We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real?

Chapter 526: Record of Testifying Through Emotion (2 in 1)

After Xiao Mo left Hundred Flowers Alley, he moved into Moon Spring Peak together with Tushan Jingci.

Not long after moving to Moon Spring Peak, Xiao Mo gradually noticed that the names of several peaks in Tushan had not been chosen at random.

In Tushan, every truly important peak had the character “moon” prominently in its name.

And with Moon God Mountain as the center, the closer a peak was to it, the richer and purer the spiritual power of heaven and earth became.

Correspondingly, the higher one’s status, the closer one’s residence was to Moon God Mountain.

For example, the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox clan basically lived on the circle of peaks nearest to Moon God Mountain.

The same was true of Moon Spring Peak, where Tushan Jingci had moved.

In fact, that entire vast peak belonged solely to Tushan Jingci.

In all of Tushan, only the clan chief and the holy daughter were qualified to possess an entire peak alone.

That also meant Jingci had already agreed to become Tushan’s holy daughter under Tushan Meng.

To be honest, Xiao Mo found it rather unexpected that Jingci had agreed to become holy daughter.

Although the status of Tushan holy daughter was exceedingly noble, and there was not a single member of the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox clan who did not want it, while the other fox clans did not even dare dream of such an opportunity, Xiao Mo also knew very well that Jingci was not someone who valued status and position heavily.

Because she did not want to shoulder such a responsibility.

For her to agree to become holy daughter this time, there might be some hidden reason behind it.

Xiao Mo had tried probing indirectly a few times, but Jingci always hemmed and hawed, sometimes turning the conversation elsewhere, unwilling to answer him directly.

Seeing her like that, Xiao Mo could hardly keep pressing.

Still, as Tushan Jingci’s personal guard, Xiao Mo could be considered to have benefited from her position as well. He was able to live halfway up Moon Spring Peak.

Besides him, Yueshi and several other maids also moved into Tushan Jingci’s courtyard.

After the news that Tushan Jingci had become holy daughter spread, it stirred up a tremendous uproar throughout Tushan.

To the overwhelming majority of Tushan foxes, they had never even heard the name “Tushan Jingci” before.

For a long time, everyone in Tushan had believed that the one who would eventually take the position of holy daughter would certainly be the Second Elder’s daughter—the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox named Tushan Chenchen.

Who would have thought that a Tushan Jingci would appear halfway through and snatch away the position of holy daughter by force?

With his family’s “holy daughter” seized halfway through, Tushan’s Second Elder was naturally filled with unwillingness.

Unfortunately, Grand Elder Tushan Meng’s prestige was too great, and she herself was an Ascension Realm cultivator. No matter how much the Second Elder objected, it was useless in the end.

By now, rumors had already begun circulating quietly within Tushan, saying that Tushan Jingci’s true identity was actually Tushan Meng’s illegitimate daughter.

Otherwise, why would Tushan Meng treat a junior who had only just arrived with such favor?

Tushan Meng paid no attention to these rumors, and Tushan Jingci did not take them to heart at all.

Besides, the holy daughter ceremony was about to be held, and Tushan Jingci truly had no free time to care about gossip.

These days, she went to the Grand Elder every day, familiarizing herself with Tushan’s various affairs while devoting herself to learning all kinds of etiquette.

But Xiao Mo faintly felt that this holy daughter ceremony probably would not go so smoothly.

After all, Jingci was still only a “prospective holy daughter” for now. Only after the holy daughter ceremony was formally held would her position become legitimate in name and reality.

And Xiao Mo could tell that Tushan was far from united internally. Everyone had calculations and interests of their own.

Even with the Grand Elder suppressing things from above, someone would likely stir up trouble in secret.

But these were not things Xiao Mo could control.

A month after Xiao Mo moved into Moon Spring Peak, Tushan’s Council of Elders did pass one resolution—to hire Xiao Mo as a Tushan retainer.

