Chapter 80: The Crystal
Lu Xiu, with one arm around Jiang Hong, was lying calmly, looking at his phone. Feeling Jiang Hong wake up, he turned to look at him, put down the phone, and touched his forehead.
"The fever's gone," Lu Xiu said.
"Hmm," Jiang Hong, his face flushed, curled up under the blanket.
Lu Xiu turned to get up, put on a bathrobe, and went to get water for him.
Jiang Hong was very thirsty, gulping down a whole bottle of water. Looking at Lu Xiu again, he felt somewhat embarrassed and wanted to find something to talk about.
"That..." Jiang Hong said hesitantly, unable to help but glance at the parts of Lu Xiu's body not covered by the bathrobe, thinking to himself: Oh no, why am I becoming so lecherous?! I can't always be like this!
Lu Xiu adjusted his bathrobe and stood by the bed looking at him, raising his eyebrows as if to ask what's the matter?
"I had a dream," Jiang Hong quickly said.
"What did you dream about?" Lu Xiu asked casually, heading to the bathroom to get water for brushing his teeth.
Jiang Hong, with his hair all messy, suddenly forgot and said, "I dreamt of someone talking."
"Oh, what were they saying?" Lu Xiu asked again.
Dreams always seem to vanish upon waking. Jiang Hong tried to remember but had forgotten most of it, saying, "Something about a blockade ten years ago, never mind... Ah, right! Once, I also seemed to dream of someone repeatedly calling me in the dream."
Lu Xiu: "Hmm?"
Lu Xiu was brushing his teeth, standing at the bathroom doorway looking at Jiang Hong.
Jiang Hong recalled a clearer memory and said, "That time, when Anjie took us through time, I heard many people shouting 'Jiang Hong.'"
Lu Xiu's expression suddenly changed, and he stopped his actions. Jiang Hong asked, "What's wrong?"
Lu Xiu thought for a moment, didn't speak, continued brushing his teeth, and gestured for Jiang Hong to go on.
Jiang Hong said, "I also remember, they were shouting things like 'Jiang Hong, wake up'."
After spitting out the foam and rinsing his mouth, Lu Xiu asked, "Was that all they said?"
Jiang Hong: "I guess so?"
Lu Xiu explained, "During time travel, it's said that sometimes there can be a momentary displacement, like receiving specific sensations of your past or future self at a certain moment - auditory, tactile, even visual."
"Oh—" Jiang Hong replied, understanding now. So, it meant that during their last time travel with Anjie, Jiang Hong might have heard something that his future self was going to hear.
Lu Xiu tossed clean clothes to Jiang Hong, freshly washed. Dragons have a racial advantage in laundry; just throw them in a basin, stir with magic, and whirl up a storm – it's like a natural washing machine.
"Alright! We're leaving today, off to Shaoxing, Zhejiang!" Jiang Hong declared.
"Not resting for a day?" Lu Xiu asked.
Jiang Hong was eager to complete his "peerless divine weapon." Now filled with motivation, he preferred witnessing the completion of the Western sword over leisurely sightseeing.
Lu Xiu didn't further inquire about Jiang Hong's plans for the Pure Light Crystal. That day, they hit the highway again in their RV.
"Old Sun, how did you feel last night?" asked Jiang Hong.
Old Sun replied, "The spiritual energy was so abundant! It's equivalent to several years of cultivation at school! Is there more?"
"There is," answered Jiang Hong.
Lu Xiu checked the robotic vacuum cleaner and said, "The spiritual energy you absorbed hasn't been fully digested yet. During these days, you need to cultivate more, focusing on forming your inner elixir."
Jiang Hong then remembered that Lu Xiu was a teacher in this area, obviously knowing all the details.
Old Sun then fell silent and went to the back to quietly cultivate.
"As a demon," Jiang Hong asked curiously, "does more spiritual energy mean faster evolution?"
"Yes," Lu Xiu, lost in thought, glanced at Jiang Hong upon hearing the question, "That's why the species is crucial, as is the habitat."
This was Lu Xiu's field of expertise, as he taught the cultivation of inner elixirs to demon clans.
"So as a dragon," Jiang Hong said, "you have many conveniences, right? Or is it the same for all flying demons?"
"It depends on how high they can fly," Lu Xiu explained, "It's not an absolute advantage, but avian and subterranean beings do have an edge in cultivation, as they can get closer to the sky and earth veins during the process. The sky vein is near the top of the troposphere, constantly shifting."
"Right!" Jiang Hong, while driving, thought to himself how dragons could fly high at any time, immersing themselves in the ocean of spiritual energy of the sky vein for cultivation. It seemed almost unfair.
Some bird species could also get closer to the sky vein, thus enjoying a purer source of spiritual energy.
"But being too greedy is not advisable," Lu Xiu casually said, "Absorbing more spiritual energy than one can handle can lead to chaos..."
"We learned that in our first practical class," Jiang Hong replied, "It's what's commonly known as 'deviation.'"
"Hmm," Lu Xiu casually glanced back at Old Sun.
"What will Old Sun evolve into?" Jiang Hong asked.
Lu Xiu: "First, he'll condense an inner elixir. Once the elixir is formed, he can manifest a phantom form. At a certain level, he can transform into a physical form and abandon his current body."
Jiang Hong still found the Tmall Genie attached to the robotic vacuum cleaner cuter, but wondered how much spiritual energy Old Sun needed to condense an inner elixir. With Lu Xiu's guidance, he'd surely make rapid progress, but the exact timeline was uncertain.
That day, they rested in Wuhan and drove to Shaoxing the next day, stopping in Wuhu for a day. Jiang Hong was as excited as if he had been injected with chicken blood, eagerly anticipating their second gathering of spiritual energy.
