Chapter 8: Taiji Bag

  The small stone gazed at the dark green bag that had been tossed onto the bed, quietly lying there. It was a bit old, one foot long and six inches wide, with a five-colored thin cord used to tie up the opening of the bag. He touched the soft and delicate texture of the bag with his hand. It seemed like leather, but also like silk. After carefully examining it for a while, he really couldn't find anything special about it. He muttered to himself, "Is this thing really it? The Ultimate Bag! I don't see what's so precious about it!"

  Zhao Wuji said, "It's the Taiji Bag! The bag that encompasses everything under heaven. I didn't expect the legendary treasure of the immortal family, the Taiji Bag, to be on Gu Yunjie's body, but he obviously only discovered the Cold Rhinoceros Dagger and had no idea that this unassuming pouch was actually a peerless divine object." As he spoke, he seemed to be lamenting that Gu Yunjie had wasted such an opportunity.

  Xiao Shi Tou heard Zhao Wu Jin say such exaggerated words, and he really couldn't bear it. He said, "Taiji pouch! Still an extraordinary divine object! Big brother, look at this bag, apart from not being broken, what else is it useful for? It can't even hold a catty of flour." His face was full of indignation.

  Zhao Wuji let out a sigh and said, "Its spirit is introverted, so you can't see it. Otherwise, it wouldn't have fallen into our hands. This pouch can hold not just one catty of flour, but even a thousand or ten thousand catties without any mistake. Don't you believe me?" Xiaoshi naturally didn't believe him

  "You go ahead and try putting the Forget-Love Fan in first!"

  The little stone thought about it and wondered why not try. He picked up the Forgetfulness Fan and stuffed it into the Taiji bag, but how strange, the Forgetfulness Fan had clearly gone in, yet the Taiji bag didn't change at all. It was as if what went in wasn't the Forgetfulness Fan, but just a puff of air. The little stone's eyes widened in shock, and he hastily put the Cold Rhinoceros Dagger inside too. The one-foot-two-inch-long dagger fit entirely within the one-foot-long bag, without even the hilt showing. What a divine object! A peerless divine object! The little stone tried putting all the movable objects in the house into it, but the bag - no, the Taiji bag - remained unchanged, neither growing bigger nor longer, quietly lying there. This was too unbelievable, and the little stone stared blankly, lost in thought.

  Zhao Wuji slowly said, "According to ancient legend, this object was created before the dawn of time, when heaven and earth were not yet separated. It is made from the skin of a primordial beast, and the five-colored rope is refined from the essence of the five elements. The pouch contains the yin and yang energies, capable of holding all things in the world. However, it's said that this object was sealed away due to its immense power, and the incantation for using it has been lost... Otherwise..." Zhao Wuji started selling a mysterious story again.

  "Otherwise, what's wrong?" Xiaoshi said, he was already used to it.

  "Otherwise, you'll put anything that suits your fancy into it, and that will be utter chaos!"

  "Who sealed it?"

  "Primordial Immortal Guang Chengzi"

  "Isn't that the master of the Yellow Emperor?" Xiaoshi had heard Baifuzi tell the story of the Yellow Emperor asking Daoguangzi before, and he used to think it was just a myth. Now it seems that this is really the case.

  Zhao Wujin said, "Yes! After being sealed, the power of Taiji Bag has been greatly reduced. Now it can only hold a few more things. The kind of divine ability that could swallow mountains and rivers in the past will never appear again!"

  Little Stone held the Taiji pouch, smiling and saying "I think it's not bad, very convenient!" Zhao Wuji looked at this extraordinary divine object, fallen to the point where it could only be used as a storage bag, and could only let out a long sigh.

  Zhao Wuji thought of something and said, "It's said that after the Taiji bag merges with someone's essence and blood, it will be able to communicate with the owner's mind. I don't know if it's true or false."

