Chapter 32: The Nine-Lives Doll

Lu Yixi followed Madame Lu as they made their departure.

Only then did Zhao Gongqian turn to Qin Shu with a smile. “Qin-shidi, you don’t mind if I call you that way, do you?”

Naturally, Qin Shu wouldn’t object; he too sought to cultivate a good relationship with Zhao Gongqian. “In that case, may I refer to you as Zhao-shige?”

“Hahaha! Now that feels like true camaraderie!” Zhao Gongqian laughed heartily before continuing, “Did you realize just now how close you were to securing a marriage alliance?”

Qin Shu shook his head gently. “Zhao-shige, as you well know, my current situation leaves me little room for such thoughts.”

“True enough,” Zhao Gongqian nodded understandingly. He patted Qin Shu on the shoulder reassuringly. “Just be aware—you might not encounter another chance at quick wealth like this again anytime soon!”

“Slow and steady has its merits,” Qin Shu replied mildly.

“You’re right.” Zhao Gongqian agreed. “Now, elder brother here heard that you’ve already mastered pill concocting techniques—is there any truth to that rumor?”

Qin Shu affirmed with a nod. “Yes, it’s true. In fact, from now on, I’ll likely need your assistance more often.”

“What kind of trouble could there possibly be?” Zhao Gongqian responded courteously. “Elder brother is only grateful that you’re providing him with a reliable source of medicinal pills!”

After all, unless one was seeking something extraordinary—a divine elixir akin to the Nine Revolutions Golden Core—there wasn’t a single type of pill beyond the reach of the Money God Shopping Mall.

Qin Shu understood this well and didn’t take Zhao Gongqian’s courteous words too seriously. He responded with equal politeness, “Old Brother Zhao, you’re too kind to me.”

Noticing a customer approaching from afar, he said, “Seeing as you have visitors coming, I’ll take my leave now, Old Friend.”

“Take care, young man,” Zhao Gongqian replied warmly. “Do come by often!” Having recognized Qin Shu’s potential, Zhao Gongqian was genuinely eager to foster their relationship.

Moreover, successfully bringing Lu Yixi back unscathed had indeed brought him considerable prestige within the community.

At that time, the Lu Family had sought someone for their young prodigy, Lu Yixi, who was about to face his Foundation Establishment tribulation—a critical rite of passage for cultivators. None among them were confident enough to undertake the task alone, leading them to approach the Money God Shopping Mall for assistance.

The manager of the mall, upon receiving the request, immediately thought of Zhao Gongqian. In turn, Zhao Gongqian recalled Qin Shu.

When they first met, Qin Shu had been cradling a monster egg clearly bestowed by the World Will itself. This instantly indicated to Zhao Gongqian that Qin Shu possessed extraordinary combat strength; otherwise, such a living reward would not have been granted by the World Will.

Thus, Zhao Gongqian recommended Qin Shu without hesitation and detailed these circumstances to those above him.

Qin Shu perfectly matched the Lu Family’s needs—he wasn’t affiliated with any other clan, ensuring he wouldn’t risk his life in a fatal duel with Lu Yixi nor incur the wrath of the powerful Lu Family through negligence or malice.

This choice was undoubtedly the most prudent and safest option.

Events proved that Qin Shu had accomplished his mission with remarkable excellence.

Meanwhile, on another front, Lu Yixi found himself being questioned by Madame Lu after returning from the marketplace.

“Dear granddaughter,” she said gently, “tell me about your experience in the Abyss.”

“All right, Grandma.” Lu Yixi recounted everything without reservation, detailing Qin Shu’s performance throughout their ordeal.

“A sword cultivator, huh? No wonder he possessed such formidable combat strength. Did you manage to observe how he set up that formation?”

Lu Yixi replied, “It was just five flags placed casually around us. He formed them into an array effortlessly—it must have been incredibly powerful.”

“Hmm!” Madame Lu nodded thoughtfully, weighing this information internally before speaking again. “If there ever is an opportunity, our dear granddaughter should strive to be closer to this young master Qin. Do you happen to have any way of contacting him?”

“No,” Lu Yixi shook her head. “Didn’t he say he wasn’t interested in such things?”

“You foolish girl,” Madame Lu chided softly, stroking Lu Yixi’s hair with affectionate concern. “Unless he practices the Heartless Path or wields the Heartless Sword—a path devoid of emotions—even then, one cannot escape the entanglements of romantic attachment. You understand that, don’t you?”