Since they were in Shaoxing, they strolled around the Ba Zi Bridge, intending to find a place to go boating but it was too hot. The area was filled with young men and women dressed in Hanfu, taking photos. The white walls and black tiles, TikTok influencers, and residents washing and cooking by the river complemented each other beautifully.
"Last time I came to Shaoxing was during the Republic of China," Lu Xiu said, looking at the waterways between the streets, "It’s been renovated more beautifully than I imagined."
"Do you like the Jiangnan area?" Jiang Hong always felt that Lu Xiu, having lived so long, must have traveled all over China.
"It's alright," Lu Xiu said, "Back then, I preferred Nanjing. A hundred years ago, on a bridge up ahead, watching people come and go, I just felt there were too many people in this world."
Jiang Hong: "What were you wearing when you came to Jiangnan? Do you remember?"
Lu Xiu: "?"
Lu Xiu, not understanding why Jiang Hong was only concerned about what he wore, thought for a while and said, "I don't remember, it's been too long."
Jiang Hong: "A Tibetan robe?"
Lu Xiu: "Maybe? Yes, it should have been a Tibetan robe. Back then, all I had were Tibetan robes, and a long time ago, I also had a prayer wheel, but I lost it over time."
Jiang Hong didn’t ask what Lu Xiu was doing in Shaoxing; the answer was always the same — searching for him.
Lu Xiu’s search spanned his 160-year life. As they sat in a black-awning boat passing under the bridge, Jiang Hong could almost see Lu Xiu from a hundred years ago in the Republic of China era, perhaps wearing a dirty Tibetan robe, holding a prayer wheel, watching the people pass by.
Another night, Jiang Hong sneaked into the Kuaiji Mountain Park.
There was no rain tonight; it was a clear night with bright lights on the ground and twinkling stars in the sky.
"Are there any security guards patrolling?" asked Jiang Hong.
"Don't worry," Lu Xiu said, "I'll keep watch for you. Go ahead and set up the formation."
Jiang Hong squatted down to draw the magic circle, and Old Sun said, "More spiritual energy, that's great!"
"Speaking of which, by collecting spiritual energy this way," Jiang Hong suddenly thought, "won't the Exorcism Commission care?"
"I've already informed them for you," Lu Xiu said. "Actually, you can't collect much. The spiritual energy of the earth and sky is a big cycle, no matter how it's retained, it will eventually return."
Jiang Hong thought about it and realized that even the most powerful beings face death, just as the nutrients absorbed in life are returned to nature upon death. The same principle applies to spiritual energy.
"Alright," Jiang Hong said, "I'm starting now."
Lu Xiu said, "I'll watch over this time. You should be able to handle it. The starlight is gentle, unlike lightning."
Jiang Hong activated the magic circle for the second time, but it was different from before in Xiangyang. The starlight softly transformed into flowing trails of stars, slowly merging into the Pure Light Crystal on the magic circle.
Amidst the dancing spiritual energy, it all felt like a dream.
But as the starlight began to dim, Lu Xiu suddenly looked up.
"What's wrong?" asked Jiang Hong.
"It's nothing to do with you," Lu Xiu said, "Don't get distracted."
"Spiritual energy—ah, spiritual energy—" Old Sun started circling again.
Jiang Hong: "Stop making noise, Old Sun!"
Lu Xiu gazed at the night sky for a while before finally asking, "Did you see a small red dot? Or is it just my illusion?"
"Ah?" Jiang Hong also looked up and asked, "Where? Is it an airplane's night light?"
Lu Xiu was silent for a moment, then said, "Never mind, are you done?"
Jiang Hong showed him the Pure Light Crystal, which now contained countless more starlights, resembling an ocean. In this sea of starlight, the electric sparks were still flickering incessantly.
"Alright, next we go to Longmen Mountain in Luoyang!" Jiang Hong declared.
Upon arriving in Luoyang, the nation had officially entered summer vacation. It was extremely crowded, and Luoyang was hit by the first heatwave of the summer. Amidst the scorching heat, Jiang Hong and Lu Xiu were repeatedly separated by the crowd while touring the Longmen Grottoes.
First, Lu Xiu searched everywhere for Jiang Hong, then it was Jiang Hong's turn to look for Lu Xiu. Eventually, they simply settled in a small shop to sit and drink cola, giving up on touring the grottoes.
"Is this the Burning Lamp Buddha?" Jiang Hong looked up at the giant Buddha statue above.
"No," Lu Xiu replied, "This is the Mahavairocana Buddha, also known as Vairocana Buddha. It's referred to here as the 'Lushena' Buddha. What kind of light are you planning to collect here?"
Jiang Hong said, "If it's Mahavairocana, maybe I can collect sunlight? But most of our activities are at night. Can we find sunlight?"
Lu Xiu said, "You can, but you can't harness sunlight directly. It's only possible during a solar eclipse, or at dawn or dusk... Are you crafting a pure Yang artifact? Few spells require pure sunlight."
After thinking for a bit, Jiang Hong said, "Waiting for a solar eclipse is too long, that's two years away. Dusk is too crowded, so how about dawn?"
Lu Xiu nodded and said, "The magic circle will need some adjustments. I'll teach you later."
At 3:30 in the morning, Lu Xiu flew Jiang Hong into the Longmen Grottoes scenic area, landing in a secluded spot.
Lu Xiu led Jiang Hong by the hand, walking down from a high place. They sat not far from the top of the Lushena Buddha. Jiang Hong was still dozing off, so Lu Xiu let him sit and lean on his shoulder to sleep a bit more.
As dawn began to break, Lu Xiu woke Jiang Hong up to draw the magic circle.
As the sun rose, the celestial veins appeared even more magnificent. The connection between the earth and sky veins was still present but reduced to a thin line. Once the sun fully rose, the intersection of the earth and sky veins would be cut off, each following its own cycle until they reconnect at dusk.