Although Xiao Mo was human, his talent was simply too high. Before even reaching twenty, he had already stepped into the Golden Core Realm. He could be said to have boundless prospects ahead of him. Thus, hiring him as a retainer was reasonable enough.

Xiao Mo naturally did not refuse.

After becoming a Tushan retainer, Xiao Mo gained the right to enter Tushan’s Library Pavilion.

The Tushan clan’s Library Pavilion had nine floors in total.

As a retainer, Xiao Mo was originally permitted to go only as high as the sixth floor.

But because of Tushan Jingci, when he carried Jingci’s jade pendant, he could enter as high as the eighth floor.

And Tushan’s Library Pavilion was said to have gathered books from all beneath heaven. In the abundance of its collection, it was second only to Heavenly Secret City of the Ten Thousand Arts world.

Therefore, whenever he had free time, Xiao Mo would bury himself in the Library Pavilion, wanting to read some texts on dao arts.

And besides books on dao arts, he also wanted to further understand the fox clan’s mysterious and profound Dao of “emotion.”

On this day.

Xiao Mo came to the eighth floor of the Library Pavilion as usual.

His gaze was suddenly drawn to a book titled Record of Testifying Through Emotion.

Xiao Mo took the book down from the shelf and carefully flipped through it—

“There was a daughter of the Tushan clan named Miguo. This woman was naturally quiet and taciturn. She did not like laughter or play, and her ordinary expression was indifferent and detached. Joy and anger did not show on her face, and the seven emotions and six desires rarely touched her heart.

“Later, Tushan Miguo happened to meet a young lord of the Azure Dragon clan. The two fell for each other at first sight, became dao companions, swore to grow white-haired together, and hoped to spend their lives side by side.

“Yet Heaven is unpredictable. One day, Miguo suffered grievous injuries. Her vital energy collapsed, her life hung by a thread, and she was close to death by morning or evening.

“Unexpectedly, her dao companion gave birth to different thoughts. He wanted to take advantage of her dire crisis to steal the source of her demon core, refine it into himself, and seek to break through to the Ascension Realm.

“When Tushan Miguo learned of his plan and realized that the person beside her pillow had actually harbored such a venomous heart, her heart and liver shattered, and her grief was beyond words.

“Yet she neither raged nor fought, nor did she guard against him. She pretended not to know and allowed him to take what he wanted.

“At this most painful and darkest moment, Miguo’s mind fell into stillness, and instead she broke through into the Immortal Realm.

“In the end, matters took a turn. The man of the Azure Dragon clan ultimately could not bear to act. He did not refine Miguo into a pill. Instead, he shattered his own demon core and used his own source to nourish Miguo in return.

“As the pill qi circulated, Miguo’s wounded body fully recovered, while he exhausted his essence, his soul and spirit scattered, and he died.

“After her dao companion perished, Miguo’s heart ached as though split apart. Yet in that endless grief, she suddenly understood, and in one stroke stepped into the Ascension Realm.”

“There was a daughter of Tushan named Xing’er. At first, she fell in love with a human man. Their hearts were mutually joined, and they swore to live and die together.

“Yet this man was shallow by nature. Not long after, he transferred his affections to another woman and betrayed their former vows.

“When Xing’er learned of it, her heart and liver shattered, and she was so grief-stricken she nearly wished to die. Yet in the midst of utmost pain, her mind abruptly became clear, and in a single morning she broke through and entered the Immortal Realm.

“Afterward, Xing’er was furious beyond restraint and wanted to kill the faithless man with her own hands.

“The man knelt on the ground in terror, weeping and begging for mercy. Xing’er’s tender heart had not yet gone cold, and in the end she could not bear to kill him. She wanted to reconcile with him.

“Yet this man did not change his old nature. Soon after, he fell in love with another woman again. This happened three times.

“After Xing’er was abandoned again and again, her heart turned to ash, and despair sank into her bones. She no longer forgave him and killed him with her own hands.

