Chapter 83: The North
That day, Jiang Hong parked the car in the city center of Ulanqab, and he and Lu Xiu slept the whole day. They slept so deeply, perhaps a side effect of their souls leaving their bodies, that Jiang Hong felt incredibly weary.
"That was tough." Jiang Hong thought, relieved that nothing serious had happened. The next morning, as the dawn broke, Lu Xiu cooked eggs and noodles under the car, while Jiang Hong, still yawning and groggy, examined the Pure Light Crystal.
The process was difficult, but Jiang Hong thought it was worth it to obtain the sword for Lu Xiu.
"Although the way we obtained the Bone Phosphorus Light was not very honorable..." Jiang Hong said, observing the Pure Light Crystal in the car, "if this sword can defeat the malevolent spirits and protect the world, then I'm willing to do it. If I have to become a ghost and face punishment after my death, so be it."
"Don't worry," said Old Sun, "The underworld isn't so strict with rules, especially since we were never really good people to begin with. Big brother, let's not talk about the second brother anymore."
"Eh?" Jiang Hong said, "You're awake too, Old Sun? How are you feeling now?"
Since returning on the night of the Ghost Festival, Old Sun had fallen into a deep slumber with them. Absorbing spiritual energy required time for gradual assimilation, but Jiang Hong could clearly feel the significant changes in Old Sun. Over this journey, Old Sun had increasingly become like a person with a complete personality. Now, he was calmer and more thoughtful, no longer the simple-minded lamp that used to only shout "Pick me, pick me" like when they first met.
"Hmm... Huh?" Old Sun seemed a bit dazed and said, "Much better. It's like I remembered a lot of things, but they're not clear, just hazy and blurred."
"What did you remember?" Jiang Hong asked curiously. "Have you formed your inner alchemy?"
Old Sun was silent for a long time before a glowing orb emerged from the top of the Tmall Genie. Jiang Hong exclaimed, "My goodness! You've finally become a spirit!"
This was the true sense of the Tmall Genie becoming a spirit! Or rather, the combination of Tmall Genie and a robot vacuum cleaner becoming a spirit. It's truly a milestone in human history!
"Can I touch it?" Jiang Hong asked.
"Go ahead," Old Sun said, "but you're the only one who can."
Jiang Hong knew that the inner alchemy was extremely important to a demon, like a human's heart being taken out. He only touched it lightly; it was nothing like he had imagined, a bit soft, like a piece of crystal clear putty or a gummy candy. Perhaps, with cultivation, it would become progressively harder.
"Do you know that ancient god?" Jiang Hong asked again. "What did you call him? Something Gui? Is that his name?"
"What?" said Old Sun. "Did I? I've forgotten. I remember some things, but they're all fragmented, and I can't piece them together."
Old Sun himself was also quite confused, perhaps the shouting in a moment of urgency was all based on instinct.
"Can you transform into a human?" Jiang Hong asked further.
Old Sun replied, "No, I've tried many times."
A golden light emanated around the robot vacuum cleaner, revealing a vague outline, but it never managed to coalesce into a human form, remaining like a halo.
"Maybe with a bit more spiritual energy absorption, you could," Jiang Hong suggested.
"I was close that day," added Old Sun, "Maybe I need a special opportunity?"
Jiang Hong comforted, "Don't worry, and don't be too fixated on past memories. Like the Ghost King said, the past isn't important anymore..."
"Breakfast is ready," Lu Xiu announced as he got into the car.
Jiang Hong then got out to eat breakfast. Lu Xiu had made him tomato-flavored noodle soup, which surprisingly tasted quite good.
"Shall we head to Erlianhot today?" Lu Xiu asked.
"Yes!" Jiang Hong had passed the toughest hurdle, and his mood was as bright as the day's weather, sunny and clear. Early August in Inner Mongolia brought clear skies, as blue as if painted.
Lu Xiu took the Pure Light Crystal, no longer asking about its use, and examined it against the sunlight.
"Old Sun's inner alchemy has formed," Jiang Hong said.
"Hmm."
"Is it close to transforming him into a human?"
"Not necessarily," Lu Xiu, who taught inner alchemy at school and knew its difficulties, said, "It requires both a formal acknowledgment and destiny, both indispensable."
Jiang Hong recalled what the Ghost King had said, these seemed to be universally accepted conditions. Formal acknowledgment meant recognition from the outside world; destiny meant truly finding what one must accomplish.
"I've given you formal acknowledgment," Jiang Hong said curiously, "Have you sensed your destiny?"
Jiang Hong remembered that according to Lu Xiu, the acknowledgment at Yang Lake only transformed Lu Xiu into a dragon, and it took years under the lake for him to gradually become human. That period must have been about finding his destiny, right?
"Yes, do you want more noodles?" Lu Xiu stood up to serve more.
"A little more, please." Jiang Hong was indeed very hungry today. "So, what is your destiny?"
Lu Xiu avoided the question, "Finding one's destiny isn't as hard as you think. It's always there, just face your heart and you'll find it."
This statement was naturally a reminder to Jiang Hong not to worry about Old Sun.
"Do you have an inner alchemy?" Jiang Hong asked curiously. "Do dragons have inner alchemies too?"
"Of course," Lu Xiu replied.
Jiang Hong looked at Lu Xiu with a smile, and Lu Xiu, knowing what he was thinking, placed his hand on his chest and then seemingly 'produced' a bead from nowhere.
"Wow!"
Lu Xiu's inner alchemy was completely different from Old Sun's! It was deep blue. Jiang Hong wanted to ask, "Can I touch it?" but Lu Xiu said, "Look with your eyes, not your hands."
Lu Xiu's inner alchemy seemed to contain an ocean inside! One could faintly see the currents swirling, with even a hint of starlight twinkling!
"A dragon's inner alchemy is also called a Dragon Pearl," Lu Xiu explained.
"What happens if you collect seven of them?" Jiang Hong joked.
Lu Xiu: "…"
Suddenly, Jiang Hong acted on an impulse and lightly touched it with his finger.
"Hey!" Lu Xiu reacted strongly, more so than to anything Jiang Hong had done before, immediately clutching the inner alchemy, and the beautiful glowing bead disappeared.
"Ah?" Realizing Lu Xiu might be angry, Jiang Hong hurriedly said, "Sorry, I didn't mean to... No, I did mean to, but I didn't expect... Are you okay?"
Sensing he had caused trouble, Jiang Hong saw Lu Xiu turn his back, seemingly breathing rapidly. After a moment, Lu Xiu turned to look at Jiang Hong, his face flushed red!
"Uh?" Jiang Hong suddenly felt an odd, romantic atmosphere.
Lu Xiu: "…"
"What's wrong?" Jiang Hong asked a bit awkwardly, "I'm... sorry..."
"It's okay." Lu Xiu quickly returned to normal, still a bit distracted.
Jiang Hong apologized obediently: "Sorry, are you mad at me?"
Lu Xiu seriously replied, "No, I'm not angry."
Jiang Hong: "Why such a big reaction?"
Lu Xiu: "Forget about mine, but in the future, never touch the inner core of your demon classmates, okay?"