"Starting now," Lu Xiu said, "You only have forty-five seconds, hurry!"
As the first rays of sunlight shone upon them, Jiang Hong activated the magic circle, instantly creating a sea of omnipresent golden light that spiraled into the formation.
Old Sun: "Spiri..."
"Don't shout!" Jiang Hong said, "Focus on absorbing!"
The Mahavairocana Buddha, bathed in sunlight, revealed a benevolent face overlooking all beings. Surrounded by a field of golden light, Jiang Hong and Lu Xiu basked in the morning sunlight, adding a touch of orange-gold brilliance to the Pure Light Crystal.
"Done!" Jiang Hong, feeling triumphant, picked up the Pure Light Crystal, sensing its warmth.
"Hmm," Lu Xiu no longer questioned what Jiang Hong intended to do with the light.
"That's it?" asked Old Sun, "Why was it so quick this time?"
"Alright," Jiang Hong said, "Don't be greedy, or you'll risk deviation."
That day, they visited the White Horse Temple, where there was a matchmaking tree tied with red ribbons. Before leaving, Jiang Hong went to buy milk tea and saw Lu Xiu standing under the tree, waiting for him while on a phone call.
"Yes," Lu Xiu replied, "No, he's been good and obedient, not causing any trouble..."
Jiang Hong: "??"
"No," Lu Xiu said, "You're too kind, I'm happy to take care of him."
Jiang Hong looked at Lu Xiu, who was still on the phone. Nearby, an old lady approached with red ribbons for sale. Jiang Hong bought one for twenty yuan and showed it to Lu Xiu, who glanced at it but continued his call.
"Hmm," Lu Xiu said, "Alright, I'll be careful."
Jiang Hong wanted to tie the ribbon higher up, so Lu Xiu stood up, still on the phone, and held him to reach the higher branches.
Jiang Hong tied it up.
"You all have fun too, goodbye," Lu Xiu ended the call.
"Who was that?" asked Jiang Hong.
"Your mom," Lu Xiu answered.
Jiang Hong: "..."
Jiang's mother had now started to call Lu Xiu directly, bypassing Jiang Hong.
"Tied it," Jiang Hong said.
"What does it say on it?" Lu Xiu asked.
"Didn’t I just show it to you?" Jiang Hong said with a smile, "You didn't look."
Written on the red ribbon was "Marriage Fated by Heaven." Jiang Hong felt sure Lu Xiu had seen it! But he pretended not to know. Why did he always pretend? Was he shy?
Jiang Hong felt that this trip confirmed a lot for them; everything felt so natural—apart from "that," they were practically in a romantic relationship, right?
"I wasn't paying attention," Lu Xiu said, "I thought you were just holding it for me... What does it say?"
Jiang Hong and Lu Xiu were wearing matching shoes and hats. A dinosaur toy was stuck on Lu Xiu's hat, while a soft, cute panda lay on Jiang Hong's. They wore T-shirts in black and white; Jiang Hong's white T-shirt had a cat on it, while Lu Xiu's black one had a dazed-looking Husky.
"Do you still remember that wind horse flag?"
Jiang Hong turned around, walking backwards with his milk tea in hand, recalling the last time they passed through the Tanggula Mountain Pass and took down that faded, century-old wind horse flag.
Lu Xiu suddenly seemed startled, as if remembering something.
Standing under the blazing sun, he fell silent for a moment.
Jiang Hong: "?"
Jiang Hong's thoughts had drifted from the red ribbon on the marriage tree to the wind horse flag.
"I don't know where it is," Lu Xiu replied, "I forgot, maybe I threw it away?"
Jiang Hong then uttered an "Oh" and said, "Shall we go? Next, we're about to go abroad."
Jiang Hong wanted to hold Lu Xiu's hand, but Lu Xiu instead put his arm around his shoulder, leaving the White Horse Temple and the thousand-year-old tree that had witnessed countless lovers' joys, sorrows, reunions, and separations under the scorching sun.
Next, they were heading to Ulanqab in Inner Mongolia, followed by the border city of Erenhot. Lu Xiu contacted the Exorcism Commission for their information, and together with Jiang Hong, went to the Commission. They got their passports, arranged visas in Beijing, and stocked up on supplies. After reaching Hailar, they would enter Russia near Lake Baikal.
When Jiang Hong returned to the Exorcism Commission, he specifically sought out Chen Lang and brought him some local specialties.
Chen Lang immediately waved at Jiang Hong upon seeing him and brought out his writing tablet: [You're here!]
Jiang Hong replied, "Yeah!" Then he told Chen Lang about his plans, eliciting an envious look from Chen Lang. Jiang Hong added, "I have something great to show you..."
Jiang Hong, with an air of mystery, led Chen Lang to the cafeteria and took out the Pure Light Crystal.
Chen Lang: "!!!"
Chen Lang: [I heard that someone has been collecting spiritual energy from heaven and earth recently. Is that you?]
Jiang Hong: "Ah, really? Maybe it's me. But after going to Inner Mongolia, I won't be in the country anymore. I'll return to Xi'an in half a month."
Chen Lang: [What's this used for?]
Jiang Hong replied, "Collecting six, no, seven types of light from around the world."
Chen Lang: [Oh? Then what?]
Jiang Hong: "Wait, let me ask you something. How do I find the 'phosphorescence' light?"
Chen Lang thought for a moment and replied: [Is it the light from bones?]
Jiang Hong: "Yes, I've thought about it. If it's not found elsewhere, I might have to look in cemeteries. Next, I'm heading to Hailar, Lake Baikal, and Xi'an. If there's a cemetery near the intersection of the earth and sky veins, could I find the phosphorescence light there? But would that be disrespectful to the deceased? Or maybe buy a bunch of chickens and use chicken bones near there..."
