It's ambition, desire, control, everything...
It was the look in her eyes at this moment, and the look in his eyes in the past.
Xie Buchen looked at Jianchou for a long time, and Jianchou looked at the Human Emperor Sword for a long time.
I don’t know how long it was before I heard a “chi chi” sound from behind, and Jianchou’s motionless eyelashes flickered slightly.
The strength in his hands loosened, the blue veins disappeared, and the whitened joints gradually returned to their original color.
Slowly, slowly, she sheathed the sword.
Little by little.
The cold light disappeared.
The waves in Jianchou's heart slowly calmed down as the cold light of the sword was gradually retracted into the scabbard, and finally became a calm lake.
"This sword has never recognized its master."
Xie Buchen said: "The Human Emperor Sword has no owner. Anyone who is an emperor can take it and use it."
It’s just a “tool”.
It is the man, not the sword, who is the emperor.
Jianchou naturally understood the meaning behind this, and after a brief thought, he could discern a few indescribable meanings: Thank you, Buchen...
He is not a loyal subject, but he calls himself the emperor
She had always known that he had great ambitions. When she heard this today, she couldn't help but laugh: "Anyone who is an emperor can be used. So, fellow Taoist Xie, do I look like him?"
"… "
Xie Buchen didn't say anything, but at this moment he understood Jianchou's intention. He looked at her.
Jianchou turned his wrist, and the three-foot-long Human Emperor Sword with its scabbard turned in his palm, and then he held it steadily.
Seems like it’s working pretty well
She was quite pleased: "This sword is not bad. Thank you for your generosity, fellow Daoist. Please lend it to me."
borrow
It's high-sounding again.
Xie Buchen glanced at her and was speechless.
He closed his eyes slightly and simply shut his mouth.
"Hua La La..."
The sound of water could be heard, along with the noisy sounds of spirit beasts talking to each other.
The little squirrel stood on the bow of the boat, looking around, trying to find a temporarily safe place in this hidden world that was beginning to collapse.
The dark little eyes darted around and immediately saw where Jianchou was.
The piece of land appeared flat and not covered by water, and it looked like it could hold up for a long time.
So the little squirrel was immediately surprised, and quickly controlled the pine nut boat to the shore.
“Chichichichi!”
It waved its claws, and all the spirit beasts on the boat jumped down one after another, landing from the boat onto the ground where Jianchou was.
Silver Fox's injuries had not yet healed and he almost fell when he landed.
The old turtle moved slowly, and it took a lot of effort to paddle its four short legs, as if swimming, and "swam" down from mid-air, landing next to the silver fox panting.
…
One after another.
The little squirrel was still standing on the bow of the boat. When he saw everyone else had gotten off, he jumped up nimbly.
As soon as it landed on the shore, it ran towards Jianchou.
But after running only two steps, he slapped his forehead and remembered the big ship behind him.
The little squirrel then ran over again, stretched out its two short little paws, and hugged the large boat, which was several meters wide, trying to lift it up like an ant trying to shake a tree.
"Chichichi..."
You have to use all your strength to eat the pine nuts.
The little squirrel's eyes widened, and his cheeks were about to bulge, before he lifted up the several-foot-long pine nut boat with great ferocity!
At that moment, all the spirit beasts standing on the ground fell silent!
The scene before their eyes was beyond everyone's imagination!
The super-strong little squirrel lifted the big ship high, just like a small ant lifting an elephant. It was scary but also a bit funny.
Jianchou, who was far away, saw this and was also surprised.
Before she could figure out what was going on, the little squirrel had already staggered two steps and was about to fall over without being able to hold on to the boat.
Unexpectedly, the big ship swayed again and again, and when it was about to fall, it suddenly shrank and turned into a small pine nut again.
“Chichichi!”
The little squirrel immediately cried out with joy, gave the pine nut a kiss, and ran happily towards Jianchou who was standing there.
Jianchou killed Wu'e and was the little squirrel's savior. As soon as it came over, it started chirping.
The little mink standing on Jianchou's shoulder rolled his eyes again.