Jiang Hong: "Okay, I promise! But why did you react so strongly?"
Lu Xiu: "That is... an inner core is bound to your soul, a medium between matter and spirit, directly affecting your soul."
Jiang Hong: "Oh, what does it feel like to have your soul touched?"
Since humans can't cultivate such things, Jiang Hong found it hard to imagine what it feels like when someone touches your inner core.
Lu Xiu: "It feels... well... never mind."
Jiang Hong: "Why was your face so red just now? Can the reaction be that intense?"
Ignoring Jiang Hong initially, but with his relentless questioning, Lu Xiu finally said: "If someone touched your vital parts, wouldn't you react strongly?"
Jiang Hong: "Vital parts?"
Suddenly, Lu Xiu made a lightning-fast move and "attacked" Jiang Hong, eliciting a loud scream from him.
This action was one that boys in Jiang Hong's middle school loved to play, always restlessly aiming their hands at each other's "special area," a prank popular worldwide.
"Ah!" Jiang Hong yelled.
"Understand now?" Lu Xiu said, "For the soul, the inner core is similar to that area, very sensitive."
"Ah!!" Jiang Hong finally got it and said, "So that's how it is! Can I see it again?"
Lu Xiu: "There's nothing to see now."
Jiang Hong said, "Let me see! I didn't get a clear look just now..."
Lu Xiu: "Who told you to touch it randomly?"
Jiang Hong: "Let me just look, I promise I won’t touch it..."
Lu Xiu: "No! Let’s quickly finish breakfast and hit the road... We're starting our journey!"
Jiang Hong: "Do I sound like a pervert?"
Lu Xiu: "A little bit..."
So that's why. No wonder the demon race doesn't casually show their inner cores to others. Of course, it's still different from "that area." The inner core must be the most deeply guarded part of the soul, right?
After breakfast, Jiang Hong excitedly drove towards Erenhot, preparing to leave the country!
"Is the study of inner cores kind of a wicked subject?"
Lu Xiu was sometimes amazed by Jiang Hong's imagination: "Ultimately, they are different. The similarity lies only in the degree of sensitivity on a spiritual level."
Jiang Hong: "Oh... but I saw on TV, some demons cultivate by spitting out their inner core and swallowing it back, again and again..."
Lu Xiu: "That indeed is a very unseemly form of cultivation, absolutely forbidden in our school."
"Hmm hmm..." Jiang Hong felt a bit psychologically scarred by those scenes of snake spirits spitting out and swallowing their inner cores he saw in TV dramas as a child.
Jiang Hong: "So, every demon classmate of mine..."
"Stop," Lu Xiu interrupted, "Let's not discuss inner cores anymore. It's none of your business."
Jiang Hong: "I was wondering if every demon classmate of mine knows their 'destiny'?"
Lu Xiu: "That’s something you’d have to ask them."
Jiang Hong: "But everyone has already cultivated into human form."
Lu Xiu: "Yeah, they should understand, right?"
Lu Xiu started to daydream again, gazing at the road outside. Jiang Hong, frustrated that he had to drive and couldn't playfully touch Lu Xiu sitting in the passenger seat, otherwise, he would surely be leaning on his shoulder, whispering into his ear, "Brother... let me see the inner core again!"
Reflecting now, the brief moment Jiang Hong touched Lu Xiu's inner core did evoke a strange feeling in him, perhaps a bit of excitement?
"Do you want to sit in the car or drive yourself?" Lu Xiu suddenly asked.
"Ah?" Jiang Hong responded, "Wasn’t the plan to drive ourselves?"
Lu Xiu replied: "Yes, but driving in Outer Mongolia doesn't offer as scenic views as in China, isn’t that boring?"
Jiang Hong: "Renting a car is the same, right? Just with an added driver."
Lu Xiu: "We could take the train from Beijing to Moscow via Erenhot, and get off at Lake Baikal."
That could work too! Jiang Hong thought. On reaching Erenhot, he was somewhat restless, so Lu Xiu went to store the vehicle and contact a logistics company to send the RV to Xi'an. They then bought two 15-day soft sleeper train tickets from Beijing to Moscow.
Jiang Hong packed his luggage; it was his first time going abroad with Lu Xiu. They bought souvenirs at a specialty store in Erenhot and mailed them back to their school to open when classes resumed.
Although small, Erenhot thrived as a trading port.
In the height of summer, as they traveled north, the day-night temperature difference grew. Jiang Hong and Lu Xiu sat on the grass, basking in the afternoon sun, waiting for the evening train. Freed from driving, Jiang Hong could now cuddle up to Lu Xiu every day.
Lu Xiu was really handsome, and even though the aesthetic preferences in Inner and Outer Mongolia didn’t favor slender, fair-skinned boys, Jiang Hong found him increasingly attractive.
"Let's go!" Lu Xiu said, "Time for the train."
Lu Xiu, dragging his suitcase, often had Jiang Hong clinging onto him, half dragging, half carrying him to the station. The train from Beijing stopped here. Though a popular train, it was surprisingly not crowded this year, with just a few passengers: a Russian couple, a businessman on a trip, and a family of four from Mongolia.
"Wow," Jiang Hong exclaimed, "So comfortable! No private bathroom, but the bed is so soft!"
Lu Xiu had booked a family cabin, reminiscent of the Orient Express, with a large bed, desk, wardrobe, all lavishly decorated in a Russian style. Jiang Hong took out Old Sun and placed him on the desk by the window.
"Mr. Keda is Mongolian, right?" Jiang Hong planned to take a photo to send to Keda.
"He's of mixed Mongol and Han descent," Lu Xiu replied, "His hometown is Hailar, not here."
The train boasted a beautiful dining car, a break from cooking. Jiang Hong sometimes wondered if Lu Xiu suggested the train to avoid cooking, but meals weren’t served yet. After checking procedures and crossing into Mongolia at Zamyn-Uud, passengers disembarked to wait for the train to change tracks at dusk.
Once aboard again, the K3 train slowly moved, and the dining car began serving food – affordable and hearty Russian meals.
"Is this your floor-sweeping robot?" a blonde, blue-eyed conductor asked.
"Uh, Old Sun, you're wandering again." Jiang Hong picked it up and placed it beside his seat.
Tomorrow, there would be no need to check routes or sleep early for driving. That night, Jiang Hong drank a little and shared the big bed with Lu Xiu, watching the stars from the train window.
"We could do this every vacation," Jiang Hong said, "Even if we have nothing to do, just exploring is nice."
"Hmm," Lu Xiu turned his head, gazing intently into Jiang Hong's eyes.
In that moment, Jiang Hong felt an unspoken understanding, as if Lu Xiu was about to kiss him.
But he waited a long time, and nothing happened.
"Have you ever been to Europe?" Jiang Hong asked.
"No," Lu Xu replied, "I haven't left China in over a hundred years."
Jiang Hong wanted to ask more questions. He wondered if Lu Xu stayed in China for over a century just to find him. Why don't people reincarnate in other countries? Is reincarnation interconnected globally? Could someone reincarnate in Dubai or Africa in their next life?
With many questions in mind, he eventually just smiled and said, "Next time, I'll take you to Europe. I've been there."