Chen Lang: [Why bother the chickens? Phosphorescence light can be obtained. Let me check.]
Saying this, Chen Lang began to search for information on his writing tablet.
[First, you need to choose the time when the Yin energy is strongest. Let me see... there’s one coming up soon.]
Jiang Hong: "When?"
Chen Lang: [July 15th, the Ghost Festival.]
Jiang Hong: "Ah! Oh! Right!"
Chen Lang: [Secondly, any place where bones are buried will have it. Many places have buried the deceased in the past. You don't need to dig them up. At the peak of Yin energy, you can perform a ritual to summon the phosphorescence light.]
Jiang Hong: "But that's not scientific, is it? Isn’t phosphorescence light phosphine? I was thinking about buying some white phosphorus to synthesize it... If it's a chemical substance, how can it be summoned?"
Chen Lang: [Not exactly... How should I explain this?]
Chen Lang, also getting caught up in Jiang Hong's confusion, thought for a long time and replied: [Phosphorescence isn't phosphine. Phosphine is will-o'-the-wisp, which often envelops phosphorescence. It's a light that guides the deceased, leading to the cycle of reincarnation in the earth and sky veins.]
Jiang Hong replied, "Oh, I see."
Chen Lang: [Try using this spell at midnight on the Ghost Festival, precisely at the hour of Zi (11 PM to 1 AM). Remember, only during this hour. If you miss it, you'll have to wait another year. Yin Mountain is a good place. It's said to have many spirits and is one of the entrances to the lower spiritual world.]
Jiang Hong: "Then, then, then... wait, I want to ask, is there a chance, I mean, maybe, that ghosts might come along with it?"
Chen Lang: [Of course.]
Jiang Hong: "Oh my goodness!"
Chen Lang: [Just ignore them, and it’ll be fine. Haven't you ever seen a lower spirit before?]
Jiang Hong: "Never!"
These "ghosts" and the "ghosts" of slain corpses were not the same concept at all. Jiang Hong thought of that scene, especially on the Ghost Festival, and it was too terrifying!
Jiang Hong turned pale, but then Lu Xiu returned with a stack of documents, asking, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, nothing!" Jiang Hong quickly said goodbye to Chen Lang.
Although the Ghost Festival was early this year, there was still plenty of time. Lu Xiu had completed all the procedures in Beijing and obtained two cross-border vehicle plates, allowing them to drive in specified areas of Mongolia and Russia.
It had to be said that Chen Zhen was incredibly capable, sorting everything out for Jiang Hong with just a few phone calls.
After stocking up, the vehicle was loaded with many things. Since both countries did not differentiate between left and right-hand drive, Jiang Hong's RV could travel unobstructed.
"First to Ulanqab," Jiang Hong drove the car out of Beijing, passing through Zhangjiakou. After leaving the capital, in Hebei province, the number of people they saw gradually decreased, reminiscent of the scenes during their self-drive trip in Gansu.
Alongside the highway, there were vast stretches of temperate trees, followed by endless plains and barren hills. Leaving Hebei and entering Inner Mongolia, the altitude began to rise. Past 800 meters, they were surrounded by vast grasslands and salt flats.
"It's so desolate," Jiang Hong observed the expansive view and the occasional passing trucks, noticing that even the vehicles were scarce.
Lu Xiu said, "There are still many uninhabited places in this vast land of China."
Despite human footprints almost covering the entire earth, on closer inspection, nature remains boundless. The areas developed by humans are merely settlements, with major cities being even rarer.
Jiang Hong replied, "Oh, is that so?"
Chen Lang: [Try using this spell at midnight on the Ghost Festival, specifically at the hour of Zi. Remember, only then. Yin Mountain is a good choice, as it is said to be one of the portals to the lower spiritual world and is inhabited by many ghosts.]
Jiang Hong: "Then, then, then... wait, I want to ask, could it be possible, just maybe, that ghosts might come along too?"
Chen Lang: [Of course.]
Jiang Hong: "Oh my goodness!"
Chen Lang: [Just ignore them, it's fine. Haven't you ever seen lower spirits before?]
Jiang Hong: "Never!"
The “ghosts” in this context were completely different from the “ghosts” of slain corpses Jiang Hong had heard of. The thought of encountering them, especially during the Ghost Festival, was utterly terrifying!
Jiang Hong turned pale, but then Lu Xiu came back, holding a bunch of documents, and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, nothing!" Jiang Hong quickly bid farewell to Chen Lang.
Though the Ghost Festival was early this year, there was still plenty of time. Lu Xiu had completed all the necessary procedures in Beijing, including obtaining two cross-border vehicle plates for Mongolia and Russia.
Chen Zhen was incredibly efficient, having sorted everything out for Jiang Hong with just a few phone calls.
After stocking up, the RV was loaded with supplies. Since both Mongolia and Russia did not differentiate between left and right-hand drive vehicles, Jiang Hong's RV could travel freely.
"First to Ulanqab," Jiang Hong said, driving the car out of Beijing and passing through Zhangjiakou. After leaving the capital, the number of people seen decreased significantly, resembling the scenes of their self-drive trip in Gansu.
Initially, the highway was flanked by temperate trees, then vast plains and barren hills. Upon entering Inner Mongolia, the altitude rose, and the landscape became dominated by grasslands and salt flats.
"It's so desolate," Jiang Hong observed the vast surroundings and the occasional trucks, noticing even fewer vehicles.
Lu Xiu said, "China is vast, with many uninhabited places."
Despite the global footprint of humanity, nature remains boundless. Human settlements are just clusters, with major cities being even rarer.
Jiang Hong noticed Lu Xiu used the term "created" to describe Earth, which was uncommon.
