Chapter 222: It Is Attempting to Create Life

The few of them spoke without any reservation in front of the scarred Demon Cultivator; although the other party appeared somewhat unable to understand, he still wore an enthusiastic smile, which looked rather eerie.

Xizui's aged, hoarse voice sounded, "It seems that I am the only one who has not been affected."

What is the reason for this? Ruan Xing calmed down slightly, feeling that she had just become a bit impulsive and childish.

She opened her mouth to warn the other two to be careful, but she did not know what to be careful of.

After all, she had not noticed at all when she had fallen for this Small World's trick.

At this moment, a beautiful female cultivator walked out from the room, rubbing her flat belly with a happy smile on her face, "I already said there was no need to make such a fuss, why did you all come over anyway... Why don't you hurry inside and sit down? What are you all doing standing at the door?"

The three of them looked at each other, all falling into an eerie silence.

After a long while, Ruan Xing said, "Let's go in first."

Although she had been tricked, she did not actually feel the urgency of facing unknown danger, because she could end the Simulation and return to reality at any time.

The scarred Demon Cultivator poured them tea, and there was still some unfinished Peach Preserved Apricot Cake on the table, emitting a cloying, sweet fragrance.

"Do you know who we are?" Ruan Xing asked the female cultivator.

"I know, of course," the female cultivator answered cheerfully, "You are my cousin from my hometown, and this is my cousin, and this is my great-uncle. I wrote to you before when I got pregnant, and you said you would come to see the baby when the time came. I didn't expect you to come so early, but the doctor said it should be within these two days."

"That's right, that's why I'm so careful," the scarred male cultivator said with emotion, "If you need anything, or if you are uncomfortable, tell me immediately."

"I know, I'm not that delicate, you can rest assured," the female cultivator covered her mouth and smiled sweetly.

This Secret Realm had actually already arranged identities for them.

However... Ruan Xing's gaze fell on the female cultivator's lower abdomen; this female cultivator did not look like she was pregnant.

The few of them chatted idly for a while, then the scarred male cultivator went to arrange lodging for them, telling them to stay here for a period of time before leaving.

Ruan Xing looked at the Peach Preserved Apricot Cake on the table and asked Xizui, "I didn't even see a single restaurant or eatery open to the public in the Northern Territory. This pastry looks quite fresh; would the demonic cultivators and mortals of the Northern Territory know how to make such things?"

"There used to be," Xizui said slowly, "The place where this secret realm was discovered used to be the territory of a demon lord of the Greed Path. At that time, the demonic cultivators and mortals in his territory were recognized as having the best treatment, because they replicated the glory and wealth of the mortal world one-to-one, with extravagant luxury, building the entire territory like an Imperial Palace. Later, this demon lord disappeared unexpectedly, and his territory declined. I suspect that the cook who knew how to make mortal pastries also accidentally entered this secret realm."

"However, that was a very long time ago. Those who accidentally entered might have already died, and those who remain now are all their descendants."

Is that really the case?

Ruan Xing always felt that something was wrong, but she couldn't think of the key point.

"It's getting late, I've already tidied up the rooms, you should hurry and rest too," the scarred Demon Cultivator walked over and said.

Xie Feng looked outside the door and said strangely, "But it's still bright out."

As soon as his voice fell, the entire Secret Realm Space suddenly plunged into darkness, as if the lights had been turned off.

He changed his tune readily, "Oh, alright, it is indeed too late. I'll go rest now, see you all tomorrow."

Xie Feng walked into one of the rooms the scarred male cultivator had pointed out to him in a few strides.

Ruan Xing said in a low voice, lost in thought, "There are no sun or moon in this Secret Realm Space, and the change between day and night also defies common sense."

It does not look like a Small World approaching completeness; is there really Hongmeng Purple Qi here?

Ruan Xing voiced her doubts.

Xizui said silently, "We demonic cultivators don't know much about secret realm spaces. Isn't entering secret realms like a daily routine for you immortal cultivators? You should already have a complete set of insights on how to conquer a secret realm."

Ruan Xing herself had never tried to conquer a Secret Realm either.

She could only recount things she had heard from others.