Jianchou stood there holding the Human Emperor Sword, with his other hand also pulling Xie Buchen's Qiankun bag.
She looked down, and glanced at the spirit beasts gathered in the distance. The old turtle and the silver fox were standing at the front, both silent, just looking at them.
Jianchou really couldn't understand what the little squirrel was saying and felt a little embarrassed for a moment.
"well… "
The silver fox at the back sighed softly, and it turned out to be an extremely soft female voice.
It walked up slowly. Its wound had not yet healed, so it walked with a limp, but that did not affect its charming appearance at all.
When Jianchouzhi took such a look, he actually saw a graceful and charming figure in her.
She stared at him.
These are a pair of fox eyes, but they are full of human emotions.
"It was Komatsu who saved us all."
Unexpectedly, the silver fox spoke, but in human language.
The little squirrel nodded quickly.
Jianchou knew that the silver fox was speaking on behalf of the little squirrel.
She glanced at them, thinking of everything she had encountered since entering the hidden world, as well as the numerous mysteries. She had a lot of questions she wanted to ask, but in the end she didn't know how to start.
After all, Silver Fox was understanding and knew what she was thinking, so he told her everything.
Thousands of years ago, Master Buyu reached the pinnacle of his cultivation and finally decided to go into seclusion and ascend to heaven.
He promised everyone that he would take them to heaven, and then he completely disappeared from everyone's sight...
The entire Nineteen Continents knew the news of his ascension, but none of the spirit beasts that had once fought side by side with him ascended with him.
"We are not envious of the scenery in the upper realm, but for the promise he made in the past..."
The old voice added later.
The old turtle was crawling on the spot, also full of vicissitudes of life.
Ordinary cultivators and spirit beasts are just masters and servants, but they are all friends of Master Buyu.
Don't want to separate.
Monks who ascend to heaven can always take away the spirit beasts with which they have signed soul contracts, but they all stayed here.
"Wu'e is aloof by nature. He was tamed by his master at first, but after entering the hidden world, he has always been kind to others. We have been with him before, but we didn't expect..."
The long wait can erode the "humanity" that is hard to develop.
There was a look of compassion and sadness in the silver fox's eyes.
They could not forgive Wu'e's actions, especially what he did to Li Jun, but they could all understand his changes.
Jianchou was silent for a long time after hearing this, and then asked, "Do you all have a soul contract with the Master?"
The little squirrel nodded first.
Then, there came the group of silent spirit beasts.
Silver Fox knew what Jianchou was thinking and only laughed bitterly: "If not, how can we conclude that he ascended to heaven instead of dying accidentally?"
After years of waiting with no results, how could they, who trusted Master Bu Yu, not have their own guesses
For example, if he had an accident, fell into a deep sleep for a long time, or even died...
But the connection hidden deep in their souls easily broke this illusion: the contract still existed, and they could even use the contract to feel that Master Buyu was very far away from them and not in the same space.
When Jianchou saw everyone nodding, his heart sank.
Everything that I saw while wandering in my mind came to my mind again.
"The path of cultivation is long and I am hesitant... If you want to pass my way, you must fight with my inner demon... Do you dare to fight?"
"One hundred and thirty-six days into the foundation building process, the inner demon emerges."
"On the thirty-sixth day of the golden elixir, the inner demon reappeared."
"After thirteen days of leaving the body, the inner demon appears."
…
"I have gone through so much hardship to raise the river map, and I have experienced the bloody wind and rain in my life. In the end, I am just making wedding clothes for others. I am unwilling to accept this! The silent master is in the tomb."
The spiritual beasts have their own judgment, which is not entirely unreasonable.
Everything...
They are all intricately intertwined together, and it is difficult to tell where the thread ends.
There was only one crazy idea that popped up in Jianchou's mind and he couldn't suppress it. But how could he dare to believe it
Such strange things have never happened in the entire 19 continents.
What’s more, it’s ascension
She wanted to ask something else.
But at this moment, the old turtle showed a simple and kind smile: "But we always believe that the Master of No Talk never breaks his promise."
So, all the questions I wanted to ask were stuck in my throat.
