Fusang Sword Heart Diagram

Qixia Residence.

Ning Fusang followed the maids of the mansion all the way to the waterside pavilion.

In the pavilion in the lake, a woman dressed in a rosy robe and wearing a phoenix crown turned her head and nodded slightly.

"Fellow Daoist Yaoling."

The Hermit of Sunset Glow smiled and invited her to sit down.

On the stone table sat a sky-blue porcelain vase, with a few lotus blossoms, some tall and some short, arranged in the water. Maids filed in, carrying spirit tea and melons.

Ning Fusang also politely addressed him as "Luoxia Jushi" and presented the treasures she had prepared.

A box of star stones, several paintings by Daoist masters depicting flying geese, sunsets, and immortals riding the wind, as well as a short jade lotus crown.

The Hermit of Luoxia was fond of famous paintings and also specialized in astrology. Ning Fusang had inquired about his background before sending the gifts. The paintings were by masters, with profound artistic conception and endless charm, and one could even gain enlightenment from them.

As for the Star Stone, it was something that the Hermit of Sunset Glow needed for his cultivation.

She laughed and said, "It's just a Star-Tracing Technique, Fellow Daoist Yaoling, you've gone to great lengths."

"Would Fellow Daoist Yaoling like to stay at my residence for the next few days?"

These words implied that she was to be taught the art of star-gazing, and Ning Fusang readily agreed.

Several mermaid maids waited nearby.

The blue tulle dress was light and airy, making her look like a fairy.

Ning Fusang was slightly curious: "Water is colorless, so why does this mermaid silk have such a clear and beautiful blue color?"

The Hermit of Sunset Glow did not answer directly, but gave the maid a look. Immediately, a mermaid girl stepped forward, rolled up her sleeves, took a small fish-scale knife, and made a cut on her fair, lotus-root-like arm. Blue blood gushed out.

"As Fellow Daoist Yaoling can see, this blue mermaid gauze is dyed with the blood of mermaids."

The Hermit of Sunset waved his hand, signaling the maid to leave.

“If Fellow Daoist Yaoling is interested in this blue silk fairy dress, I have a few more in my manor, freshly dyed. I’ll have my maid fetch them for you.”

The Hermit of Sunset Glow generously replied that the gifts Ning Fusang had given her were all incredibly valuable. She was only returning a few bolts of mermaid silk; there was no need to be stingy.

Moreover, the Hermit of Luoxia had originally intended to befriend him.

Ning Fusang's eyes flickered slightly, and she smiled faintly, "I am more interested in this mermaid blood. I wonder if the Hermit of Luoxia would be so kind as to offer me some?"

The Hermit of Luoxia did not ask her what she wanted the mermaid's blood for, since it had too many uses: dyeing cloth, soaking beads, using it in medicine, and making ointments.

It's not impossible that the other party just wanted to try out the fun of dyeing mermaid gauze with mermaid blood.

She nodded and said, "Of course there is no problem. Fellow Daoist Yaoling, please feel free to stay at my residence and discuss the Star-Tracing Technique. When Fellow Daoist Yaoling leaves, Luoxia will prepare a few buckets of mermaid blood as a gift."

Several mermaid girls trembled slightly, and resentment flashed in their lowered eyes.

For several days in a row, Ning Fusang and Luoxia Jushi would discuss star-gazing techniques together every evening.

"The Zhongling World Sea is vast and boundless, making it difficult to distinguish east from west. One can only proceed by observing the stars. Fellow Daoist Yaoling, are you about to set sail?"

After they became more familiar with each other, Luoxia Jushi would occasionally chat with Ning Fusang about other trivial matters.

Ning Fusang forced a seemingly sincere smile and said, "I've heard that there's a mountain called Xianmi overseas, where the stones are piled up like jade, and are actually excellent whetstones. I just want to go and find one or two."

