Chapter 255

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Protagonist:

Jiang Xuan

Hearing Xiao Budian's words, Jiang Xuan felt a surge of amusement in his heart.

Daring to enter this world, yet owing a jar of beast milk?

Jiang Xuan unconsciously savored the memory; not to mention, this first time drinking beast milk, the flavor was truly quite wondrous.

But soon, another fear occupied his heart. If this matter got out, how would he ever establish a foothold in these Myriad Realms?

He was, after all, a Heavenly Emperor of a generation, the guide for numerous protagonists across the Myriad Realms, a Hongmeng Realm Creation Saint, and even the future Origin of the Great Dao.

Returning to the Chaos Ancient Era, the very first thing he did was actually snatch a Xiao Budian's beast milk to drink?!!

Just imagining it made Jiang Xuan's scalp tingle. Once this spread, whenever people met him in the future, they would surely point and say: "Oh, you're that Heavenly Emperor who snatched a little kid's beast milk and drank it all up, Hongmeng??"

Just thinking about it, Jiang Xuan felt he had already "socially died," practically exiled from the Myriad Realms, with absolutely no way to carry on afterward.

Right when Jiang Xuan was filled with despair, he suddenly realized, fortunately, besides Xiao Budian, only he himself knew about this; there was no third party present.

But before he could breathe a sigh of relief, Xiao Budian spoke in a milky voice: "You drank all my milk, you have to compensate me!"

Jiang Xuan's expression suddenly turned stern, his aura sank slightly, his gaze became substantive, locking tightly onto the milk baby before him, his voice deep and carrying an indisputable majesty: "Xiao Budian, this matter, you must keep secret for me; even if it rots in your stomach, you absolutely must not reveal a single bit to anyone."

The words fell, yet he then felt such a hardline attitude might be too much for a child, so his face instantly piled on a deliberate amiable smile, his tone turning light and cheerful as he began to tempt: "As long as you obediently listen and keep the secret, from now on I will definitely find you the rarest, most mellow beast milk in this world, unlimited supply, guaranteed to let you drink to your heart's content!"

Think of him, a dignified Red Dust War Immortal, who flattened Forbidden Zones and wiped out Emperor Supremes with a flip of his hand, a peerless figure renowned across the Myriad Realms — who, upon hearing his title, did not hold him in awe and reverence.

Yet now, in this tiny Shi Cun, threatening and bribing a milk-voiced toddler still learning to walk, such conduct, if spread, would leave him with no place to put his old face.

"Sigh, what am I even doing, simply a despicable villain." Jiang Xuan sighed sadly in his heart.

Hearing this, Xiao Budian's originally round eyes instantly widened like copper bells, bright as stars twinkling in the night sky, brimming with surprise and anticipation, unblinkingly staring at Jiang Xuan, his tone carrying a child's unique urgency and innocence, crisply asking: "You're really not lying? You'll really find me lots and lots of super-delicious beast milk?"

At the mention of beast milk, Xiao Budian's whole being seemed injected with vitality; his speech became exceptionally clear and crisp, those previous milky, muddled childish tones vanishing completely, leaving only the yearning for delicious beast milk.

"Absolutely true! Wandering this world, one relies on the word 'trust'; since I've made a promise, I will certainly keep my word, absolutely never going back on it!"

Jiang Xuan thumped his chest with a thunderous sound, nodding decisively and guaranteeing, proclaiming his determination.

"Then Xiao Budian guarantees his mouth is like it's sealed, not a single word will get out!"

Hearing such a tempting reward, Xiao Budian instantly beamed with joy, the corners of his mouth curling high, nearly to his ears, his eyes laughing into crescent moons, looking adorable to the extreme.

Thinking that one bowl of beast milk could exchange for countless delicious beast milks, his little heart pounded excitedly, his whole heart and eyes filled with longing for the future beast milk feast.

He secretly pondered, this strange uncle was so old; if people knew he drank a child's milk, he would surely become everyone's laughingstock.

"Adults just care about face; clearly he drank my beast milk down to the last drop, where does he look like he dislikes it, yet now he has to pretend to be reluctant. The adult world is truly complicated and hard to understand, really can't figure out what they're thinking."

While secretly grumbling, Xiao Budian's eyeballs rolled around like a cunning little fox, then suddenly he said in a milky voice: "Is beast milk tasty?"

Hearing this, Jiang Xuan first froze, his whole person as if fixed in place, then instantly reacted, his face alternating pale and red, muttering inwardly: "This Xiao Budian, how does this sound like he's deliberately teasing me? Too infuriating, simply picking the kettle that's not boiling!"

The more Jiang Xuan thought, the more stifled he felt, a nameless fire rising straight up; in a moment of impulse, his hand shot out like lightning, grabbing Xiao Budian and pulling him close, hoisting him up and smacking his bottom three times, *pa pa pa*.

