Chapter 1484 Mister Shen
The stone figurine’s slightly raised face was mostly covered by the brim of its wide hat, revealing only a perfectly shaped chin as it grasped a spear in its hand.
Despite being made from the most ordinary stone, it glowed with the spark of life, making it seem as if it would come to life at any moment.
It was as if the real Xia Zhi was standing in front of him and saying her iconic phrase, "Lin Xun, I'm hungry."
Lin Xun was lost in thought for a long time. In the end, he displayed a knowing smile. "When you return, I will make you lots of delicious food..."
Beside him, the plain-clothed man also smiled.
Although carving a stone figurine seemed simple, it was anything but simple. While most stone figurines might have excellent craftsmanship, they were ultimately nothing more than cold and lifeless pieces of stone.
In the hands of a cultivator, however, these stone figurines could ‘come alive.’
Lin Xun had carved countless stones in half a month. Every failure he experienced wasn’t due to a lack of skill or practice but instead, it hinged upon whether he was able to clearly express his emotions.
It could be said that each stone carving process was an experience of facing one’s true heart and emotions.
After all, humans weren’t emotionless like plants.
Even Saint and Emperor experts could feel joy, anger, sorrow, hatred, fear, and other emotions. Moreover, the higher one’s cultivation, the less one would hide one’s emotions and thoughts.
Because there was no need to conceal anything if one was strong enough!
Lin Xun had experienced countless battles and bloodshed over the years and was a cultivator forged by trials of blood and fire.
Despite his many experiences, he had never truly tried to understand and face his emotions like today.
The process of carving stone figurines was akin to repeated emotional releases which allowed Lin Xun to recall, remember, and face his emotions.
In the end, he realized that only by letting go would one be able to carry again.
There was no bigotry.
Instead, he followed his heart as if it were the most rational thing to do.
The stone figurine in his hand, for example, displayed his deep longing. It was Lin Xun's true heart and a reflection of his emotions.
Soon after, Lin Xun picked up another stone and began carving again.
This time, he was carving a figurine of Zhao Jingxuan.
The plainly dressed man silently watched as he inwardly sighed, "When one is able to let go, it no longer matters whether it is raining or there is clear weather."
A few days later.
Many stone figurines had appeared around Lin Xun.
There was Xia Zhi and Zhao Jingxuan, as well as Toady, A’lu, Ning Meng, Shi Yu, Ye Xiaoqi, Lin Zhong, Spirit Vulture...
They were the friends and family he cared about.
There were also his hated enemies...like Yun Qingbai.
Each stone figurine gave off a different aura, but they were all filled with vitality like living beings.
With each stone figurine that was completed, Lin Xun's heart and mind seemed to undergo a transformation, becoming increasingly clear and balanced.
It was because each stone figurine represented an aspect of his feelings; be it big or small, intense or mild, each was unique in its own right.
In the end, Lin Xun put down the carving knife and looked around at the stone figurines, feeling as light as a cloud and clear as air.
There was no longer anything that weighed on his heart, leaving only his true heart.
However, it was still a heart that was filled with emotion!
"Thank you, Elder."
Lin Xun raised his gaze and cupped his hands together.
The plainly dressed man smiled slightly and said, "This humble one is simply called ‘Shen,’ which means the truth from the heart. I am from the Divine Apparatus Pavilion and Miaoxuan is my junior brother."
Lin Xun was initially startled before deep respect rose within him.
Many years ago outside Snow Mulberry City, Mister Miaoxuan of the Divine Apparatus Pavilion had appeared holding the Spring Autumn Brush and the Annals of History. The demeanor he displayed resembled that of a true master and had thoroughly impressed Lin Xun.
However, Lin Xun never imagined that he would meet Mister Miaoxuan's senior brother at a shop in this small city!
This time, Lin Xun rose to his feet and properly greeted, "I see, so you are Mister Shen."
"No need for formalities. Sit down."
The plainly dressed man smiled and waved, motioning for Lin Xun to sit down.
The man poured Lin Xun a cup of apricot flower wine and said, "Skills developed from the dao can lead to one’s true heart dao. Just like this stone carving skill. Although it isn’t anything fancy, it can help you sort out your emotions like a comb and make your heart as clear as a lake. The light and shadows cast by the clouds cannot make a single ripple on the lake but instead creates a magnificent picture of light, shadow, and ripples on its surface."
Lin Xun nodded in understanding and agreement.
The plainly dressed man smiled. He raised his cup, exchanged a drink with Lin Xun, and said, "Our meeting wasn’t by chance. I made arrangements to meet you and have a look."
Lin Xun was taken aback.
Soon after, the plainly dressed man smiled and said, "And I now have my answer. Your path isn’t something I should judge, so I can only teach you this stone carving technique."
"Thank you, Elder." A surge of warmth flowed in Lin Xun’s heart.
Both Mister Miaoxuan and Mister Shen felt like a lovely spring breeze. They were truly noble people who would be respected by everyone.
"If things play out as they should, you will face the Supreme Saint Tribulation after entering the Nine Domains Battlefield. Before that happens, it wouldn’t hurt for you to try carving your dao into a stone figurine."
Mister Shen continued, "Doing so will allow you to examine your cultivation, to check for any deficiencies, fill them, and confirm your true dao."