"Sure," Lu Xu said. "If I get the chance, I’d also like to visit India."
Jiang Hong hadn't been to India. He imagined taking Lu Xu to Paris for an exhibition, wearing black trench coats in the chilly winter weather, wrapped in scarves, holding hands and standing in front of beautiful paintings.
He gradually fell asleep under the starlight, waking up the next morning as content as every other morning when the sun still rose, stretching lazily while holding Lu Xu.
Leaving the city, the train sped along the rails, often with little to no signal on their phones. They could only look at each other or gaze out the window. Lu Xu spent most of the time watching Jiang Hong, who often laughed and chatted incessantly. Lu Xu never seemed to tire of Jiang Hong's talkativeness, responding intermittently.
Upon reaching Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, situated in the heart of the Eurasian continent, Jiang Hong rented a car and set off for the Orkhon River.
It was the brief summer season, and wildflowers were blooming everywhere, sprawling grasslands maintaining their pristine natural beauty.
"It's here," Lu Xu suddenly said.
"Hmm?" Jiang Hong responded, "We're still 45 kilometers away from the Har Horin ruins."
Lu Xu replied, "It's around this area, trust me, I'm not mistaken."
Though Lu Xu's sensitivity to spiritual energy wasn't as acute as that of lower-level demons, he could still distinctly sense the convergence of the Earth's energy veins.
Hence, Jiang Hong had the driver stop at the bank of the Orkhon River. He and Lu Xu ventured into the small pathway along the riverbank. Lu Xu occasionally looked back at their car, saying, "Once we reach the hill over there, I'll fly you across."
The crystal-clear Orkhon River flowed beside a plain adorned with wildflowers, transforming the land into a vast, colorfully woven carpet.
As they took off into the air, overlooking the scenery below, Jiang Hong felt as though he was in a fairyland.
"I see it!" exclaimed Jiang Hong. "Is it there?"
In the center of the land stood a small white stupa, weathered by thousands of years of wind and sun. Almost concealed by vegetation, its foundation sinking, it was once a part of Har Horin, gradually submerged into the soil.
"Let's stop here," said the Black Dragon, landing but not transforming back into human form. Instead, it sprawled across the boundless grassland. Jiang Hong initially hugged the dragon, wanting to roll around playfully, but found the dragon too heavy to move.
"Come a bit closer," Jiang Hong struggled, tugging at the dragon's tail, then moving on to fiddle with its horns.
The Black Dragon slithered across the ground like a serpent, carrying Jiang Hong closer to the central white tower, continuously shrinking from dozens of meters down to nearly ten meters in length.
This was Jiang Hong's first time observing Lu Xu's true form so closely. The dragon's head looked nothing like the depictions in murals or books. The dragons he had seen before had large, somewhat goofy heads with eyes bulging like copper bells.
But Lu Xu's true form had a dragon head of proportionate size, not exaggeratedly large. Its nostrils were discreet, hidden under the bridge of the nose, appearing as a mere line when not breathing and slightly open when inhaling. The entire head resembled that of a deer or horse, surprisingly handsome and elegant.
Compared to a horse, however, the dragon's expression was calm. Its pupils glowed golden, and its horns flowed smoothly like water.
It carried a hint of Western dragon characteristics but didn't seem evil, only inspiring awe and respect.
A cool and handsome dragon.
When its scales closed, the smooth dragon body shimmered like silk under the sunlight.
“Ahahaha.” Jiang Hong had forgotten the purpose of their trip, hugging its neck, trying to see the claws hidden under its body, and said, “Shrink a bit more!”
“This is the smallest I can be,” the Black Dragon said. “Don't touch randomly, where are you reaching now?”
Jiang Hong reached under the dragon's neck, finding a warm spot, and bent down to take a closer look.
There was a small area there, uncovered by scales — precisely where Lu Xiu's reverse scale was located.
"Go cast the spell," the black dragon said. "I'll bask in the sun here for a while."
"Then don't change back yet," Jiang Hong said. "I want to play a bit longer."
Jiang Hong set up the magic circle in front of the white stone tower. The black dragon watched from afar, then propped itself up with its claws, hovering slightly above the ground, and flew over to Jiang Hong. Floating beside him, the dragon encircled him and asked, "What will you infuse into the Pure Light Lustrous Glass this time?"
"Uh, seems like there's nothing left," said Jiang Hong. "It's broad daylight now."
Old Sun temporarily didn't need the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, but Jiang Hong still released it.
"Oh, and the firelight," Jiang Hong added. "I have my own flames, shall I try the Samadhi True Fire?"
Jiang Hong activated the magic circle. Under the azure sky, a sudden gust of wind arose. This time, the confluence of the spiritual energy of heaven, earth, and ley lines was very gentle. Petals fluttered into the sky as the black dragon circled Jiang Hong, bringing its head close to his shoulder, watching the magic circle together.
"Why don't you crawl on the ground with your claws?" Jiang Hong suddenly got distracted again.
"Because that would look too silly," the black dragon replied. "Focus on your spellcasting, and stop asking questions."
Jiang Hong laughed, moving closer to rub against the dragon's head. The black dragon, however, slightly backed away, as if a bit embarrassed.
"Alright," said Jiang Hong. "Now for the Samadhi True Fire..."
Spiritual energy was infused into the Pure Light Lustrous Glass. Following that, Jiang Hong released the Samadhi True Fire, which continuously spread from his heart meridian. The flames swept through the wind and were instantly absorbed by the Pure Light Lustrous Glass!
"I..." In that instant, Jiang Hong was nearly drained, gasping for breath, almost collapsing on the spot.
The black dragon quickly caught him, saying, "Regulate your breathing, it's okay, the seed of fire is still in your chakra."
"So tired..." Jiang Hong's heart rate soared to 190, clinging to the black dragon, barely standing, and gasping for air, "The feeling of being drained of magic power is so uncomfortable."
Even with his limited magical power, the feeling of being drained was unbearable, but fortunately, he began to recover gradually.
"I need to sleep for a while," Jiang Hong said wearily.
In the Pure Light Lustrous Glass, a new flame appeared, contrasting with the purple-black Soul Refining Fire, forming a dual polarity. They revolved around the central sunlight, with stars scattered behind and flickering, drifting electric lights filling the glass.
Jiang Hong, utterly exhausted, was a shadow of his former self. He curled up with the black dragon, lying on his side amidst the flowers, and fell into a deep sleep.
In the sunny afternoon, the black dragon slightly curved its neck, watching Jiang Hong in its embrace. Moments later, as distant voices approached, the dragon finally transformed back into human form, restoring Lu Xiu's body. He held Jiang Hong in his arms, and they both took a long nap in the Hala forest.
But the depletion of the fire seed's power was immense. For several days, Jiang Hong was constantly yawning, unable to muster energy for anything. Fortunately, his Samadhi True Fire was slowly regenerating. Once Jiang Hong had rested enough, they boarded a train again, heading to the final destination of their journey abroad — Lake Baikal.
Upon reaching Lake Baikal, they planned to return, flying back to Xi'an from Irkutsk.
