In the depths of winter, heavy snow fell, and the howling wind roared.
Old Man Liu wrapped his old clothes tightly around himself, feeling that life was truly difficult.
Their Xianlai Sect had gradually fallen into decline, and by now, they were barely able to make ends meet, so naturally, they had no Magic Robe to keep out the cold.
If things continued like this, they might as well all go out to beg for food, sitting in a row to beg for fruit.
He sighed, just about to go out to handle some social obligations, when he suddenly saw a lump of something placed on the steps.
Walking closer to look, it was actually a baby in swaddling clothes!
Old Man Liu was shocked, a bad premonition rising in his heart. When he saw clearly that it was indeed a baby wrapped up, his face sank, and he put his hands on his hips and cursed—
"Which heartless person abandoned their child? In such cold weather, isn't this just killing someone! Bah!"
He vented his helpless rage for a moment. Seeing the baby frozen blue all over, eyes closed and breathing weakly, he didn't care that he was too poor to eat himself; he unbuttoned his outer coat to wrap the baby tightly and brought her back to the Sect.
"Uncle Liu, you're back... ah, what are you holding?"
"Heavens, how is there a child!"
"Uncle Liu, do you actually have an illegitimate child? I really couldn't tell you still had it in you..."
"Fart! All of you shut up, this little baby is someone I picked up outside the Sect! I don't know which heartless ghost gave birth without raising, a thing that deserves to be struck by lightning!"
"Let me see, it's a little girl, is she unconscious?"
"Ah—"
Someone exclaimed, "She, she seems to have a defect!"
Because the little girl's legs were clearly not right, especially below the calves, looking like muscle atrophy, and they were also somewhat twisted.
Everyone was silent for a moment, and then they became even more furious—
"So it was because the child was crippled that they threw her away. What kind of parents are they, bah!"
"What a sin."
So noisy...
Mo Jiuwei opened her eyes.
The Cultivation Method she practiced was called the Nine Revolutions Heaven and Earth Art, which required one to first cultivate to Great Perfection, then reincarnate nine times to experience nine different lives. Midway through this, one could not commit suicide or force an interrupt, and once completed smoothly, one could successfully Ascend.
This Cultivation Method was not only precious but also extremely difficult to cultivate. The reason Mo Jiuwei chose it was because she knew that after completing it, her strength would be powerful, far exceeding other Cultivators who Ascended.
Up to now, she had already reincarnated eight times, and only this last time remained before she could Ascend to become an immortal.
Those eight times were truly full of twists and turns, leaving her somewhat exhausted. She hoped this life could be a relaxed one where she could lie flat, eat, drink, and spend it happily.
I wonder, what kind of family have I been born into this time?
As soon as she opened her eyes, she was met with a face as wrinkled as withered bark—
【Ah, a tree spirit!】
Old Man Liu, who was leaning in to look at the baby, was confused.
Who made that childish sound?
He looked around, finally casting his gaze upon the baby.
The room was full of adults, only this one nursing baby, but... could she actually talk?
【No, not a tree spirit, it turns out to be an Elder.】
【No... is this place really this poor? It seems lying flat this life might be difficult.】
She didn't open her mouth!
But, this tone was indeed like something she would "say"!
While Old Man Liu was shocked, he didn't notice that the few remaining disciples of the Xianlai Sect were also staring at the little baby as if seeing a ghost, unable to recover for a moment.
【So cold... so hungry...】
This body seemed exceptionally weak; even her powerful Divine Soul could barely support it.
These words made Old Man Liu instantly wake up. With no time to think about why he heard such a strange voice, he hurriedly waved his hand, "Quick, bring something to feed the little baby, and clothes too. She was frozen outside for a long time, her body definitely can't take it."
The others also recovered—
"Such a small baby can't eat other things, she can only drink milk, right?"
"We don't have anyone here who can feed her milk? Clothes are easy, let's put her on the bed and cover her with a quilt."
"The quilt is too thick, it might press on her. Better use my Moon-Light Brocade; it's the best for keeping out the cold."
"Senior Sister Ji, this is your only Magic Robe..."
"What's the use of keeping a Magic Robe? Better to look after the child's life first."
"I've got it, we don't have milk, but a deer does! The spirit deer of the Yu Family in the city gave birth to a fawn over a month ago, its milk must be usable!"
"Then go borrow some quickly, and remember to go and return fast!"
"This child's face is frozen blue, I'll transmit some Spiritual Power to her, let's hope she doesn't stop breathing."
"You be careful, she's too small, her body might not be able to withstand too much Spiritual Energy."
"I know, I'll do it little by little."
"Then I'll make her some clothes... but it seems there are no new materials, I'll go find an old garment."
"Senior Sister Chen, use mine. Although this garment isn't new, it's very soft and suitable for a little baby to wear against her skin."
"I'll feed her some warm water, just to fill her stomach for now."
Mo Jiuwei listened to the sounds of everyone bustling about, a warm current flowing through her heart.
Although the start of this life was somewhat poor, at least the people around her were kind and loving. This warmth seemed to be more than in all her previous lives.
Putting her mind at ease, sleepiness washed over Mo Jiuwei, and she fell asleep.
When she woke up, what she heard was an argument.
"Not returning the Crystal Stone you owe, bah, your Xianlai Sect is truly a nest of snakes and rats. Why don't you just close the Sect already? Occupying the Mountain Gate for nothing, aren't you afraid of losing face!"
"Fellow Daoist Zheng! Please show some mercy. The two hundred Crystal Stones we owe you will definitely be returned, it's just that the time we agreed upon hasn't arrived yet, why must you..."
"The money I lent, I can collect whenever I want! I don't care if you sell off Sect assets or rob Peter to pay Paul, I must get my Crystal Stones back today!"
"Fellow Daoist Zheng, why must you be so aggressive! Back when our Xianlai Sect was still able to maintain itself, you often came to ask us for Talismans and Talisman Paper, and we never asked you for Crystal Stones out of friendship..."
"That was then and this is now. Back then you didn't ask me for anything, so naturally I didn't owe you anything, but now that I'm asking, you must return it!"
"You!"
"Xiao Lan! Stop talking. Fellow Daoist Zheng, it's not that we won't return it, it's just that we are short on funds right now, please give us a few more days..."
【What's the situation, a dignified Sect, can't even pay back two hundred Crystal Stones?】
Mo Jiuwei was stunned listening to this.
When she had this thought, she didn't notice that the voices outside went quiet, and then someone walked toward her bedside.
"Oh, the little baby is awake."
A face as round as a silver plate and generous in appearance came into view, and then Mo Jiuwei felt her body lighten as she was picked up into someone's arms.
Du Yue, holding Mo Jiuwei, curiously scrutinized her, seeing that the baby's eyes were round like black grapes, pitch black and spirited, clean and unstained by dust.
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