Chapter Thirty-Six: The Resplendent Pearl—Worlds Within

As Yu Shang walked back to the academy, curiosity gnawed at him. “What kind of woman was she in life, that even in death so many remain obsessed with her? Her body is entombed in that mysterious region, hidden from prying eyes, not to mention the legendary weapons buried with her. Yet someone so illustrious would stoop to use herself as bait to lure the Lord of the Underworld—what could have been on her mind?” At this thought, Yu Shang let out a faint, scornful laugh, shook his head, and with a flash, entered the Misty Orchid Academy. He strode swiftly to his room and pushed open the door.

His movements were as swift and fluid as drifting clouds and flowing water, startling the figure inside, who first froze and then exclaimed, “Would it kill you to knock before coming in? You nearly scared me to death, I thought someone else was here spying on us!” Xiao Yin, feigning bravado, patted his chest, but his little ruse was easily seen through by Yu Shang’s discerning eyes. Even before entering, Yu Shang had sensed someone skulking about in his room, rummaging around, so he’d entered silently to give him a fright.

“If I’m not mistaken, this ought to be my room, yes? Since when does one have to knock before entering their own quarters? Besides, I haven’t even asked what you’re doing in here, sneaking about, yet here you are blaming me first!” Yu Shang looked at the rather unreasonable Xiao Yin with a helpless smile.

“Come on, mind your words! Sneaking about? I was just here aboveboard. Slinking into someone’s room isn’t my style! I only came in to keep an eye on the place since you weren’t here, in case some scoundrel with ill intentions tried to ambush you!” Xiao Yin retorted with perfect self-assurance, showing not a scrap of embarrassment at being caught red-handed.

“Haha, I suppose I should thank you then!” Yu Shang was utterly defeated by Xiao Yin’s shamelessness, and could only smile wryly.

“We’re old friends, there’s no need for such formality! I’ve always enjoyed helping those in need, you know!” Xiao Yin bragged with exaggerated pride. Then, as if suddenly recalling something important, he pressed, “Hey, where did you run off to today without a word? Only now do you come back—don’t tell me you found some treasure and are keeping it all to yourself?” With a mocking glint in his eyes, Xiao Yin eyed Yu Shang.

“I just found it too stuffy in here and went for a stroll. Why so concerned all of a sudden? Shouldn’t you be keeping your Lanwu company?” Yu Shang replied with casual indifference.

“She wants to spend these few days training, to avoid losing in the coming competition.” The moment Xiao Yin mentioned Lanwu, a blissful smile lit his face, but he quickly recovered his composure. “Don’t try to change the subject. Don’t think I don’t know what happened just because you didn’t bring me along. My cultivation isn’t what it used to be, but I can still sense a strange, mysterious energy clinging to you. If you don’t come clean, don’t blame me for getting rough!” Xiao Yin grinned impishly, teasing Yu Shang.

“So nothing escapes you. I admit, I went out to search for an old benefactor. This old friend once gave me the Blade of the Abyss and imparted words that have guided me ever since.” Yu Shang’s expression grew thoughtful. “Today, as I was meditating, my benefactor sent me a secret transmission, asking me to find him. When I arrived, he revealed secrets about the gate within my body, and told me that my blade is incomplete. If I gather all its fragments and merge them with myself, I can forge a key to unlock my inner gate. One such fragment lies in that mysterious region of the ancient city. In exchange, he wants me to bring it into the tomb, place it atop a woman’s coffin, and convey a message on his behalf.” With that, Yu Shang focused his energy and drew a luminous pearl from within his body.

At first glance, the pearl seemed no different from ordinary jewels, but a closer look revealed a world of wonders inside. Within its depths, ancient divine beasts and the dawn of humanity unfolded in vivid scenes. It was as if the pearl was a celestial tome, recording the past and hinting at the future; whatever you wished to know could be found within. Channeling a thread of vital energy into it caused its pale violet glow to blaze, and the marvelous visions within were projected onto the walls, filling the room with awe.

Both Xiao Yin and Yu Shang felt as though they were swept into these unfolding visions, experiencing the rise and fall of worlds, the transformation of seas to mulberry fields, saplings to towering trees, all in the span of a few heartbeats.

“This pearl is truly a treasure!” Xiao Yin eyed it greedily, “To see the birth and death of all things—such a divine artifact is wasted locked away in that cursed place.” He lunged, hoping to snatch it and stow it away.