"Samadhi True Fire is a positive fire," Lu Xiu examined the Pure Light Lustrous Glass. "Soul Refining Fire is a negative fire."
"Will they explode?" Jiang Hong asked curiously.
"No, at least for now they coexist peacefully," Lu Xiu replied. "It's incredible; you actually managed to do this."
Jiang Hong: "???"
This seemed to be the first time the well-informed Lu Xiu used phrases like "It's incredible." Having seen so much and being at the top of the food chain, he always remained calm, visibly maintaining his composure no matter what happened.
Lu Xiu put down the Pure Light Lustrous Glass, saying, "Very few people in this world can achieve this, not just with Yin and Yang true fires, but also with starlight, sunlight, and more..."
Jiang Hong thought: Is he going to ask what I plan to do next? I won't tell him now.
Lu Xiu concluded, "So, the power of humans is truly boundless."
"This is a compliment for me," Jiang Hong said with a smile.
"Of course," Lu Xiu replied. "No matter what you ultimately want to create, it's remarkable."
"Just one last step to go!" Unable to obtain the Heart Lamp, Jiang Hong's visit to Lake Baikal would be his final collection step. They got off the train in Irkutsk, Lu Xiu transformed into a dragon, flew over the mountains by the lake, and arrived at a secluded spot by the lake.
"This is where the spiritual energy is most abundant," Lu Xiu and Jiang Hong stood on the mountainside, overlooking the seemingly bottomless lake.
"Shall we wait for the night?" Jiang Hong suggested. "The only pity is that it's not a full moon night, but it doesn't matter. The ever-changing phases of the moon reflect the magnificent power of nature."
Jiang Hong was quite open-minded in this regard, not fixated on waiting for a full moon. Another reason was that Zhu Jinling had told them that although ancient legends often mention the magical power of the full moon, its strength, while powerful, is not necessarily the best time for spellcasting.
Different types of moon-related magic require alignment with various lunar phases. For instance, the waning moon symbolizes the transition from life to death, from flourishing to decay, suitable for destruction and ruin; the waxing moon signifies the journey from extinction to fulfillment, in tune with rebirth and hope.
The fullness leads to waning, and water overflows when too full; this is an unbreakable truth. When the power of the full moon reaches its zenith, it is also prone to a swift decline. Most experienced exorcists often choose specific moments some time before the full moon rather than the full moon night to complete important spells.
The moon rose, marking the night of the waxing moon. A sliver of moonlight reflected in Lake Baikal.
"How beautiful!" Jiang Hong whispered.
It was a clear night. Lake Baikal was silent, vast, and grand. In this world, so far from the central plains and isolated from everything else, there were only Jiang Hong and Lu Xiu.
"Karolusha," said Lu Xiu.
"What?" Jiang Hong asked.
Lu Xiu explained, "The Sea of the Fallen Primordial Dragon. Legend has it that the first dragon fell here, turning into the huge mountains along the shore. Aren't you going to draw the magic circle?"
"Ah, right." Jiang Hong hurriedly began to draw the circle, while Lu Xiu turned and transformed back into the black dragon, diving into Lake Baikal.
"What are you doing?"
"Swimming!" came the black dragon's voice. "Playing!"
Jiang Hong thought to himself that Lu Xiu was still a youth at heart. Even if usually serious, he still had a playful side. So, he continued drawing the circle, smiling as he watched him from a distance.
The black dragon asked, "Do you want to come down?"
Jiang Hong replied, "The water is too cold! No, thanks!"
After completing the magic circle, Jiang Hong began to cast the spell. The gentle moonlight of Lake Baikal instantly spread across the lake surface into countless sparkling ripples, and the black dragon swam freely in this silvery sea.
The Pure Light Lustrous Glass was activated for the last time, and in an instant, the moonlight on the lake's surface converged, absorbed into the glass.
"We did it!" Jiang Hong was overjoyed, having successfully gathered all six beams of light. It was such a hard-won achievement!
"Is it over?" the voice of the black dragon inquired.
"Yes!" Jiang Hong, holding the Pure Light Lustrous Glass, turned to the black dragon and said, "Look!"
The black dragon replied, "I've got something for you to play with!"
As it spoke, the black dragon's claw held a soft, white object, tossing it ashore. The creature, very much alive and terrified, panicked and let out a scream.
"What is this? A seal?! Why is there a seal here?!" Jiang Hong was even more startled than the seal itself, asking hastily, "Where did you catch it?"
The seal frantically bumped around nearby, trying to find a way to escape. Lu Xiu, in human form, landed and pointed at it, causing the frightened seal to freeze and cower on the ground.
"Ah, Lake Baikal has seals too, haha, that's amazing!" exclaimed Jiang Hong. "Let me touch it! Don't bite me, okay? Haha, so cute!"
Jiang Hong wanted to pounce and cuddle the seal like a panda. He concluded that any animal without a visible neck due to its plumpness appeared incredibly cute. The seal, round and bouncy like a rubber ball, was irresistibly adorable!
"It's yours now," Lu Xiu said, sitting beside Jiang Hong on the shore.
"Hahaha," Jiang Hong laughed. "But we can't take it home, and we can't keep it either. Only having you as a leopard, it would be lonely, right? Come on, perform a 'leopard leap' for us! Wait, how many years do you get for smuggling wild animals from another country? Do you really like me that much? It's such a dilemma. Don't you have seal demons? Seems like they don't cultivate much, huh, hehehe..."
The seal trembled fearfully but, realizing Jiang Hong was harmless, approached him and hid behind his back, warily eyeing Lu Xiu as if afraid of being eaten.
"Alright, alright," Jiang Hong soothed, patting its head. "The dragon was just playing with you; he won't eat you. Go home now, be good."
The seal hastily "plopped" into the lake, escaping back into the water.
When Jiang Hong turned back to look at Lu Xiu, he found him smiling. Lu Xiu rarely smiled, and the moonlight on his smile made him look particularly handsome.
"Wild and untamed," Jiang Hong commented. "Turns out you can be mischievous too."
Lu Xiu said, "Don't you like these chubby things? Let me see, how's the Pure Light Lustrous Glass?"
The Pure Light Lustrous Glass had withstood the six types of light, containing a tiny world within. The sun and moon shared the sky, stars sparkled, electric lights flickered, and Samadhi True Fire and Soul Refining Fire each revolved around the sun and moon.
"What's next?" Lu Xiu asked. "Time to reveal the mystery?"
"We need to go back to Xi'an," Jiang Hong replied. "I can hardly wait! Let's go!"
Lu Xiu looked around and asked, "Not going to play here anymore?"
Jiang Hong's mind was now completely occupied with his sword, overshadowing the desire to explore and enjoy the outdoors. However, since they were there, they decided not to miss out. They rented a small homestay by Lake Baikal, spending a few days fishing during the day and chatting by the stove at night.
After another week passed, they flew from Irkutsk to Manzhouli and then back to Xi'an.
"Ah! We're back!"
Stepping out of Xi'an Airport, Jiang Hong's first thought was to have a big meal and then take a nice bath at the hotel. The variety of food they had over the past month, though interesting, couldn't compare to the familiar local dishes.