"Controlling a Secret Realm is said to require finding the core of the Secret Realm. If there is really Hongmeng Purple Qi here, the place it is most likely to exist is within the Secret Realm core. However, Divine Sense cannot fully distinguish the special features of a Secret Realm core. I'm afraid it will take a lot of effort for us to search the entire Secret Realm," Ruan Xing said, "Moreover, I am worried that the longer we stay, the more we will be affected by the Secret Realm."

Xizui replied calmly, "You make the arrangements, I will listen to you. In any case, your understanding of secret realms is generally better than mine. However, I do have a way to solve the current problem. The Sui Spirit Pearl can not only open the secret realm passage, but can also place living beings into the Sui Spirit Pearl. We can take turns entering the Sui Spirit Pearl to purge the influence brought by the secret realm."

"Are you serious?" Ruan Xing asked with some suspicion.

Entering someone else's Dharma Artifact...

How is this any different from someone saying to her face, "Fellow Daoist, please enter my Human Emperor Banner to hide for a while!"? It's not that she has PTSD, it's just that this plot is too classic.

Perhaps seeing Ruan Xing's distrust, Xizui added, "The Sui Spirit Pearl can be used without needing to acknowledge a master. You can take turns using it with your followers; I just won't use it alone. It wouldn't matter if you return the Sui Spirit Pearl to me after the secret realm ends."

"Aren't you afraid that I might take the opportunity to kill you?" Ruan Xing probed.

Aren't demonic cultivators supposed to be very suspicious? With a personality like his, how did he raise Xie Huai to be full of schemes? Xizui said indifferently, "To die for the Saint Demon Lord is my destiny."

Fine, the man is not afraid of death at all.

Ruan Xing considered it and felt that Xizui's method could only be considered a last resort.

Since bickering with Xie Feng, she had been intentionally controlling her emotions and thoughts, paying attention at all times, now that she had realized she was being affected by the Secret Realm.

It seems now that with precautions, the influence is minimal, and there is no need to follow what Xizui said for the time being.

"Let's talk about it later, it's not needed for now," Ruan Xing said.

Xizui nodded and suddenly yawned, "Then I will go rest too. Let's look for the secret realm core together tomorrow."

"Oh, okay," Ruan Xing nodded absentmindedly.

She stood up herself and went to another room.

It was only when she lay on the bed that she suddenly realized.

She is at the Return to Ruins Stage, Xizui is at the Transformation Stage, and Xie Feng is a puppet body.

Of the three of them, not one needs to sleep? Ruan Xing sat up abruptly and began to ponder.

Then why did they accept the scarred male cultivator's arrangements so easily?

So... Xizui was also affected, just more mildly than her and Xie Feng.

What is the difference between the three of them?

According to cultivation level? She was affected the deepest, Xie Feng second, and Xizui last; that doesn't seem right either.

Or according to the order of entry? Xizui entered first, she second, and Xie Feng last; that doesn't seem right either.

Just as she was deep in thought, suddenly, the lights in the next room turned on, and panicked shouts came through.

"Ah! It hurts—my belly hurts so much!"

"Don't panic, don't panic, I'll go find a doctor!"

The man rushed out of the room, head down, and Ruan Xing hurriedly got off the bed to open the door and stop him, "What's going on?"

"My wife, she, she's going into labor!" the scarred male Cultivator said, completely at a loss.

What? With such a flat belly, she had only been in the Secret Realm for half a month; how did she go from pregnant to giving birth already?

Ruan Xing felt something was fishy. She patted the man on the shoulder to soothe him, "Don't rush to call a doctor. I've delivered babies before; I have experience. Let me take a look first."

The scarred male Cultivator's eyes lit up, "That's right! You have experience delivering babies, how could I have forgotten that? I remember your skills are the best for ten miles around. Quickly, go take a look at my wife!"

No, she had just said that off the cuff as an excuse to get into the room; how did this setting actually get added?

Ruan Xing was startled, but there was no time to ponder the connection. She could only follow her initial plan and go in to see how this female cultivator who had been 'pregnant' for eight days would give birth. Xie Feng and Xizui seemed to have been woken up by the noisy sounds just now and came out to see what was happening.

Ruan Xing bypassed the man and went straight into the room, where she saw the female Cultivator rolling on the bed in pain, covered in sweat. Ruan Xing walked up and used her fingers to pinch the silk threads on the female Cultivator's body. The female Cultivator went stiff all over and stopped moving.