Xiao Budian struggled desperately, two short legs kicking wildly in midair like two fluttering little wings, his small hands also using all his might to push against Jiang Xuan.

But that tiny bit of strength before Jiang Xuan was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, utterly useless, completely unable to break free from Jiang Xuan's "devil claw."

Jiang Xuan soon let go; Xiao Budian's eye rims shimmered with tears, yet he forcibly held them back, just standing there quietly, stubbornly staring at Jiang Xuan, his eyes holding not only grievance but also a trace of curiosity and probing.

Strange to say, he actually felt in his heart that this uncle who was just a bit fierce possessed an inexplicable magic that made one want to get close.

At this moment, Xiao Budian felt his small hand was slippery; he subconsciously lowered his head to look, only to see his hand covered in saliva and milk stains; he wrinkled his little nose and rubbed it on his clothes with a look of disdain.

Looking at this stubborn yet adorable little guy before him, the anger in Jiang Xuan's heart dissipated instantly, replaced by full affection and pity.

He reached out, rubbed Xiao Budian's head, only feeling this little guy was like a meticulously carved porcelain doll.

Jiang Xuan's palm pressed against Xiao Budian's chest, a bone-piercing sense of hollowness transmitting from his fingertips.

Here was where the Supreme Bone had taken root, the source of this child's innate supreme talent.

But now, the Supreme Bone had been cruelly stripped away, along with the Supreme Blood containing endless vitality and vast power, greedily taken and transplanted onto another.

Xiao Budian's chest now held only a desolate hollow; the once peerless potential and flourishing vitality had become an unreachable phantom.

Since Xiao Budian was sent to Shi Cun, indeed not much time had passed. Yet in this brief span, this child had already suffered such cruel treatment.

In his mind, past events and future scenes of that predetermined, suffering-filled fate kept interweaving and emerging.

The corners of Jiang Xuan's mouth twitched slightly, squeezing out a bitter and helpless smile; this smile mocked the unfairness of fate, ached for Xiao Budian's plight.

He subconsciously pulled Xiao Budian tighter into his embrace, wanting to continuously pour his own strength and warmth into him, to dispel all the malice and coldness of this world for him.

He and Xiao Budian had known each other but a moment, yet Xiao Budian's gaze held unreserved trust and closeness, and this pure, innocent milk baby had unknowingly, effortlessly knocked open Jiang Xuan's heart, making him involuntarily want to protect.

Since he had truly descended into this time-space, already thoroughly integrated into this life, no longer bound by those unknown rules, then he absolutely could not let Xiao Budian continue along that predetermined tragic trajectory.

He would become the rewriter of Xiao Budian's fate, using his own strength to cut through the thorns ahead for Xiao Budian, rewrite his life, let his future be sprinkled with hope and light, no longer shrouded in gloom.

……

Outside the Great Wilderness, ferocious beasts roared.

Shi Cun.

Shi Yunfeng's expression was heavy, worried: "Deep in the Great Wilderness, I fear something extremely extraordinary has appeared, drawing the gathering of Ancient Remnant Species from the surrounding regions."

An elder, hearing this, flashed panic in his eyes, his voice full of shock: "Could it be a rare Mountain Treasure has emerged?"

"This……"

Before the words were finished, they abruptly stopped talking.

Someone hurriedly came to report that the green-robed Senior was walking toward this place.

Seeing this scene, Jiang Xuan secretly sneered in his heart.

For this outsider self, their wariness was only natural human sentiment.

And the conversation of Shi Yunfeng and the others, Jiang Xuan had already heard clearly from afar long ago, and it was not what they said face to face.

A mere mortal, with slightly better hearing, what impropriety could there be?

Naturally it is beyond reproach.

Shi Yunfeng and the others walked out, hurriedly saying: "Senior, do you have some important matter?" He was advanced in years, addressing Jiang Xuan who appeared no more than twenty-something in this way, yet he did not feel anything improper.

This mysterious green-clothed person could discuss the profound Dao with the Sacrificial Spirit; I fear his years are probably several hundred.

In his youth he had heard that cultivators of profound realms could retain eternal youth; this Senior is probably just so.

Jiang Xuan waved his hand, saying: "I am temporarily residing here; if the village has any need of my service, Clan Chief but say the word, I absolutely will not decline."

Shi Yunfeng and the others, hearing this, looked at each other in dismay, for a time unable to judge whether Jiang Xuan's words were sincere or merely polite pleasantries.

In the end, they still invited Jiang Xuan into Shi Linhu's courtyard.

Shi Linhu's expression was worried, he opened his mouth and said: "Clan Chief, we have not entered the mountains for many days, food stores are nearly exhausted."

This matter is no secret; even if they did not speak, if Jiang Xuan stays here long, he will sooner or later learn of it.

