Chapter 33: The Forgotten Nascent Soul

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Since it was a close-up shot, this image could be considered my most successful work on the theme—clear subject, with a powerful visual impact. Coupled with the post-processing, the character portrayal became rounded and lifelike, almost as if the person himself was present in the jade piece. Tsk tsk, a rare masterpiece indeed,” boasted Boss Li proudly.

Seeing Autumn Wind’s bewildered expression, he suddenly realized that explaining this to Autumn Wind was like casting pearls before swine or declaring love to a sow.

He stopped talking and handed over the purple jade, saying, “Of course, Brother Qiu, if you’re interested, you can find some Tianji spirit stones to mount it properly; that would make it look even better.”

“Thank you, Brother Li,” Autumn Wind accepted it with a slight bow, speaking solemnly and seriously.

“Haha, it’s nothing. If you want more in the future, just come find me. As long as the film rolls are intact, I can produce a hundred or eighty such images anytime.”

“One is enough,” Autumn Wind replied with a look of excitement.

Watching Autumn Wind clutching the purple jade tightly against his chest, Li Chengzhu shivered all over, stood up, and said, “I have other matters; I’ll take my leave first.”

Gratefully, Autumn Wind said, “Brother Li, I underestimated you before. Autumn Wind offers you my apologies.” He paused and then solemnly promised, “If you ever need anything, just come find me.”

“Alright,” Li Chengzhu patted Autumn Wind’s shoulder and ran off without looking back.

After closing the door, Autumn Wind went to the window and shut it as well, then carefully placed the purple jade image on the table, fearing it might get damaged.

But when Autumn Wind’s gaze met that purple jade, his face, once full of happiness and anticipation, instantly turned to despair and anger.

Such a sudden shift in expression only happens when great hopes are utterly shattered.

For Autumn Wind, this purple jade image had completely crushed the wish in his heart.

A purple jade image painstakingly made with great effort and carefully selected scenery.

Only a few ancient heavenly trees stood atop the southern peak of Mount Nalu, with the setting sun behind them casting a fading glow.

Boss Li stood shirtless, striking a bodybuilder’s pose, proudly showing off his underdeveloped muscles, smiling broadly at the camera.

His bare upper body seemed to be painted with something that gave him a healthy wheat-colored tan.

Autumn Wind thought it looked as if dried mud from the river had been ground into powder and dusted all over him.

Indeed, the image truly emphasized the theme, with a clear subject and a strong visual impact on Autumn Wind.

Angry to the point of a deathly pallor, Autumn Wind slammed his fist down on the purple jade on the table, gritting his teeth, “Li Chengzhu!”

With a loud crash, the table and the purple jade shattered into pieces.

In the ancient exquisite room, two ladies opened their eyes and looked at Li Chengzhu, who was smirking nearby. “What’s got you so happy?”

Li Boss raised his eyebrows mysteriously, “It’s a secret.” Yet inwardly he sneered—she was too ungrateful, daring to ask me for a photo of my wife? I’ll teach her a lesson.

Two months after returning to Rainbow City, Li Chengzhu finally remembered the two Nascent Souls he’d abandoned in the Blood Oath Ring during a dull moment, and a cold sweat broke out on his forehead. Small Ying and the others must have been so caught up in their marriage that they forgot to remind him.

Fortunately, no one could see outside from within the Blood Oath Ring; otherwise, every night those spring palace scenes would surely be watched by Xia Mai and Keba. That would be a huge loss for him.

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Sneaking away from everyone, Li Chengzhu found an empty room and released the two Nascent Souls.

Originally full of spiritual energy and the essence of cultivators, the Nascent Souls now looked shrunken and frail, resembling old, withered goblins from a game he once played.

Not ordinary goblins, but those on the brink of death—shriveled old goblin elders.

Li Boss’s face darkened with guilt.

The enclosed storage environment of the Blood Oath Ring hadn’t even had a few Tianji stones thrown in; the little creatures inside probably never thought to share anything that could restore their spiritual energy, resulting in their current malnourished state.

Sudden bright light made the two Nascent Souls squint, raising tiny hands to shield their eyes.

After a while, they adjusted to the change.

When they saw their hated enemy in daylight, Keba immediately grew angry, pointing a little finger at Li Chengzhu, panting, “You’re so cruel! How dare you lock us up for so long? You… you’re worse than a beast! We worked together on the battlefield for so long, and you’re so heartless!”