  "Really? Let me try!" he said, taking out the Cold Rhinoceros Knife and cutting his finger, letting a drop of blood fall onto the Taiji Bag. The fresh blood was immediately absorbed into the bag, and after a while, the Taiji Bag gradually became shiny, getting brighter and brighter, illuminating the entire room like a sun inside. It shone so brightly that it was hard to look directly at it. The light lasted for a long time before slowly fading away. The Taiji Bag returned to its original state, and Xiao Shi Tou hastily picked it up to examine it, only to see that the originally dark green bag now had golden specks and fine golden lines on its surface, transforming the old Taiji Bag into a dazzling golden treasure.

  Xiao Shi Tou frowned and said, "You drank my blood just to become prettier? Big brother, what's going on?"

  Zhao Wu Jin also couldn't understand and said "I'm not clear either, don't you have any feeling?"

  The little stone shook its head, and with a careful heart, it was already broken. The Taiji bag didn't have any reaction either. Feeling a bit disappointed, the cold rhinoceros horn was put in again, and it worked this time.

  Zhao Wuji was also puzzled and said, "Changing into something else is a good thing too. The legendary Taiji bag isn't shining with golden light!"

  Little Stone held up the Taiji pouch and said, "Big Brother, don't you have anything to put in it? By the way, where's your Crimson Flame Sword?"

  Zhao Wuji smiled and said, "No need to pretend with the Red Flame Sword, I'll take care of it myself!"

  "Where did you put it? I didn't see it!"

  "Have you seen the Gathering Spirit Pearl? Wherever the Gathering Spirit Pearl is, the Crimson Flame Sword will also be there."

  "Will it also be in my body?" asked Xiaoshi Tuo.

  "To be exact, the Flame Sword is inside the Gathering Spirit Pearl, and both of them have been cultivated by me into a state of having form but no substance, relying on my primordial spirit, so you can't feel it!"

  The little stone asked curiously, "Where is it on me?"

  As soon as he finished speaking, he felt a warmth in his brow, and Zhao Wuji said "We are all here!"

  "Ha! I knew it, I thought you were in my belly all along!"

  Zhao Wu Jin also smiled and said "The brow chakra is connected to your divine consciousness, it's more convenient for me here." So that was the case, Xiaoshi understood.

  A small stone connected to the Taiji pouch, a Forgetful Fan, and three good items - a Cold Rhinoceros Chopper. He was overjoyed and again urged Zhao Wujian to teach him how to cultivate his magical treasure, so that he could ride his sword and fly as soon as possible.

  The mere mention of the Flying Sword made Zhao Wuji feel a great headache, and this matter was truly untimely. His current cultivation had suffered greatly, and even dealing with a single Guo Yunjie was a huge ordeal. Who knows what other monsters would emerge? The small stone he carried was extremely precious, and just one careless move with the Forgetful Fan could lead to severe injury, not to mention the Taiji Bag, an extraordinary divine object that would cause chaos if discovered. He needed time; cultivating the Dao was not something that could be accomplished overnight. Moreover, the location for cultivating the Dao's mysterious techniques was extremely important. If not, various sects and schools would seek out famous mountains and great rivers to establish their foundations, not just for the scenic views, but mainly because those were places where spiritual energy converged. Zhao Wuji needed to find a quiet place to cultivate properly, but this Red Gold Town, located in the northwest border, was anything but quiet. Another source of frustration was Old Man Zheng; he couldn't let him be separated from his family, could he? In short, it was very difficult! The difficulty weighed on Zhao Wuji's mind, but his mouth said, "Alright! Starting tomorrow, I'll teach you the method for cultivating Qi." Xiao Shi Tou was overjoyed, finally having waited long enough. Since they were starting tomorrow, today would be spent finishing yesterday's business. It was still early in the new year, and he hadn't even gone to pay his respects to his grandfather yet! After tidying up and heading out, Zheng Lao Ye had been drinking excessively for the past few days. After preparing three meals a day, he engaged in a fierce battle with Bai Fuzi at the wine table. After finishing breakfast, before they could even head out, they heard a commotion on the streets. Apparently, someone had discovered a large ice sculpture outside the town's west gate that morning, resembling an enormous bowl turned upside down. It was tens of meters in diameter, crystal clear and majestic.

  Xiao Shi naturally understood, and on the street, he saw Xiao Lan walking towards him. He thought to himself "won't let her know" but then thought it was impossible. Xiao Lan walked in front of him and said "Shi, where are you going?"