“At the moment she killed that faithless man, Xing’er’s state of mind suddenly opened and cleared, and she went straight into the Ascension Realm.”

“There was a remarkable daughter of Tushan named Cha. From childhood, she was exceptionally intelligent, and her gift was unlike ordinary people’s. She was born with a frost body, and when cultivating the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox clan’s innate divine ability, everything came especially easily to her. Her progress was swift.

“At the age of twenty, she formed her Golden Core. At thirty-five, she reached the Nascent Soul Realm. At fifty, she actually ascended into the upper three realms. After that, however, she was trapped in the Jade Pith Realm, unable to advance even half a step for a hundred years.

“In the year she turned one hundred and fifty, Tushan Cha happened to meet a man of the White Tiger clan. Their feelings were mutual, and she fell into love.

“When her emotions were stirred, the bottleneck that had trapped her for a hundred years loosened at once, and she stepped into the Immortal Realm in one stroke.

“Yet the White Tiger clan and the fox clan had been mortal enemies for generations.

“When the two clans heard of it, both rose in opposition and refused to allow the marriage.

“The two had no choice but to flee together through the demon-race world.

“Both clans sent experts to pursue and kill them, chasing them relentlessly.

“In the final battle, the man of the White Tiger clan suffered grievous wounds while protecting Tushan Cha. His blood ran dry, and he died in her arms.

“After her dao companion perished, Tushan Cha held his corpse and wept in agony, her heart aching as though split apart.

“Yet when all thoughts had turned to ash, she comprehended the principles of emotion and broke through directly into Ascension.”

“Tushan Wei was born with seductive bones...”

As Xiao Mo read through the life stories of one Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox woman after another in Record of Testifying Through Emotion, he discovered that all of them had been Ascension Realm cultivators.

In other words, they were all cultivators of the Tushan clan who had testified to the Way through emotion.

Xiao Mo continued turning the pages. When he reached the end, he saw the author’s reflections—

“Our Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox clan has always testified to the Way through emotion. Yet what, in the end, is this so-called ‘emotion’?”

“To remain together for a lifetime and accompany one another until old age is indeed emotion. Yet from ancient times to the present, among the women of the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox clan, how many have obtained a harmonious pair-bond, grown old together, and ended well from beginning to end? And how many have entered the Ascension Realm through this path?”

“On the contrary, those women who have experienced gain and loss, glory and decline, tasted betrayal and abandonment, and personally endured the sourness, sweetness, bitterness, and spice of love, the joys and sorrows of parting and reunion, often suddenly testify to the Way at the moment their hearts are pierced through with pain, entering Ascension directly.”

“In my view, our clan’s so-called testifying to the Way through ‘emotion’ has no other true meaning than the intensity of emotion itself. Among the myriad emotions of the world, only the path of romantic love is most deeply engraved into the bones and most directly points into the depths of the soul. Therefore, it is the most capable of urging one to break through.”

“Yet if that is so, then for our fox clan to ascend to the Ascension Realm, must we first endure the pain of ‘loss’? Must we first suffer the devastation of emotion and the shattering of the heart before we can attain great enlightenment?”

“And this ‘loss’—the weight of its price—is it worth it? Or not?”

“I have paced and pondered this matter, yet in the end, I could not understand it. If later clansmen are fated to see this incomplete book, they may consider it for themselves. It is difficult to put into words.”

No author’s name had been left on this book.

Xiao Mo guessed it had likely been written by one of the Tushan clan’s former chiefs.

To gain something, one had to lose something first?

Xiao Mo gently rubbed the pages of the book in his hands, his mind continuously replaying the contents he had just read.

His brows furrowed slightly, and he sank into deep thought.

Gradually, Xiao Mo’s gaze seemed to grow steadier, as though an idea that had still been hesitating within him was solidifying bit by bit, taking shape, and finally becoming clear and certain.

...

Half an hour later, Xiao Mo walked out of the Library Pavilion.