The Hermit of Luoxia, a man of great knowledge, continued, "I have also heard of Mount Xianmi, but this mountain is shrouded in fog year-round, and the sea it occupies is floating water. The location of the immortal mountain changes with the floating sea and is not fixed. Many cultivators who set out to find Mount Xianmi have ended up trapped and dying in the floating sea. Although my Star-Tracing Technique can locate it, it is not a foolproof method. Fellow Daoist Yaoling, your journey is fraught with danger. I hope you take care and return safely."

"Thank you for your kind words."

Mount Xianmi does exist, but it was merely an excuse fabricated by Ning Fusang. Her true purpose wasn't to find a whetstone, but rather to locate the ruins of the Merfolk's royal court. Besides, with her sword-nurturing gourd, she had no need for a whetstone at all.

At noon, a guest visited the Hermit of Luoxia Residence, so Ning Fusang went to her room in the side room of Luoxia Residence.

The entire Luoxia Residence covers a vast area, with water features visible everywhere. On the covered bridges and by the lake, mermaids can be seen holding white porcelain bowls, sobbing and shedding pearls.

These pearls will be made into various exquisite jewelry or ground into pearl powder and sold to the immortal forces in Shangling City, or even to the mortal dynasties.

Although the mermaid's tears do not help with cultivation, many immortal sects use mermaid pearls as curtains to add elegance to their shops, auction houses, and similar venues.

In addition, some immortal sects also have influence in the mortal world. Mermaid pearls are the wealth they use to cultivate relationships. After smoothing things over, it is easy for them to find good talents in the mortal world and send them to the mountains to cultivate.

Ning Fusang walked into the pavilion, where a mermaid maidservant holding a white porcelain bowl quickly stood up and gave a curtsy.

May our distinguished guest enjoy peace and happiness forever.

Ning Fusang sat down by the fence, tilting her head to look at her, "Can you read?"

The girl shook her head nervously, thinking that Ning Fusang was speaking in human script.

Ning Fusang explained, "It is an ancient language of the Merfolk."

The girl shook her head again and whispered, "This servant only knows the common merfolk script."

Ning Fusang had heard this several times already, and she realized that things were not as simple as she had thought. Among the merfolk of Luoxia Residence, few were literate, and none knew ancient language.

Ning Fusang could recognize ordinary merfolk script, but unfortunately, she didn't know the ancient language.

Seeing that she remained silent, the girl became somewhat uneasy. Unconsciously, a few tears fell, hitting the edge of the white porcelain bowl with a crisp, ethereal sound.

Ning Fusang stroked the Fusang Ring, pondered for a moment, and then asked, "Does your household not have any merfolk who know ancient languages?"

The girl thought for a moment and said uncertainly, "I might know him, perhaps my grandfather, who is an older member of the clan."

Finally, a glimmer of hope appeared, and Ning Fusang looked up and asked, "Where does he live?"

The girl pointed, and Ning Fusang could only see layers of walls and gates entwined with flowering branches. She simply said, "Lead the way."

The young woman dared not refuse the distinguished guest's request, but she thought to herself that today's pearl production must not have met the target.

She has absolutely no mind to prepare herself emotionally right now.

Just then, a handful of mermaid pearls appeared in her bowl, and a girl's clear, gentle voice came from above her head: "Is that enough?"

Ning Fusang had a box of mermaid pearls left behind by Ku Ge, which were of no use to her, so she naturally didn't hesitate to give some to the mermaid girl to win her over.

The pearls were plump and lustrous, of superior quality. The girl nodded with a smile, "That's enough, thank you, sir."

After passing through several gates and walls and winding corridors, a white gate came into view. Walking straight for seven or eight steps inside, there was a small pond.

"My lord, we've arrived." The girl stopped and said gently.

She called out towards the pool, "Grandpa Swamp Spring, a distinguished guest wishes to see you."

Wow.

Ripples appeared on the water's surface, and an old mermaid emerged from the water but did not leave it, half of his body submerged in the pool, bowing to the young girl on the shore.

"Grandpa Swamp Spring, this is a guest of Hermit of Sunset Glow, Lord Yaoling. She has some questions for you."

(End of this chapter)