  "Go take a look at the old man, and you?" he said, looking at Xiaolan. He found that this little girl was a bit different. Xiaolan's face turned red from being looked at, and Xiaoshi Tuo had grown several inches taller in just a few months, looking like a big man. In a low voice, "I heard there's an ice sculpture on the west side of town, let's go take a look!" Xiaoshi Tuo almost blurted out that it was made for her, but nodded in agreement instead. At this time, he noticed something different about Xiaolan. Her face used to have a bit of redness, but today it didn't. Her complexion had become white and smooth, with more luster than before. His heart skipped a beat, and Zhao Wujin had already replied "It was me! Last night when I absorbed the yuan yin sword energy from her body, I left some for her..." Before he could finish, "Ah!" Xiaoshi Tuo exclaimed loudly. Usually, his conversations with Zhao Wujin were inaudible to others, but this time it startled Xiaolan. She asked what was wrong, and Xiaoshi Tuo quickly brushed it off. Xiaolan said "Stone, I think you've changed".

  "Really, you've grown so big!"

  "It's not just about growing taller, there's more to it!"

  Xiao Shi's heart skipped a beat, thinking to himself "Women's intuition is too formidable! Xiao Lan is still so young! Tsk tsk, women!" He said out loud, "Is there anything else? When will your father be back, Xiao Lan?" Changing the subject, Xiao Lan's father had been away on business and hadn't even returned for the New Year.

  Xiao Lan said, "A few days ago, someone brought a message saying that he can only come back after the 15th!" The two of them walked and talked, and soon they arrived at the place with ice sculptures. There were many people surrounding the ice bowl, pointing and discussing. Some said that the Dragon King had passed by this place last night and accidentally dropped his eating utensils here. Others said it was a heavenly blessing, and this year would definitely be a good harvest. Xiao Lan looked very happy and even went over to touch it.

  Xiao Shi Tou asked Zhao Wu Jin, "Why did you leave some? Isn't this harming people?" Zhao Wu Jin smiled and said, "What harm? I think this girl has a good innate yin constitution, so I'll help her out. The yuan yin sword energy is the most yin energy, which will be beneficial to her." Xiao Shi Tou knew he wouldn't deceive him, so he didn't say anything more. Then he heard the crowd arguing over the ice bowl, getting more and more intense, almost to the point of fighting. Zhao Wu Jin snorted, releasing his Chi Yang true energy, and the ice bowl instantly melted and disappeared. The crowd was shocked and forgot about their argument, only saying that a god had gotten angry and fearing trouble would befall them, they dispersed immediately.

  Xiao Shi Tou and Xiao Lan also walked towards the old man's house. At this time, someone said, "Benefactor, I see that you have a clear spirit and a majestic appearance, you are definitely not an ordinary person. Can you stay for a while and chat with me?"

  The little stone and the little orchid stopped in their tracks, looked around, and saw no one else. Turning back, they only saw a Taoist priest standing where the ice bowl had been. He was 27 or 28 years old, with trimmed eyebrows and sparkling eyes, a straight nose and a square mouth. Although he was not very old, he had an air of profound wisdom about him. His blue Taoist robe fluttered in the wind, giving him the appearance of a transcendent being who had just emerged from the dust of the world.

  The little stone asked, "Were you just talking to me?"

  That Taoist priest smiled and said, "It's really me, the poor Taoist..." Before he could finish speaking, Xiaoshi said, "Dad said that there are few good Taoists, you'd better find someone else to talk to." Without waiting for the Taoist to speak again, he pulled Xiao Lan away.

  Only that person was left with a look of astonishment, muttering to himself "Am I really not like a good person?" After thinking for a moment, he chuckled and looked at where the ice bowl had been, saying in a low voice "To be able to melt such a large piece of ice in such a short time without me noticing anything, it must be either the Tianhuo Palace's Qiantian Shenhuo or Zhao Jianwang's Chi Yang Zhenqi. Could it be......" He shook his head, looking at the small stone that had gone far away with a thoughtful expression.