CHAPTER 339: CHAPTER 72: SPIRITUAL RHINOCEROS CONNECTION

The reason Mei Xiang eventually left, which Xiao Xian has always been puzzled about—the reason two people in love would separate—is actually quite simple.

"I think, since you too are a cultivator, and the aura you carry and the cultivation of Natural Law are exactly the same, then, in the near future, you will inevitably face the same issue as I did. We are of the same kind, needing to confront the deaths of loved ones and friends one after others. And all we can do is stand by helplessly and weep in anguish. The thing I hate most in my life is chrysanthemums, especially white chrysanthemums, for there is but one reason: they are the flowers of death. The death of Bai Juyi’s sister made me realize that the profound teachings of the older generation of the Mei Family over the years were correct. Cultivators should not indulge in emotions and desires. That’s why I left him. Better a short pain than a long one, it’s all in the past now." Under the explanation of Mei Xiang’s Spiritual Power Avatar, Xiao Xian seemed to have thought of something.

The light and shadow before him is Mei Xiang’s Spiritual Power Avatar. It’s what she left behind on the Spiritual Rhinoceros Scissors, the drop of Heart Blood, when she departed from Bai Juyi.

Listening to the Spiritual Power Avatar’s dispassionate, flat recounting of the whole event, Xiao Xian knew—she seemed completely detached from the past. But if there was no yearning, why leave behind an avatar? If there was no longing, why would the first words spoken be to inquire about life and death?

Mr. Bai, it’s time for you to rest in peace. Mei Xiang didn’t leave you because her heart changed, but because she couldn’t bear the death of a loved one before her eyes, to use separation in life to avoid parting in death.

"Granny Mei Xiang," even though Xiao Xian already knew that Mei Xiang was a cultivator, he still addressed her according to convention. From the perspective of age, he should indeed refer to Mei Xiang as Granny, "the Daffodil you left for Mr. Bai has bloomed. If possible, I want to plant it next to Mr. Bai’s tomb."

Mei Xiang didn’t respond, just nodded slightly. For a woman of her naturally reserved disposition, that lengthy description had already been her limit.

"As a token of gratitude to you, both Bai Juyi and I have left you a thank-you gift." Mei Xiang’s next words took Xiao Xian by surprise—thank-you gifts?

In a not-so-strict sense, Mei Xiang and Bai Juyi were like the nurturing parents of the Spiritual Rhinoceros Scissors. Mei Xiang had given birth to it, but out of concern for personal feelings, she never successfully infused her three drops of Heart Blood into the scissors, only one drop.

Because of that drop of blood, Bai Juyi was able to keep using Spiritual Rhinoceros Scissors despite being just a mortal for the decades after Mei Xiang left.

Bai Juyi possessed an unmatched skill in pruning, and as the Spiritual Rhinoceros Scissors were quite sensitive, they almost completely memorized his superior technique over time. Hence Xiao Xian’s familiarity with pruning the Begonia that day.

"You should have already received what Bai Juyi left you. As for my gift, it’s not the skill. Without the help of Spiritual Power, my gardening skills aren’t even comparable to Bai Juyi’s—he is the most gifted ordinary man I’ve ever seen in planting and cultivation. Words are of no use; I will now teach you the tips for using the Spiritual Rhinoceros Scissors. Spiritual Rhinoceros, besides commemorating that relationship, has another implied meaning. Last night’s stars, last night’s wind, the pavilion west of the painting gallery and the east of the Osmanthus Hall. Body lacking the flying wings of a double phoenix, but heart possessing a connection with the Spiritual Rhinoceros." As soon as the Spiritual Power Avatar’s voice fell, the Spiritual Rhinoceros Scissors flew up from Xiao Xian’s hand into the air.

Like a meteor streaking across the night sky, the Spiritual Rhinoceros Scissors flew swiftly, tearing the air apart, with gusts of sharp wind in their wake. On the still surface of the man-made lake, influenced by the scissor’s wind, wave patterns arose, and as the Spiritual Rhinoceros weaved through the night, the lake’s surface was torn like broken fabric, into strands upon strands.

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In the dark night, dull thuds echoed repeatedly, as several chunks were neatly sliced off from the top of an artificial hill by the lake. After the Spiritual False Mountain Stones were cut through, the momentum of the Spiritual Rhinoceros Scissors did not decrease.

As the stones were slashed, the Spiritual Rhinoceros Scissors made a sharp U-turn, unhesitatingly aiming for the artificial lake.

Little White Jiao, who was still frolicking in the lake, stopped crunching on the snail shells. With a roll of its serpent body, it stirred up a commotion of splashing water.

"Escaping is what matters," thought Little White Jiao at that moment, as it fervently propelled its claws, soaring into the sky like wind and cloud.

The shape and details of the Spiritual Rhinoceros Scissors were no longer clear, only a fierce gleam persisted, relentlessly pursuing Little White Jiao from behind.

"Who have I offended this time," Bai Jiao wondered, summoning all its Qi and soaring thousands of meters into the high sky before evading the soul-snatching Spiritual Rhinoceros Scissors.

"My abilities to control the Spiritual Power Avatar are limited, and I won’t be able to chase much further. But you should have a basic understanding of the function of the Spiritual Rhinoceros Scissors by now. The spiritually awakened scissors understand basic commands from their master. To delve into more advanced uses, you’ll need to infuse more Heart Blood into them. The Spiritual Rhinoceros Scissors are both an Immortal Artifact and a Spiritual Artifact, and they are convenient to use and store. Simply conjure the scissors in your heart, visualize the corresponding commands in your mind, and they will appear at will. Being a Spiritual Artifact, the scissors should be kept safely to prevent its aura from being detected," Mei Xiang had yet to fully understand the true purpose of the Spiritual Rhinoceros Scissors, or rather the Meteor Crystal, considering she had only merged a drop of her Heart Blood before gifting the scissors to Bai Juyi, lacking time and effort to ponder deeply.

"Thank you for the guidance, Granny Mei," Xiao Xian nodded in appreciation. It was especially fortunate to have Mei Xiang’s directions; otherwise, she might have carelessly left the scissors at home to be used as kitchen shears by Zhuo Feng.

"I’ve said all that needs to be said. My Spiritual Power Avatar can’t sustain much longer," Mei Xiang’s Spiritual Power Avatar started to fade. Once manifested, the Spiritual Power dissipates, and the speed of its dispersal quickened with Mei Xiang’s recent exertion of power.

"Wait," Xiao Xian had one more question, "Granny Mei Xiang, don’t you want to see Mr. Bai one more time?" If the Daffodil could be planted by Mei Xiang herself, Bai Juyi would find peace in the afterlife.

"You’re Zhu Xiaoxian, right? Some things are not as simple as you think. In the not too distant future, after your breakthrough, you will understand the true meaning of a Cultivator’s existence. Even if I wanted to see him, it’s now impossible. Every person has their significance in life. If fate allows, we might see each other again. Until then, use the Spiritual Rhinoceros Scissors wisely, act cautiously and discreetly. That is how you protect your life. If you ever face insurmountable calamities, seek out a Cultivator named Tian Ya in Chengde," said Granny Mei Xiang as her Spiritual Power Avatar dispersed into the night like a swarm of fireflies, vanishing into the darkness.

"Granny Mei’s words sound quite serious. Could someone actually be after my life? But staying low-key and cautious is essential. The street basketball game was a lapse of attention, nearly leading to a serious mishap," Xiao Xian reflected, gazing at the Spiritual Rhinoceros Scissors in her hand and pondering Granny Mei Xiang’s teachings. (To be continued. If you like this work, please support it by voting with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation.)

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