When Jianchou looked over, he suddenly discovered that there was still a glimmer of hope in the eyes of every spirit beast...
She suddenly didn't dare to say out her sudden guess.
Her heart felt heavy, and she inexplicably thought of the little bookworm.
I have never seen it in the middle, I am afraid...
She lowered her eyes, not wanting to think too much.
He just handed the open Qiankun bag in his hand to the silver fox.
"The hidden world is broken and independent of the universe, lacking spiritual energy. There are countless spiritual stones and elixirs in this bag, which can solve everyone's urgent needs. The Taoist friend Xie from Kunwu next to me has the Great Ming Seal on the dome of the Heavenly Palace. Let's not stay here any longer and go find Li Jun. Maybe we can stop the collapse of the hidden world."
The silver fox opened its mouth and bit the Qiankun bag that Jianchou handed over, but a whole new look flashed in its eyes!
"The Great Ming Seal?"
"There is actually a Ming Dynasty seal?"
"yes… "
"Yes, if so, the hidden world can be preserved!"
…
Whether loud or low, discussions came one after another.
Jianchou turned around and glanced at Xie Buchen.
Xie Buchen also glanced at her, without saying anything about her behavior. He just forced himself to stand up and stood shakily.
The silver fox, the old turtle and the little squirrel all looked at him, with countless scrutiny hidden in their eyes.
"If we can preserve a glimmer of hope for the hidden world, that would be great."
After all, this is their home where they have lived for a long time. Although everything has become ruins, it still hides countless memories.
Silver Fox's voice was faint and soft like smoke: "King of Carp and Wuwu fought, and they must have landed in the koi pond at the center. From here, go east and pass the triple maze gate, and you will see it."
Jianchou looked eastward, and saw a few "islands" scattered across the boundless water. Some were still cracking, some were colliding, and some were still motionless...
From here on, heading east, one must cross a large swamp and pass several islands, which is full of dangers.
So she said, "I'll go and wait, it's better for you all to wait here."
“Chichichi!”
As soon as she said this, the little squirrel immediately started chirping and rushed towards Jianchou. It seemed that it didn't want to stay here at all.
only…
It had just pounced out a little bit, before it got close to Jianchou, when a thin red light suddenly appeared and blocked between Jianchou and the little squirrel.
It was a gentle light that flickered softly, like the whispers of elders and close friends.
It was like a warm glow, slightly concave to prevent the little squirrel from being hurt, but gently and firmly keeping it out.
The little squirrel was stunned.
It was holding the pine nut, and was slowly placed on the ground by the thin red glow of the sunset, staring at the light stupidly.
"Ki-kun..."
It’s Li Jun!
Mr. Li is still alive!
The little squirrel immediately became excited and was eager to pass through the thin red. It wanted to go with Jianchou to see Lijun together.
But no matter how it struggled, it could not penetrate the thin red light.
Jianchou, who was standing behind the faint light, was also a little stunned.
Behind the little squirrel, all the spirit beasts saw this scene and understood everything: the gentle Carp King didn't want them to go over, either because it was dangerous or because he didn't want people to see his current appearance.
"Chichichi..."
The little squirrel's cry gradually became lower and hoarse.
After struggling for many times in vain, it seemed to finally realize that Carp King had made up his mind. Its dark eyes were filled with tears that seemed to be about to fall, as if it had been abandoned.
In the hidden world for so many years, there has been no trace of the master, and it has been guarded by Li Jun alone.
For all spirit beasts, it is their true guardian during the time when the Master is away.
Jianchou originally didn't want so many spirit beasts to go with her. If something dangerous happened ahead, who could guarantee that everyone would be safe
It seems that Mr. Li has the same idea as her.
She smiled and said to the little squirrel in a comforting tone: "It's right here, be good and listen to me."
The little squirrel was sobbing and hugging the little pine tree tightly. It seemed that he was about to cry, but he forced himself to hold it back.
It stood before the thin red light, looked at Sadness, then looked at the small pine nut held in its paws.
With a little reluctance and a little determination.
The little squirrel finally held the pine nut and moved forward.
There seemed to be a few wet marks on its furry little paws, and I didn't know whether they were left when it got off the boat, or because it was crying secretly just now.