But Yu Shang, ever astute, easily saw through Xiao Yin’s ploy. With a swift gesture, he returned the pearl to his body, leaving Xiao Yin grasping at empty air. Yu Shang cast him a triumphant look. “If it were truly mine, perhaps I’d let you have it, but it was entrusted to me by my benefactor. I can’t just let you make off with it.”

“You’re so stingy! I only wanted to borrow it for a few days, not keep it!” Xiao Yin said nonchalantly, though inwardly he schemed to snatch the pearl for Lanwu—surely, beauty paired with a precious gem would be irresistible.

“Please, I know you too well. Anything I lend you is as good as gone. I warn you: don’t covet this pearl, or you’ll find I’m not so forgiving, even to a friend.” Yu Shang’s tone was light, but brooked no argument.

“Hmph, keep your trinket. I don’t want it anyway!” Xiao Yin scoffed, then couldn’t help but press, “So is the one buried in that mysterious region really Lady Fuyouming? What made her so extraordinary, that so many risked their lives for her, and so many treasures lie buried at her side?”

“Judging by the situation, it must be her. Otherwise, neither my benefactor nor Fuyouming would need someone to go in. But shouldn’t you know more than me? Didn’t Fuyouming tell you his whole story?” Yu Shang asked, curious.

“That old monster didn’t even tell me the woman’s name, let alone anything else. Who knows what secrets are hidden in all this!” Xiao Yin replied with a hint of scorn, clearly annoyed by those who speak in riddles.

“I’m looking forward to the competition now—I wish it were already over, so I could explore that mysterious region. To acquire a fragment of the blade and witness the woman herself—there’s nothing but gain! Yet I can’t shake the feeling that when I place this pearl upon her coffin, something earth-shattering will occur.” Yu Shang mused aloud.

“What could happen? Unless you think she’ll come back to life?” Xiao Yin joked.

“You never know. In this world, anything is possible—even resurrection.” Yu Shang said, a spark of excitement in his voice. He was convinced the pearl harbored a vast power, and that when it encountered something of matching nature, that power would be unleashed.

“Resurrection isn’t so easy, especially after all this time. Don’t forget, she was of the immortal realm. Even putting aside their character, their cultivation is second to none. If she could be revived, surely her people would have done so long ago. And after so many years, she’s likely nothing but bones.” Xiao Yin sighed.

“Who would have thought the proud Crimson Serpent Spirit would bow to the hypocrites of the immortal realm! The one who hunted you must have been formidable to leave such a mark on you.” Yu Shang teased.

“It’s not submission—it’s just wisdom. One should never underestimate an opponent. Outwardly, I’ll always act dismissive; otherwise, wouldn’t I be giving up my own advantage?” Xiao Yin replied with a childish stubbornness.

Yu Shang couldn’t help but smile at Xiao Yin’s boyishness. Though outwardly cunning, perhaps Xiao Yin wasn’t so sly after all—or at least, he retained a touch of innocence before Yu Shang, who, despite being millennia his junior, always had to look after him. On the surface, Yu Shang seemed the more mature, but perhaps this was Xiao Yin’s way of tempering him, helping him to grow.

“Hey, do you notice that your body is giving off a faint, strange violet glow?” Xiao Yin asked in surprise.

“Are you suggesting it’s the pearl again? You really won’t give up until it’s yours, will you?” Yu Shang said helplessly.

“I’m serious. Don’t you feel anything?” Xiao Yin pressed.

“Not at all—” Yu Shang began, but before he could finish, a turbulent sensation surged within him. The pearl, which had just been resting quietly inside him, suddenly darted about—now to his abdomen, now to his arm—but nowhere near the gate within him. The usually sensitive, all-encompassing gate seemed oblivious to the pearl’s presence, its doors sealed tight. Could it be that the two forces repelled each other, unwilling to risk contact? An idea flashed through Yu Shang’s mind, and he mustered his energy, forcing the gate open a crack to see what might happen.

He exerted himself to the utmost, prying the gate open, but instead of a surge of power as before, there was no reaction at all. The pearl had already fled, hiding far away, unwilling to approach the gate. Yu Shang was baffled—why did the gate become inert in the presence of the pearl, and why did the pearl become so timid, never daring to approach? The whole situation was so unusual, so bizarre, that Yu Shang was left utterly perplexed.

“What’s wrong? Why do you look so bewildered?” Xiao Yin asked, watching Yu Shang’s confused expression.

“It seems the pearl is at odds with the gate inside me. If the pearl is near the gate, it’s powerless, and the pearl itself refuses to go near it,” Yu Shang explained, describing this strange phenomenon.