"It's working, it's working! Cousin, you're truly amazing!" the scarred male Cultivator cheered.

He seemed completely unable to see the expression of extreme pain on the female Cultivator's face.

She wasn't delivering a baby at all; she was simply controlling the female Cultivator.

Thinking of the setting she had inexplicably added to herself just now, Ruan Xing sat by the bed and said softly to the female Cultivator, "I came here from our hometown to see you specifically to deliver your baby. Don't resist me; I'm here to help you."

She relaxed her control over the silk threads, and the female Cultivator nodded with difficulty.

Ruan Xing said with satisfaction, "Good, now don't worry about anything. Do as I say: inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale. Keep this rhythm. Open your mouth wide... Oh my, I can see it! Your child is coming out soon. Quickly, open your mouth and push outward!"

The female Cultivator was already delirious from the pain and had completely surrendered her body to Ruan Xing. Following Ruan Xing's instructions, she opened her mouth to an incredible arc, and a soft, pink lump of flesh was pushed out from within.

Xie Feng stood at the doorway and said in disbelief, "Have you been influenced and assimilated by this Secret Realm Space to the point of madness? How could giving birth possibly happen through the mouth?"

As soon as his words fell, Ruan Xing thought, "Not good."

Sure enough, the female Cultivator diverted a sliver of her focus to Xie Feng's words. She began vomiting blood mixed with the lump of flesh, and started wailing incoherently about stomach pain again.

Ruan Xing reached out and pulled that lump of flesh out directly.

She said loudly, "Alright, it's already born! It went very smoothly, you aren't in pain anymore!"

"R-really..." the female Cultivator said weakly.

Ruan Xing grasped the lump of flesh in her hand, which was slightly larger than a fist. It had no limbs, no head, no nose, and no eyes; it didn't even move at all.

It was just a smooth mass of flesh and blood wrapped in skin.

She reached out to touch it, but couldn't feel any threads.

Sighing, Ruan Xing said, "What a pity, you gave birth to a stillborn. Don't be sad; you will have more children in the future."

Hearing her words, the female Cultivator and the scarred man immediately hugged each other and wept, "Wuu wuu... the child..."

She shoved the lump of flesh into their arms and then exited the room. As she left, she glared at Xie Feng, "Why were you spouting nonsense just now?"

Xie Feng rubbed his nose, "I just felt that you might have been influenced, so I wanted to wake you up. Can't I be worried about you?"

"Thanks, but I don't need your concern." Ruan Xing rolled her eyes; she didn't believe for a second that Xie Feng was truly worried about her.

Xizui was more composed; he asked in a hoarse voice, "Any new information?"

"Let's talk in the room," Ruan Xing said, "Don't disturb other people's tragic moments."

The two were still in the room grieving for their lost child, not even bothering to clean the blood covering the female Cultivator.

The three of them went to Xizui's temporary room. Seeing the traces of someone having lain on the bed, Ruan Xing couldn't help but ask, "Did you really sleep?"

Xie Feng's expression changed, "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Oh, sorry," Ruan Xing asked, her expression unchanging, "I wanted to ask you why you followed that scarred Demon Cultivator's arrangements and slept in the room. With our level of Cultivation, we don't need to sleep. We should be seizing the time to find the flaw in the Secret Realm Space, control the Secret Realm core, and obtain the Hongmeng Purple Qi. Time is tight and the task is heavy, so how do you have the leisure to sleep?"

Xie Feng fell silent.

Xizui said stiffly, "I... don't know why. In my heart, I felt that resting was a matter of course; there was no need to think about why I should rest."

Even though Xizui was the one least affected among the three of them, why was it that even though she had discovered the disharmony, Xizui had still gone to sleep so peacefully?

If this were a dungeon in a game.

Ruan Xing felt that there must be an actor.

Ruan Xing stared at Xizui suspiciously for a long while, and Xizui turned his head away, feeling somewhat uncomfortable.

She said slowly, "Since the speed of the influence is so fast, the method you mentioned could indeed delay the time spent searching the Secret Realm. Tonight, we will enter the Sui Spirit Pearl and see if there are any positive changes when we come out tomorrow."