Chapter 80: The Crystal
Lu Xiu, with one arm around Jiang Hong, was lying calmly, looking at his phone. Feeling Jiang Hong wake up, he turned to look at him, put down the phone, and touched his forehead.
"The fever's gone," Lu Xiu said.
"Hmm," Jiang Hong, his face flushed, curled up under the blanket.
Lu Xiu turned to get up, put on a bathrobe, and went to get water for him.
Jiang Hong was very thirsty, gulping down a whole bottle of water. Looking at Lu Xiu again, he felt somewhat embarrassed and wanted to find something to talk about.
"That..." Jiang Hong said hesitantly, unable to help but glance at the parts of Lu Xiu's body not covered by the bathrobe, thinking to himself: Oh no, why am I becoming so lecherous?! I can't always be like this!
Lu Xiu adjusted his bathrobe and stood by the bed looking at him, raising his eyebrows as if to ask what's the matter?
"I had a dream," Jiang Hong quickly said.
"What did you dream about?" Lu Xiu asked casually, heading to the bathroom to get water for brushing his teeth.
Jiang Hong, with his hair all messy, suddenly forgot and said, "I dreamt of someone talking."
"Oh, what were they saying?" Lu Xiu asked again.
Dreams always seem to vanish upon waking. Jiang Hong tried to remember but had forgotten most of it, saying, "Something about a blockade ten years ago, never mind... Ah, right! Once, I also seemed to dream of someone repeatedly calling me in the dream."
Lu Xiu: "Hmm?"
Lu Xiu was brushing his teeth, standing at the bathroom doorway looking at Jiang Hong.
Jiang Hong recalled a clearer memory and said, "That time, when Anjie took us through time, I heard many people shouting 'Jiang Hong.'"
Lu Xiu's expression suddenly changed, and he stopped his actions. Jiang Hong asked, "What's wrong?"
Lu Xiu thought for a moment, didn't speak, continued brushing his teeth, and gestured for Jiang Hong to go on.
Jiang Hong said, "I also remember, they were shouting things like 'Jiang Hong, wake up'."
After spitting out the foam and rinsing his mouth, Lu Xiu asked, "Was that all they said?"
Jiang Hong: "I guess so?"
Lu Xiu explained, "During time travel, it's said that sometimes there can be a momentary displacement, like receiving specific sensations of your past or future self at a certain moment - auditory, tactile, even visual."
"Oh—" Jiang Hong replied, understanding now. So, it meant that during their last time travel with Anjie, Jiang Hong might have heard something that his future self was going to hear.
Lu Xiu tossed clean clothes to Jiang Hong, freshly washed. Dragons have a racial advantage in laundry; just throw them in a basin, stir with magic, and whirl up a storm – it's like a natural washing machine.
"Alright! We're leaving today, off to Shaoxing, Zhejiang!" Jiang Hong declared.
"Not resting for a day?" Lu Xiu asked.
Jiang Hong was eager to complete his "peerless divine weapon." Now filled with motivation, he preferred witnessing the completion of the Western sword over leisurely sightseeing.
Lu Xiu didn't further inquire about Jiang Hong's plans for the Pure Light Crystal. That day, they hit the highway again in their RV.
"Old Sun, how did you feel last night?" asked Jiang Hong.
Old Sun replied, "The spiritual energy was so abundant! It's equivalent to several years of cultivation at school! Is there more?"
"There is," answered Jiang Hong.
Lu Xiu checked the robotic vacuum cleaner and said, "The spiritual energy you absorbed hasn't been fully digested yet. During these days, you need to cultivate more, focusing on forming your inner elixir."
Jiang Hong then remembered that Lu Xiu was a teacher in this area, obviously knowing all the details.
Old Sun then fell silent and went to the back to quietly cultivate.
"As a demon," Jiang Hong asked curiously, "does more spiritual energy mean faster evolution?"
"Yes," Lu Xiu, lost in thought, glanced at Jiang Hong upon hearing the question, "That's why the species is crucial, as is the habitat."
This was Lu Xiu's field of expertise, as he taught the cultivation of inner elixirs to demon clans.
"So as a dragon," Jiang Hong said, "you have many conveniences, right? Or is it the same for all flying demons?"
"It depends on how high they can fly," Lu Xiu explained, "It's not an absolute advantage, but avian and subterranean beings do have an edge in cultivation, as they can get closer to the sky and earth veins during the process. The sky vein is near the top of the troposphere, constantly shifting."
"Right!" Jiang Hong, while driving, thought to himself how dragons could fly high at any time, immersing themselves in the ocean of spiritual energy of the sky vein for cultivation. It seemed almost unfair.
Some bird species could also get closer to the sky vein, thus enjoying a purer source of spiritual energy.
"But being too greedy is not advisable," Lu Xiu casually said, "Absorbing more spiritual energy than one can handle can lead to chaos..."
"We learned that in our first practical class," Jiang Hong replied, "It's what's commonly known as 'deviation.'"
"Hmm," Lu Xiu casually glanced back at Old Sun.
"What will Old Sun evolve into?" Jiang Hong asked.
Lu Xiu: "First, he'll condense an inner elixir. Once the elixir is formed, he can manifest a phantom form. At a certain level, he can transform into a physical form and abandon his current body."
Jiang Hong still found the Tmall Genie attached to the robotic vacuum cleaner cuter, but wondered how much spiritual energy Old Sun needed to condense an inner elixir. With Lu Xiu's guidance, he'd surely make rapid progress, but the exact timeline was uncertain.
That day, they rested in Wuhan and drove to Shaoxing the next day, stopping in Wuhu for a day. Jiang Hong was as excited as if he had been injected with chicken blood, eagerly anticipating their second gathering of spiritual energy.
