Turning Point
As soon as the strange beast saw the phantom, it let out a mournful roar, then pounced over, rubbing its head gently against the phantom's legs, and making a mournful "woohoo" sound in its throat, like a wronged child.
The shadow lowered its head, looking at the strange beast with gentle eyes. Its illusory hand gently stroked its head and sighed, "Nine Souls, do not be sad. Life and death are determined by fate."
Then, he turned to Zhong Ling with a calm look: "I am Xuanming, I came from another time and space a hundred years ago.
Being hunted by his enemies and severely injured, he accidentally fell into a crack in time and space. Fortunately, he survived, but ended up in this world.
Zhong Ling listened quietly, understanding dawned on her. No wonder this strange beast was so extraordinary; it actually came from the world of immortal cultivation.
Xuanming continued, "The spiritual energy in this world is thin, and my injuries are difficult to heal. In the end, I can only choose to sit and die.
Jiuhun is my mount, and has been by my side since childhood. Because I kept him in my Xumi Ring, he has never been injured while traveling through the rifts of time and space.
Before I died, I left all my wealth to it. Even if it doesn't practice, it can still live for three hundred years."
He paused, his eyes sweeping over the Void Stone in Zhong Ling's hand. "What you have in your hand is the Void Stone. It was because of this thing that I was hunted down back then. I have a bag of Void Stones in my hand."
Zhong Ling raised her eyebrows slightly. A bag of Void Stones? That's quite a large sum.
Xuanming's expression became more serious: "To be able to come here and see me, you must have been recognized by the Nine Souls and must be a person with cultivation.
Although the Nine Souls are demonic beasts, they understand human nature and are loyal. If you are willing to swear to treat the Nine Souls well and protect them, I will give you this bag of Void Stones as a thank you for finding a place for the Nine Souls to settle down.
Jiuhun understood what his former master said. He raised his head and looked at Zhong Ling with his amber eyes, with a hint of pleading and dependence. He rubbed Xuanming's shadow and let out a low whimper.
Zhong Ling looked at Jiuhun, then at the remnant soul of Xuanming Taoist that was about to dissipate, and nodded: "Don't worry, senior. Since I have a connection with Jiuhun, I will protect it and will never let it suffer any injustice."
She was not a kind-hearted person, but this strange beast was pure and kind, and it offered treasures on its own initiative. Taoist Xuanming was also an open-minded gentleman, so she was happy to establish this good relationship.
After saying this, Zhong Ling immediately mobilized a trace of spiritual power and touched Jiuhun's eyebrows.
The Nine Souls offered no resistance, instead actively complying. With a flash of light, a contract of equality was sealed. From then on, one man and one beast, shared weal and woe.
When Taoist Xuanming saw that it was an equal contract, his smile widened, and his shadow seemed to solidify a little: "In this case, I am relieved."
He waved his hand lightly, and a gray cloth bag slowly floated out from his dantian and flew straight towards Zhong Ling.
Zhong Ling reached out to take it, and it felt quite heavy. A quick glance with her spiritual sense revealed a sigh, even though she had been prepared.
There are dozens of void stones of various sizes in this bag. Each one contains the pure power of the law of space. It’s just in time!
"Jiuhun, from now on, just follow this young friend with peace of mind. She... is doing well." The shadow of Taoist Xuanming began to dim, and his voice became more erratic.
"Roar... Woo... Woo..." Jiuhun let out a mournful cry, feeling very reluctant, tears streaming from the corners of his eyes.
Just as the man and the beast were still feeling sad, Zhong Ling, who had been watching quietly, suddenly spoke.
"Wait a minute. You don't have to do this."
Taoist Xuanming and Jiuhun were both stunned and looked at Zhong Ling. Xuanming's illusory figure stopped dissipating, and Jiuhun's beastly eyes were filled with confusion and puzzlement.
Zhong Ling slowly stepped forward and stood between Xuanming and Jiuhun. Her gaze fell on Xuanming and she said something startling: "Senior's spirit has not yet completely dissipated. There is still a chance to save it. I have a magical instrument here that can nourish the spirit and keep it from dissipating."
She paused, then continued, "Once Senior's spirit has recovered, I have a high-level puppet in my hands that can carry his spirit and allow him to return to the world."
As soon as these words were spoken, the shadow of Taoist Xuanming suddenly froze, and an expression of disbelief appeared on his face.
Jiuhun stopped wailing instantly, and stared at Zhong Ling with his big round eyes without blinking, as if he didn't understand what she said, but also seemed to vaguely understand.
Because of Zhong Ling's words, the atmosphere of sadness and farewell in the stone chamber instantly dissipated, leaving only the motionless figures of a man and a beast.
At this time, Xuanming Daoist looked at the young woman in front of him again.
She was too calm, as calm as if she was talking about a trivial matter.
This kind of confidence and composure is definitely not something that ordinary monks can possess.
Only then did he realize that he might have underestimated this "young friend." Her cultivation and methods far exceeded his imagination.
"Young friend..." Taoist Xuanming's weak voice trembled slightly, and his eyes were fixed on Zhong Ling, as if he wanted to see through her soul.
"You...why would you do this? Such treasures and methods are an act that defies heaven, even for cultivators like us.
We just met for the first time, why did you save me? "
Jiuhun also tilted his head and looked at Zhong Ling, his huge body slightly arched, his face showing anxiety and anticipation.
Upon hearing this, Zhong Ling just smiled faintly, with a hint of casualness and laziness in her smile.
She looked at Xuanming and said in a relaxed tone, "There's no special reason. I just... do what I feel like."
Follow your heart.
To Taoist Xuanming, these four words weighed a thousand pounds.
He practiced cultivation throughout his life and witnessed countless struggles for power and wealth, murders and robberies for treasures. He also experienced being hunted and betrayed.
Someone like Zhong Ling, who was willing to lend a helping hand and use a magical weapon to save people just because she "followed her heart", was something I had never seen before.
He looked into Zhong Ling's eyes, which contained no trace of utilitarianism or calculation, only a calmness that looked upon the world with indifference.
With such a character and such strength, he knew that he had met a truly powerful person.
"Follow your heart... Haha, what a good follow your heart..." The shadow of Taoist Xuanming swayed slightly, and he let out a low sigh.
Jiuhun seemed to sense the change in atmosphere. It leaned forward and nudged Zhong Ling's palm with its nose, as if asking: Is this true? Can you really save him?
Zhong Ling felt the warmth in his palm, curled the corners of his mouth, and patted Jiuhun's big head again, giving it an affirmative response.
The shadow of Taoist Xuanming gradually calmed down after being shocked.
He looked at Zhong Ling again, his eyes filled with gratitude: "My friend, if this is really possible, I, Xuanming, will remember this kindness. If you need anything, just ask..."
Zhong Ling interrupted him: "Senior, there is no need to thank me, and there is no need to add any conditions. I said, do as you please."
What she said was not empty talk. There were many good things in her space. She did it purely because she had a connection with Jiuhun and she also admired Taoist Xuanming's love for his mount and his open-minded character.
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