Chapter 83: The North
That day, Jiang Hong parked the car in the city center of Ulanqab, and he and Lu Xiu slept the whole day. They slept so deeply, perhaps a side effect of their souls leaving their bodies, that Jiang Hong felt incredibly weary.
"That was tough." Jiang Hong thought, relieved that nothing serious had happened. The next morning, as the dawn broke, Lu Xiu cooked eggs and noodles under the car, while Jiang Hong, still yawning and groggy, examined the Pure Light Crystal.
The process was difficult, but Jiang Hong thought it was worth it to obtain the sword for Lu Xiu.
"Although the way we obtained the Bone Phosphorus Light was not very honorable..." Jiang Hong said, observing the Pure Light Crystal in the car, "if this sword can defeat the malevolent spirits and protect the world, then I'm willing to do it. If I have to become a ghost and face punishment after my death, so be it."
"Don't worry," said Old Sun, "The underworld isn't so strict with rules, especially since we were never really good people to begin with. Big brother, let's not talk about the second brother anymore."
"Eh?" Jiang Hong said, "You're awake too, Old Sun? How are you feeling now?"
Since returning on the night of the Ghost Festival, Old Sun had fallen into a deep slumber with them. Absorbing spiritual energy required time for gradual assimilation, but Jiang Hong could clearly feel the significant changes in Old Sun. Over this journey, Old Sun had increasingly become like a person with a complete personality. Now, he was calmer and more thoughtful, no longer the simple-minded lamp that used to only shout "Pick me, pick me" like when they first met.
"Hmm... Huh?" Old Sun seemed a bit dazed and said, "Much better. It's like I remembered a lot of things, but they're not clear, just hazy and blurred."
"What did you remember?" Jiang Hong asked curiously. "Have you formed your inner alchemy?"
Old Sun was silent for a long time before a glowing orb emerged from the top of the Tmall Genie. Jiang Hong exclaimed, "My goodness! You've finally become a spirit!"
This was the true sense of the Tmall Genie becoming a spirit! Or rather, the combination of Tmall Genie and a robot vacuum cleaner becoming a spirit. It's truly a milestone in human history!
"Can I touch it?" Jiang Hong asked.
"Go ahead," Old Sun said, "but you're the only one who can."
Jiang Hong knew that the inner alchemy was extremely important to a demon, like a human's heart being taken out. He only touched it lightly; it was nothing like he had imagined, a bit soft, like a piece of crystal clear putty or a gummy candy. Perhaps, with cultivation, it would become progressively harder.
"Do you know that ancient god?" Jiang Hong asked again. "What did you call him? Something Gui? Is that his name?"
"What?" said Old Sun. "Did I? I've forgotten. I remember some things, but they're all fragmented, and I can't piece them together."
Old Sun himself was also quite confused, perhaps the shouting in a moment of urgency was all based on instinct.
"Can you transform into a human?" Jiang Hong asked further.
Old Sun replied, "No, I've tried many times."
A golden light emanated around the robot vacuum cleaner, revealing a vague outline, but it never managed to coalesce into a human form, remaining like a halo.
"Maybe with a bit more spiritual energy absorption, you could," Jiang Hong suggested.
"I was close that day," added Old Sun, "Maybe I need a special opportunity?"
Jiang Hong comforted, "Don't worry, and don't be too fixated on past memories. Like the Ghost King said, the past isn't important anymore..."
"Breakfast is ready," Lu Xiu announced as he got into the car.
Jiang Hong then got out to eat breakfast. Lu Xiu had made him tomato-flavored noodle soup, which surprisingly tasted quite good.
"Shall we head to Erlianhot today?" Lu Xiu asked.
"Yes!" Jiang Hong had passed the toughest hurdle, and his mood was as bright as the day's weather, sunny and clear. Early August in Inner Mongolia brought clear skies, as blue as if painted.
Lu Xiu took the Pure Light Crystal, no longer asking about its use, and examined it against the sunlight.
"Old Sun's inner alchemy has formed," Jiang Hong said.
"Hmm."
"Is it close to transforming him into a human?"
"Not necessarily," Lu Xiu, who taught inner alchemy at school and knew its difficulties, said, "It requires both a formal acknowledgment and destiny, both indispensable."
Jiang Hong recalled what the Ghost King had said, these seemed to be universally accepted conditions. Formal acknowledgment meant recognition from the outside world; destiny meant truly finding what one must accomplish.
"I've given you formal acknowledgment," Jiang Hong said curiously, "Have you sensed your destiny?"
Jiang Hong remembered that according to Lu Xiu, the acknowledgment at Yang Lake only transformed Lu Xiu into a dragon, and it took years under the lake for him to gradually become human. That period must have been about finding his destiny, right?
"Yes, do you want more noodles?" Lu Xiu stood up to serve more.
"A little more, please." Jiang Hong was indeed very hungry today. "So, what is your destiny?"
Lu Xiu avoided the question, "Finding one's destiny isn't as hard as you think. It's always there, just face your heart and you'll find it."
This statement was naturally a reminder to Jiang Hong not to worry about Old Sun.
"Do you have an inner alchemy?" Jiang Hong asked curiously. "Do dragons have inner alchemies too?"
"Of course," Lu Xiu replied.
Jiang Hong looked at Lu Xiu with a smile, and Lu Xiu, knowing what he was thinking, placed his hand on his chest and then seemingly 'produced' a bead from nowhere.
"Wow!"
Lu Xiu's inner alchemy was completely different from Old Sun's! It was deep blue. Jiang Hong wanted to ask, "Can I touch it?" but Lu Xiu said, "Look with your eyes, not your hands."
Lu Xiu's inner alchemy seemed to contain an ocean inside! One could faintly see the currents swirling, with even a hint of starlight twinkling!
"A dragon's inner alchemy is also called a Dragon Pearl," Lu Xiu explained.
"What happens if you collect seven of them?" Jiang Hong joked.
Lu Xiu: "…"
Suddenly, Jiang Hong acted on an impulse and lightly touched it with his finger.
"Hey!" Lu Xiu reacted strongly, more so than to anything Jiang Hong had done before, immediately clutching the inner alchemy, and the beautiful glowing bead disappeared.
"Ah?" Realizing Lu Xiu might be angry, Jiang Hong hurriedly said, "Sorry, I didn't mean to... No, I did mean to, but I didn't expect... Are you okay?"
Sensing he had caused trouble, Jiang Hong saw Lu Xiu turn his back, seemingly breathing rapidly. After a moment, Lu Xiu turned to look at Jiang Hong, his face flushed red!
"Uh?" Jiang Hong suddenly felt an odd, romantic atmosphere.
Lu Xiu: "…"
"What's wrong?" Jiang Hong asked a bit awkwardly, "I'm... sorry..."
"It's okay." Lu Xiu quickly returned to normal, still a bit distracted.
Jiang Hong apologized obediently: "Sorry, are you mad at me?"
Lu Xiu seriously replied, "No, I'm not angry."
Jiang Hong: "Why such a big reaction?"
Lu Xiu: "Forget about mine, but in the future, never touch the inner core of your demon classmates, okay?"
