Qi Shujin did not sense any spiritual energy fluctuations from the girl before him. How could she alter his fate against heaven’s will?
Murong Chao walked unhurriedly ahead, leading Qi Shujin to the study in the backyard. Though called a study, it was actually just a place where she discussed matters with Chen Qingyang. There were no books at all, as she hadn’t stayed here many times—the longest stay being this one.
“Please sit.”
Qi Shujin glanced at Murong Chao standing there and did not argue. If she asked him to sit, he would simply sit.
Murong Chao said, “Relax and do not resist.”
Qi Shujin nodded. “Don’t worry, miss.”
Murong Chao nodded as well, raised both hands, drew a circle in front of her, then faced Qi Shujin with relaxed palms.
Qi Shujin immediately sensed a soul-pulling force entering his body.
He was shocked, unsure what Murong Chao intended to do, but suppressed his emotions, trying to relax and not resist.
Porcelain refining was not simple. First, one had to locate unwanted elements within the other’s body—all illusory energies—and then extract a trace of soul energy along with them. Porcelain refining took place outside the body, and the entire process could not be interrupted.
If it was disrupted midway, both the Porcelain Refiner and the other party would suffer severe backlash, with unimaginable consequences.
Moreover, this was Murong Chao’s first porcelain refining.
Murong Chao’s fingers made kneading gestures in the air.
Soon, Qi Shujin sensed something being drawn out of his body. When it completely left him, he felt both his body and spirit relax.
Then he saw Murong Chao facing her palms together. Though nothing could be seen in the empty space between them, he understood that what lay between her palms was the substance extracted from his body.
Such a miraculous event was happening right before his eyes. He held his breath, controlling his rapidly beating heart, afraid to affect Murong Chao.
Extraction was only the first step. Now, Murong Chao began the true porcelain refining.
Though Porcelain Refiners used the word “refining,” no flame was needed—they relied on spiritual consciousness power. This was why Porcelain Refiners had to possess an All-Element Spirit Root; only those with exceptional talent were qualified.
Those without extraordinary talent lacked sufficient spiritual consciousness power, because porcelain refining required the combined force of all elements.
Qi Shujin watched Murong Chao’s fingers moving continuously, seemingly without pattern. Since her cultivation was concealed, he could not sense any power. Yet, inexplicably, he felt he dared not approach.
In a moment, a solid form appeared between Murong Chao’s palms—a vague, small figure.
Qi Shujin’s eyes widened instantly. Heaven, what was he seeing? She was actually a Porcelain Refiner, a rare Porcelain Refiner in the world.
Now Qi Shujin no longer dared to think the girl before him was not a cultivator. Sensing no spiritual energy did not mean she could not cultivate. To become a Porcelain Refiner, one had to be an All-Element Spirit Root genius.
The small figure between Murong Chao’s palms grew clearer and finally solidified.
A snow-white, delicate, smooth Porcelain Person, pristine and untouched, a vivid miniature version of Qi Shujin.
Qi Shujin stared in shock at the Porcelain Person before him. If he condensed his own infant spirit, would it look like this?
With the porcelain refining successful, Murong Chao relaxed.
Her current level as a Porcelain Refiner was considered beginner, only capable of refining porcelain-white figures. At higher levels, she could refine colored figures, with hair, eyebrows, and clothing perfectly replicated.
“Store the Porcelain Person in your divine consciousness. If you ascend to immortality in the future, take it out and shatter it just before ascending. After ascending, you can completely rid yourself of the Lonely and Solitary Fate. For now, the Porcelain Person is merely bearing it on your behalf,” Murong Chao said to Qi Shujin.
Qi Shujin trembled with excitement, but he didn’t let joy cloud his judgment. He first asked, “May I ask for your esteemed name, miss?”
“Murong Chao,” she replied, giving him a satisfied look. It was impressive that he could remain so calm under such intense emotions.
Qi Shujin stared at her in shock once more. Murong Chao? Could it be the person he was thinking of?
No wonder her features seemed somewhat familiar. Now that he looked closely, she was clearly a blend of the Empress and her consort. However, she had inherited only their best traits, surpassing them both and possessing even more striking beauty.
It seemed that after returning, he would have to visit Qinglong Temple again to properly thank the abbot. Not only had he helped resolve Qi Shujin’s innate Lonely and Solitary Fate, but he had also found him a master with a formidable identity and strength.
After all, it was incredibly difficult for a cultivator without family backing to achieve their goals.
Composing himself, he devoutly swore an oath of loyalty to Murong Chao, invoking a Soul Oath.
Ordinary oaths could be broken by those with higher cultivation, but a Soul Oath was sworn with one’s very soul, making betrayal impossible.
Murong Chao was pleased. Only someone like this could be trusted.
Having been betrayed before, it was hard for her to trust anyone again. Only a Soul Oath could put her at ease, which was also the main reason she had agreed to help Qi Shujin—because he had promised to swear one.
After making the oath, Qi Shujin respectfully stored the Porcelain Person in his divine consciousness.
Freed from the burden of the Lone Fiend Fate, his entire aura changed. For the first time in his life, Qi Shujin felt truly at ease.
Murong Chao glanced at the fist-sized black energy that had appeared in her divine consciousness and sighed helplessly. She had known it wouldn’t be that simple.
Even though she had endured the trials of the Five Flaws and Three Deficiencies, she still had to abide by the rules of heaven. However, there were some benefits.
Helping someone defy fate and alter their destiny carried immense karmic consequences. Instead of directly punishing her, she was given the opportunity to offset it by performing an equally significant good deed.
The black energy in her divine consciousness would disappear once the merits and demerits balanced out.
Thankfully, she had thought it might shorten her lifespan.
Murong Chao lifted her gaze to Qi Shujin, who stood respectfully beside her. “Return to the Chiyue Kingdom. I will personally select a group of people to employ. When you see the notice, go and apply.”
Qi Shujin didn’t ask unnecessary questions and simply replied, “Yes.”
Murong Chao waved her hand. “There are empty rooms in the front courtyard. Make yourselves at home.”
“Yes,” Qi Shujin understood that Murong Chao was dismissing him.
He withdrew from the room and headed to the front courtyard. After informing Qingdai of Murong Chao’s instructions, Qingdai raised an eyebrow and said, “Since the master has given the order, make yourselves comfortable.”
With that, she headed toward the rear courtyard.
She was there to serve her master, not them.
It was only then that Xie Shikun asked, “How did it go?”
He sensed that Qi Shujin’s aura had changed. Could it be that the woman truly had a way to help someone defy fate and alter their destiny?
“Resolved. Don’t ask about the rest. We’ll stay here tonight.” Qi Shujin smiled, the corners of his lips curling upward.
This was the first time Xie Shikun had seen him smile. Understanding that the matter involved the young woman’s privacy, he knew his boundaries. However, they truly were staying in this courtyard tonight. The corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
Just as Qingdai reached the rear courtyard, she heard the hidden door beside the rockery creak open. She immediately approached the entrance and said, “Master, Chen Qingyang has arrived.”