“But am I supposed to pursue him myself?” Lu Yixi asked, her expression a mix of reluctance and embarrassment. “I’m not willing to do that.” Her words carried a hint of stubborn pride—a classic case of tsundere behavior.

“Listen carefully,” Madame Lu said. “If you two were to become a couple, he would have to join our family through marriage—so how can you claim that he’s pursuing you? Perhaps it was your good fortune, bestowed by the Koi Fish Spiritual Soul, that led you to him. This man must possess a Mythical Rank spiritual soul; such an opportunity cannot be missed.”

“But I just… can’t do it!” Lu Yixi admitted with some distress. “Besides, I don’t even have his contact information.”

“No matter. Zhao Gongqian has his details. Grandmother will obtain them for you. Moreover, once you break through to Core Formation stage, you’ll need him to guide you through the Abyssal Tribulation of Core Formation.”

Madame Lu had no intention of using Qin Shu only once; certain tools were far more effective when well-acquainted with their wielder.

Lu Yixi fell silent for a moment before eventually saying, “I’ll follow Grandmother’s advice.”

“That’s the spirit,” Madame Lu replied firmly. “As awakened beings on the path of cultivation, we must maximize every resource at our disposal. Only then can we ascend the heavenly road leading to true mastery.”

Madame Lu gazed at Lu Yixi with high expectations. “My own cultivation has already reached its limit, but you are young—a vessel brimming with potential. Do not squander your innate talent.”

“Mm-hmm!” Lu Yixi nodded affirmatively.

Madame Lu continued, “I’ve already looked into that Qin boy’s situation. He isn’t from our Donghua Immortal Court; he was stranded here without any kin or connections. Given his young age, if you take the initiative, I believe it could work out.”

Lu Yixi’s face flushed red once more. “Then… should I give it a try?”

“That’s the right mindset,” Madame Lu said with evident approval. Then she added, “Among awakened beings, there is no distinction between male and female—all have equal opportunity before destiny. After all, Lady Nüwa herself was a woman, yet she remains one of the most powerful figures in our God Soul Continent.”

“I’m aware of that,” Lu Yixi replied. “There’s also Houtu Empress, Xiwangmu Empress, Wangshu Empress, and Xihe Empress—am I correct?”

“Indeed.” Madame Lu smiled warmly, nodding at her granddaughter’s knowledge. However, she dared not let Lu Yixi set her sights on these supreme beings as role models—they were far too lofty for even someone like her own descendant to aspire to emulate directly.

These five empresses represented the first generation of powerhouses during the era of gods and demons—an unattainable标杆 for anyone alive today.

At Yanghe Villa,

Qin Shu had returned to his quarters.

In his hand materialized an object—a manifestation of the World Will’s response.

Before him lay a doll that was his exact replica from when he was a child.

Nine Lives Doll: After refinement, place within your sea of consciousness. In situations where death is inevitable, this doll can substitute for you once per use. It will then be teleported to a random location on the God Soul Continent. Initially usable only once; however, with each advancement in cultivation realm, an additional use becomes available up to a maximum of nine times. Invalid within the Infinite Abyss.

“This artifact!” Qin Shu was astounded by the information conveyed through the Nine Lives Doll.

Yet without lingering on his shock, he immediately dispatched a strand of divine sense into the doll, initiating its refinement process.

He paid no heed even to the fivefold flag still languishing within his internal organs—a testament to their dire state.

With this item at hand, it felt as though he had gained an extra life—an overwhelming surge of security washed over him.

Determined to refine the doll swiftly, he temporarily abandoned his regular cultivation practice.

Nine days passed before he finally integrated the doll into his sea of consciousness, where it joined the Cyan Lotus Dao Seed.

Now, alongside the Blood Contract Space, these two entities orbited around the Cyan Lotus Dao Seed—one to the left, the other to the right.

The Cyan Lotus, emanating tendrils of karma and profound dao essence, nourished both the blood contract space and the Nine Lives Doll.

Under the sustenance of this karma-infused essence, the Nine Lives Doll underwent transformations far beyond Qin Shu’s wildest expectations.

When Qin Shu finally opened his eyes again, the watch on his wrist beeped insistently.

“Who could possibly be sending me messages?” He tapped open the notification, his expression turning somewhat amused. “Huh, does this mean I’m being pursued now?”

Should he respond? After some thought, Qin Shu decided against acknowledging or replying. If asked later, he’d simply claim to have been in seclusion during that time.

And so, he truly entered seclusion.

Within his five vital organs, the fivefold flag remained dormant, yet unrefined back to full potency.

Once revived, he would likely break through to the late stages of Foundation Establishment—his next major milestone.