The blazing midsummer sun hung high at the very center of the sky. Fierce sunlight poured down, enveloping all of Tushan in dazzling heat.

Cicadas cried ceaselessly from the branches, noisy and ardent. Even the occasional breeze carried summer’s unique warmth.

In Tushan, everything seemed good.

Only its summers were truly a little too hot.

Just as Xiao Mo was about to return to Moon Spring Peak, Xiangniang suddenly flew over to him, dipped gracefully into a bow, and curved her lips into a charming smile. “Young Master, it has been so long.”

“It has indeed been more than a month.” Xiao Mo returned the greeting with a bow, his tone even. “May I ask why you have come, Xiangniang?”

“Young Master, really. Am I not allowed to come see you if nothing has happened? You truly are heartless...”

Xiangniang pouted, her expression carrying a bit of coquettish reproach, though a trace of hard-to-detect resentment hid in her voice.

After speaking, Xiangniang took a step forward. One small hand gently stroked Xiao Mo’s chest, and her flowing gaze carried several parts delicate charm. “These days, without me keeping you company, did Young Master ever feel lonely at night?”

Xiao Mo did not answer. He merely stepped back without leaving a trace, smiled faintly, and looked at her with calm eyes.

“Hmph... Young Master is still as dull as before. What a waste of that handsome face. I really do not know who will ever like someone like you in the future.”

Xiangniang huffed and turned her head away. She did not continue teasing Xiao Mo and went straight to the matter.

“The Grand Elder is looking for Young Master.”

“The Grand Elder is looking for me?” A trace of vigilance could not help rising in Xiao Mo’s heart.

Under normal circumstances, if Grand Elder Tushan Meng specifically sought out a human like him, it was probably not anything good.

“Yes. Please come with me, Young Master.”

Xiangniang turned around, swaying her waist as she led Xiao Mo flying toward Moon-Gazing Mountain.

Before long, the two arrived at the summit of Moon-Gazing Mountain.

Tushan Meng was watering some spirit flowers and spirit herbs in the courtyard, her expression leisurely and composed.

“Grand Elder, Xiangniang has brought Xiao Mo.” Outside the courtyard, Xiangniang dipped into a bow.

“Xiao Mo, retainer of Tushan, greets the Grand Elder.” Xiao Mo also bowed solemnly.

“Mm.” Tushan Meng straightened and looked toward the two outside the courtyard, smiling as she nodded. “Xiangniang, you may withdraw first.”

“Yes, Grand Elder.”

Xiangniang glanced at Xiao Mo. A hint of worry quietly flashed through her eyes, but she still withdrew with utmost respect.

“Do not stand outside. Come in and have a cup of tea.” Tushan Meng smiled at Xiao Mo. Her tone was gentle, and no particular emotion could be heard in it.

“Yes, Grand Elder.”

Xiao Mo obeyed and walked into the courtyard.

Tushan Meng set down the watering pot in her hand and personally poured Xiao Mo a cup of tea.

Xiao Mo hurriedly stood and received the teacup with both hands.

“Can you guess why I called you here today?” Tushan Meng asked with a smile.

“I am afraid I am too dull to guess your meaning, Grand Elder,” Xiao Mo answered truthfully.

“Heh...”

Tushan Meng clasped her hands behind her back and looked at Xiao Mo with a sincere gaze.

“Xiao Mo, I know you and Jingci are mutually in love. Although the elders of my clan, and even the entire demon-race world, hold prejudice toward humans, I do not think that way.”

“What happened with Jingci’s mother back then pained me deeply. I truly do not wish to see that same regret repeat itself with Jingci.”

“However, Jingci is about to become Tushan’s holy daughter. If you are merely a retainer, then if you want to be with her, I fear it will draw countless objections and criticisms. When that time comes, even I will not be able to speak for you easily.”

“So after thinking it over again and again, I have come up with a method that may perhaps allow you and Jingci to be joined in marriage.”

“I wonder... are you willing to hear it?”