the Qing Emperor's Heart's special nature, Yan Ruyu needed Su Yu's help to refine the Azure Emperor's essence blood...
By the time Su Yu staggered out of the bamboo grove, a maid had long been waiting outside the house, while Yan Ruyu had already left for another subordinate sect.
Su Yu had originally intended to reveal the Green Lotus Emperor Weapon. An Extreme Dao Emperor Weapon had appeared, and word of the Demon Emperor's Mausoleum had already spread; sooner or later, the Emperor Weapon would be seen by all.
Most members of the Demon Clan in the Southern Region knew that the Azure Emperor Weapon had appeared and been taken by an unknown being. They simply didn't know that Yan Ruyu had become its recognized master.
In a single night, a great number of members of the Demon Clan had gone to the Demon Emperor's Mausoleum, and quite a few demon kings had sent envoys to the Northern Region to invite the Azure Emperor's descendant to search for the Emperor Weapon with them.
Thinking of Yan Ruyu's silent support, Su Yu lost himself for a moment. Then he pulled himself together, considered the precise timing, and stepped forward, disappearing from the Wei Kingdom.
In the Southern Region, countless small kingdoms stood side by side. The Chu Kingdom was larger than the Yan and Wei Kingdoms combined, with an immensely vast territory and many cultivators. Even Yaoguang Holy Land had established an outpost there, dispatching a Half-Step Great Power to oversee it and deter the thirty-three surrounding kingdoms at the same time.
That Half-Step Great Power of Yaoguang Holy Land happened to be the elder whose divine sense Su Yu had gravely wounded in the Demon Emperor's Yin Tomb.
Chapter 78: Incomplete Void Scripture [Third update! Not a drop left! Please vote!]
For the past two days, Su Yu had once again been studying the Ghost-Face Jade Jue, constantly using his divine sense to impress his wishes upon it.
Yet his cheat remained as aloof as ever. Or perhaps it wasn't aloof at all; its spiritual intelligence might have been damaged while crossing space and time, leaving it a defective item.
Su Yu felt somewhat helpless. Since crossing over to Earth last time and following Nine Dragons Pulling the Coffin the whole way, he had successfully obtained the Quasi-Emperor Forbidden Artifact, the Bodhi Tree Slough, Sacred Fruits, and Divine Spring water.
These things were very important to him, each link connected to the next. Most important of all were the Sacred Fruits and the Divine Spring of the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land.
Without the Sacred Fruits and Divine Spring water, there were many things he couldn't have done. He couldn't have awakened the Divine Silkworm Princess, and naturally the Devouring Heaven Demon Jar couldn't have been made whole. He might still have been waiting for the Divine King to recover, then relying on him to retrieve the jar's body. And without a Medicine King or divine medicine, even the Divine King would have had difficulty reviving...
After the rich harvest the first time, Su Yu had high hopes for his cheat.
The cheat could be a little more powerful; he wouldn't mind. A few Emperor Weapons, some Immortal Medicine, and a dozen or so Emperor Scriptures would do.
Unfortunately, these were merely Su Yu's fantasies. The jade jue remained like a piece of ordinary jade, showing no movement whatsoever as it sat quietly in his Immortal Platform.
The moment Su Yu entered the Chu Kingdom's territory, a black-haired elder in a dark robe was already waiting quietly in the void. He was none other than the Eighth Ancestor of the Ji Family.