Jiang Hong: "Okay, I promise! But why did you react so strongly?"
Lu Xiu: "That is... an inner core is bound to your soul, a medium between matter and spirit, directly affecting your soul."
Jiang Hong: "Oh, what does it feel like to have your soul touched?"
Since humans can't cultivate such things, Jiang Hong found it hard to imagine what it feels like when someone touches your inner core.
Lu Xiu: "It feels... well... never mind."
Jiang Hong: "Why was your face so red just now? Can the reaction be that intense?"
Ignoring Jiang Hong initially, but with his relentless questioning, Lu Xiu finally said: "If someone touched your vital parts, wouldn't you react strongly?"
Jiang Hong: "Vital parts?"
Suddenly, Lu Xiu made a lightning-fast move and "attacked" Jiang Hong, eliciting a loud scream from him.
This action was one that boys in Jiang Hong's middle school loved to play, always restlessly aiming their hands at each other's "special area," a prank popular worldwide.
"Ah!" Jiang Hong yelled.
"Understand now?" Lu Xiu said, "For the soul, the inner core is similar to that area, very sensitive."
"Ah!!" Jiang Hong finally got it and said, "So that's how it is! Can I see it again?"
Lu Xiu: "There's nothing to see now."
Jiang Hong said, "Let me see! I didn't get a clear look just now..."
Lu Xiu: "Who told you to touch it randomly?"
Jiang Hong: "Let me just look, I promise I won’t touch it..."
Lu Xiu: "No! Let’s quickly finish breakfast and hit the road... We're starting our journey!"
Jiang Hong: "Do I sound like a pervert?"
Lu Xiu: "A little bit..."
So that's why. No wonder the demon race doesn't casually show their inner cores to others. Of course, it's still different from "that area." The inner core must be the most deeply guarded part of the soul, right?
After breakfast, Jiang Hong excitedly drove towards Erenhot, preparing to leave the country!
"Is the study of inner cores kind of a wicked subject?"
Lu Xiu was sometimes amazed by Jiang Hong's imagination: "Ultimately, they are different. The similarity lies only in the degree of sensitivity on a spiritual level."
Jiang Hong: "Oh... but I saw on TV, some demons cultivate by spitting out their inner core and swallowing it back, again and again..."
Lu Xiu: "That indeed is a very unseemly form of cultivation, absolutely forbidden in our school."
"Hmm hmm..." Jiang Hong felt a bit psychologically scarred by those scenes of snake spirits spitting out and swallowing their inner cores he saw in TV dramas as a child.
Jiang Hong: "So, every demon classmate of mine..."
"Stop," Lu Xiu interrupted, "Let's not discuss inner cores anymore. It's none of your business."
Jiang Hong: "I was wondering if every demon classmate of mine knows their 'destiny'?"
Lu Xiu: "That’s something you’d have to ask them."
Jiang Hong: "But everyone has already cultivated into human form."
Lu Xiu: "Yeah, they should understand, right?"
Lu Xiu started to daydream again, gazing at the road outside. Jiang Hong, frustrated that he had to drive and couldn't playfully touch Lu Xiu sitting in the passenger seat, otherwise, he would surely be leaning on his shoulder, whispering into his ear, "Brother... let me see the inner core again!"
Reflecting now, the brief moment Jiang Hong touched Lu Xiu's inner core did evoke a strange feeling in him, perhaps a bit of excitement?
"Do you want to sit in the car or drive yourself?" Lu Xiu suddenly asked.
"Ah?" Jiang Hong responded, "Wasn’t the plan to drive ourselves?"
Lu Xiu replied: "Yes, but driving in Outer Mongolia doesn't offer as scenic views as in China, isn’t that boring?"
Jiang Hong: "Renting a car is the same, right? Just with an added driver."
Lu Xiu: "We could take the train from Beijing to Moscow via Erenhot, and get off at Lake Baikal."
That could work too! Jiang Hong thought. On reaching Erenhot, he was somewhat restless, so Lu Xiu went to store the vehicle and contact a logistics company to send the RV to Xi'an. They then bought two 15-day soft sleeper train tickets from Beijing to Moscow.
Jiang Hong packed his luggage; it was his first time going abroad with Lu Xiu. They bought souvenirs at a specialty store in Erenhot and mailed them back to their school to open when classes resumed.
Although small, Erenhot thrived as a trading port.
In the height of summer, as they traveled north, the day-night temperature difference grew. Jiang Hong and Lu Xiu sat on the grass, basking in the afternoon sun, waiting for the evening train. Freed from driving, Jiang Hong could now cuddle up to Lu Xiu every day.
Lu Xiu was really handsome, and even though the aesthetic preferences in Inner and Outer Mongolia didn’t favor slender, fair-skinned boys, Jiang Hong found him increasingly attractive.
"Let's go!" Lu Xiu said, "Time for the train."
Lu Xiu, dragging his suitcase, often had Jiang Hong clinging onto him, half dragging, half carrying him to the station. The train from Beijing stopped here. Though a popular train, it was surprisingly not crowded this year, with just a few passengers: a Russian couple, a businessman on a trip, and a family of four from Mongolia.
"Wow," Jiang Hong exclaimed, "So comfortable! No private bathroom, but the bed is so soft!"
Lu Xiu had booked a family cabin, reminiscent of the Orient Express, with a large bed, desk, wardrobe, all lavishly decorated in a Russian style. Jiang Hong took out Old Sun and placed him on the desk by the window.
"Mr. Keda is Mongolian, right?" Jiang Hong planned to take a photo to send to Keda.
"He's of mixed Mongol and Han descent," Lu Xiu replied, "His hometown is Hailar, not here."
The train boasted a beautiful dining car, a break from cooking. Jiang Hong sometimes wondered if Lu Xiu suggested the train to avoid cooking, but meals weren’t served yet. After checking procedures and crossing into Mongolia at Zamyn-Uud, passengers disembarked to wait for the train to change tracks at dusk.
Once aboard again, the K3 train slowly moved, and the dining car began serving food – affordable and hearty Russian meals.
"Is this your floor-sweeping robot?" a blonde, blue-eyed conductor asked.
"Uh, Old Sun, you're wandering again." Jiang Hong picked it up and placed it beside his seat.
Tomorrow, there would be no need to check routes or sleep early for driving. That night, Jiang Hong drank a little and shared the big bed with Lu Xiu, watching the stars from the train window.
"We could do this every vacation," Jiang Hong said, "Even if we have nothing to do, just exploring is nice."
"Hmm," Lu Xiu turned his head, gazing intently into Jiang Hong's eyes.
In that moment, Jiang Hong felt an unspoken understanding, as if Lu Xiu was about to kiss him.
But he waited a long time, and nothing happened.
"Have you ever been to Europe?" Jiang Hong asked.
"No," Lu Xu replied, "I haven't left China in over a hundred years."
Jiang Hong wanted to ask more questions. He wondered if Lu Xu stayed in China for over a century just to find him. Why don't people reincarnate in other countries? Is reincarnation interconnected globally? Could someone reincarnate in Dubai or Africa in their next life?
With many questions in mind, he eventually just smiled and said, "Next time, I'll take you to Europe. I've been there."