Shi Yunfeng's brows were tightly knit, worried and anxious he said: "Recently the situation in the mountains is turbulent, extremely unsettled."

Living in this vast boundless, crisis-ridden Great Wilderness, hunting is the main pathway to obtain food.

Jiang Xuan said: "If this matter concerns entering the mountains, this matter is easy."

Shi Yunfeng, Shi Xuanhu were overjoyed beyond expectation.

"You just enter the mountains, your lives will be without worry!"

……

Thus, Shi Yunfeng led the village's able-bodied men, first devoutly praying to the Sacrificial Spirit Willow God, then bowing respectfully to Jiang Xuan.

Their mouths murmured prayers, hoping this time the warriors entering the mountains would return safely, hunt successfully.

The Willow God remained silent as in the past, not a stir to be seen.

However, Jiang Xuan keenly perceived that the Willow God's condition was much better than during the last Dao discussion.

Only, the one awakened now is not that unmatched mighty Ancestral Sacrificial Spirit of the Immortal Ancient era; many defects still remain.

Around this willow tree surges vigorous vitality and tenacious will, growing stronger every moment.

Afterwards, the villagers watched with deep concern as the hunting party gradually receded into the distance; in their hearts they silently sent their most sincere blessings for their sons, husbands, or fathers.

Jiang Xuan naturally would not follow the hunting party into the mountains.

A dignified Red Dust Immortal, Quasi-Immortal King, protecting a hunting party — would he in this ordinary Great Wilderness use the Zhu Xian Sword to shoot wild wolves, or engage in heart-stopping life-and-death struggles between the Jin Gang Zhuo and fierce tigers?

The hunting party's figures disappeared at the horizon's end; Shi Yunfeng gathered the village's children, preparing to impart knowledge to them.

This news instantly filled the children's faces with gloom, their hearts full of resistance, secretly grumbling that they would again have to learn those abstruse, hard-to-understand things like ghost-drawn symbols.

Truly awe-inspiring.

The "ghost-drawn symbols" in the children's mouths are actually this world's unique bone script.

What he teaches is all the most basic, widely known content; Shi Yunfeng chose to have Jiang Xuan present while teaching everyone, he harbored some selfish thoughts in his heart.

What if, what if this Senior is willing to leave an inheritance in Shi Cun?

Even a slight pointer would be a great fortune for them.

What is Xiao Budian doing at this moment?

He is playing and frolicking with the village's big yellow dog, his small hand tightly gripping the yellow dog's tail, refusing to let go no matter how the dog yelps in pain.

Chasing flying birds, teasing the yellow dog, drinking beast milk, learning knowledge — these constitute Xiao Budian's current simple and happy daily life.

Jiang Xuan watching this scene, his face constantly wore a gentle smile, in his heart he sighed with emotion.

Children's innocence and simplicity are the world's most precious beauty.

Jiang Xuan quietly listened to Shi Yunfeng explaining bone script knowledge to the children; it was all content basic to the point of being unable to be more basic, such as how to precisely outline bone script, and how to cultivate bone script into the body.

These are merely necessary preparations before formally stepping onto the cultivation path; there is still a long distance from true cultivator cultivation. Yet Jiang Xuan listened with extreme attentiveness, immersed in it.

He has not experienced this kind of pure knowledge-seeking atmosphere for far too long.

The last time someone seriously imparted basic cultivation knowledge before him was when he first crossed into the Zhe Tian Jie and heard Old Man Wu Qingfeng explain the Opening of the Dao Scripture, Opening the Bitter Sea.

That old man helped him greatly on his cultivation path.

Later he proved the Dao and became Heavenly Emperor, opened the Hongmeng Realm, guided Lingxu Dongtian's Sect Master Li, Old Man Wu Qingfeng and others into the Hongmeng Realm, attaining longevity.

Time hurried, like a white colt passing a crevice, in the blink of an eye the seas turned to mulberry fields.

That once newly arrived ignorant person has now experienced countless hardships and dangers, become Heavenly Emperor, become Red Dust Immortal, high above, looking down on the world's splendor and vicissitudes.

Years are ruthless; they take away all beauty and hope with a cold posture; yet simultaneously they are the behind-the-scenes pusher creating miracles, witnessing one ordinary person after another rise to brilliance.

Jiang Xuan listened seriously, not because he knew nothing of this knowledge.

He crossed from the future, but regarding the many hidden secrets of the Chaos Ancient era, he knows them like the back of his hand, especially the Chaos Ancient cultivation methods, which he knows thoroughly.

Red Dust Immortal, Quasi-Immortal King.

A sweep of Divine Sense, the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths are all within view, naturally containing boundless cultivation methods.

Though he does not cultivate this method, his realm has arrived; from a high vantage point, different paths lead to the same destination.

He may perhaps be the teacher of Huang Tian Di. (Chapter End)