Since they were in Shaoxing, they strolled around the Ba Zi Bridge, intending to find a place to go boating but it was too hot. The area was filled with young men and women dressed in Hanfu, taking photos. The white walls and black tiles, TikTok influencers, and residents washing and cooking by the river complemented each other beautifully.
"Last time I came to Shaoxing was during the Republic of China," Lu Xiu said, looking at the waterways between the streets, "It’s been renovated more beautifully than I imagined."
"Do you like the Jiangnan area?" Jiang Hong always felt that Lu Xiu, having lived so long, must have traveled all over China.
"It's alright," Lu Xiu said, "Back then, I preferred Nanjing. A hundred years ago, on a bridge up ahead, watching people come and go, I just felt there were too many people in this world."
Jiang Hong: "What were you wearing when you came to Jiangnan? Do you remember?"
Lu Xiu: "?"
Lu Xiu, not understanding why Jiang Hong was only concerned about what he wore, thought for a while and said, "I don't remember, it's been too long."
Jiang Hong: "A Tibetan robe?"
Lu Xiu: "Maybe? Yes, it should have been a Tibetan robe. Back then, all I had were Tibetan robes, and a long time ago, I also had a prayer wheel, but I lost it over time."
Jiang Hong didn’t ask what Lu Xiu was doing in Shaoxing; the answer was always the same — searching for him.
Lu Xiu’s search spanned his 160-year life. As they sat in a black-awning boat passing under the bridge, Jiang Hong could almost see Lu Xiu from a hundred years ago in the Republic of China era, perhaps wearing a dirty Tibetan robe, holding a prayer wheel, watching the people pass by.
Another night, Jiang Hong sneaked into the Kuaiji Mountain Park.
There was no rain tonight; it was a clear night with bright lights on the ground and twinkling stars in the sky.
"Are there any security guards patrolling?" asked Jiang Hong.
"Don't worry," Lu Xiu said, "I'll keep watch for you. Go ahead and set up the formation."
Jiang Hong squatted down to draw the magic circle, and Old Sun said, "More spiritual energy, that's great!"
"Speaking of which, by collecting spiritual energy this way," Jiang Hong suddenly thought, "won't the Exorcism Commission care?"
"I've already informed them for you," Lu Xiu said. "Actually, you can't collect much. The spiritual energy of the earth and sky is a big cycle, no matter how it's retained, it will eventually return."
Jiang Hong thought about it and realized that even the most powerful beings face death, just as the nutrients absorbed in life are returned to nature upon death. The same principle applies to spiritual energy.
"Alright," Jiang Hong said, "I'm starting now."
Lu Xiu said, "I'll watch over this time. You should be able to handle it. The starlight is gentle, unlike lightning."
Jiang Hong activated the magic circle for the second time, but it was different from before in Xiangyang. The starlight softly transformed into flowing trails of stars, slowly merging into the Pure Light Crystal on the magic circle.
Amidst the dancing spiritual energy, it all felt like a dream.
But as the starlight began to dim, Lu Xiu suddenly looked up.
"What's wrong?" asked Jiang Hong.
"It's nothing to do with you," Lu Xiu said, "Don't get distracted."
"Spiritual energy—ah, spiritual energy—" Old Sun started circling again.
Jiang Hong: "Stop making noise, Old Sun!"
Lu Xiu gazed at the night sky for a while before finally asking, "Did you see a small red dot? Or is it just my illusion?"
"Ah?" Jiang Hong also looked up and asked, "Where? Is it an airplane's night light?"
Lu Xiu was silent for a moment, then said, "Never mind, are you done?"
Jiang Hong showed him the Pure Light Crystal, which now contained countless more starlights, resembling an ocean. In this sea of starlight, the electric sparks were still flickering incessantly.
"Alright, next we go to Longmen Mountain in Luoyang!" Jiang Hong declared.
Upon arriving in Luoyang, the nation had officially entered summer vacation. It was extremely crowded, and Luoyang was hit by the first heatwave of the summer. Amidst the scorching heat, Jiang Hong and Lu Xiu were repeatedly separated by the crowd while touring the Longmen Grottoes.
First, Lu Xiu searched everywhere for Jiang Hong, then it was Jiang Hong's turn to look for Lu Xiu. Eventually, they simply settled in a small shop to sit and drink cola, giving up on touring the grottoes.
"Is this the Burning Lamp Buddha?" Jiang Hong looked up at the giant Buddha statue above.
"No," Lu Xiu replied, "This is the Mahavairocana Buddha, also known as Vairocana Buddha. It's referred to here as the 'Lushena' Buddha. What kind of light are you planning to collect here?"
Jiang Hong said, "If it's Mahavairocana, maybe I can collect sunlight? But most of our activities are at night. Can we find sunlight?"
Lu Xiu said, "You can, but you can't harness sunlight directly. It's only possible during a solar eclipse, or at dawn or dusk... Are you crafting a pure Yang artifact? Few spells require pure sunlight."
After thinking for a bit, Jiang Hong said, "Waiting for a solar eclipse is too long, that's two years away. Dusk is too crowded, so how about dawn?"
Lu Xiu nodded and said, "The magic circle will need some adjustments. I'll teach you later."
At 3:30 in the morning, Lu Xiu flew Jiang Hong into the Longmen Grottoes scenic area, landing in a secluded spot.
Lu Xiu led Jiang Hong by the hand, walking down from a high place. They sat not far from the top of the Lushena Buddha. Jiang Hong was still dozing off, so Lu Xiu let him sit and lean on his shoulder to sleep a bit more.
As dawn began to break, Lu Xiu woke Jiang Hong up to draw the magic circle.
As the sun rose, the celestial veins appeared even more magnificent. The connection between the earth and sky veins was still present but reduced to a thin line. Once the sun fully rose, the intersection of the earth and sky veins would be cut off, each following its own cycle until they reconnect at dusk.