"Sure," Lu Xu said. "If I get the chance, I’d also like to visit India."
Jiang Hong hadn't been to India. He imagined taking Lu Xu to Paris for an exhibition, wearing black trench coats in the chilly winter weather, wrapped in scarves, holding hands and standing in front of beautiful paintings.
He gradually fell asleep under the starlight, waking up the next morning as content as every other morning when the sun still rose, stretching lazily while holding Lu Xu.
Leaving the city, the train sped along the rails, often with little to no signal on their phones. They could only look at each other or gaze out the window. Lu Xu spent most of the time watching Jiang Hong, who often laughed and chatted incessantly. Lu Xu never seemed to tire of Jiang Hong's talkativeness, responding intermittently.
Upon reaching Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, situated in the heart of the Eurasian continent, Jiang Hong rented a car and set off for the Orkhon River.
It was the brief summer season, and wildflowers were blooming everywhere, sprawling grasslands maintaining their pristine natural beauty.
"It's here," Lu Xu suddenly said.
"Hmm?" Jiang Hong responded, "We're still 45 kilometers away from the Har Horin ruins."
Lu Xu replied, "It's around this area, trust me, I'm not mistaken."
Though Lu Xu's sensitivity to spiritual energy wasn't as acute as that of lower-level demons, he could still distinctly sense the convergence of the Earth's energy veins.
Hence, Jiang Hong had the driver stop at the bank of the Orkhon River. He and Lu Xu ventured into the small pathway along the riverbank. Lu Xu occasionally looked back at their car, saying, "Once we reach the hill over there, I'll fly you across."
The crystal-clear Orkhon River flowed beside a plain adorned with wildflowers, transforming the land into a vast, colorfully woven carpet.
As they took off into the air, overlooking the scenery below, Jiang Hong felt as though he was in a fairyland.
"I see it!" exclaimed Jiang Hong. "Is it there?"
In the center of the land stood a small white stupa, weathered by thousands of years of wind and sun. Almost concealed by vegetation, its foundation sinking, it was once a part of Har Horin, gradually submerged into the soil.
"Let's stop here," said the Black Dragon, landing but not transforming back into human form. Instead, it sprawled across the boundless grassland. Jiang Hong initially hugged the dragon, wanting to roll around playfully, but found the dragon too heavy to move.
"Come a bit closer," Jiang Hong struggled, tugging at the dragon's tail, then moving on to fiddle with its horns.
The Black Dragon slithered across the ground like a serpent, carrying Jiang Hong closer to the central white tower, continuously shrinking from dozens of meters down to nearly ten meters in length.
This was Jiang Hong's first time observing Lu Xu's true form so closely. The dragon's head looked nothing like the depictions in murals or books. The dragons he had seen before had large, somewhat goofy heads with eyes bulging like copper bells.
But Lu Xu's true form had a dragon head of proportionate size, not exaggeratedly large. Its nostrils were discreet, hidden under the bridge of the nose, appearing as a mere line when not breathing and slightly open when inhaling. The entire head resembled that of a deer or horse, surprisingly handsome and elegant.
Compared to a horse, however, the dragon's expression was calm. Its pupils glowed golden, and its horns flowed smoothly like water.
It carried a hint of Western dragon characteristics but didn't seem evil, only inspiring awe and respect.
A cool and handsome dragon.
When its scales closed, the smooth dragon body shimmered like silk under the sunlight.
“Ahahaha.” Jiang Hong had forgotten the purpose of their trip, hugging its neck, trying to see the claws hidden under its body, and said, “Shrink a bit more!”
“This is the smallest I can be,” the Black Dragon said. “Don't touch randomly, where are you reaching now?”
Jiang Hong reached under the dragon's neck, finding a warm spot, and bent down to take a closer look.
There was a small area there, uncovered by scales — precisely where Lu Xiu's reverse scale was located.
"Go cast the spell," the black dragon said. "I'll bask in the sun here for a while."
"Then don't change back yet," Jiang Hong said. "I want to play a bit longer."
Jiang Hong set up the magic circle in front of the white stone tower. The black dragon watched from afar, then propped itself up with its claws, hovering slightly above the ground, and flew over to Jiang Hong. Floating beside him, the dragon encircled him and asked, "What will you infuse into the Pure Light Lustrous Glass this time?"
"Uh, seems like there's nothing left," said Jiang Hong. "It's broad daylight now."
Old Sun temporarily didn't need the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, but Jiang Hong still released it.
"Oh, and the firelight," Jiang Hong added. "I have my own flames, shall I try the Samadhi True Fire?"
Jiang Hong activated the magic circle. Under the azure sky, a sudden gust of wind arose. This time, the confluence of the spiritual energy of heaven, earth, and ley lines was very gentle. Petals fluttered into the sky as the black dragon circled Jiang Hong, bringing its head close to his shoulder, watching the magic circle together.
"Why don't you crawl on the ground with your claws?" Jiang Hong suddenly got distracted again.
"Because that would look too silly," the black dragon replied. "Focus on your spellcasting, and stop asking questions."
Jiang Hong laughed, moving closer to rub against the dragon's head. The black dragon, however, slightly backed away, as if a bit embarrassed.
"Alright," said Jiang Hong. "Now for the Samadhi True Fire..."
Spiritual energy was infused into the Pure Light Lustrous Glass. Following that, Jiang Hong released the Samadhi True Fire, which continuously spread from his heart meridian. The flames swept through the wind and were instantly absorbed by the Pure Light Lustrous Glass!
"I..." In that instant, Jiang Hong was nearly drained, gasping for breath, almost collapsing on the spot.
The black dragon quickly caught him, saying, "Regulate your breathing, it's okay, the seed of fire is still in your chakra."
"So tired..." Jiang Hong's heart rate soared to 190, clinging to the black dragon, barely standing, and gasping for air, "The feeling of being drained of magic power is so uncomfortable."
Even with his limited magical power, the feeling of being drained was unbearable, but fortunately, he began to recover gradually.
"I need to sleep for a while," Jiang Hong said wearily.
In the Pure Light Lustrous Glass, a new flame appeared, contrasting with the purple-black Soul Refining Fire, forming a dual polarity. They revolved around the central sunlight, with stars scattered behind and flickering, drifting electric lights filling the glass.
Jiang Hong, utterly exhausted, was a shadow of his former self. He curled up with the black dragon, lying on his side amidst the flowers, and fell into a deep sleep.
In the sunny afternoon, the black dragon slightly curved its neck, watching Jiang Hong in its embrace. Moments later, as distant voices approached, the dragon finally transformed back into human form, restoring Lu Xiu's body. He held Jiang Hong in his arms, and they both took a long nap in the Hala forest.
But the depletion of the fire seed's power was immense. For several days, Jiang Hong was constantly yawning, unable to muster energy for anything. Fortunately, his Samadhi True Fire was slowly regenerating. Once Jiang Hong had rested enough, they boarded a train again, heading to the final destination of their journey abroad — Lake Baikal.
Upon reaching Lake Baikal, they planned to return, flying back to Xi'an from Irkutsk.