Jianchou was stunned and remained silent for a long time without moving.
The little squirrel still held the pine nut.
She finally sighed in her heart, raised her hand, and her fingertips touched the thin red light, which actually passed through without any hindrance, as if passing through a thin film.
The little squirrel slowly placed the small pine nut into Jianchou's palm.
The fur on the claws rubbed against Jianchou's pale palm, warmly.
The brown surface was somewhat round, with one end being big and the other small. When held by the little squirrel, the size was just right. But when it fell into Jianchou's palm, it was just a tiny dot.
Even though it was so small and light, Jianchou felt his palm suddenly feel heavy.
Heavy and hot.
She thought she was about to lose it, but it still lay there quietly.
Jianchou slowly withdrew his hand.
The little squirrel still looked at her eagerly.
As if it knew that she was about to leave, and that she would not take it with her, its face showed a heavy and sad emotion, as if it was hiding infinite hope, but also seemed afraid that this hope would be shattered immediately.
He lowered the two paws on his chest and his head as well.
It has a small body, supported by its two hind legs, but its upper body is bent down.
The little squirrel bowed to Jianchou.
Behind it, there is an old turtle, a silver fox, a long snake, a centipede, a civet cat, and a tit…
One after another, no matter big or small, old or young...
They all lowered their heads and bowed to Jianchou!
Barren land and vast water.
All around are ruins.
These surviving creatures, with full of silence, hope, and respect from the bottom of their hearts, looked towards the figure standing behind the faint red light—
One bow.
The pine nut given by the little squirrel was so smooth just by rubbing it with the fingertips, it seemed as if it had been touched countless times by someone over the years.
She held the Human Emperor Sword and stood before countless spirit beasts that bowed to her. She felt something heavy strangling her, making it difficult for her to breathe.
All she could do was to hold the sword tightly and hold the pine nut tightly.
"Let's go..."
She knew their expectations and their gratitude, but suddenly she couldn't bear to watch any longer.
So, he turned around and his eyes swept across Xie Buchen's face, but without lingering for too long, he just said this indifferently.
Like a sigh.
Perhaps, there is someone in this hidden world who knows the truth.
As I walked forward, I saw the sorrow moving towards the east.
Xie Buchen stood where he was, and turned around as she walked forward. At the end of his sight was her receding figure.
The Human Emperor Sword, for the Emperor...
There seemed to be a flash of emotion in his eyes, but he finally returned to complete rationality.
Raising his hand, he grasped the feather arrow that pierced his body and pulled it out suddenly!
The sharp black feather arrow was made in the shape of Wuye's wings, with many barbs. When he pulled it out so brazenly, it brought out a trace of flesh and blood.
The pain was so severe that he could hardly stand.
But there was not much fluctuation on his face.
Three in a row.
He let go of all the arrows and threw them casually on the ground.
Blood spilled, leaving a sea of red.
The piercing pain spread throughout his limbs, but his body only trembled for a moment, and then stood firmly, like a calm jade or a majestic mountain.
There was a wave of emotion in my heart that suddenly rose up and disappeared in an instant.
Stepping on the fallen petals on the ground, Xie Buchen finally took a step forward and headed in the direction where Jianchou had gone.
Jianchou in front had already reached the edge of the land, but seemed to have discovered something and suddenly stopped.
"boom!"
Almost at the same time, in the southeast direction, on a distant island separated by three islands, a terrifying black shadow exploded.
Several figures suddenly scattered as if they had been hit hard.
Someone exclaimed: "Fairy Lu!"
A burst of wild laughter resounded throughout the empty hidden world: "Hahaha, you Central Region cultivators are nothing special! If you wait here to die, I, the Young Sect Master, will not accompany you any longer!"
Before he finished his words, a black shadow rose from the ground and quickly fled towards the south gate!
At that moment, Jianchou's reaction was extremely fast, and he chopped directly across the vast void!
Wow!
A bright knife light, like a crescent moon hanging high in the sky, burst out from the suddenly appearing deer-cutting knife, illuminating the dark and collapsing sky...