"Starting now," Lu Xiu said, "You only have forty-five seconds, hurry!"
As the first rays of sunlight shone upon them, Jiang Hong activated the magic circle, instantly creating a sea of omnipresent golden light that spiraled into the formation.
Old Sun: "Spiri..."
"Don't shout!" Jiang Hong said, "Focus on absorbing!"
The Mahavairocana Buddha, bathed in sunlight, revealed a benevolent face overlooking all beings. Surrounded by a field of golden light, Jiang Hong and Lu Xiu basked in the morning sunlight, adding a touch of orange-gold brilliance to the Pure Light Crystal.
"Done!" Jiang Hong, feeling triumphant, picked up the Pure Light Crystal, sensing its warmth.
"Hmm," Lu Xiu no longer questioned what Jiang Hong intended to do with the light.
"That's it?" asked Old Sun, "Why was it so quick this time?"
"Alright," Jiang Hong said, "Don't be greedy, or you'll risk deviation."
That day, they visited the White Horse Temple, where there was a matchmaking tree tied with red ribbons. Before leaving, Jiang Hong went to buy milk tea and saw Lu Xiu standing under the tree, waiting for him while on a phone call.
"Yes," Lu Xiu replied, "No, he's been good and obedient, not causing any trouble..."
Jiang Hong: "??"
"No," Lu Xiu said, "You're too kind, I'm happy to take care of him."
Jiang Hong looked at Lu Xiu, who was still on the phone. Nearby, an old lady approached with red ribbons for sale. Jiang Hong bought one for twenty yuan and showed it to Lu Xiu, who glanced at it but continued his call.
"Hmm," Lu Xiu said, "Alright, I'll be careful."
Jiang Hong wanted to tie the ribbon higher up, so Lu Xiu stood up, still on the phone, and held him to reach the higher branches.
Jiang Hong tied it up.
"You all have fun too, goodbye," Lu Xiu ended the call.
"Who was that?" asked Jiang Hong.
"Your mom," Lu Xiu answered.
Jiang Hong: "..."
Jiang's mother had now started to call Lu Xiu directly, bypassing Jiang Hong.
"Tied it," Jiang Hong said.
"What does it say on it?" Lu Xiu asked.
"Didn’t I just show it to you?" Jiang Hong said with a smile, "You didn't look."
Written on the red ribbon was "Marriage Fated by Heaven." Jiang Hong felt sure Lu Xiu had seen it! But he pretended not to know. Why did he always pretend? Was he shy?
Jiang Hong felt that this trip confirmed a lot for them; everything felt so natural—apart from "that," they were practically in a romantic relationship, right?
"I wasn't paying attention," Lu Xiu said, "I thought you were just holding it for me... What does it say?"
Jiang Hong and Lu Xiu were wearing matching shoes and hats. A dinosaur toy was stuck on Lu Xiu's hat, while a soft, cute panda lay on Jiang Hong's. They wore T-shirts in black and white; Jiang Hong's white T-shirt had a cat on it, while Lu Xiu's black one had a dazed-looking Husky.
"Do you still remember that wind horse flag?"
Jiang Hong turned around, walking backwards with his milk tea in hand, recalling the last time they passed through the Tanggula Mountain Pass and took down that faded, century-old wind horse flag.
Lu Xiu suddenly seemed startled, as if remembering something.
Standing under the blazing sun, he fell silent for a moment.
Jiang Hong: "?"
Jiang Hong's thoughts had drifted from the red ribbon on the marriage tree to the wind horse flag.
"I don't know where it is," Lu Xiu replied, "I forgot, maybe I threw it away?"
Jiang Hong then uttered an "Oh" and said, "Shall we go? Next, we're about to go abroad."
Jiang Hong wanted to hold Lu Xiu's hand, but Lu Xiu instead put his arm around his shoulder, leaving the White Horse Temple and the thousand-year-old tree that had witnessed countless lovers' joys, sorrows, reunions, and separations under the scorching sun.
Next, they were heading to Ulanqab in Inner Mongolia, followed by the border city of Erenhot. Lu Xiu contacted the Exorcism Commission for their information, and together with Jiang Hong, went to the Commission. They got their passports, arranged visas in Beijing, and stocked up on supplies. After reaching Hailar, they would enter Russia near Lake Baikal.
When Jiang Hong returned to the Exorcism Commission, he specifically sought out Chen Lang and brought him some local specialties.
Chen Lang immediately waved at Jiang Hong upon seeing him and brought out his writing tablet: [You're here!]
Jiang Hong replied, "Yeah!" Then he told Chen Lang about his plans, eliciting an envious look from Chen Lang. Jiang Hong added, "I have something great to show you..."
Jiang Hong, with an air of mystery, led Chen Lang to the cafeteria and took out the Pure Light Crystal.
Chen Lang: "!!!"
Chen Lang: [I heard that someone has been collecting spiritual energy from heaven and earth recently. Is that you?]
Jiang Hong: "Ah, really? Maybe it's me. But after going to Inner Mongolia, I won't be in the country anymore. I'll return to Xi'an in half a month."
Chen Lang: [What's this used for?]
Jiang Hong replied, "Collecting six, no, seven types of light from around the world."
Chen Lang: [Oh? Then what?]
Jiang Hong: "Wait, let me ask you something. How do I find the 'phosphorescence' light?"
Chen Lang thought for a moment and replied: [Is it the light from bones?]
Jiang Hong: "Yes, I've thought about it. If it's not found elsewhere, I might have to look in cemeteries. Next, I'm heading to Hailar, Lake Baikal, and Xi'an. If there's a cemetery near the intersection of the earth and sky veins, could I find the phosphorescence light there? But would that be disrespectful to the deceased? Or maybe buy a bunch of chickens and use chicken bones near there..."