Xizui nodded, took out the Sui Spirit Pearl, and handed it to Ruan Xing, "Who am I going in with?"

"You're coming in with me," Ruan Xing said.

"Alright." Xizui's expression did not change at all.

"Besides this, there are two other things I want to say." Ruan Xing withdrew her gaze and said with lowered eyes, "First, I discovered that the influence and assimilation of the Secret Realm Space can be altered, and it doesn't require particularly rigorous logic."

In this town, mortals are not like mortals, and Cultivators are not like Cultivators. The fact that immortals and mortals live together in such strange harmony is not a normal mode of survival, but rather like a world generated by someone's imagination.

This person lacks common sense; they don't know what is required to make a woman pregnant, how long it takes, nor do they know where the birth comes from—they only have a vague concept of giving birth.

At first, this world gave her the setting of a young cousin, but after she said she knew how to deliver babies, she suddenly became an expert midwife.

A young girl who has never been married or given birth could not possibly become a skilled midwife in this historical background.

Yet the Secret Realm Space accepted it just like that.

After finishing, Ruan Xing took a deep breath, "Therefore, I have confirmed that the Hongmeng Purple Qi does indeed exist here, because this world has already developed its own consciousness, and it is attempting to create life."

She suddenly remembered the natural science classes she used to take, which explained the conditions required for a habitable planet: the three most important things being oxygen, water, and life.

It should be similar in the world of Cultivation. Following the summary made by the little seed, the conditions a Small World approaching completeness should meet are: time, space, and life.

Life is the most important thing—something no transcendent existence can create out of thin air.

If this Small World can successfully allow normal reproduction within it, and have life with complete Fate Lines, then the time for this Small World to break away from the world of Cultivation and exist independently will not be far off.

However, the current Small World consciousness does not yet have this ability.

Otherwise, according to the settings it compiles, even if Ruan Xing were so absurd as to make the female Cultivator give birth through her nostrils, as long as the Secret Realm Space could accept it, the female Cultivator would be able to do it, because this is the Heavenly Dao law established by the Small World consciousness.

It does not yet have Heavenly Dao laws.

That is why its settings can be changed by Ruan Xing in just a few words.

Ruan Xing had already more or less figured out the way; as long as her own will was firm enough, she would not be affected by the Secret Realm Space, and could even conversely use her own consciousness to influence the Secret Realm Space.

Xizui lowered his head to digest Ruan Xing's words, then nodded gently and said, "As expected of an Immortal Cultivator who has studied Secret Realms for many years, you saw through the crux of the problem at a glance. Where should we go to find the Secret Realm core now?"

Ruan Xing did not reveal that she already had a method to resist the influence of the Secret Realm, but instead weighed the Sui Spirit Pearl in her hand and said, "No rush. Let's enter the Sui Spirit Pearl first to purge the influence of the Secret Realm Space. Otherwise, if I become stupid, I won't be able to analyze so many things."

She tossed the Sui Spirit Pearl into Xie Feng's arms, signaling him to open the space within the Sui Spirit Pearl so the two of them could enter.

In fact, she had another guess she hadn't mentioned; even though it hadn't been verified yet, she had an intuition that it was the truth.

Perhaps the order in which the Secret Realm Space exerted its influence was based on age.

Her body was fifteen years old, Xie Feng's body was kindly provided by a certain Xuanbing Sect disciple and was roughly twenty or thirty years old, and although Xizui's exact age was unknown, judging by his appearance and his Transformation Stage cultivation, he was at least one thousand years old.

That was why at the very beginning, both she and Xie Feng were affected, while Xizui was fine.

Once they realized they were being influenced, she had the experiences of two different past lives and the many years of memories from the Simulator, making her will exceptionally resilient and far beyond that of an ordinary person, while Xie Feng's Divine Soul was that of an old monster who had lived for thousands of years; thus, it became Xizui who was most deeply affected.

If this was truly the case... then this Small World not only lacked 'life', but also lacked 'time'.

Thanks to Xiyuzhanyi for the monthly ticket~ Thanks to Book Friend 20200614164131662 for the monthly ticket~ Thanks to Book Friend 20231002145930421 for the monthly ticket~