“Shut up!” Li Chengzhu shouted angrily. If these two weren’t looking so feeble, he would have slapped them long ago. The last bit of guilt he felt vanished with Keba’s rage, lost in the labyrinth forest.

His shout frightened Keba, who became much more alert, quickly scanning the surroundings. After confirming the absence of the “dead pig,” the two exchanged glances and breathed a sigh of relief.

Li Chengzhu guessed the two must have suffered some torment from the little creature inside the Blood Oath Ring. Although he hadn’t allowed it to devour them, it was probably enough to scare them.

Looking coldly at the two, Xia Mai was the more sensible and pragmatic one. The saying “man is a knife, I am the fish meat” applied here—they were completely trapped, helpless, and certainly not going to have a good outcome.

After some hesitation, Xia Mai finally spoke weakly, “Friend, could you please arrange a spirit-gathering formation for us? Brother Keba and I haven’t absorbed spiritual energy for two months. If we don’t replenish soon, our Nascent Soul cultivation might regress.”

“No need to ask,” Li Chengzhu waved his hand dismissively, already planning to do so.

He took out eight Tianji stones, arranged the spirit-gathering formation for them, then sat down nearby.

Xia Mai bowed slightly, “Thank you, friend,” then closed his eyes, reciting the absorption spell.

Keba glared resentfully at Li Chengzhu, snorted coldly, then began to recover.

Li Chengzhu smirked coldly at the two.

As for how to deal with these two Nascent Souls, it was truly a problem.

Releasing them was impossible. When he unleashed the second form of the Divine Bow, they saw everything clearly. If released, who knew when they might spill the beans?

Not releasing them? Keeping them locked inside the Blood Oath Ring indefinitely? Although the little creature guarded them, and they couldn’t cause much trouble, they hadn’t done anything wrong to him, nor did their interests conflict. Holding them captive was morally indefensible.

A real dilemma, Li Chengzhu scratched his head.

After half a day passed, noting the time was getting late, he figured if he didn’t leave soon, Gu Linglong and Xiao Ying would definitely come looking for him.

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So he took away one Tianji stone, breaking the spirit-gathering formation.

The two’s absorption of spiritual energy was interrupted, and they opened their eyes. Keba still stared coldly at Li Chengzhu, then turned his head away.

Xia Mai, the clever one, forced a smile and asked, “Friend, why did you break the formation?”

“I don’t have much time,” Li Chengzhu said lazily, uninterested in arguing. “To be clear, I will never let you out.”

At this, both were shocked. Keba gritted his teeth and glared at Li Chengzhu, “I’m going to tell the city lord. I’ll make sure she knows what a heartless beast you really are!”

Li Chengzhu smiled faintly, “You’ll see her first, then talk.” He then turned to Xia Mai.

Xia Mai was more reasonable—if these two were to be handled, it was better to start with him. Li Chengzhu’s sharp eyes immediately discerned the truth.

“You’re Xia Mai, right?” Li Chengzhu asked.

“Yes, friend,” Xia Mai replied respectfully.

“I won’t waste words. You two only have your Nascent Souls left. If you go out like this, you might be targeted by some evil forces. They could capture and refine you into magical treasures,” Li Chengzhu said without blushing, wiping his mouth. “That’s why I won’t let you out.”

“Thank you for your concern, friend,” Xia Mai said bitterly inside but spoke politely.

“Of course, I won’t harm you. My pet on the battlefield has devoured countless angelic souls, some more powerful than you two. So, having or not having you two doesn’t make much difference. Understand?” Li Chengzhu stared at them.

His words were clearly a threat: disobey, and you’ll be devoured.

“Understood, completely understood,” Xia Mai habitually wiped his head but found no cold sweat, only an awkward smile. Even Keba, who originally despised Boss Li’s actions, looked pale.

“Good,” Li Chengzhu sneered.

“You two will stay in my ring for a while longer,” Li Chengzhu continued. “I promise, as long as I’m alive, I’ll keep you safe.”

“Thank you, friend,” Xia Mai replied.

Keba pressed his lips and finally asked, “How long do we have to stay inside?”

Hearing this, even Xia Mai’s ears perked up—this was the key point.

“Until I find the Muni Pearl to reconstruct your bodies,” Li Boss signed a big blank check.