Chapter 32: Palace in the Palm
Yu Qiushui and the others hadn’t expected to gain such a windfall on this trip; their faces lit up with delight. Without delay, Zhu Xiaoyuan got to work, his hands moving swiftly as wood shavings scattered across the floor.
Now everyone present was struck speechless.
After all, that was a wooden pillow forged by the Black Flame’s divine fire!
“What treasure does Senior Zhu wield in his hand, that he can so effortlessly shape the Millennia Profound Wood?”
“It feels as if Senior Zhu is carving the very essence of the Dao into it!”
Every movement Zhu Xiaoyuan made was captured in their eyes. On Yu Qiushui and Huang Xiantang’s faces was written utter disbelief.
Behind them, Leng Qianxue and An Yue’er watched, entranced and enraptured.
The way Senior Zhu worked so earnestly was like witnessing an immortal descend to this world—no one could resist such fascination, and nothing seemed beyond his grasp.
With his carving knife dancing, Zhu Xiaoyuan soon brought forth the form of a palace upon the wood!
Resplendent and magnificent, dazzling the eye!
That palm-sized block had been transformed into an exquisite palace, leaving everyone in awe.
Zhu Xiaoyuan was nearly done. With a final twist of his knife, he inscribed the palace’s name.
“Fire Moon Hall!”
The block was made of Profound Wood, so this palace was crafted from such timber as well.
Profound Wood was best suited for burning. Naming it Fire Moon Hall would surely make it popular in Anluan Kingdom...
In this way, An Yue’er and the others could sell this palace of Profound Wood for an excellent price!
Zhu Xiaoyuan smiled in satisfaction, brushing all the wood shavings from his hands.
Now the entire palace was revealed in its complete glory.
Seeing a few stubborn flecks that couldn't be brushed away, Zhu Xiaoyuan gently blew on the wood.
Instantly, as Yu Qiushui and the others gazed at the palace, it seemed to come alive, a celestial aura swirling about it!
That breath Zhu Xiaoyuan had just exhaled... It was as though he’d imbued the lifeless object with immortal essence, turning it into something living!
Just a single breath... was enough to transform such a treasure from dead to alive—how astonishing!
Having admired his handiwork, Zhu Xiaoyuan turned to see the amazement on Yu Qiushui and the others’ faces, and couldn’t help but smile with satisfaction.
It seemed his skills were truly remarkable!
Otherwise, no one present would wear such expressions.
“Here you are. It’s just a trifling craft. You may have it,” Zhu Xiaoyuan said, handing over the wooden palace.
An Yue’er was flustered, utterly stunned. She opened her mouth after a long moment, “For... for me?”
Zhu Xiaoyuan couldn’t decipher her reaction. “You don’t want it?”
How could she not want it! She was only astonished that Senior Zhu would so readily give her such a treasure!
Having been slow to react, An Yue’er now accepted the palace from Zhu Xiaoyuan with delight. “I want it! I’m deeply grateful for Senior’s thoughtful gift! I was simply so excited I didn’t know what to say!”
Her palms slick with sweat, An Yue’er carefully wiped them dry, then received the wooden palace with both hands.
A surge of overwhelming power swept through her the moment she touched it.
The demonic qi that had once clung to the wood was now completely dispelled by Senior Zhu’s handiwork!
An Yue’er could sense that the treasure in her hands was a rare marvel in this world!
Countless possible uses sprang to her mind.
If used wisely, it might even support the rise of a sacred sect—such was its formidable power.
“And with the leftover bits and pieces from carving this little palace, I’ll make you some small trinkets,” Zhu Xiaoyuan said.
He gathered up the remaining wood and set to work again, his knife flying. In no time, two hairpins gradually took shape in his hands.
He presented them to Leng Qianxue and An Yue’er. “There’s enough for only two. You both take them.”
The hairpins in Zhu Xiaoyuan’s hands were exquisitely crafted, wreathed in ethereal aura, with traces of Daoist intent lingering upon them.
The two beauties were overjoyed, never having dreamed of such good fortune!
“Thank you for the gift, Senior!” Yue’er exclaimed.
“Thank you as well, Senior!” Qianxue chimed in.
Both expressed their gratitude, taking the hairpins with affectionate delight.
Yu Qiushui and the others, witnessing this scene, were deeply moved.
The gifts Senior Zhu bestowed upon the two girls would be enough to safeguard them for a lifetime...
“Senior Zhu’s generosity toward Princess Qianxue and Princess Yue’er is a grace we can never forget. We truly don’t know how we can ever thank you,” Yu Qiushui said.
Zhu Xiaoyuan smiled, glancing at everyone as he shook his head. “No need for gratitude. These are but small matters. Your coming to my humble abode is fate enough for us all.”
After a moment’s thought, he added, “If you would be willing to share with me some of the extraordinary tales from your lives as cultivators, I would be most grateful!”
At present, Zhu Xiaoyuan was but a mortal, deemed an imbecile in cultivation.
Learning something of the strange happenings in the world of cultivation would be helpful once he completed the tasks assigned by the system, avoiding being caught unprepared.
Looking at Yu Qiushui and the others, they seemed to be on the fringes of the cultivator world; though perhaps ignorant of many things, they certainly knew more than he did.
Listening to their stories would help him understand.
At Zhu Xiaoyuan’s request, Yu Qiushui and the others straightened, their faces growing serious.
So Senior Zhu’s gifts did come with a price.
Strange tales of cultivators?
What unusual stories could they possibly tell? And what sort of event would be significant enough to capture Senior Zhu’s attention?
The group pondered in silence.
Though Senior Zhu lived in seclusion, it seemed he still wished to learn certain things.
They simply hadn’t realized it before.
Now that Senior Zhu had spoken, they would become his eyes and ears, and must do their utmost to help him discover the truth!
“At your command, Senior, we shall give our all, even unto death!”
“Qianxue will not fail you, Senior, and will help uncover whatever you wish!”
“Yue’er will devote herself entirely to your cause, Senior!”
Everyone present stepped forward, cupping their fists and bowing in declaration.
Zhu Xiaoyuan was left with a headache.
What were they doing?
He only wanted to hear some tales of cultivators, not assign them a mission of life and death!
He couldn’t make sense of it...
When he saw that they remained frozen in their stance, Zhu Xiaoyuan quickly stood up and said, “If there’s nothing else, you should all take your leave. It’s about time, and I have my own affairs to attend to.”