"Samadhi True Fire is a positive fire," Lu Xiu examined the Pure Light Lustrous Glass. "Soul Refining Fire is a negative fire."
"Will they explode?" Jiang Hong asked curiously.
"No, at least for now they coexist peacefully," Lu Xiu replied. "It's incredible; you actually managed to do this."
Jiang Hong: "???"
This seemed to be the first time the well-informed Lu Xiu used phrases like "It's incredible." Having seen so much and being at the top of the food chain, he always remained calm, visibly maintaining his composure no matter what happened.
Lu Xiu put down the Pure Light Lustrous Glass, saying, "Very few people in this world can achieve this, not just with Yin and Yang true fires, but also with starlight, sunlight, and more..."
Jiang Hong thought: Is he going to ask what I plan to do next? I won't tell him now.
Lu Xiu concluded, "So, the power of humans is truly boundless."
"This is a compliment for me," Jiang Hong said with a smile.
"Of course," Lu Xiu replied. "No matter what you ultimately want to create, it's remarkable."
"Just one last step to go!" Unable to obtain the Heart Lamp, Jiang Hong's visit to Lake Baikal would be his final collection step. They got off the train in Irkutsk, Lu Xiu transformed into a dragon, flew over the mountains by the lake, and arrived at a secluded spot by the lake.
"This is where the spiritual energy is most abundant," Lu Xiu and Jiang Hong stood on the mountainside, overlooking the seemingly bottomless lake.
"Shall we wait for the night?" Jiang Hong suggested. "The only pity is that it's not a full moon night, but it doesn't matter. The ever-changing phases of the moon reflect the magnificent power of nature."
Jiang Hong was quite open-minded in this regard, not fixated on waiting for a full moon. Another reason was that Zhu Jinling had told them that although ancient legends often mention the magical power of the full moon, its strength, while powerful, is not necessarily the best time for spellcasting.
Different types of moon-related magic require alignment with various lunar phases. For instance, the waning moon symbolizes the transition from life to death, from flourishing to decay, suitable for destruction and ruin; the waxing moon signifies the journey from extinction to fulfillment, in tune with rebirth and hope.
The fullness leads to waning, and water overflows when too full; this is an unbreakable truth. When the power of the full moon reaches its zenith, it is also prone to a swift decline. Most experienced exorcists often choose specific moments some time before the full moon rather than the full moon night to complete important spells.
The moon rose, marking the night of the waxing moon. A sliver of moonlight reflected in Lake Baikal.
"How beautiful!" Jiang Hong whispered.
It was a clear night. Lake Baikal was silent, vast, and grand. In this world, so far from the central plains and isolated from everything else, there were only Jiang Hong and Lu Xiu.
"Karolusha," said Lu Xiu.
"What?" Jiang Hong asked.
Lu Xiu explained, "The Sea of the Fallen Primordial Dragon. Legend has it that the first dragon fell here, turning into the huge mountains along the shore. Aren't you going to draw the magic circle?"
"Ah, right." Jiang Hong hurriedly began to draw the circle, while Lu Xiu turned and transformed back into the black dragon, diving into Lake Baikal.
"What are you doing?"
"Swimming!" came the black dragon's voice. "Playing!"
Jiang Hong thought to himself that Lu Xiu was still a youth at heart. Even if usually serious, he still had a playful side. So, he continued drawing the circle, smiling as he watched him from a distance.
The black dragon asked, "Do you want to come down?"
Jiang Hong replied, "The water is too cold! No, thanks!"
After completing the magic circle, Jiang Hong began to cast the spell. The gentle moonlight of Lake Baikal instantly spread across the lake surface into countless sparkling ripples, and the black dragon swam freely in this silvery sea.
The Pure Light Lustrous Glass was activated for the last time, and in an instant, the moonlight on the lake's surface converged, absorbed into the glass.
"We did it!" Jiang Hong was overjoyed, having successfully gathered all six beams of light. It was such a hard-won achievement!
"Is it over?" the voice of the black dragon inquired.
"Yes!" Jiang Hong, holding the Pure Light Lustrous Glass, turned to the black dragon and said, "Look!"
The black dragon replied, "I've got something for you to play with!"
As it spoke, the black dragon's claw held a soft, white object, tossing it ashore. The creature, very much alive and terrified, panicked and let out a scream.
"What is this? A seal?! Why is there a seal here?!" Jiang Hong was even more startled than the seal itself, asking hastily, "Where did you catch it?"
The seal frantically bumped around nearby, trying to find a way to escape. Lu Xiu, in human form, landed and pointed at it, causing the frightened seal to freeze and cower on the ground.
"Ah, Lake Baikal has seals too, haha, that's amazing!" exclaimed Jiang Hong. "Let me touch it! Don't bite me, okay? Haha, so cute!"
Jiang Hong wanted to pounce and cuddle the seal like a panda. He concluded that any animal without a visible neck due to its plumpness appeared incredibly cute. The seal, round and bouncy like a rubber ball, was irresistibly adorable!
"It's yours now," Lu Xiu said, sitting beside Jiang Hong on the shore.
"Hahaha," Jiang Hong laughed. "But we can't take it home, and we can't keep it either. Only having you as a leopard, it would be lonely, right? Come on, perform a 'leopard leap' for us! Wait, how many years do you get for smuggling wild animals from another country? Do you really like me that much? It's such a dilemma. Don't you have seal demons? Seems like they don't cultivate much, huh, hehehe..."
The seal trembled fearfully but, realizing Jiang Hong was harmless, approached him and hid behind his back, warily eyeing Lu Xiu as if afraid of being eaten.
"Alright, alright," Jiang Hong soothed, patting its head. "The dragon was just playing with you; he won't eat you. Go home now, be good."
The seal hastily "plopped" into the lake, escaping back into the water.
When Jiang Hong turned back to look at Lu Xiu, he found him smiling. Lu Xiu rarely smiled, and the moonlight on his smile made him look particularly handsome.
"Wild and untamed," Jiang Hong commented. "Turns out you can be mischievous too."
Lu Xiu said, "Don't you like these chubby things? Let me see, how's the Pure Light Lustrous Glass?"
The Pure Light Lustrous Glass had withstood the six types of light, containing a tiny world within. The sun and moon shared the sky, stars sparkled, electric lights flickered, and Samadhi True Fire and Soul Refining Fire each revolved around the sun and moon.
"What's next?" Lu Xiu asked. "Time to reveal the mystery?"
"We need to go back to Xi'an," Jiang Hong replied. "I can hardly wait! Let's go!"
Lu Xiu looked around and asked, "Not going to play here anymore?"
Jiang Hong's mind was now completely occupied with his sword, overshadowing the desire to explore and enjoy the outdoors. However, since they were there, they decided not to miss out. They rented a small homestay by Lake Baikal, spending a few days fishing during the day and chatting by the stove at night.
After another week passed, they flew from Irkutsk to Manzhouli and then back to Xi'an.
"Ah! We're back!"
Stepping out of Xi'an Airport, Jiang Hong's first thought was to have a big meal and then take a nice bath at the hotel. The variety of food they had over the past month, though interesting, couldn't compare to the familiar local dishes.