Chen Lang: [Why bother the chickens? Phosphorescence light can be obtained. Let me check.]
Saying this, Chen Lang began to search for information on his writing tablet.
[First, you need to choose the time when the Yin energy is strongest. Let me see... there’s one coming up soon.]
Jiang Hong: "When?"
Chen Lang: [July 15th, the Ghost Festival.]
Jiang Hong: "Ah! Oh! Right!"
Chen Lang: [Secondly, any place where bones are buried will have it. Many places have buried the deceased in the past. You don't need to dig them up. At the peak of Yin energy, you can perform a ritual to summon the phosphorescence light.]
Jiang Hong: "But that's not scientific, is it? Isn’t phosphorescence light phosphine? I was thinking about buying some white phosphorus to synthesize it... If it's a chemical substance, how can it be summoned?"
Chen Lang: [Not exactly... How should I explain this?]
Chen Lang, also getting caught up in Jiang Hong's confusion, thought for a long time and replied: [Phosphorescence isn't phosphine. Phosphine is will-o'-the-wisp, which often envelops phosphorescence. It's a light that guides the deceased, leading to the cycle of reincarnation in the earth and sky veins.]
Jiang Hong replied, "Oh, I see."
Chen Lang: [Try using this spell at midnight on the Ghost Festival, precisely at the hour of Zi (11 PM to 1 AM). Remember, only during this hour. If you miss it, you'll have to wait another year. Yin Mountain is a good place. It's said to have many spirits and is one of the entrances to the lower spiritual world.]
Jiang Hong: "Then, then, then... wait, I want to ask, is there a chance, I mean, maybe, that ghosts might come along with it?"
Chen Lang: [Of course.]
Jiang Hong: "Oh my goodness!"
Chen Lang: [Just ignore them, and it’ll be fine. Haven't you ever seen a lower spirit before?]
Jiang Hong: "Never!"
These "ghosts" and the "ghosts" of slain corpses were not the same concept at all. Jiang Hong thought of that scene, especially on the Ghost Festival, and it was too terrifying!
Jiang Hong turned pale, but then Lu Xiu returned with a stack of documents, asking, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, nothing!" Jiang Hong quickly said goodbye to Chen Lang.
Although the Ghost Festival was early this year, there was still plenty of time. Lu Xiu had completed all the procedures in Beijing and obtained two cross-border vehicle plates, allowing them to drive in specified areas of Mongolia and Russia.
It had to be said that Chen Zhen was incredibly capable, sorting everything out for Jiang Hong with just a few phone calls.
After stocking up, the vehicle was loaded with many things. Since both countries did not differentiate between left and right-hand drive, Jiang Hong's RV could travel unobstructed.
"First to Ulanqab," Jiang Hong drove the car out of Beijing, passing through Zhangjiakou. After leaving the capital, in Hebei province, the number of people they saw gradually decreased, reminiscent of the scenes during their self-drive trip in Gansu.
Alongside the highway, there were vast stretches of temperate trees, followed by endless plains and barren hills. Leaving Hebei and entering Inner Mongolia, the altitude began to rise. Past 800 meters, they were surrounded by vast grasslands and salt flats.
"It's so desolate," Jiang Hong observed the expansive view and the occasional passing trucks, noticing that even the vehicles were scarce.
Lu Xiu said, "There are still many uninhabited places in this vast land of China."
Despite human footprints almost covering the entire earth, on closer inspection, nature remains boundless. The areas developed by humans are merely settlements, with major cities being even rarer.
Jiang Hong replied, "Oh, is that so?"
Chen Lang: [Try using this spell at midnight on the Ghost Festival, specifically at the hour of Zi. Remember, only then. Yin Mountain is a good choice, as it is said to be one of the portals to the lower spiritual world and is inhabited by many ghosts.]
Jiang Hong: "Then, then, then... wait, I want to ask, could it be possible, just maybe, that ghosts might come along too?"
Chen Lang: [Of course.]
Jiang Hong: "Oh my goodness!"
Chen Lang: [Just ignore them, it's fine. Haven't you ever seen lower spirits before?]
Jiang Hong: "Never!"
The “ghosts” in this context were completely different from the “ghosts” of slain corpses Jiang Hong had heard of. The thought of encountering them, especially during the Ghost Festival, was utterly terrifying!
Jiang Hong turned pale, but then Lu Xiu came back, holding a bunch of documents, and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, nothing!" Jiang Hong quickly bid farewell to Chen Lang.
Though the Ghost Festival was early this year, there was still plenty of time. Lu Xiu had completed all the necessary procedures in Beijing, including obtaining two cross-border vehicle plates for Mongolia and Russia.
Chen Zhen was incredibly efficient, having sorted everything out for Jiang Hong with just a few phone calls.
After stocking up, the RV was loaded with supplies. Since both Mongolia and Russia did not differentiate between left and right-hand drive vehicles, Jiang Hong's RV could travel freely.
"First to Ulanqab," Jiang Hong said, driving the car out of Beijing and passing through Zhangjiakou. After leaving the capital, the number of people seen decreased significantly, resembling the scenes of their self-drive trip in Gansu.
Initially, the highway was flanked by temperate trees, then vast plains and barren hills. Upon entering Inner Mongolia, the altitude rose, and the landscape became dominated by grasslands and salt flats.
"It's so desolate," Jiang Hong observed the vast surroundings and the occasional trucks, noticing even fewer vehicles.
Lu Xiu said, "China is vast, with many uninhabited places."
Despite the global footprint of humanity, nature remains boundless. Human settlements are just clusters, with major cities being even rarer.
Jiang Hong noticed Lu Xiu used the term "created" to describe Earth, which was uncommon.