Lin Xun nodded.
Over the next few days, Lin Xun followed Mister Shen’s advice and began to infuse his dao into a stone figurine through the carving knife.
Although each stone figurine was successfully completed, Lin Xun always felt a little dissatisfied.
As such, he destroyed all of them without hesitation.
Mister Shen said nothing during the process. He didn’t comment nor ask any questions, and only continued to drink and read like before.
Three days before the appointed duel, Lin Xun carved a stone figurine in his own image.
While it was easy to observe others, it was difficult to observe oneself.
To carve this stone figurine was akin to portraying all of his cultivation; to display and describe something so grand and magnificent that it could contain the universe into such a small, tiny space was not easy.
However, every stone figurine carved by Lin Xun was missing a pair of eyes.
Eyes represented the finishing touches of a masterpiece.
For Lin Xun, the eyes were the crux of perfectly representing his cultivation in a stone figurine of himself. However, he found himself unable to draw them.
It was an indescribable feeling as if he was waiting for an opportunity that had yet to come. It just didn’t feel right to him.
Just as Lin Xun was about to destroy the stone figurine, Mister Shen suddenly said, "No need to force it if it hasn’t arrived. Your Saint path isn’t here but at the Nine Domains Battlefield."
Lin Xun was startled as if he had suddenly woken up from a dream. He mockingly laughed at himself and said, "I was too fixated."
However, he now understood why he was unable to complete the figurine. It was because the ‘finishing touch’ would only come when the time was right for him to become a Saint expert!
If the chance wasn’t there, forcing it would be akin to drawing legs on a snake, which would do more harm than good.
"Elder, farewell."
That same day, Lin Xun finally stood up and bid his goodbyes.
Mister Shen seemed to know Lin Xun’s next course of action. He thought for a while and said, "The hatred between the Ancient Wasteland Domain and the other eight regions can only be resolved through killing and bloodshed. Don't forget that the opportunity you guys had to attain the supreme path was only made possible by the efforts of countless forefathers. Don’t let them down."
Lin Xun nodded, turned around, and left.
After watching him leave, Mister Shen chuckled and put away the book in his hands. He was planning to return to the Divine Apparatus Pavilion. "Hey, this stone figurine is quite interesting. Boss, how much is it?"
At this moment, a young man walked into the shop and immediately zoned in on the stone figurine carved by Lin Xun.
The young man was dressed in luxurious clothes and was accompanied by a large number of followers. He was clearly either rich or noble or both.
Mister Shen casually said, "I’ll give it to you if you can take it."
The young man was startled, feeling as if he had been slighted. He snorted coldly and said, "You’d better not regret your words!"
As he spoke, he raised his hand and reached toward the stone figurine.
The fact that he had so swiftly discerned the extraordinary nature of one particular stone figurine among so many of them proved that the young man had a good eye for things.
However, he was soon shocked to discover that he was unable to lift the palm-sized stone figurine no matter how hard he tried!
"I refuse to believe I can’t take it!"
The young man gritted his teeth as dreadful dao light rose from him like steam. However, the figure didn’t budge even when his face flushed red with exertion.
Mister Shen inwardly thought that since the stone figurine was the embodiment of that boy's cultivation, very few people under the Saint stage could pick it up, let alone a foolish kid like him.
With that, he waved his sleeve.
Rumble!
The young man and his entourage suddenly found that the scenery was rapidly changing before their eyes.
When they regained their bearings, all they could see was an empty building covered in dust and cobwebs. It had clearly been abandoned for a long time.
The young man gasped, realizing he had met a legendary master, and couldn’t help but become afraid.
His followers were dumbfounded.
After all, they had just witnessed an entire shop being replaced in the blink of an eye!
......
Meanwhile, Lin Xun appeared outside the small city.
"Young Master, are you heading to Baiyujing too?"
A ship that was as huge as a building slowly steamrolled through the clouds as it cast a giant shadow on the ground.
On the ship, a tall, graceful, and beautiful woman waved at Lin Xun.
"Yes."
Lin Xun nodded.
"Let's go together. Many fellow dao friends on this ship are also heading to Baiyujing to watch the battle between Demon God Lin and Lang Qianheng."
The cheerful and enthusiastic woman invited Lin Xun to join her.
"Sure."
Lin Xun thought for a while and agreed.
He had been carving stone figurines in the shop for nearly a month and wasn’t up to date on current affairs.
Hence, it was a good opportunity to catch himself up.
Whoosh!
Lin Xun boarded the ship and walked into the passenger hall where he found numerous people already seated within.
Everyone smiled and greeted him. He didn’t face any trouble.
"Young Master, over here."
The woman waved, calling him to an empty seat next to her.
Lin Xun naturally didn’t reject her offer. He walked over, sat down, and said, "Thank you."
The woman smiled sweetly. "Young Master is too polite."
She has cloud-like hair, beautiful facial features, and creamy-white skin. Her figure was exceptionally graceful, especially her long, slender legs. She was a great beauty who seemed very friendly and open, which naturally made it easy to like her.
Opposite her sat a young man wearing a jade robe, a jade sash, and a feather crown. He was quite handsome and exuded an extraordinary presence.
Upon noticing Lin Xun sitting next to the woman, the jade-robed young man revealed a look of displeasure but didn’t say anything.
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